A centrifugal card shuffling mechanism and a mahjong machine

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of mahjong machine technology, specifically disclosing a centrifugal shuffling mechanism and a mahjong machine. The centrifugal shuffling mechanism includes at least a first shuffling plate, a second shuffling plate, and a drive system. The first shuffling plate is rotatably mounted, and its upper surface has a first receiving area. The second shuffling plate is rotatably mounted relative to the first shuffling plate, and it has a second receiving area surrounding the first shuffling plate, with the first and second receiving areas smoothly connected. The drive system drives the first and second shuffling plates to rotate, and the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the first shuffling plate transports the mahjong tiles from the first receiving area to the second receiving area of ​​the second shuffling plate. This structural form breaks with traditional shuffling methods and has ingenious technical advantages. The rotational resistance of both the first and second shuffling plates is low, the required motor power is low, the cost and failure rate are lower, and the shuffling noise is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of mahjong machine technology, specifically to a centrifugal shuffling mechanism and a mahjong machine. Background Technology

[0002] In existing mahjong machines, the shuffling disc includes a conical tile-receiving area surrounding a central lifting seat and a flat shuffling area surrounding the conical tile-receiving area. A scraper is positioned above the conical tile-receiving area. During shuffling, the shuffling disc rotates while the scraper remains stationary. Based on the relative motion between the scraper and the shuffling disc, the mahjong tiles slide down to the flat shuffling area under the action of the scraper. The tiles are then transported to the conveying mechanism via a tile-loading mechanism, thus completing the shuffling process. This traditional mahjong machine generates significant noise during shuffling due to the continuous impact between the scraper and the tiles. Furthermore, the significant resistance generated by the scraper requires a large torque from the shuffling motor, increasing the risk of malfunction.

[0003] Based on the technical defects caused by the card scraper in traditional mahjong machines, Chinese utility model patent CN219595817U discloses a card shuffling mechanism and mahjong machine without a card scraper. The conical card-bearing area and the planar card-shuffling area of ​​the shuffling tray are designed separately, changing the integrated shuffling tray structure of traditional mahjong machines. The sliding of mahjong tiles is controlled by the height variation of the conical card-bearing area, thus eliminating the need for the traditional card scraper. Although this patented card shuffling mechanism and mahjong machine changes the traditional card scraper structure, its conical card-bearing area is composed of several card-bearing units, which are driven by a drive mechanism to swing, resulting in a relatively complex overall structure and a higher risk of failure. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a centrifugal card shuffling mechanism and a mahjong machine that does not require a traditional card scraper and has the technical advantages of simple structure, low shuffling resistance and low noise.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution provided by this utility model is as follows: A centrifugal shuffling mechanism, comprising at least:

[0006] A first shuffling plate, which is rotatable, has a first card-holding area on its upper surface;

[0007] A second shuffling plate is rotatably configured relative to the first shuffling plate. The second shuffling plate is provided with a second card-holding area surrounding the first shuffling plate. The first card-holding area and the second card-holding area are smoothly connected.

[0008] A drive system is provided to drive the first shuffling plate and the second shuffling plate to rotate. The centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the first shuffling plate transports the mahjong tiles on the first holding area to the second holding area of ​​the second shuffling plate.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the first card-holding area is a conical card-holding area or a flat card-holding area.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the second plate-bearing area is an annular planar plate-bearing area.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the second shuffling plate is provided with a receiving groove for accommodating the first shuffling plate.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the second sign-bearing area is provided with a plurality of radially extending sign structures evenly distributed along the circumferential direction.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the first shuffling disc and the second shuffling disc are rotated by their respective independent first drive motors and second drive motors.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the first shuffling disk rotates intermittently.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, a first gear ring is provided near the center of the second shuffling disc, the second drive motor is provided near the center, and a first drive gear that meshes with the first gear ring is provided on the output shaft of the second drive motor.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the outer ring of the second shuffling disc is provided with a second gear ring, the second drive motor is disposed on the outside of the second shuffling disc, and the output shaft of the second drive motor is provided with a first drive gear that meshes with the second gear ring.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the first shuffling disc is provided with a third gear ring, and a transmission mechanism is provided between the first drive motor and the third gear ring.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the transmission mechanism includes a first bevel gear mounted on the output shaft of the first drive motor, a second bevel gear meshing with the first bevel gear, and a second drive gear coaxially and fixedly connected to the second bevel gear, wherein the second drive gear meshes with the third gear ring.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the first shuffling disc and the second shuffling disc are driven to rotate by the same drive motor. The drive system includes a third drive motor, a first transmission mechanism located between the third drive motor and the first shuffling disc, and a second transmission mechanism located between the third drive motor and the second shuffling disc. A unidirectional transmission structure is provided between the third drive motor and the first transmission mechanism, and the first shuffling disc rotates intermittently.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, no one-way transmission structure is provided between the third drive motor and the second transmission mechanism; or, a one-way transmission structure is provided between the third drive motor and the second transmission mechanism, and the transmission direction is opposite to that of the one-way transmission structure between the third drive motor and the first transmission mechanism.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the first transmission mechanism includes a first transmission gear connected to the output shaft of the third drive motor via a one-way transmission structure and a second transmission gear disposed on the first shuffling disc, wherein the first transmission gear and the second transmission gear mesh.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the second transmission mechanism includes a third transmission gear connected to the output shaft of the third drive motor, a fourth transmission gear disposed on the second shuffling disc, and a fifth transmission gear meshing with the third transmission gear and the fourth transmission gear respectively.

[0023] This utility model also discloses a mahjong machine, which includes at least the centrifugal shuffling mechanism mentioned above.

[0024] This utility model discloses a centrifugal shuffling mechanism and mahjong machine, which improves the traditional one-piece shuffling tray into a split structure, including a first shuffling tray and a second shuffling tray that can rotate relative to each other. Centrifugal force is used to transport the mahjong tiles from the first shuffling tray to the second shuffling tray. Compared with the prior art, it has the following advantages:

[0025] (1) It breaks the traditional shuffling method and is ingeniously conceived.

[0026] (2) Compared with the traditional shuffling disk, the first shuffling disk and the second shuffling disk have smaller rotational resistance, require less motor power, and have lower cost and failure rate.

[0027] (3) Compared with the traditional card scratcher structure, the shuffling noise is smaller. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the centrifugal shuffling mechanism shown in Example 1;

[0029] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the exploded state structure of the first and second shuffling discs in the centrifugal shuffling mechanism shown in Embodiment 1.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the bottom structure of the centrifugal shuffling mechanism shown in Example 1;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the layout of the drive mechanism in Embodiment 1;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the layout of the first drive motor in the centrifugal shuffling mechanism shown in Embodiment 1;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the centrifugal shuffling mechanism shown in Example 2;

[0034] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the centrifugal shuffling mechanism shown in Example 3. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model.

[0036] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0037] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection" and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, an integral connection, or a detachable connection; they can refer to the internal connection of two components; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0038] Example 1,

[0039] One type of mahjong machine in this embodiment, such as Figures 1-5As shown, the device internally incorporates a centrifugal shuffling mechanism and a central lifting structure. A fixed base 30 is positioned below the centrifugal shuffling mechanism, and a central lifting seat 31 is fixedly mounted at the center of the fixed base 30. The central lifting structure includes the aforementioned central lifting seat 31, a lifting rod 32 vertically and movably connected to the central lifting seat 31, and a cam 44 for driving the lifting rod 32 to rise and fall. The cam 44 is mounted on the output shaft of a first drive motor 40, and the first drive motor 40 drives the cam 44 to rotate, thereby driving the lifting rod 32 to rise and fall. It should be noted that the aforementioned central lifting structure is conventional technology in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0040] In traditional mahjong machines, the shuffling disc is rotatably positioned around a central lifting seat. The shuffling disc includes a conical card-receiving area surrounding the central lifting seat and a flat shuffling area surrounding the conical card-receiving area. A scraper is positioned above the conical card-receiving area. During shuffling, the shuffling disc rotates while the scraper remains stationary. Based on the relative motion between the scraper and the shuffling disc, the mahjong tiles slide down to the flat shuffling area under the action of the scraper. The tiles are then transported to the card-carrying mechanism by the card-loading mechanism, thus completing the shuffling process.

[0041] As a special feature of this embodiment, the centrifugal shuffling mechanism includes a first shuffling disc 10, a second shuffling disc 20, a first drive motor 40 for driving the first shuffling disc 10, and a second drive motor 50 for driving the second shuffling disc 20. The first shuffling disc 10 is rotatably disposed around the central lifting seat 31, and its upper surface is provided with a first card-receiving area 101. The second shuffling disc 20 is rotatably disposed relative to the first shuffling disc 10, and its second card-receiving area 201 is provided around the first shuffling disc. The first card-receiving area and the second card-receiving area are smoothly connected.

[0042] In this embodiment, a separate, rotatable first shuffling plate 10 and a second shuffling plate 20 replace the traditional integrated shuffling plate. A first drive motor 40 drives the first shuffling plate 10 to rotate, using centrifugal force to transport the mahjong tiles 80 from the first holding area 201 to the second holding area 201 of the second shuffling plate 20. A second drive motor 50 drives the second shuffling plate 20 to rotate, where the suction wheel 60 of the card-loading mechanism attracts the mahjong tiles 80 from the second holding area 201 to the card-loading mechanism, thus completing the tile arrangement.

[0043] Preferably, in this embodiment, the first tile-bearing area 10 is a conical tile-bearing area. The advantage of this design is that the first tile-bearing area 10 can be transported to the second tile-bearing area 201 with less centrifugal force. Of course, setting the first tile-bearing area 10 as a conical tile-bearing area is only a preferred embodiment of this invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the first tile-bearing area 10 can also be set as a planar tile-bearing area. Compared with a conical tile-bearing area, the centrifugal force for transporting mahjong tiles is greater, but the function of transporting mahjong tiles by centrifugal force can still be achieved.

[0044] Preferably, in this embodiment, the second tile-bearing area 20 is an annular planar tile-bearing area, which is the same as the prior art and is used to transport the mahjong tiles to the position of the tile-feeding mechanism's suction wheel 60.

[0045] As a preferred embodiment, in this case, Figure 2 As shown, the second shuffling plate is provided with a receiving groove 21 for accommodating the first shuffling plate. The receiving groove 21 allows the first card receiving area 101 and the second card receiving area 201 to connect more smoothly.

[0046] In this embodiment, a plurality of radially extending blocking structures 22 are evenly distributed along the circumferential direction on the second tile-bearing area 201. The blocking structures are usually silicone blocks, which are used to prevent mahjong tiles from sliding on the second tile-bearing area 201.

[0047] As a preferred embodiment, in this case, Figures 3-5 As shown, the first shuffling disc 10 is provided with a third gear ring 11, and a transmission mechanism is provided between the first drive motor 40 and the third gear ring 11 to transmit driving force. In a preferred embodiment, the transmission mechanism includes a first bevel gear 42 mounted on the output shaft of the first drive motor 40, a second bevel gear 43 meshing with the first bevel gear 42, and a second drive gear 41 coaxially fixedly connected to the second bevel gear 43. The second drive gear 41 meshes with the third gear ring 11. When the first drive motor 40 rotates, the power is transmitted sequentially through the first bevel gear 42, the second bevel gear 43, the second drive gear 41, and the third gear ring 11, driving the first shuffling disc 10 to rotate.

[0048] It should be noted that the above-described transmission mechanism is merely a preferred embodiment of this invention and is not the only limitation of this application.

[0049] As a special feature of this embodiment, both the first shuffling disc 10 and the lifting rod 32 are driven by the first drive motor 40. Specifically, as Figure 5As shown, the cam 44 and the first bevel gear 42, which drive the lifting rod 32 to rise and fall, are both connected to the output shaft of the first drive motor 40. To ensure that the movements of the first shuffling disc 10 and the lifting rod 32 do not interfere with each other, one-way transmission structures are required between the output shaft of the first drive motor and the first bevel gear, and between the output shaft of the first drive motor and the cam. Furthermore, the transmission directions of the two one-way transmission structures are opposite. Thus, by rotating the first drive motor 40 in both directions, the rotation of the first shuffling disc 10 and the rise and fall of the lifting rod 32 can be driven respectively.

[0050] It should be noted that the one-way transmission structure uses existing mature technology and is not restricted here. Common one-way transmission structures include one-way bearings, overrunning clutches, electromagnetic clutches, or one-way ratchet mechanisms.

[0051] Preferably, in this embodiment, the first drive motor 40 rotates intermittently while driving the first shuffling plate 10 to rotate. That is, after the first drive motor 40 drives the first shuffling plate 10 to rotate for a short period, conveying some mahjong tiles to the second receiving area, the first shuffling plate 10 stops rotating; after a certain period of inactivity, it restarts rotating; this process is repeated, conveying mahjong tiles from the first receiving area to the second shuffling plate in multiple batches. The advantage of this arrangement is that, through testing, it effectively prevents mahjong tiles from piling up in the second receiving area and effectively reduces shuffling noise. Testing showed that if the first shuffling plate rotates continuously, it will continuously generate significant mahjong tile impact noise, while the intermittent rotation method effectively improves this continuous noise phenomenon and reduces the piling up of mahjong tiles in the second receiving area, thereby improving the efficiency of tile placement.

[0052] It should be noted that in this embodiment, there is no restriction on the rotation mode of the second shuffling disk 20, that is, the second shuffling disk 20 can rotate continuously or intermittently.

[0053] In this embodiment, the first shuffling disc 10 and the lifting rod 32 share the first drive motor 40, which can improve the utilization rate of the motor and has the technical advantages of higher motor utilization, more compact structure, lower cost, and higher system integration. However, it should be noted that this solution is only a preferred solution of this embodiment. Those skilled in the art should understand that the first shuffling disc 10 can also be equipped with an independent drive motor, or the first shuffling disc 10 can also share a drive motor with other mechanisms inside the mahjong machine. This embodiment does not impose any limitations here.

[0054] As a preferred embodiment, in this case, Figure 3 , Figure 4As shown, the second shuffling disc 20 is provided with a first gear ring 23 near the center, and the second drive motor 50 is provided near the center and is usually fixedly installed on the fixed base 30. The output shaft of the second drive motor 50 is provided with a first drive gear 51 that meshes with the first gear ring 23. The second drive motor 50 drives the second shuffling disc 20 by transmitting power through the first drive gear 51 and the first gear ring 23.

[0055] It should be noted that the power transmission method and structural layout between the second drive motor 50 and the second shuffling disc 20 described above are preferred embodiments of this embodiment, and not limitations thereof.

[0056] Example 2,

[0057] This embodiment provides a centrifugal shuffling mechanism, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the second gear ring 24, which serves as the power transmission structure of the second shuffling disk 20, is disposed on the outer ring of the second shuffling disk 20. Correspondingly, the second drive motor 50 is disposed on the outer side of the second shuffling disk 20, and a first drive gear 51 that meshes with the second gear ring is disposed on the output shaft of the second drive motor 50.

[0058] Example 3,

[0059] This embodiment provides a centrifugal shuffling mechanism, such as... Figure 7 As shown, the difference from Embodiments 1 and 2 is that the first shuffling disk 10 and the second shuffling disk 20 are driven to rotate by the same drive motor. Preferably, in this embodiment, the drive system includes a third drive motor 70, a first transmission mechanism located between the third drive motor 70 and the first shuffling disk 10, and a second transmission mechanism located between the third drive motor 70 and the second shuffling disk 20.

[0060] As a special feature of this embodiment, a one-way transmission structure is provided between the third drive motor 70 and the first transmission mechanism. It should be noted that the one-way transmission structure adopts existing mature technology and is not limited here. Common one-way transmission structures include one-way bearings, overrunning clutches, electromagnetic clutches, or one-way ratchet mechanisms, etc.

[0061] Accordingly, in this embodiment, the third drive motor 70 and the second transmission mechanism may or may not have a one-way transmission structure. When a one-way transmission structure is provided, its transmission direction is opposite to that of the one-way transmission structure between the third drive motor 70 and the first transmission mechanism.

[0062] A unique feature of this embodiment is that the first shuffling plate 10 rotates intermittently, conveying the mahjong tiles from the first holding area to the second shuffling plate in multiple batches. Specifically, when there is no unidirectional transmission structure between the third drive motor 70 and the second transmission mechanism, when the third drive motor 70 rotates in the forward direction, it drives the second shuffling plate to rotate, while the first shuffling plate remains stationary. When the third drive motor 70 switches its rotation direction to the reverse direction, the first shuffling plate rotates, and the rotation of the second shuffling plate is also switched, rotating simultaneously with the first shuffling plate. By repeatedly switching the rotation direction of the third drive motor 70, the mahjong tiles from the first holding area are conveyed to the second holding area in multiple batches using centrifugal force.

[0063] In this embodiment, when a one-way transmission structure is provided between the third drive motor 70 and the second transmission mechanism, when the third drive motor 70 rotates in the forward direction, it drives the second shuffling plate to rotate, while the first shuffling plate does not rotate; when the third drive motor 70 switches its rotation direction to the reverse direction, the first shuffling plate rotates, while the second shuffling plate does not rotate. By repeatedly switching the rotation direction of the third drive motor 70, the first shuffling plate rotates intermittently, thereby achieving the transfer of mahjong tiles from the first receiving area to the second receiving area in multiple batches using centrifugal force.

[0064] As a preferred embodiment, in this case, Figure 7 As shown, the first transmission mechanism includes a first transmission gear 71 connected to the output shaft of the third drive motor 70 via a one-way transmission structure and a second transmission gear 73 disposed on the first shuffling disc 10, wherein the first transmission gear 71 and the second transmission gear mesh 73. It should be noted that the connection between the output shaft of the third drive motor 70 and the first transmission gear 71 via a one-way transmission structure is a mature technology in the field, and its specific structure will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0065] As a preferred embodiment, in this case, Figure 7 As shown, the second transmission mechanism includes a third transmission gear 72 connected to the output shaft of the third drive motor 70, a fourth transmission gear 74 disposed on the second shuffling disc 20, and a fifth transmission gear 75 meshing with the third transmission gear 72 and the fourth transmission gear 74 respectively. The output shaft of the third drive motor 70 and the third transmission gear 72 may or may not have a unidirectional transmission structure.

[0066] It should be noted that the first and second transmission mechanisms described above are preferred embodiments of this application, and not the only limitations thereof. Those skilled in the art will understand that other transmission mechanisms with different structures can also be provided between the third drive motor and the first and second shuffling discs.

[0067] In summary, the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A centrifugal shuffling mechanism, characterized in that, At least including: A first shuffling plate, which is rotatable, has a first card-holding area on its upper surface; A second shuffling plate is rotatably configured relative to the first shuffling plate. The second shuffling plate is provided with a second card-holding area surrounding the first shuffling plate. The first card-holding area and the second card-holding area are smoothly connected. A drive system is provided to drive the first shuffling plate and the second shuffling plate to rotate. The centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the first shuffling plate transports the mahjong tiles on the first holding area to the second holding area of ​​the second shuffling plate.

2. The centrifugal shuffling mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first plate-holding area is either a conical plate-holding area or a flat plate-holding area.

3. The centrifugal shuffling mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second plate-bearing area is a ring-shaped planar plate-bearing area.

4. The centrifugal shuffling mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second shuffling plate is provided with a receiving groove for accommodating the first shuffling plate.

5. The centrifugal shuffling mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second plate-bearing area is provided with multiple radially extending plate structures evenly distributed along the circumference.

6. The centrifugal shuffling mechanism according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The first shuffling disc and the second shuffling disc are rotated by their respective independent first drive motors and second drive motors.

7. The centrifugal shuffling mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first shuffling disk rotates intermittently.

8. The centrifugal shuffling mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second shuffling disc has a first gear ring near its center, the second drive motor is located near its center, and the output shaft of the second drive motor has a first drive gear that meshes with the first gear ring.

9. The centrifugal shuffling mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second shuffling disc has a second gear ring on its outer ring, the second drive motor is located on the outside of the second shuffling disc, and the output shaft of the second drive motor has a first drive gear that meshes with the second gear ring.

10. The centrifugal shuffling mechanism according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The first shuffling disc is provided with a third gear ring, and a transmission mechanism is provided between the first drive motor and the third gear ring.

11. The centrifugal shuffling mechanism according to claim 10, characterized in that, The transmission mechanism includes a first bevel gear mounted on the output shaft of the first drive motor, a second bevel gear meshing with the first bevel gear, and a second drive gear coaxially and fixedly connected to the second bevel gear. The second drive gear meshes with the third gear ring.

12. The centrifugal shuffling mechanism according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The first shuffling disc and the second shuffling disc are driven to rotate by the same drive motor. The drive system includes a third drive motor, a first transmission mechanism located between the third drive motor and the first shuffling disc, and a second transmission mechanism located between the third drive motor and the second shuffling disc. A one-way transmission structure is provided between the third drive motor and the first transmission mechanism, and the first shuffling disc rotates intermittently.

13. The centrifugal shuffling mechanism according to claim 12, characterized in that, No one-way transmission structure is provided between the third drive motor and the second transmission mechanism; or, a one-way transmission structure is provided between the third drive motor and the second transmission mechanism, and the transmission direction is opposite to that of the one-way transmission structure between the third drive motor and the first transmission mechanism.

14. The centrifugal shuffling mechanism according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first transmission mechanism includes a first transmission gear connected to the output shaft of the third drive motor via a one-way transmission structure and a second transmission gear disposed on the first shuffling disc, wherein the first transmission gear and the second transmission gear mesh.

15. The centrifugal shuffling mechanism according to claim 13, characterized in that, The second transmission mechanism includes a third transmission gear connected to the output shaft of the third drive motor, a fourth transmission gear disposed on the second shuffling disc, and a fifth transmission gear meshing with the third transmission gear and the fourth transmission gear respectively.

16. A mahjong machine, characterized in that, It includes at least the centrifugal shuffling mechanism as described in any one of claims 1-15.

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