Automatic mahjong machine with tilted tile feeding

Abstract

This utility model discloses an automatic mahjong machine with tilted tile loading, solving the problem of tile dropping during the lifting process in existing automatic mahjong machines with tilted tile loading. The automatic mahjong machine with tilted tile loading proposed in this utility model includes a table and a tile-lifting plate. The table has a tile-lifting opening. The tile-lifting plate swings and rises relative to the table between a standby position with the tile-lifting opening closed and a tile-lifting position with the tile-lifting opening open, around a rotation axis. The tile-lifting plate includes an inlet end and an outlet end. Mahjong tiles are pushed up onto the table from the inlet end to the outlet end along the tile-lifting plate in the tile-lifting position. The tile-lifting plate has a pushing guide surface and a transition surface along the pushing direction. The transition surface transitions from high to low from one end of the pushing guide surface towards the outlet end. The tile-lifting plate has a pushing support part for supporting the mahjong tiles together with the table in the tile-lifting state. The pushing support part is located on the transition surface. When the tile-lifting plate is in the standby position, the pushing support part is located in front of the vertical plane of the rotation axis in the pushing direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automatic mahjong machines, and in particular to an automatic mahjong machine with tilted tile loading. Background Technology

[0002] An automatic mahjong machine with tilting tile loading includes a table and a tile-lifting plate. The table has a tile-lifting opening, and the tile-lifting plate swings up and down relative to the table between a standby position with the opening closed and a tile-lifting position with the opening open. The automatic mahjong machine also includes a pushing mechanism, which includes a tile storage slot for storing mahjong tiles and a tile-pushing component for moving the mahjong tiles. When the tile-lifting plate is in the tile-lifting position, the pushing component pushes the mahjong tiles onto the table along the tile-lifting plate. After all the mahjong tiles in the storage slot are pushed out, the tile-lifting plate swings upward, raising the mahjong tiles on the tile-lifting plate onto the table. Two mahjong tiles stacked one on top of the other form a tile pile, which is then lifted as part of the stacking process.

[0003] The mahjong tiles in front are pushed off the lifting plate and onto the table by the tiles behind them. As they fall, they rotate around the highest point of the lifting plate. Due to the tilted design of the lifting plate, there is an angle α between the tiles and the table. This angle α increases the potential energy generated as the tiles fall, making the tiles at the top more prone to falling. See the appendix for details. Figure 1 And, the Chinese utility model patent with publication number CN205145580U and titled "Fully Automatic Mahjong Machine".

[0004] In the prior art, to avoid dropping the tiles, the above technical solution has been improved. For details, please refer to the Chinese invention patent application with publication number CN109011552A entitled "A Fully Automatic Mahjong Machine". By setting a guide surface with rounded or beveled corners at the rear end of the tile lifting plate, the transition of the mahjong tiles from the tile lifting plate to the table surface is more stable.

[0005] This improvement involves adjusting the existing tile-lifting plate. While it reduces the speed at which the mahjong tiles rotate and fall onto the table from the rear end of the plate, thus decreasing the probability of upper tiles falling off, the rounded or angled transition of the plate's rear end causes the support position of the tile-lifting plate to be further away from the lifting opening compared to the previous design. Furthermore, the tilt of the plate increases the height difference between the support position and the upper surface of the table, increasing the angle β when the tiles are simultaneously supported by the edge of the lifting opening and the plate. This increased angle β amplifies the potential energy of the tiles, making upper tiles more prone to falling off when they detach from the plate and land on the table. See the appendix for details. Figures 2 to 3 . Utility Model Content

[0006] This invention proposes an automatic mahjong machine with tilted tile loading to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, thereby solving the problem that tiles are easily dropped during the tile loading process in existing automatic mahjong machines with tilted tile loading.

[0007] To achieve the above technical objectives, this utility model proposes an automatic mahjong machine with tilting tile loading, comprising a table and a tile-lifting plate. The table has a tile-lifting opening, and the tile-lifting plate swings and rises relative to the table between a standby position with the tile-lifting opening closed and a tile-lifting position with the tile-lifting opening open, around a rotation axis. The tile-lifting plate includes a tile-feeding end and a tile-discharging end. Mahjong tiles are pushed up onto the table from the tile-feeding end to the tile-discharging end along the tile-lifting plate in the tile-lifting position. The tile-lifting plate has a tile-pushing guide surface and a transition surface along the tile-pushing direction. The transition surface transitions from high to low from one end of the tile-pushing guide surface towards the tile-discharging end. The tile-lifting plate has a tile-pushing support part for supporting the mahjong tiles together with the table in the tile-lifting state. The tile-pushing support part is located on the transition surface. When the tile-lifting plate is in the standby position, the tile-pushing support part is located in front of the vertical plane of the rotation axis in the tile-pushing direction.

[0008] The automatic mahjong machine with tilted tile feeding proposed in this utility model has a tile-pushing support part located in front of the vertical plane of the rotation axis in the tile-pushing direction. This means that during the process of the tile-lifting plate swinging from the standby position to the tile-lifting position, the tile-pushing support part undergoes at least a swinging upward process. Since the downward angle of the tile-lifting plate is fixed, the drop difference between the tile-pushing support part and the upper surface of the table is reduced compared to the prior art. This reduces the angle between the mahjong tiles when they are simultaneously supported by the table and the tile-lifting plate, thereby reducing the potential energy of the mahjong tiles when they are pushed away from the tile-lifting plate and fall onto the table. This also reduces the speed of the mahjong tiles when they fully contact the table, further reducing the probability of the top mahjong tiles in the first pile falling during the tile-lifting process.

[0009] Preferably, when the card-lifting plate is in the card-lifting position, the card-pushing support is not higher than the upper surface of the table in the vertical direction.

[0010] When the mahjong tiles are supported by the table and the lifting plate at the same time, the rear end of the mahjong tiles is raised because the height of the pushing support part in the vertical direction is higher than the upper surface of the table. The mahjong tiles are tilted towards the table. Under the combined effect of inertia and tilt, the mahjong tiles at the top are prone to slide forward and fall.

[0011] Preferably, the slope of the transition surface gradually decreases in the pushing direction, at least between the push-card guide surface and the push-card support.

[0012] Using the aforementioned technical solution, during the rotation and fall of the mahjong tiles on the lifting plate, the tilt angle of the mahjong tiles gradually decreases, causing the center of gravity of the mahjong tiles to move forward. The gradual decrease in the slope of the transition surface in the pushing direction allows the transition surface to continuously move forward to support the mahjong tiles as they rotate. As the mahjong tiles are pushed forward, the transition surface can continuously or repeatedly support the mahjong tiles, thus slowing down their rotation (i.e., during the rotation and fall of the mahjong tiles from the lifting plate to the table surface, the mahjong tiles undergo multiple "contact-disengagement" processes with the transition surface, causing the falling kinetic energy of the mahjong tiles to be consumed in stages). This reduces the speed generated by the rotation and fall of the mahjong tiles, resulting in a lower speed when the mahjong tiles contact the table surface, and a smaller reaction force from the table surface on the mahjong tiles. This further reduces the probability of the top mahjong tiles in the first pile falling during the lifting process.

[0013] Preferably, the pusher support makes surface contact with the mahjong tiles, and when the lifting plate is in the lifting position, the tilt angle of the pusher support is consistent with the tilt angle of the mahjong tiles supported by the table surface and the pusher support.

[0014] By adopting the aforementioned technical solution, the pusher support and the mahjong tile form a surface contact. When the mahjong tile is spun down from the lifting plate onto the table, one end of the mahjong tile is supported on the table and the other end is supported on the pusher support. The flat pusher support increases the support area of ​​the lifting plate on the mahjong tile, thereby dispersing the impact force of the mahjong tile falling and reducing the impact force on the table and the reaction force of the table on the mahjong tile, thus greatly reducing the probability of the mahjong tile being dropped.

[0015] Preferably, the pusher support makes line contact with the mahjong tiles, and when the lifting plate is in the lifting position, the inclination angle of the transition surface at the pusher support position is consistent with the inclination angle of the mahjong tiles supported by the table surface and the pusher support.

[0016] By adopting the aforementioned technical solution, the pusher support part and the mahjong tile make line contact, thereby reducing the friction between the mahjong tile and the lifting plate.

[0017] Preferably, the card-dispensing end includes a card-dispensing end face located on the side of the card-lifting plate, and the card-pushing support is connected to the card-dispensing end face.

[0018] By adopting the aforementioned technical solution, the card-pushing support is positioned close to the card-dispensing end, and there is a relatively long distance between the card-pushing support and the card-pushing guide surface. This allows the transition surface with a slow-descent effect to be set to be longer, thereby increasing the effective slow-descent length of the transition surface and improving its slow-descent effect. Furthermore, the increased effective slow-descent length of the transition surface with a slow-descent effect also allows for a smaller change in the slope of the transition surface, enabling the transition surface to better slow down the mahjong tiles and further enhancing its slow-descent effect.

[0019] Preferably, the transition surface includes a gently sloping surface connecting the push-card guide surface and the push-card support, wherein the gently sloping surface is a convex arc surface, and the slope of the tangent direction of the convex arc surface gradually decreases along the push-card direction; or,

[0020] The descent slope is composed of at least two planes, the slope of which gradually decreases along the direction of pushing the card; or, the descent slope is composed of at least one plane and at least one outwardly convex arc surface, the slope of which gradually decreases along the direction of pushing the card.

[0021] By adopting the aforementioned technical solution, the transition surface can provide continuous or multiple slow-descent support for the mahjong tiles during their spinning and falling process, reducing the speed at which the tiles fall and decreasing the reaction force of the table on the tiles, thereby reducing the probability of the mahjong tiles being dropped.

[0022] Preferably, the maximum slope of the transition surface is not greater than the slope of the push-card guide surface, and the transition surface and the push-card guide surface transition smoothly.

[0023] By adopting the aforementioned technical solution, protrusions are avoided on the tile-lifting plate, making the mahjong tiles arranged on the tile-lifting plate more even when the tile-lifting plate is in the standby position; at the same time, abrupt changes in slope at the connection between the tile-pushing guide surface and the transition surface are avoided, improving the stability of the mahjong tiles when they move on the tile-lifting plate.

[0024] Preferably, during the process of the card-raising plate swinging from the standby position to the card-raising position, the card-pushing support part crosses the vertical plane. When the card-raising plate is in the card-raising position, the maximum angle between the line connecting the card-pushing support part and the rotation axis and the vertical plane is δ, and the angle of rotation of the card-raising plate from the standby position to the card-raising position is ε, where δ≤ε / 2.

[0025] Using the aforementioned technical solution, during the process of the tile-raising plate swinging from the standby position to the tile-raising position, the tile-pushing support part first swings upward and then swings downward. Since δ≤ε / 2, the height of the tile-pushing support part swinging upward is greater than the height of the swinging downward, thereby further reducing the drop between the tile-pushing support part and the upper surface of the table, thereby reducing the angle β between the mahjong tiles supported by the table and the tile-raising plate and the table, reducing the potential energy when the mahjong tiles are pushed away from the tile-raising plate and fall onto the table, reducing the speed when the mahjong tiles fully contact the table, and further reducing the probability of the mahjong tiles at the top of the first pile of mahjong tiles falling during the tile-raising process;

[0026] At the same time, this allows the push-tile support to be closer to the playing end, resulting in a longer distance between the push-tile support and the push-tile guide surface. This increases the length of the transition surface and enhances its effective descent length. As the mahjong tile is pushed up on the tile-raising board, it can continuously receive the descent effect of the transition surface over a longer distance, thus improving the descent effect of the transition surface.

[0027] Furthermore, the increased effective descent length of the transition surface also allows for a smaller change in the slope of the transition surface, enabling the transition surface to better facilitate the descent of the mahjong tiles and further enhance the descent effect of the transition surface.

[0028] Preferably, when the card-lifting plate is in the card-lifting position, the card-pushing support is located in front of the vertical plane of the rotation axis in the card-pushing direction, or at least part of the card-pushing support is located on the vertical plane of the rotation axis.

[0029] Using the aforementioned technical solution, during the process of the tile-lifting plate swinging from the standby position to the tile-lifting position, the tile-pushing support part only undergoes the swinging upward process, or mainly undergoes the swinging upward process, thereby further reducing the drop between the tile-pushing support part and the upper surface of the table, thereby reducing the angle β between the mahjong tiles supported by the table and the tile-lifting plate and the table, reducing the potential energy when the mahjong tiles are pushed away from the tile-lifting plate and fall onto the table, reducing the speed when the mahjong tiles fully contact the table, and further reducing the probability of the mahjong tiles at the top of the first pile of mahjong tiles falling during the tile-lifting process;

[0030] At the same time, this allows the push-tile support to be closer to the playing end, resulting in a longer distance between the push-tile support and the push-tile guide surface. This increases the length of the transition surface and enhances its effective descent length. As the mahjong tile is pushed up on the tile-raising board, it can continuously receive the descent effect of the transition surface over a longer distance, thus improving the descent effect of the transition surface.

[0031] Furthermore, the increased effective descent length of the transition surface also allows for a smaller change in the slope of the transition surface, enabling the transition surface to better facilitate the descent of the mahjong tiles and further enhance the descent effect of the transition surface.

[0032] Preferably, the transition surface extends along the width direction of the lifting plate.

[0033] By adopting the aforementioned technical solution, the transition surface extends along the width of the lifting plate, which increases the support area of ​​the transition surface for the mahjong tiles, improves the stability of the mahjong tiles moving on the transition surface, and also helps to enhance the slow-descent effect of the transition surface on the mahjong tiles.

[0034] These features and advantages of the present invention will be disclosed in detail in the following specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the tile-raising board and mahjong tiles in a current tile-pushing state.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the tile-raising board and mahjong tiles in another existing technology's tile-pushing state;

[0037] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A partial schematic diagram of the lifting plate in a horizontal position;

[0038] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the table and lifting mechanism of an automatic mahjong machine.

[0039] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0040] Figure 6 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the tile-raising plate in the tile-raising position in one embodiment of the present invention, in conjunction with the mahjong tiles and the table surface;

[0041] Figure 7 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the card-raising plate and the table surface in the standby position according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 8 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the tile-raising plate in the tile-raising position working in conjunction with the mahjong tiles and the table surface in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 9 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the card-raising plate and the table surface in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 10 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the card-raising plate and the table surface in the standby position in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 11 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the card-raising plate and the table surface in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 12 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the tile-raising plate in the tile-raising position working in conjunction with the mahjong tiles and the table surface in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure label:

[0048] 100. Tabletop; 110. Card-raising opening;

[0049] 200. Lifting mechanism;

[0050] 300. Lifting plate; 301. Rotation axis; 302. Vertical surface; 303. Card entry end; 304. Card exit end; 3041. Card exit end face; 310. Card push guide surface; 320. Transition surface; 321. Gradually descending slope surface; 322. Card push support part.

[0051] 400. Mahjong tiles. Detailed Implementation

[0052] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be explained and described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the following embodiments are only preferred embodiments of the present utility model and not all of them. Other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments in the implementation methods without creative effort are all within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0053] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", 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.

[0054] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" or "several" means two or more, unless otherwise expressly defined.

[0055] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0056] refer to Figure 1 In the prior art, due to the tilted setting of the lifting plate 300, the mahjong tile 400 and the table surface 100 have a certain tilt angle α. When the mahjong tile 400 falls from the lifting plate 300, it has a large potential energy, which makes the mahjong tile 400 located at the top easy to fall off.

[0057] refer to Figures 2 to 3 The aforementioned technology has been improved, but this improvement involves adjustments to the original lifting plate 300. Although this reduces the speed at which the mahjong tiles 400 rotate and fall from the rear end of the lifting plate 300 onto the table surface 100, the rounded or angled transition of the guide surface at the rear end of the lifting plate 300 causes the support position of the lifting plate 300 for the mahjong tiles 400 to be further away from the lifting plate 300 compared to the previous solution, when the mahjong tiles 400 are simultaneously supported by the table surface 100 and the lifting plate 300. The tile opening 110, and due to the tilt of the tile lifting plate 300, the drop between the supporting position of the tile lifting plate 300 and the upper surface of the table 100 increases. This increases the angle β when the mahjong tile 400 is supported by the edge of the tile lifting opening 110 and the tile lifting plate 300. The increased angle β increases the potential energy of the mahjong tile 400, making it easier for the upper part of the mahjong tile 400 to fall off when it detaches from the tile lifting plate 300 and lands on the table 100.

[0058] Example 1:

[0059] like Figures 4 to 7 As shown, the automatic mahjong machine with tilting tile loading proposed in this embodiment of the present invention includes a table 100 and a tile lifting plate 300. The table 100 has a tile lifting opening 110. The tile lifting plate 300 swings and rises and falls relative to the table 100 around a rotation axis 301 between a standby position with the tile lifting opening 110 closed and a tile lifting position with the tile lifting opening 110 open. The tile lifting plate 300 includes a tile feeding end 303 and a tile dispensing end 304. The mahjong tiles 400 are pushed up to the table 100 from the tile feeding end 303 to the tile dispensing end 304 along the tile lifting plate 300 in the tile lifting position.

[0060] Specifically, the automatic mahjong machine also includes a lifting mechanism 200, which includes a lifting bracket and a tile-pushing slot. The tile-pushing slot is used to store the shuffled mahjong tiles 400. The tile-lifting plate 300 is rotatably connected to the lifting bracket and swings up and down around the rotation axis 301. When the tile-lifting plate 300 swings up, it closes the tile-lifting opening 110. When the tile-lifting plate 300 is in the tile-lifting position, one end of it is connected to the tile-pushing slot, and the mahjong tiles 400 are pushed out of the tile-lifting opening 110 and onto the table surface 100.

[0061] The lifting mechanism 200 in this embodiment can be referenced in Chinese invention patent application CN115721922A, entitled "Drive Device for Mahjong Machine Lifting Mechanism 200," which describes the mahjong machine lifting mechanism 200 and the mahjong machine. In this embodiment, the lifting mechanism 200 is provided in four groups, and the four groups of lifting mechanisms 200 are independent of each other and do not overlap.

[0062] This embodiment of the card-pushing slot includes a card-inlet and a card-outlet, and the card-inlet to card-outlet section forms an arc-shaped curved structure with a bending angle greater than 180°. In this embodiment, there are four card-pushing slots, each located at one of the four corners of the mahjong machine. The four card-pushing slots are independent of each other and do not overlap. For details, please refer to Chinese invention patent application CN109011550A, entitled "Rapid Card Lifting Mahjong Machine Card-Pushing Device and Mahjong Machine".

[0063] In some other embodiments, the card-pushing slots may also be configured as having an inlet and an outlet, with the inlet and outlet forming an arc shape with a curvature angle of less than or equal to 180°. There are four card-pushing slots arranged in a windmill shape, as detailed in Chinese Utility Model Patent Publication No. CN205340092U, entitled "Fully Automatic Mahjong Machine".

[0064] Two mahjong tiles 400 are stacked one on top of the other in the tile-pushing slot to form a tile stack. The stack of mahjong tiles 400 is then pushed up to the table surface 100 by the tile-lifting plate 300 through the tile-lifting opening 110.

[0065] In this embodiment, the tile-lifting plate 300 is provided with a tile-pushing guide surface 310 and a transition surface 320 along the tile-pushing direction. The transition surface 320 transitions from high to low from one end of the tile-pushing guide surface 310 towards the tile-dispensing end 304. The tile-lifting plate 300 is provided with a tile-pushing support part 322 for supporting the mahjong tiles 400 together with the table surface 100 in the tile-lifting state. The tile-pushing support part 322 is located on the transition surface 320. When the tile-lifting plate 300 is in the standby position, the tile-pushing support part 322 is located in front of the vertical surface 302 of the rotation axis 301 in the tile-pushing direction. The tile-pushing support part 322 can be a support line or a support surface.

[0066] The automatic mahjong machine of this utility model adjusts the position of the rotation axis 301 of the lifting plate 300, moving the rotation axis 301 towards the card feeding end 303 of the lifting plate 300, thereby enabling the card pushing support part 322 to be located in front of the vertical plane 302 of the rotation axis 301 in the card pushing direction.

[0067] In existing automatic mahjong machines with tilting tiles, the first stack of mahjong tiles 400 is prone to falling over during the tile-raising process because there are no other mahjong tiles 400 blocking its way.

[0068] When the mahjong tile 400 is pushed away from the lifting plate 300 and fully supported by the table surface 100, there is an angle β between the mahjong tile 400 and the table surface 100. When the angle β is too large, the mahjong tile 400 has a large potential energy. This will cause the mahjong tile 400 to have a large speed when it fully contacts the table surface 100. The impact force of the table surface 100 on the mahjong tile 400 can easily cause the mahjong tile 400 to fall. See the appendix for details. Figures 2 to 3 And, Chinese invention patent application with publication number CN109011552A entitled "A Fully Automatic Mahjong Machine".

[0069] The automatic mahjong machine with tilted tile loading proposed in this utility model has a tile-pushing support part 322 located in front of the vertical plane 302 of the rotation axis 301 in the tile-pushing direction. This allows the tile-lifting plate 300 to swing from the standby position to the tile-lifting position, during which the tile-pushing support part 322 undergoes at least a swinging upward process. Furthermore, since the downward swing angle of the tile-lifting plate 300 is fixed, the drop between the tile-pushing support part 322 and the upper surface of the table 100 is reduced compared to the prior art. This reduces the angle β when the mahjong tile 400 is simultaneously supported by the table 100 and the tile-lifting plate 300, thereby reducing the potential energy when the mahjong tile 400 is pushed away from the tile-lifting plate 300 and falls onto the table 100. This also reduces the speed when the mahjong tile 400 fully contacts the table 100, further reducing the probability of the mahjong tile 400 at the top of the first pile of mahjong tiles falling during the tile-lifting process.

[0070] In this embodiment, a card-supporting layer is attached to both the tabletop 100 and the card-lifting plate 300. The card-supporting layer is usually made of a flexible material, such as a velvet layer or a leather layer.

[0071] In a preferred embodiment, when the card-raising plate 300 is in the standby position, the card-pushing guide surface 310 is flush with the upper surface of the table surface 100.

[0072] The push-tile guide surface 310 is located on the tile-bearing layer and is flush with the upper surface of the table 100. This reduces the height difference between the tile-raising plate 300 and the table 100, making the mahjong tiles 400 arranged on the table 100 more neat. When the player removes the mahjong tiles 400 from the tile-raising plate 300, the mahjong tiles 400 will not bump or collide due to the height difference, thus improving the player's gaming experience.

[0073] Example 2:

[0074] Based on Embodiment 1, in this embodiment, the slope of the transition surface 320 gradually decreases in the pushing direction, at least between the push-card guide surface 310 and the push-card support portion 322.

[0075] In existing automatic mahjong machines, when the mahjong tiles 400 rotate and fall from the lifting plate 300 until they are simultaneously supported by the table surface 100 and the lifting plate 300, if the speed at which the mahjong tiles 400 rotate and fall is high, the impact force from the table surface 100 on the mahjong tiles 400 can easily cause the tiles 400 to fall. See details for further information. Figure 1 And, the Chinese utility model patent with publication number CN205145580U and titled "Fully Automatic Mahjong Machine".

[0076] As the mahjong tiles 400 on the lifting plate 300 rotate and fall, the tilt angle of the mahjong tiles 400 gradually decreases, causing the center of gravity of the mahjong tiles 400 to shift forward. Meanwhile, the gradual decrease in the slope of the transition surface 320 in the pushing direction allows the transition surface 320 to continuously move forward to support the mahjong tiles 400 as they rotate. As the mahjong tiles 400 are pushed forward, the transition surface 320 can continuously or repeatedly support the mahjong tiles 400, thus providing a gentle descent effect on their rotation (i.e., during the rotation of the mahjong tiles). During the process of rotating and dropping the mahjong tile 400 from the lifting plate 300 onto the table surface 100, the mahjong tile 400 undergoes multiple "contact-departure" processes with the transition surface 320, which causes the falling kinetic energy of the mahjong tile 400 to be consumed in stages. This reduces the speed generated by the rotation and falling of the mahjong tile 400, resulting in a smaller speed when the mahjong tile 400 contacts the table surface 100. The reaction force of the table surface 100 on the mahjong tile 400 is also smaller, thereby reducing the probability of the mahjong tile 400 at the top of the first stack of mahjong tiles 400 falling during the lifting process.

[0077] In this preferred embodiment, the transition surface 320 includes a gently sloping surface 321 that connects the push-card guide surface 310 and the push-card support part 322, and the slope of the gently sloping surface 321 gradually decreases in the push-card direction.

[0078] In one specific implementation, the descent slope 321 is an outwardly convex arc surface, and the slope of the tangent direction of the outwardly convex arc surface gradually decreases along the pushing direction.

[0079] In another specific embodiment, the transition surface 320 may also be composed of at least two planes, the slope of which gradually decreases along the direction of the push card.

[0080] In another specific embodiment, the transition surface 320 may also be composed of at least one plane and at least one convex arc surface, wherein the slope of the at least one plane and at least one convex arc surface gradually decreases along the pushing direction.

[0081] With the above settings, the transition surface 320 can provide continuous or multiple slow-descent support for the mahjong tile 400 during its spinning descent, reducing the speed at which the mahjong tile 400 spins and the reaction force of the table surface 100 on the mahjong tile 400, thereby reducing the probability of the mahjong tile 400 falling.

[0082] Example 3:

[0083] Based on Embodiments 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the push-tile support 322 and the mahjong tile 400 form a line contact. When the tile-lifting plate 300 is in the tile-lifting position, the tilt angle of the transition surface 320 at the position of the push-tile support 322 is consistent with the tilt angle of the mahjong tile 400 supported by the table surface 100 and the push-tile support 322.

[0084] The card-pushing guide surface 310 extends from the card-entry end 303 to the card-discharge end 304. The starting point of the transition surface 320 is the ending point of the card-pushing guide surface 310, and the ending point of the transition surface 320 is the card-storage end.

[0085] In one specific implementation, such as Figure 7 As shown, the push card support 322 is located between the start and end points of the transition surface 320.

[0086] In another specific implementation, such as Figure 11 As shown, the card-dispensing end 304 forms a card-dispensing end face 3041 on the side of the card-lifting plate 300. The connection position between the transition surface 320 and the card-dispensing end face 3041 constitutes a card-pushing support part 322, that is, the card-pushing support part 322 is located at the end point of the transition surface 320.

[0087] The pusher support 322 makes line contact with the mahjong tile 400, thereby reducing the friction between the mahjong tile 400 and the tile-raising plate 300.

[0088] Example 4:

[0089] Unlike Embodiment 3, in this embodiment, the push-tile support 322 and the mahjong tile 400 are in surface contact. When the tile-lifting plate 300 is in the tile-lifting position, the tilt angle of the transition surface 320 at the position of the push-tile support 322 is consistent with the tilt angle of the mahjong tile 400 which is supported by the table surface 100 and the push-tile support 322.

[0090] In one specific implementation, such as Figures 8 to 10 As shown, the push-tile support part 322 is a plane. During the process of pushing the mahjong tile 400 away from the tile lifting plate 300, the push-tile plane supports the mahjong tile 400, and the tilt angle of the push-tile support part 322 is consistent with the tilt angle of the mahjong tile 400.

[0091] The push-tile support 322 makes surface contact with the mahjong tile 400. When the mahjong tile 400 is spun down from the lifting plate 300 onto the table surface 100, one end of the mahjong tile 400 is supported on the table surface 100, and the other end is supported on the push-tile support 322. The flat push-tile support 322 increases the support area of ​​the lifting plate 300 on the mahjong tile 400, thereby dispersing the impact force of the mahjong tile 400 as it falls, reducing the impact force of the mahjong tile 400 on the table surface 100, and reducing the reaction force of the table surface 100 on the mahjong tile 400, thus greatly reducing the probability of the mahjong tile 400 being dropped.

[0092] Example 5:

[0093] Based on embodiments three and four, in this embodiment, the card-dispensing end 304 includes a card-dispensing end surface 3041 located on the side of the card-lifting plate 300, and a card-pushing support part 322 is connected to the card-dispensing end surface 3041.

[0094] When the push-tile support part 322 makes line contact with the mahjong tile 400, the connection position between the transition surface 320 and the tile-playing end surface 3041 constitutes the push-tile support part 322, and the push-tile support part 322 is the end point of the transition surface 320.

[0095] When the push-tile support 322 makes surface contact with the mahjong tile 400, the connection point between the push-tile support 322 and the tile-dispensing end face 3041 is the end point of the transition surface 320. Wherein, when the transition surface 320 has a gently sloping surface 321, the slope of the push-tile support 322 is not greater than the minimum slope of the gently sloping surface 321.

[0096] This configuration allows the push-card support 322 to be close to the card-dispensing end 304, and a longer distance between the push-card support 322 and the push-card guide surface 310. This allows the surface with a gentle descent effect on the transition surface 320 to be set longer, thereby increasing the effective descent length of the surface with a gentle descent effect on the transition surface 320 and improving the descent effect of the transition surface 320. Furthermore, the increased effective descent length of the surface with a gentle descent effect on the transition surface 320 also allows for a smaller change in the slope of the transition surface 320, enabling the transition surface 320 to better gently descent the mahjong tiles 400 and further enhancing the descent effect of the transition surface 320.

[0097] Example 6:

[0098] Based on all the foregoing embodiments, in order to further reduce the probability of mahjong tiles being smashed (400 tiles), such as... Figure 7 , Figure 9 , Figure 11 As shown, when the card-lifting plate 300 is in the card-lifting position, the vertical height of the card-pushing support part 322 is not higher than the upper surface of the table 100.

[0099] With this configuration, the mahjong tiles 400, which are supported by both the table surface 100 and the tile-pushing support 322, will not tilt towards one side of the table surface 100. This prevents the mahjong tiles 400, which are supported by both the table surface 100 and the tile-pushing support 322, from having a tendency to slide towards the table surface 100. It also prevents the mahjong tiles 400 at the top from having a large potential energy to slide forward, thereby reducing the probability of the mahjong tiles 400 falling.

[0100] Example 7:

[0101] As shown in the figure, this embodiment serves as a comparative embodiment with Embodiment Six. The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment Six is ​​that, as... Figure 12 As shown, when the card-lifting plate 300 is in the card-lifting position, the height of the card-pushing support part 322 in the vertical direction is higher than the upper surface of the table 100.

[0102] When the mahjong tile 400 is supported simultaneously by the table surface 100 and the tile-lifting plate 300, the vertical height of the tile-pushing support part 322 is higher than the upper surface of the table surface 100, causing the rear end of the mahjong tile 400 to be raised. This results in the mahjong tile 400 tilting towards the table surface 100. The upper mahjong tile 400, due to the combined effects of inertia and tilt, has an increased probability of sliding forward and falling. When the angle between the mahjong tile 400 and the table surface 100 is large, or when the surface between the upper and lower mahjong tiles 400 is too smooth, falling is more likely to occur.

[0103] Example 8:

[0104] Based on all the foregoing embodiments, in order to reduce the included angle β, such as Figure 8 , Figure 9 As shown, during the process of the card-raising plate 300 swinging from the standby position to the card-raising position, the card-pushing support part 322 crosses the vertical plane 302. When the card-raising plate 300 is in the card-raising position, the maximum included angle between the line connecting the card-pushing support part 322 and the rotation axis 301 and the vertical plane 302 is δ, and the angle of rotation of the card-raising plate 300 from the standby position to the card-raising position is ε, where δ≤ε / 2.

[0105] In this embodiment, the swing angle ε of the lifting plate 300 is 17°, and δ≤8.5°.

[0106] In some other embodiments, the lifting plate 300 may also be configured to have other swing angles.

[0107] When the push card support part 322 is the support line, the angle between the line connecting the support line and the nearest point on the rotation axis 301 and the vertical plane 302 is δ.

[0108] When the card-pushing support part 322 is the support surface, the line connecting any point on the support surface and the nearest point on the rotation axis 301 forms an angle with the vertical plane 302, and the line connecting any point on the support surface near the card-dispensing end 304 and the nearest point on the rotation axis 301 forms an angle with the vertical plane 302.

[0109] With this configuration, during the process of the tile-raising plate 300 swinging from the standby position to the tile-raising position, the tile-pushing support part 322 first swings upward and then swings downward. Since δ≤ε / 2, the height of the upward swing of the tile-pushing support part 322 is greater than or equal to the height of the downward swing, thereby further reducing the drop between the tile-pushing support part 322 and the upper surface of the table 100. This reduces the angle β between the mahjong tile 400, which is supported by both the table 100 and the tile-raising plate 300, and the table 100. It also reduces the potential energy of the mahjong tile 400 when it is pushed away from the tile-raising plate 300 and falls onto the table 100, and reduces the speed of the mahjong tile 400 when it fully contacts the table 100. This further reduces the probability of the mahjong tile 400 at the top of the first pile of mahjong tiles falling during the tile-raising process.

[0110] Meanwhile, this allows the push-card support part 322 to be closer to the card-playing end 304, resulting in a longer distance between the push-card support part 322 and the push-card guide surface 310. This increases the length of the transition surface 320, thereby improving the effective descent length of the transition surface 320. During the process of pushing the mahjong tile 400 on the tile-raising plate 300, it can be continuously subjected to the descent effect of the transition surface 320 over a longer distance, thus improving the descent effect of the transition surface 320.

[0111] Furthermore, the increased effective descent length of the transition surface 320 also allows for a smaller change in the slope of the transition surface 320, enabling the transition surface 320 to better facilitate the descent of the mahjong tile 400 and further enhance the descent effect of the transition surface 320.

[0112] Example 9:

[0113] Unlike Example 8, as Figure 11 As shown, when the card-raising plate 300 is in the card-raising position, the card-pushing support part 322 is located in front of the vertical plane 302 of the rotation axis 301 in the card-pushing direction.

[0114] The push card support 322 can be a support surface, which is located in front of the vertical surface 302 of the rotation axis 301 in the push card direction.

[0115] The push card support part 322 can also be a support line, which is located in front of the vertical plane 302 of the rotation axis 301 in the push card direction.

[0116] With this configuration, during the process of the tile-raising plate 300 swinging from the standby position to the tile-raising position, the tile-pushing support part 322 only undergoes a swinging upward process, thereby further reducing the height difference between the tile-pushing support part 322 and the upper surface of the table 100. This reduces the angle β between the mahjong tile 400, which is supported by both the table 100 and the tile-raising plate 300, and the table 100. It also reduces the potential energy of the mahjong tile 400 when it is pushed away from the tile-raising plate 300 and falls onto the table 100, and reduces the speed of the mahjong tile 400 when it fully contacts the table 100. This further reduces the probability of the mahjong tile 400 at the top of the first pile of mahjong tiles falling during the tile-raising process.

[0117] Meanwhile, this allows the push-card support part 322 to be closer to the card-playing end 304, resulting in a longer distance between the push-card support part 322 and the push-card guide surface 310. This increases the length of the transition surface 320, thereby improving the effective descent length of the transition surface 320. During the process of pushing the mahjong tile 400 on the tile-raising plate 300, it can be continuously subjected to the descent effect of the transition surface 320 over a longer distance, thus improving the descent effect of the transition surface 320.

[0118] Furthermore, the increased effective descent length of the transition surface 320 also allows for a smaller change in the slope of the transition surface 320, enabling the transition surface 320 to better facilitate the descent of the mahjong tile 400 and further enhance the descent effect of the transition surface 320.

[0119] The principle of this embodiment is that when the card-raising plate 300 is in the standby position, the angle between the line connecting any point on the end of the card-pushing support part 322 near the vertical plane 302 and the nearest point on the rotation axis 301 and the vertical plane 302 is greater than ε.

[0120] Example 10:

[0121] Unlike embodiments eight and nine, when the card-raising plate 300 is in the card-raising position, at least part of the card-pushing support part 322 is located on the vertical plane 302 of the rotation axis 301.

[0122] In one specific embodiment, the pusher support 322 is in line contact with the mahjong tile 400, and when the tile lifting plate 300 is in the tile lifting position, the pusher support 322 is located on the vertical plane 302.

[0123] In another specific embodiment, the pusher support 322 is in surface contact with the mahjong tile 400, and when the tile lifting plate 300 is in the tile lifting position, the vertical surface 302 passes through the plane where the pusher support 322 is located.

[0124] The beneficial effects of this embodiment are similar to those of Embodiment 7, and will not be repeated here.

[0125] Example 9:

[0126] Based on all the foregoing embodiments, such as Figures 4 to 11 As shown, the maximum slope of the transition surface 320 is no greater than the slope of the push-card guide surface 310.

[0127] In this embodiment, the transition surface 320 includes a gently sloping surface 321 that connects to the push-card guide surface 310. The gently sloping surface 321 is configured as an outwardly convex arc surface, and the slope of the starting point of the outwardly convex arc surface is consistent with that of the push-card guide surface 310.

[0128] In some other embodiments, the slope of the starting point of the convex arc surface may also be less than the slope of the push-card guide surface 310.

[0129] In some other embodiments, the transition surface 320 may include a plane connecting the push card guide surface 310, the slope of which is less than the slope of the push card guide surface 310.

[0130] This design avoids protrusions on the tile-raising plate 300, making the mahjong tiles 400 arranged on the tile-raising plate 300 more even when the tile-raising plate 300 is in the standby position.

[0131] In a preferred embodiment, the transition surface 320 and the push-card guide surface 310 transition smoothly.

[0132] This design avoids abrupt changes in slope at the connection point between the push-tile guide surface 310 and the transition surface 320, thereby improving the stability of the mahjong tiles 400 as they move on the lifting plate 300.

[0133] Example 10:

[0134] Based on all the foregoing embodiments, in this embodiment, the transition surface 320 extends along the width direction of the lifting plate 300.

[0135] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the transition surface 320 can be an extension from one end of the lifting plate 300 along the width direction of the lifting plate 300 to the other end.

[0136] The transition surface 320 can also be provided in multiple spaced intervals along the width direction of the lifting plate 300.

[0137] The transition surface 320 extends along the width of the lifting plate 300, increasing the support area of ​​the transition surface 320 for the mahjong tile 400, improving the stability of the mahjong tile 400 moving on the transition surface 320, and also helping to improve the slow descent effect of the transition surface 320 on the mahjong tile 400.

[0138] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model includes, but is not limited to, the content described in the accompanying drawings and the specific embodiments above. Any modifications that do not depart from the functional and structural principles of this utility model will be included within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An automatic mahjong machine with tilting tile feeding mechanism, comprising a table and a tile-lifting plate, wherein the table has a tile-lifting opening, and the tile-lifting plate swings and rises relative to the table between a standby position with the tile-lifting opening closed and a tile-lifting position with the tile-lifting opening open, the tile-lifting plate comprising an infeed end and an outfeed end, and mahjong tiles are pushed up onto the table from the infeed end to the outfeed end along the tile-lifting plate in the tile-lifting position, characterized in that: The tile-lifting plate is provided with a tile-pushing guide surface and a transition surface along the tile-pushing direction. The transition surface transitions from high to low from one end of the tile-pushing guide surface toward the tile-dispensing end. The tile-lifting plate is provided with a tile-pushing support part for supporting the mahjong tiles together with the table surface in the tile-lifting state. The tile-pushing support part is located on the transition surface. When the tile-lifting plate is in the standby position, the tile-pushing support part is located in front of the vertical plane of the rotation axis in the tile-pushing direction.

2. The automatic mahjong machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the card-lifting plate is in the card-lifting position, the card-pushing support is not higher than the upper surface of the table in the vertical direction.

3. The automatic mahjong machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The slope of the transition surface gradually decreases in the pushing direction, at least between the pushing guide surface and the pushing support.

4. The automatic mahjong machine as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The pusher support makes surface contact with the mahjong tiles. When the lifting plate is in the lifting position, the tilt angle of the pusher support is the same as the tilt angle of the mahjong tiles supported by the table surface and the pusher support.

5. The automatic mahjong machine as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The push-tile support makes line contact with the mahjong tiles. When the tile-lifting plate is in the tile-lifting position, the inclination angle of the transition surface at the push-tile support position is consistent with the inclination angle of the mahjong tiles supported by the table surface and the push-tile support.

6. The automatic mahjong machine as described in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The card-dispensing end includes a card-dispensing end face located on the side of the card-lifting plate, and the card-pushing support is connected to the card-dispensing end face.

7. The automatic mahjong machine as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The transition surface includes a gently sloping surface connecting the push-card guide surface and the push-card support. The gently sloping surface is a convex arc surface, and the slope of the tangent direction of the convex arc surface gradually decreases along the pushing direction; or... The gently descent slope is composed of at least two planes, the slope of which gradually decreases along the direction of the push; or, The gently sloping surface is composed of at least one plane and at least one outwardly convex arc surface, and the slope of the at least one plane and the at least one outwardly convex arc surface gradually decreases along the pushing direction.

8. The automatic mahjong machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The maximum slope of the transition surface is not greater than the slope of the push-card guide surface, and the transition surface and the push-card guide surface transition smoothly.

9. The automatic mahjong machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, During the process of the card-raising plate swinging from the standby position to the card-raising position, the card-pushing support part crosses the vertical plane. When the card-raising plate is in the card-raising position, the maximum angle between the line connecting the card-pushing support part and the rotation axis and the vertical plane is δ. The angle of rotation of the card-raising plate from the standby position to the card-raising position is ε, where δ≤ε / 2.

10. The automatic mahjong machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the card-lifting plate is in the card-lifting position, the card-pushing support is located in front of the vertical plane of the rotation axis in the card-pushing direction, or at least part of the card-pushing support is located on the vertical plane of the rotation axis.

11. The automatic mahjong machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The transition surface extends along the width direction of the lifting plate.

Images