Automatic Mahjong Machine

Abstract

This utility model discloses an automatic mahjong machine, including a first annular track, at least one second track intersecting and connected to the first track, and a track-splitting guide rotatably disposed in the intersection area. The track-splitting guide has a first working position blocking the second track and a second working position blocking the first track. The track-splitting guide includes two sides, each side having a blocking surface near the rotating shaft and a guide surface connected to the blocking surface. The blocking surface is used to receive the pushing force of the mahjong tiles to make the track-splitting guide swing, and the guide surface forms a guiding channel with the inner wall of the corresponding track. The advantages of this utility model are: it solves the problem of tile jamming when multiple tracks work together; it does not require additional power or complex control devices, relying only on the pushing force of the mahjong tiles themselves and the mechanical structure to complete the switching; it has no easily worn parts such as motors and gears; it has a long service life and low maintenance requirements; and it has a fast response speed and is stable and reliable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of mahjong machine technology, specifically to an automatic mahjong machine. Background Technology

[0002] In the current field of automatic mahjong machines, traditional shuffling devices mostly use a single, large-diameter shuffling disc. A liftable stopper disc is located at the center of this shuffling disc, and its circumferential movement can be limited by the lifting mechanism of the stopper disc.

[0003] However, in recent years, to improve shuffling efficiency, multi-shuffling disc designs have emerged in the market, such as four-shuffling disc structures. In this four-shuffling disc structure, four small-diameter shuffling discs are arranged in a circular pattern around a central lifting stop disc. While this design greatly improves shuffling efficiency, it also brings some new problems. Because there are four shuffling discs, four card-picking components are needed. However, the number of mahjong tiles on each shuffling disc is inconsistent, resulting in inconsistent numbers of mahjong tiles picked up by the four card-picking components. If the four card-picking components were to independently deliver the tiles as before, the four card-stacking devices would obtain inconsistent numbers of mahjong tiles, making it impossible to stack the tiles according to the preset quantity.

[0004] Therefore, by setting up a circular feeding track within the shuffling tray, all mahjong tiles picked up by the tile-picking component are fed onto this track. The tiles then circulate along this track before being picked up by the stacking mechanism, thus resolving the issue of uneven tile picking by different stacking mechanisms. However, this can lead to a problem where tiles fed from the tile-picking component collide with those already moving on the feeding track at the exit, causing a jamming issue. This can be addressed by installing a track divider at the intersection of the two tracks, ensuring that only tiles from one track can pass through the intersection area. The track width is set according to the width of the mahjong tiles, but due to the increased space in the intersection area, tiles may flip over, potentially causing jamming. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic mahjong machine that can effectively solve the problem of tile jamming in the intersection area of ​​the tracks in existing automatic mahjong machines.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0007] An automatic mahjong machine includes a first circular track, at least one second track intersecting and connected to the first track, and a track divider. The track divider is pivotally mounted at the intersection of the first and second tracks via a pivot shaft. The track divider has the following characteristics:

[0008] First working position: Block the second track while keeping the first track open;

[0009] Second working position: Block the first track while keeping the second track open;

[0010] The track divider includes:

[0011] The first blocking surface is located on the first side end face of the rail guide near the rotating shaft. When the rail guide is in the second working position, the extension direction of the first blocking surface forms a non-zero angle with the transport direction of the first track, so as to receive the pushing force of the first track and make the rail guide swing to the first working position.

[0012] The second blocking surface is located on the second side end face of the guide rail near the rotating shaft. When the guide rail is in the first working position, the extension direction of the second blocking surface forms a non-zero angle with the direction of conveying mahjong tiles in the second track. It is used to receive the thrust of the mahjong tiles in the second track so that the guide rail swings to the second working position.

[0013] The first guide surface extends from the side of the first blocking surface away from the rotating shaft in a direction away from the rotating shaft, and forms a guide channel with the inner wall of the first track when the track divider is in the first working position.

[0014] The second guide surface extends from the side of the second blocking surface away from the rotating shaft in a direction away from the rotating shaft, and forms a guide channel with the inner wall of the second track when the track guide is in the second working position.

[0015] In the aforementioned automatic mahjong machine, the first guide surface and the first blocking surface are smoothly connected, and the second guide surface and the second blocking surface are smoothly connected.

[0016] In the above-mentioned automatic mahjong machine, the first track includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall arranged opposite to each other, and the first sidewall has a notch that communicates with the outlet of the second track; when the track divider is in the first working position, the first guide surface is located at the notch; when the track divider is in the second working position, the second guide surface extends from the outlet of the second track toward the second sidewall.

[0017] In the aforementioned automatic mahjong machine, when the track guide is in the first working position, the curvature of the first guide surface is consistent with that of the side wall of the first track at the notch; when the track guide is in the second working position, the second guide surface is smoothly connected between the outlet of the second track and the second side wall.

[0018] In the aforementioned automatic mahjong machine, in the first working position, the track guide abuts against the outlet of the second track; in the second working position, the track guide abuts against the side wall of the first track at the notch.

[0019] In the above-mentioned automatic mahjong machine, the first side end face and the second side end face are arranged adjacent to each other, the first blocking surface and the first guiding surface are arranged on the first side end face, the second blocking surface and the second guiding surface are arranged on the second side end face, the first side end face and the second side end face extend and converge at the end of the guide rail, and the rotating shaft is arranged at this end.

[0020] In the aforementioned automatic mahjong machine, the angles between the first and second blocking surfaces relative to the same vertical plane are not equal, which causes a torque to be generated when the mahjong tiles on the two tracks simultaneously contact the track divider.

[0021] In the aforementioned automatic mahjong machine, the friction between the first track and the mahjong tiles is greater than the friction between the second track and the mahjong tiles.

[0022] In the aforementioned automatic mahjong machine, the guide rail is connected to an elastic reset component, the direction of which is consistent with the swing direction toward the first working position.

[0023] In the aforementioned automatic mahjong machine, the angle between the first track and the second track along the direction of mahjong tile conveying is an acute angle, and the swing axis of the track divider is located on the upstream side of the intersection area.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are:

[0025] The track-splitting guide ensures that only one track of mahjong tiles passes through the intersection area at a time by switching between the first and second working positions, preventing jamming or stuckness caused by tiles from the two tracks colliding. It utilizes the thrust of the mahjong tiles themselves as the driving force: the first blocking surface receives the thrust from the first track's mahjong tiles, driving the track-splitting guide to swing towards the first working position; the second blocking surface receives the thrust from the second track's mahjong tiles, driving it to swing towards the second working position. No additional power or complex control devices are required; switching is completed solely by the thrust of the mahjong tiles themselves and the mechanical structure. It has no easily worn parts such as motors or gears, resulting in a long service life, low maintenance requirements, fast response, and stable reliability.

[0026] The first guide surface extends downstream of the first track from the side of the first blocking surface away from the rotating shaft. In the first working position, it forms a flow channel with the inner wall of the first track, ensuring that the mahjong tiles in the first track smoothly pass through the intersection area along their original trajectory, preventing the mahjong tiles from flipping or piling up due to track interruption. Similarly, the second guide surface forms a flow channel with the inner wall of the second track in the second working position, ensuring the smooth transport of the mahjong tiles in the second track.

[0027] The surface extension directions of the first and second blocking surfaces form a non-zero angle with the mahjong tile conveying direction of the corresponding track, so that the thrust of the mahjong tiles can be decomposed into a component force perpendicular to the blocking surface, which is effectively converted into a torque that drives the track guide to swing, avoiding "ineffective sliding" of the thrust along the track direction and improving switching efficiency.

[0028] Furthermore, the first guide surface and the first blocking surface are smoothly connected, as are the second guide surface and the second blocking surface. The smooth transition between the first guide surface and the first blocking surface, and between the second guide surface and the second blocking surface, avoids the sharp angles that might occur with traditional right-angle connections. When the mahjong tile moves from the blocking surface to the guide surface, the resistance is significantly reduced, allowing it to pass more smoothly along the guide channel through the intersection area, reducing stagnation or flipping caused by friction or collision. The smooth transition structure makes the movement trajectory of the mahjong tile more continuous, especially in high-speed conveying scenarios, effectively preventing the mahjong tile's edges from snagging or getting stuck at the connection point, further reducing the probability of tile jamming in the intersection area. The smooth structure without sharp edges reduces the impact load between the guide rail and the mahjong tile, extending the service life of the guide rail, while also reducing noise and component wear caused by high-frequency collisions.

[0029] Furthermore, the first track includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall disposed opposite to each other. The first sidewall has a notch communicating with the outlet of the second track. When the track divider is in the first working position, the first guide surface is located at the notch. When the track divider is in the second working position, the second guide surface extends from the outlet of the second track towards the second sidewall. When the track divider is in the first working position, the second track is blocked. At this time, the first guide surface is located at the notch, connecting with the inner wall of the first track to form a relatively complete annular channel. Simultaneously, the main body of the track divider can prevent mahjong tiles from the second track from intruding into the first track, ensuring the reliability of "single-track passage." Similarly, when the track divider is in the second working position, the structure and position of the second guide surface can guide the mahjong tiles in the second track to smoothly pass through the intersection area and enter the downstream track. The above design makes the guide surface an extension of the track, filling the structural gaps in the intersection area and preventing the mahjong tiles from shifting, flipping, or getting stuck when passing through due to track breakage.

[0030] Furthermore, when the track divider is in its first working position, the curvature of the first guide surface matches that of the sidewall of the first track at the notch. When the track divider is in its second working position, the second guide surface smoothly connects between the outlet of the second track and the second sidewall. This design allows the guide surface to form a smooth connection with the inner wall of the track, avoiding "inflection points" or "steps" caused by abrupt changes in curvature. When the mahjong tiles pass through the intersection area, the radius of curvature of the contact surface remains constant, and the movement trajectory does not change suddenly, minimizing the risk of collisions, jamming, or overturning. It also makes the mahjong tiles appear to run within a complete circular track, effectively maintaining their original conveying speed and posture, making it particularly suitable for the smoothness requirements of high-speed conveying scenarios.

[0031] Furthermore, in the first working position, the track divider abuts against the outlet of the second track; in the second working position, the track divider abuts against the side wall of the first track at the notch. This structure provides a mechanical limit for the track divider, preventing it from continuing to swing after reaching the working position and avoiding positional deviation due to loose shaft or excessive thrust. This design is particularly important in multi-track, high-frequency switching scenarios, preventing the track divider from "overshooting" or "failing to reach its position," ensuring the accuracy of track state switching.

[0032] Furthermore, the first and second side end faces are arranged adjacent to each other. The first blocking surface and the first guiding surface are located on the first side end face, and the second blocking surface and the second guiding surface are located on the second side end face. The first and second side end faces extend and converge at the end of the guide rail, and the rotating shaft is located at this end. Since the first and second blocking surfaces are located on two adjacent end faces, and the rotating shaft is located at the intersection of the end faces, the thrust of the mahjong tile acting on the blocking surface can be directly converted into a swinging torque around the rotating shaft, resulting in a short path and high efficiency.

[0033] Furthermore, the first and second blocking surfaces have unequal angles relative to the same vertical plane, causing a torque that drives the guide rail to swing when the mahjong tiles on both tracks simultaneously contact the guide rail. This unequal angles between the first and second blocking surfaces create an asymmetrical structural design. When the mahjong tiles on both tracks simultaneously contact the guide rail, the thrust acting on the blocking surfaces produces unequal torques on the rotating shaft. The track with the larger torque will drive the guide rail to swing towards the corresponding working position, automatically selecting the track with the greater thrust for priority passage. This asymmetrical arrangement fundamentally eliminates the possibility of two mahjong tiles passing through the intersection area simultaneously. Even if the thrusts of the two tracks are similar, the torque difference generated by the asymmetrical structure forces the guide rail to deflect to one side, preventing the guide rail from stalling or jamming due to "torque balance."

[0034] Furthermore, the friction between the first track and the mahjong tile is greater than that between the second track and the mahjong tile. When the mahjong tile simultaneously contacts the track divider on both the first and second tracks, due to the different friction forces exerted on the mahjong tile by the two tracks, the mahjong tile on the side with less friction will slip against the corresponding track, allowing the mahjong tile on the side with greater friction to pass first, thereby preventing the mahjong tile from getting stuck at the track divider.

[0035] Furthermore, the track divider is connected to an elastic reset component, the direction of which is consistent with the swing direction toward the first working position. When there is no pushing force from either the first or second track, the elastic force drives the track divider to automatically swing back to the first working position, ensuring that the first track is unobstructed by default. If the pushing force from both tracks disappears or becomes balanced, the elastic reset force can force the track divider to leave the "neutral state," preventing it from remaining in the middle position between the first and second working positions, which could lead to dual-track blockage or abnormal conduction, thus eliminating the risk of intermediate jamming at the source.

[0036] Furthermore, the angle between the first and second tracks along the direction of mahjong tile transport is acute, and the swing axis of the track divider is located on the upstream side of the confluence area. This acute angle allows the mahjong tiles to merge into the main track at a steeper angle, shortening their path in the confluence area. The upstream axis arrangement ensures that the direction of the mahjong tile thrust forms a favorable angle with the swing direction of the track divider. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the automatic mahjong machine of this utility model;

[0038] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the intersection area of ​​the first and second tracks in this utility model;

[0039] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first and second tracks in this utility model when mahjong tiles pass through the intersection area;

[0040] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the rail guide in the first working position of this utility model;

[0041] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the rail guide in the second working position of this utility model;

[0042] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the dividing rail guide of this utility model;

[0043] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the first track and the second track in this utility model;

[0044] Figure 8 This is a force analysis diagram of two mahjong tiles in contact with the guide rail in this utility model.

[0045] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0046] First track 10, notch 11, second track 20, track divider 30, first blocking surface 31, second blocking surface 32, first guide surface 33, second guide surface 34, rotating shaft 35, mahjong tiles 40, shuffling chamber 50, shuffling plate 60, and tile picking assembly 70. Detailed Implementation

[0047] An automatic mahjong machine includes a first circular track, at least one second track intersecting and connected to the first track, and a track divider. The track divider is pivotally mounted at the intersection of the first and second tracks via a pivot shaft. The track divider has the following characteristics:

[0048] First working position: Block the second track while keeping the first track open;

[0049] Second working position: Block the first track while keeping the second track open;

[0050] The track divider includes:

[0051] The first blocking surface is located on the first side end face of the rail guide near the rotating shaft. When the rail guide is in the second working position, the extension direction of the first blocking surface forms a non-zero angle with the transport direction of the first track, so as to receive the pushing force of the first track and make the rail guide swing to the first working position.

[0052] The second blocking surface is located on the second side end face of the guide rail near the rotating shaft. When the guide rail is in the first working position, the extension direction of the second blocking surface forms a non-zero angle with the direction of conveying mahjong tiles in the second track. It is used to receive the thrust of the mahjong tiles in the second track so that the guide rail swings to the second working position.

[0053] The first guide surface extends from the side of the first blocking surface away from the rotating shaft in a direction away from the rotating shaft, and forms a guide channel with the inner wall of the first track when the track divider is in the first working position.

[0054] The second guide surface extends from the side of the second blocking surface away from the rotating shaft in a direction away from the rotating shaft, and forms a guide channel with the inner wall of the second track when the track guide is in the second working position.

[0055] The track-splitting guide ensures that only one track of mahjong tiles passes through the intersection area at a time by switching between the first and second working positions, preventing jamming or stuckness caused by tiles from the two tracks colliding. It utilizes the thrust of the mahjong tiles themselves as the driving force: the first blocking surface receives the thrust from the first track's mahjong tiles, driving the track-splitting guide to swing towards the first working position; the second blocking surface receives the thrust from the second track's mahjong tiles, driving it to swing towards the second working position. No additional power or complex control devices are required; switching is completed solely by the thrust of the mahjong tiles themselves and the mechanical structure. It has no easily worn parts such as motors or gears, resulting in a long service life, low maintenance requirements, fast response, and stable reliability.

[0056] The first guide surface extends downstream of the first track from the side of the first blocking surface away from the rotating shaft. In the first working position, it forms a flow channel with the inner wall of the first track, ensuring that the mahjong tiles in the first track smoothly pass through the intersection area along their original trajectory, preventing the mahjong tiles from flipping or piling up due to track interruption. Similarly, the second guide surface forms a flow channel with the inner wall of the second track in the second working position, ensuring the smooth transport of the mahjong tiles in the second track.

[0057] The surface extension directions of the first and second blocking surfaces form a non-zero angle with the mahjong tile conveying direction of the corresponding track, so that the thrust of the mahjong tiles can be decomposed into a component force perpendicular to the blocking surface, which is effectively converted into a torque that drives the track guide to swing, avoiding "ineffective sliding" of the thrust along the track direction and improving switching efficiency.

[0058] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0059] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "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 invention 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 invention.

[0060] 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 at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0061] In this invention, 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 part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0062] See Figures 1 to 7This invention relates to an automatic mahjong machine. The automatic mahjong machine includes a main unit, which includes a shuffling chamber 50 with an opening at the top and a tabletop located on top of the shuffling chamber 50 to close it. A slot for pushing mahjong tiles 40 into the shuffling chamber 50 is located in the center of the tabletop. During gameplay, the slot is closed by a dice plate. After a game of mahjong ends, pressing a control button on the dice plate moves it upwards, opening the slot so that the mahjong tiles 40 can be pushed into the shuffling chamber 50. A shuffling disc 60 is located inside the shuffling chamber 50. The shuffling disc 60 is mainly used to process the mahjong tiles 40. The processing includes randomly scattering the mahjong tiles 40 and flipping them so that all the tiles are face up or face down, so that they can be picked up and stacked by a tile-picking component 70 located inside the shuffling chamber 50.

[0063] In this embodiment, four identical shuffling trays 60 are arranged inside the shuffling chamber 50. The centers of the four shuffling trays 60 are located at the four vertices of a square, and the center of the square coincides with the center of the shuffling chamber 50. This ensures that the distances from the four shuffling trays 60 to the center of the shuffling chamber 50 are equal. This not only allows the mahjong tiles 40 to fall as evenly as possible onto the four shuffling trays 60, but also forms a square-like shape around the four shuffling trays 60, which is similar to the shape of the main unit. This allows for more efficient use of the space under the main unit and maximizes the area of ​​the entire shuffling chamber 50, thus increasing the area where the mahjong tiles 40 can be laid flat. This effectively improves the efficiency of processing the mahjong tiles 40, reducing the processing time by 20% compared to the existing single shuffling tray 60. Of course, different numbers of shuffling trays 60 can be selected according to actual needs.

[0064] The main unit of the automatic mahjong machine is also equipped with a circular first track 10 and at least one set of card picking components 70 that pick up mahjong tiles 40 from the shuffling plate 60. Each set of card picking components 70 is connected to the first track 10 through a second track 20, which transports the mahjong tiles 40 picked up by the card picking components 70 from the second track 20 to the first track 10. The first track 10 is equipped with a conveying mechanism that drives the mahjong tiles 40 to move along the first track 10. The conveying mechanism drives the mahjong tiles 40 to move in the same direction within the first track 10. The main unit also has a tile stacking mechanism above the first track 10. The main function of the tile stacking mechanism is to pick up mahjong tiles from the first track 10 and stack them. When a set of tile stacking mechanisms is full of mahjong tiles 40, the excess mahjong tiles 40 will be carried to the next tile stacking mechanism instead of being returned to the shuffling tray 60. Therefore, as long as the mahjong tiles 40 shuffled by the shuffling tray 60 are picked up by the tile picking component 70, the shuffling tray 60 completes the shuffling work, shortening the shuffling time and avoiding the shuffling tray 60 from running for a long time. Moreover, the circular first track 10 can not only transport the mahjong tiles 40 to each set of tile stacking mechanisms, but also serve as a storage component for mahjong tiles 40. When the speed at which the mahjong tiles 40 are fed into the first track 10 is greater than the tile stacking speed of the tile stacking mechanism, the first track 10 can also serve as a storage component, ensuring that the tile picking component 70 and the shuffling tray 60 can operate continuously, complete the shuffling work as quickly as possible, and shorten the time of shuffling noise generation.

[0065] Specifically, the first track 10 can be set as a circle or a rounded quadrilateral to avoid forming right angles or corners with too small an angle, thus preventing the mahjong tiles 40 from getting stuck in the first track 10. In this embodiment, the first track 10 is located above the shuffling chamber 50, thereby avoiding the first track 10 from affecting the arrangement of the shuffling chamber 50. Moreover, the first track 10 can be set along the edge of the shuffling chamber 50, which can extend the perimeter of the first track 10 as much as possible, allowing the first track 10 to hold more mahjong tiles 40.

[0066] In this embodiment, the widths of the first track 10 and the second track 20 are adapted to the width of a single mahjong tile 40. That is, the widths of the first track 10 and the second track 20 are the same as the width of a single mahjong tile 40, but can be slightly larger to ensure that the mahjong tile 40 does not get stuck in the first track 10 and the second track 20, allowing it to move smoothly along the first track 10 and the second track 20. The mahjong tiles 40 will move in a single line along the length of the mahjong tiles within the first track 10, avoiding a disorderly horizontal and vertical arrangement within the first track 10 and the second track 20. This allows the tile-stacking component to orderly grasp the mahjong tiles 40 within the first track 10.

[0067] In addition, to facilitate the smooth entry of the mahjong tiles 40 on the second track 20 into the first track 10, the angle between the conveying direction of the mahjong tiles 40 on the second track 20 and the conveying direction of the mahjong tiles 40 on the first track 10 is an acute angle. That is, the mahjong tiles 40 on the second track 20 have a motion component velocity that is consistent with the motion direction of the mahjong tiles 40 on the first track 10. After the mahjong tiles 40 on the second track 20 are partially located in the first track 10, they can also be pushed completely into the first track 10 by the conveying mechanism in the first track 10.

[0068] The intersection area of ​​the first track 10 and the second track 20 is provided with a track divider 30 that can swing via a rotating shaft 35. The track divider 30 controls the passage of mahjong tiles 40 at the intersection of the first track 10 and the second track 20, ensuring that only mahjong tiles 40 from the first track 10 or the second track 20 can pass through the intersection of the two tracks at the same time. This avoids the situation where mahjong tiles 40 from the first track 10 and the second track 20 are located at the intersection of the two tracks at the same time, causing two mahjong tiles 40 coming from different directions to get stuck in the tracks.

[0069] The track divider 30 has a first working position and a second working position. In the first working position, the track divider 30 blocks the second track 20 and keeps the first track 10 unobstructed, allowing the mahjong tiles 40 of the first track 10 to pass through the intersection area. In the second working position, the track divider 30 blocks the first track 10 and keeps the second track 20 unobstructed, allowing the mahjong tiles 40 of the second track 20 to enter the first track 10 through the intersection area.

[0070] Specifically, the track divider 30 includes: a first blocking surface 31, a second blocking surface 32, a first guiding surface 33, and a second guiding surface 34.

[0071] Both the first blocking surface 31 and the first guiding surface 33 are located on the first side end face of the track divider 30. The first blocking surface 31 is positioned close to the rotating shaft 35, and its surface extension direction forms a non-zero angle with the transport direction of the first track 10. This allows the mahjong tiles 40 on the first track 10 to contact the first blocking surface 31 and exert a pushing force on it, thereby pushing the track divider 30 to swing to the first working position. Furthermore, because the first blocking surface 31 is close to the rotating shaft 35, after the mahjong tiles 40 contact the first blocking surface 31, the movement of the mahjong tiles 40 is very short, which is enough to push the track divider 30 to swing to the first working position, thus shortening the response time. The first guiding surface 33 extends downstream from the end of the first blocking surface 31 towards the first track 10, forming a guide channel with the inner wall of the first track 10 when the track divider 30 is in the first working position, for guiding the mahjong tiles 40 of the first track 10 through the intersection area.

[0072] The second blocking surface 32 and the second guiding surface 34 are both located on the second side end face of the track divider 30, that is, not on the same side as the first blocking surface 31. The second blocking surface 32 is also located near the rotating shaft 35, and its surface extension direction forms a non-zero angle with the transport direction of the second track 20. This allows the mahjong tiles 40 on the second track 20 to contact the second blocking surface 32 and exert a pushing force on it, thereby pushing the track divider 30 to swing to the second working position. Furthermore, because the second blocking surface 32 is close to the rotating shaft 35, after the mahjong tiles 40 contact the first blocking surface 31, the mahjong tiles 40 can move a very short distance to push the track divider 30 to swing to the second working position, shortening the response time. The second guiding surface 34 extends downstream from the end of the second blocking surface 32 towards the second track 20, forming a guide channel with the inner wall of the second track 20 when the track divider 30 is in the second working position, for guiding the mahjong tiles 40 of the second track 20 through the intersection area.

[0073] The track divider 30 ensures that only one track of mahjong tiles 40 passes through the intersection area at a time by switching between the first and second working positions, preventing jamming or stuckness caused by the two tracks colliding. Furthermore, it utilizes the thrust of the mahjong tiles 40 themselves as the driving force, requiring no additional electricity or complex control devices; automatic switching is achieved solely through a mechanical structure, resulting in fast response and stable reliability. The guide surface design allows the mahjong tiles 40 to maintain their original trajectory and smoothly pass through the intersection area, preventing them from flipping or piling up due to track interruptions.

[0074] Furthermore, the first guide surface 33 and the first blocking surface 31 are smoothly connected, and the second guide surface 34 and the second blocking surface 32 are also smoothly connected. The smooth transition connection can be achieved by setting an arc transition surface at the junction of the blocking surface and the guide surface, avoiding the sharp angles that may occur with traditional right-angle connections. This ensures that the mahjong tile 40 smoothly slides from the blocking surface to the guide surface, reducing stagnation or flipping caused by friction or collision. The smooth transition connection allows the thrust of the mahjong tile 40 acting on the blocking surface to be continuously transmitted to the guide surface, avoiding stress concentration caused by abrupt structural changes. For example, when the track divider 30 is in the first working position, the thrust of the mahjong tile 40 on the first track 10 is evenly applied to the inner wall of the guide channel through the smoothly transitioned first blocking surface 31 and first guide surface 33, reducing the swaying, jamming, or abnormal wear of the track divider 30 caused by uneven local force.

[0075] In addition, the first track 10 and the second track 20 have the same structure and the cross-section is concave. That is, there are side walls on both sides along the conveying direction, namely the first side wall and the second side wall. The first side wall and the second side wall limit the mahjong tile 40 on the left and right sides of the conveying direction within the track. The power for the mahjong tile 40 to be conveyed along the track is mainly realized by the conveying mechanism at the bottom of the track.

[0076] Therefore, a notch 11 is provided on the first sidewall of the first track 10 to connect with the outlet of the second track 20. When the track divider 30 is in the first working position, the first guide surface 33 is located at the notch 11; when the track divider 30 is in the second working position, the second guide surface 34 is located at the outlet of the second track 20 and extends towards the second sidewall of the first track. This design makes the guide surface an extension of the track, filling the structural gap at the intersection and preventing the mahjong tiles 40 from shifting, flipping, or getting stuck when passing through due to track breakage. When the track divider 30 is in the first working position, the second track 20 is blocked. At this time, the first guide surface 33 fills the notch 11 and connects with the first sidewall to form a complete annular channel. At the same time, the second blocking surface 32 of the track divider 30 can prevent the mahjong tiles 40 of the second track 20 from intruding into the first track 10, ensuring the reliability of "single-track passage". Similarly, when the guide rail 30 is in the second working position, the first track 10 is blocked, and the second guide surface 34 extends from the side of the second track 20 near the upstream of the first track 10 toward the second side wall, guiding the mahjong tiles from the second track 20 into the first track 10.

[0077] Furthermore, when the track divider 30 is in the first working position, the curvature of the first guide surface 33 is consistent with that of the first sidewall at the notch 11 on the first track 10; when the track divider 30 is in the second working position, the second guide surface 34 smoothly connects the outlet of the second track 20 and the second sidewall. This design makes the guide surface and the inner wall of the track form a continuous and smooth curved surface, avoiding "inflection points" or "steps" caused by abrupt changes in curvature. When the mahjong tile 40 passes through the intersection, the radius of curvature of the contact surface remains constant, and the movement trajectory does not change suddenly, which can minimize the risk of collision, jamming or overturning. The curvature of the guide surface is consistent with that of the track sidewall, which is equivalent to "naturally extending" the track at the intersection, so that the mahjong tile 40 runs as if in a complete circular track, effectively maintaining its original conveying speed and posture, which is especially suitable for the smoothness requirements of high-speed conveying scenarios.

[0078] To ensure that the mahjong tile 40 can smoothly pass through the intersection area in both the first and second working positions, the track guide 30 needs to be positioned. In this embodiment, in the first working position, the track guide 30 abuts against the side wall of the second track 20 outlet near the upstream of the first track 10; in the second working position, the track guide 30 abuts against the first side wall upstream of the notch 11. The track side wall at the abutment provides a mechanical limit for the track guide 30, preventing it from continuing to swing after reaching the working position, thus avoiding positional deviation caused by loosening of the rotating shaft 35 or excessive thrust. This design is particularly important in multi-track high-frequency switching scenarios, preventing the track guide 30 from "overshooting" or "failing to reach its position," ensuring the accuracy of track state switching.

[0079] In this embodiment, the entire track divider 30 is projected onto the horizontal plane in a triangular shape. The track divider 30 includes a first side end face and a second side end face arranged adjacent to each other. A first blocking surface 31 and a first guiding surface 33 are disposed on the first side end face, and a second blocking surface 32 and a second guiding surface 34 are disposed on the second side end face. A rotating shaft 35 is disposed at the end where the first and second side end faces extend and intersect. Since the first and second blocking surfaces 32 are located on two adjacent end faces, and the rotating shaft 35 is disposed at the end where the two end faces extend and intersect, the thrust of the mahjong tile 40 acting on the blocking surface can be directly converted into a swinging torque around the rotating shaft 35, resulting in a short path and high efficiency. This structure of the track divider 30 also reduces the projected area in the track intersection area, especially in compact scenarios where the angle between the first track 10 and the second track 20 is an acute angle, avoiding insufficient installation space or limited track layout due to a bulky structure.

[0080] Although the track divider 30 in this embodiment can switch working positions after the mahjong tiles 40 have been pushed a very short distance, there is still a possibility that the mahjong tiles 40 on both tracks may simultaneously contact the track divider 30 and become stuck. To solve this problem, the following solution can be adopted:

[0081] First, the first blocking surface 31 and the second blocking surface 32 have unequal angles relative to the same vertical plane, and are arranged asymmetrically, such as... Figure 6 As shown, from a top-down view, the angle between the first blocking surface 31 and the horizontal center line is α1, and the angle between the second blocking surface 32 and the horizontal center line is α2, where α1 ≠ α2. This causes a torque to be generated when the mahjong tiles 40 on both tracks simultaneously contact the track divider 30, driving the track divider 30 to swing. In other words, the magnitudes of the torques generated by the mahjong tiles 40 on the two tracks are different. The track divider 30 with the larger torque will drive the track divider 30 to swing towards the corresponding working position, thus automatically selecting the track with the larger current torque for priority passage. This allows the track divider 30 to swing and switch to one of the working positions, thereby avoiding the problem of tiles getting stuck when the mahjong tiles 40 on both tracks simultaneously contact the track divider 30. This design requires no additional control system or sensors, achieving a dynamic balance of "whoever is stronger takes priority" solely through mechanical structure. The asymmetrical arrangement fundamentally eliminates the possibility of the mahjong tiles 40 on both tracks passing through the intersection simultaneously. Even if the thrust of the two tracks is close, the torque difference generated by the asymmetric structure can force the track divider 30 to deflect to one side, avoiding the track divider 30 from stalling or jamming due to "torque balance", thus improving the robustness of the system.

[0082] Furthermore, the driving arm of the first blocking surface 31 is longer than that of the second blocking surface 32. The driving arm is the vertical distance from the pressure center of the blocking surface to the center of the rotating shaft 35. The pressure center refers to the point on the blocking surface where the contact force is equivalent to the contact force when the mahjong tile 40 contacts the blocking surface. In a typical layout of an automatic mahjong machine, the first track 10 is usually a circular main track, which undertakes the function of continuous tile output, while the second track 20 is a branch track (such as the tile output channel of each shuffling plate 60). By extending the driving arm of the first blocking surface 31, it can be ensured that the main track remains unobstructed when multiple branches output tiles simultaneously, avoiding blockage of the main track due to fluctuations in branch flow.

[0083] Second, the track divider 30 is equipped with an elastic reset component, the direction of which is consistent with the swing direction toward the first working position. For example, a torsion spring can be fitted on the rotating shaft 35 of the track divider 30, or the track divider 30 can be connected to a tension spring, a spring sheet, etc. When there is no pushing force from the mahjong tiles 40 on the first track 10 and the second track 20, the elastic force drives the track divider 30 to automatically swing back to the first working position, ensuring that the first track 10 is unobstructed by default. This design conforms to the typical working logic of an automatic mahjong machine—the circular first track 10 usually serves as the main tile-delivering track, and its continuity must be prioritized. For example, when each shuffling plate 60 finishes picking up tiles and pauses tile delivery, the track divider 30 automatically resets to the first working position to prevent the subsequent process from being halted due to accidental blockage of the main track. If the thrust of the two tracks disappears or becomes balanced at the same time, the elastic reset force can force the track divider 30 to leave the "neutral state", preventing it from staying in the middle position of the non-first / second working position, which would cause the dual tracks to be blocked or abnormally connected, thus eliminating the risk of being stuck in the middle position from the root.

[0084] When the first track 10 (mahjong tiles 40) pushes the track divider 30 to swing towards the first working position, the elastic restoring force and the thrust are in the same direction, forming a combined force drive. This significantly improves switching sensitivity, especially when the thrust is small (such as at low-speed tile passing). Conversely, when the second track 20 pushes the track divider 30 to swing towards the second working position, it needs to overcome the elastic restoring force. This is equivalent to setting a "resistance threshold" for switching, which can prevent the track divider 30 from switching erroneously due to minor disturbances (such as accidental collisions of the mahjong tiles 40), thus improving anti-interference capabilities.

[0085] Third, this can also be achieved by setting the friction between the first track 10 and the mahjong tile 40 to be different from that between the second track 20 and the mahjong tile 40. That is, when the mahjong tile 40 is in contact with the track divider 30 on both tracks at the same time, the mahjong tile 40 with lower friction will slip on the corresponding track, so that the mahjong tile 40 with higher friction will pass first.

[0086] like Figure 4As shown, when a mahjong tile 40 on the first track 10 is about to pass through the intersection area, the mahjong tile 40 on the first track 10 first contacts the first blocking surface 31 on the track divider 30. The mahjong tile 40 will exert a pushing force on the first blocking surface 31, thereby causing the track divider 30 to rotate towards the first working position. Finally, the first blocking surface 31 makes room for the mahjong tile 40 to pass through, and the first guide surface 33 and the side wall of the first track 10 form a guide channel for the mahjong tile 40 to pass through the intersection area. At the same time, the second blocking surface 32 blocks the second track 20, preventing the mahjong tile 40 in the second track 20 from passing through.

[0087] like Figure 8 As shown in the diagram, when the mahjong tile 40 on the first track 10 passes through the intersection area first, the thrust generated by the mahjong tile 40 on the second track 20 on the track divider 30 is F2, and the lever arm of the thrust F2 is L2. The thrust generated by the mahjong tile 40 on the first track 10 on the track divider 30 is F1, and the lever arm of the thrust F1 is L1. The lever arm L1 is significantly larger than the lever arm L2. Therefore, it can be ensured that the mahjong tile 40 in the first track 10 passes through the intersection area first, and then the mahjong tile 40 in the second track 10 passes through the intersection area.

[0088] like Figure 5 As shown, when a mahjong tile 40 on the second track 20 is about to pass through the intersection area, the mahjong tile 40 on the second track 20 first contacts the second blocking surface 32 on the track divider 30. The mahjong tile 40 will exert a pushing force on the second blocking surface 32, thereby causing the track divider 30 to rotate towards the second working position. Finally, the second blocking surface 32 makes room for the mahjong tile 40 to pass through, and the second guide surface 34 and the side wall of the second track 20 form a guide channel for the mahjong tile 40 to pass through the intersection area. At the same time, the first blocking surface 31 blocks the first track 10, preventing the mahjong tile 40 in the first track 10 from passing through.

[0089] If the mahjong tiles 40 in the first track 10 and the mahjong tiles 40 in the second track 20 simultaneously come into contact with the track divider 30, then because the driving arm of the first blocking surface 31 is longer than the driving arm of the second blocking surface 32, the mahjong tiles 40 in the first track 10 will push the track divider 30 to rotate toward the first working position, so that the mahjong tiles 40 in the first track 10 first pass through the intersection area, and then the mahjong tiles 40 in the second track 20 will push the track divider 30 to rotate toward the second working position, and then the mahjong tiles 40 in the second track 20 will pass through the intersection area and enter the first track 10.

[0090] This solution, through multi-dimensional innovative design of the automatic mahjong machine's track guide 30 and track system, systematically solves the core problems of high card risk, insensitive track switching, and low multi-track coordination efficiency in traditional multi-track layouts. Specifically, it includes:

[0091] First, the track divider 30, through dual-position switching (the first working position blocks the second track 20, and the second working position blocks the first track 10), ensures that only one track can pass at a time, fundamentally preventing the two tracks of mahjong tiles 40 from colliding and getting stuck. The cooperation between the guide surface and the track notch forms a continuous guiding channel, eliminating structural gaps at the intersection and preventing the mahjong tiles 40 from flipping or getting stuck due to the expansion of space.

[0092] Second, the self-thrust of the mahjong tile 40 drives the oscillation of the guide rail 30, achieving automatic switching of "whoever is stronger takes priority" through the difference in asymmetrical blocking surfaces and driving force arms. This eliminates the need for sensors, motors, or control systems, reducing hardware costs and potential failure points. Alternatively, a flexible reset component can be used to provide passive homing power, further simplifying the mechanical structure and making it suitable for high-frequency stable operation in commercial scenarios.

[0093] Third, the asymmetric blocking surface enables the rail guide 30 to automatically select the priority rail based on the thrust difference between the two rails, adapting to the dynamic changes in the flow of each rail in a multi-shuffle disk 60 scenario; the differentiated drive arm allows for the manual setting of the "main rail priority" logic to ensure the smooth flow of the core process.

[0094] IV. Traditional solutions rely on manual or electronic control for track switching. This solution achieves "electricity-free self-intelligence" through physical and mechanical design (asymmetric torque, driving arm, elastic reset), giving the equipment dynamic adaptability. Addressing the core contradictions of the multi-shuffler 60 structure (uneven card picking across tracks, card jamming at intersections), this solution transforms multi-track independent card conveying into single-track circular conveying through a "track sharing + dynamic switching" mode. This balances the number of cards picked up by each card-collecting mechanism, while the track divider 30 resolves conveying conflicts, achieving a dual improvement in efficiency and reliability.

[0095] The above description is only a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the technical features of the present invention are not limited thereto. Any changes or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention are covered by the patent scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic mahjong machine, comprising a first circular track, at least one second track intersecting and connected to the first track, and a track divider, wherein the track divider is pivotally mounted in the intersection area of ​​the first and second tracks via a pivot, and the track divider has: First working position: Block the second track while keeping the first track open; Second working position: Block the first track while keeping the second track open; characterized in that The track divider includes: The first blocking surface is located on the first side end face of the rail guide near the rotating shaft. When the rail guide is in the second working position, the extension direction of the first blocking surface forms a non-zero angle with the transport direction of the first track, so as to receive the pushing force of the first track and make the rail guide swing to the first working position. The second blocking surface is located on the second side end face of the guide rail near the rotating shaft. When the guide rail is in the first working position, the extension direction of the second blocking surface forms a non-zero angle with the direction of conveying mahjong tiles in the second track. It is used to receive the thrust of the mahjong tiles in the second track so that the guide rail swings to the second working position. The first guide surface extends from the side of the first blocking surface away from the rotating shaft in a direction away from the rotating shaft, and forms a guide channel with the inner wall of the first track when the track divider is in the first working position. The second guide surface extends from the side of the second blocking surface away from the rotating shaft in a direction away from the rotating shaft, and forms a guide channel with the inner wall of the second track when the track guide is in the second working position.

2. The automatic mahjong machine according to claim 1, wherein The first guide surface and the first blocking surface are smoothly connected, and the second guide surface and the second blocking surface are smoothly connected.

3. The automatic mahjong machine according to claim 1, wherein The first track includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall disposed opposite to each other, and the first sidewall has a notch that communicates with the outlet of the second track; When the guide rail deflector is in the first working position, the first guide surface is located at the notch; When the track divider is in the second working position, the second guide surface extends from the outlet of the second track toward the second side wall.

4. The automatic mahjong machine according to claim 3, wherein When the track divider is in the first working position, the curvature of the first guide surface is consistent with that of the first track sidewall at the notch. When the track divider is in the second working position, the second guide surface is smoothly connected between the outlet of the second track and the second sidewall.

5. The automatic mahjong machine according to claim 3, wherein In the first working position, the rail guide abuts against the outlet of the second rail; in the second working position, the rail guide abuts against the side wall of the first rail at the notch.

6. The automatic mahjong machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first side end face and the second side end face are arranged adjacent to each other. The first blocking surface and the first guiding surface are provided on the first side end face. The second blocking surface and the second guiding surface are provided on the second side end face. The first side end face and the second side end face extend and converge at the end of the rail guide. The rotating shaft is provided at this end.

7. The automatic mahjong machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first and second blocking surfaces have unequal angles relative to the same vertical plane, which causes a torque to be generated when the mahjong tiles on the two tracks simultaneously contact the track divider.

8. The automatic mahjong machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The friction between the first track and the mahjong tiles is greater than that between the second track and the mahjong tiles.

9. The automatic mahjong machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The guide rail is connected to an elastic reset component, and the direction of its reset force is consistent with the swing direction toward the first working position.

10. The automatic mahjong machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The angle between the first track and the second track along the direction of mahjong tile transport is an acute angle, and the swing axis of the track divider is set on the upstream side of the intersection area.

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