An indicating arrow assembly applied to an amusement machine

Abstract

This utility model discloses an indicator arrow assembly for amusement rides, characterized in that: it includes a housing disposed on the upper side of the amusement ride turntable, a pin disposed on the lower side of the housing along the front-rear direction, a downwardly extending pointer plate and a downwardly extending bearing mounting bracket sleeved on the pin, the pointer plate being disposed on the front side of the bearing mounting bracket, the pointer plate and the bearing mounting bracket being fixed to each other and rotating synchronously around the pin, the pointer plate not contacting the turntable partition column, the lower end of the bearing mounting bracket being connected to a pointer bearing that contacts the turntable partition column, the pointer plate not directly contacting the partition column, thus protecting the pointer plate, and at the same time, the pointer bearing rolling around the stainless steel column of the turntable reduces noise.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This utility model relates to an indicator arrow assembly used in amusement machines. [Background Technology]

[0002] In existing rotary amusement machines, multiple stainless steel pillars are typically arranged around the edge of the turntable. As the turntable rotates, indicator arrows collide and rub against these pillars until the turntable stops. In this structure, the direct impact of the rubber arrows against the stainless steel pillars results in sliding friction, leading to significant arrow wear, high resistance, and noise. This causes the turntable to stop prematurely, negatively impacting the player experience. Furthermore, the rapid impacts from the stainless steel pillars continuously transfer energy to the arrow assembly, causing abnormal jumping and affecting the triggering of the scoring sensor. Simultaneously, since the kinetic energy is not dissipated in other ways—the accumulated kinetic energy rebounds against the stainless steel pillars—the impact noise is significant, further accelerating the wear of the rubber arrows. The worn arrows are prone to angular deviation, causing the sensor and encoder to make incorrect pointing decisions, resulting in inaccurate scoring. This is a frequent occurrence and negatively impacts the player experience. [Utility Model Content]

[0003] This invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art and provides an indicator arrow assembly for use in amusement machines.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] An indicator arrow assembly for an amusement machine is characterized by comprising a housing disposed on the upper side of the amusement machine turntable, a pin disposed on the lower side of the housing in a front-rear direction, a downwardly extending pointer plate and a downwardly extending bearing mounting bracket sleeved on the pin, the pointer plate being disposed on the front side of the bearing mounting bracket, the pointer plate and the bearing mounting bracket being fixed to each other and rotating synchronously around the pin, the pointer plate not contacting the turntable partition post, and a pointer bearing that contacts the turntable partition post being connected to the lower end of the bearing mounting bracket.

[0006] The indicator arrow assembly for an amusement machine as described above is characterized in that: a swing damping assembly is provided between the housing and the pin to generate a reverse force when the pointer plate swings.

[0007] As described above, an indicator arrow assembly for an amusement machine is characterized in that: the swing damping assembly includes a vortex plate sleeved on a pin shaft and extending upward, the vortex plate being fixed to the pointer plate and the bearing mounting bracket and rotating synchronously around the pin shaft, and a magnet assembly for generating a magnetic field is provided inside the housing on the upper side of the vortex plate, the upper end of the vortex plate extending into the magnet assembly and cutting the magnetic lines of force to generate a reverse force when the vortex plate swings.

[0008] The indicator arrow assembly for amusement machines described above is characterized in that: a connecting sleeve is sleeved on the pin shaft, the connecting sleeve is fixed to the pointer plate and the bearing mounting bracket, and the lower end of the vortex plate is connected to the connecting sleeve.

[0009] The indicator arrow assembly for amusement machines described above is characterized in that: a plurality of magnet groups are provided inside the housing, the magnet groups are arranged along the swing direction of the upper end of the vortex plate, the magnet groups are composed of two magnets with opposite poles and arranged relatively apart, and the upper end of the vortex plate is arranged between the two magnets of the magnet group.

[0010] The indicator arrow assembly for an amusement machine as described above is characterized in that: a magnet fixing box with an opening at the lower end is provided inside the housing, a magnet assembly is disposed inside the magnet fixing box, and the upper end of the vortex plate extends into the magnet assembly through the opening at the lower end of the magnet fixing box.

[0011] The indicator arrow assembly for an amusement machine as described above is characterized in that: a return assembly for returning the pointer plate to center is provided between the housing and the pin.

[0012] The indicator arrow assembly for amusement machines described above is characterized in that: the return assembly includes a return seat plate sleeved on a pin shaft, the return seat plate is fixed to the pointer plate and the bearing mounting bracket and rotates synchronously around the pin shaft, the return seat plate is provided with a return bearing, the return bearing is sleeved with a bearing seat sleeve, the bearing seat sleeve is connected with a return spring, and the other end of the return spring is connected to the upper side of the housing.

[0013] The indicator arrow assembly for amusement machines described above is characterized in that: a baffle extending upward is sleeved on the pin shaft, the baffle is fixed to the pointer plate and the bearing mounting bracket and rotates synchronously around the pin shaft, and infrared detectors for detecting the upper end of the baffle passing through are respectively provided at the maximum swing positions on both sides of the upper end of the baffle inside the housing.

[0014] The indicator arrow assembly for amusement machines described above is characterized in that: a limiting stop bar is provided on both sides of the bearing mounting bracket inside the housing to limit the maximum swing position of the bearing mounting bracket, and a buffer sleeve is provided on the limiting stop bar.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0016] 1. This utility model provides a bearing mounting bracket on the back side of the pointer plate, and a pointer bearing is connected to the lower end of the bearing mounting bracket, so that the pointer plate does not contact the stainless steel column separating the turntable, and contacts the stainless steel column of the turntable through the pointer bearing. That is, the arrow pointer rolls around the stainless steel column of the turntable through the pointer bearing, reducing noise. At the same time, by adjusting the gap between the pointer bearing and the stainless steel column of the turntable, the collision force is reduced.

[0017] 2. This utility model is equipped with a swing damping component that generates a reverse force when the pointer plate swings. By introducing a swing damping component with magnetic eddy current damping, the kinetic energy of the pointer component is consumed, the abnormal jumping of the pointer plate component is suppressed, and noise is also reduced. The principle of magnetic eddy current damping is that the copper plate swings in a strong magnet and cuts the magnetic lines of force to generate eddy currents. The eddy currents generate a reverse force, which consumes the kinetic energy of the pointer component and makes the pointer component stabilize more quickly, providing conditions for the sensor to score accurately. [Image Description]

[0018] Figure 1 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 This is the second schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 3 This is one of the exploded views of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 4 This is the second exploded view of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the pointer component of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of the pointer component of this utility model. [Detailed Implementation]

[0024] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model will now be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0025] It should be noted that all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of this utility model are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture (as shown in the attached figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly. Furthermore, descriptions involving "preferred," "second-best," etc., in this utility model are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, features defined as "preferred" or "second-best" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features.

[0026] like Figure 1-6As shown, an indicator arrow assembly for an amusement ride includes a housing 1 mounted on the upper side of the amusement ride turntable. A pin 2, extending in a front-to-back direction, is located on the lower side of the housing 1. A downward-extending pointer plate 3 and a downward-extending bearing mounting bracket 4 are fitted onto the pin 2. The pointer plate 3 is positioned in front of the bearing mounting bracket 4. The pointer plate 3 and the bearing mounting bracket 4 are fixed to each other and rotate synchronously around the pin 2. The pointer plate 3 does not contact the turntable dividers. A pointer bearing 5, which contacts the turntable dividers, is connected to the lower end of the bearing mounting bracket 4. In practical applications, the indicator arrow assembly is positioned on the upper side of the turntable, with multiple stainless steel dividers surrounding the turntable's edge. In this case, the pointer plate 3 is positioned above the stainless steel dividers and does not contact them. When the turntable rotates, the pointer bearing 5 contacts the stainless steel dividers, causing the bearing mounting bracket 4 and the pointer plate 3 to rotate synchronously around the pin 2. The pointer bearing rolls around the stainless steel dividers, significantly reducing noise. At the same time, by adjusting the gap between the pointer bearing 5 and the stainless steel column, the force of the pointer bearing 5 hitting the stainless steel dividing column of the turntable is reduced, and the probability of critical pointing occurs is reduced, so that the pointer plate 3 clearly points to the predetermined scoring range and the deviation is reduced.

[0027] like Figure 3-6 As shown, a swing damping assembly 6 is provided between the housing 1 and the pin 2 to generate a reverse force when the pointer plate 3 swings. The swing damping assembly 6 includes a vortex plate 61 sleeved on the pin 2 and extending upward. The vortex plate 61 is fixed to the pointer plate 3 and the bearing mounting bracket 4 and rotates synchronously around the pin 2. A magnet assembly 62 for generating a magnetic field is provided inside the housing 1 on the upper side of the vortex plate 61. The upper end of the vortex plate 61 extends into the magnet assembly 62 and cuts the magnetic lines of force to generate a reverse force when the vortex plate 61 swings. The vortex plate 61 is made of copper. During the rotation of the turntable, the stainless steel separator column of the turntable contacts the pointer bearing 5, causing the eddy current plate 61, pointer plate 3, and bearing mounting bracket 4 to rotate synchronously around the pin 2. At this time, the eddy current plate 61 swings and cuts the magnetic lines of force in the strong magnet of the magnet group 62 to generate eddy currents. The eddy currents generate a reverse force, thereby consuming the kinetic energy of the pointer assembly composed of the eddy current plate 61, pointer plate 3, and bearing mounting bracket 4, so that the pointer assembly can stabilize quickly, providing conditions for the sensor to score accurately. By introducing a swing damping component with magnetic eddy current damping, the kinetic energy of the pointer assembly is consumed, the abnormal jumping of the pointer plate assembly is suppressed, and the noise is reduced.

[0028] like Figure 3 As shown, a connecting sleeve 63 is fitted onto the pin 2. The connecting sleeve 63 is fixed to the pointer plate 3 and the bearing mounting bracket 4. The lower end of the eddy current plate 61 is connected to the connecting sleeve 63. The connecting sleeve 63 is designed to better enable the eddy current plate 61 to rotate synchronously with the pointer plate 3 and the bearing mounting bracket 4, thereby better oscillating and cutting the magnetic lines of force in the strong magnetic field of the magnet assembly 62 to generate a reverse force and consume the kinetic energy of the pointer assembly.

[0029] like Figure 2-3 As shown, the housing 1 is provided with multiple magnet groups 62. The magnet groups 62 are arranged along the swing direction of the upper end of the eddy plate 61. The magnet group 62 is composed of two magnets with opposite poles and arranged relatively separately. The upper end of the eddy plate 61 is arranged between the two magnets of the magnet group 62, so that the eddy plate 61 can swing better in the strong magnetic field of the magnet group 62, cut the magnetic lines of force and generate a reverse force, and consume the kinetic energy of the pointer assembly.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, the housing 1 is provided with a magnet fixing box 64 with an opening at the lower end. The magnet assembly 62 is set in the magnet fixing box 64. The upper end of the vortex plate 61 passes through the opening at the lower end of the magnet fixing box 64 and extends into the magnet assembly 62, which serves to position and install the magnet assembly 62 and protect the magnet assembly 62.

[0031] like Figure 4-6 As shown, a return assembly 7 is provided between the housing 1 and the pin 2 to return the pointer plate 3 to center. The return assembly 7 includes a return seat plate 71 sleeved on the pin 2. The return seat plate 71 is fixed to the pointer plate 3 and the bearing mounting bracket 4 and rotates synchronously around the pin 2. A return bearing 72 is provided on the return seat plate 71, and a bearing housing 73 is sleeved on the return bearing 72. A return spring 74 is connected to the bearing housing 73, and the other end of the return spring 74 is connected to the upper side of the housing 1. During the rotation of the turntable, the stainless steel dividing column of the turntable contacts the pointer bearing 5, causing the return seat plate 71, the pointer plate 3, and the bearing mounting bracket 4 to rotate synchronously around the pin 2. At this time, under the action of the return bearing 72 and the bearing housing 73, the return spring 74 pulls the rotated return seat plate 71 back to center, so that the pointer plate 3 returns to center after consuming all kinetic energy, making the pointer plate 3 clearly point to the predetermined scoring range and reducing deviation.

[0032] like Figure 4-6 As shown, a baffle 8 extending upwards is fitted onto the pin 2. The baffle 8 is fixed to the pointer plate 3 and the bearing mounting bracket 4 and rotates synchronously around the pin 2. Infrared detectors 9 are provided on both sides of the maximum swing position of the upper end of the baffle 8 inside the housing 1, allowing the upper end of the baffle 8 to pass through for detection. The baffle 8 is detected by the infrared detectors 9 to determine whether the pointer plate 3 is in a rotating state, and the score is calculated when the pointer plate 3 is in a stationary state.

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the housing 1 has limit bars 10 located on both sides of the bearing mounting bracket 4 to limit the maximum swing position of the bearing mounting bracket 4. The limit bars 10 are provided with buffer sleeves 11, which serve to limit and protect components such as the pointer plate 3 and the bearing mounting bracket 4.

[0034] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and do not limit the patent scope of this utility model. Any equivalent structural transformations made based on the inventive concept of this utility model and the contents of this utility model specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. An indicator arrow assembly for use in amusement rides, characterized in that: It includes a housing (1) set on the upper side of the amusement machine turntable, a pin (2) set on the lower side of the housing (1) along the front-back direction, a pointer plate (3) extending downward and a bearing mounting bracket (4) extending downward on the pin (2), the pointer plate (3) set on the front side of the bearing mounting bracket (4), the pointer plate (3) and the bearing mounting bracket (4) are fixed to each other and rotate synchronously around the pin (2), the pointer plate (3) does not contact the turntable partition column, and the lower end of the bearing mounting bracket (4) is connected to a pointer bearing (5) that contacts the turntable partition column.

2. The indicator arrow assembly for an amusement machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: A swing damping assembly (6) is provided between the housing (1) and the pin (2) to generate a reverse force when the pointer plate (3) swings.

3. The indicator arrow assembly for an amusement machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The swing damping assembly (6) includes a vortex plate (61) sleeved on the pin (2) and extending upward. The vortex plate (61) is fixed to the pointer plate (3) and the bearing mounting bracket (4) and rotates synchronously around the pin (2). A magnet assembly (62) for generating a magnetic field is provided on the upper side of the vortex plate (61) inside the housing (1). The upper end of the vortex plate (61) extends into the magnet assembly (62) and cuts the magnetic lines of force to generate a reverse force when the vortex plate (61) swings.

4. The indicator arrow assembly for an amusement machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: A connecting sleeve (63) is fitted on the pin (2). The connecting sleeve (63) is fixed to the pointer plate (3) and the bearing mounting bracket (4). The lower end of the vortex plate (61) is connected to the connecting sleeve (63).

5. The indicator arrow assembly for an amusement machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The housing (1) is provided with multiple magnet groups (62). The magnet groups (62) are arranged along the swing direction of the upper end of the vortex plate (61). The magnet group (62) is composed of two magnets with opposite poles and arranged relatively separately. The upper end of the vortex plate (61) is arranged between the two magnets of the magnet group (62).

6. The indicator arrow assembly for an amusement machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: The housing (1) is provided with a magnet fixing box (64) with an opening at the lower end. The magnet assembly (62) is set in the magnet fixing box (64). The upper end of the eddy plate (61) passes through the opening at the lower end of the magnet fixing box (64) and extends into the magnet assembly (62).

7. The indicator arrow assembly for an amusement machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: A return assembly (7) is provided between the housing (1) and the pin (2) to return the pointer plate (3) to center.

8. The indicator arrow assembly for an amusement machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: The return assembly (7) includes a return seat plate (71) sleeved on the pin (2). The return seat plate (71) is fixed to the pointer plate (3) and the bearing mounting bracket (4) and rotates synchronously around the pin (2). The return seat plate (71) is provided with a return bearing (72). The return bearing (72) is sleeved with a bearing housing (73). The bearing housing (73) is connected to a return spring (74). The other end of the return spring (74) is connected to the upper side of the housing (1).

9. The indicator arrow assembly for an amusement machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: A baffle (8) extending upward is fitted on the pin (2). The baffle (8) is fixed to the pointer plate (3) and the bearing mounting bracket (4) and rotates synchronously around the pin (2). Infrared detectors (9) are provided at the maximum swing positions on both sides of the upper end of the baffle (8) inside the housing (1) for the upper end of the baffle (8) to pass through for detection.

10. An indicator arrow assembly for an amusement machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: Inside the housing (1), on both sides of the bearing mounting bracket (4), there are limiting stops (10) that limit the maximum swing position of the bearing mounting bracket (4), and a buffer sleeve (11) is provided on the limiting stops (10).

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