Crane Gripper Speed Segmentation for Variable Prize Weights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional crane game machines struggle to accommodate various types of prizes with different weights, requiring frequent adjustments to the grip claw mechanism's parameters, which affects operational movements and customer engagement, making it difficult to balance attraction and profitability.
Innovation Solution
A crane game machine with a bridge crane mechanism, gripper mechanism, and crane motor, where the lifting and lowering journeys are divided into subsections with varying speeds and gripping forces, controlled by a control unit with setting and adjustment interfaces to accommodate prizes of different weights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the grip claw mechanism uses constant lowering and lifting speeds, then the mechanism structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to prizes of different weights
Solution Approach 1:
The lowering journey and lifting journey are divided into multiple subsections (first subsection, second subsection, third subsection, etc.). Each subsection has independently adjustable speed parameters, allowing the system to adapt to different prize weights by selecting appropriate speed combinations for each segment without requiring complete redesign of the speed control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic speed adjustment by allowing different moving speeds in different subsections of the lowering and lifting journeys. The control unit can set varying speeds (e.g., first lowering speed, second lowering speed, first lifting speed, second lifting speed) to match different prize weight characteristics, transforming the static constant-speed system into a dynamic adaptive system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the grip claw mechanism parameters are adjusted frequently to match different prize weights, then the machine can handle various prizes, but the operational movements and player experience are affected
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the motion journey into subsections with different speed parameters, the system can fine-tune its behavior for different prize types without requiring complete parameter reconfiguration. This segmentation allows selective adjustment of only the necessary speed parameters for each prize weight category, maintaining operational stability while achieving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit stores multiple sets of speed parameters (first lowering speed, second lowering speed, first lifting speed, second lifting speed, etc.) corresponding to different prize weight ranges. When prizes are replaced, the operator selects the appropriate parameter set rather than adjusting individual parameters, which standardizes the adjustment process and maintains operational consistency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the grip claw mechanism uses fixed specifications, then the mechanism is simple to manufacture, but it cannot effectively grip prizes of varying weights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical adaptability (having multiple grip claw mechanisms with different specifications) with electronic control adaptability. The control unit adjusts the speed parameters of a single grip claw mechanism based on the prize weight, eliminating the need to physically replace or reconfigure mechanical components for different prize types.
4Reliability
If the lowering speed and lifting speed are adjusted according to prize weights, then the gripping effectiveness is improved, but the player engagement and throwing behavior are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves both reliable gripping and player engagement by implementing dynamic speed adjustment across multiple subsections. Different speed combinations create varied operational movements that ensure effective gripping while maintaining interesting and engaging player experiences. The control unit can select from multiple speed parameter sets to balance gripping reliability with entertainment value.
Data Source
AI summary
A crane game machine includes a cabinet, an operation unit, and an operation interface. The operation unit includes a bridge crane mechanism, a gripper mechanism that is movably mounted to the bridge crane mechanism, and a crane motor that is connected to the gripper mechanism. The crane motor is operable for urging the gripper mechanism to undertake a lowering journey in which the gripper mechanism is moved downwardly, and a lifting journey in which the gripper mechanism is moved upwardly. At least one of the lowering journey and the lifting journey is divided into a plurality of subsections. A moving speed of the gripper mechanism in one of the plurality of subsections is different from the moving speed of the gripper mechanism in at least another one of the plurality of subsections. The operation interface is operable for urging the bridge crane mechanism to drive movement of the gripper mechanism.