Crank-Driven Dice Shaker for Reliable High-Frequency Rolling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Casino games involving dice face issues with dealer integrity, limited simultaneous dice rolling, mechanical wear, and potential mechanical errors in automated systems, necessitating robust and operator-independent dice shaking mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A dice shaking mechanism with a driving member, drive shaft, crank pin, control arm, and lifting member, featuring a limiting mechanism, guiding mechanism, and sensor system to ensure controlled and efficient dice oscillation, minimizing damage and mechanical wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated mechanical systems are used to spin roulette wheels, then game frequency and efficiency are improved, but mechanical wear and tear increases and component longevity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegame frequencyVSAvoidcomponent longevity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional heavy mechanical roulette wheel systems with a lighter automated dice shaking mechanism. The driving member rotates a drive shaft that carries a platform for shaking dice, eliminating the need for large mechanical wheels and reducing overall system mass and mechanical stress on components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters by using a lighter platform mass and adjusting the rotation speed of the driving member. The control system regulates the rotation speed to optimize dice shaking while reducing mechanical wear, and the lighter platform allows for faster rotation without excessive mechanical stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If dealers manually roll dice, then game integrity is maintained through human oversight, but game frequency is limited by dealer capacity and human error may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegame integrityVSAvoidgame frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated dice shaking mechanism performs the dice rolling function independently without requiring human dealers to manually throw dice. The system self-regulates the shaking motion through the driving member and control arm mechanism, eliminating human error while maintaining game integrity through consistent automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates sensors that detect the position of the platform and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism ensures the platform reaches the correct position and the dice are properly shaken, maintaining game integrity through automated monitoring and control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If more dice are shaken simultaneously, then game frequency and player options increase, but the space available for game play is exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegame frequencyVSAvoidgame play space

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a vertical platform that rotates and shakes dice in three-dimensional space. By utilizing vertical motion and rotational movement rather than only horizontal spreading, the system can shake multiple dice simultaneously within a compact footprint, effectively using the vertical dimension to increase capacity without expanding the horizontal game table area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures reliable, high-frequency dice rolling with reduced mechanical wear and error, enhancing game integrity and efficiency by automating dice shaking without human intervention.

Implementation Method 1

a drive shaft connected to the driving member, the drive shaft in communication with a crank pin. Preferably, the drive shaft is arranged to rotate about a drive shaft axis, the crank pin having a crank pin axis offset from the drive shaft axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrank mechanism: Crankshaft

Implementation Method 2

The control arm is arranged to move the lifting member along a vertical axis of the dice shaking mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLeverage: Lever

Implementation Method 3

damping component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS12629585B2Dice shaking mechanism

Publication Date: 2026.05.19 TCS JOHN HUXLEY EURO

AI summary

There is described an automated dice shaking mechanism for use for example in casinos. The dice shaking mechanism comprises a driving member; a drive shaft connected to the driving member and wherein the drive shaft is arranged in communication with a crank pin. The mechanism is operable such that the drive shaft is arranged to rotate about a drive shaft axis, the crank pin having a crank pin axis offset from the drive shaft axis; a control arm and a lifting member and wherein the control arm has a first end and an opposing second end. In the mechanism the first end is connected to the crank pin, the control arm is then arranged to move the lifting member along a vertical axis of the dice shaking mechanism. The lifting member comprises a frame attached to the second end of the control arm; and a platform attached to the frame, and in this way the platform movement provides the dice shaking and activation. The mechanism provides for improvements in reliability, repeatability and robustness of the casino gaming equipment.