Prize Game Rail Layout for Adjustable Dual Play Areas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing prize acquisition game devices have fixed play areas of equal size, limiting the ability to adjust the size and layout of play areas based on the type and size of prizes within the housing space.

Innovation Solution

A prize acquisition game device with a fixed rail supporting movable first and second moving rails and sensors, allowing adjustable end positions of play areas through operation units, enabling flexible sizing and layout of play areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the first play area and second play area are made of the same size with fixed rails, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the ability to adjust play area sizes according to prize types is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of play area sizesVSAvoidcomplexity of rail support structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the rail support structure movable rather than fixed. The first and second rail supports can move along the fixed rail in the left-right direction, allowing the play area boundaries to be dynamically adjusted. This enables the play areas to adapt to different prize configurations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the rail support structure into multiple independent movable supports (first rail support and second rail support) that can be positioned separately. Each support can be independently adjusted to define the boundaries of different play areas, allowing flexible configuration without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If movable rails are added to allow play area adjustment, then the adaptability to different prize configurations is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in play area configurationVSAvoidnumber of moving components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by introducing movable rail supports that can be positioned along the fixed rail. These movable supports enable the play areas to be dynamically reconfigured based on prize types and sizes, providing flexibility without requiring a complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the positions of the first and second rail supports to be varied along the fixed rail. By changing the positional parameters of these supports, the play area sizes and configurations can be adjusted to match different prize requirements, achieving adaptability through parameter variation rather than structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4663261A1Prize-acquisition game device
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 SEGA CORP
  • EP4663261A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4663261A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4663261A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention enables the sizes of a first play area and a second play area to be changed. This prize-acquisition game device comprises: a fixed rail that extends in a left-right direction across a left-side first play area and a right-side second play area which are adjacent to each other to the left and right within a storage space that accommodates prizes; a first moving rail that is orthogonal to the fixed rail and that is supported by the fixed rail so as to be movable along the left-right direction in the first play area; a first prize acquisition part that is supported by the first moving rail so as to be movable along a front-back direction; a first sensor that is attached to the first moving rail, and that senses a right end position of the first play area; a first operation part that operates the first sensor, and that is supported by the fixed rail so as to be movable along the left-right direction; a second moving rail that is orthogonal to the fixed rail and that is supported by the fixed rail so as to be movable along the left-right direction in the second play area; a second prize acquisition part that is supported by the second moving rail so as to be movable along the front-back direction; a second sensor that is attached to the second moving rail, and that senses a left end position of the second play area; and a second operation part that operates the second sensor, and that is supported by the fixed rail so as to be movable along the left-right direction. The fixed rail: supports the first operation part at a position after movement between the first moving rail and the second operation part so that the right end position of the first play area can be changed; and supports the second operation part at a position after movement between the first operation part and the second moving rail so that the left end position of the second play area can be changed.