US20060231083A1 - Air Gun and Number-of-Shots Change Control Method - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to electronic control of an air gun in the form of a model gun, and in a repeating mode operation is capable of easily controlling the number of shots, and furthermore is capable of easily switching among single-shot mode, repeating mode and N-shot mode. Also, it is possible to always stop the shooting operation at a specified position.

The present invention is an air gun comprising: a single-shot mode shooting operation (207) that starts when a trigger switch is switched ON (201), and stops when a reference position is detected; a repeating mode shooting operation (208) that performs the shooting operation continuously when the trigger switch is switched ON, and stops the shooting operation when reference position is detected; an N-shot mode shooting operation (209) that performs the shooting operation only N time when the trigger switch is switched ON, and stops the shooting operation when the reference position is detected; and a switching means (206) for selecting and operating any one from among the single-shot mode, repeating mode and N-shot mode operation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• This invention relates to an air gun in the form of a model gun, and more particularly to electronic control of an air gun that is suitable for arbitrarily switching among single shot mode, repeating mode and N-shot mode.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• An air gun in the form of a model gun that is patterned after an automatic rifle is used as a toy or for shooting practice. Particularly, in the case of being used for shooting practice, it is desired that the air gun have the same appearance and be capable of being handled the same as a real gun. Prior art for this kind of air gun has been disclosed in Japanese Examined Patent Publication H7-43238.
• In this prior art, by pulling the trigger, a motor drives a pump comprising a piston and cylinder, and discharges compressed air though a discharge hole, while at the same time a bullet is fed in synchronization with this, and that bullet is shot. In this prior art, the mechanism that shoots the bullet is electrically powered so that it can be driven by a motor, however, the bullet shooting mechanism is a mechanical mechanism such as a cam. Also, switching between single-shot mode and repeating mode is performed by a mechanical mechanism comprising a mechanical tappet arm or switching lever. Moreover, the power to the motor is turned ON/OFF by a mechanical contact switch. Also, in this prior art it is possible to switch between single-shot mode and repeating mode by switching a lever, and in the case of repeating mode, the motor operates as long as the trigger is pulled, and the series of operations related to repeating mode are repeatedly performed, and by releasing the trigger, the operations stop.
• In the aforementioned prior art, starting and stopping the shooting operation was performed by turning ON/OFF a mechanical switch to the power supply of the motor, so there was a problem in reliability in that defective operation due to burnt contacts or incomplete contacting occurs easily. Also, switching between single-shot mode and repeating mode is performed by a mechanism comprising a mechanical cam and lever, so defective operation occurs easily due to wear or fatigue.
• Moreover, in the repeating mode operation of this prior art, it was not possible to control how many times the bullet was shot.
• Also, in this prior art, there was no way for checking whether or not there were bullets in the magazine, and particularly during continuous shooting, even after the last bullet was shot, there was a problem in that in a state of having no bullets, useless blank shooting continued.
• In this prior art, the trigger was released at arbitrary timing, so in accordance to this, the motor also stopped at arbitrary timing. Therefore, there was a problem in that the rotating shaft (sector gear) also stopped at an arbitrary position, and stopped while still being meshed with the rack formed on the piston. The following problems occur when the rotating shaft (sector gear) stops while still being meshed with the rack:
• (1) The air gun is left for a long period of time in the stopped state with stress still being applied to the rotating shaft and rack, which causes mechanical failure of the deceleration mechanism and piston unit to occur.
• (2) The air gun is left for a long period of time in the stopped state when the spring compressed. Therefore, the spring effect of the spring becomes weak.
• (3) The air gun is stopped with stress still being applied to the rotating shaft and rack, so the meshing between the rotating shaft and rack cannot be easily released. Therefore, it is not possible to easily open up the inside when performing internal inspection such as during maintenance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• In order to solve the aforementioned problems, the object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily control how many shots are shot in the repeating mode operation, and to easily switch among single-shot mode, repeating mode and N-shot mode.
• Also, another object of the present invention is to make it possible to always stop that shooting operation at a specified position.
• The invention according to a first claim of the invention is an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a means for making it possible to arbitrarily set the maximum number of times bullets are shot when a trigger switch is switched ON one time; a means for counting the number of times bullets are shot; and a means for stopping the shooting operation when the count value of the counter reaches the maximum value.
• The invention according to a second claim of the invention is an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a reference position for a shooting operation that is located on a drive system that drives the piston; a means for starting the shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON; a means for stopping the shooting operation when the reference position is detected; and a means for preventing the shooting operation after shooting is stopped by the means for stopping the shooting operation, even when the ON state of the trigger switch continues.
• The invention according to a third claim of the invention is the air gun ofclaim2 wherein each time the trigger switch becomes ON, the operation ofclaim2 is repeated.
• The invention according to a fourth claim of the invention is an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a reference position for a shooting operation that is located on a drive system that drives the piston; a means for starting the shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON; and a means for stopping the shooting operation when the reference position is detected and the trigger switch is OFF.
• The invention according to a fifth claim of the invention is an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a means for making it possible to arbitrarily set the maximum number of times bullets are shot when a trigger switch is switched ON one time.
• The invention according to a sixth claim of the invention is an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a reference position for a shooting operation that is located on a drive system that drives the piston; a counter that makes it possible to arbitrarily set the maximum number of times bullets are shot to a specified value N when a trigger switch is switched ON one time; a means for starting the shooting operation when the trigger switch is switched ON; a subtraction means for subtracting 1 from the set maximum value N when the reference position is detected; and a means for stopping the shooting operation when the subtraction result of the subtraction means becomes 0 and the reference position is detected.
• The invention according to a seventh claim of the invention is an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a reference position for a shooting operation that is located on a drive system that drives the piston; a single-shot mode shooting means for starting a shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON, stopping the shooting operation when the reference position is detected, and preventing the shooting operation after the shooting operation is stopped, even when the ON state of the trigger switch continues; a repeating mode shooting means for starting the shooting operation when the trigger is switched ON, and stopping the shooting operation when the reference position is detected and the trigger switch becomes OFF; and a switching means for selecting and operating either the single-shot mode shooting means or the repeating mode shooting means.
• The invention according to an eighth claim of the invention is an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a reference position for a shooting operation that is located on a drive system that drives the piston; a single-shot mode shooting means for starting a shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON, stopping the shooting operation when the reference position is detected, and preventing the shooting operation after the shooting operation is stopped, even when the ON state of the trigger switch continues; an N-shot mode shooting means for setting the maximum number of times bullets are shot when the trigger switch is switch ON one time, starting the shooting operation when the trigger switch is switched ON, subtracting 1 from the set maximum value N when the reference position is detected, and stopping the shooting operation when the subtraction result becomes 0 and when the reference position is detected; and a switching means for selecting and operating either the single-shot mode shooting means or the N-shot mode shooting means.
• The invention according to a ninth claim of the invention is an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a reference position for a shooting operation that is located on a drive system that drives the piston; a single-shot mode shooting means for starting a shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON, stopping the shooting operation when the reference position is detected, and preventing the shooting operation after the shooting operation is stopped, even when the ON state of the trigger switch continues; a repeating mode shooting means for starting the shooting operation when the trigger is switched ON, and stopping the shooting operation when the reference position is detected and the trigger switch becomes OFF; an N-shot mode shooting means for setting the maximum number of times bullets are shot when the trigger switch is switch ON one time, starting the shooting operation when the trigger switch is switched ON, subtracting 1 from the set maximum value N when the reference position is detected, and stopping the shooting operation when the subtraction result becomes 0 and when the reference position is detected; and a switching means for selecting and operating one of the single-shot mode shooting means, the repeating mode shooting means and the N-shot mode shooting means.
• The invention according to a tenth claim of the invention is an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a reference position for a shooting operation that is located on a drive system that drives the piston; a single-shot mode shooting means for starting a shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON, stopping the shooting operation when the reference position is detected, and preventing the shooting operation after the shooting operation is stopped, even when the ON state of the trigger switch continues; a repeating mode shooting means for starting the shooting operation when the trigger is switched ON, and stopping the shooting operation when the reference position is detected and the trigger switch becomes OFF; an N-shot mode shooting means for setting the maximum number of times bullets are shot when the trigger switch is switch ON one time, starting the shooting operation when the trigger switch is switched ON, subtracting 1 from the set maximum value N when the reference position is detected, and stopping the shooting operation when the subtraction result becomes 0 and when the reference position is detected; and a switching means that selects and operates either a single-shot mode/repeating mode means for performing the single-shot mode shooting operation and the repeating mode shooting operation, or a single-shot mode/N-shot mode means for performing the single-shot mode shooting operation and the N-shot mode shooting operation.
• The invention according to an eleventh claim of the invention is the air gun ofclaim10 wherein the switching means for selecting and operating either the single-shot mode/repeating mode means or the single-shot mode/N-shot mode means is a switching means that switches patterns on a printed-circuit board of a control circuit using a jumper wire.
• The invention according to a twelfth claim of the invention is a control method for an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a process of arbitrarily setting the maximum number of times bullets are shot when a trigger switch is switched ON one time; a process of counting the number of times bullets are shot; and a process of stopping the shooting operation when the count value of the counter reaches the maximum value.
• The invention according to a thirteenth claim of the invention is a control method for an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a reference position for a shooting operation that is located on a drive system that drives the piston; and that starts the shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON; stops the shooting operation when the reference position is detected; and prevents the shooting operation after shooting is stopped by a method for stopping the shooting operation, even when the ON state of the trigger switch continues.
• The invention according to a fourteenth claim of the invention is the control method for an air gun ofclaim13 that repeats the operation ofclaim13 each time the trigger switch becomes ON.
• The invention according to a fifteenth claim of the invention is a control method for an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a reference position for a shooting operation that is located on a drive system that drives the piston; and that starts the shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON; and stops the shooting operation when the reference position is detected and the trigger switch is OFF.
• The invention according to a sixteenth claim of the invention is a control method for an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, that: makes it possible to arbitrarily set the maximum number of times bullets are shot when a trigger switch is switched ON one time.
• The invention according to a seventeenth claim of the invention is a control method for an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a reference position for a shooting operation that is located on a drive system that drives the piston; and a counter method that makes it possible to arbitrarily set the maximum number of times bullets are shot to a specified value N when a trigger switch is switched ON one time; and that starts the shooting operation when the trigger switch is switched ON;subtracts 1 from the set maximum value N when the reference position is detected; and stops the shooting operation when the subtraction result becomes 0 and the reference position is detected.
• The invention according to an eighteenth claim of the invention is a control method for an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a single-shot mode shooting process of starting a shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON, stopping the shooting operation when a reference position that is located on a drive system that drives the piston is detected, and preventing the shooting operation after the shooting operation is stopped, even when the ON state of the trigger switch continues; and a repeating mode shooting process of starting the shooting operation when the trigger is switched ON, and stopping the shooting operation when the reference position is detected and the trigger switch becomes OFF; and that selects and operates either the single-shot mode shooting process or the repeating mode shooting process.
• The invention according to a nineteenth claim of the invention is a control method for an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a single-shot mode shooting process of starting a shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON, stopping the shooting operation when a reference position that is located on a drive system that drives the piston is detected, and preventing the shooting operation after the shooting operation is stopped, even when the ON state of the trigger switch continues; and an N-shot mode shooting process of setting the maximum number of times bullets are shot when the trigger switch is switch ON one time, starting the shooting operation when the trigger switch is switched ON, subtracting 1 from the set maximum value N when the reference position is detected, and stopping the shooting operation when the subtraction result becomes 0 and when the reference position is detected; and that selects and operates either the single-shot mode shooting process or the N-shot mode shooting process.
• The invention according to a twentieth claim of the invention is a control method for an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a single-shot mode shooting process of starting a shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON, stopping the shooting operation when a reference position that is located on a drive system that drives the piston is detected, and preventing the shooting operation after the shooting operation is stopped, even when the ON state of the trigger switch continues; a repeating mode shooting process of starting the shooting operation when the trigger is switched ON, and stopping the shooting operation when the reference position is detected and the trigger switch becomes OFF; and an N-shot mode shooting process for setting the maximum number of times bullets are shot when the trigger switch is switch ON one time, starting the shooting operation when the trigger switch is switched ON, subtracting 1 from the set maximum value N when the reference position is detected, and stopping the shooting operation when the subtraction result becomes 0 and when the reference position is detected; and that selects and operates one of the single-shot mode shooting process, the repeating mode shooting process and the N-shot mode shooting process.
• The invention according to a twenty-first claim of the invention is a control method for an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a single-shot mode shooting process of starting a shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON, stopping the shooting operation when a reference position that is located on a drive system that drives the piston is detected, and preventing the shooting operation after the shooting operation is stopped, even when the ON state of the trigger switch continues; a repeating mode shooting process of starting the shooting operation when the trigger is switched ON, and stopping the shooting operation when the reference position is detected and the trigger switch becomes OFF; and an N-shot mode shooting method for setting the maximum number of times bullets are shot when the trigger switch is switch ON one time, starting the shooting operation when the trigger switch is switched ON, subtracting 1 from the set maximum value N when the reference position is detected, and stopping the shooting operation when the subtraction result becomes 0 and when the reference position is detected; and that selects and operates either a single-shot mode/repeating mode process of performing the single-shot mode shooting process and the repeating mode shooting process, or a single-shot mode/N-shot mode process of performing the single-shot mode shooting process and the N-continuous-shooting process.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 shows the air gun in the form of a model gun of this invention that is patterned after an automatic rifle.
• FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the shooting control unit of the invention.
• FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the control circuit of the invention.
• FIG. 4 is a drawing showing section A-A ofFIG. 3.
• FIG. 5 is a drawing showing the electronic-control circuit of the invention.
• FIG. 6 is a drawing explaining the operation of the invention from setting a bullet until the bullet is shot.
• FIG. 7 is a drawing showing the control block of the electronic-control circuit of the invention.
• FIG. 8 is a drawing showing the control circuit shown inFIG. 7 shown in more detail.
• FIG. 9 is a flowchart of control performed for the single-shot mode operation of the invention.
• FIG. 10 is a drawing showing the open gun body of the invention.
• FIG. 11 is a flowchart of control performed for the repeating mode operation of the invention.
• FIG. 12 is a flowchart of control performed for N-shot mode operation of the invention.
• FIG. 13 is a flowchart of control performed for the single-shot mode operation of the invention.
• FIG. 14 is a flowchart of control performed when switching between the single-shot mode and repeating mode operations of the invention.
• FIG. 15 is a flowchart of control performed when switching among the single-shot mode, repeating mode and N-shot mode operations of the invention.
• FIG. 16 is another flowchart of control performed when switching among the single-shot mode, repeating mode and N-shot mode operations of the invention.
• FIG. 17 is yet another flowchart of control performed when switching among the single-shot mode, repeating mode and N-shot mode operations of the invention.
• FIG. 18 toFIG. 20 are yet another flowchart of control performed when switching among the single-shot mode, repeating mode and N-shot mode operations of the invention.
• FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the control performed when counting the number of shootings in the single-shot mode operation of the invention.
• FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the control performed when counting the number of shootings in the single-shot mode, repeating mode and N-shot mode operations of the invention.
• FIG. 23(a),FIG. 23(b) andFIG. 23(c) are a front view, top view and left side view of the gun magazine of the invention, respectively.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• FIG. 1 shows an air gun in the form of a model gun that is patterned after an automatic rifle.
• First, each part of the air gun shown inFIG. 1 will be explained. In the figure,1 is the air gun body,21 is a cylindrical barrel through which a bullet passes when being shot, and3 is a trigger that is pulled when shooting the bullet. Also,4 is a magazine,5 is a gun grip,6 is a gun stock,7 is a hand-guard liner,8 is a hand carry and9 is a hinge.
• As shown inFIG. 23, themagazine4 is constructed so that a plurality ofbullets19 are stored inside it (details of the inside are not shown), and a spring feeds thebullets19 from afeed hole59 that is located on the top surface of themagazine4. On the side surface of themagazine4 there is a bullet-detection lever58 that protrudes from theframe60 and detects whether or not there are anybullets19, and when there are bullets in themagazine4, the bullet-detection lever58 moves upward, and where there are no bullets, it moves downward. This bullet-detection lever58 comes in contact with the pressure member of a bullet-detection switch that is shown by the dashed line inFIG. 23, and it is possible for the bullet-detection switch41 shown inFIG. 3 to detect whether or not there are any bullets in themagazine4 according to the movement of the bullet-detection lever58. In other words, thepressure member42 of the bullet-detection switch is pressed downward by a spring (elastic member not shown in the figure), and when the bullet-detection lever58 moves upward, it is pressed upward against the spring force by the bullet-detection lever58, however when the bullet-detection lever58 moves downward, thepressure member42 of the bullet-detection switch is pressed downward by the spring force, and this presses the contact of the bullet-detection switch41 downward and closes the contact. The ON/OFF signal from the contact of the bullet-detection switch41 is input to the control circuit, and is used to perform control for preventing blank shooting described later.
• Also, as will be described later, with the air gun of this invention, it is possible to open thegun body1 using thehinge9 as a rotating shaft as shown inFIG. 10, and perform internal maintenance.
• FIG. 2 shows the inside of the gun body by a cut away view of the control section that controls bullet shooting. In the figure,10 is a cylinder that houses apiston12 inside,11 is a cylinder head that is located on one end of thecylinder10 and in which acontinuous hole57 is formed though which pressurized air can pass,12 is a piston that moves back and forth inside thecylinder10, and13 is a piston head that is located on one end of thepiston12. Also,14 is an O-ring that is located around the outside of thepiston head13 so that air cannot leak to the side of thepiston12 from anair space62 between thepiston head13 andcylinder head11 that are surrounded by thecylinder10. Moreover,15 is a spring that presses thepiston12 toward the left side,16 is a piston-movement-restriction member that restricts thepiston12 from freely rotating around the center axis of thecylinder10 in order that arack18 can mesh properly with asector gear25,17 is center rod that is located so that thespring15 is located in line with the center axis of thepiston12,18 is a rack that is located on the bottom of thepiston12 and meshes with theteeth33 of thesector gear25,19 is a bullet,20 is a chamber in which thatbullet19 is fed,21 is a cylindrical barrel through which ashot bullet19 passes,22 is a motor that drives and rotates thesector gear25,23 is a motor shaft, and24 is a deceleration gear. The operation of these parts indicated byreference numbers10 to25 will be described later.
• In the figure,47 is an electronic-control circuit that comprises amicrocomputer49 and other electronic parts. Also,27 is a battery that is used as the drive power source for themotor22, and is the control power source for the electronic-control circuit47. Moreover,28 is a motor-power-supply-control unit that turns the motor ON/OFF according to an ON/OFF instruction from themicrocomputer49, and turns ON/OFF the power supplied to themotor22 from thebattery27. There is a switch in the motor-power-supply-control unit28, and taking into consideration the controllability and life of the switch, a semiconductor switch is used for this switch, and particularly in this invention, power saving is taken into consideration, so an MOS-FET (MOS field-effect transistor) is used. In the figure,29 and30 are power lines for supplying power to themotor22 from thebattery27. Also,31 is a control line that transmits an ON/OFF signal from the electronic-control unit47 to the motor-power-supply-control unit28. Moreover,32 is a control-circuit-housing case that houses the deceleration mechanism, which rotates thesector gear25 to decelerate the rotation from themotor22, and the electronic-control unit47.
• FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the control circuit portion.
• InFIG. 3, 33 is the toothed section of thesector gear25, and34 is the non-toothed section of thesector gear25. Thesector gear25 has atoothed section33 andnon-toothed section34 in this way, and thetoothed section33 meshes with therack18. When therack18 is in a position that faces the non-toothed section, thepiston12 becomes free from thesector gear25 and is pressed toward the side of the cylinder head by the pressure of thespring15. In the figure,35 is a first printed circuit board for the control circuit on which the electronic-control circuit47 is located, and36 is a second printed circuit board for the control circuit. Also,37 is a trigger switch, and thistrigger switch37 is turned ON by pulling thetrigger3. Moreover,38 is signal line for transmitting signals between the first printedcircuit board35 for the control circuit and second printedcircuit board36 for the control circuit, and as shown inFIG. 5, is a conductor having enough strength for maintaining the position and shape of the first printedcircuit board35 for the control circuit and second printedcircuit board36 for the control circuit. In the figure,39 is a photodiode that is paired with aphototransistor44, and they form a photo detector for detecting the rotation reference position of thesector gear25. Also,40 is a hole for detecting the rotation reference position of the sector gear. Moreover,41 is a bullet-detection switch for detecting whether or not there are anybullets19 in themagazine4. In the figure,42 is a pressure member for the bullet-detection switch. When there arebullets19 in themagazine4, the bullet-detection lever58 described above presses thepressure member42 of the bullet-detection switch upward, and turns the bullet-detection switch41 to the OFF state, and when there are nomore bullets19 in themagazine4, the bullet-detection lever58 moves downward, and a spring (elastic member not shown in the figure) presses thepressure member42 of the bullet-detection switch downward and turns the bullet-detection switch41 to the ON state. In the figure,43 is a first connector mounted on the first printedcircuit board35 for the control circuit, and it is connected to a signal line from aselector switch51 to be described later.
• FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the section A-A ofFIG. 3. In theFIG. 44 is a phototransistor and it is paired with thephotodiode39 to form a photo detector that detects the rotation reference position of thesector gear25. As shown inFIG. 4, thephotodiode39 andphototransistor44 face each other with thesector gear25 in the middle, and thesector gear25 is capable of rotating between thephotodiode39 andphototransistor44, and when positioned at the position of the rotation reference position of thehole40 shown inFIG. 3 for detecting the rotation reference position of thesector gear25, light from thephotodiode39 passes through thehole40 for detecting the rotation reference position and is received by thephototransistor44.
• In the figure,45 and46 are installation holes for attaching the control-circuit-housing case32 to thegun body1. Here,47 indicates the electronic-control circuit.
• FIG. 5 shows the external appearance of the electronic-control circuit47. In theFIG. 48 is a second connector that connects to the signal line that controls the motor-power-supply-control unit28. Also,49 is a microcomputer. Themicrocomputer49 is mounted on this electronic-control circuit47, and it controls the shooting operation to be described later. Also mounted are thetrigger switch37,photodiode39,phototransistor44, bullet-detection switch41,first connector43, etc.
• FIG. 5(a) is a bird's eye view of the overall electronic-control circuit47.FIG. 5(b) is a front view as seen from the left front ofFIG. 5(a), andFIG. 5(c) is a view as seen from the direction of the arrow B inFIG. 5(b). The electronic-control circuit47 is positioned by fitting the side of the first printed-circuit board35 and second printed-circuit board36 for the control circuit in a groove55 formed in the sidewall of the control-circuit-housing case32 so that it slides in the groove55. This positioning is important in order to set the relative positions of thephotodiode39,phototransistor44 andsector gear25.
• Next, the bullet shooting operation will be explained.FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining the operation from after thebullet19 is set until it is shot.
• InFIG. 6, thecylinder10 comprises acylinder head11 on its right end section, and apiston12 that fits inside it. Arack18 is formed on the bottom section of thepiston12, and it is such that it meshes with thetoothed section33 of thesector gear25. Also, one end of aspring15 comes in contact with thebottom end61 of the cylinder and is arranged so that the other end presses thepiston head13 toward the right. Thepiston head13 is formed on the right end section of thepiston12, and when shooting abullet19, air in aspace62 surrounded by thecylinder10,piston head13 andcylinder head11 is pushed outward in the direction of thebarrel21 from acenter hole57 in thecylinder head11. Thesector gear25 is driven so that it decelerates the rotation of themotor22 by way of a bevel gear on the tip end of themotor shaft23 and adeceleration gear24.
• FIG. 6(a) shows the state immediately after thesector gear25 meshes with therack18, and shows the state immediately before thepiston12 begins moving to the left. InFIG. 6 thesector gear25 rotates to the left. At this time, abullet19 is supplied from the magazine4 (not shown in the figure) and is set inside thechamber20 that is located between thecylinder head11 andbarrel21. Also, aphotodiode39 andphototransistor44 are located as shown inFIG. 6(a). At this time, ahole40 for detecting the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 is located as shown inFIG. 6(a), so the rotation reference position of thesection gear25 is not detected.
• FIG. 6(b) shows the state of thesector gear25 meshed with therack18, and furthermore shows the state of thesector gear25 rotated against the pressure of thespring15. At this time, thepiston12 moves to the left and aspace62 is formed between it and thecylinder head11, and air indicated by the dashedarrow56 is supplied to thisspace62. It is not shown inFIG. 6, however, there is a check valve on thepiston head13, and when thepiston12 moves to the left side, air is supplied through this check valve as shown by the dashedarrow56 inFIG. 6(b). The check valve (not shown in the figure) on thepiston head13 operates so that air is prevented from flowing when thepiston12 moves to the right (seeFIG. 6(d)).
• FIG. 6(c) shows the state when the meshing between thesector gear25 and therack18 has reached the end position, and is the state immediately before thesector gear25 rotates beyond this point and thetoothed section33 no longer meshes with the toothed section of therack18. Also, at this time, thehole40 for detecting the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 rotates to the photo detector position that is formed by thephotodiode39 andphototransistor44, and this photo detector detects the rotation reference position of thesector gear25. When a motor OFF signal for stopping themotor22 is sent from the electronic-control circuit47 to the motor-power-supply-control unit28 according to this detection signal of the rotation reference position, the power to themotor22 is turned OFF, and the motor decelerates and stops. When this happens, thesector gear25 rotates a little due to the inertia of themotor22, deceleration-gear mechanism and friction loss and stops. How much it rotates before it stops is determined according to the relationship of the actual construction, so inFIG. 6(c) how to show the positional relationship between thetoothed section33 of thesector gear25 and thehole40 for detecting the rotation reference position is difficult to find accurately by calculation, so it is set experimentally.
• FIG. 6(d) shows the state where thesector gear25 has stopped in this way. At this time, thenon-toothed section34 ofsector gear24 faces therack18, and is in a state where thesector gear25 does not mesh with therack18 and is separated, and thepiston12 is released from being pressed by thesector gear25 andrack18, and is pressed toward the right by the pressure force of thespring15. At this time, the air in thespace62 between thepiston head13 and thecylinder head11 is compressed, and is discharged with great force from thecenter hole57 in thecylinder head11 in the direction of thebarrel21. This pushes thebullet19 with great energy in the right direction through thebarrel21, and thebullet19 is shot.
• When the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 is detected and the shooting operation is stopped in this way, it is possible to always stop thenon-toothed section34 of thesector gear25 so that it faces therack18. Also, thepiston12 always returns to the starting position of the shooting operation.
• Even though the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 is detected as shown inFIG. 6(c), if the motor OFF signal for stopping themotor22 is not sent from the electronic-control circuit47 to the motor-power-supply-control unit28, operation continues and the operation shown inFIG. 6 is repeated, and the shooting operation is performed.
• Next, the construction of the electronic-control circuit47 that controls the repeating mode operation will be explained.
• FIG. 7 shows the control blocks of the electronic-control circuit47. In the figure,49 is a microcomputer. Signals from the bullet-detection switch41, signals from thetrigger switch37, signals from the single-shot mode/repeating mode and single-shot mode/N-shotmode switch52 andselector switch51, and rotation-reference-position-detection signals from the rotation-reference-position-detection unit50 of thesector gear25 are input to themicrocomputer49, and it outputs a motor ON/OFF signal to the motor-power-supply-control unit28 by way of anamplifier53. In the figure,43 and48 described above indicate connectors. When a motor ON signal is output from themicrocomputer49, the semiconductor switch of the motor-power-supply-control unit28 is turned ON, and the voltage from thebattery27 is applied to the motor by way of the power-supply-control unit28, and themotor22 operates when power is supplied, however, when a motor OFF signal is output from themicrocomputer49, power from thebattery27 is cut off by the power-supply-control unit28 and themotor22 stops. Also, in the figure,50 is a rotation-reference-position-detection unit that comprises a photo detector made up of thephotodiode39,phototransistor44, and thesector gear25. A detailed explanation of the operation of themicrocomputer48 will be given later with reference to the flowcharts given inFIG. 9 on.
• FIG. 8 will be used to explain the construction of the electronic-control circuit47 in more detail.
• InFIG. 8, 49 is a microcomputer, and it operates according to a control voltage Vcc that is generated from a battery. Light that is emitted from thephotodiode39 passes through thehole40 for detecting the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 and is received by thephototransistor44. The output from thephototransistor44 is amplified by anoperational amplifier54 and input to themicrocomputer49. When light emitted from thephotodiode39 passes through thehole40 for detecting the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 and is received by thephototransistor44, thephototransistor44 is turned ON, and the output from theoperational amplifier54 also changes, and a rotation-reference-position-detection signal is obtained.
• A contact signal from thetrigger switch37 is input to themicrocomputer49, making it possible to detect whether thetrigger3 has been pulled. Also, a contact signal from the bullet-detection switch41 is input, making it possible to detect whether there are anybullets19 in themagazine4.
• Also, the single-shot mode/repeating mode and single-shot mode/N-shotmode switch52 is constructed so that it is possible to insert a jumper wire on the printed-circuit board of the control circuit. For example, depending on whether a jumper wire has been inserted in theswitch52, when a jumper wire has been inserted, single-shot mode/repeating mode is designated, and when a jumper wire is not inserted, it is possible to switch so that single-shot mode/N-shot mode is designated. Needless to say, distinguishing between single-shot mode/repeating mode and single-shot mode/N-shot mode according to the state of the jumper wire can be performed opposite that of the example described above.
• In the figure,51 is a selector switch and is a 3-point switch. This switch can switch to each respective contact position, ‘single-shot mode’, ‘repeating mode’ and ‘safety’. Here, when ‘safety’ is selected, the shooting operation is not performed even when thetrigger3 is pulled.
• Also,53 is an amplifier that amplifies the motor ON/OFF signal that is output from themicrocomputer49. The output from theamplifier53 is input to the gate of the MOS-FET of the motor-power-supply-control unit28. The MOS-FET functions as a switch that switches themotor22 voltage ON/OFF. Therefore, when the MOS-FET is turned ON by the motor ON signal from themicrocomputer49, voltage is applied to themotor22 and power is supplied from thebattery27 causing themotor22 to operate. Also, by turning OFF the MOS-FET in accordance to a motor OFF signal from themicrocomputer49, power from thebattery27 is cut off and themotor22 stops operating. Adeceleration gear24 is formed on the output shaft of themotor22, and it rotates and drives thesector gear25.
First Embodiment of Control
• Next, control flowcharts will be used to explain the bullet shooting control in detail.
• FIG. 9 shows a first embodiment of control, and is a flowchart showing control of the single-shot mode operation.
• First, control is started instep100, and in step101 a check is performed to determine whether thetrigger switch37 has been pressed. When thetrigger switch37 has not been pressed, a watchdog timer WDT is cleared instep102, and operation returns to step101.
• When themicrocomputer49 is operating properly, this watchdog timer WDT is periodically reset in order that an error signal is not output, however, when themicrocomputer49 is not operating properly, the watchdog timer WDT is no longer reset periodically, but outputs an error signal and stops operation by causing a safety apparatus to function, etc. The timer value of the watchdog timer WDT is set to 1000 ms for example when the power to themicrocomputer49 is initially turned ON. The technology for a watchdog timer is well known, so an explanation of it will be omitted here.
• Instep101, when it is detected that thetrigger switch37 has been pressed, a check is performed instep103 to determine whether there is a bullet in themagazine4. This check is executed by inputting the signal from the bullet-detection switch41 to themicrocomputer49 and determining whether the signal is ON or OFF. When there is abullet19 in themagazine4, the bullet-detection switch41 is pressed upward by thepressure member42 for the pressure-detection switch, and turns the bullet-detection switch41 OFF.
• Instep103, when it is detected that there are nobullets19 in themagazine4, the operation advances to step104 and the power to themotor22 is turned OFF. At this time, themicrocomputer49 outputs a motor OFF signal to thesignal amplifier53, and theamplifier53 amplifies the signal and sends it to the motor-power-supply-control unit28. The motor-power-supply-control unit28 receives this signal, and by a switch cuts off the power that is supplied from thebattery27 to amotor22. A semiconductor switch can be used for the switch of the motor-power-supply-control unit28. A bipolar transistor can be used as the semiconductor switch, however, from the aspect of conserving energy, it is preferred that a MOS-FET be used. By using a MOS-FET (MOS field-effect transistor) it is possible to lengthen the life of thebattery27.
• Next, operation advances to step105, and after waiting a wait time of 20 ms, returns to step101. This wait time is used to stabilize control, and is not limited to 20 ms.
• Instep103, when it is detected that there arebullets19 in themagazine4, operation advances to step106 and the motor power is turned ON. At this time, themicrocomputer49 outputs the motor-power ON signal to thesignal amplifier53, and theamplifier53 amplifies the signal and sends it to the motor-power-supply-control unit28. The motor-power-supply-control unit28 receives the signal and turns the MOS-FET signal ON, and supplies power from thebattery27 to themotor22. From this, themotor22 starts operating and rotates thesector gear25 by way of a deceleration mechanism such as adeceleration gear24.
• Next, instep107, a check is performed to determine whether the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 was detected. The rotation reference position is detected when thehole40 for detecting the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 passes the position where a photo detector formed by aphotodiode39 andphototransistor44 is located, and light that is emitted from thephotodiode39 passes through thehole40 for detecting the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 and is received by thephototransistor44, and then this signal is amplified by anoperational amplifier54 and input to themicrocomputer49. When the photo detector is not in the position of thehole40 for detecting the rotation reference position of thesector25, thephototransistor44 does not receive light, so the rotation-reference-position-detection signal is not input to themicrocomputer49. As themotor22 begins to operate, it is located in a rotation position as shown inFIG. 6(d) orFIG. 6(a) just before thesector gear25 meshes with therack18, and since the photo detector is not in the position of thehole40 for detecting the rotation reference position, the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 is not detected. When the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 is not detected, operation returns to step106, and step106 and step107 are repeated until the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 is detected.
• Instep107, when the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 is detected, operation advances to step108, and a signal is output to turn the motor power OFF. At this time, thehole40 for detecting the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 is located in the position of the photo detector as shown inFIG. 6(c). At this time, themicrocomputer49 outputs the motor OFF signal to thesignal amplifier53, and theamplifier53 amplifies the signal and sends it to the motor-power-supply-control unit28. The motor-power-supply-control unit28 receives this signal, and by way of a power switch, cuts off the power being supplied from the battery to themotor22.
• Themotor22 whose power is cut off does not immediately stop, but due to inertia rotates a certain amount to a position as shown inFIG. 6(d) and then stops. It is important that the stopped position of thesector gear25 be a position where it does not mesh with therack18. Taking into consideration performing maintenance of the gun, it is preferred that construction be such that thegun body1 can be opened by rotating it around thehinge9 as shown inFIG. 10 so that the inside can be inspected, and with this invention, it is possible to stop thesector gear25 in a position so that it does not mesh with therack18, so the gun can be easily opened as shown inFIG. 10. In the state where thesector gear25 meshes with therack18, stress is applied to thesector gear25 andrack18, so the gun cannot be easily opened, however in this embodiment, this kind of state can be avoided.
• The amount of rotation from after the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 has been detected until themotor22 stops changes according to themotor22 inertia, friction loss of the gear mechanism, etc., however, the amount of rotation is determined to the extent that themotor22 inertia or friction loss of the gear mechanism is determined, so the amount of rotation can be measured using a test apparatus, and thehole40 for detecting the rotation reference position can be adjusted so that thesector gear25 stops in a position where it does not mesh with therack18. Also, the stopped position changes depending on fluctuation in voltage from thebattery27, however, by detecting thebattery27 voltage and using a safety apparatus that stops operation when the voltage drops below a threshold value, it is possible to further keep the fluctuating range of the stopped position to a minimum. In regards to voltage drop of thebattery27 voltage, it is possible to install a display that will indicate that thebattery27 needs recharging just before or just when the battery voltage reaches the threshold value.
• Instep108, after a signal is output to turn the motor power OFF, operation advances to step109 and a check is performed to determine whether thetrigger switch37 is ON. When thetrigger switch37 is ON, operation advances to step110 and the watchdog timer is reset, after which operation returns to step109.
• Instep109, when it is detected that thetrigger switch37 is OFF, operation advances to step105, and after waiting a wait time of 20 ms, operation returns to step101 and the operation described above continues.
• With the operation shown in the flowchart described above, it is possible to perform the single-shot mode operation by pulling thetrigger3 one time, and so that the single-shot mode operation is performed in the same way the next time thetrigger3 is pulled, it is possible to perform the single-shot mode operation of shooting one bullet each time thetrigger3 is pulled one time.
• With this embodiment, single-shot mode operation is stopped by detecting the rotation reference position of thesector gear25, so it is possible to stop operation at a position where thesector gear25 does not mesh with therack18. Therefore, it is possible to easily open thegun body1 as shown inFIG. 10 and easily perform internal maintenance. Also, since it is possible to stop operation at a position where thesector gear25 does not mesh with therack18, a state in which no stress is applied to thespring15 is possible when storing the gun, and thus it is possible to suppress degradation of the elastic force of thespring15. Moreover, since it is possible to stop operation at a position where thesector gear25 does not mesh with therack18, a state in which no undesirable stress is applied to therack18 orpiston12 when storing the gun is possible, and thus it is possible to improve reliability of the deceleration mechanism or piston unit. Also, with this embodiment, it is possible to stop operation as soon as there are nomore bullets19 in themagazine4, so there is no unnecessary blank shooting operation.
Second Embodiment of Control
• FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of control, and is a flowchart of the control for the repeating mode operation.
• First, control is started instep120, and in step121 a check is performed to determine whether thetrigger switch37 is pressed. When thetrigger switch37 is not being pressed, then in step122 a watchdog timer WDT is cleared and operation returns to step121.
• Instep121, when it is detected that thetrigger switch37 is being pressed, then in step123 a check is performed to determine whether there arebullets19 in themagazine4. This check is executed by inputting a signal from the bullet-detection switch41 to themicrocomputer49 and checking whether the signal is ON or OFF. When there arebullets19 in themagazine4, thepressure member42 for the bullet-detection switch pushes the bullet-detection switch41 upward so that the switch is OFF.
• Instep123 when it is detected that there are nobullets19 in themagazine4, operation advances to step124 and the power to themotor22 is turned OFF. At this time, themicrocomputer49 outputs a motor-OFF signal to thesignal amplifier53, and theamplifier53 amplifies the signal and sends it to the motor-power-supply-control unit28. The motor-power-supply-control unit28 receives the signal, and by way of a MOS-FET, cuts off the power that is supplied to themotor22 from thebattery27.
• Next, operation advances to step125, and after waiting a wait time of 20 ms, operation returns to step121. This wait time is for stabilizing control and is not limited to 20 ms.
• Instep123 when it is detected that there arebullets19 in themagazine4, operation advances to step126 and the power to the motor is turned ON. At this time, themicrocomputer49 outputs a motor-ON signal to thesignal amplifier53, and the amplifier amplifies the signal and sends it to the motor-power-supply-control unit28. The motor-power-supply-control unit28 receives the signal, and turns ON the MOS-FET to supply power from thebattery27 to themotor22. By doing this, themotor22 begins to operate and turns thesector gear25 by way of a deceleration mechanism comprising themotor shaft23 anddeceleration gear24.
• Next, in step127 a check is performed to determine whether the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 has been detected. When the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 has not been detected, operation returns to the beginning ofstep127, and step127 is repeated until the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 is detected.
• Instep127, when the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 is detected, operation advances to step128, and instep128 when thetrigger switch37 is not ON, operation advances to step129 and outputs a signal to turn the motor power OFF. At this time, thehole40 for detecting the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 is located in the position of the photo detector as shown inFIG. 6(c). At this time, themicrocomputer49 outputs a motor-OFF signal to thesignal amplifier53, and theamplifier53 amplifies the signal and sends it to the motor-power-supply-control unit28. The motor-power-supply-control unit28 receives the signal, and by way of a power switch, cuts off the power that is supplied to themotor22 from thebattery27.
• Instep129, after outputting a signal to turn the motor power OFF, operation advances to step125, and after waiting a wait time of 20 ms, operation advances to step121 and the operation described above continues.
• Instep128, when thetrigger switch37 is ON, operation advances to step130, and a check is performed to determine whether there are anybullets19 in themagazine4. When it is detected that there arebullets19 in themagazine4, operation advances to step131, the watchdog timer WDT is cleared, and operation returns to step127.
• Instep130, when it is detected that there are nobullets19 in themagazine4, operation advances to step129 and turns the power to themotor22 OFF. Instep129, after outputting a signal to turn the motor power OFF, operation advances to step125, and after waiting a wait time of 20 ms, operation returns to step101, after which the operation described above continues.
• With this embodiment, it is possible to shootbullets19 continuously while thetrigger3 is pulled, and by releasing thetrigger3 to stop the shooting operation, after thetrigger3 is released, the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 is detected and the stop operation starts. Therefore, the final stopped position of the repeating mode operation can be controlled with good precision in the same was as in the single-shot mode operation of the first embodiment, and it is possible to always have thesector gear25 stop in a state where it does not mesh with therack18.
• Therefore, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to easily open thegun body1 as shown inFIG. 10, and to easily perform internal maintenance. Also, it is possible to stop operation at a position where thesector gear25 does not mesh with therack18, so when storing the gun, a state in which there is no stress applied to thespring15 is possible, and thus it is possible to suppress degradation of the elastic force of thespring15. Moreover, since it is possible to stop operation at a position where thesector gear25 does not mesh with therack18, a state in which no undesirable stress is applied to therack18 orpiston12 when storing the gun is possible, and thus it is possible to improve reliability of the deceleration mechanism or piston unit. Also, with this embodiment, it is possible to stop operation as soon as there are nomore bullets19 in themagazine4, so there is no unnecessary blank shooting operation.
Third Embodiment of Control
• FIG. 12 shows a third embodiment of control, and is a flowchart for N-shot mode control that is performed when performing the repeating mode operation N times. N can be any arbitrarypositive integer 2 or greater. The inventors manufactured a gun with N as 3, however it is not limited to this.
• First, control is started in step140, and in step141 a check is performed to determine whether thetrigger switch37 is being pressed. When thetrigger switch37 is not being pressed, then instep122, the watchdog timer WDT is cleared and operation returns to step121.
• Instep141, when it is detected that thetrigger switch37 is being pressed, then in step143 a check is performed to determine whether there are bullets in themagazine4. This check is executed by inputting a signal from the bullet-detection switch41 to themicrocomputer49, and checking whether this signal is ON or OFF. When there arebullets19 in themagazine4, thepressure member42 for the bullet-detection switch pushes the bullet-detection switch41 upward to turn the switch OFF.
• Instep143, when it is detected that there are nobullets19 in themagazine4, operation advances to step144, and the power to themotor22 is turned OFF. At this time, themicrocomputer49 outputs a motor-OFF signal to thesignal amplifier53, and theamplifier53 amplifies the signal and sends it to the motor-power-supply-control unit28. The motor-power-supply-control unit28 receives this signal, and by way of a MOS-FET, cuts off the power being supplied to themotor22 from thebattery27.
• Next, operation advances to step145, and after waiting a wait time of 20 ms, operation returns to step141. This wait time is for stabilizing control and is not limited to 20 ms.
• Instep143, when it is detected that there arebullets19 in themagazine4, operation advances to step146, and a counter CNT1 is set to N. N is the number of shootings, and is apositive integer 2 or greater.
• Next, operation advances to step147, and the motor power is turned ON. At this time, themicrocomputer49 outputs a motor-ON signal to thesignal amplifier53, and theamplifier53 amplifies the signal and sends it to the motor-power-supply-control unit28. The motor-power-supply-control unit28 receives this signal and turns ON the MOS-FET, and supplies power from thebattery27 to themotor22. By doing this, themotor22 begins to operate, and rotates thesector gear25 by way of a deceleration mechanism that comprises amotor shaft23,deceleration gear24 or the like.
• Next, instep148, a check is performed to determine whether the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 has been detected. When the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 is not detected, operation returns to the start ofstep148, and step148 is repeated until the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 is detected.
• Instep148, when the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 is detected, operation advances to step149, and in step149 a check is performed to determine whether there arebullets19 in themagazine4. When it is detected that there are nobullets19 in themagazine4, operation advances to step129 and the power to themotor22 is turned OFF. Instep129, after a signal to turn the motor power OFF is output, operation advances to step125, and after waiting a wait time of 20 ms, operation returns to step101 and the operation described above continues.
• Instep149, when it is detected that there arebullets19 in themagazine4, operation advances to step151, and 1 is subtracted from the value of the counter CNT1. Next, a check is performed to determine whether the result became 0 after 1 was subtracted. If the value is not 0, operation returns to step148 and processing fromstep148 to step151 is repeated unit the value becomes 0.
• In step151, when it is detected that the value of the counter CNT1 has become 0, operation advances to step152 and the power to themotor22 is turned OFF.
• Next, operation advances to step153, and when thetrigger switch37 is ON, the watchdog timer WDT is cleared and operation returns to the beginning ofstep153.
• When thetrigger switch37 is not ON, operation advances to step145, and after waiting a wait time of 20 ms, operation returns to step141, and the operation described above continues.
• With this embodiment, it is possible to perform repeating mode an arbitrary number of times N, and by releasing thetrigger3 during N-shot mode, it is possible to stop the N-shot mode operation. Also, in the same way as in the single-shot mode operation of the first embodiment, the last operation is capable of detecting the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 and stopping. Therefore, as in the case of the single-shot mode operation of the first embodiment, it is possible to accurately control the final stopping position of the N-continuous operation, and it is possible for thesector gear25 to always stop in a state in which it does not mesh with therack18. Moreover, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to easily open thegun body1 as shown inFIG. 10, and to easily perform internal maintenance. Also, it is possible to stop operation at a position where thesector gear25 does not mesh with therack18, so when storing the gun, a state in which there is no stress applied to thespring15 is possible, and thus it is possible to suppress degradation of the elastic force of thespring15. Moreover, since it is possible to stop operation at a position where thesector gear25 does not mesh with therack18, a state in which no undesirable stress is applied to therack18 orpiston12 when storing the gun is possible, and thus it is possible to improve reliability of the deceleration mechanism or piston unit. Also, with this embodiment, it is possible to stop operation as soon as there are nomore bullets19 in themagazine4, so there is no unnecessary blank shooting operation.
Fourth Embodiment of Control
• FIG. 13 shows a fourth embodiment of control in which it is possible to switch operation between single-shot mode and repeating mode. The single-shot mode operation is based on the first embodiment, and the repeating mode operation is based on the second embodiment.
• First, control is started instep160, then in step161 a check is performed to determine whether thetrigger switch37 is being pressed. When thetrigger switch37 is not being pressed, instep162, the watchdog timer WDT is cleared and operation returns to step161.
• Instep161, when it is detected that thetrigger switch37 is being pressed, then in step163 a check is performed to determine whether there are anybullets19 in themagazine4. This check is executed by inputting a signal from the bullet-detection switch41 to themicrocomputer49, and checking whether this signal is ON or OFF.
• Instep163, when it is detected that there are nobullets19 in themagazine4, operation advances to step164, and the power to themotor22 is turned OFF. At this time, themicrocomputer49 outputs a motor-OFF signal to thesignal amplifier53, and the amplifier amplifies the signal and sends it to the motor-power-supply-control unit28. The motor-power-supply-control unit28 receives the signal, and by way of a MOS-FET, cuts off the power being supplied to themotor22 from thebattery27.
• Next, operation advances to step165, and after waiting a wait time of 20 ms, operation returns to step161. This waiting time is for stabilizing control, and is not limited to 20 ms.
• Instep163, when it is detected that there arebullets19 in themagazine4, operation advances to step166, and a check is performed to determine whether the operation is single-shot mode or repeating mode.
• Switching between single-shot mode and repeating mode is performed by aselector switch51. Theselector switch51 is located on the side surface of thegun body1 as shown inFIG. 1. As shown inFIG. 8, theselector switch51 is a switch that has contacts on a single-shot mode side, repeating mode side and safety side, and when it is switched to the single-shot mode side, +5V is input to themicrocomputer49, and when it switched to the repeating mode side, −5V is input to themicrocomputer49, and when it is switched to the safety side, 0V is input to themicrocomputer49. From these three values, themicrocomputer49 determines whether operation is single-shot mode or repeating mode. Shooting is not performed when set to the safety side. Needless to say, the combinations of these three values are not limited to those of this embodiment.
• Instep166, when it is determined that the operation is single-shot mode, operation advances to step167. Step167 performs processing of the single-shot mode operation of block S1 indicated by the dashed line inFIG. 9. When leavingstep167, operation returns to step165, and after waiting a wait time of 20 ms, operation returns to step161, and the operation described above continues.
• Instep166, when it is determined that operation is repeating mode, operation advances to step168. Step168 performs processing of the repeating mode operation of block C1 indicated by the dashed line inFIG. 11. When leavingstep168, operation advances to step165, and after waiting a wait time of 20 ms, operation returns to step161 and the operation described above continues.
• With this embodiment, it is possible to easily switch between single-shot mode and repeating mode operation. Also, since the single-shot mode operation is based on thefirst embodiment 1, and the repeating mode operation is based on the second embodiment, at the end of either the single-shot mode or repeating mode operation, the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 is detected, and operation stops. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the effect of both the first and second embodiments.
Fifth Embodiment of Control
• FIG. 14 shows a fifth embodiment of control in which it is possible to switch operation between single-shot mode and N-shot mode operation. The single-shot mode operation is based on the first embodiment and the N-shot mode operation is based on the third embodiment. The operation flow shown inFIG. 14 is similar to that of the fourth embodiment shown inFIG. 13. It differs in that in the third embodiment shown inFIG. 13,step166 determines whether operation is single-shot mode or repeating mode, and step168 executes the repeating mode process of block C1 indicated by the dashed line inFIG. 11, however, in this embodiment shown inFIG. 14,step186 determines whether operation is single-shot mode or N-shot mode, and step188 executes the N-shot mode process of block N1 indicated by the dashed line inFIG. 12. The switching judgment for determining whether operation is single-shot mode or N-shot mode instep186 is executed by inputting the switching state of theselector switch51 to themicrocomputer49. The other processing is the same as that shown inFIG. 13. In other words,steps160 to165 and step167 correspond tosteps180 to185 and step187, respectively.
• With this embodiment it is possible to easily switch between single-shot mode operation and N-shot mode operation. Also, the single-shot mode operation is based on the first embodiment and the N-shot mode operation is based on the third embodiment, so after the single-shot mode or N-shot mode operation is complete, the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 is detected and operation stops. Therefore, it is possible to also obtain the same effects as in the first and third embodiments.
Sixth Embodiment of Control
• FIG. 15 shows a sixth embodiment of control in which it is possible to switch operation among single-shot mode, repeating mode and N-shot mode operation. The single-shot mode operation is based on the first embodiment, the repeating mode operation is based on the second embodiment, and the N-continuous operation is based on the third embodiment. In the operation flow shown inFIG. 15, first operation is determined to be either single-shot mode and repeating mode operation, or single-shot mode and N-shot mode operation, then depending on the result, the single-shot mode and repeating mode operation of embodiment four is performed as shown by block A1 inFIG. 13, or the single-shot mode and N-shot mode of the fifth embodiment is performed as shown by block B1 inFIG. 14.
• First, control starts instep190, and in step191 a check is performed to determine whether the operation is single-shot mode and repeating mode, or single-shot mode and N-shot mode. This is performed by inputting a signal from the single-shot mode and repeating mode/single-shot mode and N-shotmode selection unit52 shown inFIG. 7 orFIG. 8 to themicrocomputer49, and determining the set state. Instep191, when it is determined that operation is single-shot mode and repeating mode, operation advances to step192, and the single-shot mode and repeating mode operation ofembodiment 4 shown by block A1 inFIG. 13 is performed. Instep191, when it is determined that operation is single-shot mode and N-shot mode, operation advances to step193, and the single-shot mode and N-shot mode operation ofembodiment 5 shown by block B1 inFIG. 14 is performed. Determining in block A1 or block B1 whether operation is single-shot mode or repeating mode is performed by themicrocomputer49 determining the state of theselection switch51 the same way as inembodiments 4 and 5.
• With this embodiment, ultimately it is possible to switch operation among single-shot mode, repeating mode and N-shot mode. Also, since the single-shot mode operation is based on the first embodiment, the repeating mode operation is based on the second embodiment and the N-shot mode operation is based on the third embodiment, regardless of whether single-shot mode, repeating mode or N-shot mode is selected, operation ends by detecting the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 and stopping. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the effect of the first thru fifth embodiments as well.
Seventh Embodiment of Control
• FIG. 16 shows a seventh embodiment of control in which it is possible to switch operation among single-shot mode, repeating mode, and N-shot mode. The aspect that the single-shot mode operation is based on the first embodiment, the repeating mode operation is based on the second embodiment and the N-shot mode operation is based on the third embodiment is the same as in the sixth embodiment.
• In the operation flow shown inFIG. 16, first a check is performed to determine the ON/OFF state of thetrigger switch37, and a check is performed to determine whether there are anybullets19 in themagazine4, and then switching is performed to select the single-shot mode, repeating mode or N-shot mode operation.
• First, control starts instep200, and in step201 a check is performed to determine whether thetrigger switch37 is being pressed. When thetrigger switch37 is not being pressed, instep202 the watchdog timer WDT is cleared and operation returns to step201.
• Instep201 when it is detected that thetrigger switch37 is being pressed, then in step203 a check is performed to determine whether there are anybullets19 in themagazine4. This check is performed by inputting a signal from the bullet-detection switch41 to themicrocomputer49 and determining whether the signal is ON or OFF.
• Instep203, when it is detected that there are nobullets19 in themagazine4, operation advances to step204 and power to themotor22 is turned OFF.
• Next, operation advances to step205, and after waiting a wait time of 20 ms, operation returns to step101.
• Instep203, when it is detected that there arebullets19 in themagazine4, operation advances to step206 and a check is performed to determine which of single-shot mode, repeating mode and N-shot mode is selected. This is executed by determining the switching state of a 3-contact selection switch (not shown in the figure). Depending on the determination result instep206, the processing ofstep207,208 or209 is executed. Step207 is the processing of block S1 shown by the dashed line inFIG. 9,step208 is the processing of block C1 shown by the dashed line inFIG. 11, and step209 is the processing of block N1 shown by the dashed line inFIG. 12.
• The operation flow shown inFIG. 16 is simplified so that processing of checking of the ON/OFF state of thetrigger switch37, and the determining whether there arebullets19 in themagazine4 that is common in theembodiments 1 to 3 are lumped together. Also, in the operation flow shown inFIG. 15, the aspect of switching among the single-shot mode, repeating mode and N-shot mode operation is the same as in the sixth embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, single-shot mode and repeating mode were handled as one large block, and single-shot mode and N-shot mode were handled as another large block, and in the case of this method of handling, operation was selected by using a single-shot mode and repeating mode/single-shot mode and N-shotmode selection unit52 andselection switch51 as shown inFIG. 7 orFIG. 8. However, in this seventh embodiment single-shot mode, repeating mode or N-shot mode operation is selected by a 3-contact switch, which is preferable. Also, the switch for determining switching can be one 3-contact switch that switches among the single-shot mode, repeating mode and N-shot mode operation.
• With this seventh embodiment, ultimately it is possible to switch operation among single-shot mode, repeating mode or N-shot mode. Also, since the single-shot mode operation is based on the first embodiment, the repeating mode operation is based on the second embodiment and the N-shot mode operation is based on the third embodiment, regardless of whether single-shot mode, repeating mode or N-shot mode is selected, operation ends by detecting the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 and stopping. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the effect of the first thru fifth embodiments as well.
Eighth Embodiment of Control
• FIG. 17 shows an eighth embodiment of control in which it is possible to switch among single-shot mode, repeating mode and N-shot mode operation. The aspect that the single-shot mode operation is based on the first embodiment, the repeating mode operation is based on the second embodiment and the N-shot mode operation is based on the third embodiment is the same as inembodiments 6 and 7.
• In the operation flow shown inFIG. 17, repeating mode and N-shot mode are first lumped together as repeating mode and separated from single-shot mode, and then repeating mode and N-shot mode are separated.
• First, control starts instep220, then in step221 a check is performed to determine whether thetrigger switch37 is being pressed. When thetrigger switch37 is not being pressed, then instep222 the watchdog timer WDT is cleared and operation returns to step221.
• Instep221, when it is detected that thetrigger switch37 is being pressed, then in step223 a check is performed to determine whether there are anybullets19 in themagazine4. This check is executed by inputting a signal from the bullet-detection switch41 to themicrocomputer49 and determining whether the signal is ON or OFF.
• Instep223, when it is detected that there are nobullets19 in themagazine4, operation advances to step224 and the power to themotor22 is turned OFF.
• Next, operation advances to step225, and after waiting a wait time of 20 ms, operation returns to step221.
• Instep223 when it is detected that there arebullets19 in themagazine4, operation advances to step226 and determines whether the operation is single-shot mode or repeating mode/N-shot mode. This determination can be executed by using a selector switch as inFIG. 7 andFIG. 8 and having themicrocomputer49 determine the switching state.
• Instep226, when operation is determined to be single-shot mode, operation advances to step227 and the processing block S1 shown by the dashed line inFIG. 9 is executed. This is the processing flow for performing the single-shot mode operation.
• Instep226, when operation is determined to be repeating mode/N-shot mode, operation advances to step228, and a check is performed to determine whether operation is repeating mode or N-shot mode. This check is performed by using the single-shot mode/repeating mode and single-shot mode/N-shotmode switch52 shown inFIG. 7 andFIG. 8 and having themicrocomputer49 determine the switching state. Instep228, when operation is determined to be repeating mode, operation advances to step229 and the processing of block C1 shown by the dashed line inFIG. 11 is executed. This is the processing flow that performs the repeating mode operation. Also, instep228, when operation is determined to be N-shot mode, operation advances to step230 and the processing of block N1 shown inFIG. 12 is executed. This is the processing flow that performs the N-shot mode operation.
• As in the case of the seventh embodiment, in this eighth embodiment operation flow is simplified so that processing of checking the ON/OFF state of thetrigger switch37 and checking whether there are anybullets19 in themagazine4, which is common with other embodiments, are lumped together and performed.
• With this eighth embodiment, ultimately it is possible to switch operation among single-shot mode, repeating mode or N-shot mode. Also, since the single-shot mode operation is based on the first embodiment, the repeating mode operation is based on the second embodiment and the N-shot mode operation is based on the third embodiment, regardless of whether single-shot mode, repeating mode or N-shot mode is selected, operation ends by detecting the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 and stopping. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the effect of the first thru fifth embodiments as well.
Ninth Embodiment of Control
• FIGS.18 to20 show a ninth embodiment of control. Operation will be explained with reference to the drawings.
• Control starts instep240 shown inFIG. 18, after which operation advances to step241 to perform initial setting. Here, the initial value of the watchdog timer that will be used in the following processing is set to 1000 ms, and processing is performed to turn the power to themotor22 OFF. As previously stated, the initial value of the watchdog timer is not limited to 1000 ms. Moreover, the reason for performing the process of turning the power to themotor22 at the beginning is to first set themotor22 in a stopped state.
• Next, operation advances to step242 and a check to determine whether the operation is single-shot mode/repeating mode, or single-shot mode/N-shot mode is performed. This check is performed by using the single-shot mode/repeating mode and single-shot mode/N-shotmode switch52, and having themicrocomputer49 determine the switching state.
• Instep242, when operation is determined to be single-shot mode/repeating mode, operation advances to step243 shown inFIG. 19. Instep243, a check is performed to determine whether thetrigger switch37 is being pressed. When thetrigger switch37 is not being pressed, instep244 the watchdog timer WDT is cleared and operation advances to step243.
• Instep243 when it is detected that thetrigger switch37 is being pressed, operation advances to step245 and a check is performed to determine whether operation is single-shot mode or repeating mode. This check can be executed by inputting the switching state of theselector switch51 to themicrocomputer49. Instep245, when it is determined that operation is single-shot mode, operation advances to step246 and a check is performed to determine whether there are anybullets19 in themagazine4. This check is performed by inputting a signal from the bullet-detection switch41 to themicrocomputer49, and determining whether the signal is ON or OFF. When there arebullets19 in themagazine4, thepressure member42 for the bullet-detection switch pushes the bullet-detection switch41 and turns the switch ON.
• Instep246, when it is detected that there are nobullets19 in themagazine4, operation advances to step249 and the power to themotor22 is turned OFF.
• Next, operation advances to step248, and after waiting a wait time of 20 ms, operation returns to step243.
• Instep246, when it is detected that there arebullets19 in themagazine4, operation advances to step247. Thisstep247 indicates the single-shot mode process of block S1 shown by the dashed line inFIG. 9. After leaving the processing ofstep247, operation advances to step248, and after waiting a wait time of 20 ms, operation returns to step243.
• Instep245, when operation is determined to be repeating mode, operation advances to step250 and a check is performed to determine whether there are anybullets19 in themagazine4. Instep250, when it is detected that there are nobullets19 in themagazine4, operation advances to step249 and the power to themotor22 is turned OFF, after which operation advances to step248, and after waiting a wait time of 20 ms, operation returns to step243.
• Instep250, when it is detected that there arebullets19 in themagazine4, operation advances to step251. Thisstep251 is the repeating mode process of block C1 shown by the dashed line inFIG. 11. After leaving the processing ofstep251, operation advances to step248, and after waiting a wait time of 20 ms, operation returns to step243.
Tenth Embodiment of Control
• FIG. 21 andFIG. 22 show a tenth embodiment of control in which it is possible to count the number of bullets that have been shot.
• FIG. 21 is a drawing in which a counter is used in the single-shot mode operation flow shown inFIG. 9 that counts the number ofbullets19 that have been shot. Similarly, it is possible to use a counter in the repeating mode operation flow shown inFIG. 11, and in the N-shot mode operation flow shown inFIG. 12. The counter in the case of repeating mode and N-shot mode is the same as that shown inFIG. 21, so no drawings are provided. Moreover,FIG. 22 shows a flowchart of the process for counting the number ofbullets19 that have been shot in single-shot mode, repeating mode or N-shot mode. Operation will be explained below with reference toFIG. 21 andFIG. 22.
• InFIG. 21 the same reference numbers will be used for parts that are the same as inFIG. 9.
• First, control starts instep100, and instep300 the value n1 of the counter C2 is reset to 0. Next, operation advances to step101, and processing up to step107 is the same as in the first embodiment shown inFIG. 9. Also, in step107 a check is performed for determining whether the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 has been detected.
• Instep107, when the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 is detected, operation advances to step301. Here, 1 is added to the value n1 of the counter C2. In the case of single-shot mode, only onebullet19 has been shot, so the value n1 of the counter C2 becomes n1=0+1.
• Next, operation advances to step108 and outputs a signal to turn the power to themotor22 OFF. Passingsteps109,110 and105, operation returns to step101.
• Furthermore, when the trigger switch is ON, the operation described above is repeated, and 1 is further added to the value n1 of the counter C2 so that n1=1+1=2.
• Each time thetrigger switch37 goes ON and abullet19 is shot, the value n1 of the counter C2 is counted up. In other words, after abullet19 is shot, correspondingly the value n1 of the counter C2 is counted up.
• Similarly, in the case of repeating mode, it is possible to count the number ofbullet19 that have been shot. In other words, taking the counter to be C3 in the case of repeating mode, as shown inFIG. 21, afterstep120 inFIG. 11, the counter C3 is reset to 0, and afterstep127, the value of the counter C3 is counted up one at a time. This case is for repeating mode, so the loop fromstep127 to step131 is continued andbullets19 are shot, and each time the process goes throughstep127, the counter counts up by 1. Therefore, it is possible to accurately count the number ofbullets19 that were continuously shot.
• Also, similarly, in the case of N-shot mode as well, it is possible to count the number of bullets that have been shot. In other words, by taking the counter in the case of N-shot mode to be C4, as shown inFIG. 21, after step140 inFIG. 12, the counter C4 is reset to 0, and afterstep148, the value of the counter C4 is counted up 1 at a time. This case is for N-shot mode, so the loop fromstep127 to step131 is continued andbullets19 are shot, and each time the process goes throughstep127, the counter counts up by only 1, and the number is counted up until it reaches a maximum of N shots shot. Therefore, it is possible to accurately count the number ofbullets19 that were continuously shot in the case of N-shot mode.
• The embodiment shown inFIG. 22 is another form ofembodiment 7 of single-shot mode, repeating mode and N-shot mode shown inFIG. 16, in which the total number ofbullets19 shot in single-shot mode, repeating mode or N-shot mode operation is found and displayed.
• First, control starts instep200, and instep400 the values n1, n2 and n3 of the counters C2, C3 and C4 are reset to 0. Next, operation advances to step201 and the process to step406 is the same as in the seventh embodiment shown inFIG. 16. In step206 a check is performed to determine which of single-shot mode, repeating mode and N-shot mode is selected, and then the processing ofsteps401,402 and403 is executed. Step401 is the processing of block S2 shown by the dashed line ofFIG. 21. Step402 is a process in which the counter C3 is used in the repeating mode operation previously explained, and step403 is a process in which the counter C4 is used in the N-shot mode operation previously explained, and more specifically, C2 is the block C1 inFIG. 11 in which the counter C3 is inserted afterstep127, and N2 is the block N1 shown inFIG. 12 in which the counter C4 is inserted afterstep148.
• After passing the processing ofsteps401 to403,step404 is executed. Step404 calculates and displays the total of n1 to n3 that were counted by the counters C2 to C4 insteps401 to403. The display is not shown in the figure, however, it can be easily made using control technology that uses a normal microcomputer, for example a liquid-crystal display or the like can be used, and it is possible to use this liquid-crystal display to display the total value of the number ofbullets19 shot. In this embodiment, separate counters were used for single-shot mode, repeating mode and N-shot mode, making it possible to perform counting for single-shot mode, repeating mode and N-shot mode, respectively, however, it is also possible to perform counting using a common counter. In this case, regardless of the route, single-shot mode, repeating mode or N-shot mode passed, the total value for single-shot mode, repeating mode and N-shot mode is counted. Step404 is not necessary in this case, and it is possible forstep400 to just reset the common counter.
• Also, the count value described above counted the number ofbullets19 shot, however, by initially setting thenumber bullets19 loaded and counting down as thebullets19 are shot, it is possible to know howmany bullets19 are remaining. In this case, it is possible to input a numerical value, however, since the number ofnew bullets19 in amagazine4 is known, by detecting that value when a magazine is set, it is possible to automatically set that value as the initial value of the number ofbullets19. When the initial value is set, then the initial value when anew magazine4 is set is stored in internal memory. Also, when it is desired to set an arbitrary value as the initial setting, it is possible to use key input for entering numerical values. This key input is not shown in the figures, however, could be easily formed by using control technology that uses a normal microcomputer.
• In the tenth embodiment described above, the means of counting the number ofbullets19 shot was performed by having the photo detector count the number of times the rotation reference hole on thesector gear25 passes, however, the means of counting is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to perform the same counting by counting the movement of thepiston12 or hammer that goes through one cycle in correspondence to the operation of shooting onebullet19.
• It is preferred that the ON/OFF state of thetrigger switch37, bullet-detection switch41,selector switch51 and single-shot mode/repeating mode and single-shot mode/N-shotmode switch52 explained in the various embodiments above be determined according to the fail-safe means, however it is not limited to this. The ON/OFF states can be opposite this, and what is important is that it be possible to determine the switch state.
• Also, the electronic-control circuit and control flow are not limited to that explained above, and can be changed within the main scope of the invention.
• Also, in the explanation above, a free run stop occurred after the rotation reference position of thesector gear25 was detected. This means was used because inexpensive construction of the invention was taken into consideration, however if expensive construction is allowable, it is also possible to employ a servomotor as the means for positioning thesector gear25.
• Moreover, as mentioned above, it is possible for the value N in N-shot mode to be set to any arbitrarypositive integer 2 or greater. The invention manufactured a gun with N as 3, however the invention is not limited to this.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
• This invention can be used in the place of a real gun for shooting practice or maintenance training. Also, it can be used as a model gun for a toy.
• Also, with this invention, there is the effect in the repeating mode operation of being possible to easily control how many shoots are shot.
• Moreover, with this invention there is the effect of easily being able to switch among single-shot mode, repeating mode and N-shot mode operation.
• Furthermore, operation is stopped by detecting a reference position, so it is possible to always stop at a specified position.

Claims (21)

1. An air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a means that makes it possible to arbitrarily set the maximum number of times bullets are shot when a trigger switch is switched ON one time; a means for counting said number of times bullets are shot; and a means for stopping the shooting operation when the count value of said counter reaches said maximum value.

2. An air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a reference position for a shooting operation that is located on a drive system that drives said piston; a means for starting the shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON; a means for stopping said shooting operation when said reference position is detected; and a means for preventing said shooting operation after shooting is stopped by said means for stopping said shooting operation, even when the ON state of said trigger switch continues.

3. The air gun ofclaim 2 wherein each time said trigger switch becomes ON, the operation ofclaim 2 is repeated.

4. An air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a reference position for a shooting operation that is located on a drive system that drives said piston; a means for starting the shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON; and a means for stopping said shooting operation when said reference position is detected and said trigger switch is OFF.

5. An air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a means that makes it possible to arbitrarily set the maximum number of times bullets are shot when a trigger switch is switched ON one time.

6. An air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a reference position for a shooting operation that is located on a drive system that drives said piston; a counter means that makes it possible to arbitrarily set the maximum number of times bullets are shot to a specified value N when a trigger switch is switched ON one time; a means for starting the shooting operation when the trigger switch is switched ON; a subtraction means for subtracting 1 from said set maximum value N when said reference position is detected; and a means for stopping said shooting operation when the subtraction result of said subtraction means becomes 0 and said reference position is detected.

7. An air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a reference position for a shooting operation that is located on a drive system that drives said piston; a single-shot mode shooting means for starting a shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON, stopping said shooting operation when said reference position is detected, and preventing said shooting operation after said shooting operation is stopped, even when the ON state of said trigger switch continues; a repeating mode shooting means for starting the shooting operation when said trigger is switched ON, and stopping said shooting operation when said reference position is detected and said trigger switch becomes OFF; and a switching means for selecting and operating either said single-shot mode shooting means or said repeating mode shooting means.

8. An air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a reference position for a shooting operation that is located on a drive system that drives said piston; a single-shot mode shooting means for starting a shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON, stopping said shooting operation when said reference position is detected, and preventing said shooting operation after said shooting operation is stopped, even when the ON state of said trigger switch continues; an N-shot mode shooting means for setting the maximum number of times bullets are shot when the trigger switch is switch ON one time, starting the shooting operation when said trigger switch is switched ON, subtracting 1 from said set maximum value N when said reference position is detected, and stopping the shooting operation when the subtraction result becomes 0 and when said reference position is detected; and a switching means for selecting and operating either said single-shot mode shooting means or said N-shot mode shooting means.

9. An air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a reference position for a shooting operation that is located on a drive system that drives said piston; a single-shot mode shooting means for starting a shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON, stopping said shooting operation when said reference position is detected, and preventing said shooting operation after said shooting operation is stopped, even when the ON state of said trigger switch continues; a repeating mode shooting means for starting the shooting operation when said trigger is switched ON, and stopping said shooting operation when said reference position is detected and said trigger switch becomes OFF; an N-shot mode shooting means for setting the maximum number of times bullets are shot when the trigger switch is switch ON one time, starting the shooting operation when said trigger switch is switched ON, subtracting 1 from said set maximum value N when said reference position is detected, and stopping the shooting operation when the subtraction result becomes 0 and when said reference position is detected; and a switching means for selecting and operating one of said single-shot mode shooting means, said repeating mode shooting means and said N-shot mode shooting means.

10. An air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a reference position for a shooting operation that is located on a drive system that drives said piston; a single-shot mode shooting means for starting a shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON, stopping said shooting operation when said reference position is detected, and preventing said shooting operation after said shooting operation is stopped, even when the ON state of said trigger switch continues; a repeating mode shooting means for starting the shooting operation when said trigger is switched ON, and stopping said shooting operation when said reference position is detected and said trigger switch becomes OFF; an N-shot mode shooting means for setting the maximum number of times bullets are shot when the trigger switch is switch ON one time, starting the shooting operation when said trigger switch is switched ON, subtracting 1 from said set maximum value N when said reference position is detected, and stopping the shooting operation when the subtraction result becomes 0 and when said reference position is detected; and a switching means that selects and operates either a single-shot mode/repeating mode means for performing said single-shot mode shooting operation and said repeating mode shooting operation, or a single-shot mode/N-shot mode means for performing said single-shot mode shooting operation and said N-continuous-shooting operation.

11. The air gun ofclaim 10 wherein said switching means for selecting and operating either said single-shot mode/repeating mode means or said single-shot mode/N-shot mode means is a switching means that switches patterns on a printed-circuit board of a control circuit using a jumper wire.

12. A control method for an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a process of arbitrarily setting the maximum number of times bullets are shot when a trigger switch is switched ON one time; a process of counting said number of times bullets are shot; and a process of stopping the shooting operation when the count value of said counter reaches said maximum value.

13. A control method for an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a reference position for a shooting operation that is located on a drive system that drives said piston; and that starts the shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON; stops said shooting operation when said reference position is detected; and prevents said shooting operation after shooting is stopped by a means for stopping said shooting operation, even when the ON state of said trigger switch continues.

14. The control method for an air gun ofclaim 13 repeats the operation ofclaim 13 each time said trigger switch becomes ON.

15. A control method for an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a reference position for a shooting operation that is located on a drive system that drives said piston; and that starts the shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON; and stops said shooting operation when said reference position is detected and said trigger switch is OFF.

16. A control method for an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, that: makes it possible to arbitrarily set the maximum number of times bullets are shot when a trigger switch is switched ON one time.

17. A control method for an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a reference position for a shooting operation that is located on a drive system that drives said piston; and a counter means that makes it possible to arbitrarily set the maximum number of times bullets are shot to a specified value N when a trigger switch is switched ON one time; and that starts the shooting operation when the trigger switch is switched ON; subtracts 1 from said set maximum value N when said reference position is detected; and stops said shooting operation when the subtraction result becomes 0 and said reference position is detected.

18. A control method for an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a single-shot mode shooting process of starting a shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON, stopping said shooting operation when a reference position that is located on a drive system that drives said piston is detected, and preventing said shooting operation after said shooting operation is stopped, even when the ON state of said trigger switch continues; and a repeating mode shooting process of starting the shooting operation when said trigger is switched ON, and stopping said shooting operation when said reference position is detected and said trigger switch becomes OFF; and that selects and operates either said single-shot mode shooting process or said repeating mode shooting process.

19. A control method for an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a single-shot mode shooting process of starting a shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON, stopping said shooting operation when a reference position that is located on a drive system that drives said piston is detected, and preventing said shooting operation after said shooting operation is stopped, even when the ON state of said trigger switch continues; and an N-shot mode shooting process of setting the maximum number of times bullets are shot when the trigger switch is switch ON one time, starting the shooting operation when said trigger switch is switched ON, subtracting 1 from said set maximum value N when said reference position is detected, and stopping the shooting operation when the subtraction result becomes 0 and when said reference position is detected; and that selects and operates either said single-shot mode shooting process or said N-shot mode shooting process.

20. A control method for an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a single-shot mode shooting process of starting a shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON, stopping said shooting operation when a reference position that is located on a drive system that drives said piston is detected, and preventing said shooting operation after said shooting operation is stopped, even when the ON state of said trigger switch continues; a repeating mode shooting process of starting the shooting operation when said trigger is switched ON, and stopping said shooting operation when said reference position is detected and said trigger switch becomes OFF; and an N-shot mode shooting process of setting the maximum number of times bullets are shot when the trigger switch is switch ON one time, starting the shooting operation when said trigger switch is switched ON, subtracting 1 from said set maximum value N when said reference position is detected, and stopping the shooting operation when the subtraction result becomes 0 and when said reference position is detected; and that selects and operates one of said single-shot mode shooting process, said repeating mode shooting process and said N-shot mode shooting process.

21. A control method for an air gun that uses compressed air generated by a piston to shoot bullets, comprising: a single-shot mode shooting process of starting a shooting operation when a trigger switch is switched ON, stopping said shooting operation when a reference position that is located on a drive system that drives said piston is detected, and preventing said shooting operation after said shooting operation is stopped, even when the ON state of said trigger switch continues; a repeating mode shooting process of starting the shooting operation when said trigger is switched ON, and stopping said shooting operation when said reference position is detected and said trigger switch becomes OFF; and an N-shot mode shooting means for setting the maximum number of times bullets are shot when the trigger switch is switch ON one time, starting the shooting operation when said trigger switch is switched ON, subtracting 1 from said set maximum value N when said reference position is detected, and stopping the shooting operation when the subtraction result becomes 0 and when said reference position is detected; and that selects and operates either a single-shot mode/repeating mode process of performing said single-shot mode shooting process and said repeating mode shooting process, or a single-shot mode/N-shot mode process of performing said single-shot mode shooting process and said N-continuous-shooting process.

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