A Brief Look At The Mechanics Of A Slot Machine
It is a common fact that people like to have fun. One way that has been a favorite of many for a long time, despite some criticisms from people that "overdo" it is gambling. More specifically, one of the most sought after gambling activities is playing slot machines.
Despite their popularity, most people do not know how complex these simple-looking rainbow riches machines really are. Keep reading for a brief look at the inner mechanics of a traditional slot machine.
The handle is what starts the inner workings of the machine. This is because the bottom of the handle inside the machine is connected to a mechanism that is shaped like a hook. This hook then hits what is known as a kicker moving it forward.
When the handle is starting to get pulled forward toward the person, the kicker starts lurching forward, and it hits a control cam. This cam is shoved forward, too. It is hooked to a cam plate with springs and a bunch of gears that stretch all the way to the back of the slot machine.
When it is moved forward, the gears starts turning and the spring starts returning the control cam to its initial position. However, the movement of the gears greatly slows it down.
Meanwhile, the cam plate moves to keep the stoppers from hitting some discs with notches in them. While the kicker is moving, those stoppers get caught on the plate's catches. They are then secured in place, allowing the reels and discs in the machines to move without issues.
Since the handle is still moving forward during all this, the kicker is also moving and shoving those discs forward. Once it is pulled completely, the kicker moves ahead of those discs, causing the hook-like mechanism to touch a surface that is slanting.
That surface allows the mechanism to hook forward and free the kicker completely. This causes its spring to move it backward, causing its paddles to hit discs' notches, boosting the speed of the reels.
Lastly, the control moves into its starting position where it shoves the late back as well and freeing the stoppers. Those various catches allow the stoppers to be freed one by one so that they can lurch forward and secure the reel's position.
The electric slot machines run the same way, except they have motors and solenoids moving the reels and stoppers.
This is a basic overview of some of the inner mechanics of a slot machine. The next time you play, you can marvel at the complex machinery behind your fun.
