Shuffling machine

A card output device of a shuffling machine, the device comprising a base comprising a first and a second side walls, a roller assembly rotatably mounted between the first and second side walls of the base, the roller assembly comprising a first set of rollers, and a second set of rollers arranged over the first set of rollers, the second set of rollers being moved upwards and downwards between the first and second side walls of the base, and a receiver detachably mounted to the base.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a shuffling machine, and more particularly, to an automatic shuffling machine.

A general shuffling machine has a lot of motors to provide driving force to the mechanism resided in the shuffling machine. However, the greater number of the motors means more power consumption. Moreover, some shuffling machines have complex structure that may easily cause malfunction of the shuffling machine.

It may therefore be desirable to have a shuffling machine that consumes less power and has a simpler structure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Examples of the present invention may provide a card output device of a shuffling machine, the device comprising a base comprising a first and a second side walls, a roller assembly rotatably mounted between the first and second side walls of the base, the roller assembly comprising a first set of rollers; and a second set of rollers arranged over the first set of rollers, the second set of rollers being moved upwards and downwards between the first and second side walls of the base, a first gear assembly rotatably mounted on the first side wall of the base, the first gear assembly comprising a first gear coupled to the first set of rollers, a second gear coupled to the second set of rollers, a third gear engaged with the first gear, and a fourth gear engaged with the second gear and the third gear, and a second gear assembly rotatably mounted on the second side wall of the base, the second gear assembly comprising a first gear coupled to the fourth gear of the first gear assembly, and a second gear engaged with the first gear and coupled to the second set of rollers.

Some examples of the present invention may provide a card output device of a shuffling machine, the device comprising a base comprising a first and a second side walls, a roller assembly rotatably mounted between the first and second side walls of the base, the roller assembly comprising a first set of rollers, and a second set of rollers arranged over the first set of rollers, the second set of rollers being moved upwards and downwards between the first and second side walls of the base, and a receiver detachably mounted to the base.

Other examples of the present invention may provide a card output device of a shuffling machine, the device comprising a base comprising a first and a second side walls, a roller assembly rotatably mounted between the first and second side walls of the base, the roller assembly comprising a first set of rollers; and a second set of rollers arranged over the first set of rollers, the second set of rollers being moved upwards and downwards between the first and second side walls of the base, a first gear assembly rotatably mounted on the first side wall of the base, the first gear assembly comprising a first gear coupled to the first set of rollers, a second gear coupled to the second set of rollers, a third gear engaged with the first gear, and a fourth gear engaged with the second gear and the third gear, a second gear assembly rotatably mounted on the second side wall of the base, the second gear assembly comprising a first gear coupled to the fourth gear of the first gear assembly, and a second gear engaged with the first gear and coupled to the second set of rollers, and a receiver detachably mounted to the base.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in portion in the description which follows, and in portion will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a perspective view of the shuffling machine1in accordance with an example of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 1, the shuffling machine1may include a card input device100, a shuffling device200, a card output device300and a card receiver400. The shuffling machine1may further include a base10adapted to support the shuffling machine1. The card input device100may be detachably mounted to the base10of the shuffling machine1. Furthermore, the shuffling device200may be mounted to the base10adjacent to the card input device100. Moreover, the card output device300may be securely mounted to the base10adjacent to the shuffling device200opposite to the card input device100. In addition, the card receiver400may be detachably mounted to the base10adjacent to the card output device300.

Specifically, the card input device100may be adapted to receive a stack of cards A. Furthermore, the card output device300may be adapted to receive cards shuffled by and discharged from the shuffling device200. Moreover, the card receiver400may be adapted to receive the cards from the card output device300.

FIG. 2Ais a perspective view of the card input device100as illustrated inFIG. 1, andFIG. 2Bis another perspective view of the card input device100from a different angle as illustrated inFIG. 2Ain accordance with an example of the present invention. Referring toFIGS. 2A and 2B, the card input device100may include a body20, a gear assembly21, a roller assembly22associated with the gear assembly21, a filtering mechanism23, a gear assembly24and a roller assembly25associated with the gear assembly24. The card input device100may further include a pair of bars26.

Referring toFIG. 2A, the body20of the card input device100may include a pair of side walls201and202and a receiving plate203detachably mounted between the side walls201and202. The side walls201and202and the receiving plate203may form an open (not shown) for receiving the stack of cards A. Furthermore, the gear assembly21may include at least four gears each of which may be rotatably mounted to the side wall202. The at least four gears may be engaged with one another. One of the gears of the gear assembly21, for example, the gear211may be coupled to and driven by a motor (not shown), such that the gear211may serve as a driving gear to drive other gears of the gear assembly21. Moreover, the roller assembly22may include at least three sets of rollers each of which may be rotatably mounted between the side walls201and202. The roller assembly22may be coupled to and driven by the gear assembly21, such that the roller assembly22may be adapted to transmit the cards to the shuffling device200.

Referring toFIG. 2B, a hole203amay be formed in the receiving plate203of the body20to expose a set of rollers221of the roller assembly22. Accordingly, a card which is accommodated in the card input device100and in contact with the rollers221can be moved toward the filtering mechanism23. Furthermore, a sensor S1may be disposed on the lower surface of the receiving plate203. Portion of the sensor S1may be exposed by the hole203a, so that the card accommodated on the upper surface of the receiving plate203may be detected by the sensor S1.

The filtering mechanism23may be detachably mounted between the side walls201and202over the roller assembly22. The filtering mechanism23may be adapted to filter the cards so that only one of the cards each time can pass the filtering mechanism23.

Furthermore, similar to the gear assembly21, the gear assembly24may include at least three gears each of which may be rotatably mounted on the side wall201. The at least three gears may be engaged with one another. One of the gears of the gear assembly24, for example, the gear241may be coupled to and driven by a motor (not shown), such that the gear241may serve as a driving gear to drive the other gears of the gear assembly24. Moreover, similar to the roller assembly22in the present example, the roller assembly25may include at least four sets of rollers and each of which may be rotatably mounted between the side walls201and202. The roller assembly25may be coupled to and driven by the gear assembly24, such that the roller assembly25may be adapted to transmit the card from the filtering mechanism23to the shuffling device200.

In the present example, a sensor S2may be disposed on the inner surface of the side wall202of the body20beside the roller assembly25. Each card of the stack of cards A which may be transmitted by the roller assembly25may be detected by the sensor S2. Accordingly, the sensor S2may be configured to count the number of cards transmitted by the roller assembly25. In another example, the sensor S2may be disposed on the inner surface of the side wall201beside the roller assembly25.

FIG. 3Ais a rear view andFIG. 3Bis a front view of the filtering mechanism23as illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2Bin accordance with an example of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 3A, the filtering mechanism23may include a plate30and a brush31which is detachably mounted to the plate30through a connecting mechanism33. Specifically, a open32, which may have a rectangular shape in the present example, may be formed in the plate30and the connecting mechanism33may be disposed close to the upper edge32aof the open32. In another example, the connecting mechanism33may be arranged on the back side30aof the plate30, and the brush31may be arranged to pass through the open32and extend toward the front side30bof the plate30, which is better illustrated inFIG. 3B. Parts of the brush31may be in contact with the rollers221as illustrated inFIG. 2B.

Referring back toFIG. 3A, an open32b, which is a part of the open32, may be further formed in and extended toward the bottom of the plate30. In the present example, the open32bmay have a round or semicircular shape and may be extended from the center of the bottom of the open32. Accordingly, the side parts31band the center part31cof the brush31may be staggered. Thanks to the above arrangement, only one of the cards can be transmitted to the shuffling device200each time.

FIG. 4Ais a right side view andFIG. 4Bis a left side view of the card input device100as illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2Bin accordance with an example of the present invention. An example of the operation of the card input device100is shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B. Referring toFIG. 4A, the bottom card A-1of the cards A which are accommodated in the card input device100may be moved by the rollers221and in turn pass the filtering mechanism23. Then, the card A-1may then be transmitted by the sets of rollers222and223. Specifically, in the present example as shown inFIG. 4A, the driving gear211may be counterclockwise rotated so that the gears212and214may be driven to rotate clockwise. Accordingly, the sets of rollers221and223driven by the gears214and212respectively may rotate clockwise. Furthermore, the set of rollers222may rotate counterclockwise and the card A-1may pass through a space between the set of rollers222and the set of rollers223. In this manner, the sets of rollers221to223may be adapted to transmit the card A-1to pass through a space between the bars26and in turn to the roller assembly25.

Still referring toFIG. 4B, the driving gear241may rotate clockwise, so that the gears242and243may be driven to rotate counterclockwise. Accordingly, the sets of rollers251and252driven by the gears242and243respectively may rotate counterclockwise. Furthermore, the sets of rollers253and254may rotate clockwise. With the above arrangement, the card A-1may pass through a space between the rollers252and254and in turn a space between the rollers251and253. Accordingly, the rollers251,252,253and254may be adapted to transmit the card A-1to the shuffling device200.

FIG. 4Cis another perspective view of the card input device100from a different angle as illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2Bin accordance with an example of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 4C, the card input device100may further include a pair of blocking plates34and35detachably mounted to the side walls201and202of the body20of the card input device100. The pair of blocking plates34and35may be disposed adjacent to the rollers251and253. Specifically, the blocking plate34may have a first portion34-1and a second portion34-2. In the present example, the first portion34-1may have a semicircular shape, and the second portion34-2may be extended from the center of the upper edge of the first portion34-1. Furthermore, the blocking plate35may have the same shape as the blocking plate34, and the blocking plate35may be disposed in a symmetrical manner with respect to the blocking plate34. In other words, the first portion35-1of the blocking plate35may also have a semicircular shape, and the second portion35-2of the blocking plate35may be extended from the center of the lower edge of the first portion35-1. Moreover, a space between the blocking plates34and35may expose the rollers251and253. Accordingly, the card A-1which may be transmitted by the rollers251and253may pass through the space between the blocking plates34and35.

In another example of the present invention, the blocking plates34and35may be detachably mounted to the side walls101and102of the base10and disposed adjacent to the shuffling device200.

FIG. 5Ais a perspective view of the shuffling device200as illustrated inFIG. 1in accordance with an example of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 5A, in the present example, the shuffling device200may include a driving assembly40, a shuffling wheel41and a discharging assembly42. In another example, the shuffling device200may further include an optical coder43.

Specifically, the shuffling wheel41may include a plurality of compartments44adapted to receive and store cards transmitted from the roller assembly25of the card input device100. Furthermore, the driving assembly40may include a motor401and a gear (not shown inFIG. 5A). The motor401may be coupled to the gear and configured to drive the gear. The shuffling wheel41may be driven by the gear so as to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise and thereby shuffle the cards stored in the compartments44. Moreover, the discharging assembly42may include a motor421, a gear422and a discharging rod423. The motor421may be coupled to the gear422and configured to drive the gear422. The discharging rod423may be driven by the gear422to pivotally move, such that the discharging rod423may push or discharge the cards from the compartments44of the shuffling wheel41. The discharged cards may then be transmitted to the card output device300.

FIG. 5Bis another perspective view of the shuffling device200from a different angle as illustrated inFIG. 5Ain accordance with an example of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 5B, the shuffling wheel41may include a first portion411and a second portion412. A plurality of retainers45may be securely mounted to the first portion411and the second portion412of the shuffling wheel41. Each of the compartments44may be defined by two pairs of retainers45. For example, one44-1of the compartments44may be defined by a pair of retainers45-1and a pair of retainers45-2adjacent to the retainers45-1. Furthermore, the pair of blocking plates34and35may facilitate the cards to be completely inserted into each of the counterparts44.

FIG. 5Cis a right side view andFIG. 5Dis a perspective view of the retainer45as illustrated inFIG. 5Bin accordance with an example of the present invention. Referring toFIGS. 5C and 5D, the retainer45may, for example, have a resilient portion451and a frame portion452. The resilient portion451may be formed by bending and thinning the frame portion452at an acute angle P1. The resilient portion451may have a predefined length L which may be smaller than the length of the frame portion452. In the present example, the resilient portion451may have a arc shape, and the frame portion452may have a straight shape.

FIG. 5Eis a right side view of parts of the shuffling wheel41as illustrated inFIG. 5Ain accordance with an example of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 5E, each compartment44of the shuffling wheel41may be defined by two frame portions452of two adjacent retainers45-1and45-2. The angle P2between two frame portions452of the two adjacent retainers45-1and45-2may depend on the number of the compartments44of the shuffling wheel41. For example, if the shuffling wheel41includes thirty compartments44, P2may be twelve degrees. In another example, if the shuffling wheel41includes forty compartments44, P2may be nine degrees. The number of compartments44may be changed and varied as long as the angle P2is an integer.

Furthermore, the end portion451aof the resilient portion451of the retainer45-2may be in contact with the frame portion452of the adjacent retainer45-1. Accordingly, if any card(s) is inserted into a compartment44, the resilient force between the frame portion452and the resilient portion451may hold the card(s) tight in the compartment44. In the present example, the material of the retainers45, the angle P1between the resilient portion451and the frame portion452of each retainer45, and the length L of the resilient portion451may be appropriately selected, so that the resilient force between the frame portion452and the resilient portion451may be large enough to hold the card(s) tight in the compartment44without aid of any external element (such as a spring disposed between the resilient portion451and the frame portion452).

FIG. 5Fis a right side view of the shuffling device200as illustrated inFIG. 5Ain accordance with an example of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 5F, the motor401may be mounted to the side wall101of the base10, and the gear402may be coupled to and driven by the motor401to serve as a driving gear. The driving gear402may be engaged with a plurality of teeth413formed on the inner rim of the first portion411of the shuffling wheel41. In another example, the motor401may be mounted to the side wall102(not shown inFIG. 5F) of the base10, so that the driving gear402may be engaged with a plurality of teeth formed on the inner rim of the second portion412(not shown inFIG. 5F) of the shuffling wheel41. Accordingly, the shuffling wheel41may be rotated by the driving gear402. In operation, the shuffling wheel41may be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise so as to shuffle the cards stored in the compartments44.

In the present example, a sensor S3may be disposed on a surface (i.e., the surface facing opposite to the shuffling wheel41) of the blocking plate35. Referring back toFIG. 4C, the sensor S3may be exposed by a hole35aformed in the blocking plate35. Referring back toFIG. 5F, as the shuffling wheel41rotates so that one of the compartments44passes through a position aligned with the hole35a, cards stored in the one compartment44may be detected by the sensor S3. Therefore, when the shuffling machine1initially powers on and the shuffling wheel41rotates by a complete round, the sensor S3may be configured to detect whether any cards are stored in any compartments44of the shuffling wheel41. If confirmative, the discharging assembly42may be configured to discharge all the cards from the shuffling wheel41. In another example, the sensor S3may be disposed on the blocking plate34.

Referring back toFIG. 5A, the optical coder43may be detachably mounted to the side wall101of the base10. Specifically, the optical coder43may be aligned with an axis along which the shuffling wheel41rotates. In this manner, the optical coder43may be programmed to facilitate controlling of the rotation of the shuffling wheel41. In another example, the optical coder43may be detachably mounted to the shuffling wheel and aligned with the axis of the wheel41.

FIGS. 6A and 6Bare perspective views of the card output device300as illustrated inFIG. 1in accordance with an example of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 6A, the card output device300may include two gear assemblies50and51, a roller assembly52associated with the gear assemblies50and51and a pair of resilient elements53and54.

The gear assembly50may include at least five gears each of which may be rotatably mounted to the side wall101of the base10. The gears of the gear assembly50may be engaged with one another. The gear assembly51may include at least two gears each of which may be rotatably mounted to the side wall102of the base10. The gears of the gear assembly51may be engaged with each other. Furthermore, the gear501of the gear assembly50may be coupled to the gear511of the gear assembly51through a shaft61.

A hole101amay be formed in the side wall101and a hole102amay be formed in the side wall102. The roller assembly52may include at least two sets of rollers521and522. The set of rollers521may be rotatably mounted between the side walls101and102and coupled to the gear503. Furthermore, the set of rollers522may be coupled to the gears502and512through a shaft62. The shaft62, which may pass through the holes101aand102a, may be coupled to the side walls101and102through the resilient elements53and54respectively.

FIG. 6CandFIG. 6Dare two opposite side views of the card output device300and the card receiver400as illustrated inFIG. 1in accordance with an example of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 6C, the gear504may be coupled to and driven by a motor55to serve as a driving gear, which may drive other gears of the gear assembly50. As the driving gear504rotates counterclockwise, the gear503may be driven to rotate clockwise, while the gear502may be driven to rotate counterclockwise. Accordingly, the sets of rollers522and521, which may be driven by the gears503and502respectively, may be adapted to transmit the discharged cards B towards the card receiver400. Referring toFIG. 6D, the gear511may be coupled to the gear501through the shaft61and the gear512may be engaged with the gear511.

FIG. 6EandFIG. 6Fare two opposite side views of the card output device300and the card receiver400as illustrated inFIG. 1in accordance with another example of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 6E, as the discharged cards B are greater in number, the set of rollers521may move upwards so as to change the space between the sets of rollers521and522to allow such the cards B to go through. Specifically, the holes101aand102amay be designed so that when the set of rollers521moves upwards together with the gear502, the gear502may be still engaged with the gear501. Referring toFIG. 6F, as the set of rollers521moves upwards together with the gear512, the gear512may be still engaged with the gear511. Accordingly, the card output device300of the present invention may be adapted to output different numbers of cards.

FIG. 7is a perspective view of the card output device300and the card receiver400as illustrated inFIG. 1in accordance with an example of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 7, the card receiver400may be detachably mounted to the base10adjacent to the card output device300. The card receiver400may be adapted to receive cards B transmitted from the card output device300.

Specifically, the card receiver400may include a bottom plate70, a back plate71, a pair of side walls72-1and72-2, a pair of side stops73-1and73-2, a blocking bracket74and a front stop75. The bottom plate70may be detachably mounted to the base10and the back plate71may be extended from the bottom plate70. In the present example, the back plate71may have an arc shape but may be changed or varied in other examples. Furthermore, the side walls72-1and72-2may be extended from the back plate71. The side stops73-1and73-2may be extended from the side walls72-1and72-2respectively, and the blocking bracket74may be mounted to the side stops73-1and73-2.

The cards B transmitted from the card output device300may slide on the back plate71and down to and stay on the bottom plate70. A sensor S4may be disposed on the lower surface of the bottom plate70. The sensor S4may be exposed by a hole70aformed in the bottom plate70, and the cards B which may stay on the bottom plate70may be detected by the sensor S4. Furthermore, the pair of side walls72-1and72-2may be adapted to restrain the cards B from going out of the card receiver400. The pair of side stops73-1and73-2and the front stop75may be adapted to hold the cards B on the bottom plate70.

FIG. 8Ais a perspective view of the card output device300and a card receiver400A in accordance with another example of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 8A, the card receiver400A which may replace the card receiver400as shown inFIG. 7, may be dedicated for the poker games of “black jack” or “baccarat.” The card receiver400A may be detachably mounted to the base10and disposed adjacent to the card output device300. Cards B from the card output device300may be transmitted to and accommodated in the card receiver400A. The card receiver400A may include a top plate80, a pair of side walls81-1and81-2, a bottom plate82and a movable component83(not shown inFIG. 8A). The bottom plate82may be securely mounted between the pair of side walls81-1and81-2, and the top plate80may be detachably mounted between the pair of side walls81-1and81-2. Specifically, the bottom plate82may include a first portion82-1and a second portion82-2. The second portion82-2may be extended from the first portion82-1, and the width of the first portion82-1may be greater than the width of the second portion82-2. Furthermore, the top plate80may be slantwise arranged with respect to the bottom plate82and arranged to leave a space80b(illustrated with two dotted lines) between the lower edge80aof the top plate80and the first portion82-1the bottom plate82.

FIG. 8Bis a front view of the top plate80as illustrated inFIG. 8Ain accordance with an example of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 8B, the top plate80may include a first portion801and a second portion802. The first portion801may be extended from the upper edge802aof the second portion802. Furthermore, the top plate80may include an open803formed in the center part of the second portion802. The open803may be extended to the lower edge80aof the top plate80. In the present example, the open803may have a semicircular shape. In another example, the open803may have a rectangular shape. Moreover, a recess804may be formed in the center part of the second portion802. The recess804may be extended from the upper edge803aof the open803to the upper edge802aof the second portion802. In the present example, the recess804may have a shape define by two arcs, wherein one of the arcs is a portion of the upper edge803aof the open803.

Thanks to the arrangement of the open803, cards B accommodated in the card receiver400A may be captured through the space80bbetween the top plate80and the bottom plate82. In addition, the recess804may facilitate the capturing of the cards B.

FIG. 8Cis a rear view of the top plate80as illustrated inFIG. 8Bin accordance with an example of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 8C, a pair of brushes84-1and84-2may be detachably mounted to the back side of the top plate80through a pair of connecting mechanism805-1and805-2respectively. The pair of brushes84-1and84-2may be arranged in a symmetric manner and arranged to leave a space84athere-between. Referring back toFIG. 8B, the pair of brushes84-1and84-2may be exposed by the open803, and the space84abetween the pair of brushes84-1and84-2may be aligned with a central line (illustrated with a dotted line) of the recess804. Thanks to the arrangements of the pair of brushes84-1and84-2, cards B accommodated in the card receiver400A may be hardly visible.

FIG. 8Dis a left side view of the card receiver400A as illustrated inFIG. 8Ain accordance with an example of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 8D, the movable component83may be disposed among the pair of side walls81-1and81-2, the top plate80and the bottom plate82. The movable component83may include a protrusion831, and a resilient component85may be secured to the protrusion831and a protrusion821formed on the bottom plate82. Therefore, resilient force of the resilient component85may apply on the movable component83and the bottom plate82. Thanks to the resilient force of the resilient component85, as the cards B transmitted from the card output device300are accommodated on the movable component83, the movable component83may be adapted to push the cards B towards the top plate80so that the cards B may be in contact with the bottom plate82and a pair of protrusions806formed on the top plate80. Thereby, the cards B may be tightly held in the card receiver400A.

FIGS. 8E and 8Fare other perspective views of the card receiver400A from a different angle as illustrated inFIG. 8Ain accordance with an example of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 8E, a sensor S5may be disposed on the bottom plate82close to the back edge82athereof. In operation, as the cards B are accommodated on the movable component83, the movable component83may be moved away from the top plate80, and the protrusion831of the movable component83may be detected by the sensor S5. Referring toFIG. 8F, as some of the cards B are captured out of the card receiver400A, the thickness of the cards B may be decreased and the movable component83may thus be moved towards the top plate80. Furthermore, as the cards B are completely captured out of the card receiver400A, the movable component83may be moved to a position at which the protrusion831may not be detected by the sensor S5. Meanwhile, the shuffling device200may be informed and configured to discharge cards to the card out device300. The discharged cards may then be transmitted to and accommodated in the card receiver400A.

A sensor S6may be disposed on a pair of protrusions807formed on the first portion801of the top plate80. As the shuffling machine1initially powers on, the sensor S6may be configured to detect whether any cards are accommodated in the card receiver400A. If confirmative, the shuffling machine1may be informed and configured to remove all the cards accommodated in the card receiver400A. Then, the shuffling machine1may be configured to perform an initial set-up procedure, which may include configuring the shuffling wheel41to rotate to an original position.

FIG. 9is a schematic diagram of the shuffling machine1in accordance with an example of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 9, the shuffling device200and the card output device300may be electrically coupled to a controller500. The controller500may be programmed or configured to automatically control the shuffling machine1

FIG. 10Ais a left side view andFIG. 10Bis a top view of the shuffling machine1disposed within a case90in accordance with another example of the present invention. Referring toFIGS. 10A and 10B, in the present example, the shuffling machine1(illustrated with dotted line) may be disposed within the case90. The case90may include a left side wall91, a right side wall92, a front cover93and a top cover94, wherein the top cover94may be opened. Furthermore, a sensor S7may be disposed on the inner surface of the left side wall91. The sensor S7may be configured to detect whether the top cover94is opened.