Printing device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a printing device, which comprises: a cutter unit (17), having a first blade (19) for cutting a printing medium by moving from a standby position to a cutting position along a first direction, and a driving pin (77) that moves integrally with the first blade (19); a cylindrical driving cam (91), having a guide groove (93) on its side that engages with the driving pin (77); and a driving motor (33) that rotates the driving cam (91), and when the driving cam (91) rotates, the guide groove (93) guides the first blade (19) from the standby position to the cutting position along the first direction via the driving pin (77).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is known a printing device including a cutter blade for cutting printed paper and two worm gears respectively engaged with two holes provided in the cutter blade.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-240286

[0004] In a configuration including two or more gears that engage with a cutter blade as in a conventional printing device, it is difficult to achieve miniaturization of the device. Summary of the invention

[0005] The printing device disclosed in the present invention comprises: a cutter unit having a first blade and a driving pin, wherein the first blade cuts the printing medium by moving from a standby position to a cutting position along a first direction, and the driving pin moves integrally with the first blade; a cylindrical rotating body, wherein a guide groove engaging with the driving pin is provided on the side surface of the cylindrical rotating body; and a driving motor to rotate the rotating body, and when the rotating body rotates, the guide groove guides the first blade from the standby position to the cutting position along the first direction via the driving pin. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the printing device with the access cover closed.

[0007] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the printing device when the access cover is opened, as viewed from the +X direction.

[0008] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view of the printing device in a state where the access cover is closed.

[0009] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a cutter unit.

[0010] Figure 5 This is a diagram of the cutter unit viewed from the -Y direction.

[0011] Figure 6 is based on Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along the AA cutting line.

[0012] Figure 7 is based on Figure 5 Cross-sectional view of the BB cutting line. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Hereinafter, a printing device 1 as one embodiment of the printing device will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The printing device 1 is a so-called mobile printer and has a portable size. In addition, the following description uses directions based on the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system shown in each figure, but these directions are only for the convenience of description and do not limit the following embodiments in any way.

[0014] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the printing device 1 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a device housing 3 and an opening and closing cover 5 .

[0015] The device housing 3 is formed in a box shape with a surface in the +Z direction open, and a roll paper holder 7 is provided in the device housing 3. The roll paper holder 7 accommodates recording paper P (see Figure 3 ) The roll paper R is wound up. The roll paper R is inserted into the roll paper holder 7. The printing device 1 prints on the recording paper P pulled out from the roll paper R accommodated in the roll paper holder 7.

[0016] The opening and closing cover 5 opens and closes the roll paper holder 7. The opening and closing cover 5 is mounted to the end of the device housing 3 in the -Y direction so as to be rotatable around an axis substantially parallel to the X direction. A discharge port 9 is provided between the front end of the opening and closing cover 5, i.e., the end in the +Y direction, and the device housing 3. The discharge port 9 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the X direction.

[0017] like Figure 3 As shown, the printing device 1 includes a platen roller 11 , a thermal head 13 , and a cutting unit 15 .

[0018] The platen roller 11 is disposed inside the access cover 5 with its rotation axis direction being substantially parallel to the X direction. The platen roller 11 sandwiches the recording paper P between the thermal head 13 and is rotated by a feed motor (not shown) as a driving source, thereby pulling the recording paper P from the roll paper R and conveying it toward the discharge port 9.

[0019] The thermal head 13 is provided in the device housing 3 so as to face the platen roller 11. The thermal head 13 includes a plurality of heating elements (not shown), and prints on the recording paper P drawn out from the roll paper R.

[0020] The cutting unit 15 cuts the recording paper P behind the printed portion along the width direction of the recording paper P, that is, the X direction. The cutting unit 15 includes: a cutter unit 17 having a first blade 19; a second blade 21; and a cutter spring 23. The cutter unit 17 is provided at the end of the +Y direction in the device housing 3. The first blade 19 contacts and separates from the second blade 21, and cuts the recording paper P between the first blade 19 and the second blade 21. That is, the first blade 19 functions as a movable blade, and the second blade 21 functions as a fixed blade. The cutter unit 17 will be described in detail later.

[0021] The second blade 21 is located in the -Y direction relative to the first blade 19 and is provided on the inner side of the opening and closing cover 5. The first blade 19 and the second blade 21 overlap each other in such a manner that the first blade 19 is in the +Z direction and the second blade 21 is in the -Z direction when the first blade 19 cuts into the second blade 21. The cutter spring 23 applies a force in the +Z direction to the second blade 21 when the first blade 19 cuts into the second blade 21 so that the first blade 19 and the second blade 21 rub against each other appropriately.

[0022] like Figures 4 to 7 As shown, the cutter unit 17 includes a cutter frame 25 , a motor support member 27 , a cutter holder 29 , a cutter guide 31 , a drive motor 33 , and a power transmission unit 35 in addition to the above-mentioned first blade 19 .

[0023] The cutter frame 25 supports the first blade 19, the motor support member 27, the cutter bracket 29, the cutter guide 31, the drive motor 33 and the power transmission part 35. The cutter frame 25 includes a first frame part 37, a second frame part 39, a third frame part 41, a fourth frame part 43 and a fifth frame part 45.

[0024] The first frame portion 37 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape substantially parallel to the XZ plane. The second frame portion 39 extends from the end portion in the -X direction of the first frame portion 37 in the -Y direction and is formed in a plate shape substantially parallel to the YZ plane. The third frame portion 41 extends from the end portion in the +X direction of the first frame portion 37 in the -Y direction and is formed in a plate shape substantially parallel to the YZ plane.

[0025] The fourth frame portion 43 extends in the -Y direction from the approximately central portion in the X direction of the +Z direction end portion of the first frame portion 37, and is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape substantially parallel to the XY plane. The fourth frame portion 43 is located in the +Z direction with a slight gap with respect to the cutter holder 29, and restricts the position of the cutter holder 29 in the +Z direction.

[0026] The fifth frame portion 45 includes a connecting portion 47, a first gear support portion 49, and a second gear support portion 51. The connecting portion 47 extends in the -Z direction from the substantially central portion in the X direction of the end portion of the first frame portion 37 in the -Z direction, and is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape substantially parallel to the XZ plane. The connecting portion 47 connects the first gear support portion 49 and the second gear support portion 51. The first gear support portion 49 extends in the -Y direction from the end portion of the connecting portion 47 in the -X direction. The second gear support portion 51 extends in the -Y direction from the end portion of the connecting portion 47 in the +X direction.

[0027] The motor support member 27 is attached to the first frame portion 37 of the cutter frame 25 . The motor support member 27 supports the drive motor 33 .

[0028] The first blade 19 is integrated with the cutter support 29 and can move between a standby position and a cutting position in the Y direction. Here, the standby position refers to the position farthest from the second blade 21 in the moving range of the first blade 19, that is, the position closest to the +Y direction in the moving range of the first blade 19. In addition, the cutting position refers to the position closest to the second blade 21 in the moving range of the first blade 19, that is, the position closest to the -Y direction in the moving range of the first blade 19. Figure 6 In FIG. 1 , the first blade 19 and the cutter holder 29 are indicated by solid lines when the first blade 19 is at the standby position, and the first blade 19 and the cutter holder 29 are indicated by double-dashed lines when the first blade 19 is at the cutting position. The first blade 19 cuts the recording paper P by moving in the −Y direction from the standby position to the cutting position.

[0029] The first blade 19 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape that is long in the X direction. The first blade 19 includes a blade tip 53, two threaded fixing portions 55, and a positioning recess 57. The blade tip 53 is provided at the end of the first blade 19 in the -Y direction and is formed in a substantially "V" shape. A notch 59 is provided in the substantially central portion of the blade tip 53 in the X direction (see Figure 5 ). Thus, the recording paper P is cut while retaining a portion of the recording paper P in the width direction, so the cut recording paper P will not fall from the discharge port 9 but remain at the discharge port 9. Two threaded fixing portions 55 protrude in a roughly semicircular shape in the +Y direction from two locations symmetrical with respect to the central portion of the first blade 19 in the X direction in the end portion of the first blade 19 in the +Y direction. A blade hole (not shown) for inserting a fixing screw 61 is provided in the threaded fixing portion 55. The first blade 19 is threadedly fixed to the cutter bracket 29 by the fixing screw 61. The positioning recess 57 is provided near the end portion of the first blade 19 in the +Y direction in the -X direction. The positioning recess 57 engages with the positioning protrusion 75 of the cutter bracket 29.

[0030] The cutter holder 29 holds the first blade 19. The cutter holder 29 is provided to be slidable in the Y direction relative to the cutter guide 31. The cutter holder 29 includes a holder body 63, two first protrusions 65, two second protrusions 67, two holder protrusions 69, and a driving protrusion 71.

[0031] The bracket body 63 is formed into a roughly rectangular plate shape that is roughly parallel to the XY plane. Two first protrusions 65 protrude in the +Z direction from the +X direction end and the -X direction end of the bracket body 63 in the +Y direction. Two second protrusions 67 protrude in the +Z direction from a position between the two first protrusions 65 in the +Y direction end of the bracket body 63. The two second protrusions 67 are located in the -Z direction relative to the fourth frame portion 43. The threaded fixing portion 55 of the first blade 19 is inserted between the first protrusion 65 and the second protrusion 67. That is, a bracket hole (not shown) for inserting the fixing screw 61 is provided at a position between the first protrusion 65 and the second protrusion 67 in the bracket body 63.

[0032] The pressurizing parts 73 protrude from the two first convex parts 65 in the -Y direction. The two pressurizing parts 73 contact the end surface of the first blade 19 in the +Y direction, and pressurize the first blade 19 relative to the second blade 21 when the first blade 19 moves to the cutting position. The two pressurizing parts 73 are provided at two locations symmetrical with respect to the center of the first blade 19 in the X direction. Thus, the load received by the first blade 19 from the two pressurizing parts 73 can be uniformed in the X direction.

[0033] The positioning projection 75 protrudes in the -Y direction from the first projection 65 in the -X direction of the two first projections 65. The positioning projection 75 engages with the positioning recess 57 of the first blade 19. The first blade 19 is positioned relative to the cutter holder 29 by the engagement of the positioning projection 75 with the positioning recess 57.

[0034] The two holder protrusions 69 protrude in the -Z direction from the ends in the -X direction and the +X direction of the holder body 63. The two holder protrusions 69 engage with the inner surfaces of the two guide protrusions 78 in the X direction, respectively.

[0035] The driving protrusion 71 protrudes in the -Z direction from the substantially central portion in the X direction of the bracket body 63. The driving pin 77 protrudes in the -Z direction from the -Z direction surface of the driving protrusion 71. The driving pin 77 engages with the guide groove 93 of the driving cam 91 described later, and functions as a driving point of the first blade 19. The driving pin 77 is provided at a position corresponding to the central portion in the X direction of the first blade 19, that is, the central portion of the first blade 19 in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the first blade 19. Therefore, the load received by the first blade 19 from the driving pin 77 via the cutter bracket 29 can be made uniform in the X direction.

[0036] The cutter guide 31 is mounted on the first frame portion 37 of the cutter frame 25. The cutter guide 31 has two guide protrusions 78. The two guide protrusions 78 protrude in the +Z direction from the ends of the cutter guide 31 in the -X direction and the +X direction. The cutter holder 29 is placed in the +Z direction on the two guide protrusions 78. The two guide protrusions 78 are respectively engaged with the surfaces of the two holder protrusions 69 on the outer sides in the X direction. When the cutter holder 29 moves in the Y direction, the two guide protrusions 78 restrict the cutter holder 29 from moving in the X direction, and guide the cutter holder 29 in a manner that allows the cutter holder 29 to move in the Y direction.

[0037] The drive motor 33 is supported by the motor support member 27. The drive motor 33 is a drive source for the first blade 19. An output gear 79 is provided on the shaft of the drive motor 33. The rotation axis of the output gear 79 is substantially parallel to the X direction.

[0038] The power transmission unit 35 transmits the power of the drive motor 33 to the first blade 19 via the cutter holder 29. The power transmission unit 35 includes a first gear 81, a worm 83, a worm wheel 85, a second gear 87, a third gear 89, and a drive cam 91.

[0039] The first gear 81 and the worm 83 are rotatably supported between the first gear support portion 49 and the second gear support portion 51 with the rotation axis being substantially parallel to the X direction. The first gear 81 meshes with the output gear 79. The worm 83 is provided coaxially with the first gear 81 and rotates integrally with the first gear 81.

[0040] The worm wheel 85, the second gear 87, the third gear 89, and the driving cam 91 are rotatably provided on the first frame portion 37 so that the rotation axis is substantially parallel to the Y direction. The worm wheel 85 meshes with the worm 83. The second gear 87 is provided on the same axis as the worm wheel 85 and rotates integrally with the worm wheel 85. The third gear 89 meshes with the second gear 87. The driving cam 91 is provided on the same axis as the third gear 89 and rotates integrally with the third gear 89.

[0041] Thus, the rotation of the drive motor 33 is transmitted to the drive cam 91 via the first gear 81, the worm 83, the worm wheel 85, the second gear 87, and the third gear 89. That is, the drive motor 33 rotates the drive cam 91 via the first gear 81, the worm 83, the worm wheel 85, the second gear 87, and the third gear 89.

[0042] The driving cam 91 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The driving cam 91 is located in the -Z direction relative to the driving pin 77. A guide groove 93 is formed on the side surface, i.e., the outer peripheral surface, of the driving cam 91. The driving pin 77 engages with the guide groove 93. The guide groove 93 is formed in an annular shape in the circumferential direction of the driving cam 91, i.e., in a substantially elliptical shape inclined in the Y direction, and includes an orthogonal portion 95, a first guide groove portion 97, and a second guide groove portion 99.

[0043] The orthogonal portion 95 is provided at the end in the +Y direction of the outer peripheral surface of the driving cam 91, and extends in the direction orthogonal to the Y direction, which is the moving direction of the first blade 19, that is, in the X direction. The end in the +X direction of the orthogonal portion 95 is connected to the first guide groove portion 97, and the end in the -X direction of the orthogonal portion 95 is connected to the second guide groove portion 99. In addition, the first guide groove portion 97 refers to the range of approximately half of the circumference of the guide groove 93 from the end in the +X direction of the orthogonal portion 95 to the end in the -Y direction of the guide groove 93. In addition, the second guide groove portion 99 refers to the range of approximately half of the circumference of the guide groove 93 from the end in the -X direction of the orthogonal portion 95 to the end in the -Y direction of the guide groove 93.

[0044] When the driving pin 77 is engaged with the orthogonal portion 95, the first blade 19 is located in the standby position. At this time, the orthogonal portion 95 suppresses the driving pin 77 from moving in the Y direction. Thus, the first blade 19 is suppressed from moving in the Y direction. Therefore, even in a case where, for example, the user drops the printing device 1 on the ground or collides with an object while carrying the printing device 1, and an impact is applied to the printing device 1, the first blade 19 can be suppressed from moving in the Y direction. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the movement of the first blade 19 caused by such an impact, which causes the first blade 19 to overlap with the second blade 21 in the -X direction, which is the opposite side to the original side, and thus causes a defect in the cutting portion 15.

[0045] When the driving cam 91 rotates counterclockwise in the first rotation direction, i.e., when viewed from the -Y direction, from the state where the driving pin 77 is engaged with the orthogonal portion 95, the driving pin 77 relatively moves toward the first guide groove portion from the orthogonal portion 95. When the driving cam 91 rotates in the first rotation direction in the state where the driving pin 77 is engaged with the first guide groove portion 97, the first guide groove portion 97 guides the driving pin 77 in the -Y direction, and guides the first blade 19 from the standby position to the cutting position in the -Y direction.

[0046] When the driving cam 91 further rotates in the first rotation direction from the state where the driving pin 77 is engaged with the first guide groove portion 97, the driving pin 77 relatively moves from the first guide groove portion 97 to the second guide groove portion 99. When the driving cam 91 rotates in the first rotation direction in the state where the driving pin 77 is engaged with the second guide groove portion 99, the second guide groove portion 99 guides the driving pin 77 in the +Y direction, and guides the first blade 19 in the +Y direction from the cutting position to the standby position.

[0047] When the drive cam 91 further rotates in the first rotation direction from the state where the drive pin 77 is engaged with the second guide groove 99, the drive pin 77 relatively moves from the second guide groove 99 to the orthogonal portion 95. When the drive pin 77 returns to the orthogonal portion 95, the first blade 19 also returns to the standby position.

[0048] Thus, when the driving cam 91 rotates approximately half a circle in the first rotation direction from the state in which the driving pin 77 is engaged with the orthogonal portion 95, the driving pin 77 moves in the -Y direction, and the first blade 19 moves from the standby position to the cutting position. When the driving cam 91 further rotates approximately half a circle in the first rotation direction, the driving pin 77 moves in the +Y direction, and the first blade 19 returns from the cutting position to the standby position. Thus, the rotation direction of the driving cam 91 is the same when the first blade 19 is moved from the standby position to the cutting position in the -Y direction and when the first blade 19 is moved from the cutting position to the standby position in the +Y direction, thereby simplifying the structure and control of the cutter unit 17. In addition, the movement of the first blade 19 to the standby position and the movement to the cutting position are detected by a sensor not shown in the figure. The control circuit 101 (refer to Figure 3 ) controls the drive motor 33 according to the output of the sensor.

[0049] As described above, according to the printing device 1 of the present embodiment, while the first blade 19 moves in the Y direction, the driving pin 77, which is the driving point of the first blade 19, moves in the Y direction as one body with the first blade 19. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide two driving points at two locations symmetrical with respect to the center of the first blade 19 in the X direction in order to make the load received by the first blade 19 from the driving pin 77 via the cutter holder 29 uniform in the X direction. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide two or more components such as gears that engage with the driving points, and it is possible to cope with it with one component of the driving cam 91, so that the printing device 1 can be miniaturized.

[0050] Other Modifications

[0051] Of course, it is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various structures can be adopted within the scope of the gist thereof. For example, the above-mentioned embodiment can be changed to the following mode in addition to the above. In addition, it can also be a structure that combines the embodiment and the modified example respectively.

[0052] The guide groove 93 is not limited to a structure formed in an annular shape in the circumferential direction of the driving cam 91, and may be a structure formed only in a portion of the circumferential direction of the driving cam 91. In this case, the rotation direction of the driving cam 91 may be switched when the first blade 19 is moved from the standby position to the cutting position in the -Y direction and when the first blade 19 is moved from the cutting position to the standby position in the +Y direction.

[0053] The printing method of the printing device 1 is not limited to the thermal method, and may be, for example, an inkjet method or an electrophotographic method.

[0054] The printing device 1 is not limited to a mobile printer, and may be installed on a table, the floor, or the like.

[0055] Notes

[0056] Next, the printing device will be supplementally described.

[0057] The printing device comprises: a cutter unit having a first blade for cutting a printing medium by moving from a standby position to a cutting position along a first direction and a driving pin that moves integrally with the first blade; a cylindrical rotating body having a guide groove on a side surface that engages with the driving pin; and a driving motor that rotates the rotating body, and when the rotating body rotates, the guide groove guides the first blade from the standby position to the cutting position along the first direction via the driving pin.

[0058] According to this structure, during the movement of the first blade in the first direction, the driving pin that becomes the driving point of the first blade is integrated with the first blade and moves in the first direction. Therefore, it is not necessary to set two driving points at two locations symmetrical with respect to the central part of the third direction of the first blade in order to make the load received by the first blade from the driving pin uniform in the third direction orthogonal to the first direction. Therefore, it is not necessary to set more than two parts such as gears that engage with the driving points, and it can be handled by one part, that is, the rotating body, so that the printing device can be miniaturized.

[0059] The driving cam 91 is an example of a “rotating body.” The -Y direction is an example of a “first direction.” The X direction is an example of a “third direction.”

[0060] In this case, it is preferred that the guide groove is formed in an annular shape in the circumferential direction of the rotating body, and when the rotating body rotates one circle, the guide groove guides the first blade from the standing position to the cutting position along a first direction via the driving pin, and then guides the first blade from the cutting position to the standing position along a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0061] According to this configuration, the rotation direction of the rotating body is the same when the first blade is moved from the standby position to the cutting position in the first direction and when the first blade is moved from the cutting position to the standby position in the second direction, thereby simplifying the configuration and control of the cutter unit.

[0062] In addition, the +Y direction is an example of the “second direction”.

[0063] In this case, it is preferable that the guide groove has an orthogonal portion extending in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the drive pin engages with the orthogonal portion when the first blade is located at the standby position.

[0064] According to this configuration, even when an impact is applied to the printing device when the first blade is located at the standby position, movement of the first blade in the first direction can be suppressed.

[0065] In this case, it is preferable that the driving pin is provided at a position corresponding to the center portion of the first blade in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction.

[0066] According to this configuration, the load received by the first blade from the driving pin can be made uniform in the third direction.

Claims

1. A printing device, characterized in that: have: a cutter unit having a first blade and a drive pin, the first blade cutting the print medium by moving in a first direction from a standby position to a cutting position, the drive pin moving integrally with the first blade; a cylindrical rotating body, wherein a guide groove engaging with the driving pin is provided on a side surface of the cylindrical rotating body; as well as A driving motor is provided to rotate the rotating body. When the rotating body rotates, the guide groove guides the first blade from the waiting position to the cutting position along the first direction via the driving pin. The driving pin is provided at a position corresponding to the center portion of the first blade in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that The guide groove is formed in an annular shape in the circumferential direction of the rotating body. When the rotating body rotates once, the guide groove guides the first blade from the waiting position to the cutting position in the first direction via the driving pin, and then guides the first blade from the cutting position to the waiting position in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

3. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The guide groove has an orthogonal portion extending in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction, When the first blade is located at the standby position, the driving pin engages with the orthogonal portion.

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