Pinch roll mechanism of drawing machine

Abstract

The pinch roll mechanism includes: a slider movably supported by a rail in a left-right direction; a roller support member that moves in the vertical direction while being supported by the slider; and a pinch roll which is rotatably supported by the roll support member. The slider includes a window that exposes the pinch roller upward at a diagonal position on an upstream side in the conveying direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plotter pinch roller mechanism for biasing the pinch roller toward a medium. Background Art

[0002] As disclosed in JP 6046998 B (Document 1), for example, a cutting plotter is provided with a plurality of pinch rollers for pressing the medium to be cut against a roller for driving the medium. The position of the pinch roller needs to be changed according to the size of the medium to be cut. For this reason, the pinch roller is configured to be movable in a first direction (hereinafter, this direction is referred to as the "left-right direction"), which intersects with the conveying direction of the medium to be cut (hereinafter, the conveying direction is referred to as the "front-back direction") and is parallel to the horizontal direction. When moving the pinch roller, it is necessary to keep the pinch roller spaced apart from the medium drive roller. Document 1 discloses a pinch roller mechanism that can be manually switched between a configuration in which the pinch roller is pressed against the medium drive roller and a configuration in which the pinch roller is spaced apart from the medium drive roller.

[0003] In document 1, the pinch roller is supported by a track member extending in the left-right direction via a pinch roller mechanism. The pinch roller mechanism includes a support member arranged below the track member and supported by the track member, and an arm member extending in the front-to-back direction and supported by the lower end of the support member so as to be swingable in the up-down direction. The arm member is supported by the support member in the middle part in the front-to-back direction. The pinch roller is arranged at the front end of the arm member at the front of the device, and the drive mechanism is connected to the rear end of the arm member. The rear end of the arm member is biased upward by a spring member. The drive mechanism is configured to push the rear end of the arm member downward by a cam member operated by a lever. The pressing of the pinch roller is released by pressing the rear end of the arm member downward.

[0004] The pinch roller mechanism disclosed in document 1 is large because the track member and the pinch roller mechanism are aligned in the up-down direction. In addition, because it is configured to drive the arm member using a cam member, the number of parts is large and the cost is high. Therefore, it is difficult to use the pinch roller mechanism disclosed in document 1 for a cutting plotter for consumer use. Examples of pinch roller mechanisms used in cutting plotters for consumer use include, for example, the pinch roller mechanism disclosed in JP 2017-186109 A (document 2).

[0005] The pinch roller mechanism disclosed in Document 2 includes an axial member extending from the left end to the right end of the cutting plotter and a cylindrical pinch roller member through which the axial member passes. The pinch roller member includes pinch rollers on the same axis. In the pinch roller mechanism, a pressing force for pressing the pinch roller onto the medium driving roller is transmitted to the pinch roller via the axial member.

[0006] By having the configuration disclosed in Document 2, it is possible to reduce the number of components compared with the configuration disclosed in Document 1. However, it is difficult to use the pinch roller mechanism disclosed in Document 2 for a large-sized cutting plotter. This is because the pressing force of the pinch roller onto the medium drive roller is weakened due to the deflection of the center portion of the axial member. As disclosed in JP 2021-195181 A (Document 3), such a problem can be solved to a certain extent by using a track having high rigidity and made of a drawn material instead of the axial member that causes the deflection.

[0007] The pinch roller mechanism disclosed in document 3 includes a sliding member, which is movably supported in the left-right direction by a track having high rigidity and made of a drawn material. A roller support member including a pinch roller is movably supported in the up-down direction by the sliding member. The pinch roller is rotatably supported by the roller support member. The roller support member is biased downward by a spring member provided between the sliding member and the roller support member. The track is formed into a strip shape having a wide width in the front-back direction to increase rigidity, and covers the sliding member and the roller support member from above.

[0008] However, in the pinch roller mechanism disclosed in Document 3, since the pinch roller is hidden under the rail, there is a problem that the position of the pinch roller cannot be determined so that the desired position of the medium to be cut is pressed by the pinch roller. Summary of the invention

[0009] The present invention is directed to providing a plotter pinch roller mechanism capable of improving the visibility of the pinch roller even when a rail having high rigidity is used.

[0010] According to aspects of the present invention, a pinch roller mechanism of a plotter includes: a track extending in a first direction above a workbench to which a sheet-shaped medium is conveyed, the first direction intersecting with a conveying direction of the medium and being parallel to a horizontal direction; a slider supported by the track and movable in the first direction while the track passes through the slider; a roller support member configured to move in an up-and-down direction while being supported by the slider; a pinch roller supported by the roller support member and rotatable around an axis in the first direction; a spring arranged between the slider and the roller support member and configured to bias the roller support member downward; and a press-release mechanism including an operating lever swingably supported by the slider, and configured to push the roller support member upward against a spring force of the spring by an operating force applied to the operating lever, wherein the slider includes a window exposing the pinch roller upward at a diagonal position on an upstream side along the conveying direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 A perspective view of a cutting plotter including a pinch roller mechanism according to a first embodiment is shown.

[0012] Figure 2 A side view of the pinch roller unit is shown.

[0013] Figure 3 A plan view of a pinch roller unit is shown.

[0014] Figure 4 A perspective cross-sectional view of the track is shown.

[0015] Figure 5 A perspective view of a pinch roller unit is shown.

[0016] Figure 6 An exploded perspective view of the pinch roller unit is shown from a diagonal position upwards.

[0017] Figure 7 An exploded perspective view of the pinch roller unit is shown from a diagonal position downward.

[0018] Figure 8 A perspective view of the sliding member from a diagonal position upward is shown.

[0019] Fig. 9 A perspective view of the sliding member from a diagonal position downward is shown.

[0020] Fig.10 Shown along Figure 2 Cross-sectional view along line XX in FIG.

[0021] Fig.11 A perspective cross-sectional cutaway view of a significant portion of a pinch roller unit illustrating a break is shown.

[0022] Fig.12 Shown along Figure 2 Cross-sectional view along line XII-XII in FIG.

[0023] Fig.13 A perspective view of a right roller support member and a left roller support member is shown.

[0024] Fig.14 Shown along Figure 3 Cross-sectional view along line XIV-XIV in FIG.

[0025] FIG. 15A to FIG. 15C A perspective view of an operating lever is shown. Specifically, Fig.15A A perspective view showing the operating lever from the front in a diagonal position upwards, Fig. 15B shows a perspective view of the operating lever from behind in a diagonal position looking downward, and Fig. 15C An enlarged perspective view of the front end of the lever portion is shown.

[0026] Fig.16 A cross-sectional view of the pinch roller unit is shown when the operating lever is positioned in the operating position.

[0027] Fig.17 An enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of a push-to-release mechanism is shown.

[0028] Fig.18 A perspective view showing a pinch roller unit according to a second embodiment is shown.

[0029] Fig.19 A perspective view of the operating lever is shown.

[0030] Fig. 20 A perspective view of a roller support member is shown.

[0031] Fig.21 A side view of the important parts is shown when the operating lever is positioned in the retracted position.

[0032] Fig. 22 A side view of an important part is shown when the roller supporting member is pressed by the operating lever.

[0033] Fig.23 A side view of the important parts is shown when the operating lever is positioned in the operating position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] First embodiment

[0035] The following will refer to Figures 1 to 17 A first embodiment of the pinch roller mechanism for a plotter according to the present invention will be described in detail. Figure 1 The cutting plotter 1 shown in the figure is used to cut out graphics and characters from a sheet-shaped medium 2 to be cut (hereinafter referred to as "medium 2" for short). The cutting plotter 1 includes a workbench 3 on which the medium 2 is conveyed and a pen holder 4 for supporting a cutting pen (not shown). The medium 2 may be a single sheet, a rolled sheet, or the like.

[0036] Workbench and pen holder

[0037] The workbench 3 is formed to be in the conveying direction of the medium 2 ( Figure 1 The direction from the lower left to the upper right in the middle) and the left-right direction that intersects the transmission direction and is parallel to the horizontal direction ( Figure 1 Hereinafter, the downstream of the medium 2 in the conveying direction is referred to as the “rear side”, and the upstream of the medium 2 in the conveying direction is referred to as the “front side”.

[0038] The medium driving roller 5 is arranged on the lower part of the workbench 3. On the workbench 3, there is an opening (not shown) in which the upper surface of the medium driving roller 5 is exposed. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the medium 2 is conveyed by rotating the medium driving roller 5 while being sandwiched between the medium driving roller 5 and the pinch roller 6 .

[0039] The pen holder 4 has a function of driving a cutting pen (not shown) in the up-down direction, and is configured to be movable in the left-right direction. The "up-down direction" herein is a vertical direction intersecting the workbench 3. The medium 2 is cut by attaching the cutting pen to the pen holder 4, rotating the medium drive roller 5 in the forward or reverse direction with the medium 2 being sandwiched between the medium drive roller 5 and the pinch roller 6, and piercing the cutting pen into the medium 2 and moving the cutting pen together with the pen holder 4 in the left-right direction.

[0040] Overview of Pinch Rolls

[0041] The pinch rollers 6 are respectively arranged in pinch roller units 7 and 8, which are shown in the figure in Figure 1 In the left and right parts near the middle workbench 3. In the following, for convenience, Figure 1 The pinch roller unit on the right side is referred to as “first pinch roller unit 7 ”, and the pinch roller unit on the left side is referred to as “second pinch roller unit 8 ”. The first pinch roller unit 7 and the second pinch roller unit 8 are supported by rails 9 located near the upper portion of the table 3 .

[0042] The track 9 together with the first pinch roller unit 7 and the second pinch roller unit 8 constitute a pinch roller mechanism 11 (see Figure 2 The rail 9 extends in the left-right direction so as to extend from the left end portion to the right end portion of the workbench 3 near the upper portion of the workbench 3. Both ends of the rail 9 are fixed to a frame (not shown) of the cutting plotter 1.

[0043] track

[0044] The rail 9 is formed of a drawn material having a predetermined cross section. Figure 4 As shown in , the rail 9 according to the present embodiment is formed so that the cross section is substantially a right triangle. The rail 9 is used in a posture in which the inclined surface 9a faces rearward and upward and the front surface 9b extends in the up-down direction. A first groove 9c extending in the left-right direction is formed on the inclined surface 9a of the rail 9, and a second groove 9d extending in the left-right direction is formed on the front surface 9b. In addition, a third groove 9e extending in the left-right direction is formed on the rear end portion of the rail 9.

[0045] The plate-like member 12 used for positioning the first pinch roller unit 7 in the left-right direction, which will be described below, is attached to the first groove 9c. A recess 13 is formed on the upper surface of the plate-like member 12. The recesses 13 are respectively formed at a plurality of positions arranged at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction. As will be described in detail later, the first pinch roller unit 7 is configured so that when a standard-based medium 2 is used, a portion of the first pinch roller unit 7 is assembled into the recess 13, and the pinch roller 6 is positioned in an optimal position on the medium 2.

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the second groove 9d and the third groove 9e engage with the first engaging member 14 and the second engaging member 15 which will be described later and are provided on the first pinch roller unit 7. The first engaging member 14 and the second engaging member 15 engage with the second groove 9d and the third groove 9e, thereby preventing the first pinch roller unit 7 from disengaging upward relative to the rail 9. Although not shown in detail, similar to the first pinch roller unit 7, the second pinch roller unit 8 is also prevented from disengaging by engaging with the rail 9.

[0047] Pinch Roller Unit

[0048] The first pinch roller unit 7 and the second pinch roller unit 8 are configured by assembling various functional components to sliding members (slide blocks) 16 and 17, and the rail 9 passes through the sliding members (slide blocks) 16 and 17 in the left-right direction, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 The second pinch roller unit 8 is different from the first pinch roller unit 7 only in some parts. For this reason, the first pinch roller unit 7 will be described in detail herein, but the second pinch roller unit 8 will be described only when necessary.

[0049] like Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown in , the sliding member 16 of the first pinch roller unit 7 is formed in the form of a quadrilateral frame when viewed from above. Specifically, the sliding member 16 includes: a right arm 18 and a left arm 19 extending in the front-to-rear direction while being spaced apart from each other in the left-to-right direction; a front connecting portion 20 connecting the front ends of the right arm 18 and the left arm 19 to each other; and a rear connecting portion 21 connecting the rear ends of the right arm 18 and the left arm 19 to each other. A window portion (window) 22 composed of a quadrilateral through hole is formed on the central portion of the sliding member 16. A movable side portion mark 20a for identifying the movable side portion is formed on the upper surface of the front connecting portion 20. As shown Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 2 , the movable side mark 20 a is formed near the opening of the window portion 22 and in the same position as the pinch roller 6 in the left-right direction.

[0050] At the same time, if Figure 5As shown in FIG. 1 , a fixed side mark 23 for identifying the fixed side is formed on the front end portion of the table 3. When the standard-based medium 2 is used, the fixed side mark 23 serves as a guide for the position of the pinch roller 6. By aligning the fixed side mark 23 with the movable side mark 20a formed on the slide member 16 in the front-rear direction, when the standard-based medium 2 is used, the pinch roller 6 is positioned in the optimal position for the corresponding medium 2.

[0051] like Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , a recessed portion 24 for passing the rail 9 is formed on the lower portion of the front side portion of the slide member 16. The first engaging member 14 and the second engaging member 15 described above are formed on the recessed portion 24, and the recessed portion 24 is formed so that the rail 9 can be movably fitted into the recessed portion 24. Therefore, with the rail 9 fitted into the recessed portion 24, the slide member 16 is movably supported by the rail 9 in the left-right direction, wherein the rail 9 passes through the slide member 16 in the left-right direction. The first engaging member 14 protrudes rearward on the front end portion of the recessed portion 24. The second engaging member 15 protrudes forward on the rear end portion of the recessed portion 24.

[0052] like Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 1 , in the sliding member 16 used in the first pinch roller unit 7, a protrusion 25 is formed on a recessed portion 24 located on a portion of the inclined surface 9a facing the rail 9. The protrusion 25 is formed to fit into a recess 13 formed on a plate-like member 12 provided on the rail 9. By fitting the protrusion 25 into the recess 13 formed on the plate-like member 12, when the first pinch roller unit 7 moves along the rail 9, resistance is increased, and thus the operator can feel a moderate feeling.

[0053] like Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , cavities 26a and 26b opening in the upward and downward directions are formed on the right arm 18 and the left arm 19, respectively. A pair of right roller support members 27 and left roller support members 28 (see FIG. 1 ) for supporting the pinch roller 6 Figure 6 and Figure 7 ) are inserted into cavities 26a and 26b from the bottom.

[0054] The pinch roller 6 is rotatably supported by a shaft 31 extending in the left-right direction via a bearing member 32. Fig.10 . Both ends of the shaft 31 are fixed to the roller support members 27 and 28, respectively. The shaft 31 according to the present embodiment is fixed to the roller support members 27 and 28, wherein the shaft 31 passes through a tubular spacer 33. The spacer 33 is used to define the position of the pinch roller 6 in the left-right direction, and is interposed between the pinch roller 6 and the left roller support member 28.

[0055] The right roller support member 27 and the left roller support member 28 are formed symmetrically in the left-right direction and are formed to extend in the front-rear direction (the medium conveying direction). The right roller support member 27 and the left roller support member 28 have rear end portions (first end portions) 27a and 28a and front end portions (second end portions) 27b and 28b, which are opposite ends to each other in the front-rear direction.

[0056] Through holes 34 and 35 extending in the left-right direction are formed on the rear end portions 27a and 28a of the right roller support member 27 and the left roller support member 28. Both ends of the shaft 31 supporting the pinch roller 6 are fitted in the through holes 34 and 35 to be fixed therein. The cross section of the fitting portion between the shaft 31 and the right roller support member 27 / left roller support member 28 is formed in a D shape so that the shaft 31 does not rotate. When the shaft 31 is mounted on the right roller support member 27 and the left roller support member 28, the pinch roller 6 is supported by the rear end portions 27a and 28a of the right roller support member 27 and the left roller support member 28.

[0057] The right roller support member 27 and the left roller support member 28 are movably supported in the up-down direction by the slide member 16 at the middle portion in the conveying direction. Specifically, the right roller support member 27 is formed so that it can be inserted into the cavity 26a in the right arm 18 from below. The left roller support member 28 is formed so that it can be inserted into the cavity 26b in the left arm 19 from below. The lower support pins 36a and 36b (see FIG. 1 ) each extending in the left-right direction Fig.10 ) is fixed to the middle portions of the right roller support member 27 and the left roller support member 28 in the front-rear direction, which are inserted into the cavities 26a and 26b. The lower support pin 36a attached to the right roller support member 27 is pivotally fitted into a through hole 37 formed on the lower end portion of the right arm 18. The lower support pin 36b of the left roller support member 28 is pivotally fitted into a through hole 38 formed on the lower end portion of the left arm 19.

[0058] In this manner, the right roller support member 27 and the left roller support member 28 are supported by the slide member 16 via the lower support pins 36a and 36b, respectively. Thus, when the pinch roller 6 is rotatably supported by the right roller support member 27 and the left roller support member 28 about its axis in the left-right direction, the pinch roller 6 is movably supported by the slide member 16 in the up-down direction via the right roller support member 27 and the left roller support member 28.

[0059] like Fig.11 and Fig.12As shown in FIG. 1 , a right spring member (spring) 39 composed of a compression coil spring is inserted in a compressed state between the rear end portion 27a of the right roller supporting member 27 and the rear end portion 18a of the right arm 18. In addition, a left spring member (spring) 40 composed of a compression coil spring is inserted in a compressed state between the rear end portion 28a of the left roller supporting member 28 and the rear end portion 19a of the left arm 19. Therefore, the rear end portion 27a of the right roller supporting member 27 and the rear end portion 28a of the left roller supporting member 28 are biased downward relative to the sliding member 16 by the right spring member 39 and the left spring member 40.

[0060] Furthermore, when the pinch roller 6 is supported by the slide member 16 via the right roller support member 27 and the left roller support member 28, the pinch roller 6 is disposed below the rear connecting portion 21 of the slide member 16, as shown in FIG. Fig.12 As shown in Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 2 , the pinch roller 6 in this position can be seen through the window portion 22 from above the diagonal position on the upstream side in the conveying direction.

[0061] The front portion of the right roller support member 27 and the front portion of the left roller support member 28 are formed to extend upward and forward from the lower support pins 36a and 36b, as shown in FIG. Fig.11 As shown in Fig.13 As shown in FIG. 4 , a substantially flat pressure receiving surface 41 extending in the front-to-rear direction and a protrusion 42 protruding upward from the pressure receiving surface 41 are formed on the upper end portions of the front portions of the right roller support member 27 and the left roller support member 28. Recesses 43 are formed on the pressure receiving surfaces 41, respectively. The recesses 43 are formed on the front end portions of the right roller support member 27 and the left roller support member 28 so as to be open upward and forward, and are partially defined by a vertical wall 44 extending in the left-right direction and the up-down direction and facing forward. A stopper 55 on the operating lever 46 described later is inserted into the recess 43.

[0062] The pressure receiving surfaces 41 and the protrusions 42 of the right roller supporting member 27 and the left roller supporting member 28 in the first pinch roller unit 7 form a press release mechanism 45 (see FIG. 4 ) described later. Fig.14 The pressing release mechanism 45 is used to release the pressing of the pinch roller 6 on the medium driving roller 5.

[0063] The push release mechanism 45 is composed of the pressure receiving surface 41 and the protrusion 42 described above and an operation lever 46 provided on the slide member 16 of the first pinch roller unit 7. The operation lever 46 is formed in a U shape, as shown in FIG. FIG. 15A to FIG. 15C. The operating lever 46 includes a gripping portion 46a extending in the left-right direction and a pair of lever portions 46b and 46c extending from both ends of the gripping portion 46a in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the left-right direction. A first end of the lever portion 46b is connected to a first end of the gripping portion 46a, and a first end of the lever portion 46c is connected to a second end of the gripping portion 46a.

[0064] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the lever portions 46b and 46c are provided on both left and right side portions of the window portion 22 of the slide member 16. The pivot ends (second ends) of the lever portions 46b and 46c are positioned above the front end portions 27b and 28b of the right roller supporting member 27 and the left roller supporting member 28, and are swingably supported by the right arm 18 and the left arm 19 of the slide member 16 through upper support pins 47a and 47b, respectively.

[0065] The upper support pins 47a and 47b pass through the pivot ends of the lever portions 46b and 46c so as to extend in the left-right direction and are fixed to the pivot ends. Both ends of the upper support pins 47a and 47b are pivotally fitted to through holes 48 formed on the right arm 18 and the left arm 19 of the slide member 16. The operating lever 46 according to the present embodiment can swing around the upper support pins 47a and 47b. The operating lever 46 can take a retracted configuration in which the gripping portion 46a moves backward and overlaps with the upper end of the slide member 16, such as Figure 5 and Fig.14 and a lifting configuration, wherein the gripping portion 46a is lifted upwardly, spaced apart from the sliding member 16, as Fig.16 When the operating lever 46 takes the retracted configuration, the gripping portion 46a overlaps with the rear connecting portion 21 of the sliding member 16. Hereinafter, the position of the operating lever 46 taking the retracted configuration is referred to as the "retracted position", and the position of the operating lever 46 taking the raised configuration is referred to as the "operated position".

[0066] like Fig. 15CAs shown in , the pressing portion 51 is provided at the pivoting ends of the lever portions 46b and 46c. The pressing portion 51 is used to press downward the front end portion 27b of the right roller support member 27 and the front end portion 28b of the left roller support member 28. The pressing portion 51 according to the present embodiment is composed of a pair of left and right pressing pieces 52, which extend below and in front of the upper support pins 47a and 47b (through holes 48) when the operating lever 46 is in the retracted configuration. Each pressing piece 52 includes: a lower surface 52a, which is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the operating lever 46 in the retracted configuration; and a pressing surface 52b, which extends forward and upward from the front end portion of the lower surface 52a. The recess 53 is formed on the middle portion of the pressing surface 52b. A curved surface 52c having a predetermined curvature is formed on a portion between the lower surface 52a and the pressing surface 52b.

[0067] The pressing portion 51 faces the pressure receiving surface 41 formed on the front end portions 27b and 28b of the roller support members 27 and 28. Fig.14 As shown in FIG. 4 , when the operating lever 46 is positioned in the retracted position, the lower surface 52 a of the pressing piece 52 constituting the pressing portion 51 faces the pressure receiving surface 41. Fig.16 As shown in FIG. 4 , when the operation lever 46 is lifted to be in the operation position, the pressing surface 52 b of the pressing piece 52 faces the pressure receiving surface 41 .

[0068] like Fig.14 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the rear end portions 27a and 28a of the roller support members 27 and 28 are pressed downward by the spring members 39 and 40, the distance between the pressure receiving surface 41 / protrusion 42 of the front end portions 27b and 28b and the upper support pins 47a and 47b is greater than the distance between the upper support pins 47a and 47b and the lower surface 52a of the pressing member 52, but is smaller than the distance between the upper support pins 47a and 47b and the pressing surface 52b of the pressing member 52. Therefore, when the operating lever 46 is in the Fig.14 In the retracted position shown in FIG. 2 , the lower surface 52 a of the pressing piece 52 is spaced apart from the pressure receiving surface 41 and the protrusion 42 formed on the front end portions 27 b and 28 b of the roller supporting members 27 and 28 .

[0069] When the operating lever 46 is moved from Fig.14 The retracted position shown in Fig.16, the curved surface 52c between the lower surface 52a and the pressing surface 52b contacts from above the pressure receiving surface 41 and the protrusion 42 formed on the front end portions 27b and 28b of the right roller supporting member 27 and the left roller supporting member 28. While the curved surface 52c contacts the pressure receiving surface 41 and the protrusion 42, as the operating lever 46 further swings in the lifting direction, the front end portions 27b and 28b of the right roller supporting member 27 and the left roller supporting member 28 are pushed downward by the pressing piece 52. At this time, the rear end portions 27a and 28a of the right roller supporting member 27 and the left roller supporting member 28 move upward against the spring force of the spring members 39 and 40, and the pinch roller 6 moves upward to separate from the medium driving roller 5.

[0070] That is, the press release mechanism 45 pushes the rear end portions 27 a and 28 a of the right and left roller supporting members 27 and 28 upward against the spring forces of the spring members 39 and 40 by means of the operating force applied to the operating lever 46 .

[0071] The distance between the curved surface 52c and the upper support pins 47a and 47b is shorter than the distance between the upper support pins 47a and 47b and the gripping portion 46a. Therefore, by gripping and pulling up the gripping portion 46a so that the pressing piece 52 presses the right roller support member 27 and the left roller support member 28, the gripping portion 46a can be slightly operated using the principle of leverage.

[0072] like Fig.16 As shown in , when the operating lever 46 reaches the operating position in the lifting configuration, the pressing surface 52b of the operating lever 46 is formed so as to overlap with the pressure receiving surface 41. In addition, the recessed portion 53 on the pressure receiving surface 41 is formed at a position where the protrusion 42 is inserted when the pressing surface 52b overlaps with the pressure receiving surface 41. When the configuration is in a position in which the pressing surface 52b overlaps with the pressure receiving surface 41 so that the protrusion 42 is inserted into the recessed portion 53, the operating lever 46 basically functions as a tension rod, and the right roller supporting member 27 and the left roller supporting member 28 are held at the position (the position in which the pinch roller 6 is spaced apart from the medium driving roller 5) against the spring force of the spring members 39 and 40.

[0073] That is, the pivot end portion (including the pressing portion 51) of the operating lever 46 and the front end portions 27b and 28b of the right roller supporting member 27 and the left roller supporting member 28 have a holding structure 54 that holds the operating lever 46 in the operating position in which the operating lever 46 takes the lifted configuration. The holding structure 54 is constituted by the protruding portion 42 of the roller supporting members 27 and 28 and the recessed portion 53 of the operating lever 46. By holding the operating lever 46 in the operating position in this manner, the slide member 16 can be held with one hand and moved in the left-right direction along the rail 9.

[0074] like Fig. 15C As shown in FIG. 5 , a stopper 55 is provided between a pair of pressing members 52 constituting the pressing portion 51. The stopper 55 is intended to restrict the operating lever 46 from further swinging when the operating lever 46 has been swung to the operating position. Fig.17 As shown in FIG. 4 , when the operating lever 46 is positioned in the operating position, the stopper 55 is formed to face the vertical wall 44 formed on the front end portions 27 b and 28 b of the right roller supporting member 27 and the left roller supporting member 28. Therefore, when the operating lever 46 swings beyond the operating position, the stopper 55 abuts against the vertical wall 44 so as to restrict the operating lever 46 from swinging further.

[0075] Unlike the first pinch roller unit 7, the second pinch roller unit 8 is not provided with an operating lever 46. The other structures of the second pinch roller unit 8 are substantially the same as those of the first pinch roller unit 7. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 4 , the second pinch roller unit 8 is provided with a cover 56 instead of the operation lever 46 . The cover 56 is fixed to the upper end portion of the slide member 17 .

[0076] Operation and beneficial effects

[0077] When using the cutting plotter 1 equipped with the pinch roller mechanism 11 configured in this manner, the pinch roller 6 is first arranged at a position conforming to the width dimension of the medium 2 to be used. In this case, the gripping portion 46a of the operating lever 46 of the first pinch roller unit 7 is held so that the operating lever 46 is lifted to be in the operating position. By positioning the operating lever 46 in the operating position, the pinch roller 6 is moved upward by the pressing release mechanism 45, spaced apart from the medium drive roller 5, and the operating lever 46 is held in the lifted configuration by the holding structure 54. Therefore, when the hand is released from the operating lever 46, it is possible to move the first pinch roller unit 7 along the rail 9.

[0078] Then, the first pinch roller unit 7 is moved to align the mark 20a of the first pinch roller unit 7 with the target mark 23 of the workbench 3. The sliding member 16 of the first pinch roller unit 7 includes a window portion 22, which exposes the pinch roller 6 to a direction above the front side (upstream in the conveying direction) at a diagonal position. Therefore, the operation can be performed while observing the pinch roller 6 through the window portion 22.

[0079] When the first pinch roller unit 7 moves to the desired position, the protrusion 25 of the slide member 16 fits into the recess 13 formed on the plate-like member 12 of the rail 9, thereby increasing the resistance when moving the first pinch roller unit 7. The recess 13 is formed so that when the pinch roller 6 is positioned at the pinch roller position predetermined for each size of the medium 2, the protrusion 25 fits into the recess 13. Therefore, it is possible to notify the operator that the pinch roller position for the corresponding size of the medium 2 has been reached.

[0080] At this time, the operator determines whether the pinch roller 6 has reached the desired position by observing the pinch roller 6 from the window portion 22. If the position of the pinch roller 6 is not near the end of the medium 2, the first pinch roller unit 7 is further advanced. At the same time, when the pinch roller 6 is in the desired position, the operator positions the operating lever 46 to the retracted position by pulling the operating lever 46 backward and downward. When the operating lever 46 is positioned in the retracted position, the pressing portion 51 moves upward from the right roller supporting member 27 and the left roller supporting member 28 to lower the rear end portions 27a and 28a of the right roller supporting member 27 and the left roller supporting member 28 by the spring force of the spring members 39 and 40, so that the pinch roller 6 is pressed onto the medium driving roller 5.

[0081] Since the rail 9 is formed of a drawn material that is more rigid than a pipe or the like, the pressing force does not decrease even if the pinch roller 6 is located in, for example, the center portion of the table 3 in the left-right direction.

[0082] Thereafter, the medium driving roller 5 is driven to sandwich the medium 2 between the medium driving roller 5 and the pinch roller 6 to position the medium 2 at a predetermined cutting start position. In this case, it is possible to cut the medium 2 with the cutting plotter 1.

[0083] Therefore, according to the pinch roller mechanism 11 of the present embodiment, since the window portion 22 is formed on the sliding member 16 through which the rail 9 passes, the pinch roller 6 can be seen from the window portion 22 without being blocked by the rail 9. Therefore, even if a high-rigidity rail is used as the rail 9, it is possible to provide a plotter pinch roller mechanism 11 in which visibility of the pinch roller 6 is improved.

[0084] In the pinch roller mechanism 11 according to the present embodiment, multiple functions of the mechanism supporting the pinch roller 6, the press release mechanism 45, etc. can be gathered to be installed near the rail 9. Therefore, since the pinch roller mechanism 11 is compact and inexpensive, it can be integrated on a small plotter for consumers to use.

[0085] The operating lever 46 according to the present embodiment includes a pressing portion 51 that presses downward the front end portions 27b and 28b of the right roller support member 27 and the left roller support member 28. Therefore, since the right roller support member 27 and the left roller support member 28 can be directly pressed by the operating lever 46 to release the pressing of the pinch roller 6, no other member (e.g., a cam member) is required to release the pressing of the pinch roller 6. Therefore, the number of components is reduced, making it possible to achieve further miniaturization and cost reduction.

[0086] The operating lever 46 according to the present embodiment is formed in a U shape, and by holding and pulling up the gripping portion 46a located at the center portion in the left-right direction by hand, the right roller supporting member 27 and the left roller supporting member 28 can be pushed by the pressing portion 51 located opposite to the gripping portion 46a. Therefore, although the right roller supporting member 27 and the left roller supporting member 28 are pressed against the spring force of the spring members 39 and 40, it is possible to operate easily using the principle of leverage.

[0087] The pinch roller mechanism 11 according to the present embodiment is provided with a holding structure 54 that holds the operating lever 46 in the operating position. Therefore, when the pinch roller 6 is moved, the hand can be removed from the operating lever 46, thereby allowing easy operation.

[0088] When positioned in the retracted position, the operating lever 46 according to the present embodiment is positioned at the rear side (downstream in the conveying direction) of the pivot ends of the lever portions 46b and 46c. For this reason, by extending a hand from the front side of the cutting plotter 1 toward the operating lever 46, holding the grip portion 46a and holding the grip portion 46a to the near side, the operating lever 46 can be lifted, thereby allowing easy operation.

[0089] Second embodiment

[0090] The pinch roller unit can be Figure 18 to Figure 23 Configure as shown in . Fig.18 The pinch roller unit 61 shown in FIG. 1 is designed to be compact and to be used with Figures 1 to 17 The structure of the pinch roller unit 7 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is substantially equivalent to that of the pinch roller unit 7 in the first embodiment. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to components having the same functions as those of the pinch roller unit 7 even though the shapes are different. A detailed description of those components will be provided only when necessary.

[0091] The pinch roller unit 61 according to the present embodiment is different from the pinch roller unit 7 according to the first embodiment in the direction in which the operation lever 46 of the press-release mechanism 45 is operated. Fig.18The operating lever 46 shown in FIG. 4 is formed so that the gripping portion 46a overlaps the front connecting portion 20 of the slide member 16 from above in the retracted configuration. Fig.19 As shown in FIG. 4 , the pressing portion 51 of the operation lever 46 includes a protrusion 62 and a pair of flat surfaces 63 connected to left and right side portions of the protrusion 62 .

[0092] Meanwhile, the front end portions 27b and 28b of the right roller supporting member 27 and the left roller supporting member 28 according to the present embodiment include the pressure receiving surface 41 facing upward and the stopper 64 protruding upward from the front end portions of the pressure receiving surface 41, as shown in FIG. Fig. 20 The rear end portions 27a and 28a of the right roller supporting member 27 and the left roller supporting member 28 have a structure substantially equivalent to that in the first embodiment.

[0093] When the operating lever 46 according to the present embodiment is positioned in the retracted position, the pressing portion 51 is positioned above the front end portions 27b and 28b of the right roller supporting member 27 and the left roller supporting member 28, as shown in FIG. Fig.21 When the gripping portion 46a of the operating lever 46 is lifted, the operating lever 46 is lifted from the retracted position so that the protrusion 62 on the pressing portion 51 pushes the pressure receiving surface 41 downward, as shown in FIG. Fig. 22 As the protrusion 62 presses the pressure receiving surface 41 , the pinch roller 6 moves upward and separates from the medium driving roller 5 .

[0094] Then, when the operating lever 46 is further lifted, the flat surface 63 of the pressing portion 51 overlaps with the pressure receiving surface 41, as shown in FIG. Fig.23 . In this condition, the pinch roller 6 is lowered downward so that a gap through which the medium 2 can pass is formed between the medium drive roller 5 and the pinch roller 6. In the present embodiment, when the operating lever 46 is lifted in this manner, the operating lever 46 is in the operating position. When the operating lever 46 is positioned in the operating position, the operating lever 46 is held in the operating position by the holding structure 54 composed of the flat surface 63 and the pressure receiving surface 41. When the operating lever 46 moves beyond the operating position, the protrusion 62 abuts on the stopper 64, thereby allowing further swinging to be restricted.

[0095] In the retracted position, the gripping portion 46a of the operating lever 46 according to the present embodiment is positioned at the front side (upstream in the conveying direction) of the pivoting ends of the lever portions 46b and 46c. Adopting such a configuration allows the slide member 16 to be compact in the front-rear direction while ensuring that the lever portions 46b and 46c of the operating lever 46 have necessary and sufficient lengths.

[0096] It should be noted that, for good operability, the lengths of the lever portions 46b and 46c of the operating lever 46 should not be too short. Therefore, in the case where the slide member 16 is formed short in the front-rear direction for compactness, when the operating lever 46 is installed so that the gripping portion 46a is positioned rearward in the retracted configuration as in the first embodiment, the gripping portion 46a may disadvantageously protrude rearward from the slide member 16.

[0097] There is a moving path on the rear side of the slide member 16 for moving the pen tray 4 in the left-right direction. When the gripping portion 46a protrudes rearward from the slide member 16, the distance between the pinch roller unit and the moving path may be insufficient. Therefore, by installing the operating lever 46 so that the gripping portion 46a of the operating lever 46 positioned in the retracted position is positioned on the front side, the slide member 16 can be made small while ensuring a sufficiently large distance from the moving path of the pen tray 4.

[0098] An example of the cutting plotter 1 applied to the present invention has been described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above. However, the present invention can also be applied to a pen plotter that draws characters or pictures on a medium 2 in a sheet shape.

[0099] appendix

[0100] Appendix 1. A pinch roller mechanism for a plotter, comprising: a track extending in a first direction above a workbench to which a sheet-shaped medium is conveyed, the first direction intersecting with a conveying direction of the medium and being parallel to a horizontal direction; a slider supported by the track and movable in the first direction while the track passes through the slider; a roller support member configured to move in an up-and-down direction while being supported by the slider; a pinch roller supported by the roller support member so as to be rotatable about an axis in the first direction; a spring disposed between the slider and the roller support member and configured to bias the roller support member downward; and a press-release mechanism comprising an operating lever swingably supported by the slider and configured to push the roller support member upward against a spring force of the spring by an operating force applied to the operating lever, wherein the slider comprises a window exposing the pinch roller upward at a diagonal position on an upstream side along the conveying direction.

[0101] The track may be disposed adjacent an upper portion of the workbench.

[0102] Appendix 2. A pinch roller mechanism for a plotter according to Appendix 1, wherein the roller support member is formed to extend in the conveying direction, includes a first end and a second end opposite to each other in the conveying direction, and is swingably supported by the slider in the upper and lower directions in a middle portion in the conveying direction, the pinch roller is supported by the first end of the roller support member, the spring is configured to bias the first end of the roller support member downward, and the operating lever includes a pressing portion configured to press the second end of the roller support member downward.

[0103] Appendix 3. A plotter pinch roller mechanism according to Appendix 2, wherein the first end of the roller support member is positioned downstream of the second end in the conveying direction, the operating lever includes a gripping portion extending in the first direction and a pair of lever portions extending from both ends of the gripping portion in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction, the operating lever can swing between a retracted position and an operating position, the retracted position being a position in which the operating lever overlaps with an upper end of the slider while the pair of lever portions are positioned on both sides of the window, the operating position being a position in which the operating lever is lifted around the pivot ends of the pair of lever portions so that the gripping portion is spaced apart from the slider, and the pressing portion is provided on the pivot ends of the pair of lever portions and is configured to press downward the second end of the roller support member while the operating lever is lifted to be in the operating position.

[0104] Appendix 4. The plotter pinch roller mechanism according to Appendix 3 further comprises: a support pin, the support pin being configured to swingably support the pivot end portions of the pair of lever portions, wherein the second end portion of the roller support member comprises a pressure receiving surface, the pressure receiving surface facing the pressing portion formed on the pivot end portions of the pair of lever portions, the pressing portion comprising a lower surface facing the pressure receiving surface when the operating lever is positioned in the retracted position and a pressing surface facing the pressure receiving surface when the operating lever is lifted to be in the operating position, and when the first end portion of the roller support member is pressed downward by the spring, the distance between the pressure receiving surface and the support pin is greater than the distance between the support pin and the lower surface of the pressing portion, and is less than the distance between the support pin and the pressing surface of the pressing portion.

[0105] The pressing portion may further include a curved surface between the lower surface and the pressing surface. The distance between the support pin and the curved surface may be shorter than the distance between the support pin and the gripping portion.

[0106] Appendix 5. The plotter pinch roller mechanism according to Appendix 3 or 4, wherein the pivot end portions of the pair of lever portions and the second end portion of the roller support member include a retaining structure configured to retain the operating lever in the operating position.

[0107] Appendix 6. The plotter pinch roller mechanism according to Appendix 5, wherein the retaining structure comprises: a protrusion formed on the second end portion of the roller support member; and a first recess formed on the pressing portion, and when the operating lever is lifted to be in the operating position, the protrusion is inserted into the first recess.

[0108] Appendix 7. The plotter pinch roller mechanism according to any one of Appendixes 3 to 6, further comprising: a stopper, the stopper being arranged on the pivot end of the pair of lever portions, the second end of the roller support member comprising a second recess into which the stopper is inserted, the second recess being partially defined by a vertical wall, the vertical wall being configured to abut against the stopper when the operating lever is swung beyond the operating position.

[0109] The pressing portion may include a pair of pressing pieces provided at both ends of each of the pair of lever portions in the first direction, and the pair of pressing pieces may include the lower surface and the pressing surface. The stopper may be provided between the pair of pressing pieces.

[0110] Appendix 8. The plotter pinch roller mechanism according to any one of Appendixes 3 to 7, wherein when the operating lever is positioned in the retracted position, the gripping portion of the operating lever is positioned downstream of the pivoting ends of the pair of lever portions in the conveying direction.

[0111] Appendix 9. The plotter pinch roller mechanism according to any one of Appendixes 3 to 7, wherein when the operating lever is positioned in the retracted position, the gripping portion of the operating lever is positioned upstream of the pivoting ends of the pair of lever portions.

[0112] Appendix 10. A plotter comprising: a worktable to which a sheet-shaped medium is conveyed; a pen tray configured to support a pen; a pinch roller mechanism according to any one of Appendices 1 to 9; and a drive roller configured to rotate while pinching the medium between the drive roller and a pinch roller of the pinch roller mechanism.

[0113] Incorporated by Reference

[0114] This application claims the benefit of foreign priority from Japanese Patent Application No. JP 2023-131965, filed on August 14, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Claims

1. A pinch roller mechanism (11) for a plotter, comprising: A track (9) extending above the workbench (3) along a first direction, to which the sheet-shaped medium (2) is conveyed, the first direction intersecting with the conveying direction of the medium (2) and parallel to the horizontal direction; a slider (16), the slider being supported by the track (9) and being movable in the first direction while the track (9) passes through the slider (16); roller support members (27, 28) configured to move in an up-down direction while being supported by the slider (16); a pinch roller (6), the pinch roller being supported by the roller support member (27, 28) so as to be rotatable about an axis in the first direction; a spring (39, 40) disposed between the slider (16) and the roller support member (27, 28), and configured to bias the roller support member (27, 28) downward; and a press release mechanism (45) comprising an operating lever (46) supported by the slider (16) in a swingable manner, and configured to push the roller support members (27, 28) upward against the spring force of the springs (39, 40) by an operating force applied to the operating lever (46), The slider (16) includes a window (22) which exposes the pinch roller (6) upward at a diagonal position on the upstream side along the conveying direction.

2. The plotter pinch roller mechanism (11) according to claim 1, wherein: The roller support member (27, 28) is formed to extend in the conveying direction, includes a first end portion (27a, 28a) and a second end portion (27b, 28b) opposite to each other in the conveying direction, and is supported by the slider (16) in a middle portion along the conveying direction in a manner that allows swinging in the up-down direction. The pinch roller (6) is supported by the first end portion (27a, 28a) of the roller support member (27, 28), The spring (39, 40) is configured to bias the first end (27a, 28a) of the roller support member (27, 28) downwardly, and The operating lever (46) includes a pressing portion (51) configured to press downward the second end portion (27b, 28b) of the roller supporting member (27, 28).

3. The plotter pinch roller mechanism (11) according to claim 2, wherein: the first end portion (27a, 28a) of the roller support member (27, 28) is positioned downstream of the second end portion (27b, 28b) in the conveying direction, The operating lever (46) includes a gripping portion (46a) extending in the first direction and a pair of lever portions (46b, 46c) extending from both ends of the gripping portion (46a) in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction, The operating lever (46) is capable of swinging between a retracted position and an operating position. The retracted position is a position in which the operating lever (46) overlaps the upper end of the slider (16) while the pair of lever portions (46b, 46c) are positioned on both sides of the window (22), The operating position is a position in which the operating lever (46) is lifted about the pivot ends of the pair of lever portions (46b, 46c) so that the gripping portion (46a) is spaced apart from the slider (16), and The pressing portion (51) is provided on the pivoting ends of the pair of lever portions (46b, 46c) and is configured to press downward the second end portions (27b, 28b) of the roller supporting members (27, 28) while the operating lever (46) is lifted to be in the operating position.

4. The plotter pinch roller mechanism (11) according to claim 3, further comprising: support pins (47a, 47b) configured to support the pivotal ends of the pair of lever portions (46b, 46c) in a manner that enables the pivotal ends of the pair of lever portions (46b, 46c) to swing, wherein the second end portion (27b, 28b) of the roller supporting member (27, 28) includes a pressure receiving surface (41) facing the pressing portion (51) formed on the pivoting end portions of the pair of lever portions (46b, 46c), The pressing portion (51) includes a lower surface (52a) facing the pressure receiving surface (41) when the operating lever (46) is positioned in the retracted position, and a pressing surface (52b) facing the pressure receiving surface (41) when the operating lever (46) is lifted to be in the operating position, and The distance between the pressure receiving surface (41) and the support pin (47a, 47b) when the first end portion (27a, 28a) of the roller support member (27, 28) is pressed downward by the spring (39, 40) is greater than the distance between the support pin (47a, 47b) and the lower surface (52a) of the pressing portion (51), and is smaller than the distance between the support pin (47a, 47b) and the pressing surface (52b) of the pressing portion (51).

5. The plotter pinch roller mechanism (11) according to claim 3, wherein: The pivoting ends of the pair of lever portions (46b, 46c) and the second ends (27b, 28b) of the roller support members (27, 28) include a retaining structure (54) configured to retain the operating lever (46) in the operating position.

6. The plotter pinch roller mechanism (11) according to claim 5, wherein: The retaining structure (54) comprises: a protrusion (42) formed on the second end portion (27b, 28b) of the roller support member (27, 28); and A first recess (53) is formed on the pressing portion (51) and into which the protrusion (42) is inserted when the operating lever (46) is lifted to be in the operating position.

7. The plotter pinch roller mechanism (11) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, further comprising: a stopper (55) disposed on the pivoting ends of the pair of lever portions (46b, 46c), The second end portion (27b, 28b) of the roller support member (27, 28) includes a second recess (43) for inserting the stopper (55), The second recess (43) is defined in part by a vertical wall (44) configured to abut the stopper (55) when the operating lever (46) is swung beyond the operating position.

8. The plotter pinch roller mechanism (11) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein: When the operating lever (46) is positioned in the retracted position, the gripping portion (46a) of the operating lever (46) is positioned downstream of the pivoting ends of the pair of lever portions (46b, 46c) in the conveying direction.

9. The plotter pinch roller mechanism (11) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein: When the operating lever (46) is positioned in the retracted position, the gripping portion (46a) of the operating lever (46) is positioned upstream of the pivoting ends of the pair of lever portions (46b, 46c) in the conveying direction.

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