Cutting plotter and medium supporting device thereof

Abstract

The medium support device includes an electrostatic chuck pad that generates an electrostatic chuck force by being energized, and a support member for movably supporting the electrostatic chuck pad in a first direction. The support is removably connected to a cutting plotter. The cutting plotter includes a media feed mechanism for reciprocally moving media in the first direction. When the medium is clamped, the static clamping pad is moved by the medium feeding mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a cutting plotter medium supporting device for supporting a medium by electrostatic clamping and a cutting plotter comprising the medium supporting device. Background Art

[0002] As disclosed in JP 2005-205539A (Document 1), there is a conventional cutting plotter that can well cut a medium even when the medium is thin. The cutting plotter disclosed in Document 1 is provided with a medium support sheet for supporting a thin medium in a close contact manner. The cutting plotter feeds a stack consisting of the medium and the medium support sheet in the front-rear direction for cutting.

[0003] The media support sheet is of an electrostatic clamping type and includes a flexible plastic sheet, an electrostatic clamping electrode formed on the plastic sheet, and other components. By energizing the electrode, an electrostatic clamping force is generated to cause the cut media to adhere to the plastic sheet. By using the media support sheet, a product portion can be easily removed from the media after cutting thin media.

[0004] However, when cutting, sometimes the end of the medium support sheet in the feeding direction is bent and the medium cannot be adhered to the medium support sheet, thereby causing the medium to rise. When the medium rises from the medium support sheet, the cutting may fail when the raised portion reaches the cutting position. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a cutting plotter medium and a medium supporting device thereof which can reliably cut thin medium.

[0006] Aspects of the present invention relate to a cutting plotter media support device, comprising: a support member, the support member is configured to be removably connected to the cutting plotter, the cutting plotter is provided with a media feeding mechanism, the media feeding mechanism is configured to reciprocate the medium in a first direction; an electrostatic clamping pad, the electrostatic clamping pad is configured to be movably supported by the support member in the first direction and to generate an electrostatic clamping force by being energized, the electrostatic clamping pad is moved by the media feeding mechanism while the medium is clamped by the electrostatic clamping force.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a cutting plotter, comprising: the medium supporting device; the medium feeding mechanism; a workbench, the workbench being detachably connected to the supporting member of the medium supporting device; and a pen holder, the pen holder being configured to move above the workbench in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and parallel to the horizontal direction, and the pen holder supporting a cutting pen movable in an up-and-down direction, wherein the medium feeding mechanism is configured to cause the electrostatic clamping pad to move reciprocally in the first direction, and the medium is clamped on the electrostatic clamping pad by the electrostatic clamping force. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 A perspective view of a cutting plotter is shown with a media support device attached thereto in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view illustrating the media feeding mechanism when only the media to be cut is moved is shown.

[0010] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view illustrating the media feed mechanism is shown when an electrostatic clamping pad that electrostatically clamps the media to be cut is moved.

[0011] Figure 4 A perspective view illustrating the connection portion of a cutting plotter is shown.

[0012] Figure 5 A plan view of a media support device is shown.

[0013] Figure 6 A perspective view of a media support device is shown.

[0014] Figure 7 A perspective view of a medium supporting device showing a state in which an electrostatic chucking pad has been moved is shown.

[0015] Figure 8 A perspective view illustrating an enlarged connecting portion of a medium supporting device is shown.

[0016] Fig. 9 A perspective cross-sectional view of an illustrated positioning structure is shown.

[0017] Fig.10 A perspective cross-sectional view illustrating a first contact terminal and a second contact terminal is shown.

[0018] Fig.11 A perspective cross-sectional view illustrating the locking mechanism prior to connection is shown.

[0019] Fig.12 A perspective cross-sectional view illustrating the locking mechanism after locking is shown.

[0020] Fig.13 An exploded perspective view of a media support device is shown.

[0021] Fig.14 A perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of a media support device is shown illustrating an enlargement of the diagram.

[0022] Fig.15 A plan view of a medium supporting device according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0023] Fig.16 A cross-sectional view illustrating the media feed mechanism is shown when an electrostatic clamping pad that electrostatically clamps the media to be cut is moved. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In the following, reference will be made to Figures 1 to 14 Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail.

[0025] Figure 1 The cutting plotter 1 shown in FIG. 1 is used to cut out graphics and characters from a sheet medium 2 to be cut (hereinafter referred to as "medium 2"). The cutting plotter 1 includes a table 3 on which the medium 2 is conveyed and a pen holder 4 for supporting a cutting pen (not shown).

[0026] The workbench 3 is formed to be in the conveying direction of the medium 2 (the first direction, the first direction is Figure 1 The direction from the lower left to the upper right in the middle) and the left-right direction orthogonal to the conveying direction and parallel to the horizontal direction (the second direction, the second direction is Figure 1 Hereinafter, the downstream side of the medium 2 in the conveying direction is referred to as “rear”, and the upstream side of the medium 2 in the conveying direction is referred to as “front”.

[0027] The medium 2 may be a single sheet, a rolled sheet, etc. When the medium 2 is a single thin sheet, the medium supporting device 5 is attached to the front end of the table 3 of the cutting plotter 1 to cause the medium supporting device 5 to support the medium 2 .

[0028] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the medium supporting device 5 is not used, the medium 2 is conveyed by rotating the medium driving roller 6 while the medium 2 on the worktable 3 is sandwiched between the medium driving roller 6 and the pinch roller 7. The medium driving roller 6 and the pinch roller 7 constitute a medium feeding mechanism 8 for causing the medium 2 to reciprocate in the conveying direction.

[0029] The pinch roller 7 is supported by a vertically movable support member 9 and is biased so as to be pressed against the medium drive roller 6 by a spring force of a spring member not shown. The support member 9 is supported by a frame (not shown) of the cutting plotter 1 via a rail 10 extending in the left-right direction.

[0030] The medium drive roller 6 is provided at the lower portion of the table 3 and extends in the left-right direction. An opening 3a extending in the left-right direction is formed on the table 3, and an upper portion of the medium drive roller 6 protrudes from the opening 3a to the upper surface of the table 3. The opening 3a is formed on the front side of the pen tray 4 described later. The medium drive roller 6 rotates so that the medium 2 pressed by the pinch roller 7 is conveyed.

[0031] like Figure 3 As shown in , when a medium supporting device 5 is used, the medium 2 is conveyed by placing a protective sheet 12 on an electrostatic clamping pad 11 of the medium supporting device 5 described later, placing the medium 2 on the protective sheet 12, and clamping the stack between the medium drive roller 6 and the pinch roller 7.

[0032] The pen holder 4 has a function of driving a cutting pen (not shown) in the up-down direction. The pen holder 4 is configured to be movable in the left-right direction above the workbench 3. The "up-down direction" herein is a vertical direction intersecting the workbench 3.

[0033] In this embodiment, the medium 2 is cut by attaching a cutting pen to the pen holder 4, rotating the medium drive roller 6 in a forward or reverse direction while the medium 2 is clamped between the medium drive roller 6 and the pinch roller 7, and piercing the cutting pen into the medium 2 and moving the cutting pen together with the pen holder 4 in the left and right direction.

[0034] like Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , a groove 13 opening toward the front and downward is formed on the front end portion of the table 3 of the cutting plotter 1. When the medium supporting device 5 described later is attached to the cutting plotter 1, a part of the rear end portion of the medium supporting device 5 is inserted into this groove 13. The groove 13 serves as a connecting portion to be connected to the medium supporting device 5. The table 3 is detachably connected to the support member 21 of the medium supporting device 5 via the groove 13.

[0035] The groove 13 is defined by an upper wall 13a facing downward and a bottom wall 13b (a wall at the rear end of the groove 13) facing forward. A plurality of functional parts for mounting the medium supporting device 5 are provided in the groove 13. The first functional part is constituted by two raised parts 14 (a second structure) protruding in the groove 13. The raised parts 14 are used to position the medium supporting device 5 when the medium supporting device 5 is mounted. The raised parts 14 protrude downward from the upper wall 13a of the groove 13 and extend in the front-rear direction.

[0036] The second functional portion is constituted by a second contact terminal 15 exposed to the outside of the bottom wall 13b of the groove 13. The second contact terminal 15 is used to supply power to the medium supporting device 5. The second contact terminal 15 is formed in a plate shape extending in the up-down direction and the left-right direction, and is connected to a power supply unit 16 (see Figure 1 ). The power supply unit 16 is provided on the back of the bottom wall 13b.

[0037] The third functional part is composed of two engagement holes 17 formed on both ends of the groove 13 in the left-right direction. The engagement holes 17 are used to prevent separation by engaging a part of the medium support device 5. Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , the engagement hole 17 is formed on the upper wall 13 a of the groove 13 and opens downward.

[0038] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown in , the medium supporting device 5 includes: a support member 21 formed in a rectangular plate shape in a plan view; and an electrostatic chucking pad 11 movably supported by the support member 21 in the conveying direction (front-rear direction) of the medium 2.

[0039] The support member 21 is formed into a rectangular box extending in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction when viewed from above. Fig.13 and Fig.14 As shown in the figure, the support member 21 includes: a box-shaped bottom member 21a, the box-shaped bottom member 21a is open toward the top; and an upper surface plate 21b, the upper surface plate 21b closes the opening of the bottom member 21a, and a hollow box is formed by the bottom member 21a and the upper surface plate 21b. A groove 22 extending in the front-to-back direction is formed on the central part of the bottom member 21a in the left-right direction.

[0040] The upper surface of the upper surface plate 21b constitutes a placement surface on which the electrostatic chucking pad 11 described later is placed. The placement surface is formed flat so that the electrostatic chucking pad 11 can slide and move thereon. The placement surface is parallel to the surface of the workbench 3, and the placement surface and the surface of the workbench 3 are flush with each other. In addition, the first elongated hole 23 to the third elongated hole 25 extending in the front-back direction are formed on the upper surface plate 21b. The first elongated hole 23 to the third elongated hole 25 are holes for passing the accessory parts of the electrostatic chucking pad 11 described later.

[0041] like Figure 8As shown in FIG. 1 , a connection piece 26 extending in the left-right direction is formed on a rear end portion of the support member 21. The connection piece 26 is a portion that is inserted into the groove 13 of the cutting plotter 1 when the medium supporting device 5 is attached to the cutting plotter 1. The connection piece 26 serves as a connection portion connected to the cutting plotter 1. The support member 21 is removably connected to the cutting plotter 1 via the connection piece 26.

[0042] Two recesses 27 (first structure) and first contact terminals 28 are formed on a middle portion of the connecting piece 26 in the left-right direction. Furthermore, two locking mechanisms 29 are formed on both end portions of the connecting piece 26 in the left-right direction.

[0043] like Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 1 , the two recesses 27 constitute a positioning structure 30 together with the two protrusions 14 formed on the groove 13 of the cutting plotter 1. The positioning structure 30 is configured to position the support 21 in a correct position relative to the cutting plotter 1 in the left-right direction. The recess 27 has a shape that matches the protrusion 14 of the cutting plotter 1. That is, the connection portion between the cutting plotter 1 and the support 21 includes the positioning structure 30, and the positioning structure 30 is used to determine the position of the support 21 relative to the cutting plotter 1 by fitting the protrusion 14 to the recess 27.

[0044] like Fig.12 As shown in FIG. 1 , positioning of the support member 21 relative to the cutting plotter 1 in the front-rear direction is performed by abutting the rear end portion 26 a of the connecting member 26 against the bottom wall 13 b of the recess 13 .

[0045] The first contact terminal 28 is composed of a plurality of pins protruding backward from the connecting member 26 (see Fig.10 ) is configured to supply power to the electrostatic clamping pad 11. Fig.10 The state in the middle of the process of connecting the support 21 to the cutting plotter 1 is shown. The first contact terminal 28 is connected to the support 21 via a flexible cable 31 extending in the front-rear direction (see Fig.13 ) is electrically connected to the electrostatic clamp pad 11. Although not shown in detail, the pins constituting the first contact terminals 28 are configured to be movable to advance and retreat in the front-rear direction, and are biased toward the rear by a spring member.

[0046] When the support 21 is connected to the cutting plotter 1, the first contact terminals 28 of the support 21 are connected to the second contact terminals 15 of the cutting plotter 1. When the support 21 is removed from the cutting plotter 1, the first contact terminals 28 are separated from the second contact terminals 15.

[0047] The flexible cable 31 is flexible for allowing the movement of the electrostatic clamping pad 11, and is accommodated in the groove 22 extending in the front-rear direction on the bottom of the inside of the support 21. The end of the flexible cable 31 on the cutting plotter 1 side is connected to the first contact terminal 28, and the end on the electrostatic clamping pad 11 side is connected to the switch portion 32 (see FIG. 1 ) described later of the electrostatic clamping pad 11. Figures 5 to 7 ).

[0048] The locking mechanism 29 is used to prevent the support member 21 connected to the cutting plotter 1 from being separated from the cutting plotter 1. The locking mechanism 29 according to the present embodiment includes an engaging member 34 that engages with an engaging hole 17 formed on the cutting plotter 1. Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , the engaging member 34 includes a claw 33 (protrusion) protruding upward from the connecting member 26. The claw 33 is inserted into the hole 17 of the cutting plotter 1 and removed from the hole 17 of the cutting plotter 1. Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , an inclined surface 35 that rises when approaching forward is formed on the upper end of the claw 33 that is inclined forward. In other words, the claw 33 has an upper surface that descends toward the cutting plotter 1 or the rear end of the support 21.

[0049] The engaging member 34 is movably supported by the support member 21 in the up-down direction (in other words, in the direction in which the engaging hole 17 of the cutting plotter 1 extends). A compression coil spring 36 (spring) is provided between the engaging member 34 and the inner bottom surface of the support member 21. The compression coil spring 36 biases the engaging member 34 in the upward direction (i.e., the direction in which the claw 33 enters the engaging hole 17).

[0050] A manipulation piece 37 exposed on the upper surface of the support member 21 is attached to the upper end portion of the engagement piece 34. The manipulation piece 37 is used to press downward the engagement piece 34. When the manipulation piece 37 is pressed downward against the spring force of the compression coil spring 36, the engagement piece 34 descends.

[0051] In this locking mechanism 29, when the support member 21 approaches the cutting plotter 1 from the front, the inclined surface 35 of the claw 33 abuts against the opening edge 17a of the engaging hole 17 (see Fig.11 ). As the support member 21 further advances, the inclined surface 35 slides relative to the opening edge 17a of the engagement hole 17, and the claw 33 is pushed downward.

[0052] Thereafter, when the claw 33 passes below the opening edge 17a of the engagement hole 17, the engagement piece 34 rises by the spring force of the compression coil spring 36, and the claw 33 enters the engagement hole 17 (see Fig.12 ). When the claw 33 enters the engagement hole 17, the engagement member 34 engages the engagement hole 17, and the support member 21 cannot be disengaged forward from the cutting plotter 1.

[0053] In order to disengage the support member 21 from the cutting plotter 1, the operating member 37 is pressed downward against the spring force of the compression coil spring 36. When the operating member 37 is pressed downward, the engaging member 34 descends, and the claw 33 descends from the opening edge 17a of the engaging hole 17, thereby canceling the engaged state. In this case, by pulling the support member 21 forward, the medium supporting device 5 can be removed from the cutting plotter 1.

[0054] like Figure 5 As shown in , the electrostatic clamping pad 11 is constructed by attaching a plurality of functional components to a printed wiring board 41. The printed wiring board 41 includes: a substrate 42 formed of a hard plastic material; and a first electrode pattern 43 and a second electrode pattern 44, which are composed of conductor patterns formed on the front surface of the substrate 42 by photolithography. Although not shown, the surfaces of the substrate 42 and the first electrode pattern 43 and the second electrode pattern 44 are covered with a protective film made of a hard material. The printed wiring board 41 is placed on the support 21 and is movably supported by the support 21 in the front and rear directions.

[0055] Each of the first electrode pattern 43 and the second electrode pattern 44 is formed in the shape of a comb tooth. Specifically, the first electrode pattern 43 includes: a large number of main body parts 43a, a large number of main body parts 43a linearly extending from one end of the substrate 42 to the other end in the left-right direction; and a connecting part 43b, the connecting part 43b connects the left ends of the main body parts 43a to each other. The second electrode pattern 44 includes: a large number of main body parts 44a, a large number of main body parts 44a linearly extending from one end of the substrate 42 to the other end in the left-right direction; and a connecting part 44b, the connecting part 44b connects the right ends of the main body parts 44a to each other. The main body parts 43a of the first electrode pattern 43 and the main body parts 44a of the second electrode pattern 44 are alternately arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-back direction. When power is supplied through the first electrode pattern 43 and the second electrode pattern 44, an electrostatic clamping force is generated in the area where the main body parts 43a and 44a are formed on the substrate 42.

[0056] The first electrode pattern 43 and the second electrode pattern 44 are connected to the switch portion 32 located at the front end portion of the printed wiring board 41 through wiring portions 43c and 44c, respectively. Fig.14 As shown in FIG. 4 , the switch portion 32 includes: a housing 45 provided on an upper surface of the printed wiring board 41 ; and an on / off switch 46 .

[0057] like Fig.13 and Fig.14As shown in FIG. 4 , the housing 45 faces the support plate 47 provided inside the support member 21 via the printed wiring board 41 and the upper surface plate 21b of the support plate 21. The housing 45 is connected to the support plate 47 by bolts 48 (fastening members) passing through the first slot 23 and the third slot 25 formed on the upper surface plate 21b. When the printed wiring board 41 is sandwiched between the housing 45 and the support plate 47 in this way, the housing 45 is fixed to the printed wiring board 41.

[0058] The on / off switch 46 includes a switch body 46a mounted on the printed wiring board 41 and an operation button 46b movably supported in the up-down direction by the housing 45. When the operation button 46b is pressed downward, the switch body 46a is turned on and off.

[0059] The wiring portions 43c and 44c of the first electrode pattern 43 and the second electrode pattern 44 described above and the end portion of the flexible cable 31 on the side of the electrostatic clamping pad 11 are connected to the on / off switch 46. Fig.14 As shown in FIG. 4 , the end portion of the flexible cable 31 on the electrostatic clamping pad 11 side rises upward from the groove 22 of the support member 21 to be supported by the support plate 47. The open end side portion of the flexible cable 31 from the support plate 47 passes through the second elongated hole 24 on the upper surface plate 21 b and is connected to a wiring pattern for power supply (not shown) on the printed wiring board 41, and is connected to the switch body 46 a via the wiring pattern for power supply.

[0060] The on / off switch 46 switches between a state in which the flexible cable 31 and the first and second electrode patterns 43 and 44 are electrically connected to each other and a state in which conductivity is interrupted between the flexible cable 31 and the first and second electrode patterns 43 and 44. When the on / off switch 46 is turned on while the support 21 is attached to the cutting plotter 1, the first and second electrode patterns 43 and 44 are energized from the power supply unit 16 of the cutting plotter 1 via the second contact terminal 15, the first contact terminal 28, the flexible cable 31, and the switch body 46a.

[0061] In order to cut the thin medium 2 using the cutting plotter medium support device 5 constructed in this manner, the medium support device 5 is first attached to the cutting plotter 1. The attachment is performed by inserting the connecting piece 26 of the support member 21 into the groove 13 of the cutting plotter 1 from the front. At this time, the protrusion 14 of the cutting plotter 1 fits into the recess 27 on the connecting piece 26 so that the support member 21 is positioned in the left-right direction relative to the cutting plotter 1, and the connecting piece 26 abuts the bottom wall 13b of the groove 13 so that the support member 21 is positioned in the front-back direction relative to the cutting plotter 1. When the support member 21 is attached to the cutting plotter 1, the first contact terminal 28 on the connecting piece 26 is connected to the second contact terminal 15 of the cutting plotter 1. In addition, the locking mechanism 29 prevents the support member 21 from being detached from the cutting plotter 1.

[0062] Next, the protective sheet 12 is placed on the electrostatic chuck pad 11 to cover the electrostatic chuck pad 11 (substrate 42), and the medium 2 is placed on the protective sheet 12. The protective sheet 12 is formed of a material softer than the material of the substrate 42 of the electrostatic chuck pad 11. For example, the protective sheet 12 may be formed of vinyl chloride. When the protective sheet 12 is sandwiched between the electrostatic chuck pad 11 and the medium 2, it is possible to prevent the blade of the cutting pen from coming into contact with the surface of the electrostatic chuck pad 11 and being worn during cutting.

[0063] Thereafter, the on / off switch 46 on the electrostatic chucking pad 11 is turned on. When the on / off switch 46 is turned on, the first electrode pattern 43 and the second electrode pattern 44 of the electrostatic chucking pad 11 are energized to cause the protective sheet 12 and the medium 2 to be chucking to the electrostatic chucking pad 11 by the electrostatic chucking force.

[0064] While the medium 2 is chucked onto the electrostatic chuck pad 11 in this manner, the electrostatic chuck pad 11 slides rearward relative to the support 21 to cause the rear end portion of the electrostatic chuck pad 11 to be clamped between the medium drive roller 6 and the pinch roller 7. Thereafter, the cutting operation by the cutting plotter 1 is started. During cutting, the electrostatic chuck pad 11 is driven by the medium feeding mechanism 8 composed of the medium drive roller 6 and the pinch roller 7, and reciprocates a plurality of times in the front-rear direction relative to the support 21.

[0065] The substrate 42 on the electrostatic chucking pad 11 is formed of a hard plastic material. Specifically, the substrate 42 may be formed of a material harder than the material of the protective sheet 12. In addition, the electrostatic chucking pad 11 is supported by the support 21, thereby constituting a surface flush with the surface of the workbench 3. Therefore, the electrostatic chucking pad 11 does not bend during cutting. Therefore, it is possible to maintain a state in which the medium 2 is chucking to the electrostatic chucking pad 11 by the electrostatic chucking force from when the cutting starts until when the cutting is completed. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide the medium support device 5 of the cutting plotter 1 that can reliably cut the thin medium 2.

[0066] The connection portion between the cutting plotter 1 and the support member 21 according to the present embodiment includes a positioning structure 30 which determines the position of the support member 21 relative to the cutting plotter 1 after the protrusion 14 is fitted into the recess 27. Therefore, the medium supporting device 5 can always be mounted at a fixed position relative to the cutting plotter 1. For this reason, even when a plurality of types of medium supporting devices 5 having different lengths in the front-rear direction are used, for example, the cutting conditions can be the same for all the medium supporting devices 5.

[0067] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the positioning structure 30 is constructed by the protrusion 14 on the cutting plotter 1 and the recess 27 on the support 21, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The protrusion may be formed on the connecting member 26 of the support 21 as a first structure, the recess may be formed on the groove 13 of the cutting plotter 1 as a second structure, and the positioning structure may be formed by such a protrusion and recess.

[0068] The connection portion between the cutting plotter 1 and the support 21 according to the present embodiment includes: a second contact terminal 15, which is on the side of the cutting plotter 1 and is connected to the power supply 16 of the cutting plotter 1; and a first contact terminal 28, which is on the side of the support 21 and is electrically connected to the electrostatic clamping pad 11. Therefore, in conjunction with the operation of attaching the support 21 to the cutting plotter 1, the first contact terminal 28 and the second contact terminal 15 are automatically connected to each other. Therefore, there is no need to connect or disconnect the electrical system, and the handling of the medium support device 5 becomes easier.

[0069] The electrostatic chucking pad 11 according to the present embodiment includes: a substrate 42, which is movably supported by a support member 21; and a first electrode pattern 43 and a second electrode pattern 44, which are composed of line patterns provided on the substrate 42. The first electrode pattern 43 and the second electrode pattern 44 are electrically connected to the first contact terminal 28 through a flexible cable 31, and the flexible cable 31 allows the electrostatic chucking pad 11 to move. The flexible cable 31 is accommodated inside the support member 21. Therefore, since the line does not appear in the appearance of the device when the electrostatic chucking pad 11 moves while the electrostatic chucking pad 11 is energized, a medium support device 5 with an excellent appearance can be provided.

[0070] The medium supporting device 5 according to the embodiment includes a locking mechanism 29 for preventing the supporting member 21 from being detached from the cutting plotter 1 while being attached to the cutting plotter 1. Therefore, even if the supporting member 21 is pressed by friction resistance when the electrostatic chucking pad 11 reciprocates relative to the supporting member 21 during cutting, the supporting member 21 does not move relative to the cutting plotter 1. As a result, it is possible to stabilize the support of the electrostatic chucking pad 11 and perform higher quality cutting.

[0071] Now refer to Fig.15 and Fig.16 Other embodiments of the present invention are described. In these figures, the same reference numerals are assigned to Figures 1 to 14 The same components or corresponding components shown in , and their description will be appropriately omitted.

[0072] Fig.15 The medium support device 105 of the cutting plotter shown in FIG. 1 is different from the electrostatic clamping pad in that Figure 1 . The electrostatic chucking pad 111 of the medium supporting device 105 further includes a drive film 49 attached to the rear surface of the substrate 42. Both end portions 49a and 49b of the drive film 49 in the left-right direction protrude outward from both end portions of the substrate 42 in the left-right direction. This results in a structure in which the drive films 49a and 49b having a predetermined width in the left-right direction are attached to both end portions of the substrate 42 in the left-right direction. The drive film 49 can be formed of, for example, Mylar (registered trademark).

[0073] The driving film 49 is thinner than the substrate 42 on the electrostatic chucking pad 111. For this reason, Fig.16 As shown in FIG. 1 , by causing both end portions 49 a and 49 b of the driving film 49 to be sandwiched between the medium driving roller 6 and the pinch roller 7 in the same manner as the medium 2 (e.g., paper), the electrostatic chucking pad 111 on which the medium 2 is clamped can move in the conveying direction. Therefore, the electrostatic chucking pad 111 on which the medium 2 is clamped can stably reciprocate in the same manner as the medium 2 (e.g., paper).

[0074] An appendix summarizing the above-mentioned embodiments will be described below. The elements in the appendix below may be combined with each other.

[0075] Appendix 1 relates to a media support device for a cutting plotter, comprising: a support member, which is configured to be removably connected to the cutting plotter, and the cutting plotter is provided with a media feeding mechanism, which is configured to move the medium reciprocatingly in a first direction; an electrostatic clamping pad, which is configured to be supported by the support member in a movable manner in the first direction, and generates an electrostatic clamping force by being energized, and the electrostatic clamping pad is moved by the media feeding mechanism while the medium is clamped by the electrostatic clamping force.

[0076] Appendix 2 relates to the medium supporting device according to Appendix 1, wherein the supporting member includes a connecting portion connected to the cutting plotter.

[0077] Appendix 3 relates to a media support device according to Appendix 2, wherein the connecting portion includes a first structure, which is configured to cooperate with a second structure provided on the cutting plotter. The first structure may include a recess, which is configured to cooperate with a protrusion constituting the second structure. The first structure may include a protrusion configured to cooperate with the recess constituting the second structure. The first structure and the second structure constitute a positioning structure that determines the position of the support relative to the cutting plotter. When the protrusion is assembled into the recess, the positioning structure determines the position of the support relative to the cutting plotter.

[0078] Appendix 4 relates to the medium support device according to Appendix 2 or 3, wherein the connecting portion includes a first contact terminal connected to a second contact terminal of the cutting plotter, the first contact terminal is electrically connected to the electrostatic clamping pad, and the second contact terminal is connected to a power supply of the cutting plotter. When the support is connected to the cutting plotter, the first contact terminal is connected to the second contact terminal, and when the support is removed from the cutting plotter, the first contact terminal is separated from the second contact terminal.

[0079] Appendix 5 relates to a dielectric support device according to Appendix 4, wherein the electrostatic clamping pad includes: a substrate, which is movably supported by the support member; and an electrode pattern, which is formed on the substrate, and the dielectric support device further includes a flexible cable that electrically connects the electrode pattern to the first contact terminal, and the flexible cable is accommodated inside the support member.

[0080] Appendix 6 relates to a medium supporting device according to any one of Appendices 2 to 5, wherein the connecting portion includes a locking mechanism configured to prevent the supporting member connected to the cutting plotter from being detached from the cutting plotter, and the locking mechanism includes: an engaging member movably supported in the up-down direction, the engaging member configured to engage with a hole formed on the cutting plotter and opening toward a downward direction; a spring configured to bias the engaging member toward an upward direction; and an operating member formed on the engaging member for pressing the engaging member downward. The operating member may be exposed to the upper surface of the supporting member.

[0081] Appendix 7 relates to the medium support device according to Appendix 6, wherein the engagement member includes a protrusion configured to be inserted into and removed from the hole on the cutting plotter.

[0082] Appendix 8 relates to the medium supporting device according to Appendix 7, wherein the protrusion includes an upper surface that descends as it approaches the cutting plotter.

[0083] When the supporting member moves in a direction approaching the cutting plotter, the engaging member engages with the hole, and when the operating member is operated, the engagement with the hole is cancelled.

[0084] Appendix 9 relates to a medium support device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4, wherein the electrostatic clamping pad includes: a substrate, which is movably supported by the support member; and an electrode pattern, which is formed on the front surface of the substrate.

[0085] Appendix 10 relates to the medium support device according to Appendix 9, further comprising a protective sheet placed on the electrostatic clamping pad. The medium is placed on the protective sheet. The protective sheet can be placed to cover the electrostatic clamping pad or the substrate. The protective sheet can be formed of a material softer than the material of the substrate. In other words, the substrate can be formed of a material harder than the material of the protective sheet.

[0086] Appendix 11 relates to a medium support device according to Appendix 9 or 10, wherein the electrostatic clamping pad further includes a drive film attached to the rear surface of the substrate, the drive sheet includes an end protruding outward from the end surface of the substrate in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the drive film has a thickness thinner than the thickness of the substrate.

[0087] Appendix 12 relates to a medium supporting device according to Appendix 11, wherein the medium feeding mechanism includes: a drive roller extending in the second direction; and a pinch roller, the pinch roller being configured to move the medium by clamping the medium between the drive roller and the pinch roller, wherein the electrostatic clamping pad is configured to move by clamping the end of the drive film between the drive roller and the pinch roller.

[0088] Appendix 13 relates to a cutting plotter, comprising: a medium supporting device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 12; the medium feeding mechanism; a workbench, the workbench being detachably connected to the supporting member of the medium supporting device; and a pen holder, the pen holder being configured to move above the workbench in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and parallel to the horizontal direction, and to support a cutting pen movable in an up and down direction, wherein the medium feeding mechanism is configured to cause the electrostatic clamping pad to move reciprocally in the first direction, and the medium is clamped to the electrostatic clamping pad by the electrostatic clamping force.

[0089] The support may include a placement surface on which the electrostatic clamping pad is placed. The cutting plotter may include a workbench on which the medium is conveyed. The placement surface may be configured to be flush with the surface of the workbench. In other words, the placement surface may be parallel to the surface of the workbench.

[0090] This application claims the benefit of foreign priority from Japanese Patent Application No. JP 2023-147624 filed on Sep. 12, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Claims

1. A cutting plotter medium support device (5), comprising: A support member (21) configured to be removably connected to a cutting plotter (1), the cutting plotter being provided with a medium feeding mechanism (8) configured to reciprocate the medium (2) in a first direction; and An electrostatic clamping pad (11) is configured to be supported by the support member (21) in a manner capable of moving in the first direction, and the electrostatic clamping pad is configured to generate an electrostatic clamping force by being energized, and the electrostatic clamping pad (11) is moved by the medium feeding mechanism (8) while the medium (2) is clamped by the electrostatic clamping force.

2. The medium support device (5) according to claim 1, wherein: The support member (21) comprises a connection portion (26) connected to the cutting plotter (1).

3. The medium support device (5) according to claim 2, wherein: The connecting portion (26) comprises a first structure (27) configured to cooperate with a second structure (14) provided on the cutting plotter (1).

4. The medium supporting device (5) according to claim 2, wherein: The connecting portion (26) comprises a first contact terminal (28) connected to a second contact terminal (15) of the cutting plotter (1), The first contact terminal (28) is electrically connected to the electrostatic clamping pad (11), and The second contact terminal (15) is connected to a power source (16) of the cutting plotter (1).

5. The medium supporting device (5) according to claim 4, wherein: The electrostatic clamping pad (11) comprises: a substrate (42) movably supported by the support member (21); and electrode patterns (43, 44), the electrode patterns being formed on the substrate (42), and The dielectric support device (5) further comprises a flexible cable (31) electrically connecting the electrode pattern (43, 44) to the first contact terminal (28), and the flexible cable (31) is accommodated inside the support member (21).

6. The medium supporting device (5) according to claim 2, wherein: The connecting portion (26) comprises a locking mechanism (29) configured to prevent the support (21) connected to the cutting plotter (1) from being detached from the cutting plotter (1), The locking mechanism (29) comprises: a coupling member (34) supported in a manner movable in the up-down direction, the coupling member (34) being configured to couple with a hole (17) formed on the cutting plotter (1) and opening in the downward direction; a spring (36) configured to bias the engagement member (34) in an upward direction; and An operating member (37) is formed on the engaging member (34) and is used to press the engaging member (34) downward.

7. The medium supporting device (5) according to claim 6, wherein: The engaging member (34) includes a protrusion (33) configured to be inserted into and removed from the hole (17) on the cutting plotter (1).

8. The medium supporting device (5) according to claim 7, wherein: The protrusion (33) includes an upper surface that descends as it approaches the cutting plotter (1).

9. The medium supporting device (5) according to claim 1, wherein: The electrostatic clamping pad (11) comprises: a substrate (42) movably supported by the support member (21); and Electrode patterns (43, 44), wherein the electrode patterns are formed on the front surface of the substrate (42).

10. The medium supporting device (5) according to claim 9, further comprising: A protective sheet (12) is placed on the electrostatic clamping pad (11).

11. The medium supporting device according to claim 9, wherein: The electrostatic clamping pad further comprises a driving film (49) attached to the rear surface of the substrate (42), The driving sheet (49) includes end portions (49a, 49b) protruding outward from an end surface of the substrate (42) in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and The driving film (49) has a thickness thinner than that of the substrate (42).

12. The medium supporting device according to claim 11, wherein: The medium feeding mechanism (8) comprises: a driving roller (6) extending in the second direction; and A pinch roller (7) configured to move the medium (2) by pinching the medium (2) between the drive roller (6) and the pinch roller (7), wherein: The electrostatic clamping pad is configured to move by the ends (49a, 49b) of the driving film (49) being clamped between the driving roller (6) and the pinch roller (7).

13. A cutting plotter (1), comprising: The medium supporting device (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 12; The medium feeding mechanism (8); A workbench (3), the workbench being detachably connected to the support member (21) of the medium support device (5); and A pen holder (4) is configured to move above the workbench (3) in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and parallel to the horizontal direction, and the pen holder is configured to support a cutting pen that can move in an up-down direction, wherein: The medium feeding mechanism (8) is configured to cause the electrostatic clamping pad (11) on which the medium (2) is clamped by the electrostatic clamping force to move reciprocally in the first direction.

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