Cutting plotter

Abstract

A cutting plotter (1) is provided with a worktable (3) on which a medium (2) is conveyed in a conveying direction, a pen carrier (5) which moves above the worktable (3) in a first direction which is perpendicular to the conveying direction and parallel to a lateral direction, a power tool (4) which is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the pen carrier (5), and a power supply unit (24) which supplies power to the power tool (4). Thus, the power tool (4) is used for various processes other than a cutting process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cutting plotter configured to use power tools. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cutting plotter for performing cutting when equipped with multiple cutting tools. The cutting plotter has a cutting head that moves relative to the medium to be cut in both a front-back and a lateral direction. The cutting head has multiple cutting tools attached to it. Each cutting tool is composed of a cutting blade (with a cutting edge at its tip), and the cutting tool cuts the medium to be cut in the same shape as the movement trajectory of the cutting head.

[0003] In recent years, various techniques have been devised for adding various decorations to sheet media. One such technique is printing, in which heat transfer foil is placed on the sheet media, and then a heated pen is used to heat the foil to trace the shape of letters or patterns, thus fixing the foil to the media via heat transfer. In another technique, a tool (called a rotary tool) is used to cut thick sheets, which has a high-speed rotating blade or grinder.

[0004] However, the cutting plotter disclosed in Patent Document 1 can only use cutting tools that do not require power, and therefore it is impossible to use power tools, such as the heated pen and rotating tool mentioned above. Reference List Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-050978 Summary of the Invention Technical issues

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a cutting plotter that can use power tools to perform various processes other than cutting. Technical solutions to the problem

[0007] One aspect of the present invention relates to a cutting plotter comprising: a worktable along which a medium is conveyed in a conveying direction; a pen carrier configured to move above the worktable in a first direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and parallel to a transverse direction; a power tool configured to be detachably attached to the pen carrier; and a power supply unit configured to supply power to the power tool. Beneficial effects of the present invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, a cutting plotter can be provided that can use power tools to perform various processes other than cutting. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 A perspective view of a cutting plotter according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 An enlarged perspective view of the pen carrier portion of a cutting plotter without an attached heated pen is shown. Figure 3 An enlarged perspective view of a portion of the pen carrier of a cutting plotter with a heated pen attached is shown. Figure 4 A cross-sectional view showing the mechanism used to transport the medium is shown. Figure 5 An enlarged perspective cross-sectional view of the attachment portion of the power tool and a portion of the heating pen is shown during the process of attaching a heating pen to the attachment portion of the power tool. Figure 6 An enlarged perspective cross-sectional view of the power tool attachment and a portion of the heating pen is shown when the heating pen is attached to the power tool attachment. Figure 7 A perspective view of the heated pen is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0010] Now refer to Figures 1 to 7 The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail.

[0011] Figure 1 The cutting plotter 1 shown includes: a worktable 3 on which a sheet-like medium 2 (hereinafter referred to as "medium 2") to be cut is fed; and a pen carrier 5 supporting a cutting pen (not shown) or a power tool 4 (see [reference]). Figure 3 According to this embodiment, the cutting plotter 1 is configured to perform not only a cutting process for cutting graphics and characters from the medium 2, but also various other processes. Examples of these "other processes" include a heat transfer process, in which a heat transfer foil (not shown) is transferred to the medium 2, and in the scraping process, a rotary power tool 4, referred to as a "rotary tool," is used to scrape the thick medium 2. In this embodiment, the heat transfer process is performed as one of the "other processes."

[0012] like Figure 2As shown, the pen carrier 5 includes a non-power tool attachment portion 6 and a power tool attachment portion 7. A cutting pen (not shown) for performing a cutting process is removably attached to the non-power tool attachment portion 6. A power tool 4 for performing the aforementioned "other processes" is removably attached to the power tool attachment portion 7. The power tool 4 is configured to be detachably attached to the power tool attachment portion 7 (pen carrier 5). In this embodiment, the heated pen 4a (see...) Figure 7 ) is used as an electric tool 4 for performing a heat transfer process. The heating pen 4a (details of which will be described later) is configured such that while the heating pen 4a is attached to the pen carrier 5, power is supplied to the heating pen 4a from the side of the pen carrier 5, and the tip of the heating pen 4a is heated to a predetermined temperature.

[0013] Worktable 3 is in the conveying direction of medium 2 (in Figure 1 Extending from the lower left to the upper right, and in a transverse direction intersecting the conveying direction and parallel to that transverse direction (in... Figure 1 The middle section extends from the upper left to the lower right (referred to as the "first direction"). In the following description, the downstream side of medium 2 along the conveying direction is referred to as the "rear side", and the upstream side of medium 2 along the conveying direction is referred to as the "front side".

[0014] Medium 2 can be a sheet supplied individually or in rolls.

[0015] like Figure 4 As shown, the medium 2 is transported by rotating the medium-driven roller 8, while the medium 2 on the worktable 3 is clamped between the medium-driven roller 8 and the clamping roller 9. The medium-driven roller 8 and the clamping roller 9 constitute a medium feeding mechanism that moves the medium 2 backward and forward in the conveying direction.

[0016] The clamping roller 9 is supported by the support member 10 so that it can move in the vertical direction, and the clamping roller 9 is biased so that it is pressed against the medium-driven roller 8 by the spring force of the spring member (not shown). The support member 10 is supported by the frame (not shown) of the cutting plotter 1 via the track device 11 extending in the lateral direction.

[0017] A media-driven roller 8 is disposed on the lower portion of the worktable 3 and extends in the transverse direction. An opening 3a extending in the transverse direction is formed on the worktable 3, such that the upper portion of the media-driven roller 8 protrudes from the opening 3a onto the upper surface of the worktable 3. The media-driven roller 8 rotates to transport the media 2, which is pressed against the media-driven roller 8 by a clamping roller 9.

[0018] The pen carrier 5 has the function of driving the cutting pen (not shown) and the heating pen 4a in the vertical direction, and the pen carrier 5 is configured to move in the horizontal direction above the worktable 3. In this document, "vertical direction" refers to the vertical direction intersecting the worktable 3.

[0019] When the medium 2 is cut in the cutting process, the cutting pen is attached to the pen carrier 5 and the medium 2 is moved in the front-to-back direction, while the pen carrier 5 is moved in the lateral direction, wherein the cutting pen blade is stuck in the medium 2.

[0020] The heat transfer process is performed by clamping a laminate between a medium-driven roller 8 and a clamping roller 9. This laminate is formed by: stacking a heat transfer foil (not shown) on a medium 2; moving the medium 2 in the front-to-back direction and the pen carrier 5 in the lateral direction; and simultaneously heating the heat transfer body 12 (see [reference]) at the tip of the heated pen 4a. Figure 7 It is pressed against the heat transfer foil.

[0021] like Figure 2 As shown, the non-power tool attachment portion 6 and the power tool attachment portion 7 each include: attachment seats 15 and 16, each having holes 13 and 14 opening vertically; bodies 17 and 18 extending upward from the attachment seats 15 and 16; and locking members 19 and 20 protruding from the attachment seats 15 and 16 to their front ends. The hole 13 on the attachment seat 15 of the non-power tool attachment portion 6 is shaped to allow a cutting pen to be fitted therein. The hole 14 on the attachment seat 16 of the power tool attachment portion 7 is shaped to allow a heating pen 4a to be fitted therein.

[0022] The main body 17 of the non-electric tool attachment 6 and the main body 18 of the electric tool attachment 7 are respectively connected to a first drive unit 21 and a second drive unit 22 housed inside the pen carrier 5. The first drive unit 21 uses, for example, a solenoid (not shown) as a power source to move the non-electric tool attachment 6 in the vertical direction. The second drive unit 22 moves the electric tool attachment 7 in the vertical direction, for example, through a mechanism that converts the rotation of a motor (not shown) into reciprocating motion in the vertical direction.

[0023] like Figure 5As shown, contact terminals 23 are disposed on the upper surface 18a of the body 18 of the power tool attachment portion 7. In this embodiment, four contact terminals 23 are arranged in a row at predetermined intervals in the lateral direction at the upper end of the pen carrier 5. The four contact terminals 23 are formed by a conductive plate (which extends in the lateral direction), and the four contact terminals 23 are exposed in holes 29, which are holes 29 that open on the upper surface 18a of the body 18. The four contact terminals 23 are electrically connected to the power tool power supply unit 25 (see Figure 1) via wiring (not shown). Figure 1 ).

[0024] Two of the four contact terminals 23 are first contact terminals 23a for supplying power to the power tool 4. The first contact terminals 23a, together with the power tool power supply unit 25 disposed on the heating pen 4a and the second contact terminal 26a (described later), constitute the power supply unit 24 for supplying power to the heating pen 4a.

[0025] Two of the four contact terminals 23 are third contact terminals 23b, which are used to identify the type of power tool 4. The power tool power supply unit 25 is configured to identify the type of power tool 4 by connecting the power tool power supply 25 to an identification circuit (not shown) within the power tool 4 via the third contact terminal 23b, and to supply optimal power to the power tool 4.

[0026] The main body 18 is equipped with sensor 27 (see Figure 2 The sensor 27 is configured to determine whether the tool attached to the attachment 16 is a power tool 4, or to identify a power tool 4 with different processing. The sensor 27 is of the electromagnetic induction type, and the sensor 27 detects the metal plate 28 (see [link]). Figure 7 The vertical dimension of the metal plate 28 refers to the metal plate 28 attached to the power tool 4. The vertical dimension of the metal plate 28 varies depending on, for example, the type of power tool 4.

[0027] Locking elements 19 and 20 are used to switch the pen tool or power tool 4 between a locked state and an unlocked state. The pen tool or power tool 4 is fitted into holes 13 and 14 in attachment seats 15 and 16. Although not shown in detail, locking elements 19 and 20 are attached to the front portions of attachment seats 15 and 16 to allow movement in the forward and backward direction. When locking elements 19 and 20 move forward relative to attachment seats 15 and 16, the lock is released. When locking elements 19 and 20 move backward relative to attachment seats 15 and 16, the pen tool or power tool 4 is firmly secured by attachment seats 15 and 16 and enters the locked state.

[0028] like Figure 7 As shown, the heated pen 4a includes a heat transfer body 12 exposed at the tip (lower end). The heat transfer body 12 is made of a sphere of a material with high thermal conductivity and is rotatably supported at the tip 31 of the heated pen 4a. The heat transfer body 12 is heated to a predetermined temperature by a heater (not shown) disposed within the heated pen 4a.

[0029] The tip 31 of the heated pen 4a (which has a heat transfer body 12) is provided with a generally cylindrical mating portion 32 that engages with the attachment seat 16 of the power tool attachment portion 7. The mating portion 32 has a plurality of ridges 33 and flanges 34, the ridges 34 extending in the longitudinal direction of the heated pen 4a and the flanges 34 extending in the circumferential direction of the mating portion 32. The plurality of ridges 33 are used to position the mating portion 32 in the circumferential direction of the holes 14 in the attachment seat 16, and the plurality of ridges 33 are shaped to engage with a plurality of grooves 14a (see [link to documentation]). Figure 2 Multiple grooves 14a are formed in the hole 14. The flange 34 is used to adjust the position of the mating portion 32 relative to the attachment seat 16 in the longitudinal direction of the heating pen 4a. When the heating pen 4a is attached to the power tool attachment portion 7, the flange 34 abuts against the attachment seat 16 from above, thereby preventing the heating pen 4a from moving downward.

[0030] At the end (upper end) of the heating pen 4a opposite to the heat transfer body 12, a protruding wall 35 is provided. This protruding wall 35 protrudes above the upper end of the pen carrier 5 (i.e., facing rearward), and attaches the heating pen 4a to the pen carrier 5. Figure 6 As shown, the protruding wall 35 is formed such that when the heated pen 4a is attached to the power tool attachment portion 7, the protruding wall 35 overlaps from above with the upper end of the pen carrier 5 (the upper surface 18a of the main body 18).

[0031] Contact terminals 26 are disposed in the lower portion of the protruding wall 35. In this embodiment, the four contact terminals 26 are arranged with the same pitch as the four contact terminals 23 in the lateral direction. The four contact terminals 26 are formed by pins protruding downward from the lower surface of the protruding wall 35. Although not shown in detail, the pins forming the contact terminals 26 are configured to move up and down, and the pins are biased downward by a spring member.

[0032] Two of the four contact terminals 26 are second contact terminals 26a, which are connected to a heater disposed inside the heated pen 4a. The other two of the four contact terminals 26 are fourth contact terminals 26b, which are connected to an identification circuit (not shown) disposed inside the heated pen 4a.

[0033] To attach the heating pen 4a to the power tool attachment portion 7, the tip of the heating pen 4a is inserted from above into the hole 14 of the attachment base 16. At this time, the protruding wall 35 is positioned above the contact terminals 23 (i.e., the first contact terminal 23a and the third contact terminal 23b).

[0034] The mating portion 32 of the heated pen 4a engages with the hole 14 of the attachment 16, and the flange 34 overlaps with the attachment 16 from above, thereby positioning the heated pen 4a in a usable position. When the mating portion 32 engages with the hole 14 on the attachment 16, the contact terminals 26 (second contact terminal 26a and fourth contact terminal 26b) of the heated pen 4a are connected from above to the contact terminals 23 (first contact terminal 23a and third contact terminal 23b) of the pen carrier 5.

[0035] The two second contact terminals 26a of the heating pen 4a are connected to the heater. Since the heating pen 4a is attached to the power tool attachment part 7, the second contact terminals 26a are connected to the first contact terminal 23a of the power tool attachment part 7, and the heating pen 4a is in the energized state.

[0036] The two fourth contact terminals 26b of the heating pen 4a are connected to an identification circuit disposed inside the heating pen 4a. Since the heating pen 4a is attached to the power tool attachment part 7, the fourth contact terminals 26b are connected to the third contact terminal 23b of the power tool attachment part 7, and the power tool power supply unit 25 is connected to the identification circuit. Therefore, the power tool power supply unit 25 identifies the type of the heating pen 4a and supplies optimal power to it.

[0037] In this embodiment, for example, four types of power tools 4 can be identified by the combination of the energizing states of the two fourth contact terminals 26b. Furthermore, multiple types of power tools 4 can be identified by the vertical dimensions of the metal plate 28. By combining these two technologies, even more types of power tools can be identified.

[0038] With the mating portion 32 of the heating pen 4a engaged in the hole 14 of the attachment seat 16, the locking member 20 is operated to lock the heating pen 4a. This completes the attachment operation of the heating pen 4a, thereby allowing the heat transfer process to be performed.

[0039] Therefore, according to this embodiment, a cutting plotter can be provided that can use power tool 4 to perform various processes other than cutting.

[0040] According to this embodiment, the power supply unit 24 includes a first contact terminal 23a disposed on the pen carrier 5 and a second contact terminal 26a disposed on the power tool 4 (heated pen 4a). Since the power tool 4 is attached to the pen carrier 5, the second contact terminal 26a is connected to the first contact terminal 23a, thereby energizing the power tool 4. Therefore, no special operation is required to electrically connect the power tool 4 to the pen carrier 5, and thus, the tool 4 can be easily attached to the pen carrier 5.

[0041] In this embodiment, the first contact terminal 23a is disposed at the upper end of the pen carrier 5. The second contact terminal 26a is disposed at a portion of the power tool 4, which overlaps with the upper end of the pen carrier 5 from above. This ensures that when the power tool 4 is attached to the pen carrier 5, the direction of movement of the power tool 4 is the same as when the second contact terminal 26a is connected to the first contact terminal 23a. Therefore, when the power tool 4 is attached to the pen carrier 5, the second contact terminal 26a automatically connects to the first contact terminal 23a, and thus, the attachment of the power tool 4 can be performed more easily.

[0042] An appendix summarizing the above embodiments is provided below. Elements from the appendix can be combined with each other.

[0043] Appendix 1 relates to a cutting plotter, the cutting plotter comprising: a worktable along which a medium is conveyed in a conveying direction; a pen carrier configured to move above the worktable in a first direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and parallel to the transverse direction; a power tool configured to be detachably attached to the pen carrier; and a power supply unit configured to supply power to the power tool.

[0044] The power tool can be configured to perform processing on the medium. The processing performed on the medium may include: transferring heat transfer foil onto the medium, or scraping the medium.

[0045] Appendix 2 relates to the cutting plotter according to Appendix 1, wherein the power supply unit includes: a first contact terminal disposed on the pen carrier; and a second contact terminal disposed on the power tool and arranged such that when the power tool is attached to the pen carrier, the second contact terminal contacts the first contact terminal. Because the power tool is attached to the pen carrier, the second contact terminal connects to the first contact terminal, thereby energizing the power tool.

[0046] Appendix 3 relates to the cutting plotter according to Appendix 2, wherein the power supply unit further includes a power supply electrically connected to the first contact terminal.

[0047] Appendix 4 relates to a cutting plotter according to Appendix 2 or Appendix 3, wherein the first contact terminal is disposed on the upper end of the pen carrier, the power tool includes a portion configured to overlap the upper end of the pen carrier from above, and the second contact terminal is disposed on the portion of the power tool.

[0048] Appendix 5 relates to a cutting plotter according to Appendix 4, wherein the power tool includes: a protruding wall formed such that when the power tool is attached to the pen carrier, the protruding wall protrudes above the upper end of the pen carrier; and the portion where the second contact terminal is located is the lower surface of the protruding wall.

[0049] Appendix 6 relates to a cutting plotter according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5, the cutting plotter further comprising a media feeding mechanism configured to reciprocate the media along the conveying direction. The media feeding mechanism may include a drive roller and a clamping roller, the drive roller extending along the first direction, the clamping roller being configured to press the media against the drive roller. The drive roller may be configured to be rotated to convey the media pressed by the clamping roller along the conveying direction. List of reference numerals

[0050] 1: Cutting plotter, 2: Media, 3: Worktable, 4: Power tool, 5: Pen carrier, 18: Main body, 24: Power supply unit, 23a: First contact terminal, 25: Power tool power supply unit, 26a: Second contact terminal, 35: Protruding wall

Claims

1. A cutting plotter, comprising: A worktable, along which the medium is conveyed in the conveying direction; A pen carrier, the pen carrier being configured to move above the worktable along a first direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the conveying direction and parallel to the transverse direction; A power tool configured to be detachably attached to the pen carrier; as well as A power supply unit configured to supply power to the power tool.

2. The cutting plotter according to claim 1, wherein The power supply unit includes: The first contact terminal is disposed on the pen carrier; as well as A second contact terminal is disposed on the power tool and arranged such that when the power tool is attached to the pen carrier, the second contact terminal contacts the first contact terminal.

3. The cutting plotter according to claim 2, wherein The power supply unit also includes a power source, which is electrically connected to the first contact terminal.

4. The cutting plotter according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The first contact terminal is arranged on the upper end of the pen carrier. The power tool includes a portion configured to overlap the upper end of the pen carrier from above, and The second contact terminal is disposed on the portion of the power tool.

5. The cutting plotter according to claim 4, wherein The power tool includes: A protruding wall is formed such that when the power tool is attached to the pen carrier, the protruding wall protrudes above the upper end of the pen carrier; and The portion where the second contact terminal is located is the lower surface of the protruding wall.

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