Printer

Abstract

To provide a printer which can appropriately rub a first blade and a second blade together.SOLUTION: A printer comprises: a second blade 35; a first blade part 19 which includes a first blade 57 and cuts a recording sheet P by moving to a cutting position via an overlapping start position where the first blade 57 starts to overlap the second blade 35 in the first direction from the standby position where the first blade 57 is apart from the second blade 35; a first blade guide 37 which is provided in the first direction relative to the second blade 35 and guides movement of the first blade 57 between the second blade 35 and itself when the first blade part 19 moves to the cutting position from the overlapping start position; and a warpage prevention part 31 which prevents the first blade 57 from being warped in a convex manner in the first direction by pressing the first blade 57 in the second direction opposite to the first direction when the first blade part 19 moves to the cutting position from the overlapping start position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART As disclosed in Patent Document 1, a printing device equipped with a cutter blade that cuts printed paper has been known. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-240286 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a printing device equipped with a second blade, a first blade overlapping the second blade in a first direction, and a blade guide that guides movement of the first blade between the second blade, the blade guide causes a force in the first direction to act on the first blade as a reaction force from the second blade. If the force in the first direction causes the first blade to bend convexly in the first direction, the first blade and the second blade cannot be rubbed together properly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The printing device of the present invention includes a first blade portion that includes a second blade and a first blade, and cuts the printing medium by moving from a standby position where the first blade is separated from the second blade, through an overlap start position where the first blade begins to overlap the second blade in a first direction, to a cutting position; a blade guide that is provided in the first direction relative to the second blade and guides the movement of the first blade between itself and the second blade when the first blade portion moves from the overlap start position to the cutting position; and a warp suppression portion that presses the first blade in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the first blade portion moves from the overlap start position to the cutting position, thereby suppressing the first blade from warping convexly in the first direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printing device with the access cover closed. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printing device with the access cover open. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the structure around the cutting unit of the printing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a first unit of the cutting section. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first unit of the cutting section, showing the first blade portion in a see-through manner. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a view of the first unit of the cutting section as seen from the −Y direction. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the first unit taken along the line AA in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the first unit taken along line BB in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the first unit of the cut portion taken along the CC cut line in FIG. 6. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view of the first and second units of the cutting section as viewed from the +Z direction. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a standby position of the first blade portion. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the overlap start position of the first blade portion. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the cutting position of the first blade portion. [Figure 14] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating the warped shape and reverse warped shape of the first cutting edge portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Below, we will explain a printing device 1, which is one embodiment of a printing device, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The printing device 1 is a so-called mobile printer and is portable. Note that the following explanation will use directions based on the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system shown in each figure, but these directions are for convenience of explanation only and do not limit the following embodiment in any way.

[0008] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printing device 1 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a device case 3 and an opening / closing cover 5.

[0009] The device case 3 is formed in a box shape with an open face in the +Z direction, and a roll paper holder 7 is provided inside the device case 3. The roll paper holder 7 stores roll paper R, which is wound with recording paper P (see Figure 3), which serves as the print medium. The roll paper R is inserted into the roll paper holder 7 using a drop-in method. The printing device 1 prints on the recording paper P pulled out from the roll paper R stored in the roll paper holder 7.

[0010] The access cover 5 opens and closes the roll paper holder 7. The access cover 5 is attached to the -Y end of the device case 3 so that it can rotate around an axis parallel to the X direction. An outlet 9 is provided between the tip of the access cover 5, i.e., the +Y end, and the device case 3. The outlet 9 is shaped like a rectangle that is long in the X direction.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 3, the printing device 1 includes a platen roller 11, a thermal head 13, and a cutting unit 15.

[0012] The platen roller 11 is provided inside the opening / closing cover 5 so that the direction of its rotation axis is parallel to the X direction (see FIG. 2). The platen roller 11 holds the recording paper P between itself and the thermal head 13, and rotates using a feed motor (not shown) as its drive source, thereby pulling the recording paper P from the roll paper R and feeding it toward the discharge port 9.

[0013] The thermal head 13 is provided inside the device case 3 so as to face the platen roller 11. The thermal head 13 has multiple heating elements (not shown) and performs printing on recording paper P pulled out from the roll paper R.

[0014] The cutting section 15 cuts the recording paper P in the width direction of the recording paper P, i.e., the X direction, between the platen roller 11, the thermal head 13, and the discharge port 9. The cutting section 15 is equipped with a first unit 16 including a first blade 57 and a second unit 17 including a second blade 35. The first unit 16 is provided at the end of the device case 3 in the +Y direction. The second unit 17 is located in the -Y direction relative to the first unit 16 and is provided inside the opening / closing cover 5.

[0015] As shown in Figures 4 to 9, the first unit 16 of the cutting section 15 includes a cutter frame 18, a first blade section 19, a first holder guide 21 and a second holder guide 23, a motor support member 25, a drive motor 27, a power transmission section 29, a warp suppression section 31, and a rotation suppression section 33.

[0016] The cutter frame 18 is provided inside the device case 3 and supports the first blade portion 19, the first holder guide 21, the second holder guide 23, the motor support member 25, the drive motor 27, the power transmission portion 29, the warp suppression portion 31, and the rotation suppression portion 33. The cutter frame 18 includes a first frame portion 43, a second frame portion 45, a third frame portion 47, and a fourth frame portion 49.

[0017] The first frame portion 43 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape parallel to the XZ plane. The second frame portion 45 extends in the -Y direction from the -X end of the first frame portion 43 and is formed in a plate shape parallel to the YZ plane. The third frame portion 47 extends in the -Y direction from the +X end of the first frame portion 43 and is formed in a plate shape parallel to the YZ plane.

[0018] The fourth frame portion 49 extends in the -Z direction from approximately the center in the X direction of the -Z direction end of the first frame portion 43. The fourth frame portion 49 includes a connection portion 51, a first gear support portion 53, and a second gear support portion 55. The connection portion 51 is continuous with the first frame portion 43 and connects the first gear support portion 53 and the second gear support portion 55. The first gear support portion 53 extends in the -Y direction from the -X direction end of the connection portion 51. The second gear support portion 55 extends in the -Y direction from the +X direction end of the connection portion 51.

[0019] The first blade portion 19 is configured to be movable in the Y direction relative to the cutter frame 18. That is, the first blade portion 19 is configured to be movable toward and away from the second blade 35. Within the movement range of the first blade portion 19, the position where the first blade portion 19 starts moving toward the second blade 35 is referred to as the standby position of the first blade portion 19 (see FIG. 11). When the first blade portion 19 is located at the standby position, the first blade 57 is separated from the second blade 35. Within the movement range of the first blade portion 19, the position of the first blade portion 19 at which the first blade 57 starts moving from the standby position and begins to overlap the second blade 35 in the +Z direction is referred to as the overlap start position of the first blade portion 19 (see FIG. 12). Within the movement range of the first blade portion 19, the position where the first blade portion 19 is closest to the second blade 35 is referred to as the cutting position of the first blade portion 19 (see FIG. 13).

[0020] When the first blade portion 19 is positioned between the overlap start position and the cutting position, the first blade 57 and the second blade 35 overlap, and the first cutting edge 63 and the second cutting edge 129 rub against each other. The first blade portion 19 cuts the recording paper P by moving from the standby position through the overlap start position to the cutting position. The direction in which the first blade 57 overlaps with the second blade 35 is referred to as the first direction. In this embodiment, the +Z direction is the first direction.

[0021] The first blade portion 19 includes a first blade 57, a cutter holder 59, and a drive pin 61. The first blade 57 functions as a movable blade and cuts the recording paper P between itself and the second blade 35, which functions as a fixed blade. The first blade 57 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape, and a substantially V-shaped first cutting edge 63 is provided at the end of the first blade 57 in the -Y direction. That is, both ends of the first cutting edge 63 in the X direction are located closer to the second blade 35 than the center of the first cutting edge 63 in the X direction (see FIG. 10). In addition, a notch 65 (see FIG. 6) is provided at approximately the center of the first cutting edge 63 in the X direction. As a result, the recording paper P is cut leaving a portion of the recording paper P in the width direction, so the cut recording paper P remains at the discharge port 9 without falling out.

[0022] A positioning recess 67 is provided near the -X direction end of the +Y direction end of the first blade 57. The positioning recess 67 engages with a positioning protrusion 99 of the cutter holder 59. The engagement of the positioning recess 67 with the positioning protrusion 99 positions the first blade 57 relative to the cutter holder 59.

[0023] The first blade 57 is fixed to the cutter holder 59 by a fixing screw 69 (see FIG. 8). A blade hole 71 through which the fixing screw 69 passes is provided in approximately the center of the first blade 57 in the X direction. A fixing plate 73 having a substantially rectangular plate shape is provided between the fixing screw 69 and the first blade 57. The fixing plate 73 has a plate hole 75 through which the fixing screw 69 passes. The plate hole 75 is countersunk.

[0024] The cutter holder 59 holds the first blade 57 and is provided so as to be movable in the Y direction relative to the cutter frame 18. As shown in FIG. 6 , the cutter holder 59 includes a mounting portion 77, a first holder protrusion 79, a second holder protrusion 81, a first guide engagement portion 83, a second guide engagement portion 85, a first rack portion 87, a second rack portion 89, and a drive protrusion 91.

[0025] The first blade 57 is placed on the placement portion 77. A holder hole 93 (see FIG. 8) is provided in the approximate center in the X direction of the placement portion 77. In the holder hole 93, a fixing screw 69 is fixed.

[0026] The first holder protrusion 79 and the second holder protrusion 81 protrude in the +Z direction from the +Y-direction end of the mounting portion 77, spaced apart from each other in the X direction. The second holder protrusion 81 is provided in the +X direction relative to the first holder protrusion 79. A first pressure member 95 protrudes in the -Y direction from the first holder protrusion 79. A second pressure member 97 protrudes in the -Y direction from the second holder protrusion 81. The first pressure member 95 and the second pressure member 97 contact the +Y-direction end face of the first blade 57, which corresponds to the ridge of the first blade 57, and press the first blade 57 against the second blade 35 when the first cutting edge 19 moves to the cutting position. In addition, a positioning protrusion 99 protrudes in the -Y direction from the first holder protrusion 79. The positioning protrusion 99 engages with the positioning recess 67 of the first blade 57. The first blade 57 is positioned relative to the cutter holder 59 by the positioning protrusion 99 engaging with the positioning recess 67.

[0027] The first guide engagement portion 83 and the second guide engagement portion 85 are provided on the -Z direction surface of the mounting portion 77, spaced apart from each other in the X direction, and protrude from the mounting portion 77 in the -Z direction (see FIG. 6). The second guide engagement portion 85 is provided in the +X direction relative to the first guide engagement portion 83. A first guide hole 101 is provided in the first guide engagement portion 83. The first guide hole 101 is formed in a substantially rounded rectangle and extends in the Y direction. A first holder guide 21 is inserted into the first guide hole 101. That is, the first guide engagement portion 83 engages with the first holder guide 21. A second guide hole 103 is provided in the second guide engagement portion 85. The second guide hole 103 is formed in a substantially rounded rectangle and extends in the Y direction. A second holder guide 23 is inserted into the second guide hole 103. That is, the second guide engagement portion 85 engages with the second holder guide 23.

[0028] The first rack portion 87 and the second rack portion 89 are located between the first guide engagement portion 83 and the second guide engagement portion 85 and are spaced apart from each other in the X direction. The second rack portion 89 is located in the +X direction relative to the first rack portion 87. The first rack portion 87 extends in the Y direction, has an uneven surface facing the -Z direction, and meshes with a first pinion 141, which will be described later. The second rack portion 89 extends in the Y direction, has an uneven surface facing the -Z direction, and meshes with a second pinion 143, which will be described later (see FIG. 7).

[0029] The driving protrusion 91 is located in the -X direction with respect to the first guide engagement portion 83, and protrudes in the -Z direction from the mounting portion 77. A driving pin 61 protrudes in the -Z direction from the -Z direction surface of the driving protrusion 91.

[0030] The drive pin 61 is provided on the drive protrusion 91. The drive pin 61 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and engages with a drive groove 121 provided in a drive cam 119, which will be described later (see FIGS. 5 and 9).

[0031] The first holder guide 21 and the second holder guide 23 guide the movement of the cutter holder 59 in the Y direction. That is, the first holder guide 21 and the second holder guide 23 guide the movement of the first blade portion 19 between the standby position and the cutting position. The first holder guide 21 and the second holder guide 23 are provided on the first frame portion 43 and spaced apart from each other in the X direction. The second holder guide 23 is provided in the +X direction relative to the first holder guide 21. The first holder guide 21 and the second holder guide 23 are formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and protrude from the first frame portion 43 in the -Y direction. The first holder guide 21 is inserted into the first guide hole 101. The second holder guide 23 is inserted into the second guide hole 103.

[0032] Note that while the first holder guide 21 is generally cylindrical, the first guide hole 101 is a rounded rectangle, and there is a gap, i.e., play, between the first holder guide 21 and the first guide hole 101. Similarly, while the second holder guide 23 is generally cylindrical, the second guide hole 103 is a rounded rectangle, and there is a gap, i.e., play, between the second holder guide 23 and the second guide hole 103. This prevents gouging from occurring between the first holder guide 21 and the first guide hole 101 or between the second holder guide 23 and the second guide hole 103, allowing the cutter holder 59 to move smoothly in the Y direction.

[0033] The motor support member 25 is attached to the first frame portion 43 of the cutter frame 18. The motor support member 25 supports the drive motor 27.

[0034] The drive motor 27 is supported by a motor support member 25. The drive motor 27 is a drive source for the first cutting portion 19. An output gear 105 is provided on the shaft of the drive motor 27. The rotation axis of the output gear 105 is parallel to the X direction.

[0035] The power transmission unit 29 transmits the power of the drive motor 27 to the first blade portion 19. The power transmission unit 29 includes a first gear 107, a worm 109, a worm wheel 111, a second gear 113 (see FIG. 7), a third gear 115, a fourth gear 117 (see FIG. 5), and a drive cam 119.

[0036] The first gear 107 and the worm 109 are rotatably supported between the first gear support part 53 and the second gear support part 55 so that the rotation axis is parallel to the X direction. The first gear 107 is in mesh with the output gear 105. The worm 109 is provided coaxially with the first gear 107 and rotates integrally with the first gear 107.

[0037] The worm wheel 111, second gear 113, third gear 115, fourth gear 117, and drive cam 119 are rotatably mounted on the first frame portion 43 so that their rotation axes are parallel to the Y direction. The worm wheel 111 meshes with the worm 109. The second gear 113 is mounted coaxially with the worm wheel 111 and rotates integrally with the worm wheel 111 (see FIG. 7). The third gear 115 is mounted between the second gear 113 and the fourth gear 117 and meshes with the second gear 113 and the fourth gear 117. The third gear 115 transmits the rotation of the second gear 113 to the fourth gear 117. The fourth gear 117 meshes with the third gear 115. The drive cam 119 is mounted coaxially with the fourth gear 117 and rotates integrally with the fourth gear 117 (see FIG. 5).

[0038] In this way, the rotation of the drive motor 27 is transmitted to the drive cam 119 via the first gear 107, the worm 109, the worm wheel 111, the second gear 113, the third gear 115, and the fourth gear 117. In other words, the drive motor 27 rotates the drive cam 119 via the first gear 107, the worm 109, the worm wheel 111, the second gear 113, the third gear 115, and the fourth gear 117.

[0039] The drive cam 119 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The drive cam 119 is located in the -Z direction relative to the drive pin 61. A drive groove 121 is provided on the side surface, i.e., the outer peripheral surface, of the drive cam 119. The drive pin 61 engages with the drive groove 121. The drive groove 121 is formed in an annular shape in the circumferential direction of the drive cam 119, i.e., in a substantially elliptical shape inclined in the Y direction, and includes an orthogonal portion 123, a first drive groove portion 125, and a second drive groove portion 127 (see FIG. 5).

[0040] The orthogonal portion 123 is provided at the +Y-direction end of the outer peripheral surface of the drive cam 119, and extends in a direction perpendicular to the Y direction, which is the movement direction of the first blade portion 19, i.e., in the X direction. The -X-direction end of the orthogonal portion 123 is continuous with the first drive groove portion 125, and the +X-direction end of the orthogonal portion 123 is continuous with the second drive groove portion 127. The first drive groove portion 125 is formed obliquely with respect to the Y direction, which is the movement direction of the first blade portion 19. The second drive groove portion 127 is also formed obliquely with respect to the Y direction, which is the movement direction of the first blade portion 19. The first drive groove portion 125 refers to a range of approximately half the circumference of the drive groove 121, from the -X-direction end of the orthogonal portion 123 to the -Y-direction end of the drive groove 121. The second drive groove portion 127 refers to the range of approximately half the circumference of the drive groove 121, from the end of the orthogonal portion 123 in the +X direction to the end of the drive groove 121 in the −Y direction.

[0041] When the drive pin 61 is engaged with the orthogonal portion 123, the first blade portion 19 is positioned in a standby position. At this time, the orthogonal portion 123 prevents the drive pin 61 from moving in the Y direction. This makes it possible to prevent the first blade portion 19 from moving in the Y direction even when an impact is applied to the printing device 1.

[0042] When the drive cam 119 rotates in the first rotation direction, i.e., clockwise when viewed from the -Y direction, from a state in which the drive pin 61 is engaged with the orthogonal portion 123, the drive pin 61 moves relatively from the orthogonal portion 123 to the first drive groove portion 125. When the drive cam 119 rotates in the first rotation direction with the drive pin 61 engaged with the first drive groove portion 125, the first drive groove portion 125 guides the drive pin 61 in the -Y direction. As a result, the first blade portion 19 moves from the standby position, via the overlap start position, to the cutting position.

[0043] When the drive cam 119 rotates further in the first rotation direction from a state in which the drive pin 61 is engaged with the first drive groove 125, the drive pin 61 moves relatively from the first drive groove 125 to the second drive groove 127. When the drive cam 119 rotates in the first rotation direction with the drive pin 61 engaged with the second drive groove 127, the second drive groove 127 guides the drive pin 61 in the +Y direction. This causes the first blade portion 19 to return from the cutting position to the overlap start position and then to the standby position.

[0044] In this way, the drive pin 61 engaged with the drive groove 121 provided in the drive cam 119 serves as a drive point, and when the drive cam 119 rotates, the drive pin 61 moves in the Y direction, causing the first blade portion 19 equipped with the drive pin 61 to move between the standby position and the cutting position. This makes it unnecessary to provide two drive points at two locations symmetrical with respect to the center of the first blade 57 in the X direction in order to equalize the load that the first blade 57 receives from the drive pin 61 via the cutter holder 59 in the X direction. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide two or more parts, such as gears, engaged with the drive points, and a single part, the drive cam 119, can do the job, allowing the printing device 1 to be made more compact.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 10, the second unit 17 of the cutting section 15 includes a second blade 35, a first blade guide 37, a second blade guide 39, and a cutter spring 41 (see FIG. 3). The second blade 35 functions as a fixed blade and cuts the recording paper P between itself and the first blade 57, which functions as a movable blade. The second blade 35 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape, and a second cutting edge 129 extending in the X direction is provided at the end of the second blade 35 in the +Y direction. The extending direction of the second cutting edge 129 is referred to as the third direction. In this embodiment, the X direction is the third direction.

[0046] The cutter spring 41 applies a force in the +Z direction to the second blade 35 so that the first blade 57 and the second blade 35 rub against each other appropriately. As the cutter spring 41, for example, a leaf spring can be used.

[0047] The first blade guide 37 and the second blade guide 39 are spaced apart from each other in the X direction and are disposed in the first direction, i.e., the +Z direction, relative to the second blade 35. That is, the first blade guide 37 and the second blade guide 39 are disposed between the second blade 35 and the openable cover 5 (see FIG. 3). The second blade guide 39 is disposed in the +X direction relative to the first blade guide 37. When the first blade portion 19 moves from the overlap start position to the cutting position, the first blade guide 37 and the second blade guide 39 come into contact with the first blade 57 at both ends of the first blade 57 in the third direction, i.e., the X direction, and press the first blade 57 in the second direction, i.e., the -Z direction, which is opposite to the first direction. That is, the first blade guide 37 presses the first blade 57 in the second direction at the end of the first blade 57 in the -X direction. The second blade guide 39 presses the first blade 57 in the second direction at the end of the first blade 57 in the +X direction.

[0048] In this way, when first blade portion 19 moves from the overlap start position to the cutting position, first blade guide 37 and second blade guide 39 guide the movement of first blade 57 between second blade 35. By guiding the movement of first blade 57 by first blade guide 37 and second blade guide 39, first blade 57 is prevented from moving away from second blade 35 in the first direction, and first blade 57 and second blade 35 can be rubbed together appropriately.

[0049] Here, when first blade portion 19 moves from the overlap start position to the cutting position, as described above, first blade 57 overlaps second blade 35 in the first direction, and first blade guide 37 and second blade guide 39 press first blade 57 in the second direction toward second blade 35. Therefore, a force in the first direction acts on first blade 57 as a reaction force from second blade 35. This force in the first direction is called first reaction force F (see FIG. 14).

[0050] As shown by the solid line in FIG. 14 , if the first blade 57 is curved convexly in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first blade 57 overlaps the second blade 35, i.e., in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the first blade 57 can rub against the second blade 35 well. In contrast, when the first reaction force F acts on the first blade 57, the first blade 57 may assume a reverse-curved shape, i.e., a shape curved convexly in the first direction, which is the opposite of the ideal shape described above. If the first blade 57 assumes a reverse-curved shape, the first blade 57 and the second blade 35 cannot rub against each other properly, and the recording paper P cannot be cut properly. In FIG. 14 , the reverse-curved first blade 57 is shown by a two-dot chain line.

[0051] Furthermore, because the first cutting edge 63 of the first blade 57 is formed in a substantially V-shape, when the first blade portion 19 moves from the overlap start position to the cutting position, it rubs against the second cutting edge 129 from both ends of the first cutting edge 63 in the third direction, i.e., the X direction, toward the center of the first cutting edge 63 in the third direction. That is, when the first blade portion 19 is located at the overlap start position, both ends of the first blade 57 and the second blade 35 in the X direction become abutment points 131 between the first blade 57 and the second blade 35 (see FIG. 12). Furthermore, when the first blade portion 19 is located at the cutting position, the center of the first blade 57 and the second blade 35 in the X direction becomes abutment points 131 between the first blade 57 and the second blade 35 (see FIG. 13). In this way, when the first blade portion 19 moves from the overlap start position to the cutting position, the two abutment points 131 gradually approach each other, and when the first blade portion 19 reaches the cutting position, the two abutment points 131 approximately coincide.

[0052] For this reason, the distance between the friction point 131 in the -X direction and the first blade guide 37, and the distance between the friction point 131 in the +X direction and the second blade guide 39 are greater when the first blade portion 19 is in the cutting position than when the first blade portion 19 is in the overlap start position. Because the first reaction force F acts at this friction point 131, the moment of the first reaction force F is greater when the first blade portion 19 is in the cutting position than when the first blade portion 19 is in the overlap start position.

[0053] In contrast, the cutting unit 15 of this embodiment is equipped with a warp suppression unit 31. When the first blade portion 19 moves from the overlap start position to the cutting position, the warp suppression unit 31 presses the first blade 57 via the fixed plate 73 in a second direction opposite to the first direction, i.e., the -Z direction, thereby suppressing the first blade 57 from warping convexly in the first direction. This allows the first blade 57 to be maintained in the above-mentioned ideal shape, i.e., a shape warped convexly in the second direction. Therefore, the first blade 57 and the second blade 35 can be properly rubbed together, allowing the recording paper P to be cut satisfactorily.

[0054] The warp suppression section 31 may be, for example, an elastic member such as a leaf spring. The warp suppression section 31 includes a fixed section 145, a contact section 147, and a folded section 149 (see FIG. 8). The fixed section 145 is located at the end of the warp suppression section 31 in the +Y direction and is fixed to the first frame section 43. The contact section 147 bends and extends in the -Y direction from the end of the warp suppression section 31 in the +Z direction, and is in contact with the fixed plate 73. The folded section 149 is folded back in the +Z direction from the end of the contact section 147 in the -Y direction.

[0055] The first blade portion 19 moves from the standby position to the cutting position against the elastic force of the warp suppression portion 31. As the first blade portion 19 approaches the cutting position, the warp suppression portion 31 elastically deforms so that the bending angle of the contact portion 147 relative to the fixing portion 145 decreases. In other words, the amount of elastic deformation of the warp suppression portion 31 is greater when the first blade portion 19 is in the cutting position than when the first blade portion 19 is in the overlap start position. Therefore, the force with which the warp suppression portion 31 presses the first blade 57 is greater when the first blade portion 19 is in the cutting position than when the first blade portion 19 is in the overlap start position. Therefore, the warp suppression portion 31 can press the first blade 57 with a force corresponding to the change in the moment of the first reaction force F.

[0056] A first rib 133 (see FIG. 10 ) protruding in the first direction, i.e., the +Z direction, is provided on the periphery of the +Z direction surface of first blade guide 37. First blade guide 37 receives first reaction force F from second blade 35 via first blade 57, and first rib 133 can reinforce first blade guide 37 against first reaction force F. Similarly, a second rib 135 (see FIG. 10 ) protruding in the first direction, i.e., the +Z direction, is provided on the periphery of the +Z direction surface of second blade guide 39. Second blade guide 39 receives first reaction force F from second blade 35 via first blade 57, and second rib 135 can reinforce second blade guide 39 against first reaction force F.

[0057] As described above, the first drive groove 125 is formed obliquely with respect to the Y direction, which is the movement direction of the first cutting blade 19. Therefore, the force that the drive pin 61 receives from the first drive groove 125 includes a component force in the +X direction. This component force in the +X direction acts as a force that loosens the cutter holder 59 until the inner circumferential wall of the first guide hole 101 contacts the first holder guide 21 or the inner circumferential wall of the second guide hole 103 contacts the second holder guide 23. As a result, the cutter holder 59 rotates in a plane parallel to the XY plane, with the first holder guide 21 or the second holder guide 23 as a fulcrum, which may prevent the first blade 57 and the second blade 35 from properly grinding against each other.

[0058] In contrast, the cutting unit 15 of this embodiment includes a rotation suppressing unit 33. As shown in FIG. 6 , the rotation suppressing unit 33 includes a pinion holder 137, a pinion shaft 139, a first pinion 141, and a second pinion 143. The pinion holder 137 is attached to the first frame portion 43 and rotatably supports the pinion shaft 139. The pinion shaft 139 extends in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the first cutting portion 19, i.e., in the X direction. The first pinion 141 is fixed to the end of the pinion shaft 139 in the −X direction, and the second pinion 143 is fixed to the end of the pinion shaft 139 in the +X direction. The first pinion 141 and the second pinion 143 rotate integrally with each other.

[0059] The first pinion 141 meshes with the first rack portion 87. The second pinion 143 is provided in the +X direction relative to the first pinion 141 and meshes with the second rack portion 89. The first pinion 141 and the second pinion 143 rotate together in response to movement of the first cutting edge portion 19 in the Y direction. In this way, the first pinion 141 and the second pinion 143, which rotate together with each other, mesh with the first rack portion 87 and the second rack portion 89 at two locations spaced apart from each other in the X direction.

[0060] For this reason, the cutter holder 59 is permitted to move so that the first pinion 141 and the second pinion 143 rotate integrally with each other, i.e., the cutter holder 59 is permitted to move in the Y direction. On the other hand, the cutter holder 59 is prevented from moving so that the first pinion 141 and the second pinion 143 rotate in different modes from each other, i.e., the cutter holder 59 is prevented from rotating in a plane parallel to the XY plane. Therefore, even if a component force in the +X direction acts on the cutter holder 59, it is possible to prevent the cutter holder 59 from rotating in a plane parallel to the XY plane.

[0061] As described above, the printing device 1 of this embodiment includes the second blade 35, the first blade portion 19, the first blade guide 37, the second blade guide 39, and the warp suppression unit 31. The first blade portion 19 includes the first blade 57, and cuts the recording paper P by moving from a standby position where the first blade 57 is separated from the second blade 35, through an overlap start position where the first blade 57 begins to overlap the second blade 35 in a first direction, i.e., the +Z direction, to a cutting position. The first blade guide 37 and the second blade guide 39 are provided in the first direction relative to the second blade 35, and guide the movement of the first blade 57 between them and the second blade 35 when the first blade portion 19 moves from the overlap start position to the cutting position. The warp suppression unit 31 presses the first blade 57 in a second direction opposite the first direction, i.e., the -Z direction, when the first blade portion 19 moves from the overlap start position to the cutting position, thereby suppressing the first blade 57 from warping convexly in the first direction.

[0062] According to this configuration, by providing the first blade guide 37 and the second blade guide 39, even if a first reaction force F acts on the first blade 57 in a first direction, the warp suppression section 31 can maintain the first blade 57 in a shape that is warped convexly in the second direction, and the first blade 57 and the second blade 35 can be properly rubbed together.

[0063] [Other variations] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various configurations can be adopted within the scope of the spirit thereof. For example, the above-described embodiment can be modified in the following manner in addition to the above. Furthermore, the embodiment and the modified examples may be combined with each other.

[0064] The warp suppression unit 31 may be configured to include an elastic member other than a leaf spring, for example, a coil spring or rubber as the elastic member. Furthermore, the warp suppression unit 31 is not limited to a configuration including an elastic member. For example, the warp suppression unit 31 may be provided in the first direction relative to the second blade 35 and may be configured to press the first blade 57 in the second direction by sliding against the first blade 57 that moves between the overlap start position and the cutting position.

[0065] The rotation suppressing portion 33 is not limited to a configuration including the first pinion 141 and the second pinion 143. For example, the first holder guide 21 and the second holder guide 23 may function as the rotation suppressing portion 33 by reducing the gap between the first holder guide 21 and the first guide hole 101 and the gap between the second holder guide 23 and the second guide hole 103.

[0066] The first blade portion 19 is not limited to being motor-driven, but may be configured to be manually operated.

[0067] The printing method of the printing device 1 is not limited to the thermal method, but may be, for example, an inkjet method or an electrophotographic method.

[0068] [Note] The following additional information is provided regarding the printing device. The printing device includes a first blade portion that includes a second blade and a first blade, and cuts the printing medium by moving from a standby position where the first blade is separated from the second blade, through an overlap start position where the first blade begins to overlap the second blade in a first direction, to a cutting position; a blade guide that is provided in the first direction relative to the second blade and guides the movement of the first blade between itself and the second blade when the first blade portion moves from the overlap start position to the cutting position; and a warp suppression portion that presses the first blade in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the first blade portion moves from the overlap start position to the cutting position, thereby suppressing the first blade from warping convexly in the first direction.

[0069] With this configuration, by providing a blade guide, even if a first reaction force acts on the first blade from the second blade in a first direction, the warp suppression section can maintain the first blade in a shape warped in the second direction, allowing the first blade and second blade to rub together appropriately. First blade guide 37 and second blade guide 39 are an example of a "blade guide." The +Z direction is an example of a "first direction." The -Z direction is an example of a "second direction."

[0070] In this case, the warp suppressing portion preferably includes an elastic member.

[0071] According to this configuration, the first blade can be pressed in the second direction by the elastic force of the elastic member.

[0072] In this case, when the first blade portion moves from the overlap start position to the cutting position, the blade guide presses the first blade in the second direction at both ends of the first blade in the third direction along which the second cutting edge provided on the second blade extends, and when the first blade portion moves from the overlap start position to the cutting position, the first cutting edge provided on the first blade rubs against the second cutting edge from both ends of the first cutting edge in the third direction toward the center of the first cutting edge in the third direction, and it is preferable that the elastic member elastically deforms more greatly when the first blade portion is in the cutting position than when the first blade portion is in the overlap start position.

[0073] With this configuration, the warp suppression portion can press the first blade with a force according to a change in the moment of the first reaction force received from the first blade. The X direction is an example of a "third direction."

[0074] In this case, the blade guide preferably has a rib protruding in the first direction.

[0075] According to this configuration, the blade guide receives a first reaction force in the first direction from the second blade via the first blade, but the blade guide can be reinforced against the first reaction force by the rib.

[0076] In this case, it is preferable that the first blade portion includes a drive pin, the printing device includes a cylindrical rotating body and a drive motor that rotates the rotating body, and the side of the rotating body is provided with a drive groove that engages with the drive pin so that the first blade portion moves from a standby position to a cutting position when the rotating body rotates.

[0077] According to this configuration, there is no need to provide two or more parts such as gears that engage with the driving points, and only one part, the driving cam, can be used, which allows for the printing device to be made smaller. The drive cam 119 is an example of a "rotating body."

[0078] In this case, it is preferable to provide a rotation suppression portion having a first engagement portion that engages with the first blade portion, and a second engagement portion that is provided in a third direction in which the second cutting edge provided on the second blade extends relative to the first engagement portion and that engages with the first blade portion.

[0079] According to this configuration, the first blade portion engages with the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion at two locations spaced apart in the third direction, so that even if a force acts on the first blade portion in the third direction, the first blade portion can be prevented from rotating.

[0080] In this case, it is preferable that the first engagement portion includes a first engagement gear, the second engagement portion includes a second engagement gear that can rotate integrally with the first engagement gear, and the first engagement gear and the second engagement gear rotate in response to the movement of the first blade portion.

[0081] With this configuration, the first blade portion is allowed to move so that the first engagement gear and the second engagement gear rotate together, but is prevented from moving so that the first engagement gear and the second engagement gear rotate in different ways. This makes it possible to prevent the first blade portion from rotating even if a force in the third direction acts on the first blade portion. The first pinion 141 is an example of a "first engagement gear." The second pinion 143 is an example of a "second engagement gear." [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1...printing device, 19...first blade portion, 27...drive motor, 31...warping suppression portion, 33...rotation suppression portion, 35...second blade, 37...first blade guide, 39...second blade guide, 57...first blade, 61...drive pin, 63...first cutting edge, 119...drive cam, 121...drive groove, 133...first rib, 135...second rib, 141...first pinion, 143...second pinion.

Claims

1. A second blade; a first blade portion that includes a first blade, and that cuts the print medium by moving from a standby position where the first blade is separated from the second blade, through an overlap start position where the first blade begins to overlap the second blade in a first direction, to a cutting position; a blade guide provided in the first direction with respect to the second blade and configured to guide movement of the first blade between the first blade and the second blade when the first blade moves from the overlap start position to the cutting position; a warp suppression portion that suppresses warping of the first blade convexly in the first direction by pressing the first blade in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the first blade moves from the overlap start position to the cutting position; A printing device comprising:

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the warp suppressing portion includes an elastic member.

3. When the first blade portion moves from the overlap start position to the cutting position, the blade guide holds the first blade in the second direction at both ends of the first blade in a third direction in which a second blade tip provided on the second blade extends, When the first blade portion moves from the overlap start position to the cutting position, the first blade edge of the first blade rubs against the second blade edge from both ends of the first blade edge in the third direction toward a center of the first blade edge in the third direction, The printing device according to claim 2 , wherein the elastic member elastically deforms to a greater extent when the first blade portion is located at the cutting position than when the first blade portion is located at the overlap start position.

4. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blade guide has a rib protruding in the first direction.

5. The first blade portion includes a drive pin. The printing device includes: A cylindrical rotor; A drive motor that rotates the rotating body, A printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a drive groove engaged with the drive pin is provided on a side of the rotating body so that the first blade portion moves from the standby position to the cutting position when the rotating body rotates.

6. 6. The printing device according to claim 5, further comprising a rotation suppressing portion having a first engagement portion that engages with the first blade portion, and a second engagement portion that is provided in a third direction in which a second blade tip of the second blade extends relative to the first engagement portion and engages with the first blade portion.

7. The first engagement portion includes a first engagement gear, The second engagement portion includes a second engagement gear, 7. The printing device according to claim 6, wherein the first engagement gear and the second engagement gear rotate together in response to the movement of the first blade portion.

8. A first blade that moves between a standby position and a cutting position; a second blade that overlaps with the first blade when the first blade moves to the cutting position and cuts the print medium; a blade guide configured to guide movement of the first blade to the cutting position between the first blade and the second blade; a warp suppression portion that suppresses warp of the first blade, The first blade moves to the cutting position through an overlap start position where the first blade starts to overlap the second blade in a first direction, A printing device, wherein the warp suppression unit suppresses warping of the first blade by pressing the first blade as it moves to the cutting position in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

9. The blade guides are provided at both ends of the first blade in a third direction, which is an extension direction of a second cutting edge provided on the second blade, and hold the first blade moving to the cutting position in the second direction, A first blade edge provided on the first blade moving to the cutting position rubs against the second blade edge from both ends of the first blade edge in the third direction toward a center of the first blade edge in the third direction, 9. The printing device according to claim 8, wherein a force of the warp suppressing portion pressing the first blade when the blade is located at the cutting position is greater than a force of the warp suppressing portion pressing the first blade when the blade is located at the standby position.

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