Medium cutting device

Abstract

To provide a medium cutting device which includes a cutter holder to which a cutter blade for cutting an elongated medium is fixed, and a unit frame configured to hold the cutter holder rotatably and which can inhibit vibration of the cutter holder in a rotation restriction state, in which the cutter holder is restricted from rotating relative to the unit frame, even when the medium cutting device cuts a medium which is relatively elastic and not easily bent.SOLUTION: A medium cutting device includes: a restriction member 42 for restricting rotation of a cutter holder 31; and a drive source 44 for rotating the restriction member 42 relative to a unit frame 32. When the restriction member 42 is placed in a restriction position 42A, the cutter holder 31 is turned into a rotation restriction state. The restriction member 42 may rotate around a support shaft 43 relative to the unit frame 32 and contacts with the cutter holder 31 at a portion located at one side of the medium 2 in a longitudinal direction relative to the support shaft 43 when placed in the restriction position 42A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a media cutting device for cutting a long medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a media cutting device for cutting a long medium and separating the medium in the longitudinal direction of the medium (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The media cutting device described in Patent Document 1 is an inkjet printer equipped with a printing mechanism that performs inkjet printing on the medium before cutting. The printing mechanism includes an inkjet head that ejects ink onto the medium, and a carriage on which the inkjet head is mounted. The media cutting device includes a cutter unit having a cutter blade for cutting the medium, a medium transport mechanism that transports the medium in the longitudinal direction of the medium, and a carriage drive mechanism that moves the carriage in the width direction of the medium that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the medium and the thickness direction of the medium. The cutter unit is mounted on the carriage.

[0003] In the media cutting device described in Patent Document 1, the cutter unit includes a cutter holder to which a cutter blade is fixed, and a unit frame that rotatably holds the cutter holder. The unit frame is fixed to a carriage. The cutter holder is rotatable relative to the unit frame with the thickness direction of the medium to be cut by the cutter blade as the axial direction of the rotation. In other words, the cutter holder is rotatable relative to the unit frame with the up-down direction as the axial direction of the rotation. The cutter unit includes a switching mechanism that switches the state of the cutter holder between a rotation restricted state in which the rotation of the cutter holder relative to the unit frame is restricted, and a rotation permitted state in which the rotation of the cutter holder relative to the unit frame is permitted.

[0004] The switching mechanism includes a regulating member for regulating the rotation of the cutter holder relative to the unit frame. The regulating member is held by the unit frame so as to be movable in a front-rear direction perpendicular to the left-right direction, which is the width direction of the medium, and the up-down direction. The switching mechanism includes a solenoid for moving the regulating member between a regulating position where the regulating member approaches the cutter holder and a non-regulating position where the regulating member moves away from the cutter holder, and a tension coil spring for biasing the regulating member forward relative to the unit frame. When the solenoid is in a non-energized state, the regulating member is disposed in the regulating position by the biasing force of the tension coil spring. When the solenoid is in a power-on state, the regulating member moves rearward and is disposed in the non-regulating position.

[0005] In the media cutting device described in Patent Document 1, when the regulating member is placed in the regulating position, the cutter holder is in a rotationally restricted state, and when the regulating member is placed in the restriction release position, the cutter holder is in a rotatable state. The cutting method for cutting a medium with the media cutting device described in Patent Document 1 includes a cross-cutting process in which the cutter blade is moved left and right relative to the medium to cut the medium in the left and right direction, and an oblique-cutting process in which the cutter blade is moved back and forth and left and right relative to the medium to cut the medium in a direction inclined to the left and right direction. In the cross-cutting process, the cutter holder is in a rotationally restricted state, and in the oblique-cutting process, the cutter holder is in a rotatable state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-74855 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In the media cutting device described in Patent Document 1, when the restricting member is located at the restricting position by the biasing force of the tension coil spring, the cutter holder is in a rotation restricted state in which its rotation with respect to the unit frame is restricted. Also, in the media cutting device described in Patent Document 1, the cutter holder is in the rotation restricted state during the horizontal cutting process.

[0008] According to the study by the inventor of the present application, it has become clear that when cutting a relatively elastic and hard-to-break medium (a stiff medium) in the cross-cutting process in the media cutting device described in Patent Document 1, the cutter holder in the rotation-restricted state may vibrate due to a reaction force from the medium. Specifically, according to the study by the inventor of the present application, when cutting a stiff medium in the cross-cutting process, the reaction force from the medium is transmitted to the regulating member via the cutter holder, and the regulating member vibrates in the front-back direction against the biasing force of the tension coil spring, causing the cutter holder to vibrate (rattle) in a rotation direction with the vertical direction as the axis of rotation. If the cutter holder in the rotation-restricted state vibrates when cutting a medium and the state of the cutter blade becomes unstable, for example, defects such as jagged cut surfaces of the medium may occur.

[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a media cutting device that includes a cutter holder to which a cutter blade for cutting long media is fixed, and a unit frame that rotatably holds the cutter holder, and that is capable of suppressing vibration of the cutter holder in a rotation-restricted state in which its rotation relative to the unit frame is restricted, even when cutting media that is relatively elastic and not easily broken. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the media cutting device of the present invention comprises a cutter unit having a cutter blade for cutting long media, and a movement mechanism for moving the cutter unit relatively to the media in the width direction of the media and the longitudinal direction of the media, which are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and thickness direction of the media, the cutter unit comprises a cutter holder to which the cutter blade is fixed, a unit frame for rotatably holding the cutter holder, and a switching mechanism for switching the state of the cutter holder between a rotation restricted state in which rotation of the cutter holder relative to the unit frame is restricted and a rotation enabled state in which rotation of the cutter holder relative to the unit frame is enabled, and the cutter holder is rotatable relative to the unit frame with the thickness direction of the media as the axial direction of rotation. The switching mechanism includes a regulating member for regulating the rotation of the cutter holder, a support shaft for rotatably supporting the regulating member, and a drive source for rotating the regulating member between a regulating position where the regulating member contacts the cutter holder and a regulating release position where the regulating member is separated from the cutter holder so as not to contact the cutter holder, and when the regulating member is placed in the regulating position, the cutter holder is in a rotation restricted state, and when the regulating member is placed in the regulating release position, the cutter holder is in a rotatable state, and the regulating member is rotatable relative to the unit frame with the width direction of the medium as the axial direction of rotation and the support shaft as the center of rotation, and when placed in the regulating position, it contacts the cutter holder on one side of the support shaft in the longitudinal direction of the medium.

[0011] In the media cutting device of the present invention, the switching mechanism includes a restricting member for restricting the rotation of the cutter holder, a support shaft for rotatably supporting the restricting member, and a drive source for rotating the restricting member relative to the unit frame between a restricting position and a restricting release position, and when the restricting member is placed in the restricting position, the cutter holder is in a rotation restricted state. Also, in the present invention, the restricting member is rotatable relative to the unit frame with the width direction of the medium as the axial direction of the rotation and the support shaft as the center of rotation, and when placed in the restricting position, the restricting member contacts the cutter holder on one side of the support shaft in the longitudinal direction of the medium.

[0012] Therefore, in the present invention, even if a reaction force from a medium that is relatively resilient and difficult to break is transmitted to the regulating member via the cutter holder when cutting a stiff medium, the reaction force from the medium transmitted to the regulating member can be received by the support shaft. Therefore, in the present invention, even if a reaction force from the medium is transmitted to the regulating member via the cutter holder when cutting a stiff medium, the vibration of the regulating member in the longitudinal direction of the medium can be suppressed, and as a result, the vibration of the cutter holder in the rotation-restricted state can be suppressed by the regulating member arranged in the restricting position. In other words, in the present invention, even when cutting a medium that is relatively resilient and difficult to break, the vibration of the cutter holder in the rotation-restricted state can be suppressed.

[0013] In the present invention, when the regulating member is disposed at the regulating position, it is preferable that the regulating member contacts the cutter holder at the same position as the support shaft in the thickness direction of the medium. With this configuration, even if a reaction force from the medium is transmitted to the regulating member via the cutter holder when cutting a stiff medium, the reaction force from the medium transmitted to the regulating member can be reliably received by the support shaft. Therefore, even if a reaction force from the medium is transmitted to the regulating member via the cutter holder when cutting a stiff medium, it is possible to effectively suppress vibration of the regulating member in the longitudinal direction of the medium.

[0014] In the present invention, for example, the switching mechanism includes a link member for connecting the regulating member and the drive source, and a second support shaft for rotatably supporting the link member, and the link member is rotatable relative to the unit frame with the width direction of the medium as the axial direction of rotation and the second support shaft as the center of rotation, and the regulating member and the link member are connected in a state allowing relative rotation with the width direction of the medium as the axial direction of rotation, and when the link member rotates due to the power of the drive source, the regulating member rotates.

[0015] In the present invention, when viewed from the width direction of the medium, it is preferable that the distance between the connection portion between the regulating member and the link member and the second support shaft is longer than the distance between the connection portion between the drive source and the link member and the second support shaft, and the distance between the connection portion between the regulating member and the link member and the support shaft is shorter than the distance between the connection portion between the regulating member and the link member and the second support shaft.

[0016] With this configuration, it is possible to increase the rotation angle of the regulating member that rotates together with the link member even if the movement distance of the connecting portion between the drive source and the link member is shortened when the link member rotates by the power of the drive source. In other words, it is possible to increase the rotation angle of the regulating member that rotates between the restricted position and the unrestricted position even if the movement distance of the connecting portion between the drive source and the link member is shortened when the link member rotates by the power of the drive source. Therefore, it is possible to move the regulating member away from the cutter holder so that the regulating member located at the unrestricted position does not reliably come into contact with the cutter holder even if the movement distance of the connecting portion between the drive source and the link member is shortened.

[0017] In the present invention, for example, if the point of contact of the regulating member with the cutter holder is defined as the contact point, the distance between the contact point and the support shaft when viewed in the width direction of the medium is shorter than the distance between the connection part of the regulating member and the link member and the support shaft. In this case, it is possible to reduce the size of the regulating member, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the switching mechanism.

[0018] In the present invention, for example, if the point of the regulating member that contacts the cutter holder is defined as the contact point, when the regulating member is placed in the regulating position and viewed from the width direction of the medium, the contact point, the support shaft, the connecting portion between the regulating member and the link member, the second support shaft, and the connecting portion between the drive source and the link member are arranged in this order in the longitudinal direction of the medium. Also, in the present invention, for example, the drive source is a solenoid, and the plunger of the solenoid moves in the thickness direction of the medium. Effect of the Invention

[0019] As described above, in the present invention, in a media cutting device that includes a cutter holder to which a cutter blade for cutting long media is fixed, and a unit frame that rotatably holds the cutter holder, it is possible to suppress vibration of the cutter holder in a rotation restricted state in which its rotation relative to the unit frame is restricted, even when cutting media that is relatively resilient and not easily broken. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view for explaining a configuration of a media cutting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the media cutting device shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram for explaining a method of fixing a medium to the cardboard tube shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cutter unit shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a side view of a tip portion of a cutter blade of the cutter unit shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 5 is a side view for explaining the configuration of the cutter unit shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] 5 is a side view for explaining the configuration of the cutter unit shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the restricting member shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the link member shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 10] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of part E in FIG. [Figure 11] 2 is a diagram for explaining a method of cutting a medium in the medium cutting device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 12] 2 is a diagram for explaining a method of cutting a medium in the medium cutting device shown in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] (Overall configuration of the printing device) Fig. 1 is a side view for explaining the configuration of a printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the printer 1 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining a method of fixing a medium 2 to a cardboard tube 26 shown in Fig. 1.

[0023] The printing device 1 of this embodiment is a commercial inkjet printer for printing on a long medium 2. The medium 2 is formed of, for example, soft polyvinyl chloride or tarpaulin. The printing device 1 also has a cutting function for cutting the medium 2 to separate the medium 2 in the longitudinal direction of the medium 2. The printing device 1 has a printing mechanism 3 that prints on the medium 2 before cutting using an inkjet method, and a support 4 that supports the printing mechanism 3 from below. The printing mechanism 3 has an inkjet head 6 (hereinafter referred to as "head 6") that ejects ink onto the medium 2, and a carriage 7 on which the head 6 is mounted. The printing device 1 of this embodiment is a medium cutting device for cutting the long medium 2.

[0024] The printing device 1 also includes a cutter unit 9 having a cutter blade 8 (see FIG. 5, etc.) for cutting the long medium 2, a medium transport mechanism 10 that transports the medium 2 in the longitudinal direction of the medium 2, a carriage drive mechanism 11 that moves the carriage 7 in the width direction of the medium 2 (main scanning direction, Y direction in FIG. 1, etc.) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the medium 2 and the thickness direction of the medium 2, a medium pay-out mechanism 12 that feeds out the medium 2 before printing toward the printing mechanism 3, and a medium winding mechanism 13 that winds up the medium 2 after printing. The printing device 1 also includes a control unit 14 that controls the printing device 1.

[0025] In the following description, the width direction of the medium 2 (Y direction in FIG. 1, etc.) is referred to as the "left-right direction", and the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction (vertical direction, Z direction in FIG. 1, etc.) and left-right direction (X direction in FIG. 1, etc.) is referred to as the "front-rear direction". In addition, the Y1 direction side in FIG. 3, etc., which is one side of the left-right direction, is referred to as the "left" side, the Y2 direction side in FIG. 3, etc., which is the opposite side, is referred to as the "right" side, the X1 direction side in FIG. 1, etc., which is one side of the front-rear direction, is referred to as the "front" side, and the X2 direction side in FIG. 1, etc., which is the opposite side, is referred to as the "rear" side. In addition, in the following description, the transport direction of the medium 2 by the medium transport mechanism 10 is referred to as the "medium transport direction". In addition, the upstream side of the medium transport direction is referred to as the "upstream transport direction" side, and the downstream side of the medium transport direction is referred to as the "downstream transport direction" side.

[0026] The carriage 7 is supported by a support frame 17 so as to be movable in the left-right direction. A platen 18 is disposed below the carriage 7. The head 6 ejects ink downward. The carriage drive mechanism 11 includes, for example, a belt partly fixed to the carriage 7, a pulley around which the belt is stretched, and a motor for rotating the pulley. The medium 2 is placed on the platen 18 during printing. The thickness direction of the medium 2 placed on the platen 18 coincides with the up-down direction. In this embodiment, the medium 2 before printing is transported from the rear side to the upper surface of the platen 18, and the medium 2 after printing is transported from the upper surface of the platen 18 to the front side.

[0027] The medium transport mechanism 10 includes a transport roller 19 and a pad roller 20 that is disposed opposite the transport roller 19 and is biased toward the transport roller 19. The transport roller 19 and the pad roller 20 are disposed behind the head 6, the cutter blade 8, and the platen 18. The transport roller 19 is connected to a drive mechanism that rotates the transport roller 19. The drive mechanism includes a motor as a drive source. The medium 2 is transported while being sandwiched between the transport roller 19 and the pad roller 20.

[0028] The cutter unit 9 is mounted on the carriage 7 and disposed above the medium 2 placed on the platen 18. The cutter blade 8 cuts the medium 2 placed on the platen 18. The cutter unit 9 is mounted, for example, on the right or left end of the carriage 7. The cutter unit 9 moves in the left-right direction together with the carriage 7. In this embodiment, the medium transport mechanism 10 and the carriage drive mechanism 11 constitute a movement mechanism 21 that moves the cutter unit 9 relative to the medium 2 in the longitudinal direction and width direction of the medium 2. The specific configuration of the cutter unit 9 will be described later.

[0029] The medium pay-out mechanism 12 is disposed below the printing mechanism 3. The medium pay-out mechanism 12 rotatably holds a pay-out roll 23. The pay-out roll 23 is composed of a cylindrical cardboard tube 24 that forms the center of the pay-out roll 23, and the unprinted medium 2 that is wound in a roll around the cardboard tube 24. An end of the medium 2 is fixed to the cardboard tube 24. The medium pay-out mechanism 12 includes a rotating shaft that is inserted into the inner periphery of the cardboard tube 24.

[0030] The medium take-up mechanism 13 is disposed below the printing mechanism 3. The medium take-up mechanism 13 rotatably holds the take-up roll 25. The take-up roll 25 is composed of a cylindrical paper tube 26 that constitutes the center of the take-up roll 25, and the printed medium 2 wound around the paper tube 26 in a roll shape. An end of the medium 2 is fixed to the paper tube 26. The end of the paper tube 26 is fixed to the paper tube 26 by, for example, a tape 27. The medium take-up mechanism 13 includes a rotating shaft that is inserted into the inner periphery of the paper tube 26, a driving mechanism that rotates the rotating shaft, and a torque limiter that causes the take-up roll 25 to idle so that the tension of the medium 2 taken up around the take-up roll 25 does not exceed a predetermined tension. The medium take-up mechanism 13 rotates the paper tube 26 to take up the medium 2 around the paper tube 26.

[0031] The control unit 14 is electrically connected to the medium conveying mechanism 10. Specifically, the control unit 14 is electrically connected to a motor and the like that constitute a part of the medium conveying mechanism 10. In addition, the control unit 14 is electrically connected to the carriage drive mechanism 11. Specifically, the control unit 14 is electrically connected to a motor and the like that constitute a part of the carriage drive mechanism 11. In addition, the control unit 14 is electrically connected to a lifting mechanism 33 and a switching mechanism 34, which will be described later and that constitute a part of the cutter unit 9. Specifically, the control unit 14 is electrically connected to a solenoid 38, which will be described later and that constitute a part of the lifting mechanism 33, and a solenoid 44, which will be described later and that constitute a part of the switching mechanism 34.

[0032] (Cutter unit configuration) Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the cutter unit 9 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a side view of the tip of the cutter blade 8 of the cutter unit 9 shown in Fig. 1. Figs. 6 and 7 are side views for explaining the configuration of the cutter unit 9 shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the regulating member 42 shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the link member 45 shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion E in Fig. 6.

[0033] The cutter unit 9 includes a cutter holder 31 to which the cutter blade 8 is fixed, and a unit frame 32 that rotatably holds the cutter holder 31. The cutter holder 31 is rotatable relative to the unit frame 32 with the thickness direction of the medium 2 placed on the platen 18 as the axial direction of the rotation. That is, the cutter holder 31 is rotatable relative to the unit frame 32 with the thickness direction of the medium 2 to be cut by the cutter blade 8 as the axial direction of the rotation. Specifically, the cutter holder 31 is rotatable relative to the unit frame 32 with the up-down direction as the axial direction of the rotation. Note that the cutter blade 8 is not shown in FIG. 4.

[0034] Furthermore, the unit frame 32 holds the cutter holder 31 so that it can be raised and lowered, and the cutter holder 31 can be raised and lowered relative to the unit frame 32. The cutter unit 9 includes an elevation mechanism 33 that raises and lowers the cutter holder 31 relative to the unit frame 32. The cutter unit 9 also includes a switching mechanism 34 that switches the state of the cutter holder 31 between a rotation restricted state in which rotation of the cutter holder 31 relative to the unit frame 32 is restricted, and a rotation permitted state in which rotation of the cutter holder 31 relative to the unit frame 32 is permitted.

[0035] The cutter blade 8 is a double-edged cutter blade with a sharp cutting edge (see FIG. 5). The cutter holder 31 is attached to the front end of the unit frame 32 so as to be movable up and down and rotatable. The cutter blade 8 is fixed to the front lower end of the cutter holder 31. When the cutter holder 31 is in a rotation restricted state, the thickness direction of the cutter blade 8 coincides with the front-rear direction, and the width direction of the cutter blade 8 coincides with the left-right direction. A flat contact surface 31a is formed at the upper end of the cutter holder 31 with which a restricting member 42 (described later) constituting a part of the switching mechanism 34 comes into contact from the rear side. The contact surface 31a is a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction when the cutter holder 31 is in a rotation restricted state. The cutter blade 8 may be a single-edged cutter blade.

[0036] The unit frame 32 is fixed to the carriage 7. A guide shaft 35 for guiding the cutter holder 31 in the up-down direction is fixed to the unit frame 32. The guide shaft 35 is arranged so that the axial direction of the guide shaft 35 coincides with the up-down direction. A guide hole through which the guide shaft 35 is inserted is formed in the cutter holder 31, and this guide hole penetrates the cutter holder 31 in the up-down direction. The guide shaft 35 serves as the rotation center of the cutter holder 31, which rotates relative to the unit frame 32 with the up-down direction as the axial direction of the rotation.

[0037] The lifting mechanism 33 includes a lever member 36, a support shaft 37 that rotatably supports the lever member 36, a solenoid 38 for rotating the lever member 36 relative to the unit frame 32, and a compression coil spring 39 that urges the cutter holder 31 upward relative to the unit frame 32. The support shaft 37 is attached to the unit frame 32, and the lever member 36 is rotatably held by the unit frame 32 via the support shaft 37.

[0038] The support shaft 37 is disposed so that the axial direction of the support shaft 37 coincides with the left-right direction. The lever member 36 is rotatable relative to the unit frame 32 with the left-right direction as the axial direction of the rotation. The rear end of the lever member 36 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 37. The front end of the lever member 36 engages with the cutter holder 31. The cutter holder 31 is formed with an engagement recess 31b into which the front end of the lever member 36 is inserted and engaged.

[0039] The solenoid 38 is fixed to the unit frame 32 so that a plunger 38a of the solenoid 38 protrudes upward. The plunger 38a moves in the vertical direction. An engagement pin 40 that engages with an intermediate portion of the lever member 36 in the front-rear direction is fixed to the upper end of the plunger 38a. The guide shaft 35 is inserted into the inner periphery of the compression coil spring 39. The upper end of the compression coil spring 39 contacts the cutter holder 31, and the lower end of the compression coil spring 39 contacts the unit frame 32.

[0040] When the solenoid 38 is in a non-energized state, the cutter holder 31 is raised by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 39. When the cutter holder 31 is raised by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 39, the lower end of the cutter blade 8 is raised to a position where it does not contact the medium 2 placed on the platen 18. When the solenoid 38 is in an energized state, the plunger 38a descends, and the lever member 36 rotates in a direction in which the front end of the lever member 36 descends, and the cutter holder 31 descends. When the cutter holder 31 descends, the cutter blade 8 can cut the medium 2. In other words, when the cutter blade 8 cuts the medium 2, the solenoid 38 is in an energized state.

[0041] The switching mechanism 34 includes a regulating member 42 for regulating the rotation of the cutter holder 31 with the vertical direction as the axial direction of rotation, a support shaft 43 for rotatably supporting the regulating member 42, a solenoid 44 which is a driving source for rotating the regulating member 42 between a regulating position 42A (see Figure 6) where the regulating member 42 contacts the cutter holder 31 and a release position 42B (see Figure 7) where the regulating member 42 is separated from the cutter holder 31 so as not to contact the cutter holder 31, a link member 45 for connecting the regulating member 42 and the solenoid 44, and a support shaft 46 as a second support shaft for rotatably supporting the link member 45.

[0042] The support shaft 43 is attached to the unit frame 32. The support shaft 43 is disposed so that the axial direction of the support shaft 43 coincides with the left-right direction. The support shaft 43 is disposed above the solenoid 38. The regulating member 42 is disposed behind the upper end of the cutter holder 31. Specifically, the regulating member 42 is disposed behind the contact surface 31a. The regulating member 42 is rotatably held by the unit frame 32 via the support shaft 43. The regulating member 42 is rotatable relative to the unit frame 32 with the left-right direction as the axial direction of the rotation and the support shaft 43 as the center of rotation. A connecting pin 47 that connects the regulating member 42 and the link member 45 is fixed to the regulating member 42.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 8, the regulating member 42 is formed by bending a flat metal plate into a square groove shape. The regulating member 42 is composed of two flat regulating portions 42a with the thickness direction being the left-right direction, and a flat connecting portion 42b connecting the upper ends of the two regulating portions 42a. The regulating portion 42a is formed with a round through hole 42c through which the support shaft 43 is inserted, and a round fixing hole 42d through which the connecting pin 47 is fixed. The through hole 42c is regulated forward of the fixing hole 42d. The connecting pin 47 is fixed to the fixing hole 42d so that the axial direction of the connecting pin 47 coincides with the left-right direction. A regulating surface 42e that contacts the contact surface 31a is formed at the front lower end of the regulating portion 42a. The shape of the regulating surface 42e when viewed from the left-right direction is a curved surface that forms an arc.

[0044] The support shaft 46 is attached to the unit frame 32. The support shaft 46 is disposed so that the axial direction of the support shaft 46 coincides with the left-right direction. The support shaft 46 is disposed above and behind the solenoid 38. The support shaft 46 is disposed behind the support shaft 43. The link member 45 is disposed behind the regulating member 42. The link member 45 is rotatably held by the unit frame 32 via the support shaft 46. The link member 45 is rotatable relative to the unit frame 32 with the left-right direction as the axial direction of the rotation and the support shaft 46 as the center of rotation. The center of the link member 45 in the front-rear direction is rotatably supported by the support shaft 46.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 9, the link member 45 is formed by bending a flat metal plate into a square groove shape. The link member 45 is composed of two flat link parts 45a with the thickness direction being the left-right direction, and a flat connecting part 45b connecting the upper ends of the two link parts 45a. The link part 45a is formed with a round through hole 45c through which the support shaft 46 is inserted, an elongated engagement hole 45d into which the connecting pin 47 is engaged, and an elongated engagement hole 45e into which an engagement pin 48 (described later) fixed to the plunger 44a of the solenoid 44 is engaged. The engagement hole 45d is formed on the front end side of the link part 45a, and the engagement hole 45e is formed on the rear end side of the link part 45a. The through hole 45c is formed in the center of the link part 45a in the front-rear direction.

[0046] The link member 45 is biased in a clockwise direction in FIG. 6 (hereinafter, this direction will be referred to as the "clockwise direction") around the support shaft 46 by a spring member (not shown). That is, the switching mechanism 34 is equipped with a spring member that biases the link member 45 in the clockwise direction. The spring member is, for example, a torsion coil spring, and the support shaft 46 is inserted into the inner periphery of the torsion coil spring. In the following description, the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 6, which is the opposite direction to the clockwise direction, will be referred to as the "counterclockwise direction".

[0047] The solenoid 44 is fixed to the unit frame 32 so that the plunger 44a of the solenoid 44 protrudes upward. The plunger 44a moves in the up and down direction. An engagement pin 48 that engages with the rear end of the link member 45 is fixed to the upper end of the plunger 44a. The engagement pin 48 is fixed to the upper end of the plunger 44a so that the axial direction of the engagement pin 48 coincides with the left-right direction. The engagement pin 48 contacts the lower surface of the engagement hole 45e by the biasing force of a spring member that biases the link member 45 in the clockwise direction (see Figures 6 and 7).

[0048] The rear end of the regulating member 42 is disposed between the front ends of the two link portions 45a in the left-right direction. As described above, the connecting pin 47 fixed to the regulating member 42 engages with the engagement hole 45d of the link member 45, and the regulating member 42 and the link member 45 are connected by the connecting pin 47 so as to be capable of relative rotation about the left-right direction as the axis of rotation. That is, the regulating member 42 and the link member 45 are connected in a state in which they are capable of relative rotation about the left-right direction as the axis of rotation.

[0049] When viewed from the left-right direction, a distance L1 (see FIG. 10) between a connecting pin 47, which is a connecting portion between the regulating member 42 and the link member 45, and the support shaft 46 is longer than a distance L2 (see FIG. 10) between an engagement pin 48, which is a connecting portion between the solenoid 44 and the link member 45, and the support shaft 46. When viewed from the left-right direction, a distance L3 (see FIG. 10) between the connecting pin 47 and the support shaft 43 is shorter than the distance L1. When a portion of the regulating member 42 that contacts the cutter holder 31 (specifically, a portion that contacts the contact surface 31a) is defined as a contact portion 42f, a distance L4 (see FIG. 10) between the contact portion 42f and the support shaft 43 is shorter than the distance L3 when viewed from the left-right direction.

[0050] When the solenoid 44 is in a non-energized state, the link member 45 is biased in the clockwise direction and the regulating member 42 is biased in the counterclockwise direction by the biasing force of the spring member described above. At this time, the regulating member 42 is disposed at the regulating position 42A (see FIG. 6). That is, when the solenoid 44 is in a non-energized state, the regulating member 42 is disposed at the regulating position 42A by the biasing force of the spring member described above. When the solenoid 44 is in a conductive state, the plunger 44a moves downward, the link member 45 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, and the regulating member 42 rotates in the clockwise direction, so that the regulating member 42 is disposed at the unrestricted position 42B (see FIG. 7). That is, when the link member 45 rotates by the power of the solenoid 44, the regulating member 42 rotates.

[0051] The restricting surface 42e of the restricting member 42 disposed at the restricting position 42A is in contact with the contact surface 31a of the cutter holder 31. Therefore, when the restricting member 42 is disposed at the restricting position 42A, the cutter holder 31 is in a rotation restricted state in which the rotation of the cutter holder 31 relative to the unit frame 32 is restricted. On the other hand, a large gap is formed between the restricting surface 42e of the restricting member 42 disposed at the restricting release position 42B and the contact surface 31a of the cutter holder 31. Therefore, when the restricting member 42 is disposed at the restricting release position 42B, the cutter holder 31 is in a rotatable state in which the cutter holder 31 is allowed to rotate relative to the unit frame 32.

[0052] When the cutter holder 31 is in a rotatable state, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 4, the cutter holder 31 becomes rotatable with respect to the unit frame 32 with the up-down direction as the axial direction of the rotation and the guide shaft 35 as the center of rotation. The cutter unit 9 is provided with a rotation range limiting member that limits the rotation range (rotation angle) of the cutter holder 31 in the rotatable state. This rotation range limiting member is fixed to the unit frame 32. This rotation range limiting member is capable of coming into contact with the rear surface of the cutter holder 31. For example, this rotation range limiting member limits the maximum rotation angle of the cutter holder 31 to one side and the maximum rotation angle to the other side to about 15° when the thickness direction of the cutter blade 8 coincides with the front-rear direction.

[0053] When the regulating member 42 is disposed at the regulating position 42A, the regulating member 42 contacts the cutter holder 31 forward of the support shaft 43, and the contact point 42f is disposed forward of the support shaft 43. That is, when the regulating member 42 is disposed at the regulating position 42A, the regulating member 42 contacts the cutter holder 31 on one side of the longitudinal direction of the medium 2 (specifically, one side of the longitudinal direction of the medium 2 when the medium 2 is placed on the platen 18 and cut by the cutter blade 8) of the support shaft 43. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, when the regulating member 42 is disposed at the regulating position 42A, the regulating member 42 contacts the cutter holder 31 at the same position as the support shaft 43 in the up-down direction. That is, the contact point 42f is disposed at the same position as the support shaft 43 in the up-down direction.

[0054] When the restricting member 42 is disposed at the restricting position 42A and viewed from the left-right direction, the contact point 42f, the support shaft 43, the connecting pin 47, the support shaft 46, and the engagement pin 48 are arranged in this order from the front side in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, when the restricting member 42 is disposed at the restricting position 42A and viewed from the left-right direction, the contact point 42f, the support shaft 43, the connecting pin 47, the support shaft 46, and the engagement pin 48 are arranged in a substantially straight line.

[0055] (Media cutting method) 11 and 12 are diagrams for explaining a method of cutting the medium 2 in the printing device 1 shown in FIG.

[0056] In the printing device 1, after printing on a certain medium 2 is completed, if printing is to be performed on a different medium 2 (specifically, a medium 2 having a different material or width), the medium 2 set in the printing device 1 is replaced. Before replacing the medium 2, the medium 2 is cut by a cutter blade 8, for example, as described below. An example of a method for cutting the medium 2 performed in the printing device 1 on the medium 2 before replacement will be described below.

[0057] In replacing the medium 2, the unprinted medium 2 that is located upstream of the cutting position in the transport direction is, for example, wound around the pay-out roll 23 and removed from the printing device 1, and the printed medium 2 that is located downstream of the cutting position in the transport direction is, for example, wound around the take-up roll 25 and removed from the printing device 1. After that, in replacing the medium 2, the pay-out roll 23 is attached to the printing device 1. The medium 2 is pulled out from the pay-out roll 23 and passed over the platen 18, and then the downstream end of the medium 2 in the transport direction is fixed to the cardboard tube 26.

[0058] The method of cutting the medium 2 includes a piercing process ST1 in which the cutter blade 8 pierces the medium 2, and transverse cutting processes ST2 and ST3 in which the cutter blade 8 is moved left and right relative to the medium 2 starting from a piercing point SP1 (see Figure 11 (A)), which is the point where the cutter blade 8 pierces the medium 2 in the piercing process ST1, to cut the medium 2 in the left and right direction.

[0059] The method of cutting the medium 2 also includes a piercing process ST4 in which the cutter blade 8 is pierced into the medium 2, a transverse cutting process ST5 in which the cutter blade 8 is moved left and right relative to the medium 2 starting from a piercing point SP2 (see Figure 11 (C)), which is the point where the cutter blade 8 was pierced in the piercing process ST4, to cut the medium 2 in the left and right directions, and an oblique cutting process ST6 in which the cutter blade 8 is moved relative to the medium 2 in the longitudinal direction and left and right directions of the medium 2 starting from the piercing point SP2, to cut the medium 2 in a direction oblique to the left and right directions.

[0060] Furthermore, the method of cutting the medium 2 includes a piercing process ST7 in which the cutter blade 8 is pierced into the medium 2, a transverse cutting process ST8 in which the cutter blade 8 is moved left and right relative to the medium 2 starting from a piercing point SP3 (see Figure 12 (B)) where the cutter blade 8 was pierced in the piercing process ST7, to cut the medium 2 in the left and right directions, and an oblique cutting process ST9 in which the cutter blade 8 is moved relative to the medium 2 in the longitudinal direction and left and right directions of the medium 2 starting from the piercing point SP3, to cut the medium 2 in a direction oblique to the left and right directions.

[0061] The series of steps ST1 to ST9 are performed in the following order. If the portion of the medium 2 that has been printed by the printing mechanism 3 is designated as the printed section 2a, and the portion of the medium 2 that is upstream of the printed section 2a in the medium transport direction and that has not been printed by the printing mechanism 3 is designated as the non-printed section 2b, the series of steps ST1 to ST9 are performed on the non-printed section 2b.

[0062] In the piercing step ST1, the cutter blade 8 is pierced into the middle position of the medium 2 in the left-right direction (see FIG. 11(A)). In the piercing step ST1, the cutter unit 9 with the cutter holder 31 raised is moved to a predetermined position, and then the cutter holder 31 is lowered to pierce the medium 2 with the cutter blade 8. In the piercing step ST1, the cutter holder 31 is in a rotation restricted state, and the cutter blade 8 does not rotate relative to the unit frame 32.

[0063] In the horizontal cutting step ST2, the cutter blade 8 is moved leftward from the piercing position SP1 to the left end face of the medium 2 to cut the medium 2 (see FIG. 11(A)). That is, in the horizontal cutting step ST2, the cutter unit 9 is moved leftward while the medium 2 is stopped to cut the medium 2. In the horizontal cutting step ST3, the cutter blade 8 is moved rightward from the piercing position ST1 to the right end face of the medium 2 to cut the medium 2 (see FIG. 11(B)). In the horizontal cutting steps ST2 and ST3, the cutter holder 31 is in a rotation restricted state, and the cutter blade 8 does not rotate relative to the unit frame 32. In the following description, the medium 2 arranged upstream in the conveying direction from the cut position of the medium 2 in the horizontal cutting steps ST2 and ST3 is referred to as the upstream medium 2c, and the end face downstream in the conveying direction of the upstream medium 2c after the horizontal cutting steps ST2 and ST3 are completed is referred to as the first end face 2d.

[0064] In the piercing step ST4, the cutter blade 8 pierces the left end of the upstream medium 2c (see FIG. 11(C)). In the piercing step ST4, the cutter holder 31 is in a rotation-restricted state, and the cutter blade 8 does not rotate relative to the unit frame 32. In the horizontal cutting step ST5, the cutter blade 8 moves leftward starting from the piercing point SP2 to cut the upstream medium 2c from the piercing point SP2 to the left end face of the upstream medium 2c (see FIG. 11(C)). In the horizontal cutting step ST5, the cutter holder 31 is in a rotation-restricted state, and the cutter blade 8 does not rotate relative to the unit frame 32.

[0065] In the oblique cutting process ST6, the cutter blade 8 is moved relatively to the downstream side and to the right side in the transport direction with respect to the upstream medium 2c, starting from the piercing point SP2 to the first end face 2d, to cut the upstream medium 2c from the piercing point SP2 to the first end face 2d (see FIG. 12(A)). That is, in the oblique cutting process ST6, the upstream medium 2c is cut by moving the cutter unit 9 to the right at a predetermined speed while transporting the upstream medium 2c upstream in the transport direction at a predetermined speed. Also, in the oblique cutting process ST6, the upstream medium 2c is cut in a straight line from the piercing point SP2 to the first end face 2d.

[0066] When the oblique cutting process ST6 is completed, a second end face 2e parallel to the left-right direction and a third end face 2f inclined toward the downstream side in the transport direction as it moves to the right are formed at the downstream end of the upstream medium 2c in the transport direction. The second end face 2e is formed between the left end face of the upstream medium 2c and the piercing point SP2. The third end face 2f is formed between the piercing point SP2 and the first end face 2d. The right end of the third end face 2f is located to the left of the center in the left-right direction of the first end face 2d.

[0067] In the oblique cutting step ST6, the cutter holder 31 is in a rotatable state, and the cutter blade 8 is in a rotatable state relative to the unit frame 32. In the oblique cutting step ST6, the cutter blade 8 rotates with respect to the unit frame 32 so that the direction of relative movement of the cutter blade 8 with respect to the upstream medium 2c coincides with the width direction of the cutter blade 8, and then moves relative to the upstream medium 2c while maintaining the state in which the direction of relative movement of the cutter blade 8 with respect to the upstream medium 2c coincides with the width direction of the cutter blade 8.

[0068] In the piercing process ST7, the cutter blade 8 pierces the right end of the upstream medium 2c (see FIG. 12(B)). In this embodiment, the piercing point SP3 is formed at the same position as the piercing point SP2 in the medium transport direction. Therefore, after the diagonal cutting process ST6 and before the piercing process ST7, the upstream medium 2c is transported a predetermined amount downstream in the transport direction. Also, in this embodiment, the distance (left-right distance) from the left end face of the upstream medium 2c to the piercing point SP2 is equal to the distance (left-right distance) from the right end face of the upstream medium 2c to the piercing point SP3. In the piercing process ST7, the cutter holder 31 is in a rotation restricted state, and the cutter blade 8 does not rotate relative to the unit frame 32.

[0069] In the horizontal cutting step ST8, the cutter blade 8 is moved to the right starting from the piercing point SP3 to cut the upstream medium 2c from the piercing point SP3 to the right end face of the upstream medium 2c (see FIG. 12(B)). In the horizontal cutting step ST8, the cutter holder 31 is in a rotation restricted state, and the cutter blade 8 does not rotate relative to the unit frame 32.

[0070] In the oblique cutting step ST9, the cutter blade 8 is moved relatively to the downstream side and left side in the transport direction with respect to the upstream medium 2c from the piercing point SP3 to the first end face 2d starting from the piercing point SP3, and the upstream medium 2c is cut from the piercing point SP3 to the first end face 2d (see FIG. 12(C)). That is, in the oblique cutting step ST9, the upstream medium 2c is cut by moving the cutter unit 9 to the left at a predetermined speed while transporting the upstream medium 2c upstream in the transport direction at a predetermined speed. Also, in the oblique cutting step ST9, the upstream medium 2c is cut in a straight line from the piercing point SP3 to the first end face 2d.

[0071] After the oblique cutting step ST9 is completed, a fourth end face 2g parallel to the left and right direction and a fifth end face 2h inclined toward the downstream side in the transport direction as it goes to the left are formed at the downstream end of the upstream medium 2c in the transport direction. The fourth end face 2g is formed between the right end face of the upstream medium 2c and the piercing point SP3. The fifth end face 2h is formed between the piercing point SP3 and the first end face 2d. The left end of the fifth end face 2h is located to the right of the center of the first end face 2d in the left and right direction. Therefore, even after the oblique cutting step ST9 is completed, the center part of the first end face 2d in the left and right direction remains, and the end face on the downstream side in the transport direction of the upstream medium 2c after the oblique cutting step ST9 is composed of the first end face 2d, the second end face 2e, the third end face 2f, the fourth end face 2g, and the fifth end face 2h.

[0072] In the oblique cutting step ST9, the cutter holder 31 is in a rotatable state, and the cutter blade 8 is in a rotatable state relative to the unit frame 32. In the oblique cutting step ST9, the cutter blade 8 rotates with respect to the unit frame 32 so that the direction of relative movement of the cutter blade 8 with respect to the upstream medium 2c coincides with the width direction of the cutter blade 8, and then moves relative to the upstream medium 2c while maintaining the state in which the direction of relative movement of the cutter blade 8 with respect to the upstream medium 2c coincides with the width direction of the cutter blade 8.

[0073] In this embodiment, the cut angle θ1 (i.e., the inclination angle of the third end face 2f with respect to the left-right direction) of the upstream medium 2c in the oblique cutting step ST6 (see FIG. 12(A)) is equal to the cut angle θ2 (i.e., the inclination angle of the fifth end face 2h with respect to the left-right direction) of the upstream medium 2c in the oblique cutting step ST9 (see FIG. 12(C)). The cut angles θ1 and θ2 are, for example, 7° to 13°. In this embodiment, the cut angles θ1 and θ2 are 10°.

[0074] In addition, since the end face on the downstream side in the transport direction of the upstream medium 2c after cutting the medium 2 before replacing the medium 2 is composed of the first end face 2d, the second end face 2e, the third end face 2f, the fourth end face 2g, and the fifth end face 2h, the end face on the downstream side in the transport direction of the medium 2 before printing that is once removed from the printing device 1 and then reattached to the printing device 1 is also composed of the first end face 2d, the second end face 2e, the third end face 2f, the fourth end face 2g, and the fifth end face 2h. Therefore, in the medium 2 replacement work, the end face on the downstream side in the transport direction of the medium 2 fixed to the cardboard tube 26 is composed of the first end face 2d, the second end face 2e, the third end face 2f, the fourth end face 2g, and the fifth end face 2h (see FIG. 3). The central part of the medium 2 in the left-right direction where the first end face 2d is formed is fixed to the cardboard tube 26.

[0075] However, when a new medium 2 is attached to the printing device 1, the end face on the downstream side in the transport direction of the medium 2 fixed to the paper tube 26 is parallel to the left-right direction. In this case, before the end on the downstream side in the transport direction of the medium 2 is fixed to the paper tube 26, the piercing step ST4, the horizontal cutting step ST5, the diagonal cutting step ST6, the piercing step ST7, the horizontal cutting step ST8 and the diagonal cutting step ST9 are performed.

[0076] The piercing step ST1, the horizontal cutting steps ST2 and ST3, the piercing step ST4, the horizontal cutting step ST5, the oblique cutting step ST6, the piercing step ST7, the horizontal cutting step ST8, and the oblique cutting step ST9 are performed automatically and continuously. That is, in the printing device 1, the control unit 14 stores a control program for continuously executing the series of steps ST1 to ST9, and the control unit 14 continuously executes the series of steps ST1 to ST9 based on this control program. For example, when it becomes necessary to replace the medium 2 and the operator of the printing device 1 presses a predetermined operation button, the control unit 14 continuously executes the series of steps ST1 to ST9.

[0077] (Main effects of this form) As described above, in this embodiment, the switching mechanism 34 includes the restricting member 42 for restricting the rotation of the cutter holder 31 and the support shaft 43 for rotatably supporting the restricting member 42, and when the restricting member 42 is disposed at the restricting position 42A, the cutter holder 31 is in a rotation restricted state. Also, in this embodiment, the restricting member 42 is rotatable relative to the unit frame 32 with the left-right direction as the axial direction of the rotation and the support shaft 43 as the center of rotation, and when disposed at the restricting position 42A, the restricting member 42 is in contact with the cutter holder 31 on the front side of the support shaft 43.

[0078] Therefore, in this embodiment, even if a reaction force from the medium 2 is transmitted to the regulating member 42 via the cutter holder 31 when cutting a stiff medium 2 that is relatively elastic and difficult to break, the reaction force from the medium 2 transmitted to the regulating member 42 can be received by the support shaft 43. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if a reaction force from the medium 2 is transmitted to the regulating member 42 via the cutter holder 31 when cutting a stiff medium 2, it is possible to suppress vibration of the regulating member 42 in the front-rear direction, and as a result, it is possible to suppress vibration of the cutter holder 31 in the rotation-restricted state by the regulating member 42 arranged at the restricting position 42A. That is, in this embodiment, even when cutting a stiff medium 2, it is possible to suppress vibration of the cutter holder 31 in the rotation-restricted state.

[0079] In this embodiment, when the regulating member 42 is disposed at the regulating position 42A, it contacts the cutter holder 31 at the same position as the support shaft 43 in the up-down direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if a reaction force from the medium 2 is transmitted to the regulating member 42 via the cutter holder 31 when cutting a stiff medium 2, the reaction force from the medium 2 transmitted to the regulating member 42 can be reliably received by the support shaft 43. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if a reaction force from the medium 2 is transmitted to the regulating member 42 via the cutter holder 31 when cutting a stiff medium 2, it is possible to effectively suppress vibration of the regulating member 42 in the front-rear direction.

[0080] In this embodiment, when viewed from the left-right direction, the distance L1 between the connecting pin 47 and the support shaft 46 is longer than the distance L2 between the engagement pin 48 and the support shaft 46, and the distance L3 between the connecting pin 47 and the support shaft 43 is shorter than the distance L1. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the moving distance of the plunger 44a is shortened when the link member 45 rotates by the power of the solenoid 44, it is possible to increase the rotation angle of the regulating member 42 that rotates between the regulating position 42A and the unrestricted position 42B. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the moving distance of the plunger 44a is shortened, it is possible to move the regulating member 42 away from the cutter holder 31 so that the regulating member 42 arranged at the unrestricted position 42B does not reliably come into contact with the cutter holder 31.

[0081] In this embodiment, when viewed from the left-right direction, the distance L4 between the contact point 42f and the support shaft 43 is shorter than the distance L3 between the connecting pin 47 and the support shaft 43. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the size of the restricting member 42, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the switching mechanism 34.

[0082] (Other embodiments) The above-described embodiment is one example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0083] In the above embodiment, when the solenoid 44 is in a non-energized state, the restricting member 42 may be disposed at the restriction release position 42B, and when the solenoid 44 is in a power-on state, the restricting member 42 may be disposed at the restriction position 42A. In this case, the link member 45 is biased counterclockwise about the support shaft 46 by a spring member. In the above embodiment, the solenoid 44 may be fixed to the unit frame 32 so that the plunger 44a moves in the front-rear direction. In this case, for example, the engagement pin 48 is disposed below the support shaft 46. In the above embodiment, the switching mechanism 34 may include a motor as a drive source instead of the solenoid 44. In the above embodiment, the switching mechanism 34 may include an air cylinder or the like as a drive source instead of the solenoid 44.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the contact point 42f may be disposed above the support shaft 43 or may be disposed below the support shaft 43. In the above embodiment, the switching mechanism 34 may not include the link member 45 and the support shaft 46. In this case, the plunger 44a of the solenoid 44 is directly connected to the regulating member 42. In place of the fixing hole 42d, the regulating member 42 is formed with an elongated engagement hole with which the engagement pin 48 engages. In this case, the regulating member 42 is biased in the counterclockwise direction around the support shaft 43 by a spring member such as a torsion coil spring.

[0085] In the embodiment described above, the cutter unit 9 does not have to be mounted on the carriage 7. In this case, a carriage on which the cutter unit 9 is mounted and a cutter unit drive mechanism for moving the carriage in the left-right direction are separately provided. Also, in this case, a second cutter unit drive mechanism for moving the carriage on which the cutter unit 9 is mounted in the front-rear direction may be provided. In this case, for example, the cutter unit drive mechanism and the second cutter unit drive mechanism may constitute a movement mechanism for moving the cutter unit 9 relative to the medium 2 in the longitudinal direction and width direction of the medium 2.

[0086] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the medium 2 may be made of a resin other than polyvinyl chloride, or may be made of paper. Also, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a processing mechanism for performing a predetermined processing on the medium 2 before cutting may be provided instead of the printing mechanism 3. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the printing mechanism 3 and the processing mechanism do not have to be provided. In other words, the medium cutting device to which the present invention is applied may be a device equipped with only a cutting function. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1 Printing device (media cutting device) 2 medium 8 Cutter blade 9 Cutter unit 21 Moving mechanism 31 Cutter holder 32 Unit Frame 34 Switching Mechanism 42 Regulatory components 42A Regulating position 42B Restriction release position 42f Contact point 43 Support shaft 44 Solenoid (drive source) 44a Plunger 45 Link member 46 Support shaft (second support shaft) 47 Connecting pin (connecting part between the restricting member and the link member) 48 Engagement pin (connection between drive source and link member) L1: Distance between the second support shaft and the connecting portion between the regulating member and the link member L2: Distance between the second support shaft and the connecting portion between the drive source and the link member L3: Distance between the connection part of the regulating member and the link member and the support shaft L4 Distance between contact point and support shaft X: Longitudinal direction of the medium Y Media width direction Z Media thickness direction

Claims

1. a cutter unit having a cutter blade for cutting a long medium, and a movement mechanism for moving the cutter unit relative to the medium in a width direction of the medium and in a longitudinal direction of the medium that are perpendicular to a longitudinal direction and a thickness direction of the medium, The cutter unit includes a cutter holder to which the cutter blade is fixed, a unit frame that rotatably holds the cutter holder, and a switching mechanism that switches a state of the cutter holder between a rotation restricted state in which rotation of the cutter holder relative to the unit frame is restricted and a rotation permitted state in which rotation of the cutter holder relative to the unit frame is permitted, the cutter holder is rotatable with respect to the unit frame with the thickness direction of the medium as an axial direction of rotation, the switching mechanism includes a regulating member for regulating rotation of the cutter holder, a support shaft for rotatably supporting the regulating member, and a drive source for rotating the regulating member between a regulating position where the regulating member contacts the cutter holder and a regulating release position where the regulating member is separated from the cutter holder so as not to contact the cutter holder, When the regulating member is disposed at the regulating position, the cutter holder is in the rotation-regulated state, When the regulating member is placed in the restriction release position, the cutter holder is in the rotatable state, The regulating member is rotatable relative to the unit frame with the width direction of the medium as the axial direction of rotation and the support shaft as the center of rotation, and is characterized in that when positioned at the regulating position, it contacts the cutter holder on one side of the longitudinal direction of the medium relative to the support shaft.

2. 2. The media cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member, when disposed at the regulating position, is in contact with the cutter holder at the same position as the support shaft in the thickness direction of the medium.

3. the switching mechanism includes a link member for connecting the regulating member and the driving source, and a second support shaft for rotatably supporting the link member, the link member is rotatable with respect to the unit frame with the width direction of the medium as an axial direction of rotation and with the second support shaft as a center of rotation, the regulating member and the link member are connected in a state in which they can rotate relative to each other with the width direction of the medium as the axis of rotation, 3. The media cutting device according to claim 1, wherein when the link member is rotated by the power of the drive source, the regulating member is rotated.

4. A media cutting device as described in claim 3, characterized in that when viewed in the width direction of the medium, the distance between the connection portion between the regulating member and the link member and the second support shaft is longer than the distance between the connection portion between the drive source and the link member and the second support shaft, and the distance between the connection portion between the regulating member and the link member and the support shaft is shorter than the distance between the connection portion between the regulating member and the link member and the second support shaft.

5. If a portion of the regulating member that comes into contact with the cutter holder is defined as a contact portion, A media cutting device as described in claim 3, characterized in that when viewed in the width direction of the media, the distance between the contact point and the support shaft is shorter than the distance between the connection portion between the regulating member and the link member and the support shaft.

6. If a portion of the regulating member that comes into contact with the cutter holder is defined as a contact portion, A media cutting device as described in claim 3, characterized in that when the regulating member is positioned at the regulating position and viewed from the width direction of the medium, the contact point, the support shaft, the connection portion between the regulating member and the link member, the second support shaft, and the connection portion between the drive source and the link member are arranged in this order in the longitudinal direction of the medium.

7. the drive source is a solenoid, 4. The media cutting device according to claim 3, wherein the plunger of the solenoid moves in a thickness direction of the media.

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