Printer with cutting head

Abstract

To provide a connection mechanism adopting a system other than that using attraction force of a magnet.SOLUTION: A connection mechanism 80 between a first carriage 60 and a second carriage 40 comprises: a first engaging member 90 provided on the first carriage 60; a second engaging member 120 provided on the second carriage 40 vertically rotatably and configured to engage with or disengage from the first engaging member 90; a biasing member 130 configured to bias the second engaging member 120; a force receiver connected to the second engaging member 120 and configured to move vertically together with rotation of the second engaging member 120; and a contact member 160 provided in the middle of the movement path R1 of the force receiver used when the second carriage 40 moves and configured to vertically rotate. The contact member 160 supports the force receiver on the upper surface thereof, separates the second engaging member 120 from the engaging position with the first engaging member 90 against the biasing force of the biasing member 130, and rotates upward when the lower surface thereof is pressed by the force receiver.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer with a cutting head. [Background technology]

[0002] A printer with a cutting head, which includes both a print head for printing on a recording medium and a cutting head for cutting the recording medium, has been known for some time. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printer with a cutting head, which includes a first carriage with a print head mounted thereon, a second carriage with a cutting head mounted thereon, first and second connecting members for connecting the first carriage and the second carriage, a guide rail with which the first carriage and the second carriage are slidably engaged, and a head moving device for moving the second carriage along the guide rail. In the printer with a cutting head described in Patent Document 1, one of the first connecting member and the second connecting member includes a magnet, and the other includes a magnetic body that is attracted to the magnet. In the printer with a cutting head described in Patent Document 1, the first carriage and the second carriage are connected by the attraction force between the magnet and the magnetic body. The first carriage and the second carriage are separated by running the second carriage while the first carriage is fixed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-122349 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a method of magnetically connecting a carriage carrying a print head and a carriage carrying a cutting head, the carriages are pulled apart by a force that resists the magnetic force. The inventors of the present application wanted to realize a printer with a cutting head that has a connecting mechanism other than a method that uses the attractive force of magnets, and that does not require the carriage carrying a print head and the carriage carrying a cutting head to be separated by force. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The printer with a cutting head disclosed herein comprises a support base that supports a recording medium, a print head that ejects ink, a cutting head having a cutter capable of cutting the recording medium, a first carriage that holds one of the print head and the cutting head, a second carriage that holds the other of the print head and the cutting head, a guide rail that is positioned above the support base and extends in a main scanning direction, with which the first carriage and the second carriage are engaged so as to be slidable in the main scanning direction, a moving device that moves the first carriage or the second carriage along the guide rail, and a connecting mechanism that connects or disconnects the first carriage and the second carriage. the connecting mechanism includes a first engagement member provided on one of the sides of the first carriage facing the main scanning direction that faces the second carriage and extending from the first side toward the second carriage; a second engagement member provided on the one of the sides of the second carriage facing the main scanning direction that is rotatable in the vertical direction, the second engagement member engaging with the first engagement member at a predetermined rotation position and disengaging from the first engagement member above the predetermined rotation position; a biasing member that biases the second engagement member so as to be held in the predetermined rotation position; a force receiving portion connected to the second engagement member and moving in the vertical direction with the rotation of the second engagement member; a contact member having an upper surface and a lower surface extending in the main scanning direction and provided midway along the movement path of the force receiving portion when the second carriage moves along the guide rail; and a support mechanism that supports the abutment member so that it can rotate or move in the vertical direction above a predetermined lowest position. The abutment member is configured to support the force receiving portion with its upper surface when the abutment member is positioned at the lowest position, and to be able to move the second engagement member away from the predetermined rotation position against the biasing force of the biasing member, and is configured to rotate or move upwardly from the lowest position when the lower surface is pressed by the force receiving portion, and to allow the force receiving portion to pass below the lower surface in the main scanning direction when the second engagement member is positioned at the predetermined rotation position.

[0006] According to the printer with a cutting head, the first carriage and the second carriage are made to travel along the guide rail, and the force receiving portion is made to ride up on the upper surface of the abutting member, so that the second engaging member can be separated from the predetermined rotation position where the first engaging member and the second engaging member are engaged. This allows the first carriage and the second carriage to be disconnected. In addition, the abutting member is provided in the middle of the movement path of the force receiving portion. Therefore, the first carriage and the second carriage can be moved in the main scanning direction until the force receiving portion passes the abutting member. When the force receiving portion passes the abutting member, the force receiving portion is held in the predetermined rotation position where the first engaging member and the second engaging member are engaged by the biasing force of the biasing member. This allows the first carriage and the second carriage to be connected. The abutting member is supported by a support mechanism so as to rotate or move, and this allows the force receiving portion to pass under the lower surface of the abutting member in the main scanning direction with the second engaging member positioned at the predetermined rotation position. Therefore, the first carriage and the second carriage can be returned to their original sides with respect to the abutment member while both are connected to each other. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a printer with a cutting head according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway front view of the print carriage and the cutter carriage, showing the print carriage and the cutter carriage in a connected state; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway front view of the print carriage and the cutter carriage, showing the print carriage and the cutter carriage in a separated state; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the print carriage. [Diagram 5] 13 is a right side view of the second engagement member and the plate member. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7]13 is a right side view of the second engagement member and the plate member in a state in which the force receiving pin is supported on the upper surface of the abutment member. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a front view of the contact member in a state where it is lifted by the force-receiving pin. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] [Printer configuration with cutting head] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer 10 with a cutting head according to one embodiment (hereinafter, printer 10). As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 according to this embodiment is a device that performs printing and cutting on a sheet-like recording medium 5. The recording medium 5 may be, for example, a seal material made of a mount and a release paper that is laminated on the mount and coated with an adhesive, or may be recording paper or a resin sheet. The recording medium 5 is not particularly limited as long as it is a recording medium that can be printed on or cut.

[0009] In this specification, "cutting" includes cutting the entire thickness of the recording medium 5 (for example, cutting both the backing paper and release paper of the sealing material) and cutting only a portion of the thickness of the recording medium 5 (for example, cutting only the release paper without cutting the backing paper of the sealing material).

[0010] The printer 10 comprises a main body 11, a platen 12 provided on the main body 11 and supporting the recording medium 5, a transport device 20 that transports the recording medium 5 supported by the platen 12, a print head 30 that ejects ink onto the recording medium 5, a print carriage 40 that holds the print head 30, a cutting head 50 that cuts the recording medium 5, a cut carriage 60 that holds the cutting head 50, a carriage moving device 70 that moves the print carriage 40 and the cut carriage 60, a connecting mechanism 80 that connects or disconnects the print carriage 40 and the cut carriage 60, and a control device 200.

[0011] Although details will be described later, the movement direction of the print carriage 40 and the cut carriage 60 by the carriage moving device 70 is the Y direction in the figure. The recording medium 5 is transported in the X direction by the transport device 20. Hereinafter, the Y direction is also referred to as the main scanning direction, and the X direction is also referred to as the sub-scanning direction. Hereinafter, the main scanning direction Y is the left-right direction. Hereinafter, the sub-scanning direction X is the front-rear direction. The main scanning direction Y, the sub-scanning direction X, and the up-down direction Z are perpendicular to each other. The print carriage 40 and the cut carriage 60 are aligned in the main scanning direction Y. Hereinafter, the side of the cut carriage 60 seen from the print carriage 40 is also referred to as the first main scanning direction Y1. Hereinafter, the side of the print carriage 40 seen from the cut carriage 60 is also referred to as the second main scanning direction Y2. The cut carriage 60 is disposed in the first main scanning direction Y1 from the print carriage 40. Hereinafter, the first main scanning direction Y1 is to the left. In this example, the second main scanning direction Y2 is to the right. Symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings represent front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom, respectively.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the conveying device 20 includes a grit roller 21, a pinch roller 22, and a feed motor (not shown). The grit roller 21 is provided on the platen 12. The grit roller 21 is rotated by being driven by the feed motor. The pinch roller 22 is provided above the grit roller 21. The pinch roller 22 is provided so as to face the grit roller 21. The pinch roller 22 is configured to be able to swing up and down so as to be able to approach and move away from the grit roller 21. When the grit roller 21 rotates with the recording medium 5 sandwiched between the pinch roller 22 and the grit roller 21, the recording medium 5 is conveyed forward or backward. Note that, although only three grit rollers 21 and two pinch rollers 22 are shown in FIG. 1, more grit rollers 21 and pinch rollers 22 may be arranged in the main scanning direction Y in practice.

[0013] Fig. 2 is a partially cutaway front view of the print carriage 40 and the cut carriage 60. Fig. 2 shows the print carriage 40 and the cut carriage 60 in a connected state. When the print carriage 40 and the cut carriage 60 are connected, the carriage moving device 70 moves them together. When the print carriage 40 and the cut carriage 60 are separated, the carriage moving device 70 moves only the cut carriage 60 independently. Fig. 3 is a partially cutaway front view of the print carriage 40 and the cut carriage 60, showing the print carriage 40 and the cut carriage 60 in a separated state.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage moving device 70 includes a guide rail 71, a belt 72, and a scan motor 73 (see FIG. 1). The guide rail 71 is disposed above the platen 12. The guide rail 71 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The print carriage 40 and the cut carriage 60 are engaged with the guide rail 71 so as to be slidable in the main scanning direction Y. A belt 72 extending in the main scanning direction Y is fixed to the upper rear surface of the cut carriage 60. The belt 72 is connected to a scan motor 73. The scan motor 73 and the belt 72 are an example of a moving device that moves the cut carriage 60 along the guide rail 71. When the scan motor 73 rotates, the belt 72 runs in the main scanning direction Y. This causes the cut carriage 60 to move in the main scanning direction Y. However, the carriage moving device 70 may be configured to move the print carriage 40 in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 71. In this case, when the print carriage 40 and the cut carriage 60 are separated, the carriage moving device 70 moves only the print carriage 40 alone.

[0015] The print head 30 is mounted on a print carriage 40 and disposed above the platen 12. The print head 30 ejects ink toward a recording medium 5 supported by the platen 12. The print head 30 includes a plurality of ink heads 31. A plurality of nozzles (not shown) for ejecting ink are formed on the bottom surface of each of the plurality of ink heads 31. Here, the ink heads 31 are inkjet type heads. There is no particular limit to the number of ink heads 31, and there is no particular limit to the type or color of ink ejected by the ink heads 31. Furthermore, there is no particular limit to the ink ejection method of the ink heads 31.

[0016] The cutting head 50 is mounted on a cutting carriage 60 and is disposed above the platen 12. The cutting head 50 includes a cutter 51 capable of cutting the recording medium 5, and a cutter holding mechanism (not shown) that holds the cutter 51. The cutter holding mechanism moves the cutter 51 in the vertical direction Z to bring it into contact with or away from the recording medium 5 on the platen 12. The cutter holding mechanism includes a solenoid that moves the cutter 51 in the vertical direction Z. When the solenoid is turned ON / OFF, the cutter 51 moves in the vertical direction Z to bring it into contact with or away from the recording medium 5.

[0017] The coupling mechanism 80 is mainly provided on the print carriage 40 and the cut carriage 60, and couples the print carriage 40 and the cut carriage 60 together. When printing is performed by the print head 30, the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 are coupled together. This allows the print carriage 40 to move together with the cut carriage 60 in the main scanning direction Y. The configurations of the coupling mechanism 80 and the print carriage 40 and the cut carriage 60 related to the coupling mechanism 80 will be described later.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes a control device 200. The control device 200 controls the operation of a feed motor (not shown) of the transport device 20, a scan motor 73 of the carriage moving device 70, an ink head 31 of the print head 30, and a solenoid (not shown) of the cutting head 50. The control device 200 is also connected to a connection detection sensor 140 (described later) of the connection mechanism 80, and receives a signal from the connection detection sensor 140. The configuration of the control device 200 is not particularly limited, but includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions of a control program, a read only memory (ROM) that stores a program executed by the CPU, a random access memory (RAM) used as a working area for expanding the program, and a storage device such as a memory that stores the above program and various data. Among the control operations of each part by the control device 200, those related to the connection and disconnection of the print carriage 40 and the cut carriage 60 will be described after the description of the connection mechanism 80.

[0019] [Configuration of the connecting mechanism] The configurations of the connecting mechanism 80 and the print carriage 40 and cut carriage 60 related to the connecting mechanism 80 will be described below.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the connecting mechanism 80 includes a first engagement member 90 and a first contact portion 100 provided on the cut carriage 60, a plate member 110 provided on the print carriage 40 and contacting the first contact portion 100 when the print carriage 40 and the cut carriage 60 are connected, a second engagement member 120 provided on the print carriage 40 and engaging with the first engagement member 90, a spring 130 provided on the print carriage 40, and a connection detection sensor 140 provided on the cut carriage 60.

[0021] The first engagement member 90 is provided on the side surface 60R of the cutter carriage 60 facing the main scanning direction Y, which is on the print carriage 40 side, and extends from the side surface 60R toward the print carriage 40. Here, the first engagement member 90 is provided on the right side surface 60R of the cutter carriage 60, and extends rightward from the right side surface 60R. In this embodiment, the rightward direction is the second main scanning direction Y2.

[0022] The first engagement member 90 includes an arm portion 91 extending in the main scanning direction Y, and a head portion 92 provided at the tip end (here, the right end) of the arm portion 91. The left end (end on the first main scanning direction Y1 side) of the head portion 92 forms an inclined surface 92a that is inclined downward and toward the left (first main scanning direction Y1). The space between the base portion of the arm portion 91 and the head portion 92 forms a tapered recess 93 in which the gap in the main scanning direction Y narrows downward.

[0023] The first contact portion 100 is provided on the side surface 60R of the cutter carriage 60 facing the main scanning direction Y, which is on the print carriage 40 side. Here, the first contact portion 100 is provided on the right side surface 60R of the cutter carriage 60, and is a flat surface facing right (second main scanning direction Y2). In this embodiment, the first engagement member 90 and the first contact portion 100 are provided on one component 80L. The component 80L is provided on the right side surface 60R of the cutter carriage 60. However, the first engagement member 90 and the first contact portion 100 do not have to be provided on a common component.

[0024] The plate member 110 is provided on the side surface 40L of the print carriage 40 facing the main scanning direction Y, which is on the side of the cutter carriage 60, and as shown in FIG. 2, when the print carriage 40 and the cutter carriage 60 are connected, the plate member 110 comes into contact with the first contact portion 100. The surface of the plate member 110 facing the first main scanning direction Y1 (here, the left side surface) constitutes a second contact portion 111 that comes into contact with the first contact portion 100. Here, the second contact portion 111 is provided on the left side surface 40L of the print carriage 40, and is a flat surface facing leftward (first main scanning direction Y1). FIG. 4 is a left side view of the print carriage 40. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the plate member 110 is a flat member extending in the sub-scanning direction X and the up-down direction Z. As shown in FIG. 3, the flat portion 112 of the plate member 110 is disposed so as to form a gap G1 between the left side surface 40L of the print carriage 40. The flat portion 112 of the plate member 110 is disposed to the left of the left side surface 40L of the print carriage 40. In this way, "the plate member 110 or the second contact portion 111 is provided on the left side surface 40L of the print carriage 40" includes the plate member 110 or the second contact portion 111 being provided with a small gap between it and the left side surface 40L of the print carriage 40. The plate member 110 is fixed to the print carriage 40 by a fixing portion 113.

[0025] The plate member 110 has an insertion hole 114 through which the first engagement member 90 is inserted. The insertion hole 114 penetrates the flat plate portion 112 of the plate member 110 in the main scanning direction Y. As shown in FIG. 2, when the print carriage 40 and the cutter carriage 60 are connected, the head portion 92 of the first engagement member 90 passes through the insertion hole 114 and is located further in the second main scanning direction Y2 than the flat plate portion 112. As shown in FIG. 4, the insertion hole 114 has a width in the sub-scanning direction X that is approximately equal to that of the first engagement member 90, and the first engagement member 90 can be inserted therethrough.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the second engagement member 120 is provided on the side surface 40L of the print carriage 40 facing the main scanning direction Y, which is on the side of the cutter carriage 60. Here, the second engagement member 120 is provided on the left side surface 40L of the print carriage 40. The second engagement member 120 is configured to be rotatable in the vertical direction. The second engagement member 120 extends in the main scanning direction Y and includes a rotation shaft 121 fixed to the left side surface 40L of the print carriage 40, and a rotation member 122 that rotates around the rotation shaft 121. The rotation shaft 121 is the rotation center of the second engagement member 120. The rotation member 122 rotates in the vertical direction like a latch to engage with or separate from the first engagement member 90. The second engagement member 120 is disposed in the gap G1 between the print carriage 40 and the plate member 110. The second engagement member 120 is disposed further in the second main scanning direction Y2 than the flat portion 112 of the plate member 110.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a right side view of the second engagement member 120 and the plate member 110. As shown in FIG. 5, an engagement portion 123 that engages with the first engagement member 90 is formed on the rotating member 122. The second engagement member 120 engages with the first engagement member 90 at a predetermined rotation position (hereinafter, also referred to as engagement position P1) shown in FIG. 5, and disengages from the first engagement member 90 above the engagement position P1 (see FIG. 7). Below the engagement portion 123, a cutout portion 124 that is cut upward from the lower end of the rotating member 122 is provided. The cutout portion 124 is provided so that the first engagement member 90 can be removed by rotating the rotating member 122 slightly upward. The width of the cutout portion 124 in the sub-scanning direction X is set wider than the width of the first engagement member 90 in the sub-scanning direction X so that the rotating member 122 can be rotated.

[0028] The rotating shaft 121 is provided forward of the engaging portion 123. Therefore, when the rear portion of the rotating member 122 beyond the rotating shaft 121 is lifted, the rotating member 122 disengages from the first engaging member 90. Also, when the front portion of the rotating member 122 beyond the rotating shaft 121 is pressed down, the rotating member 122 disengages from the first engaging member 90. The front end portion of the rotating member 122 constitutes an operating portion 125 that can be pressed down by the user to rotate the second engaging member 120. When the user wishes to release the connection between the print carriage 40 and the cutter carriage 60, the user can press down the operating portion 125 to release the connection between the two.

[0029] 2, the engaging portion 123 has a tapered shape corresponding to the recessed portion 93 of the first engaging member 90, and is inserted into the recessed portion 93. The engaging portion 123 includes a tapered portion 123a having a tapered shape corresponding to the recessed portion 93 of the first engaging member 90. The tapered portion 123a has a tapered shape whose width in the main scanning direction Y narrows downward.

[0030] The spring 130 biases the second engagement member 120 so as to hold it in the engagement position P1. Here, the spring 130 pulls up a portion of the rotating member 122 that is forward of the rotation shaft 121. The lower end of the spring 130 is connected to a portion of the rotating member 122 that is forward of the rotation shaft 121. The upper end of the spring 130 is connected to the print carriage 40. When the rotating member 122 is located at the engagement position P1, the spring 130 is stretched beyond its natural length.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 5, a force receiving pin 150 is connected to the second engagement member 120, more specifically, to the rotating member 122. Here, the force receiving pin 150 is connected to the rear end of the rotating member 122. The force receiving pin 150 and the operation unit 125 are provided on opposite sides of the rotation center (rotation shaft 121) of the second engagement member 120. However, the position of the force receiving pin 150 is not particularly limited. The force receiving pin 150 moves in the vertical direction together with the rotation of the second engagement member 120 (rotation member 122). The force receiving pin 150 also moves in the main scanning direction Y together with the print carriage 40. The force receiving pin 150 is a cylindrical pin extending backward from the rear end of the rotating member 122. However, the force receiving unit that is connected to the second engagement member 120 and moves in the vertical direction together with the rotation of the second engagement member 120 is not limited to a cylindrical pin. The force receiving portion may be, for example, in the form of a flat plate. The force receiving portion may be formed integrally with the rotating member 122.

[0032] 2, the main body 11 of the printer 10 is provided with an abutment member 160 that is arranged midway along the movement path R1 of the force receiving pin 150 when the print carriage 40 moves along the guide rail 71. Here, the abutment member 160 is arranged further in the second main scanning direction Y2 than the platen 12. The abutment member 160 is provided in the vicinity of the guide rail 71. However, the position of the abutment member 160 is not limited as long as it is midway along the movement path R1 of the force receiving pin 150.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a front view of the contact member 160. As shown in FIG. 6, the contact member 160 is formed in a streamlined shape with a pointed tip on the first main scanning direction Y1 side. The contact member 160 is configured to be rotatable in the vertical direction. The connecting mechanism 80 includes a support mechanism 170 that supports the contact member 160 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. The support mechanism 170 supports the contact member 160 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction above the lowest position P2 shown in FIG. 6. The support mechanism 170 is configured not to rotate the contact member 160 below the lowest position P2. Here, the support mechanism 170 includes a rotation shaft 171 provided near the right end of the contact member 160 and a stopper (not shown). The stopper (not shown) restricts the movable range of the rotation shaft 171 so that the contact member 160 does not rotate below the lowest position P2. However, the configuration of the support mechanism 170 is not limited to this. The support mechanism 170 may be, for example, disposed on the rear side of the contact member 160 and equipped with a stopper that restricts the rotation of the contact member 160.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 6, the abutting member 160 has an upper surface 160U and a lower surface 160D extending in the primary scanning direction Y. The upper surface 160U includes an inclined surface 161 that is inclined upward toward the second primary scanning direction Y2. When the abutting member 160 is located at the lowest position P2, the inclined surface 161 intersects with the movement path R1 of the force receiving pin 150. As a result, the force receiving pin 150 passes the left end of the abutting member 160 and then rides on the inclined surface 161. As a result, the second engagement member 120 rotates upward. The upper surface 160U of the abutting member 160 is configured to support the force receiving pin 150 when the abutting member 160 is located at the lowest position P2, and to be able to move the second engagement member 120 away from the engagement position P1 against the biasing force of the spring 130. Details of this movement will be described later.

[0035] When the print carriage 40 returns to the first main scanning direction Y1, the contact member 160 rotates upward from the lowest position P2 when the force receiving pin 150 presses the lower surface 160D (see FIG. 8). This allows the force receiving pin 150 to pass under the contact member 160 without receiving a force greater than the downward force caused by the weight of the contact member 160. As a result, the force receiving pin 150 can pass under the lower surface 160D of the contact member 160 in the first main scanning direction Y1 with the second engagement member 120 positioned at the engagement position P1. In this embodiment, the lower surface 160D of the contact member 160 is hollowed out upward so that a portion thereof, except for the vicinity of the left end portion, is positioned above the upper end of the force receiving pin 150. This shortens the time that the force receiving pin 150 must lift the contact member 160. Details of this movement will be described later.

[0036] The connection detection sensor 140 detects whether the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 are connected. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the connection detection sensor 140 includes a rod 141 whose contacts are connected when pressed. The connection detection sensor 140 is provided at the right end of the cut carriage 60, and the rod 141 extends rightward (in the second main scanning direction Y2) from the right side surface 60R of the cut carriage 60. When the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 are connected, the right end of the rod 141 abuts against the plate member 110 and is pressed by the plate member 110. This connects the contacts of the connection detection sensor 140. The control device 200 recognizes that the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 are connected by the contacts of the connection detection sensor 140 being connected. However, the configuration of the detection device that detects whether the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 are connected is not particularly limited. The detection device may be one that detects contact between first contact portion 100 and second contact portion 111 by passing a current between the two, for example.

[0037] [Unlinking behavior] The operation of the printer 10 when disconnecting the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 from the connected state will be described below. When disconnecting the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40, the control device 200 controls the carriage moving device 70 in the connected state of the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 to move the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 in the second main scanning direction Y2. The control device 200 supports the force receiving pin 150 on the upper surface 160U of the abutting member 160 to move the second engagement member 120 away from the engagement position P1. The control device 200 further moves the cut carriage 60 in the first main scanning direction Y1 to separate the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40. The above control will be described below mainly with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

[0038] FIG. 7 is a right side view of the second engagement member 120 and the plate member 110 in a state where the force receiving pin 150 is supported by the upper surface 160U of the abutting member 160. The force receiving pin 150 in a state where it is supported by the upper surface 160U of the abutting member 160 is also illustrated in position P3 in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7, when the force receiving pin 150 moves to position P3, the rear end of the second engagement member 120 moves upward from a state where the force receiving pin 150 is not abutting against the abutting member 160. In this state, as shown in FIG. 7, the engagement portion 123 of the second engagement member 120 is located above the first engagement member 90. Therefore, the engagement between the second engagement member 120 and the first engagement member 90 is released. This releases the connection between the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40. When the cut carriage 60 is moved in the first main scanning direction Y1 from this state, the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 are separated from each other.

[0039] [Connected operation] When connecting the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 from a separated state, the control device 200 moves the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 until the force receiving pin 150 is located further in the second main scanning direction Y2 than the contact member 160, thereby connecting the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40. Furthermore, the control device 200 moves the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 until the force receiving pin 150 is located further in the first main scanning direction Y1 than the contact member 160. During this movement, the force receiving pin 150 passes below the contact member 160 while the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 remain connected. Therefore, the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 move above the platen 12 while remaining connected. Hereinafter, the above control will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 8.

[0040] Position P4 in FIG. 6 shows the position of the force receiving pin 150 when it has moved further in the second main scanning direction Y2 than the contact member 160. As shown in FIG. 6, when it moves further in the second main scanning direction Y2 than the contact member 160, the force receiving pin 150 loses support from the contact member 160 and returns to the moving path R1 when it is not in contact with the contact member 160. This returning motion is due to the action of gravity and also the biasing force of the spring 130. When the force receiving pin 150 returns to the moving path R1, the second engaging member 120 engages with the first engaging member 90. This connects the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40. Note that the print carriage 40 is disposed further in the first main scanning direction Y1 than the print carriage 40 before being connected to the cut carriage 60, and moves in the second main scanning direction Y2 by being pushed by the cut carriage 60 moving in the second main scanning direction Y2.

[0041] After the cutter carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 are connected, the cutter carriage 60 moves in the first main scanning direction Y1. During this movement, the force receiving pin 150 comes into contact with the left end of the contact member 160 and pushes it upward. FIG. 8 is a front view of the contact member 160 in a state in which it is lifted by the force receiving pin 150. The contact member 160 is configured to be rotatable by a support mechanism 170. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the contact member 160 rotates upward so that the force receiving pin 150 can pass underneath. Even when the force receiving pin 150 comes into contact with the contact member 160, the force receiving pin 150 only receives a downward force due to the weight of the contact member 160. Therefore, the force receiving pin 150 can easily lift the contact member 160 and pass underneath it.

[0042] [Effects of the embodiment] The following describes the effects that can be achieved by the printer 10 according to this embodiment.

[0043] The printer 10 according to this embodiment includes a coupling mechanism 80 that couples or releases the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40. The coupling mechanism 80 includes a first engagement member 90 that is provided on a side surface 60R of the cut carriage 60 on the print carriage 40 side and extends from the side surface 60R toward the print carriage 40, a second engagement member 120 that is provided on a side surface 40L of the print carriage 40 on the cut carriage 60 side so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction, engages with the first engagement member 90 at a predetermined rotation position (engagement position P1) and disengages from the first engagement member 90 above the engagement position P1, and a second engagement member 120 that is held at the engagement position P1. The print carriage 40 includes a spring 130 that biases the engaging member 120, a force receiving pin 150 that is connected to the second engaging member 120 and moves vertically with the rotation of the second engaging member 120, an abutting member 160 that has an upper surface 160U and a lower surface 160D extending in the primary scanning direction Y and is provided midway along a moving path R1 of the force receiving pin 150 when the print carriage 40 moves along the guide rail 71, and a support mechanism 170 that supports the abutting member 160 so that it can rotate vertically above a predetermined lowest position P2. When the abutting member 160 is located at the lowest position P2, the abutting member 160 supports the force receiving pin 150 with the upper surface 160U and is configured to be able to move the second engaging member 120 away from the engaging position P1 against the biasing force of the spring 130. Furthermore, when the lower surface 160D is pressed by the force receiving pin 150, the abutment member 160 rotates upward from the lowest position P2, and is configured so that when the second engagement member 120 is positioned at the engagement position P1, the force receiving pin 150 can pass below the lower surface 160D in the main scanning direction Y.

[0044] According to this printer 10, the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 are caused to travel along the guide rail 71, and the force receiving pin 150 is caused to ride up onto the upper surface 160U of the abutting member 160, thereby making it possible to separate the second engagement member 120 from the engagement position P1 where the first engagement member 90 and the second engagement member 120 are engaged. This makes it possible to release the connection between the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40.

[0045] In addition, the abutting member 160 is provided in the middle of the movement path R1 of the force receiving pin 150. Therefore, the cutting carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 can be moved in the second main scanning direction Y2 until the force receiving pin 150 passes the abutting member 160. When the force receiving pin 150 passes the abutting member 160, the force receiving pin 150 is held at the engagement position P1 by the biasing force of the spring 130. As a result, the cutting carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 are connected. The abutting member 160 is supported so as to be rotatable by the support mechanism 170, and as a result, the force receiving pin 150 can pass under the lower surface 160D of the abutting member 160 in the first main scanning direction Y1 while the second engagement member 120 remains positioned at the engagement position P1. Therefore, the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 can be returned to their original side with respect to the contact member 160 (here, the side of the platen 12 as viewed from the contact member 160) while both are connected to each other.

[0046] In this embodiment, the abutment member 160 is disposed in the second main scanning direction Y2 further than the platen 12. An upper surface 160U of the abutment member 160 intersects with the movement path R1 of the force receiving pin 150 when the abutment member 160 is located at the lowest position P2 and includes an inclined surface 161 that is inclined upward toward the second main scanning direction Y2. With this configuration, the force receiving pin 150 moving on the movement path R1 can be guided onto the upper surface 160U of the abutment member 160.

[0047] In this embodiment, the control device 200 controls the carriage moving device 70 to move the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 in the second main scanning direction Y2 while the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 are connected. The control device 200 supports the force receiving pin 150 on the upper surface 160U of the abutting member 160 to move the second engagement member 120 away from the engagement position P1. The control device 200 further moves the cut carriage 60 in the first main scanning direction Y1 to separate the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40. The control device 200 also moves the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 until the force receiving pin 150 is positioned further in the second main scanning direction Y2 than the abutting member 160, thereby connecting the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40. Furthermore, the control device 200 moves the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 until the force receiving pin 150 is positioned in the first main scanning direction Y1 further than the contact member 160. With this control, the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 can be connected or disconnected by utilizing the configuration of the force receiving pin 150, the contact member 160, the support mechanism 170, etc.

[0048] In this embodiment, the first engaging member 90 has a tapered recess 93 in which the gap in the main scanning direction Y narrows downward. The second engaging member 120 has an engaging portion 123 that has a tapered shape corresponding to the recess 93 and is inserted into the recess 93. With this configuration, the taper of the recess 93 and the taper of the engaging portion 123 fit together, thereby avoiding a problem in which the recess 93 and the engaging portion 123 do not fit together properly. Furthermore, by pushing the taper of the engaging portion 123 into the taper of the recess 93, the first engaging member 90 and the second engaging member 120 can be engaged without any play.

[0049] In this embodiment, the connecting mechanism 80 includes a first contact portion 100 provided on a side surface 60R of the cut carriage 60 on the print carriage 40 side, and a second contact portion 111 provided on a side surface 40L of the print carriage 40 on the cut carriage 60 side. The second contact portion 111 contacts the first contact portion 100 when the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 are connected. According to this configuration, a force is generated that brings the first contact portion 100 and the second contact portion 111 closer to each other by pushing the taper of the engagement portion 123 into the taper of the recess 93. This stabilizes the connection between the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40. In addition, the contact between the first contact portion 100 and the second contact portion 111 determines the relative position of the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 in the main scanning direction Y. Alternatively, a tapered recess may be provided on the second engaging member 120, and an engaging portion that is inserted into the recess of the second engaging member 120 may be provided on the first engaging member 90.

[0050] The printer 10 according to this embodiment includes a connection detection sensor 140 that detects whether the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 are connected. With this configuration, it is possible to actually detect whether the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 are connected or disconnected.

[0051] In this embodiment, the second engagement member 120 is provided on the opposite side of the rotation center from the force receiving pin 150 and includes an operation unit 125 that the user can press down to rotate the second engagement member 120. With this configuration, the user can manually connect or disconnect the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 when necessary, for example, when connection or disconnection of the cut carriage 60 and the print carriage 40 has failed.

[0052] [Other embodiments] Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above-described embodiment is merely an example, and the technology disclosed herein can be embodied in various other forms.

[0053] For example, in the above embodiment, the abutment member 160 is configured to rotate in the vertical direction above the lowest position P2. However, the abutment member 160 may be configured to move in the vertical direction above the lowest position P2. For example, the abutment member 160 may be configured to move in parallel in the vertical direction above the lowest position P2.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the engagement position P1 of the second engagement member 120 is set at the lower end of the rotation range, but may be set at the upper end of the rotation range. In that case, the second engagement member 120 engages with the first engagement member 90 when it rotates upward, and separates from the first engagement member 90 when it rotates downward. In that case, the contact member 160 may be configured to move in the vertical direction below the uppermost position. In such a case, the connecting mechanism 80 may include a biasing member that holds the contact member 160 at the uppermost position.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the second engagement member 120 rotates in the vertical direction around the rotation axis 121 extending in the primary scanning direction Y. However, the second engagement member 120 may rotate in the vertical direction (clockwise or counterclockwise when viewed from the front) around a rotation axis extending in the secondary scanning direction X. The rotating engagement member (the second engagement member 120 in the above embodiment) may be provided on the carriage that moves actively (the cut carriage 60 in the above embodiment) rather than on the carriage that does not move actively (the print carriage 40 in the above embodiment). The head mounted on the carriage that moves actively may be the cutting head 50 or the print head 30.

[0056] The shapes of the first engaging member 90, the second engaging member 120, the abutting member 160, etc. are not limited to the shapes described above. For example, in the above embodiment, the first engaging member 90 has a tapered recess 93, and the second engaging member 120 has a tapered engaging portion 123 corresponding to the recess 93. However, the second engaging member 120 may have a tapered recess in which the gap in the main scanning direction Y narrows toward the top, and the first engaging member 90 may have an engaging portion having a tapered shape corresponding to the recess and inserted into the recess. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to avoid a problem in which the recess and the engaging portion do not fit well, and the first engaging member 90 and the second engaging member 120 can be engaged without any backlash. Alternatively, the first engaging member 90 and the second engaging member 120 may not have a portion having a tapered shape. The shape of the abutting member 160 is not particularly limited as long as it can support the force receiving pin 150 on the upper surface.

[0057] Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments described herein do not limit the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 5 Recording media 10 Printer with cutting head 12 Platen (support) 30 Print Head 40 Print carriage (second carriage) 50 Cutting Head 60 Cutting carriage (first carriage) 70 Carriage moving device (moving device) 71 Guide rail 80 Connection mechanism 90 First engagement member 93 Recess 100 1st contact part 111 Second contact part 120 Second engagement member 123 Engagement part 125 Operation section 130 Spring (biasing member) 140 Connection detection sensor (detection device) 150 Force receiving pin (force receiving part) 160 Contact member 160D bottom surface 160U top 161 Slope 170 Support mechanism 200 Control device P1 Engagement position (predetermined rotation position) P2 Bottom position R1 Movement path of the force receiving part

Claims

1. A support base for supporting a recording medium; A print head that ejects ink; a cutting head having a cutter capable of cutting the recording medium; a first carriage holding one of the print head and the cutting head; a second carriage holding the other of the print head and the cutting head; a guide rail that is disposed above the support base and extends in a main scanning direction, the first carriage and the second carriage being engaged with each other so as to be slidable in the main scanning direction; a moving device that moves the first carriage or the second carriage along the guide rail; a coupling mechanism that couples or decouples the first carriage and the second carriage, The connecting mechanism includes: a first engagement member provided on one of the side surfaces of the first carriage facing the main scanning direction, the side surface being adjacent to the second carriage, and extending from the side surface toward the second carriage; a second engagement member that is provided on one of the side surfaces of the second carriage facing the main scanning direction, the side surface being adjacent to the first carriage, and that engages with the first engagement member at a predetermined rotation position and disengages from the first engagement member above the predetermined rotation position; a biasing member that biases the second engagement member so as to be held at the predetermined rotation position; a force receiving portion connected to the second engagement member and moving in a vertical direction together with the rotation of the second engagement member; a contact member having an upper surface and a lower surface extending in the main scanning direction, the contact member being provided midway along a moving path of the force receiving portion when the second carriage moves along the guide rail; a support mechanism that supports the contact member so that the contact member can rotate or move in the vertical direction above a predetermined lowest position, The abutment member is When the abutment member is located at the lowest position, the force receiving portion is supported by the upper surface, and the second engagement member is configured to be able to move away from the predetermined rotation position against the biasing force of the biasing member, and When the lower surface is pressed by the force receiving portion, the lower surface rotates or moves upward from the lowest position, and the force receiving portion is configured to be able to pass under the lower surface in the main scanning direction with the second engagement member positioned at the predetermined rotation position. Printer with cutting head.

2. the contact member is disposed on one side of the support base in the main scanning direction, the upper surface of the contact member includes an inclined surface that intersects with a moving path of the force receiving portion when the contact member is located at the lowermost position and is inclined upward toward the one side in the main scanning direction. A printer with a cutting head according to claim 1.

3. A control device for controlling the moving device is further provided. When one of the main scanning directions is a first main scanning direction and the other is a second main scanning direction, the first carriage is disposed further in the first main scanning direction than the second carriage, the contact member is disposed in the second main scanning direction relative to the support base, the moving device is configured to move the first carriage in the main scanning direction, The control device includes: with the first carriage and the second carriage coupled together, controlling the moving device to move the first carriage and the second carriage in the second main scanning direction, supporting the force receiving portion on the upper surface of the abutting member to move the second engaging member away from the predetermined rotation position, and further moving the first carriage in the first main scanning direction to separate the first carriage and the second carriage; moving the first carriage and the second carriage until the force receiving portion is located further in the second main scanning direction than the abutting member to connect the first carriage and the second carriage, and further moving the first carriage and the second carriage until the force receiving portion is located further in the first main scanning direction than the abutting member; A printer with a cutting head according to claim 1.

4. the first engagement member has a tapered recess in which the gap in the main scanning direction becomes narrower toward the bottom, The second engagement member has an engagement portion having a tapered shape corresponding to the recess and being inserted into the recess. A printer with a cutting head according to claim 1.

5. The connecting mechanism includes: a first contact portion provided on a side surface of the first carriage facing the main scanning direction, the side surface being on the side of the second carriage; a second contact portion provided on a side surface of the second carriage facing the main scanning direction that faces the first carriage, the second contact portion being in contact with the first contact portion when the first carriage and the second carriage are coupled to each other; A printer with a cutting head according to claim 4.

6. the second engagement member has a tapered recess in which the gap in the main scanning direction becomes narrower toward the top, The first engagement member has an engagement portion having a tapered shape corresponding to the recess and being inserted into the recess. A printer with a cutting head according to claim 1.

7. The apparatus further includes a detection device for detecting whether the first carriage and the second carriage are coupled to each other. A printer with a cutting head according to claim 1.

8. The second engagement member is provided on the opposite side of the rotation center from the force receiving portion and includes an operation portion that can be pressed down by a user to rotate the second engagement member. A printer with a cutting head according to claim 1.

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