Printer and cutting unit

Abstract

To provide a printer capable of removing noise generated on a cutting blade by a simple structure, and a cutting unit.SOLUTION: A first unit 5 includes a first cutting blade 59, a first harness 52, and a second connector 53. The first cutting blade 59 cuts a medium printed in a printing part. The first harness 52 connects its one end to the first cutting blade 59. The second connector 53 can be connected to the first connector, and is connected to the other end of the first harness 52. In a state in which the first unit 5 is mounted on a mounting part and the second connector 53 is connected to the first connector, the first cutting blade 59 is conductive to the ground of a substrate, through the first harness 52, the second connector 53 and the first connector.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer and a cutting unit. [Background technology]

[0002] The printer of Patent Document 1 comprises a main body, a movable part, an outlet, a first cutting part, and a second cutting part. The main body stores roll paper. The movable part is openable and closable relative to the main body. The outlet is formed by the main body and the movable part. The first cutting part and the second cutting part each comprise a cutter blade. The first cutting part is provided on the main body. The first cutting part uses the cutter blade to cut the roll paper discharged from the outlet. The second cutting part is provided on the movable part. The second cutting part uses the cutter blade to cut the roll paper discharged from the outlet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-176916 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Static electricity is generated in the cutting section of the printer due to the sliding contact between the cutter blade and the medium. One possible way to remove static electricity is to connect the cutter blade to the printer's housing or metal frame. If the cutter blade were to be connected to the housing's metal frame with screws or soldering, the work would be time-consuming for the operator.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a printer and a cutting unit that can eliminate noise generated in a cutting blade with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A printer according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a housing, a printing unit housed inside the housing and printing on a medium, a circuit board housed inside the housing, a first connector electrically connected to the circuit board, a mounting unit provided on the housing, and a first unit removably mounted to the mounting unit, wherein the first unit comprises a first cutting blade that cuts the medium printed by the printing unit, a first harness having one end connected to the first cutting blade, and a second connector connectable to the first connector and connected to the other end of the first harness, and when the first unit is mounted on the mounting unit and the second connector is connected to the first connector, the first cutting blade is electrically connected to the ground of the circuit board via the first harness, the second connector, and the first connector.

[0007] In the above printer, when installing the first unit in the printer, the worker connects the second connector of the first unit to the first connector. Then, the worker installs the first unit in the installation section. Therefore, the worker can install the first unit in the printer with a simple procedure. Furthermore, because the first cutting blade is conductive to ground, the printer can eliminate noise such as static electricity generated on the first cutting blade. Therefore, the printer can eliminate noise generated on the cutting blade with a simple configuration.

[0008] In the present invention, the first unit and the second unit may be selectively mountable to the mounting portion, and the second unit may include a drive mechanism driven based on a predetermined electrical signal, a second harness having one end electrically connected to the drive mechanism, and a third connector having the other end of the second harness connected thereto and connectable to the first connector. An operator removes the first unit from the mounting portion. The operator removes the second connector from the first connector. Thus, the first unit is removed from the printer. Next, the operator connects the third connector to the first connector. The operator mounts the second unit in the mounting portion. Thus, the second unit is mounted to the printer. Since the connectors of the first unit and the second unit are commonly connected to the first connector of the printer, assembly is simple. The same applies when replacing the second unit with the first unit. Thus, the operator can easily replace the first unit with the second unit.

[0009] In the present invention, the housing may include a main body portion that includes the mounting portion and opens upward, and an access cover that opens and closes the opening of the main body portion, and the access cover may be provided with a second cutting blade that faces the first cutting blade from above when the access cover is closed. A worker can cut the printed medium with the first cutting blade by pulling the printed medium downward. Also, a worker can cut the medium with the second cutting blade by pulling the printed medium upward.

[0010] In the present invention, the printing unit may include a platen roller that transports the medium and a print head that prints on the medium, the openable cover may include a biasing member that biases the print head downward toward the platen roller and a conductive plate member that supports the biasing member, and the second cutting blade may be electrically connected to the plate member. The printer may also remove static electricity from the second cutting blade via the plate member.

[0011] In the present invention, a plurality of the first harnesses may be provided, and by providing a plurality of the first harnesses, the printer can improve its ability to remove static electricity.

[0012] In the present invention, the second connector may be provided with a plurality of pins arranged in a straight line, the pins at the ends of the plurality of pins being electrically connected to the ground, and two first harnesses may be provided, with the other ends of the two first harnesses being connected to the pins at the ends of the second connector, respectively. The printer can efficiently remove static electricity generated on the first cutting blade. When static electricity flows to the ground, it is possible to prevent other pins from picking up noise from the pin connected to the ground.

[0013] In the present invention, the first unit may include a plate-shaped member with a support surface that supports the medium printed by the printing unit, the first cutting blade being positioned below the medium supported on the support surface, the first cutting blade being positioned on a fixed surface of the plate-shaped member opposite the support surface, and including a plate-shaped first portion extending in an extension direction perpendicular to the medium transport direction, and a plate-shaped second portion extending upward from a downstream end of the first portion in the transport direction toward the medium supported on the upper support surface and cutting the medium, two first harnesses being provided, one end of one first harness being fixed to the fixed surface with a screw via one end of the first portion in the extension direction, and the other end of the other first harness being fixed to the fixed surface with a screw via the other end of the first portion in the extension direction. The first cutting blade is fixed at two ends in the extension direction. Therefore, the vertical position of the first cutting blade is stable.

[0014] In the present invention, the first unit may include a support member extending in the vertical direction and supporting a central portion of the plate-like member in the extension direction from below, the first portion having a slit in the central portion in the extension direction, and the first portion may be fixed to the fixing surface with the slit inserted into the support member. The slit of the first cutting blade is inserted into the support member. Therefore, the position of the first cutting blade in the extension direction is stable.

[0015] A cutting unit according to a second aspect of the present invention is a cutting unit that is mounted to a mounting section of a printer that has a printing section that prints on a medium, a circuit board, and a main body connector that is electrically connected to the circuit board, and is characterized in that it comprises a cutting blade that cuts the medium printed by the printing section, a harness that has one end connected to the cutting blade, and a connector to which the other end of the harness is connected and that can be connected to the main body connector, and when the cutting unit is mounted to the mounting section and the connector is connected to the main body connector, the cutting blade is conductive to the ground of the board via the harness, the connector, and the main body connector.

[0016] The cutting unit described above provides the same effects as those of the first aspect of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer 1. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the printer 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the printer 1 taken along the line AA. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an area C in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first unit 5. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the printer 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the printer 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings are used to explain technical features that may be adopted by the present invention. In other words, the configurations and the like shown in the drawings are not intended to be limiting but are merely illustrative examples. In the description of this embodiment, the upper left, lower right, upper right, lower left, upper, and lower in FIG. 1 will be referred to as the left, right, front, rear, upper, and lower of the printer 1.

[0019] The printer 1 is configured to be able to print on a print medium (hereinafter referred to as "medium M") shown in FIG. 3. The medium M is, for example, a die-cut thermal label. The printer 1 prints on the medium M in cooperation with a print head 29 and a platen roller 22 (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "printing unit 17") shown in FIG. 3. The medium M printed by the printing unit 17 is discharged from a discharge unit 15 extending in the left-right direction.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the printer 1 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the front-to-rear direction. The printer 1 is made up of a housing 10. The housing 10 has a main body 11 and an opening / closing cover 12. The main body 11 and the opening / closing cover 12 are formed, for example, from a resin material. The main body 11 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped box shape. The main body 11 opens upward. The main body 11 is opened and closed by the opening / closing cover 12. The opening / closing cover 12 will be described later.

[0021] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the main body 11 includes a circuit board 18, a first connector 19, a housing section 21, a roll support section 23, a platen roller 22, and an attachment section 11A. The circuit board 18 is housed inside the main body 11. Specifically, the circuit board 18 is disposed on the bottom surface of the main body 11. The circuit board 18 controls the operation of the printer 1. For example, the circuit board 18 controls the printing section 17. The circuit board 18 extends in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions. The circuit board 18 is long in the front-to-rear direction.

[0022] The first connector 19 is disposed on the front side of the circuit board 18 and on the bottom surface of the main body 11. The first connector 19 is electrically connected to the circuit board 18 via the harness 13. The first connector 19 has a plurality of pins (not shown) arranged in a straight line. The pins are arranged in the front-to-rear direction. Of the pins, two pins at both ends are electrically connected to the ground of the circuit board 18. The other pins are used to transmit signals from the control unit (not shown). The other pins are used when second units 6 and 7, which will be described later, are attached to the attachment section 11A of the printer 1.

[0023] The storage section 21 is provided from the center to the rear end in the front-to-rear direction of the main body 11. The storage section 21 is a space that stores the medium M wound in a roll. A roll support section 23 is provided in the storage section 21. The roll support section 23 rotatably supports the medium M wound in a roll.

[0024] The platen roller 22 is provided at the front end of the main body 11 and behind the discharge section 15. The platen roller 22 extends in the left-right direction along the discharge section 15. The platen roller 22 is a cylindrical roller for transporting the medium M. The platen roller 22 rotates in response to the driving of a drive motor (not shown).

[0025] The mounting portion 11A is provided at the front end of the main body 11. The mounting portion 11A is recessed rearward. Left and right screw holes 3, 3 (see FIG. 2) are provided in the vertical center of the mounting portion 11A. Left and right screw holes 9, 9 (see FIG. 2) are provided at the bottom end of the mounting portion 11A. A platen roller 22 is exposed at the top of the mounting portion 11A. A first connector 19 is exposed at the bottom left of the mounting portion 11A. A first unit 5 can be attached to the mounting portion 11A. The first unit 5 is fixed to the screw holes 3, 3 of the mounting portion 11A with screws (not shown). Details of the first unit 5 will be described later.

[0026] With the first unit 5 attached to the attachment portion 11A, the front cover 8 is attached from below. The front cover 8 is C-shaped when viewed from the front. The first unit 5 engages with the C-shaped portion of the front cover 8. The front cover 8 is fixed with screws 8A, 8A in screw holes 9, 9 of the attachment portion 11A.

[0027] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the opening / closing cover 12 is pivotally supported on a shaft (not shown) extending in the left-right direction at the upper rear part of the main body 11. The opening / closing cover 12 is box-shaped and opens downward. The top surface of the opening / closing cover 12 is provided with a display unit and an operation unit (not shown). The display unit has a liquid crystal display and displays various information. The operation unit is used to input various instructions to the printer 1.

[0028] The front end of the openable cover 12 houses a print head 29, a plate member 38, a biasing member 37, and a second cutting blade 16. The print head 29 is provided at the front lower portion of the openable cover 12. The print head 29 has multiple heating elements aligned in the left-right direction. When the openable cover 12 is closed, the print head 29 faces the platen roller 22 from above. The print head 29 selectively heats the heating elements to print images such as characters and figures on the medium M.

[0029] The plate member 38 is provided at the front and upper end of the openable cover 12. The plate member 38 is rectangular and extends in all directions above the print head 29. The front end of the plate member 38 extends downward. The plate member 38 is conductive.

[0030] The urging member 37 is disposed between the print head 29 and the plate member 38. The plate member 38 supports the urging member 37. The urging member 37 urges the print head 29 downward toward the platen roller 22.

[0031] The second cutting blade 16 is provided at the front end of the plate member 38. The second cutting blade 16 extends in the left-right direction. The second cutting blade 16 is conductive. Since the plate member 38 is conductive, the second cutting blade 16 is electrically connected to the plate member 38. When the openable cover 12 is closed, the second cutting blade 16 faces a first cutting blade 59 (described below) from above.

[0032] The second cutting blade 16 has a first portion 161 and a second portion 162. The first portion 161 is plate-shaped and extends up and down and left and right. The first portion 161 is long in the left and right direction. The first portion 161 is fixed to the front end of the plate member 38 with a screw 38A. The second portion 162 extends forward and downward from the lower end of the first portion 161. The front end of the first portion 161 is capable of cutting the medium M.

[0033] The first unit 5 will be described with reference to Figure 5. In Figure 5, the configuration of the first cutting blade 59 before assembly is shown by a two-dot chain line. The first unit 5 is a cutting unit that allows an operator to manually pull the medium M downward to cut it. The first unit 5 is detachably attached to the mounting portion 11A.

[0034] The first unit 5 includes a cover housing 11F, a first cutting blade 59, a first harness 52, and a second connector 53. The cover housing 11F has a rectangular shape extending vertically and horizontally. The cover housing 11F is long in the left-right direction. The cover housing 11F includes mounting portions 31, 31, a recessed portion 55, a plate-like member 57, a support member 54, positioning portions 32, 32, and a guide portion 51.

[0035] The mounting portions 31 are provided at the center of the cover housing 11F in the vertical direction and at both ends of the cover housing 11F in the horizontal direction. The mounting portions 31 have holes that penetrate in the vertical direction. The first unit 5 is fixed with screws (not shown) through the holes of the mounting portions 31 and into screw holes 3 (see FIG. 2) of the attachment portion 11A.

[0036] The recessed portion 55 is provided at the upper end of the cover housing 11F and is recessed downward from the left end to the right end of the upper end of the cover housing 11F.

[0037] A portion of the rear surface of the cover housing 11F adjacent to the lower side of the recessed portion 55 is referred to as a fixed surface 58 (see FIG. 4). The fixed surface 58 is provided on the opposite side of the support surface 57A of the plate-shaped member 57 in the vertical direction. The fixed surface 58 has a rectangular shape extending in the left-right direction. A first cutting blade 59, which will be described later, is fixed to the fixed surface 58.

[0038] The plate-shaped member 57 is provided at the upper end of the cover housing 11F. More specifically, the plate-shaped member 57 is positioned above and spaced apart from the upper surface of the recessed portion 55. The plate-shaped member 57 extends in the left-right direction along the upper surface of the recessed portion 55. In other words, there is a gap between the plate-shaped member 57 and the recessed portion 55 in the left-right direction. The plate-shaped member 57 has a support surface 57A. The support surface 57A supports the medium M printed in the printing unit 17.

[0039] The support member 54 is provided at the center in the left-right direction of the fixing surface 58 of the cover housing 11F. The support member 54 is plate-shaped and protrudes rearward from the fixing surface 58 of the cover housing 11F. The support member 54 extends upward from the center of the fixing surface 58 and is connected to the center in the left-right direction of the plate-shaped member 57. In other words, the support member 54 supports the center in the left-right direction of the plate-shaped member 57 from below.

[0040] The positioning portions 32, 32 are provided on the fixing surface 58 of the cover housing 11F. The positioning portions 32, 32 are arranged on the left and right sides of the support member 54. The positioning portions 32, 32 protrude rearward from the fixing surface 58 of the cover housing 11F. The positioning portions 32, 32 are cylindrical.

[0041] The guide portion 51 is provided at the lower end of the rear surface of the cover housing 11F. The guide portion 51 guides first harnesses 52, 52, which will be described later. The guide portion 51 includes a first guide portion 51A and a second guide portion 51B. The first guide portion 51A has a hole that penetrates in the up-down direction. The second guide portion 51B is positioned below the first guide portion 51A. The second guide portion 51B has a hole that penetrates in the front-rear direction.

[0042] The first cutting blade 59 is inserted into the gap between the recessed portion 55 and the plate-shaped member 57. The first cutting blade 59 is positioned below the support surface 57A of the plate-shaped member 57. Therefore, the first cutting blade 59 is positioned below the medium M supported by the support surface 57A. The first cutting blade 59 cuts the medium M supported by the support surface 57A. The first cutting blade 59 is electrically conductive.

[0043] The first cutting blade 59 has a first portion 591 and a second portion 592. The first portion 591 is disposed on the fixing surface 58 (see FIG. 4). The first portion 591 is plate-shaped and extends in the left-right direction. The first portion 591 extends in the left-right direction. A slit 593 extending in the up-down direction is provided in the center of the first portion 591 in the left-right direction. The first portion 591 has positioning portions 34, 34 on both left-right sides of the slit 593. The first portion 591 has holes 33, 33 on both sides of the positioning portions 34, 34. The right-side hole 33 is provided at the right end of the first portion 591. The left-side hole 33 is provided at the left end of the first portion 591.

[0044] The second portion 592 is plate-shaped and extends in the left-right direction. The second portion 592 extends from the upper end of the first portion 591 toward the front and upper side. The tip of the second portion 592 is positioned below the support surface 57A of the plate-shaped member 57 in the up-down direction. The second portion 592 extends toward the medium M supported by the support surface 57A located above. The end of the second portion 592 is capable of cutting the printed medium M.

[0045] The slit 593 of the first portion 591 is inserted into the support member 54. The positioning portions 34 of the first portions 591 are inserted into the positioning portions 32 of the cover housing 11F, respectively. The first portion 591 is positioned in the left-right direction by the support member 54. The first portion 591 is positioned in the up-down and left-right directions by the positioning portions 34.

[0046] Two first harnesses 52 are provided. One ends 52A, 52A of the two first harnesses 52, 52 are annular. One end 52A of the right-side first harness 52 is fixed to a fixing surface 58 with a screw 56 via a hole 33 on the front side of the first portion 591. One end 52A of the left-side first harness 52 is electrically connected to the right end of the second portion 592. One end 52A of the left-side first harness 52 is fixed to a fixing surface 58 (see FIG. 4) with a screw 56 via a hole 33 on the left side of the first portion 591. Therefore, the first cutting blade 59 is fixed to the fixing surface 58 (see FIG. 4).

[0047] The two first harnesses 52 are bundled while being guided by the first guide portion 51A and the second guide portion 51B of the guide portion 51. The other ends 52B of the two first harnesses 52 are wired toward the second connector 53.

[0048] The second connector 53 has a plurality of pins arranged in a straight line. The other end 52B of the right-side first harness 52 is connected to the rear end of the second connector 53. The other end 52B of the left-side first harness 52 is connected to the front end of the second connector 53. In other words, the other ends 52B, 52B of the two first harnesses 52 are connected to pins at both ends of the second connector 53, respectively.

[0049] The second connector 53 is connectable to the first connector 19. When the second connector 53 is connected to the first connector 19, the multiple pins of the second connector 53 are aligned in the front-to-rear direction. The pins (not shown) at both ends of the second connector 53 are connected to the pins (not shown) at both ends of the first connector 19. Of the multiple pins of the second connector 53, the pins at both ends that are located at the ends are electrically connected to the ground of the substrate 18.

[0050] Therefore, when the first unit 5 is attached to the attachment portion 11A and the second connector 53 is connected to the first connector 19, the first cutting blade 59 is electrically connected to the ground of the substrate 18 via the first harness 52, the second connector 53, and the first connector 19.

[0051] The operation of the printer 1 during printing will be described. The operator opens the opening / closing cover 12 of the printer 1. The operator loads the medium M onto the roll support section 23 of the storage section 21. The operator pulls out the medium M and places the end of the medium M above the platen roller 22. The operator closes the opening / closing cover 12. At this time, the medium M is sandwiched between the print head 29 and the platen roller 22. The operator operates the operation section (not shown) to instruct printing on the medium M.

[0052] The control unit (not shown) of the printer 1 drives the platen roller 22. The platen roller 22 transports the medium M. As the medium M is transported, the rolled medium M is pulled forward. The control unit drives the print head 29 to print on the medium M. In other words, printing is performed by the printing unit 17.

[0053] When printing is complete, the medium M is guided toward the discharge section 15. The medium M is supported on the support surface 57A. The medium M is also positioned between the first cutting blade 59 and the second cutting blade 16. The operator picks up the printed medium M and cuts the medium M with the first cutting blade 59 or the second cutting blade 16. For example, if the printer 1 is placed in a low position, the second cutting blade 16 should be used. Also, for example, if the printer 1 is placed in a high position, the first cutting blade 59 should be used.

[0054] The second units 6 and 7 will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. In addition to the first unit 5, the second units 6 and 7 can be selectively attached to the attachment section 11A of the printer 1. The second unit 6 shown in Figure 6 is, for example, a cutting unit for automatically cutting the medium M.

[0055] The second unit 6 includes a unit housing 61, a drive mechanism (not shown), a second harness 62, and a third connector 73. The unit housing 61 is rectangular in front view. Similar to the first unit 5, the unit housing 61 is fixed to the screw holes 3, 3 of the mounting portion 11A with screws (not shown) via mounting portions 31, 31.

[0056] A drive mechanism is provided on the rear surface of the unit housing 61. The drive mechanism is composed of, for example, a motor, gears, a cutting blade, etc. The drive mechanism is driven based on a predetermined electrical signal. One end of the second harness 62 is electrically connected to the drive mechanism. The other end of the second harness 62 is connected to the third connector 73. The third connector 63 is connectable to the first connector 19. The third connector 63 has multiple pins, with both end pins connected to the ground of the substrate 18. The third connector 63 is capable of sending and receiving electrical signals from the multiple pins other than the both end pins.

[0057] An electrical signal for driving the motor is sent from the substrate 18. The electrical signal is transmitted to the drive mechanism via the first connector 19, the third connector 63, and the second harness 62. When the motor of the drive mechanism is driven, the cutting blade automatically cuts the medium M.

[0058] The second unit 7 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The second unit 7 is, for example, a peeling unit for automatically peeling a label from a backing sheet of a printed medium M. The second unit 7 includes a unit housing 71, a drive mechanism (not shown), a second harness 72, and a third connector 73. The unit housing 71 is rectangular in front view. The unit housing 71 is attached to the mounting portion 11A in the same manner as the second unit 6.

[0059] A drive mechanism (not shown) is provided on the rear surface of the unit housing 71. The drive mechanism is, for example, a peeling mechanism. The peeling mechanism is driven based on a predetermined electrical signal. The connection and function of the second harness 72 and the third connector 73 are the same as those in the second unit 6. Therefore, detailed description will be omitted.

[0060] An electrical signal for driving a peeling mechanism (not shown) is sent from the substrate 18. The electrical signal is transmitted to the peeling mechanism via the first connector 19, the third connector 73, and the second harness 72. This causes the label to be automatically peeled off from the backing paper of the medium M.

[0061] The replacement work of the first unit 5 and the second units 6 and 7 to the mounting portion 11A will be described below. The following describes an example in which the first unit 5 is mounted in the mounting portion 11A and then the second unit 6 is mounted in the mounting portion 11A.

[0062] The worker removes the two screws 8A from the screw holes 9, 9. After that, the worker pulls the front cover 8 downward. Next, the worker removes the screws (not shown) from the screw holes 3, 3 of the mounting portion 11A. The worker removes the first unit 5 from the mounting portion 11A. The worker removes the second connector 53 from the first connector 19. This completes the removal of the first unit 5 from the mounting portion 11A.

[0063] The worker attaches the third connector 63 of the second unit 6 to the first connector 19. The mounting portions 31, 31 of the second unit 6 are aligned with the screw holes 3, 3 of the mounting portion 11A. In this state, the worker inserts screws (not shown) into the screw holes 3, 3. Next, the worker attaches the front cover 8 to the main body 11 from below. The worker inserts screws 8A, 8A into the screw holes 9, 9 of the mounting portion 11A. This completes the installation of the second unit 6 into the mounting portion 11A.

[0064] The worker can also mount the second unit 7 from the first unit 5 in the same manner as described above. The worker can also change from the second units 6, 7 to the first unit 5 in the same manner. The worker can also change from the second unit 6 to the second unit 7 in the same manner.

[0065] As described above, the first unit 5 is detachably mounted to the mounting section 11A. The first unit 5 includes the first cutting blade 59, the first harness 52, and the second connector 53. The first cutting blade 59 cuts the medium M printed by the printing section 17. One end 52A of the first harness 52 is connected to the first cutting blade 59. The second connector 53 is connectable to the first connector 19 and connects to the other end 52B of the first harness 52. When the first unit 5 is mounted to the mounting section 11A and the second connector 53 is connected to the first connector 19, the first cutting blade 59 is electrically connected to the ground of the substrate 18 via the first harness 52, the second connector 53, and the first connector 19.

[0066] In the above-described printer 1, when installing the first unit 5 in the printer 1, the worker connects the second connector 53 of the first unit 5 to the first connector 19. The worker then installs the first unit 5 in the installation section 11A. Therefore, the worker can install the first unit 5 in the printer 1 with a simple procedure. Furthermore, because the first cutting blade 59 is conductive to ground, the printer 1 can eliminate noise such as static electricity that occurs on the first cutting blade 59. Therefore, the printer 1 can eliminate noise that occurs on the cutting blade with a simple configuration.

[0067] The mounting section 11A can selectively mount the first unit 5 and the second units 6 and 7. For example, the second unit 6 includes a drive mechanism, a second harness 62, and a third connector 63. The drive mechanism is driven based on a predetermined electrical signal. One end of the second harness 62 is electrically connected to the drive mechanism. The other end of the second harness 62 is connected to the third connector 63, which can be connected to the first connector 19. The worker removes the first unit 5 from the mounting section 11A. The worker removes the second connector 53 from the first connector 19. Thus, the first unit 5 is removed from the printer 1. Next, the worker connects the third connector 63 to the first connector 19. The worker mounts the second unit 6 in the mounting section 11A. Thus, the second unit 6 is mounted to the printer 1. The first unit 5 and the second unit 6 have their respective connectors commonly connected to the first connector 19 of the printer 1, making assembly easy. The same applies when replacing the second unit 6 with the first unit 5. Therefore, the operator can easily replace the first unit 5 with the second unit 6. In addition, the ground used to control the second unit 6 is shared, and the first cutting blade 59 of the first unit 5 is connected to the ground. Therefore, even when using the first unit 5 in the printer 1, there is no need to make any changes to the configuration of the printer 1.

[0068] The housing 10 includes a main body 11 and an opening / closing cover 12. The main body 11 includes an attachment portion 11A and opens upward. The opening / closing cover 12 opens and closes the opening of the main body 11. The opening / closing cover 12 is provided with a second cutting blade 16. When the opening / closing cover 12 is closed, the second cutting blade 16 faces the first cutting blade 59 from above. The operator can cut the medium M with the first cutting blade 59 by pulling the printed medium M downward. The operator can also cut the medium M with the second cutting blade 16 by pulling the printed medium M upward.

[0069] The printing unit 17 includes a platen roller 22 and a print head 29. The platen roller 22 transports the medium M. The print head 29 prints on the medium M. The openable cover 12 includes a biasing member 37 and a plate member 38. The biasing member 37 biases the print head 29 downward toward the platen roller 22. The plate member 38 is conductive and supports the biasing member 37. The second cutting blade 16 is electrically connected to the plate member 38. The printer 1 can also remove static electricity from the second cutting blade 16 via the plate member 38.

[0070] Two first harnesses 52 are provided. By providing two first harnesses 52, the printer 1 can improve its ability to remove static electricity compared to when only one harness is provided.

[0071] The second connector 53 is provided with a plurality of pins arranged in a straight line. Of the plurality of pins, the pins located at the ends are electrically connected to ground. Two first harnesses 52 are provided. The other ends 52B, 52B of the two first harnesses 52 are connected to pins at both ends of the second connector 53, respectively. The printer 1 can efficiently remove static electricity generated on the first cutting blade 59. When static electricity flows to ground, it is possible to prevent other pins from picking up noise from the pin connected to ground.

[0072] The first unit 5 includes a plate-shaped member 57. The plate-shaped member 57 includes a support surface 57A that supports the medium M printed by the printing unit 17. A first cutting blade 59 is disposed below the medium M supported by the support surface 57A. The first cutting blade 59 includes a first portion 591 and a second portion 592. The first portion 591 is plate-shaped. The first portion 591 is disposed on a fixed surface 58 opposite the support surface 57A of the plate-shaped member 57. The first cutting blade 59 extends in the left-right direction. The second portion 592 is plate-shaped. The second portion 592 extends upward from the front end of the first portion 591 toward the medium M supported by the support surface 57A located above. The second portion 592 cuts the medium M. Two first harnesses 52 are provided. One end 52A of the right-side first harness 52 is fixed to the fixed surface 58 with a screw 56 via the right end of the first portion 591. One end 52A of the left first harness 52 is fixed to a fixing surface 58 with a screw 56 via the left end of the first portion 591 in the left-right direction. The first cutting blade 59 is fixed at two ends in the left-right direction. Therefore, the position of the first cutting blade 59 in the up-down direction is stable.

[0073] The first unit 5 includes a support member 54. The support member 54 extends in the up-down direction and supports the left-right central portion of the plate-shaped member 57 from below. The first portion 591 includes a slit 593 in the left-right central portion. With the slit 593 inserted into the support member 54, the first portion 591 is fixed to the fixing surface 58. The slit 593 of the first cutting blade 59 is inserted into the support member 54. Therefore, the left-right position of the first cutting blade 59 is stable.

[0074] In the above description, the first unit 5 is an example of a "cutting unit" of the present invention. The first connector 19 is an example of a "main connector" of the present invention. The first cutting blade 59 is an example of a "cutting blade" of the present invention. The first harness 52 is an example of a "harness" of the present invention. The second connector 53 is an example of a "connector" of the present invention. The forward direction is an example of a "conveying direction" of the present invention. The left-right direction is an example of an "extending direction" of the present invention.

[0075] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. The techniques disclosed in the above-described embodiments and modifications can be combined to the extent that they are not inconsistent. The printer 1 is a thermal printer, but is not limited to this, and may be an inkjet printer. The printer 1 is battery-powered, but is not limited to this. An AC adapter may be used as an external power source.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the housing 10 includes the main body 11 and the opening / closing cover 12, but this is not limited to this. The housing 10 does not have to be opened and closed with the opening / closing cover 12. For example, the printer may be of a type in which the medium M is transported to the printer 1 from outside, that is, a so-called fanfold type.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the second units 6 and 7 can be attached to the attachment portion 11A in addition to the first unit 5, but this is not limiting. For example, units having other functions may be attached in addition to the second units 6 and 7. In this case, the connectors of the units having other functions should be compatible with the third connectors 63 and 73 of the second units 6 and 7.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the number of first harnesses 52 is two, but this is not limited to this. For example, the number of first harnesses 52 may be one, or three or more. The number of first harnesses 52 may be selected arbitrarily. The more first harnesses 52 there are, the greater the effect of removing static electricity.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the pins connected to the ground of the substrate 18 are the pins at both ends, but this is not limiting. The pins connected to the ground may be selected arbitrarily.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the pins of the connector are arranged in a single row, but this is not limiting. For example, the pins may be arranged in multiple rows.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the plate-like member 57 is supported by the support member 54, but this is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of support members 54 may be provided instead of one. The slits 593 of the first cutting blade 59 may be provided accordingly. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1. Printer 5. First Unit 6, 7 Second Unit 10. Cabinet 11 Main body 11A Mounting part 12 Opening and closing cover 16 Second cutting blade 17 Printing Department 18 PCB 19 First Connector 22 Platen roller 29 Print Head 37 biasing member 38 Plate members 52 First Harness 52A One end 52B other end 53 Second Connector 57 Plate-shaped members 57A Support surface 58 Fixed surface 56 screws 59 First cutting blade 62, 72 Second harness 63, 73 Third connector 591 First part 592 Second part M medium

Claims

1. The housing and a printing unit housed inside the housing and configured to print on a medium; a substrate accommodated inside the housing; a first connector electrically connected to the substrate; a mounting portion provided on the housing; a first unit that is detachably attached to the attachment portion; Equipped with The first unit is a first cutting blade that cuts the medium printed by the printing unit; a first harness having one end connected to the first cutting blade; a second connector connectable to the first connector and connected to the other end of the first harness; Equipped with When the first unit is attached to the attachment portion and the second connector is connected to the first connector, the first cutting blade is electrically connected to the ground of the circuit board via the first harness, the second connector, and the first connector. A printer characterized by:

2. The first unit and the second unit can be selectively attached to the attachment portion, The second unit is a drive mechanism that is driven based on a predetermined electrical signal; a second harness having one end electrically connected to the drive mechanism; a third connector to which the other end of the second harness is connected and which is connectable to the first connector; Equipped with 2. The printer according to claim 1.

3. The housing includes: a main body portion having the mounting portion and opening upward; an opening / closing cover that opens and closes the opening of the main body; Equipped with The openable cover is provided with a second cutting blade that faces the first cutting blade from above when the openable cover is closed.

2. The printer according to claim 1.

4. The printing unit a platen roller for transporting the medium; a print head that prints on the medium; Including, The opening and closing cover is a biasing member that biases the print head downward toward the platen roller; a conductive plate member supporting the biasing member; Equipped with The second cutting blade is electrically connected to the plate member.

4. The printer according to claim 3.

5. The first harness is provided in plurality.

2. The printer according to claim 1.

6. The second connector is provided with a plurality of pins arranged in a straight line, Among the plurality of pins, the pins at both ends arranged at the ends are conducted to the ground, Two first harnesses are provided, The other ends of the two first harnesses are connected to pins at both ends of the second connector, respectively.

6. The printer according to claim 5.

7. The first unit is a plate-like member having a support surface for supporting the medium printed by the printing unit; Equipped with the first cutting blade is disposed below the medium supported on the support surface; The first cutting blade is a plate-shaped first portion disposed on a fixed surface of the plate-shaped member opposite the support surface and extending in an extension direction perpendicular to the medium transport direction; a plate-shaped second portion extending upward from a downstream end of the first portion in the transport direction toward the medium supported by the support surface located above, and cutting the medium; Equipped with Two of the first harnesses are provided, the one end of one of the first harnesses is fixed to the fixing surface by a screw via an end portion of the part on one side in the extension direction, The one end of the other first harness is fixed to the fixing surface with a screw via the other end of the part in the extension direction.

6. The printer according to claim 5.

8. the first unit includes a support member extending in a vertical direction and supporting a central portion of the plate-like member in the extension direction from below, the first portion has a slit in a central portion in the extension direction, With the slit inserted into the support member, the first portion is fixed to the fixing surface.

8. The printer according to claim 7.

9. A cutting unit to be mounted on a mounting portion of a printer including a printing unit that prints on a medium, a circuit board, and a main body connector that is electrically connected to the circuit board, a cutting blade that cuts the medium printed by the printing unit; a harness having one end connected to the cutting blade; a connector to which the other end of the harness is connected and which can be connected to the main body connector; Equipped with When the cutting unit is attached to the attachment portion and the connector is connected to the main connector, the cutting blade is electrically connected to the ground of the circuit board via the harness, the connector, and the main connector. A cutting unit characterized by:

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