Interlock and printer

Abstract

To provide an interlock and a printer that can avoid manufacturing defects and cost increases while satisfying the safety of the device.SOLUTION: An interlock includes a switch having an actuator, a pusher that operates the actuator as it moves in a predetermined direction, a case that surrounds the switch and has a slit formed therein to accommodate the entry of the pusher, a guide portion that is provided on the case at a position that sandwiches the slit in the width direction and guides the tip of the pusher into the slit, and a support portion that supports the case such that the case can move in the width direction of the slit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an interlock and a printer. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, printers and cutting devices equipped with printers are provided with interlocks. The interlocks prevent the device from operating when the housing is open, and prohibit or allow the device to operate by detecting whether the housing is open or closed (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In recent years, standards for making devices safer have been revised, and the slits through which the interlock switch pusher moves in and out are now set narrower than before, as a wider slit could lead to a child sticking their finger in and accidentally pressing the switch, causing the device to malfunction.

[0004] For the reasons described above, misalignment between the pusher and the slit can easily cause problems such as the switch not being able to be pressed, which can lead to poor yields. Alternatively, the tolerance for error in the position of the pusher or slit can become smaller, making manufacturing more difficult and increasing manufacturing costs. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an interlock and a printer that can avoid manufacturing defects and increased costs while satisfying the safety of the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The interlock of this embodiment comprises a switch having an actuator, a pusher that operates the actuator while moving in a predetermined direction, a case that surrounds the switch and has a slit formed therein to accommodate the entry of the pusher, a guide portion that is provided on the case at a position that sandwiches the slit in the width direction and guides the tip of the pusher into the slit, and a support portion that supports the case so that it can move in the width direction of the slit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a printer and a cutting device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the printer and the cutting device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cutting device showing the interlock structure in cross section. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cutting device showing the interlock structure in vertical section. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the case as seen from the front side. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the case as seen from the rear side. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating the interlock when the pusher is not inserted. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the interlock in a state where the pusher is inserted. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating the interlock when the pusher is not inserted. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the interlock in a state where the pusher is inserted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a printer 1 and a cutting device 2 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a view showing an example of the internal configuration of the printer 1 and the cutting device 2 according to an embodiment.

[0010] In the following, the configuration of the printer 1 and cutting device 2 will be described using three mutually perpendicular axes: the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis. The X-axis runs horizontally through the printer 1, heading from the left side to the right side of the printer 1. The Y-axis runs vertically through the printer 1, heading from the front to the rear of the printer 1. The Z-axis runs vertically through the printer 1, heading from the bottom to the top of the printer 1. In the following, the negative side of the Y-axis will also be referred to as the front side of the printer 1 (cutting device 2). The positive side of the Y-axis will also be referred to as the back side of the printer 1 (cutting device 2).

[0011] The printer 1 is a label printer or barcode printer that is connected to an information processing device such as a PC via wired or wireless communication. The printer 1 prints and issues paper on a strip of paper 9. The paper 9 is stored and held in the printer 1 in the form of a roll of paper 90. The printer 1 comprises a housing 11, a medium holding unit 12, a printing unit 13, a display unit 14, and an operation unit 15.

[0012] The housing 11 has a generally box-like shape and houses a medium holding unit 12 and a printing unit 13. The housing 11 also houses a control unit (not shown) such as a processor that controls the overall operation of the printer 1 and the cutting device 2.

[0013] The medium holding unit 12 is an example of a storage unit, and stores and holds roll paper 90 so that paper 9 can be freely pulled out.

[0014] The printing unit 13 includes a print head 131 and a platen 132. The paper 9 pulled out from the medium holding unit 12 is inserted between the print head 131 and the platen 132 and transported toward the first discharge port 133.

[0015] The print head 131 is a thermal head that prints on the paper 9 pulled out from the medium holding unit 12. The print head 131 may be of a thermal transfer type that prints using an ink ribbon 8 that is sandwiched together with the paper 9 between the print head 131 and a platen 132, or it may be of a thermal type. The print head 131 may also be a flat-edge type thermal head that contacts the paper 9 at a flat portion, or a near-edge type thermal head that contacts the paper 9 at a corner. The paper 9 printed by the print head 131 is transported to the cutting device 2 through a first discharge port 133.

[0016] The display unit 14 has a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Under the control of a control unit (not shown) provided in the printer 1, the display unit 14 displays various information, such as a screen showing the status of the printer 1 and the status of the cutting device 2. The operation unit 15 has various buttons related to the operation of the printer 1. For example, the operation unit 15 has a power button, a paper feed button, etc. The power button is an operation button for switching the printer 1 between operating and non-operating. The paper feed button is an operation button for driving a motor or the like to instruct the printer 1 to feed the paper 9 in the transport direction.

[0017] The cutting device 2 is, for example, a disk cutter, and cuts the paper 9 conveyed through the first discharge port 133 to a predetermined length. Specifically, the cutting device 2 cuts off the leading edge of the paper 9 (the portion printed by the printing unit 13) and discharges (issues) the cut portion.

[0018] The cutting device 2 is provided at a position opposite the first discharge outlet 133 of the printer 1, and receives the paper 9 printed by the printing unit 13 through the first discharge outlet 133. The cutting device 2 may be configured to be provided integrally with the printer 1, or may be configured to be detachable from the printer 1.

[0019] The cutting device 2 includes a movable blade 22 and a fixed blade 23 inside a housing 21. The cutting device 2 also includes a second discharge port 25 on the front surface 211 of the housing 21.

[0020] Movable blade 22 is driven by a drive mechanism provided inside housing 21 to move between a position away from fixed blade 23 and a position where paper 9 is sandwiched between fixed blade 23, thereby cutting paper 9. The cut paper 9 is discharged from second discharge opening 25.

[0021] Here, the front face 211 of the housing 21 is provided so as to be freely opened and closed in case maintenance is required (the structure will be described in detail later). For example, when a paper jam occurs, the front face 211 is opened to remove the paper. At this time, to prevent the cutting device 2 from operating accidentally and causing injury to the operator, the cutting device 2 is provided with an interlock 3 that prevents operation in any other state than a predetermined state.

[0022] 3 is a perspective view of the cutting device 2 showing the cross section of the structure of the interlock 3. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cutting device 2 showing the vertical section of the structure of the interlock 3.

[0023] The interlock 3 includes a pusher 31 and a switch 32. The switch 32 is a typical microswitch, and is operated by pressing an actuator 321. The pusher 31 is a component for pressing the actuator 321, and is, for example, a plate-shaped component.

[0024] The interlock 3 enables the cutting device 2 to operate when the actuator 321 of the switch 32 is pressed. The interlock 3 also disables the cutting device 2 to operate when the actuator 321 is not pressed. Existing technology is used to link the signal output by the switch 32 with the control of the cutting device 2, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0025] The pusher 31 is provided on the inner surface of the front surface 211 of the housing 21, and has a shape that protrudes toward the rear surface. The housing 21 has an inner housing 212 that houses the switch 32. The inner housing 212 has a shape that protrudes from the rear surface of the housing 21. The protruding portion fits inside the housing 21.

[0026] The inner housing 212 has a rotation shaft 215 that runs along the width direction (X-axis direction) of the printer 1, and the front surface 211 is rotatably supported at its lower part by the rotation shaft 215, opening and closing the housing 21 by rotation. The pusher 31 also moves in conjunction with this rotation. The pusher 31 moves in and out through a slit 214 opened in the front surface 213 of the inner housing 212, and presses an actuator 321 of the switch 32.

[0027] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the case 33 as seen from the front side. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the case 33 as seen from the rear side. The case 33 surrounds the switch 32 and protects the switch 32 from being unintentionally operated.

[0028] The switch 32 and the case 33 are attached to the vertical wall 216. The vertical wall 216 is a plate-like member provided inside the inner housing 212 and is substantially parallel to the YZ plane (substantially perpendicular to the X-axis direction).

[0029] The case 33 is supported on the back side by a fulcrum 35 so as to be rotatable relative to the vertical wall 216. The fulcrum 35 is an example of a support portion. This allows the case 33 to swing within a predetermined angular range around the fulcrum 35, which is approximately parallel to the Z-axis direction. This also allows the case 33 to move in the width direction of the slit 34.

[0030] The case 33 includes a cover 332 that covers from above the cylindrical space surrounded by the vertical wall 216 and the case 33. A slit 34 is formed in the front surface 331 of the case 33.

[0031] Slit 34 is a vertically long opening for receiving pusher 31 inside case 33. Width W of slit 34 is such that a child test finger, i.e., a test pin simulating a child's finger, cannot be inserted, and is, for example, 5 mm. In contrast, the width direction dimension of pusher 31 (thickness if it is a plate-shaped member) is smaller than width W of slit 34, and is, for example, 3 mm.

[0032] Guide portions 341 are provided on both sides of the slit 34. The pair of guide portions 341 are inclined surfaces inclined with respect to the front surface 331, and the closer the guide portions 341 are to the center of the width direction of the slit 34, the further they are located on the back side (positive direction of the Y axis). The guide portions 341 guide (or guide) the tip end of the pusher 31 into the slit 34.

[0033] 7 is a diagram schematically showing the interlock 3 when the pusher 31 is not inserted. FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing the interlock 3 when the pusher 31 is inserted. The widest distance W' between the pair of guide portions 341 is larger than the width W and is equal to or smaller than the width dimension of the actuator 321, for example.

[0034] To explain the arrangement of the interlock 3 once again, the slit 34 is located on the front side of the case 33 that surrounds the switch 32, and the fulcrum 35 is located on the rear side. In other words, the slit 34, switch 32, and fulcrum 35 are arranged in this order from the front side of the cutting device 2. In other words, the fulcrum 35 is located on the opposite side of the switch 32 from the slit 34.

[0035] In this configuration, if pusher 31 advances while being shifted by δ in the width direction from the ideal position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the tip of pusher 31 is received by guide portion 341. Guide portion 341 is pushed by pusher 31. This force causes case 33 to swing about fulcrum 35. Then, pusher 31 advances further while sliding against guide portion 341, and pushes actuator 321.

[0036] Thus, according to this embodiment, even if the insertion position of the pusher 31 is slightly misaligned, the pusher 31 can be guided into the slit 34 that is narrow enough that the child test finger cannot be inserted, and the actuator 321 can be pushed.

[0037] Conventionally, the case 33 is fixed to the vertical wall 216, making it difficult to allow for dimensional tolerances or positional errors in the slit 34 and the pusher 31. However, according to this embodiment, the switch 32 can be operated even if there is some deviation in the position of the slit 34 or the pusher 31.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the pusher 31 is plate-shaped, but in practice it may have other shapes, such as a rod shape.

[0039] In the above embodiment, the interlock 3 is provided in the cutting device 2, but the type of device in which the interlock 3 of the embodiment is provided is not limited.

[0040] The above-described embodiment can be modified as needed by changing part of the configuration or function of each of the above-described devices. Therefore, the following description will focus on the differences from the above-described embodiment, and the same reference numerals will be used for the parts that are common to the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0041] (Second embodiment) Fig. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating the interlock 3 in a state where the pusher 31 is not inserted, and Fig. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating the interlock 3 in a state where the pusher 31 is inserted.

[0042] The case 33 of this embodiment is attached to the vertical wall 216 by screws 36, which are another example of a support, instead of fulcrums 35, which are an example of a support. The screws 36 are, for example, shoulder bolts, and support the case 33 relative to the vertical wall 216 so that it can wobble to some extent. In other words, the screws 36 support the case 33 so that it can slide in the width direction of the slits 34.

[0043] With this configuration, when pusher 31 advances while being shifted by δ in the width direction from the ideal position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the tip of pusher 31 is received by guide portion 341. Guide portion 341 is pushed by pusher 31. This force causes case 33 to move along screw 36. Then, pusher 31 advances further while sliding against guide portion 341, and pushes actuator 321.

[0044] As described above, according to this embodiment, even if the insertion position of the pusher 31 is slightly misaligned, the pusher 31 can be guided into the slit 34 that is narrow enough that the child test finger cannot be inserted, and the pusher 31 can push the actuator 321. In other words, according to this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0045] In practice, a biasing member or a pressing member may be provided to bring the case 33 and the vertical wall 216 closer to each other.

[0046] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1...printer, 11... housing, 12... medium holding part, 13...printing unit, 131...print head, 132...platen, 133...first discharge port, 14...display section, 15...operation section, 2...cutting device, 21... housing, 211... front surface, 212... inner housing, 213... front surface, 214...slit, 215...rotation shaft, 216...vertical wall, 22...Movable blade, 23...Fixed blade, 25...Second discharge port, 3...Interlock, 31... Pusher, 32...switch, 321...actuator, 33...case, 331...front, 332...cover, 34...slit, 341...guiding portion, 35... fulcrum (an example of a support part), 36... screw (another example of a support part), 8... ink ribbon, 9...paper, 90...roll paper. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0048] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-091803

Claims

1. a switch having an actuator; a pusher that operates the actuator while moving in a predetermined direction; a case surrounding the switch and having a slit formed therein for receiving the pusher; a guide portion provided on the case at a position sandwiching the slit in a width direction, the guide portion guiding the tip end of the pusher to the slit; a support portion that supports the case so as to be movable in a width direction of the slit; An interlock.

2. The support portion is a pivot point that supports the case so that the case can swing. The interlock of claim 1 .

3. The support portion supports the case so that the case can slide in the width direction of the slit. The interlock of claim 1 .

4. The support portion is located on the opposite side of the switch from the slit.

3. The interlock of claim 2.

5. a storage section for storing roll paper around which a strip of paper is wound; a printing unit that prints on the paper drawn out from the storage unit; a cutting device that is provided downstream of the printing unit in a paper transport direction and cuts the paper; An interlock according to any one of claims 1 to 4; A printer comprising:

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