Printing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a printing apparatus that allows for easy and reliable opening and closing of an opening / closing section including a fixed blade even when a recording sheet is caught.SOLUTION: A printing apparatus includes: a printing section that performs printing on a recording sheet; a fixed blade 51 and a movable blade 52 that cut the recording sheet printed by the printing section; a body section that supports the movable blade 52; an opening / closing section that supports the fixed blade 51 and is openably and closably connected to the body section; an opening / closing lever 8; and a separation mechanism S. The opening / closing lever 8 is provided at an end of the opening / closing section on an opposite side of an end connected to the body section and rotates between a release position where the opening / closing section can be opened and closed and a lock position where the opening / closing section is fixed to the body section. The separation mechanism S separates the fixed blade 51 from the movable blade 52 in a separation direction intersecting an operation direction of the movable blade 52 in coordination with a release operation of rotating the opening / closing lever 8 from the lock position to the release position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to printing devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a printer that can appropriately cut recording paper after printing on the recording paper pulled out from a paper roll (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The printer described in Patent Document 1 is equipped with an interlocking mechanism that moves the fixed blade away from the movable blade in conjunction with the operation of a lever section, thereby releasing the contact pressure between the fixed blade and the movable blade.

[0003] In the printer described in Patent Document 1, if a recording paper jams during use and the recording paper becomes caught between the fixed blade and the movable blade, the lever is operated to activate the interlocking mechanism, which releases the contact pressure between the movable blade and the fixed blade that caused the jamming.The locking mechanism that locks the opening and closing door to the casing is then released, allowing the opening and closing door to be opened. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-000549 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the printer described in Patent Document 1, if recording paper becomes stuck during use, there is a risk that the door will not open even if the locking mechanism is released without operating the lever. Also, the interlocking mechanism of the printer described in Patent Document 1 includes many parts and has a complex configuration.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a printing device that can easily and reliably open and close an opening / closing section including a fixed blade even when recording paper becomes jammed, and a printing device that can separate the fixed blade from the movable blade with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a printing device comprising: a printing unit that prints on recording paper; a fixed blade and a movable blade that cut the recording paper printed by the printing unit; a main body that supports the movable blade; an opening / closing unit that supports the fixed blade and is connected to the main body so that it can be opened and closed; an opening / closing lever that is provided at the end of the opening / closing unit opposite the end that is connected to the main body and that rotates between a release position where the opening / closing unit can be opened and closed and a lock position where the opening / closing unit is fixed to the main body; and a separation mechanism that separates the fixed blade from the movable blade in a separation direction that intersects the direction of movement of the movable blade in conjunction with a release operation that rotates the opening / closing lever from the lock position to the release position.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a printing device comprising: a printing unit that prints on recording paper; a fixed blade and a movable blade that cut the recording paper printed by the printing unit; a main body that supports the movable blade; an opening / closing unit that supports the fixed blade and is connected to the main body so that it can be opened and closed; an opening / closing lever that is provided at the end of the opening / closing unit opposite the end connected to the main body and that rotates between an released position that allows the opening / closing unit to be opened and closed and a locked position that fixes the opening / closing unit to the main body; a cutter drive unit that operates the movable blade between a standby position before cutting of the recording paper begins and a completion position where cutting of the recording paper is completed; a movable blade sensor that can detect the standby position and the completion position of the movable blade; and a control unit that controls the cutter drive unit to return the movable blade to the standby position if the movable blade does not reach the completion position from the standby position within a predetermined time based on the detection result of the movable blade sensor.

[0009] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure provides a printing device comprising: a printing unit that prints on recording paper; a fixed blade and a movable blade that cut the recording paper printed by the printing unit; a main body that supports the movable blade; an opening / closing unit that supports the fixed blade and is connected to the main body so that it can be opened and closed; a swing support unit that supports the fixed blade so that it can swing between a cutting angle at which the tip of the fixed blade approaches the movable blade and a release angle at which the tip is separated from the movable blade; and an elastic support unit that supports the fixed blade at the cutting angle, wherein the fixed blade has an operation protrusion that is provided at the end opposite to the tip and protrudes outward from the opening / closing unit, and by pressing the operation protrusion of the fixed blade in a direction toward the movable blade, the elastic support unit elastically deforms and the fixed blade supported by the swing support unit swings from the cutting angle to the release angle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a printing device that can easily and reliably open and close an opening / closing section including a fixed blade even when recording paper becomes jammed, and a printing device that can separate the fixed blade from the movable blade with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] A perspective view of the main body and opening / closing section of the printing device. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of the main body and opening / closing section [Figure 4] Enlarged perspective view of the opening and closing section [Figure 5] A perspective view of an opening / closing lever of a printing device [Figure 6] Enlarged cross-sectional view of the opening and closing section [Figure 7] Front view showing the release operation of the opening / closing lever [Figure 8] Enlarged cross-sectional view of the separation mechanism of the printing device [Figure 9] Block diagram of the control system of the printing device [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a movable blade sensor of a printing device; [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of a movable blade sensor of a printing device. [Figure 12] Enlarged perspective view of an open / close sensor of a printing device [Figure 13] Flow diagram of processing by the control device of the printing device [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the opening / closing lever. [Figure 15] 10 is a schematic front view of a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 16A] FIG. 10 is a schematic front view showing a part of a printing apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 16B] Enlarged view showing the release operation of the opening / closing lever [Figure 17] Enlarged cross-sectional view of the separation mechanism of the printing device [Figure 18] 10 is a perspective view of a main body and an opening / closing part of a printing device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] Enlarged cross-sectional view of the fixed blade of the printing device [Figure 20] A perspective view of an opening / closing lever of a printing device [Figure 21] Enlarged view of the main body and opening / closing section DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] [Embodiment 1] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a printing device according to the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a main body 2 and an opening / closing unit 3 of the printing device 1 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the main body 2 and the opening / closing unit 3 of the printing device 1 shown in Fig. 1.

[0014] The printing device 1 of this embodiment is, for example, a thermal printer equipped with a thermal printhead 41h, and is used in a multimedia station (MMS), an automated teller machine (ATM), a cash dispenser (CD), a ticket machine, or a cash register installed in a convenience store. The printing device 1 conveys recording paper P, which is, for example, thermal paper, prints information such as letters and numbers on the recording paper P, and then cuts it to output pieces of recording paper such as tickets or receipts.

[0015] The printing device 1 includes, for example, a main body 2, an opening / closing unit 3, a printing unit 4, a cutting unit 5, a base unit 6, and a recording paper holder 7. The main body 2 is, for example, a main frame fixed to the base unit 6, and has the opening / closing unit 3, the printing unit 4, the cutting unit 5, etc. attached thereto.

[0016] The opening / closing unit 3 is, for example, an openable top portion located above the side of the main body unit 2 where recording paper is inserted. The opening / closing unit 3 has, for example, a rectangular planar shape with its longitudinal direction aligned with the width direction of the recording paper P, which is roll paper. A rotating shaft 31, for example, is provided at one end of the opening / closing unit 3 in the longitudinal direction. The opening / closing unit 3 is connected to the main body unit 2 in an openable / closable manner via the rotating shaft 31, for example, inserted into a through-hole provided in the main body unit 2.

[0017] 4 is an enlarged perspective view of an end of the opening / closing unit 3 in the printing device 1 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, an opening / closing lever 8 is provided at the end of the opening / closing unit 3 opposite the end connected to the main body 2. The opening / closing lever 8 is rotatably supported, for example, by a rotation shaft 32 provided on the opening / closing unit 3. As will be described in detail later, the opening / closing lever 8 rotates between an open position where the opening / closing unit 3 can be opened and closed, and a locked position where the opening / closing unit 3 is fixed to the main body 2. The opening / closing lever 8 also functions as a handle when opening the opening / closing unit 3 from the closed state shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to the opening / closing unit 3 shown in FIG. 2.

[0018] 2 and 3, the printing unit 4 includes a head unit 41 and a platen unit 42. The head unit 41 is attached to the main body 2, which is a main frame, for example, and the platen unit 42 is attached to the opening / closing unit 3, for example. The head unit 41 includes a thermal printhead 41h, which is a print head, for example, and the platen unit 42 includes a platen roller 42r that transports the recording paper P.

[0019] A transport drive system, including a motor and gears that rotate the platen roller 42r of the platen unit 42, is attached, for example, to the main body 2. In the printing device 1, for example, by closing the opening / closing unit 3, a gear provided on the platen roller 42r is connected to a gear of the transport drive system attached to the main body 2. In the printing unit 4, for example, the platen roller 42r transports the recording paper P inserted between the head unit 41 and the platen unit 42 in the transport direction Df, and the thermal printhead 41h prints on the recording paper P.

[0020] The cutting unit 5 includes, for example, a fixed blade 51 and a movable blade 52 that cut the recording paper P printed by the printing unit 4, and a cutter drive unit 53 that supports the movable blade 52 and moves it up and down. The cutter drive unit 53 is, for example, constantly connected to a motor and gears. The fixed blade 51 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 2 , arranged along the longitudinal direction of the rectangular opening / closing unit 3 and supported by the opening / closing unit 3. The fixed blade 51 has an elongated shape that extends in the width direction of the recording paper P. In other words, the longitudinal direction of the fixed blade 51 and the longitudinal direction of the opening / closing unit 3 coincide with each other.

[0021] In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the fixed blade 51 is supported to be able to swing via a swing support part 33 provided on, for example, the upper wall of the opening / closing part 3. More specifically, the fixed blade 51 has, for example, a protrusion 51b on the end opposite to the tip 51a that cuts the recording paper P. The swing support part 33 is, for example, a through-hole provided on, for example, the upper wall of the opening / closing part 3. The swing support part 33 may have, for example, a fixed blade regulating guide 33g fixed to the front wall of the opening / closing part 3 facing the fixed blade 51. The fixed blade regulating guide 33g has, for example, a protrusion 33p that protrudes toward the fixed blade 51 and abuts against the base end of the fixed blade 51.

[0022] The swing support part 33 supports the fixed blade 51 so that it can swing within a predetermined angle range, for example, by inserting or accommodating the convex part 51b of the fixed blade 51 therethrough, with the protrusion 33p of the fixed blade regulation guide 33g as a fulcrum. Details will be described later, but the swing support part 33 supports the fixed blade 51 so that it can swing, for example, between a cutting angle θc at which the tip 51a of the fixed blade 51 approaches the movable blade 52, and a release angle θo (see FIG. 8) at which the tip 51a of the fixed blade 51 moves away from the movable blade 52.

[0023] 3, the fixed blade 51 is supported by, for example, the elastic support portion 34 and the fixed blade regulation guide 33g at a cutting angle θc where the tip 51a approaches the movable blade 52. The elastic support portion 34 is, for example, a leaf spring bent at a predetermined angle. One side of the bent part of the elastic support portion 34 is fixed to the upper wall of the opening / closing portion 3, etc., and the opposite side supports the fixed blade 51.

[0024] The elastic support member 34 generates an elastic force in the opposite direction to the separation direction Ds, for example, in response to a force that separates the tip 51a of the fixed blade 51 from the movable blade 52 in the separation direction Ds that intersects with the movable blade 52. In other words, the elastic support member 34 functions as a biasing member S1 that biases the fixed blade 51 in the direction opposite to the separation direction Ds. The biasing member S1 is, for example, a part of the separation mechanism S that separates the fixed blade 51 from the movable blade 52.

[0025] The movable blade 52 is supported by the main body 2 by attaching the cutting unit 5 to the main body 2. The movable blade 52 is provided so as to be movable along a cutting direction Dc, which is an operating direction that is roughly perpendicular to the conveyance direction Df of the recording paper P, by a cutter drive unit 53. The cutter drive unit 53 includes, for example, a motor, gears, a link mechanism, etc. attached to the main body 2, and by driving the motor, moves the movable blade 52 back and forth in the cutting direction Dc and the opposite direction. The cutter drive unit 53 operates the movable blade 52, for example, between a standby position before cutting of the recording paper P begins and a completion position where cutting of the recording paper P is completed.

[0026] 1, the base unit 6 is a rectangular plate-shaped member that serves as a base for the printing device 1. The main body 2 and a recording paper holder 7 are arranged adjacent to each other on the base unit 6 and are fixed to the base unit 6. The recording paper holder 7 rotatably supports recording paper P, which may be, for example, roll paper, and continuously supplies the recording paper P between the head unit 41 and platen unit 42 of the printing unit 4.

[0027] The printing device 1 of this embodiment is characterized by including a separation mechanism S that separates the fixed blade 51 from the movable blade 52 in a separation direction Ds that intersects with the movement direction of the movable blade 52 by a release operation that rotates the opening / closing lever 8 from the locked position to the released position. The configuration of the separation mechanism S in the printing device 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 5 to 8.

[0028] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the opening / closing lever 8 provided at the end of the opening / closing unit 3 shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the end of the opening / closing unit 3 taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a front view showing the release operation of the opening / closing lever 8 of the printing device 1 shown in Fig. 1. Note that in Fig. 7, part of the configuration of the opening / closing unit 3 is omitted from the illustration so that the fixed blade 51 and movable blade 52 of the cutting unit 5 can be seen.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 5, the opening / closing lever 8 has, for example, an engaging portion 81, a handle portion 82, a pivot support portion 83, and a protrusion portion 84.

[0030] 7, the engaging portion 81 extends along the side surface of the opening / closing unit 3 and engages with the side portion of the main body unit 2. Specifically, the opening / closing lever 8 has, for example, a pair of engaging portions 81 provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction (the short side direction of the opening / closing unit 3) of the opening / closing lever 8 along the longitudinal end of the opening / closing unit 3. When the opening / closing lever 8 is in the locked position, for example, each engaging portion 81 engages with the side portion of the main body unit 2 by hooking a claw 81c provided at the tip end adjacent to the side portion of the main body unit 2 onto a protrusion 21 provided on the side portion of the main body unit 2.

[0031] The handle 82 is provided at the base end of the engaging portion 81 adjacent to the opening / closing portion 3, and protrudes in a direction away from the side surface of the opening / closing portion 3. The protruding direction of the handle 82 is a direction roughly perpendicular to the extending direction of the engaging portion 81, which extends from the base end to the tip end. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a protrusion 82p that protrudes toward the tip side of the engaging portion 81 is provided at the tip end of the handle 82 in the protruding direction. This allows an operator operating the opening / closing lever 8 to grip the handle 82 and hook their finger on the protrusion 82p when lifting the handle 82 with their hand.

[0032] The pivotal support portion 83 protrudes from the base end of the engaging portion 81 in the opposite direction to the handle portion 82 and is pivotally supported by the opening / closing unit 3. Specifically, the opening / closing lever 8 has, for example, a pair of pivotal support portions 83 provided on both longitudinal sides of the opening / closing lever 8 along the longitudinal end of the opening / closing unit 3. Each of the pivotal support portions 83 has a through hole 83a through which the rotation shaft 32 provided on the opening / closing unit 3 is inserted. The pair of pivotal support portions 83 are pivotally supported by the opening / closing unit 3 so as to be freely rotatable, for example, by inserting the rotation shaft 32 provided on the opening / closing unit 3 into the through hole 83a provided in each of the pivotal support portions 83.

[0033] 6, a torsion spring 35 is provided at the end of the opening / closing unit 3 where the opening / closing lever 8 is provided. Specifically, the rotation shaft 32 of the opening / closing unit 3 is inserted into the torsion spring 35, so that the torsion spring 35 is disposed around the pivot support portion 83. The torsion spring 35 biases the opening / closing lever 8, which is in the released position shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 7, in a direction returning the opening / closing lever 8 to the locked position shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 7.

[0034] 5 and 7, for example, when the opening / closing lever 8 is in the locked position, the protrusion 84 protrudes from the tip of one of the pivot support parts 83 adjacent to the fixed blade 51 along the longitudinal direction of the fixed blade 51. In the example shown in the figure, the protrusion 84 has a wedge shape with a pointed tip, but the shape of the protrusion 84 is not particularly limited, and any shape such as a rectangle, a semicircle, or a cylinder can be used.

[0035] In the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the protrusion 84 provided on the opening / closing lever 8 is a pressing portion S2 that presses the fixed blade 51 in the separating direction Ds shown in Fig. 3 when the opening / closing lever 8 is in the released position shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 7. The pressing portion S2 constitutes a separating mechanism S that separates the fixed blade 51 from the movable blade 52 in the separating direction Ds that intersects with the operating direction of the movable blade 52 by a releasing operation that rotates the opening / closing lever 8 from the locked position to the released position.

[0036] In the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the separation mechanism S includes, for example, a biasing member S1 configured by the elastic support member 34 shown in FIG. 3, and a pressing member S2 that is a protrusion 84 provided on the opening / closing lever 8 shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the biasing member S1 biases the fixed blade 51 in the direction opposite to the separation direction Ds. The pressing member S2 presses the fixed blade 51 in the separation direction Ds when the opening / closing lever 8 is in the released position shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 7. The separation mechanism S may also include, for example, a swing support member 33 that swingably supports the fixed blade 51, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0037] 7 and 8, the operation of the separation mechanism S in the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment will be described in more detail. Fig. 8 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the separation mechanism S in the printing apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1.

[0038] 1 and 3, when the opening / closing unit 3 is closed relative to the main body unit 2, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 7, the opening / closing lever 8 is in a locked position in which the engagement portion 81 engages with the protrusion 21 on the side of the main body unit 2 due to the biasing force of the torsion spring 35, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 7. A user of the printing device 1 or a maintenance worker who opens the opening / closing unit 3 relative to the main body unit 2 grasps the handle portion 82 of the opening / closing lever 8 and rotates the opening / closing lever 8 in the direction of arrow A1 shown in the lower diagram of FIG.

[0039] As a result, the claw 81c of the engaging portion 81 disengages from the protrusion 21 on the side of the main body 2, disengaging the engaging portion 81 from the side of the main body 2, and the opening / closing lever 8 rotates to the release position where the opening / closing unit 3 can be opened and closed, as shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 7. In this way, by the release operation of rotating the opening / closing lever 8 from the locked position to the released position, the protrusion 84 of the opening / closing lever 8, which is the pressing portion S2 shown in the left diagram of Fig. 8, moves closer to the movable blade 52, as shown in the right diagram of Fig. 8.

[0040] As a result, the fixed blade 51, which is supported by the swing support part 33 at a cutting angle θc relative to the movable blade 52 so that the recording paper P can be cut, is pressed in the separation direction Ds away from the movable blade 52 by the protrusion 84 of the opening / closing lever 8, which is the pressing part S2. This causes elastic deformation of the elastic support part 34, which is the biasing part S1 that biases the fixed blade 51 in the direction opposite to the separation direction Ds, shown in FIG. 3. Then, the tip 51a of the fixed blade 51, which is swingably supported by the swing support part 33, swings in the direction of arrow A2 shown in the right diagram of FIG. 8, and a gap is formed between the movable blade 52 and the fixed blade 51.

[0041] As described above, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the separation mechanism S includes the elastic support member 34, which is the biasing member S1, and the protrusion 84 of the opening / closing lever 8, which is the pressing member S2. As a result, the separation mechanism S of the printing device 1 of this embodiment can separate the fixed blade 51 from the movable blade 52 in the separation direction Ds, which intersects with the cutting direction Dc, which is the operating direction of the movable blade 52, by performing a release operation that rotates the opening / closing lever 8 from the locked position to the released position.

[0042] Next, a method for preventing recording paper from being bitten by the control system of the printing device 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0043] Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the control system 9 of the printing apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 10 is a schematic front view showing an example of the movable blade sensor 91 shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a schematic front view showing another example of the movable blade sensor 91 shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 12 is an enlarged perspective view taken in the direction of the arrow XII in Fig. 2, showing an example of the opening / closing sensor 92 shown in Fig. 9.

[0044] The printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a control system 9 including a movable blade sensor 91, an open / close sensor 92, and a control unit 93, as shown in FIG.

[0045] 10 and 11, the movable blade sensor 91 is a sensor that detects the shielding portion 52s provided on the movable blade 52. The shielding portion 52s is provided, for example, by protruding outward from one end of the movable blade 52 in the width direction along the width direction of the recording paper P. The movable blade sensor 91 can be, for example, a sensor that can detect the shielding portion 52s, such as a photoelectric sensor, a fiber sensor, a laser sensor, a proximity sensor, or an eddy current sensor.

[0046] 10, the shielding portion 52s is provided at one end of the movable blade 52 in the width direction, in a middle portion excluding the tip end where the teeth of the movable blade 52 are provided and the base end on the opposite side. In this case, the movable blade sensor 91 is disposed at a position adjacent to the shielding portion 52s of the movable blade 52 in the standby position in the direction of movement of the movable blade 52. The position of the movable blade sensor 91 shown in FIG. 10 is the position where the shielding portion 52s passes through the movable blade sensor 91 when the movable blade 52 moves in the cutting direction Dc to the completion position where cutting of the recording paper P is completed.

[0047] 10, the movable blade sensor 91 detects the shielding portion 52s when the movable blade 52 starts to move in the cutting direction Dc from the standby position, and stops detecting the shielding portion 52s when the movable blade 52 reaches the completion position. The control unit 93 can determine that the movable blade 52 has moved from the standby position to the completion position by obtaining the detection result of the shielding portion 52s from the movable blade sensor 91.

[0048] 11, shielding portion 52s is provided at one widthwise end of movable blade 52, at the base end opposite the tip end where the teeth of movable blade 52 are provided. In this case, movable blade sensor 91 includes a first sensor 91a arranged at a position adjacent to shielding portion 52s of movable blade 52 in the movement direction of movable blade 52 when movable blade 52 is in the standby position, and a second sensor 91b arranged at a position facing the upper end of movable blade 52 when movable blade 52 is in the completed position.

[0049] 11, the first sensor 91a of the movable blade sensor 91 detects the shielding portion 52s when the movable blade 52 starts to move in the cutting direction Dc from the standby position. The second sensor 91b of the movable blade sensor 91 detects the movable blade 52 when the movable blade 52 reaches the completion position. The control unit 93 can determine that the movable blade 52 has moved from the standby position to the completion position by obtaining the detection results of the shielding portion 52s and the movable blade 52 from the first sensor 91a and the second sensor 91b of the movable blade sensor 91.

[0050] The opening / closing sensor 92 is a sensor that detects, for example, an open state of the opening / closing unit 3 in which the opening / closing unit 3 is open relative to the main body 2 as shown in Fig. 2, and a closed state of the opening / closing unit 3 in which the opening / closing unit 3 is closed relative to the main body 2 as shown in Fig. 1. In the example shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 12, the opening / closing sensor 92 is, for example, a detection switch attached to the end of the main body 2 opposite to the end to which the opening / closing unit 3 is connected, and includes a plunger 92p and a contact point (not shown).

[0051] For example, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 12, when the opening / closing unit 3 is in the open state, the plunger 92p is biased by a spring and protrudes from the upper surface of the main body 2 facing the opening / closing unit 3. In this state, the contacts of the opening / closing sensor 92 are closed. Also, for example, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 12, when the opening / closing unit 3 is in the closed state, the plunger 92p is pushed in the direction opposite to the protruding direction by the lower surface of the opening / closing unit 3 facing the main body 2. In this state, the contacts of the opening / closing sensor 92 are open.

[0052] That is, the open / close sensor 92 is, for example, a normally closed type detection switch whose contacts are open and turned off when the open / close unit 3 is in the closed state, and whose contacts are closed and turned on when the open / close unit 3 is in the open state. Note that the open / close sensor 92 may be, for example, a normally open type detection switch or other sensor. The control unit 93 can detect whether the open / close unit 3 is open or closed, for example, based on on or off information acquired from the open / close sensor 92.

[0053] The control unit 93 is configured with hardware such as a microcontroller including a central processing unit (CPU), memories such as ROM and RAM, a timer, and input / output units, and software such as programs stored in the memory. The control unit 93 realizes various functions of the printing device 1, including control of the printing unit 4 and cutter drive unit 53, by, for example, executing programs stored in the memory using the CPU.

[0054] Next, the operation of the printing device 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a flow diagram showing an example of the flow of processing by the control unit 93 shown in Fig. 9.

[0055] 13 starts, the printing device 1 executes process P1, which prints on recording paper P. In process P1, the control unit 93, for example, activates a motor for driving the printing unit 4 to rotate the platen roller 42r of the platen unit 42. This causes the platen roller 42r to transport the recording paper P, which is unwound from the recording paper P, which is roll paper held in the recording paper holder 7, and supplied between the head unit 41 and the platen unit 42. Also in process P1, the control unit 93 controls, for example, the thermal printhead 41h of the head unit 41 to print on the recording paper P.

[0056] Next, the printing device 1 executes, for example, process P2 to cut the recording paper P. In this process P2, the control unit 93 controls, for example, the cutter drive unit 53 to operate the motor for driving the movable blade 52, move the movable blade 52 from the standby position in the cutting direction Dc to cut the recording paper P, and then move the movable blade 52 in the direction opposite to the cutting direction Dc to return it to the standby position. At this time, the control unit 93 may, for example, cut the recording paper P completely, or may cut it partially, leaving the center portion of the recording paper P.

[0057] Next, the printing device 1 executes process P3, for example, to determine whether cutting of the recording paper P is complete. In process P3, the control unit 93 determines whether cutting of the recording paper P is complete, for example, based on whether the movable blade 52 has moved from the standby position to the completion position within a predetermined time. Specifically, the control unit 93 measures the elapsed time from the point in time when the movable blade 52 started to move from the standby position, for example, based on the detection result of the movable blade sensor 91.

[0058] Furthermore, the control unit 93, for example, compares the measured elapsed time with a predetermined time, and determines that cutting is complete (YES) if the movable blade 52 has moved to the completion position before the predetermined time has elapsed. Note that the control unit 93 may also determine that cutting is complete (YES) if, for example, the movable blade 52 has moved from the standby position to the completion position and then returned to the standby position. In this process P3, if the control unit 93 determines that cutting is complete (YES), it ends the process flow shown in FIG. 13.

[0059] On the other hand, for example, a situation may occur in which the driving force of the motor that drives the cutting unit 5 is not enough to cut the recording paper P between the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52, such as when the recording paper P is folded over due to a paper jam or the like. In this case, in process P2 of cutting the recording paper P, even if a predetermined time has passed since the movable blade 52 started to move from the standby position, the movable blade 52 will not be able to reach the completion position.

[0060] In such a case, in process P3 for determining whether cutting of the recording paper P is complete, the control unit 93 determines that cutting of the recording paper P is not complete (NO) when a predetermined time has elapsed with the movable blade 52 not at the completion position. Thereafter, the control unit 93 executes process P4 for returning the movable blade 52, for example.

[0061] In this process P4, the control unit 93 controls the cutter driving unit 53 to return the movable blade 52, which has stopped between the standby position and the end position, to the standby position. Thereafter, the control unit 93 executes a process P5 in which it is determined whether the fixed blade 51 has returned to the standby position.

[0062] For example, if no recording paper P is caught between the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52, in process P4, the driving force of the motor that drives the cutting unit 5 can be used to return the movable blade 52 to the standby position. In this case, since the movable blade 52 can be returned to the standby position within a predetermined time, in process P5, the control unit 93 determines that the movable blade 52 has returned to the standby position (YES) based on the detection result of the movable blade sensor 91, and ends the process flow shown in Figure 13. This allows the movable blade 52 to be returned to the standby position before the recording paper P is caught.

[0063] Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 7, the user of the printing device 1 releases the opening / closing lever 8 to put the opening / closing unit 3 in an openable state, and then lifts the opening / closing lever 8. This transitions the opening / closing unit 3 from the closed state shown in Fig. 1 to the open state shown in Fig. 2, allowing the recording paper P that could not be cut to be removed. At this time, the movable blade 52 has returned to its standby position, ensuring the safety of the user.

[0064] On the other hand, there are cases where the driving force of the motor that drives the cutting unit 5 is not enough to return the movable blade 52 to the standby position, for example, when the recording paper P is caught between the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52.

[0065] In the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the cutter drive unit 53 that moves the movable blade 52 in the cutting direction Dc, which is the operating direction, has a motor and gears that are always connected. Therefore, it is important to ensure a self-back function that returns the movable blade 52 to the standby position when the movable blade 52 becomes inoperable.

[0066] In the printing device 1 of this embodiment, if the movable blade 52 becomes inoperable due to, for example, being bitten by the recording paper P, the movable blade 52 cannot be returned to the standby position within a predetermined time. Therefore, in process P5 shown in Figure 13, the control unit 93 determines that the movable blade 52 has not returned to the standby position (NO) based on the detection result of the movable blade sensor 91.

[0067] In this case, the control unit 93 executes, for example, process P6 to determine whether the opening / closing unit 3 has transitioned from a closed state to an open state. In this process P6, the control unit 93, for example, causes a display device or the like connected to the printing device 1 to display information urging the user to open the opening / closing unit 3, and acquires the detection result of the opening / closing sensor 92. In this process P6, if the control unit 93 determines, for example, based on the detection result of the opening / closing sensor 92, that the opening / closing unit 3 has not transitioned to the open state (NO), the control unit 93 repeatedly executes process P6 at a predetermined cycle.

[0068] 7, the overlap between the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52 decreases, and the area where the recording paper P is caught between the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52 decreases. As a result, the user of the printing device 1 can lift the handle 82 of the opening / closing lever 8 to open the opening / closing unit 3.

[0069] When the opening / closing unit 3 opens, a signal indicating that the opening / closing unit 3 has transitioned from a closed state to an open state is input from the opening / closing sensor 92 to the control unit 93. Then, in process P6 shown in Fig. 13, the control unit 93 determines that the opening / closing unit 3 has transitioned from a closed state to an open state (YES), and executes process P7 to return the movable blade 52 to the standby position.

[0070] In this process P7, the opening / closing unit 3 is opened to reduce the likelihood of the recording paper P getting caught between the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52. Therefore, the control unit 93 controls the cutter driving unit 53 to return the movable blade 52 to the standby position using the driving force of the motor that drives the cutting unit 5. Thereafter, the control unit 93 ends the process flow shown in FIG.

[0071] As described above, the printing device 1 of this embodiment includes the printing unit 4 that prints on recording paper P, the fixed blade 51 and movable blade 52 that cut the recording paper P printed by the printing unit 4, the main body 2 that supports the movable blade 52, and the opening / closing unit 3 that supports the fixed blade 51 and is connected to the main body 2 so as to be able to open and close. The printing device 1 also includes an opening / closing lever 8 that is provided at the end of the opening / closing unit 3 opposite the end connected to the main body 2 and that rotates between an released position where the opening / closing unit 3 can be opened and closed, and a locked position where the opening / closing unit 3 is fixed to the main body 2. The printing device 1 also includes a separation mechanism S that separates the fixed blade 51 from the movable blade 52 in a separation direction Ds that intersects the direction of movement of the movable blade 52 in conjunction with a release operation that rotates the opening / closing lever 8 from the locked position to the released position.

[0072] With this configuration, even if a situation arises in which the movable blade 52 cannot be moved or the opening / closing unit 3 cannot be opened due to, for example, jammed recording paper P, the printing device 1 can easily and reliably open the opening / closing unit 3 simply by releasing the opening / closing lever 8. Specifically, when recording paper P is jammed between the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52, a release operation is performed in which the opening / closing lever 8 is rotated from the locked position to the released position, as shown in FIG. 7. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, in response to the release operation of the opening / closing lever 8, the separation mechanism S separates the fixed blade 51 from the movable blade 52 in a separation direction Ds that intersects with the movement direction of the movable blade 52. This eliminates the jamming of the recording paper P between the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52, and the opening / closing unit 3 can be easily and reliably opened by simply lifting the opening / closing lever 8 that has been rotated to the released position.

[0073] In the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the opening / closing unit 3 has one end of the fixed blade 51 in the longitudinal direction connected to the main body 2, and an opening / closing lever 8 provided at the other end of the fixed blade 51 in the longitudinal direction.

[0074] With this configuration, the printer 1 can arrange the connection portion of the opening / closing unit 3 relative to the main body 2 and the opening / closing lever 8 for opening and closing the opening / closing unit 3 at one end and the other end of the opening / closing unit 3 in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction Df of the recording paper P. As a result, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, it is possible to suppress an increase in the dimensions of the main body 2 and the opening / closing unit 3 in the conveyance direction Df of the recording paper P, improving the versatility of the printer 1 when used in MMS, ATMs, CDs, ticket machines, cash registers, etc.

[0075] In addition, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the separation mechanism S includes a urging section S1 that urges the fixed blade 51 in the direction opposite to the separation direction Ds, and a pressing section S2 that presses the fixed blade 51 in the separation direction Ds when the opening / closing lever 8 is in the released position.

[0076] With this configuration, when the opening-closing lever 8 is in the locked position shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 7 , the printing device 1 can urge the fixed blade 51 in the direction opposite to the separating direction Ds using the urging unit S1, thereby supporting the fixed blade 51 at the cutting angle θc, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 3 and FIG. 8. Furthermore, when the opening-closing lever 8 is in the released position shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 7 , the printing device 1 can rotate the pressing unit S2 in conjunction with the release operation of the opening-closing lever 8, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 8, and press the fixed blade 51 in the separating direction Ds using the pressing unit S2. At this time, the printing device 1 can form a gap between the tip 51 a of the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52, for example, by urging the fixed blade 51 in the direction opposite to the separating direction Ds using the urging unit S1 and supporting it at a release angle θo that is smaller than the cutting angle θc.

[0077] In the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the pressing portion S2 is a protrusion 84 provided on the opening / closing lever 8.

[0078] With this configuration, the printing device 1 does not need to use a large number of parts like the interlocking mechanism of the printer described in the aforementioned Patent Document 1, and it is possible to simplify the configuration of the separation mechanism S. Furthermore, the fixed blade 51 can be separated from the movable blade 52 simply by releasing the opening / closing lever 8, which releases the state in which the opening / closing unit 3 is fixed to the main body unit 2.

[0079] In addition, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the opening / closing lever 8 has an engagement portion 81 that extends along the side of the opening / closing unit 3 in the locked position and engages with the side of the main body unit 2, and a handle portion 82 that is provided at the base end of the engagement portion 81 adjacent to the opening / closing unit 3 and protrudes in a direction away from the side of the opening / closing unit 3.

[0080] With this configuration, a user of the printing device 1 can grasp and lift the handle portion 82 of the opening / closing lever 8, which is in the locked position, to rotate the opening / closing lever 8 from the locked position to the released position, thereby disengaging the side portion of the main body 2 from the engaging portion 81. A user of the printing device 1 can also close the opening / closing unit 3 relative to the main body 2, and then release the handle portion 82 or press down the handle portion 82 to rotate the opening / closing lever 8 from the released position to the locked position, thereby engaging the side portion of the main body 2 with the engaging portion 81.

[0081] 9, the printing device 1 of this embodiment further includes a cutter drive unit 53, a movable blade sensor 91, and a control unit 93. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the cutter drive unit 53 operates the movable blade 52 between a standby position before starting to cut the recording paper P and a completion position where cutting of the recording paper P is completed. The movable blade sensor 91 is configured to be able to detect the standby position and completion position of the movable blade 52. As shown in processes P3 and P4 in FIG. 13, if the movable blade 52 does not reach the completion position from the standby position within a predetermined time based on the detection result of the movable blade sensor 91, the control unit 93 controls the cutter drive unit 53 to return the movable blade 52 to the standby position.

[0082] With this configuration, the printer 1 can return the movable blade 52 to the standby position when, for example, a paper jam occurs and the recording paper P is folded over, preventing the recording paper P from being cut between the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52. This prevents the tip of the movable blade 52 from being exposed from the main body 2 when a user of the printer 1 opens the opening / closing unit 3 to remove the recording paper P, ensuring the safety of the user.

[0083] 9, the printing device 1 of this embodiment further includes an opening / closing sensor 92 that detects the open and closed states of the opening / closing unit 3. The control unit 93 acquires the detection results of the movable blade sensor 91 and the opening / closing sensor 92, as shown in processes P5 and P6 of FIG. 13. Based on these detection results, if the movable blade 52 is not in the standby position when the opening / closing unit 3 is closed and the opening / closing unit 3 transitions from the closed state to the open state, the control unit 93 controls the cutter driving unit 53 to return the movable blade 52 to the standby position, as shown in process P7.

[0084] With this configuration, the printing device 1 can return the movable blade 52 to its standby position when, for example, a user releases the opening / closing lever 8, which releases the recording paper P from the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52 and causes the opening / closing unit 3 to transition from the closed state to the open state. This prevents the tip of the movable blade 52 from being exposed from the main body 2 when a user of the printing device 1 releases the opening / closing lever 8 and then lifts the opening / closing lever 8 to open the opening / closing unit 3 and remove the recording paper P, ensuring the safety of the user.

[0085] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a printing device 1 that can easily and reliably open and close the opening / closing section 3 even when the recording paper P is bitten. Note that the printing device according to the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration of the printing device 1 described in the above-mentioned first embodiment. Below, a modified example of the printing device 1 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 14.

[0086] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the opening / closing lever 8 shown in FIG. 5. The opening / closing lever 8 of the printing device 1 according to this modified example includes an auxiliary protrusion 85 in addition to the engagement portion 81, handle portion 82, pivot support portion 83, and protrusion portion 84 similar to those of the opening / closing lever 8 of the printing device 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5. As described above, the engagement portion 81 extends along the side surface of the opening / closing unit 3 and engages with the side portion of the main body 2 in the locked position. The handle portion 82 is provided at the base end of the engagement portion 81 adjacent to the opening / closing unit 3 and protrudes in a direction away from the side surface of the opening / closing unit 3. As shown in FIG. 14, the auxiliary protrusion 85 is provided at the base end of the engagement portion 81 and protrudes in a direction forming an obtuse angle θb with the handle portion 82 on the side opposite to the tip end of the engagement portion 81.

[0087] With this configuration, a user of the printing device 1 can grasp and lift the handle 82 when performing a release operation to rotate the opening / closing lever 8 from the locked position to the released position. Furthermore, while grasping and lifting the handle 82, the user can simultaneously apply force to the auxiliary protrusion 85 with the hand grasping the handle 82 to assist in the release operation of the opening / closing lever 8. Therefore, with the printing device 1 according to the modified example shown in FIG. 14 , the opening / closing lever 8 can be more easily rotated during the release operation to rotate the opening / closing lever 8 from the locked position to the released position.

[0088] [Embodiment 2] Next, a second embodiment of the printing device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a schematic front view showing the second embodiment of the printing device according to the present disclosure. The upper view of Fig. 15 shows the state before the fixed blade 51 is separated from the movable blade 52, and the lower view of Fig. 15 shows the state after the fixed blade 51 is separated from the movable blade 52.

[0089] The printing device 1 of this embodiment differs from the printing device 1 of the first embodiment in the configuration of the pressing unit S2, which is part of the separation mechanism S that separates the fixed blade 51 from the movable blade 52. The other configuration of the printing device 1 of this embodiment is similar to the configuration of the printing device 1 of the first embodiment, so similar parts are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0090] 15, the pressing unit S2 constituting the separation mechanism S of the printing device 1 includes, for example, a pressing shaft 36 arranged along the longitudinal direction of the fixed blade 51, and an axial pressure applying unit 86 provided on the opening / closing lever 8. The pressing unit S2 may also include, for example, a spring 37.

[0091] The pressing shaft 36 is, for example, a round rod-shaped member made of metal or resin. The pressing shaft 36 is, for example, arranged downstream of the fixed blade 51 in the conveyance direction Df of the recording paper P, and faces the front surface of the fixed blade 51 (the surface on the movable blade 52 side). One end of the pressing shaft 36 is, for example, supported by an end of the opening / closing unit 3 connected to the main body 2, and the other end of the pressing shaft 36 is supported by a spring 37 attached to an end of the opening / closing unit 3 where the opening / closing lever 8 is provided. The pressing shaft 36 is, for example, supported by the opening / closing unit 3 so as to be movable between a non-pressing position shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 15 and a pressing position shown in the lower diagram of FIG.

[0092] Specifically, one end of the pressing shaft 36 is supported by, for example, an elongated hole or a universal joint provided at one end of the opening / closing unit 3 connected to the main body 2. The other end of the pressing shaft 36 is supported by, for example, a spring 37 or an elongated hole provided at the end of the opening / closing unit 3 to which the opening / closing lever 8 is attached. As a result, the pressing shaft 36 is supported movably between a pressing position where it presses the fixed blade 51 in the separation direction Ds as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 15, and a non-pressing position where it is adjacent to the fixed blade 51 at the cutting position where it can cut the recording paper P as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 15.

[0093] 15, the axial pressure applying portion 86 of the opening / closing lever 8 is provided to protrude in the opposite direction to the protruding direction of the handle portion 82, which intersects with the extending direction of the engagement portion 81, and is disposed adjacent to the pressing shaft 36 in the non-pressing position when the opening / closing lever 8 is in the locked position. As a result, the axial pressure applying portion 86 presses the pressing shaft 36 by a release operation that rotates the opening / closing lever 8 from the locked position shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 15 to the released position shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 15, and stretches and elastically deforms the spring 37, thereby moving the pressing shaft 36 from the non-pressing position to the pressing position.

[0094] Furthermore, when the user or the like releases the opening / closing lever 8, the biasing force of the torsion spring 35 shown in Fig. 6 causes the opening / closing lever 8 to return from the released position shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 15 to the locked position shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 15. At this time, the biasing force of the spring 37, which has been stretched and elastically deformed, when it returns to its original position acts on the pressing shaft 36, and the pressing shaft 36 returns from the pressing position shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 15 to the non-pressing position shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 15.

[0095] As described above, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the pressing unit S2 that constitutes the separation mechanism S includes the pressing shaft 36 arranged along the longitudinal direction of the fixed blade 51, and the axial pressure unit 86 provided on the opening / closing lever 8. The pressing shaft 36 is provided so as to be movable between a pressing position where it presses the fixed blade 51 in the separation direction Ds, and a non-pressing position where it is adjacent to the movable blade 52 at the cutting position where it can cut the recording paper P. The axial pressure unit 86 of the opening / closing lever 8 moves the pressing shaft 36 from the non-pressing position to the pressing position by the release operation of the opening / closing lever 8, similar to the protrusion 84 of the opening / closing lever 8 shown in FIG.

[0096] With this configuration, the printing device 1 of this embodiment can achieve the same effects as the printing device 1 of the first embodiment described above. Specifically, when recording paper P becomes caught between the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52, a release operation is performed by rotating the opening / closing lever 8 from the locked position to the released position, as shown in FIG. 15 . As the opening / closing lever 8 releases, the axial pressure applying portion 86 presses the pressing shaft 36 toward the movable blade 52, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 15 . Similar to the protrusion 84 of the opening / closing lever 8 shown in FIG. 8 , the pressing shaft 36 presses the fixed blade 51 in the separation direction Ds. As a result, the fixed blade 51 moves away from the movable blade 52 in the separation direction Ds. This releases the recording paper P from being caught between the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52, and the opening / closing unit 3 can be easily and reliably opened by simply lifting the opening / closing lever 8 that has been rotated to the released position.

[0097] Therefore, according to this embodiment, similar to the above-described first embodiment, it is possible to provide a printing device 1 that can easily and reliably open and close the opening / closing section 3 even when the recording paper P is bitten.

[0098] [Embodiment 3] Next, a third embodiment of a printing device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 16A, 16B, and 17. Figure 16A is a schematic front view showing a portion of the third embodiment of a printing device according to the present disclosure. Figure 16B is an enlarged view showing the release operation of the opening / closing lever 8 in the printing device 1 of Figure 16A. Figure 17 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view explaining the operation of the separation mechanism S in the printing device 1 of Figure 16A. Note that the left view of Figure 16B and the upper view of Figure 17 show the state before the fixed blade 51 separates from the movable blade 52, and the right view of Figure 16B and the lower view of Figure 17 show the state after the fixed blade 51 has separated from the movable blade 52.

[0099] The printing device 1 of this embodiment differs from the printing device 1 of the above-described first and second embodiments in the configuration of the separation mechanism S that separates the fixed blade 51 from the movable blade 52. The other configuration of the printing device 1 of this embodiment is similar to the configuration of the printing device 1 of the above-described first embodiment, so similar parts are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0100] In this embodiment, the separation mechanism S of the printing device 1 includes, for example, a swing support unit 33 shown in Fig. 17. The swing support unit 33 swingably supports the movable blade 52 between a cutting angle θc at which the tip 51a of the fixed blade 51 approaches the movable blade 52, and a release angle θo at which the tip 51a of the fixed blade 51 moves away from the movable blade 52 in the cutting direction Dc, as shown in Fig. 17. In the example shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 17, the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52 are generally parallel, and the release angle θo is approximately equal to 0 degrees.

[0101] 16A and 16B, the separation mechanism S of the printing device 1 includes a support shaft 38 and a shaft support portion 87 provided on the opening / closing lever 8. The separation mechanism S may also include a spring 37, as shown in FIG. 17, for example.

[0102] The support shaft 38 is, for example, a round bar-shaped member similar to the pressing shaft 36 of the printing device 1 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 15. The support shaft 38 is, for example, located upstream of the fixed blade 51 in the conveyance direction Df of the recording paper P, and faces the back surface of the fixed blade 51, which faces in the opposite direction from the movable blade 52. As shown in FIG. 17, for example, one end of the support shaft 38 is supported by an elongated hole 39 provided in the side wall of the opening / closing unit 3 connected to the main body 2, and the other end of the support shaft 38 is supported by a round hole (not shown) provided in the side wall of the opening / closing unit 3. The support shaft 38 is provided so as to be movable, for example, by the elongated hole 39, between a cutting position shown in the left diagram of FIG. 16B and the upper diagram of FIG. 17 and a release position shown in the right diagram of FIG. 16B and the lower diagram of FIG. 17.

[0103] Specifically, one end of the support shaft 38 on the opening / closing lever 8 side is supported by an elongated hole 39 extending in a direction away from the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52, as shown in Fig. 17. Furthermore, springs 37 are connected to both ends of the support shaft 38, and the springs 37 are inserted into and engaged with through-holes 37h provided in the front wall of the opening / closing part 3, for example, and the fixed blade 51 is biased toward the movable blade 52 by the biasing force of the springs 37. As a result, the support shaft 38 supports the fixed blade 51 at a cutting angle θc where the tip 51a of the fixed blade 51 approaches the movable blade 52 at the cutting position shown in the left diagram of Fig. 16B and the upper diagram of Fig. 17.

[0104] Furthermore, when the opening / closing lever 8 is released, the support shaft 38 moves to the release position shown in the right diagram of Fig. 16B and the bottom diagram of Fig. 17, thereby extending the spring 37. This causes the biasing force of the spring 37 connected to one end of the support shaft 38 to no longer act on the fixed blade 51. As a result, the tip 51a of the fixed blade 51 supported by the swing support part 33 swings in the direction of arrow A4, and becomes supported at a release angle θo away from the movable blade 52 in the separation direction Ds. The round hole at the other end of the support shaft 38 may be an elongated hole to provide a spring, similar to the one end of the support shaft 38.

[0105] The shaft support portion 87 of the opening / closing lever 8 is recessed to support the end of the support shaft 38 in the disconnecting position when the opening / closing lever 8 is in the locked position, as shown in the left diagram of Fig. 16B. The shaft support portion 87 has dimensions and a shape that allow it to support the end of the support shaft 38 in the released position when the opening / closing lever 8 is in the released position, as shown in the right diagram of Fig. 16B.

[0106] Specifically, an inner wall surface 87f of the shaft support portion 87 that supports the end of the support shaft 38 has a depth in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 32. The depth of this inner wall surface 87f is set to a dimension that allows it to always be in contact with and support the end of the support shaft 38, both when the opening-closing lever 8 is rotated from the locked position to the released position and when the opening-closing lever 8 is rotated from the released position to the locked position.

[0107] As a result, the shaft support portion 87 can move the support shaft 38 from the disconnected position shown in the left figure of Figure 16B and the upper figure of Figure 17 to the released position shown in the right figure of Figure 16B and the lower figure of Figure 17 by performing a release operation that rotates the opening / closing lever 8 from the locked position shown in the left figure of Figure 16B to the released position shown in the right figure of Figure 16B and the lower figure of Figure 17.

[0108] Furthermore, when the user or the like releases the opening / closing lever 8, the biasing force of the torsion spring 35 shown in Fig. 6 returns the opening / closing lever 8 from the released position shown in the right diagram of Fig. 16B to the locked position shown in the left diagram of Fig. 16B. At this time, the biasing force of the spring 37, which has been stretched and elastically deformed, when it returns to its original position acts on the support shaft 38, and the support shaft 38 returns from the released position shown in the right diagram of Fig. 16B and the lower diagram of Fig. 17 to the disconnected position shown in the left diagram of Fig. 16B and the upper diagram of Fig. 17.

[0109] As described above, in the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the separation mechanism S includes the swing support portion 33 that swingably supports the fixed blade 51, the support shaft 38 arranged along the longitudinal direction of the movable blade 52, and the shaft support portion 87 provided on the opening / closing lever 8. As shown in FIG. 17 , the swing support portion 33 swingably supports the fixed blade 51 between a cutting angle θc at which the tip 51a of the fixed blade 51 approaches the movable blade 52 and a release angle θo at which the tip 51a of the fixed blade 51 moves away from the movable blade 52 in the separation direction Ds. The support shaft 38 is provided so as to be movable between a cutting position where the fixed blade 51 is supported at the cutting angle θc and a release position where the fixed blade 51 is supported at the release angle θo. The shaft support portion 87 of the opening / closing lever 8 supports the support shaft 38 and moves it from the cutting position shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 17 to the release position shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 17 by a release operation of the opening / closing lever 8.

[0110] With this configuration, the printing device 1 of this embodiment can achieve the same effects as the printing device 1 of the first embodiment. Specifically, when recording paper P is caught between the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52, a release operation is performed by rotating the opening / closing lever 8 from the locked position to the released position, as shown in FIG. 16B . Then, as the opening / closing lever 8 releases, the shaft support portion 87 of the opening / closing lever 8 supports the support shaft 38, and moves the support shaft 38 from the cutting position to the released position, as shown by arrow A3 in FIG. 17 . As a result, as shown by arrow A4 in FIG. 17 , the fixed blade 51 supported by the swing support portion 33 swings from the cutting angle θc to the release angle θo, and the fixed blade 51 moves away from the movable blade 52 in the separation direction Ds. This releases the recording paper P from being caught between the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52, and the opening / closing unit 3 can be easily and reliably opened by simply lifting the opening / closing lever 8 that has been rotated to the released position.

[0111] Therefore, according to this embodiment, as in the above-mentioned embodiments 1 and 2, a printing device 1 can be provided that can easily and reliably open and close the opening / closing section 3 even if the recording paper P becomes jammed.

[0112] [Embodiment 4] Next, a fourth embodiment of the printing device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 18 to 21. Figure 18 is a perspective view of the main body 2 and the opening / closing unit 3 showing the fourth embodiment of the printing device according to the present disclosure. Figure 19 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the fixed blade 51 supported by the opening / closing unit 3 shown in Figure 18. Figure 20 is a perspective view of the opening / closing lever 8 provided at the end of the opening / closing unit 3 shown in Figure 18. Figure 21 is an enlarged view of the end of the main body 2 and the opening / closing unit 3.

[0113] The printing device 1 of this embodiment differs from the printing device 1 of the above-described first to third embodiments in that the fixed blade 51 has an operation protrusion 51p instead of a separation mechanism S that separates the fixed blade 51 from the movable blade 52 in the separation direction Ds by the release operation of the opening / closing lever 8. The other configuration of the printing device 1 of this embodiment is similar to that of the printing device 1 of the above-described first to third embodiments, and therefore similar parts are designated by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0114] Similar to the printing device 1 according to the first and second embodiments, the printing device 1 according to this embodiment has a printing unit 4, a fixed blade 51, a movable blade 52, a main body 2, an opening / closing unit 3, a swing support unit 33, and an elastic support unit 34. In the printing device 1 according to this embodiment, an operation protrusion 51p is provided on the fixed blade 51 instead of the separation mechanism S of the printing device 1 according to the first and second embodiments.

[0115] 18 and 19, the operation protrusion 51p is provided on the end of the fixed blade 51 opposite to the tip 51a, and protrudes in the opposite direction from the tip 51a. In the example shown in Fig. 18 and 19, the swing support part 33 is a slit-shaped through-hole provided in the upper wall of the opening / closing part 3, and supports the fixed blade 51 so that it can swing by inserting the operation protrusion 51p therethrough.

[0116] 19, the swing support part 33 supports the fixed blade 51 to be swingable between a cutting angle θc at which the tip 51a of the fixed blade 51 approaches the movable blade 52 and a release angle θo at which the tip 51a of the fixed blade 51 moves away from the movable blade 52. For example, the operation protrusion 51p of the fixed blade 51 is inserted into the swing support part 33, thereby penetrating the upper wall of the opening / closing part 3 and protruding to the outside of the opening / closing part 3.

[0117] 19, in order to move the fixed blade 51 away from the movable blade 52 in the separation direction Ds, a user of the printing device 1 or the like presses the operation protrusion 51p of the fixed blade 51, which is supported by the swing support part 33, in the direction of arrow A5 toward the movable blade 52. Then, the tip 51a of the fixed blade 51 moves in the direction of arrow A6 in FIG. 19, with the protrusion 33p of the fixed blade restriction guide 33g as a fulcrum, and the elastic support part 34 that supports the fixed blade 51 at the cutting angle θc elastically deforms, causing the fixed blade 51 to swing from the cutting angle θc shown in the left diagram of FIG. 19 to the release angle θo shown in the right diagram of FIG. 19. As a result, a gap is formed between the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52.

[0118] Furthermore, when a user of the printing device 1 or the like releases their hand from the operation protrusion 51p of the fixed blade 51, the biasing force of the elastically deformed elastic support portion 34 causes the fixed blade 51 to swing from the release angle θo shown in the right diagram of Fig. 19 to the cutting angle θc shown in the left diagram of Fig. 19. As a result, the operation protrusion 51p of the fixed blade 51 moves in the direction of arrow A7, and the tip 51a of the fixed blade 51 moves in the direction of arrow A8, returning to the cutting position close to the movable blade 52 as shown in the left diagram of Fig. 19.

[0119] 18 and 20 has an engagement portion 81, a handle portion 82, and a pivot portion 83, similar to the opening / closing lever 8 of the printing device 1 of the first to third embodiments described above. Also, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the opening / closing lever 8 has a contact portion 88. As shown in the left drawings of FIGS. 20 and 21, for example, the contact portion 88 is provided in the shape of a substantially square plate extending from the pivot portion 83 toward the top surface 22 of the main body 2 when the opening / closing lever 8 is in the locked position.

[0120] 21, when the opening / closing lever 8 is in the locked position, the tip surface of the abutting portion 88 that faces the upper surface 22 of the main body 2 is inclined, for example, with respect to the upper surface 22 of the main body 2. Specifically, when the opening / closing lever 8 is in the locked position, the tip surface of the abutting portion 88 is inclined, for example, with respect to the upper surface 22 of the main body 2, so that the distance between the tip surface of the abutting portion 88 and the upper surface 22 of the main body 2 decreases as the tip surface approaches the center in the longitudinal direction of the opening / closing unit 3, which is the longitudinal direction of the fixed blade 51.

[0121] The abutment portion 88 is configured to abut against the upper surface 22 of the main body 2 during a release operation in which a user lifts the handle portion 82 of the opening / closing lever 8 in the direction of arrow A9 in Fig. 21 and rotates the opening / closing lever 8 from the locked position shown in the left diagram of Fig. 21 to the released position shown in the right diagram of Fig. 21. Specifically, the position at which the abutment portion 88 abuts against the upper surface 22 of the main body 2 during the release operation of the opening / closing lever 8 is between the rotation shaft 32 and the handle portion 82 in the longitudinal direction of the opening / closing unit 3, and is closer to the rotation shaft 32 than the handle portion 82.

[0122] As described above, the printing device 1 of this embodiment, like the printing device 1 of the first to third embodiments described above, includes the printing unit 4, the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52, the main body 2, the opening / closing unit 3, the handle 82, the swing support unit 33, and the elastic support unit 34. The printing unit 4 prints on recording paper P, and the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52 cut the recording paper P printed by the printing unit 4. The main body 2 supports the movable blade 52, and the opening / closing unit 3 supports the fixed blade 51 and is connected to the main body 2 so that it can open and close. The swing support unit 33 supports the fixed blade 51 so that it can swing between a cutting angle θc at which the tip 51a of the fixed blade 51 approaches the movable blade 52 and a release angle θo at which the tip 51a of the fixed blade 51 moves away from the movable blade 52. The elastic support unit 34 supports the fixed blade 51 at the cutting angle θc. The fixed blade 51 has an operation protrusion 51p provided at the end opposite to the tip 51a and protruding outward from the opening / closing unit 3. When the operation protrusion 51p of the fixed blade 51 supported by the swing support part 33 is pressed in the direction toward the movable blade 52, the elastic support part 34 elastically deforms, and the fixed blade 51 swings from the cutting angle θc to the release angle θo.

[0123] With this configuration, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, for example, if recording paper P becomes caught between the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52 and the movable blade 52 does not return to its standby position, a user can operate the operation protrusion 51p of the fixed blade 51 to release the trapped recording paper P. Specifically, the user presses the operation protrusion 51p of the fixed blade 51 in the direction of arrow A5 in FIG. 19 . This causes the tip 51a of the fixed blade 51, which is swingably supported by the swing support member 33, to move in the direction of arrow A6, elastically deforming the elastic support member 34, and moving the fixed blade 51 in the separation direction Ds away from the movable blade 52. As a result, a gap is formed between the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52, and the recording paper P is released from the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52. Therefore, the printing device 1 of this embodiment allows the movable blade 52 to be separated from the fixed blade 51 with a simpler configuration than the interlocking mechanisms of conventional printers, which are composed of multiple parts.

[0124] Furthermore, the printing device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with an opening / closing lever 8, similar to the printing devices 1 of the above-described first to third embodiments. The opening / closing lever 8 is rotatably provided at the end of the opening / closing unit 3 opposite the end connected to the main body 2, and rotates between an open position where the opening / closing unit 3 can be opened or closed, and a locked position where the opening / closing unit 3 is fixed to the main body 2.

[0125] With this configuration, the printing device 1 of this embodiment can make the opening / closing section 3 openable and closable relative to the main body section 2 by a user or the like performing an opening / closing operation by grasping the opening / closing lever 8 in the locked position and rotating it to the released position.

[0126] In the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the opening / closing lever 8 has an engagement portion 81, a handle portion 82, a pivotal support portion 83, and an abutment portion 88. When the opening / closing lever 8 is in the locked position, the engagement portion 81 extends along the side surface of the opening / closing unit 3 and engages with the side portion of the main body 2. The handle portion 82 is provided at a base end of the engagement portion 81 adjacent to the opening / closing unit 3 and protrudes in a direction away from the side surface of the opening / closing unit 3. The pivotal support portion 83 protrudes from the base end of the engagement portion 81 in the opposite direction to the handle portion 82 and is pivotally supported by the opening / closing unit 3. When the opening / closing lever 8 is in the locked position, the abutment portion 88 extends from the pivotal support portion 83 toward the top surface 22 of the main body 2 and abuts against the top surface 22 of the main body 2 during the release operation of rotating the opening / closing lever 8 from the locked position to the released position.

[0127] With this configuration, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, for example, when the operating protrusion 51p of the fixed blade 51 is operated to release the recording paper P from being pinched between the fixed blade 51 and the movable blade 52 while the opening / closing lever 8 is being opened or closed, the abutment portion 88 comes into contact with the top surface 22 of the main body 2 during the opening / closing operation. Then, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 21 , a normal force N acts on the abutment portion 88 from the top surface 22 of the main body 2 as the opening / closing lever 8 is released. As a result, based on the principle of leverage, a force in the direction of opening the opening / closing unit 3 can be applied to the rotation shaft 32 of the opening / closing unit 3, which pivotally supports the pivot support portion 83 of the opening / closing lever 8. Therefore, with the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the force required to release the opening / closing lever 8 when opening the opening / closing unit 3 is reduced, making it easier to open the opening / closing unit 3.

[0128] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a printing device 1 that can separate the fixed blade 51 from the movable blade 52 with a simple configuration.

[0129] The above is a detailed description of an embodiment of a printing device according to the present disclosure. However, the printing device according to the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Various modifications, substitutions, etc. may be applied to the above-described embodiment without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0130] For example, the opening / closing lever of the printing devices of the first to third embodiments may be provided with the abutment portion of the opening / closing lever of the printing device of the fourth embodiment. This reduces the force required to release the opening / closing lever when opening the opening / closing unit in the printing devices of each embodiment, making it easier to separate the fixed blade from the movable blade and open the opening / closing unit. Furthermore, the operation protrusion provided on the fixed blade of the printing device of the fourth embodiment may be provided on the fixed blade of the printing device of the first to third embodiments. This allows various situations in the printing device, such as paper jams and jamming, to be addressed by operating the operation protrusion and the opening / closing lever simultaneously or by operating either one of them. Furthermore, a head unit may be provided on the opening / closing unit, and a platen unit may be provided on the main body. This makes it easier to check the print content during printing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 1 printing device, 2 main body, 3 opening / closing unit, 33 swing support unit (separation mechanism), 34 elastic support unit (separation mechanism, biasing unit), 36 pressing shaft (separation mechanism, pressing unit), 37 spring (separation mechanism, pressing unit), 38 support shaft (separation mechanism), 4 printing unit, 51 fixed blade, 51a tip, 51p operation protrusion, 52 movable blade, 53 cutter drive unit, 8 opening / closing lever, 81 engagement unit, 82 handle unit, 83 shaft support unit, 84 protrusion unit (separation mechanism, pressing unit), 85 auxiliary protrusion, 86 shaft pressure unit (separation mechanism, pressing unit), 87 shaft support unit (separation mechanism), 88 abutment unit, 91 movable blade sensor, 92 opening / closing sensor, 93 control unit, Ds separation direction, P recording paper, S separation mechanism, S1 Biasing part (separation mechanism), S2 pressing part (separation mechanism), θc cutting angle, θo release angle.

Claims

1. a printing unit that prints on recording paper; a fixed blade and a movable blade for cutting the recording paper printed by the printing unit; a main body portion supporting the movable blade; an opening / closing section that supports the fixed blade and is openably and closably connected to the main body section; an opening / closing lever provided at an end of the opening / closing unit opposite to an end connected to the main body unit, the opening / closing lever pivoting between an open position where the opening / closing unit can be opened and closed and a lock position where the opening / closing unit is fixed to the main body unit; a separation mechanism that separates the fixed blade from the movable blade in a separation direction that intersects with the movement direction of the movable blade in conjunction with a release operation that rotates the opening / closing lever from the lock position to the release position; A printing device comprising:

2. The opening / closing unit has one end of the fixed blade in the longitudinal direction connected to the main body, and the opening / closing lever provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction. The printing device of claim 1 .

3. The spacing mechanism includes a biasing portion that biases the fixed blade in a direction opposite to the spacing direction, and a pressing portion that presses the fixed blade in the spacing direction when the opening / closing lever is in a released position.

3. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The pressing portion is a protrusion provided on the opening / closing lever. The printing device according to claim 3 .

5. the pressing portion includes a pressing shaft disposed along the longitudinal direction of the fixed blade and a shaft pressure applying portion provided on the opening / closing lever, the pressing shaft is provided to be movable between a pressing position where the fixed blade is pressed in the separating direction and a non-pressing position adjacent to the fixed blade at a cutting position where the recording paper can be cut, the shaft pressing unit moves the pressing shaft from the non-pressing position to the pressing position by the releasing operation; The printing device according to claim 3 .

6. The separation mechanism includes a swing support part that supports the fixed blade to be swingable between a cutting angle at which the tip of the fixed blade approaches the movable blade and a release angle at which the tip is separated from the movable blade in the separation direction, a support shaft disposed along the longitudinal direction of the fixed blade, and a shaft support part provided on the opening / closing lever, the support shaft is provided to be movable between a cutting position where the fixed blade is supported at the cutting angle and a release position where the fixed blade is supported at the release angle, the shaft support portion supports the support shaft by the releasing operation and moves the support shaft from the disconnecting position to the releasing position.

3. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The opening / closing lever has an engaging portion that extends along the side surface of the opening / closing portion and engages with the side portion of the main body portion in the locked position, and a handle portion that is provided at a base end of the engaging portion adjacent to the opening / closing portion and protrudes in a direction away from the side surface of the opening / closing portion.

3. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2.

8. the opening / closing lever further includes an auxiliary protrusion provided at the base end of the engagement portion and protruding in a direction forming an obtuse angle with the handle portion on the opposite side to the tip end of the engagement portion, The printing device according to claim 7.

9. The opening / closing lever further includes a pivotal support portion that projects from the base end of the engagement portion in a direction opposite to the handle portion and is pivotally supported by the opening / closing portion, and a contact portion that extends from the pivotal support portion toward an upper surface of the main body portion at the locked position and contacts the upper surface of the main body portion during the release operation. The printing device according to claim 7.

10. a printing unit that prints on recording paper; a fixed blade and a movable blade for cutting the recording paper printed by the printing unit; a main body portion supporting the movable blade; an opening / closing section that supports the fixed blade and is openably and closably connected to the main body section; an opening / closing lever provided at an end of the opening / closing unit opposite to an end connected to the main body unit, the opening / closing lever pivoting between an open position where the opening / closing unit can be opened and closed and a lock position where the opening / closing unit is fixed to the main body unit; a cutter drive unit that moves the movable blade between a standby position before starting to cut the recording paper and a completion position where cutting of the recording paper is completed; a movable blade sensor capable of detecting the standby position and the completion position of the movable blade; a control unit that controls the cutter drive unit to return the movable blade to the standby position when the movable blade does not reach the completion position from the standby position within a predetermined time based on a detection result of the movable blade sensor; A printing device comprising:

11. further comprising an opening / closing sensor for detecting the open and closed states of the opening / closing unit; the control unit controls the cutter drive unit to return the movable blade to the standby position when the movable blade is not at the standby position in the closed state of the opening / closing unit and the opening / closing unit transitions from the closed state to the open state based on detection results of the movable blade sensor and the opening / closing sensor. The printing device of claim 10.

12. a printing unit that prints on recording paper; a fixed blade and a movable blade for cutting the recording paper printed by the printing unit; a main body portion supporting the movable blade; an opening / closing section that supports the fixed blade and is openably and closably connected to the main body section; a swing support part that swingably supports the fixed blade between a cutting angle at which the tip of the fixed blade approaches the movable blade and a release angle at which the tip of the fixed blade moves away from the movable blade; an elastic support portion that supports the fixed blade at the cutting angle, the fixed blade has an operation protrusion provided at an end opposite to the tip and protruding outward from the opening / closing part, A printing device in which, by pressing the operating protrusion of the fixed blade supported by the swing support portion in a direction toward the movable blade, the elastic support portion elastically deforms and the fixed blade swings from the cutting angle to the release angle.

13. an opening / closing lever that is rotatably provided at an end of the opening / closing unit opposite to the end connected to the main body unit and that rotates between an open position where the opening / closing unit can be opened and closed and a lock position where the opening / closing unit is fixed to the main body unit; The printing device of claim 12.

14. The opening / closing lever has an engaging portion that extends along the side surface of the opening / closing portion and engages with the side portion of the main body portion at the locked position, a handle portion that is provided at a base end of the engaging portion adjacent to the opening / closing portion and protrudes in a direction away from the side surface of the opening / closing portion, a pivotal support portion that protrudes from the base end of the engaging portion in a direction opposite to the handle portion and is pivotally supported on the opening / closing portion, and an abutting portion that extends from the pivotal support portion toward the top surface of the main body portion at the locked position and abuts against the top surface of the main body portion during a release operation that rotates the opening / closing lever from the locked position to the released position. The printing device of claim 13.

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