Plotting device and plotting system

Abstract

To provide a plotting device and a plotting system capable of easily exchanging a pen.SOLUTION: The drawing device includes a base portion capable of placing a material to be drawn on one surface, an electromagnet, a first positioning portion, and a drawing portion including a transport portion provided on the other side of the base portion, a movable portion configured to move the transport portion with respect to the base portion, a lifting magnet configured to be attracted to or repulsed from the electromagnet by a magnetic force, and a fixing portion configured to couple the lifting magnet and a drawing tool capable of drawing on the material to be drawn, a second positioning portion configured to attract the first positioning portion by a magnetic force, and a support opening portion through which the drawing portion can be inserted. When the electromagnet and the elevated / lowered magnet are attracted to each other by the magnetic force, drawing can be performed on the drawn material by bringing the tip of the drawing tool into contact with the drawn material, and when the electromagnet and the elevated / lowered magnet are repelled from each other by the magnetic force, the tip of the drawing tool is disposed in the support opening in a state of being separated from the drawn material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a plotting device and a plotting system. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are plotting devices that automatically draw arbitrary character strings, figures, etc. on paper by moving a writing implement such as a pen across the paper. Plotting devices that use a pen are also called pen plotters.

[0003] The plotting device moves the pen using a movement mechanism such as the pen up / down operation device of a plotter described in Patent Document 1. The pen up / down operation device of a plotter described in Patent Document 1 includes a pen holder to which one end of an elastic pressure member is connected and a base to which the other end of the elastic pressure member is connected, and moves the pen attached to the pen holder relative to the drawing surface to create a plot. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-221195 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in conventional plotting devices in which pens are attached to a pen holder connected to a base, such as the pen up / down operation device of the plotter described in Patent Document 1, when replacing a pen, it is necessary to remove and attach the pen from the pen holder, which can make the pen replacement process time-consuming.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a plotting device and a plotting system that allow pens to be easily replaced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes the following means. The plotting device of the present invention has a base on one side of which a drawing material can be placed, an electromagnet, and a first positioning part, and has a drawing unit having a transport part provided on the other side of the base, a movable part that can move the transport part relative to the base, an elevating magnet that attracts or repels the electromagnet by magnetic force, and a fixing part that connects the elevating magnet and a drawing tool that can draw on the drawing material, a second positioning part that attracts the first positioning part by magnetic force, and a support opening through which the drawing unit can be inserted, and a support part that is placed on one side of the workpiece, wherein the drawing part is capable of moving the tip of the drawing tool back and forth within the support opening in a direction that moves it closer to or away from the workpiece, and when the electromagnet and the lifting magnet attract each other due to magnetic force, the tip of the drawing tool can be brought into contact with the workpiece to draw a picture, and when the electromagnet and the lifting magnet repel each other due to magnetic force, the tip of the drawing tool is positioned within the support opening in a state that is spaced apart from the workpiece.

[0008] The plotting system of the present invention comprises the plotting device described above and a control device that acquires plot information including the coordinates of the lines that the drawing unit draws on the workpiece, and controls the movable unit and the transport unit based on the plot information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the plotting device and plotting system of the present invention, it is possible to provide a plotting device and plotting system in which the pen can be easily replaced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a plot system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a plotting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a plotting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a plotting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a plotting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a plotting system 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a plotting device 100 according to this embodiment.

[0013] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are perpendicular to each other, and the X-axis is defined as the horizontal left-right direction, the Y-axis is defined as the horizontal front-back direction, and the Z-axis is defined as the vertical up-down direction.

[0014] [Plot System 1] The plotting system 1 includes a plotting device 100, a control device 200, and an input device 300. The plotting system 1 is a pen plotter system capable of drawing a predetermined line on paper (a drawing material) PA using a pen (a drawing implement) PE.

[0015] The control device 200 controls a part of or the entire plot system 1.

[0016] The control device 200 is a programmable device (computer) equipped with, for example, a processor, a memory, a storage unit, etc. Each function of the control device 200 is realized by one or more processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), executing a program stored in a program memory. However, all or part of these functions may be realized by hardware (e.g., circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a PLD (Programmable Logic Device). Furthermore, all or part of the above functions may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. The storage unit is realized by, for example, a flash memory, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a ROM (Read-Only Memory), or a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0017] In the plotting system 1, the control device 200 controls the plotting device 100, thereby drawing a predetermined line with a drawing implement PE attached to the plotting device 100.

[0018] The input device 300 is an input device that is connected to the control device 200 via wired or wireless communication and is capable of transmitting any information to the control device 200.

[0019] The input device 300 may be, for example, a keyboard or a mouse, or may be a smartphone or a tablet with a touch panel.

[0020] The control device 200 can acquire the plot information PD. The plot information PD is data including information such as the coordinates of the lines drawn by the plot device 100.

[0021] The plot information PD may be stored in advance in a storage unit or the like of the control device 200, or may be acquired by the control device 200 from an external source.

[0022] The control device 200 may, for example, acquire the plot information PD input to the input device 300, or may acquire the plot information PD stored in a cloud server or the like connected via the Internet.

[0023] The control device 200 controls the plotting device 100 based on the acquired plot information PD, and causes the plotting device 100 to draw a predetermined line.

[0024] [Plot Device 100] The plotting device 100 includes a movable section 10, a carrier section 20, a base section 30, a support section 40, and a drawing section 50.

[0025] The movable portion 10 includes a first movable portion 11 and a second movable portion 12 .

[0026] The first movable part 11 is a movement mechanism capable of moving the carrier 20 in the Y-axis direction. The second movable part 12 is a movement mechanism capable of moving the first movable part 11 and the carrier 20 in the X-axis direction. The movable part 10 is capable of moving the carrier 20 in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction and Y-axis direction).

[0027] The movable unit 10 only needs to be able to move the conveying unit 20 horizontally, and may be configured to move the conveying unit 20 using a roller unit rotated by an electric motor and a rail unit that guides the roller unit, or may be configured to move the conveying unit 20 using a linear motion mechanism using an electric motor and a ball screw.

[0028] Furthermore, the movable unit 10 may be configured to be able to move the transport unit 20 using a rack and pinion mechanism, or may be configured to be able to move the transport unit 20 using an articulated robot arm.

[0029] The movable unit 10 is connected to the control device 200 via wired or wireless communication and is controlled by the control device 200. The movable unit 10 moves the carrier unit 20 in a predetermined direction based on a control signal from the control device 200.

[0030] The transport unit 20 includes a transport main body 21, an electromagnet 22, and a first positioning unit 23.

[0031] The carrier main body 21 is the base of the carrier 20 and is connected to the first movable part 11 .

[0032] The electromagnet 22 is, for example, a known electromagnet having an iron core and a coil (not shown). The electromagnet 22 is provided on the conveying body 21. The electromagnet 22 is, for example, provided so as to be exposed from the upper surface 21a of the conveying body 21.

[0033] The upper surface 21a of the conveying main body 21 is a surface of the conveying main body 21 facing upward (one side) in the Z-axis direction.

[0034] Here, the carrier 20 is provided near the base 30. When a current is supplied to the coil of the electromagnet 22, the electromagnet 22 generates magnetic poles on the side provided near the base 30 and the side provided away from the base 30.

[0035] In this embodiment, the carrier 20 is provided below (on the other side) the base 30 in the Z-axis direction. That is, the electromagnet 22 has magnetic poles at its upper and lower ends in the Z-axis direction when a current is supplied to the coil.

[0036] The transport unit 20 is connected to the control device 200 via wired or wireless communication and is controlled by the control device 200. The control device 200 controls the start or stop of supplying current to the coil of the electromagnet 22 and the direction of the supplied current.

[0037] The control device 200 may control a power supply device provided outside the control device 200 and control the current supplied to the electromagnet 22 from the power supply device.

[0038] The first positioning parts 23 are, for example, magnets (for example, neodymium magnets) provided on the carrying main body part 21. In this embodiment, three first positioning parts 23 are provided on the carrying main body part 21, but the number of first positioning parts 23 provided on the carrying part 20 may be less than three, or may be four or more.

[0039] In this embodiment, the first positioning portion 23 is provided so as to be exposed from the upper surface 21a of the conveying main body portion 21. Furthermore, the size of the first positioning portion 23 is smaller than the size of the electromagnet 22 in the horizontal direction.

[0040] The base 30 is a base on which a drawing material PA can be placed on an upper surface 30a. In this embodiment, the base 30 is a plate-shaped member extending horizontally. The upper surface 30a of the base 30 faces upward in the Z-axis direction.

[0041] The lower surface 30b of the platform portion 30 faces downward in the Z-axis direction and is disposed opposite the upper surface 21a of the carrier main body portion 21 in the Z-axis direction.

[0042] In the horizontal direction, the platform 30 has a larger area than the carrier 20. The platform 30 has, for example, supports (not shown) at its four corners that support the platform 30 from below. The platform 30 is disposed above the carrier 20 while being supported by the supports.

[0043] The carrier unit 20 is movable horizontally relative to the platform unit 30 in the space below the platform unit 30 by the movable unit 10 .

[0044] The drawing material PA is, for example, paper on which the plotting device 100 draws a predetermined line. The drawing material PA may be made of any material on which the plotting device 100 can draw a predetermined line, and may be, in addition to paper, a resin film, a cloth material, a wooden board, a metal plate, or the like.

[0045] The support part 40 is placed on the upper surface of the workpiece PA. The support part 40 includes a support main body part 41, a support opening part 42, and a second positioning part 43.

[0046] The support body 41 is the base of the support part 40, and is, for example, a cylindrical member having a central axis extending in the Z-axis direction.

[0047] The support opening 42 is an opening that penetrates the support main body 41 in the Z-axis direction. In this embodiment, the support opening 42 has a first support opening 42a and a second support opening 42b.

[0048] The first support opening 42a and the second support opening 42b penetrate the support main body 41 from the upper surface 41a to the lower surface 41b, and communicate with each other in the horizontal direction.

[0049] In this embodiment, the first support opening 42a is located at the center in the horizontal direction of the support main body 41. The inner diameter of the first support opening 42a and the inner diameter of the second support opening 42b may be equal to or different from each other.

[0050] The first support opening 42a and the second support opening 42b are circular openings that are arranged so that at least a portion of them overlap each other when viewed in a plane from the Z-axis direction, and a constricted shape that protrudes inward from the opening is formed at the boundary between the first support opening 42a and the second support opening 42b.

[0051] The second positioning portions 43 are, for example, magnets (for example, neodymium magnets) provided on the support main body portion 41. In this embodiment, three second positioning portions 43 are provided on the support main body portion 41, but the number of second positioning portions 43 provided on the support portion 40 may be less than three, or may be four or more.

[0052] It is preferable that the number of first positioning portions 23 provided on the carrying portion 20 is equal to the number of second positioning portions 43 provided on the support portion 40.

[0053] In this embodiment, the second positioning portion 43 is provided so as to be exposed from the lower surface 41b of the support body portion 41.

[0054] The drawing unit 50 includes a lifting magnet 51 and a fixing unit 52 .

[0055] The lifting magnet 51 is a magnet that attracts or repels the electromagnet 22 by magnetic force. The lifting magnet 51 has a size that allows it to be inserted into the second support opening 42b. The lifting magnet 51 is, for example, a cylindrical magnet with a central axis extending in the Z-axis direction, and has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the second support opening 42b.

[0056] The fixed portion 52 is a member connected to the lifting magnet 51 and connects the lifting magnet 51 to the drawing implement PE.

[0057] The drawing implement PE is a well-known pen such as a ballpoint pen, ink pen, felt-tip pen, or pencil, and is a writing implement that can draw dots or lines on the drawing material PA by contacting the tip (pen tip) T with the drawing material PA.

[0058] The drawing implement PE may be a writing brush, chalk, or the like, as long as it can draw predetermined dots, lines, etc. on the drawing material PA.

[0059] Fixing portion 52 is, for example, an annular member that fits along the outer circumferential surface of drawing tool PE. Drawing tool PE is fixed to fixing portion 52 by inserting drawing tool PE into the internal space of fixing portion 52, and fixing portion 52 can connect drawing tool PE and lifting magnet 51.

[0060] The drawing unit 50 is preferably configured so that the drawing implement PE can be attached and detached.

[0061] Furthermore, the drawing unit 50 is detachably inserted into the support opening 42. When the drawing unit 50 is inserted into the support opening 42, the drawing tool PE and the fixing unit 52 are disposed inside the first support opening 42a, and the lifting magnet 51 is disposed inside the second support opening 42b.

[0062] First support opening 42a has an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of drawing tool PE, for example. By setting the inner diameters of first support opening 42a and second support opening 42b to appropriate dimensions that match the shapes of drawing unit 50 and drawing tool PE, drawing unit 50 and drawing tool PE can be sufficiently supported by the inner surface of support opening 42, and tilting of drawing unit 50 and drawing tool PE inserted through support opening 42 can be suppressed.

[0063] [Plot System 1 Operation] Next, the operation of the plot system 1 will be described.

[0064] 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views showing a plotting device 100 according to this embodiment.

[0065] When the plotting system 1 is operated, a workpiece PA is placed on the upper surface 30a of the base 30. The support 40 is placed on the upper surface of the workpiece PA. At this time, the lower surface 41b of the support main body 41 is in contact with the upper surface of the workpiece PA in the Z-axis direction.

[0066] Furthermore, the drawing unit 50 is inserted into the support opening 42, and at least a portion of the drawing unit 50 is disposed inside the support opening 42. The drawing unit 50 is provided so as to be movable forward and backward in the Z-axis direction inside the support opening 42. The drawing tool PE is disposed with its tip T facing the drawing material PA in the Z-axis direction.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the carrier 20 and the support 40 are disposed in the Z-axis direction, sandwiching the base 30 and the workpiece PA therebetween.

[0068] At this time, the support portion 40 is disposed at a position where the second positioning portion 43 corresponds to the first positioning portion 23 and the support opening 42 corresponds to the electromagnet 22 .

[0069] Specifically, the support portion 40 is positioned in the horizontal direction so that the second positioning portion 43 overlaps with at least a portion of the first positioning portion 23, and the support opening 42 overlaps with at least a portion of the electromagnet 22.

[0070] The drawing unit 50 disposed within the support opening 42 is disposed so that the lifting magnet 51 overlaps at least a portion of the electromagnet 22 in the horizontal direction. In this case, the drawing tool PE and the fixed unit 52 do not necessarily overlap with the electromagnet 22 in the horizontal direction.

[0071] The first positioning portion 23 and the second positioning portion 43 are magnets that are respectively arranged so that they can attract each other in the Z-axis direction with magnetic force across the base portion 30.

[0072] By arranging the support portion 40 at a position where the second positioning portion 43 corresponds to the first positioning portion 23, the first positioning portion 23 and the second positioning portion 43 attract each other by magnetic force.

[0073] Due to the attractive force acting between the first positioning portion 23 and the second positioning portion 43, the position of the second positioning portion 43 relative to the first positioning portion 23 is fixed, and the position of the support portion 40 relative to the conveying portion 20 is fixed.

[0074] The drawing unit 50 is disposed inside the support opening 42 and is supported in the horizontal direction by the inner surface of the support opening 42. Therefore, by positioning the support unit 40 using the first positioning unit 23 and the second positioning unit 43, the horizontal positions of the support unit 40 and the drawing unit 50 relative to the conveying unit 20 are determined.

[0075] In the Z-axis direction, the conveying unit 20 need only be positioned in a position that can generate an attractive force between the first positioning unit 23 and the second positioning unit 43, and the upper surface 21a of the conveying main body unit 21 may or may not be in contact with the lower surface 30b of the base unit 30.

[0076] After the support part 40 and the drawing part 50 are placed at predetermined positions on the upper surface of the drawing workpiece PA, the control device 200 controls the current supplied to the electromagnet 22.

[0077] At this time, the control device 200 controls at least the direction in which the current flows through the coil of the electromagnet 22. The control device 200 may also control the current value and voltage of the current supplied to the electromagnet 22.

[0078] The lifting magnet 51 is arranged inside the support opening 42 so that magnetic poles are generated on the side (lower end side) provided near the base 30 and on the side (upper end side) provided away from the base 30. In other words, the lifting magnet 51 is arranged inside the support opening 42 so that one of the lower end side and the upper end side is a positive pole (north pole) and the other is a negative pole (south pole).

[0079] Furthermore, when a current is supplied to the coil of electromagnet 22, magnetic poles are generated on the side of electromagnet 22 that is provided near base 30 (upper end side) and on the side that is provided away from base 30 (lower end side). That is, electromagnet 22 is arranged so that when a current is supplied to the coil, one of the lower end side and the upper end side becomes a positive pole (north pole) and the other becomes a negative pole (south pole).

[0080] In the following explanation, among the directions in which current flows through the coil of the electromagnet 22, the direction in which the magnetic pole at the upper end of the electromagnet 22 is different from the magnetic pole at the lower end of the lift-down magnet 51 will be referred to as the "first flow direction," and the direction in which the magnetic pole at the upper end of the electromagnet 22 is the same as the magnetic pole at the lower end of the lift-down magnet 51 will be referred to as the "second flow direction."

[0081] In plotting device 100, lifting magnet 51 attracts electromagnet 22 when current flows through electromagnet 22 in a first flow direction, and repels electromagnet 22 when current flows through electromagnet 22 in a second flow direction.

[0082] The control device 200 can switch the flow direction of the current supplied to the electromagnet 22 between a first flow direction and a second flow direction.

[0083] The plotting device 100 shown in FIG. 3 is in a state where the electromagnet 22 and the lifting magnet 51 are attracted to each other by magnetic force (attraction state).

[0084] In the plotting device 100 in the attracted state, an attractive force is acting between the electromagnet 22 and the lifting magnet 51. In other words, a force is acting on the lifting magnet 51 in a direction that moves it closer to the electromagnet 22.

[0085] At this time, the control device 200 causes a current to flow through the electromagnet 22 in the first flow direction, thereby causing the magnetic pole on the upper end side of the electromagnet 22 to be different from the magnetic pole on the lower end side of the elevating magnet 51 .

[0086] When the magnetic pole at the upper end of electromagnet 22 becomes different from the magnetic pole at the lower end of lift magnet 51, electromagnet 22 and lift magnet 51 attract each other, and plot device 100 enters the attracted state shown in FIG.

[0087] When plotting device 100 is in the attracted state, drawing implement PE, which is connected to lift magnet 51 by fixing portion 52, is attracted together with lift magnet 51 toward electromagnet 22 (downward) inside support opening .

[0088] At this time, the tip T of the drawing tool PE is in contact with the upper surface of the workpiece PA.

[0089] The plotting device 100 shown in FIG. 4 is in a state where the electromagnet 22 and the lifting magnet 51 are repelled by magnetic force (repulsive state).

[0090] In the plot device 100 in the repulsive state, a repulsive force is acting between the electromagnet 22 and the lift magnet 51. In other words, a force is acting on the lift magnet 51 in a direction away from the electromagnet 22.

[0091] At this time, the control device 200 causes a current to flow through the electromagnet 22 in the second flow direction, thereby making the magnetic pole on the upper end side of the electromagnet 22 the same as the magnetic pole on the lower end side of the elevating magnet 51 .

[0092] When the magnetic pole at the upper end of electromagnet 22 becomes the same as the magnetic pole at the lower end of elevating magnet 51, electromagnet 22 and elevating magnet 51 repel each other, and plotting device 100 enters the repulsive state shown in FIG.

[0093] When plotting device 100 is in the repulsive state, drawing implement PE, which is connected to lift magnet 51 by fixing portion 52, moves together with lift magnet 51 inside support opening 42 in a direction away from electromagnet 22 (upward).

[0094] When the lifting magnet 51 repels the electromagnet 22, for example, when the gravity acting on the imaging unit 50 and the repulsive force acting on the lifting magnet 51 are balanced, the imaging unit 50 comes to rest in the Z-axis direction.

[0095] When the gravity and the repulsive force are balanced and the imaging unit 50 comes to rest, the imaging unit 50 comes to rest with at least a portion of the imaging unit 50 disposed inside the support opening 42, as shown in FIG.

[0096] At this time, the drawing unit 50 is positioned inside the support opening 42 to an extent that the drawing unit 50 can be supported by the support unit 40, and the tip T of the drawing tool PE is stationary and spaced upward from the workpiece PA; for example, the tip T of the drawing tool PE is slightly spaced from the workpiece PA.

[0097] In the plotting device 100 in the repulsive state, the drawing unit 50 does not have to be strictly stationary as long as the tip T of the drawing implement PE is positioned away from the workpiece PA in the Z-axis direction.

[0098] In this way, the imaging unit 50 advances and retreats within the support opening 42 in the Z-axis direction due to the attraction or repulsion between the electromagnet 22 and the lifting magnet 51.

[0099] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a plotting device 100 according to this embodiment.

[0100] The plot information PD acquired by the control device 200 includes position data and route data indicating the lines plotted by the plotting device 100.

[0101] The plotting device 100 illustrated in FIG. 5 plots a line L on the upper surface of a workpiece PA based on plot information PD.

[0102] The line L is, for example, a line that is drawn from a starting point La along a predetermined path and is interrupted between two interruption points Lb.

[0103] The plot information PD includes, for example, the coordinates of the start point La and the interruption point Lb, and data such as the route from the start point La to the interruption point Lb.

[0104] The operation of plotting a line L on the upper surface of the workpiece PA by the plotting system 1 (drawing operation) will be described below.

[0105] The control device 200 controls the movable unit 10 and the conveying unit 20 based on the plot information PD.

[0106] The control device 200 first applies a current to the electromagnet 22 in the second flow direction, causing the plotting device 100 to enter the repulsive state described above.

[0107] The control device 200 controls the movable unit 10 so that the tip T of the drawing implement PE is positioned above the start point La in the plotting device 100 in the repulsive state.

[0108] Specifically, the control device 200 controls the first movable part 11 and the second movable part 12 to move the carrier part 20 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

[0109] At this time, the first positioning part 23 of the transport part 20 and the second positioning part 43 of the support part 40 sandwich the base part 30 and the workpiece PA in the Z-axis direction and are attracted to each other by magnetic force.

[0110] Therefore, by moving the transporting part 20, the control device 200 can move the support part 40 placed on the upper surface of the workpiece PA so that the support part 40 follows the transporting part 20.

[0111] Furthermore, by moving the support part 40 , the control device 200 can move the imaging part 50 arranged in the support opening 42 of the support part 40 together with the support part 40 .

[0112] When the plotting device 100 is in the repulsive state, the tip T of the plotting portion 50 is positioned within the support opening 42 and spaced apart from the workpiece PA.

[0113] Therefore, when the control device 200 moves the tip T of the drawing tool PE to the start point La, the drawing tool PE does not draw a line on the workpiece PA.

[0114] The drawing unit 50 and the support unit 40 may be positioned by the user so that the tip T of the drawing implement PE is located at the starting point La.

[0115] In this case, the control device 200 moves the transport unit 20 to a position corresponding to the support unit 40, so that the first positioning unit 23 and the second positioning unit 43 are attracted to each other.

[0116] Next, with the tip T of the drawing implement PE positioned above the start point La, the control device 200 places the plotting device 100 in the above-described suction state.

[0117] Specifically, the control device 200 passes current through the electromagnet 22 in the first flow direction described above, causing the electromagnet 22 and the lifting magnet 51 to attract each other through magnetic force, thereby bringing the tip T of the drawing tool PE into contact with the starting point La on the top surface of the workpiece PA.

[0118] Next, while maintaining the plotting device 100 in an adsorption state, the control device 200 moves the conveying unit 20 using the movable unit 10 so that the tip T of the drawing tool PE moves from the start point La to the interruption point Lb based on the path data from the start point La to the interruption point Lb contained in the plot information PD.

[0119] At this time, the tip T of the drawing tool PE is in contact with the top surface of the workpiece PA, so that the line L is drawn on the workpiece PA from the start point La to the interruption point Lb by the drawing tool PE.

[0120] When tip T of drawing implement PE reaches interruption point Lb, control device 200 applies a current to electromagnet 22 in the second flow direction, thereby putting plotting device 100 into a repulsive state.

[0121] The control device 200 moves the conveying unit 20 by the movable unit 10 so that the tip T of the drawing tool PE moves from the interruption point Lb (first interruption point) reached by drawing the line L from the starting point La to the next interruption point Lb (second interruption point) while maintaining the plotting device 100 in a repulsive state.

[0122] In the path from the first interruption point to the second interruption point, the tip T of the drawing tool PE is separated from the workpiece PA, so no line is drawn on the workpiece PA.

[0123] When tip T of drawing implement PE reaches the second interruption point, control device 200 applies a current to electromagnet 22 in the first flow direction, thereby placing plotting device 100 in an adsorption state.

[0124] The control device 200 puts the plotting device 100 into an adsorption state, thereby drawing the line L again from the second interruption point on the workpiece PA with the tip T of the drawing implement PE.

[0125] In this way, the control device 200 controls the movable unit 10 and the conveying unit 20 based on the plot information PD, and causes the plot device 100 to draw a predetermined line.

[0126] The plotting system 1 switches the plotting device 100 between an attractive state and a repulsive state by switching the direction of the current flowing through the electromagnet 22, and draws a predetermined line on the drawing material PA by moving the conveying unit 20, the support unit 40, and the drawing unit 50 by controlling the movable unit 10.

[0127] After the plotting device 100 has completed drawing the predetermined line, the control device 200 stops supplying current to the electromagnet 22 .

[0128] After completing the line drawing operation using the plotting device 100, for example, the user changes the pen (drawing implement) PE in preparation for the next drawing operation.

[0129] For example, the user prepares in advance a new drawing unit 50 to which the pen (drawing implement) PE to be used next is attached, and a new support unit 40 into which the new drawing unit 50 is inserted.

[0130] After completing the drawing operation, the user removes the support part 40 and the drawing part 50 from the upper surface of the drawing material PA, and places a new support part 40 and drawing part 50 on the upper surface of the drawing material PA. At this time, the user may replace the drawing material PA with a new one.

[0131] The user can easily replace the pen (drawing implement) PE by repositioning the support part 40 and the drawing part 50 on the upper surface of the drawing material PA.

[0132] For example, by preparing in advance multiple drawing implements PE that differ from one another in color or pen thickness, and the drawing units 50 and support units 40 corresponding to each drawing implement PE, the user can easily cause the plotting device 100 to perform drawing operations using multiple drawing implements PE that differ from one another in color or pen thickness.

[0133] The plotting device 100 of this embodiment has a base 30 on one (upper) surface (top surface 30a) of which a drawing material PA can be placed, an electromagnet 22, and a first positioning portion 23, and is equipped with a transporting portion 20 provided on the other (lower) surface of the base 30, a movable portion 10 that can move the transporting portion 20 relative to the base 30, a drawing portion 50 that has a lifting magnet 51 that attracts or repels the electromagnet 22 by magnetic force and a fixed portion 52 that connects the lifting magnet 51 to a drawing tool PE that can draw on the drawing material PA, a second positioning portion 43 that attracts the first positioning portion 23 by magnetic force, and a support opening 42 through which the drawing portion 50 can be inserted, and is equipped with a support portion 40 that is placed on one (upper) surface of the drawing material PA.

[0134] The drawing unit 50 is capable of moving the tip T of the drawing tool PE back and forth within the support opening 42 in a direction that moves it closer to or away from the workpiece PA, and when the electromagnet 22 and the lifting magnet 51 attract each other due to magnetic force, drawing can be performed on the workpiece PA by bringing the tip T of the drawing tool PE into contact with the workpiece PA, and when the electromagnet 22 and the lifting magnet 51 repel each other due to magnetic force, the tip T of the drawing tool PE is positioned within the support opening 42 in a state that is spaced apart from the workpiece PA.

[0135] With this configuration, the user can easily replace the pen (drawing implement) PE by replacing the drawing part 50 to which the pen (drawing implement) PE is attached and the support part 40 through which the drawing part 50 is inserted onto the top surface of the drawing material PA.

[0136] In conventional plotting devices, when a pen is attached, a calibration process must be performed to calibrate the pen's position. For example, the calibration process is performed by using the attached pen to write a test piece of paper. At this time, the conventional plotting device controls the coordinate of the pen in the Z-axis direction.

[0137] The plotting device 100 controls the position of the drawing implement (pen) PE in the Z-axis direction by the attractive and repulsive forces acting between the electromagnet 22 and the lifting magnet 51, so there is no need for calibration work as with conventional plotting devices, and the preparation work required to start the drawing operation can be reduced.

[0138] The plotting device 100 does not require test writing in the calibration process, so the amount of paper used for test writing can be reduced.

[0139] In addition, the plotting device 100 can easily position the support part 40 and the drawing part 50 horizontally (in the X-axis direction and Y-axis direction) relative to the conveying part 20 by positioning the support part 40 at a position on the upper surface of the drawing material PA where the second positioning part 43 corresponds to the first positioning part 23.

[0140] Furthermore, in conventional plotting devices, an arm that moves the pen relative to the paper is often provided above the paper. The arm extends from the outside to the inside of the paper and has a length, for example, equal to the width of the paper. Therefore, in conventional plotting devices, the arm obstructs the movement of the pen performing the drawing operation, making it difficult for the user to visually observe the movement of the pen.

[0141] In the plotting device 100 of this embodiment, when performing a drawing operation, only the drawing unit 50 with the drawing implement (pen) PE attached and the support unit 40 are placed on the upper surface of the drawing material (paper) PA, and no arm or the like extending from the outside to the inside of the drawing material PA is provided above the drawing material PA.

[0142] Therefore, when the plotting device 100 is performing a drawing operation, the user can easily see the movement of the drawing implement (pen) PE.

[0143] As a result, for example, when drawing an autograph with the plotting device 100, compared to when a conventional plotting device is used, the user can have a sensation closer to seeing a real person drawing an autograph on paper, and added value such as an improved user experience through live performance can be added to the drawing action. The above-mentioned autograph refers to, for example, a celebrity drawing their own name or the like on colored paper for their fans.

[0144] Furthermore, for example, by drawing the above-mentioned sign using a plotting device 100 in which a doll modeled after a specified character is attached to the drawing implement PE, or a plotting device 100 combined with AR (augmented reality) technology, it is possible to create an effect in which the specified character is drawing the sign.

[0145] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design modifications and the like are also included within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components shown in the above-described embodiment and the following modified examples can be appropriately combined to form a configuration.

[0146] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, the first positioning portion 23 and the second positioning portion 43 are magnets, but the form of the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion is not limited to this.

[0147] The first positioning portion and the second positioning portion may be positioned by attracting each other with magnetic force, and for example, one may be a magnet and the other may be a magnetic material such as iron.

[0148] (Variation 2) In the above embodiment, the support opening 42 has the first support opening 42a and the second support opening 42b, but the form of the support opening is not limited to this.

[0149] The support opening may have any shape as long as it allows the drawing unit 50, to which the drawing tool PE is attached, to move forward and backward in the Z-axis direction, and may be, for example, a circular, elliptical, or polygonal opening when viewed from above in the Z-axis direction. The shape of the support opening can be any appropriate shape that matches the shapes of the drawing tool PE and the drawing unit 50.

[0150] (Variation 3) In the above embodiment, the Z axis indicates the vertical up-down direction, but the Z axis is not limited to this. The Z axis may be inclined at a predetermined angle from the vertical up-down direction. In this case, the X axis and the Y axis are inclined at a predetermined angle from the horizontal direction.

[0151] Even if the Z axis is tilted at a predetermined angle from the vertical direction, the drawing unit 50 can move forward and backward inside the support opening 42 by being supported by the support unit 40, and the tip T of the drawing tool PE can be moved closer to or farther away from the workpiece PA. [Explanation of symbols]

[0152] 1...plotting system, 300...input device, 200...control device, 100...plotting device, 10...movable part, 20...transport part, 22...electromagnet, 23...first positioning part, 30...base part, 30a...top surface of base part, 40...support part, 42...support opening, 43...second positioning part, 50...drawing part, 51...lifting magnet, 52...fixed part, PA...drawing material (paper), PE...drawing implement (pen), T...tip of drawing implement (pen tip), PD...plot information

Claims

1. a base on one surface of which a drawing material can be placed; a carrier portion provided on the other side of the base portion, the carrier portion having an electromagnet and a first positioning portion; a movable unit that can move the carrier unit relative to the platform unit; a drawing unit having an elevating magnet that attracts or repels the electromagnet by magnetic force, and a fixing unit that connects the elevating magnet to a drawing implement that can draw on the drawing object; a support part that is placed on the one surface of the drawing object and that has a second positioning part that attracts the first positioning part by magnetic force and a support opening through which the drawing part can be inserted; Equipped with The drawing unit The tip of the drawing tool can move forward and backward within the support opening in a direction approaching or moving away from the drawing object, When the electromagnet and the lifting magnet attract each other by magnetic force, drawing can be performed on the workpiece by bringing the tip of the drawing tool into contact with the workpiece, When the electromagnet and the lifting magnet repel each other due to magnetic force, the tip of the drawing tool is disposed in the support opening in a state separated from the workpiece. Plot device.

2. When the carrier moves relative to the platform, the support portion moves relative to the base portion together with the carrier portion as the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion attract each other, the drawing unit moves together with the support unit relative to the base unit while being disposed within the support opening; The plotting device of claim 1 .

3. the support part is detachable from the one surface of the drawing object, the drawing unit is removable from the one surface of the drawing object together with the support unit while being disposed in the support opening; The plotting device of claim 1 .

4. The drawing unit is detachably inserted into the support opening. The plotting device of claim 1 .

5. In a direction in which the carrier can be moved by the movable part, the support part is disposed at a position where the second positioning part corresponds to the first positioning part and the support opening corresponds to the electromagnet. The plotting device of claim 1 .

6. A plotting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5; a control device that acquires plot information including coordinates of lines to be drawn on the drawing object by the drawing unit, and controls the movable unit and the conveying unit based on the plot information; Equipped with Plot system.

7. The control device controlling a current supplied to the electromagnet based on the plot information to raise and lower the imaging unit and move the carrier unit relative to the platform; causing the drawing unit to draw a line based on the plot information on the one surface of the drawing target; The plotting system of claim 6.

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