Coupling device for use in image creation and cropping device

Abstract

To provide a coupling device which can achieve good coupling between a cutting head and an ink head even if respective adsorption faces of a magnet and a sheet metal are not parallel to each other.SOLUTION: A coupling device has: a first member 28 which is movably provided on an extended rail; a second member 24 which is juxtaposed to the first member 28 on the rail in an extension direction of the rail, and is movably provided on the rail; a magnet 32 which is located on the second member 24 side of the first member 28; and an attachment sheet metal 34 which is located on the first member 28 side of the second member 24. The coupling device couples and separates the first member 28 and the second member 24 by adsorbing and separating the magnet 32 and the sheet metal 34. This coupling device comprises a deformable variable component 36 which is interposed between the first member 28 and the magnet 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a joining device, and more particularly to a joining device for use in an image production and cropping machine. [Background technology]

[0002] The image creation and cutting device has an ink head for printing on media such as recording paper, and a cutting head for cutting the media. The ink head and the cutting head are configured to be freely connected and separated via a connecting device made up of magnets.

[0003] The cutting head is configured to be able to move independently on a linear rail via a wire driven by a drive motor, and the ink head is connected to the cutting head via a connecting device, thereby being able to move on the linear rail together with the cutting head.

[0004] When creating an image, the cutting head and the ink head are connected, and printing is performed on the media while moving the cutting head and the ink head. When cutting, the cutting head and the ink head are separated, and cutting is performed on the media while moving only the cutting head.

[0005] The connecting device is composed of a magnet disposed on one of the cutting head and the ink head, and a metal plate disposed on the other head. The heads are connected to each other by attracting the magnet to the metal plate. The heads are separated from each other by supplying a predetermined amount of current to the drive motor, which moves the cutting head against the attractive force of the magnet via a wire, thereby separating the ink head from the cutting head (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-74634 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] If the contact surfaces (adsorption surfaces) of the magnets arranged on one head and the metal plate arranged on the other head are in a good opposing state, for example, parallel to each other, the two heads are well connected by the magnetic attraction. That is, the ink head and the cutting head are joined with a good connecting force. However, if one contact surface is not in a good opposing state with respect to the other contact surface, for example, if the contact surfaces are not parallel to each other and form an angle, the angle is not corrected because the two heads are configured to slide on the rail, and even if the magnetic attraction is sufficient, there is a problem that the connecting force between the heads is weak. If the connecting force is weak, the two heads may be unintentionally separated during the operation of the image creation and cutting device, causing a problem in that normal operation is hindered.

[0008] That is, it is difficult to make the contact surface of the magnet with the metal plate and the contact surface of the metal plate with the magnet perfectly parallel for manufacturing and installation reasons. On the other hand, even if the contact surfaces are at a slight angle, sufficient connecting force can be obtained by increasing the magnetic attraction force of the magnet, but increasing the magnetic attraction force increases the cost of the magnet and the weight of the head, making it impractical.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a connecting device that ensures good connection between a cutting head and an ink head even when the respective adsorption surfaces of the magnet and the sheet metal are not parallel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention Used in image creation and cropping devices The coupling device is movably disposed on an extended rail. Ink head and on the rail Ink head are arranged in parallel in the extending direction of the rail and are arranged movably on the rail. Cutting Head And the above Ink head The above Cutting Head side Or, one of the cutting heads on the ink head side A magnet installed in the Cutting Head The above Ink head side Or, the other of the ink heads on the cutting head side and a magnetic member disposed on the magnet, and the magnet and the magnetic member are attracted to each other and separated from each other to form the magnetic recording medium. Ink head and the above Cutting Head Connecting and disconnecting Used in image creation and cropping devices In the coupling device, Ink head or cutting head and the magnet, or Cutting head or the ink head and a deformable member interposed between the magnetizable member and the When the adsorption surface of the magnet or the magnetizable member is attached at an angle θ to the moving direction of the cutting head and the ink head, rather than at a right angle, the deformable member deforms in accordance with the angle θ, and angles the magnet or the magnetizable member. It is characterized by:

[0011] the above Used in image creation and cropping devices The coupling device moves along the rails. Ink head and Cutting Head but, Ink head or cutting head With magnets installed in Cutting head or ink head When the magnet is attached to the magnetic member installed on the Ink head or cutting head between the magnet or Cutting head or ink head The presence of the variable member between the magnet and the magnetizable member ensures that the magnet always maintains a good state of attraction. Magnetic material Even in a situation where the adsorption portions of the two components are not reliably facing each other in a favorable facing state, the variable member deforms during adsorption, thereby changing the state to a favorable facing state, and the adsorption state becomes stable in a favorable state. In other words, when the adsorption surface of the magnet or magnetizable member is attached at an angle θ to the moving direction of the cutting head and ink head rather than perpendicular to it, the deformable member deforms to match the angle θ and angles the magnet or magnetizable member, thereby achieving a good adsorption state between the magnet and the magnetizable member. The variable member can be composed of various objects and mechanisms. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the connecting device of the present invention, the first and second members sliding on the rails always exert a good connecting force due to the magnet arranged on the first member and the magnetizable member arranged on the second member, so that an image creation and cutting device using this can be operated in a stable connected state, thereby improving stability and reliability. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image creating and cutting device according to a first embodiment of a coupling device of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an ink head and a cutting head of the imaging and cutting device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ink head and the cutting head of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the ink head and cutting head of FIG. 2 connected together. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a second embodiment of the connecting device of the present invention, in which an ink head and a cutting head are connected to each other. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The coupling device of the present invention for use in an image production and cutting machine will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image creating and cutting device 10 employing the coupling device of the present invention, according to a first embodiment of the coupling device of the present invention. The image creating and cutting device 10 has an ink head 28 for printing on a medium 26 such as recording paper, and a cutting head 24 for cutting the recording paper after printing. In this embodiment, the ink head 28 is assumed to be the first member, and the cutting head 24 is assumed to be the second member.

[0016] The image creating and cutting device 10 includes a base member 14 supported by a base member 12 and disposed to extend in the main scanning direction.

[0017] A left side member 16L and a right side member 16R are arranged on the left and right ends of the base member 14, respectively, and a guide rail 20 is arranged on the wall surface of a central wall 18 that connects the left side member 16L and the right side member 16R, extending in the main scanning direction.

[0018] A wire 22 is disposed parallel to the wall surface of the central wall 18 so as to be movable in the main scanning direction, and a cutting head 24 is fixedly disposed on the wire 22 so as to be slidable on the guide rail 20. The movement of the wire 22 is controlled by a drive motor 44.

[0019] Therefore, the cutting head 24 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction on the guide rail 20 via the wire 22 by being driven by the drive motor 44 .

[0020] Furthermore, an ink head 28 is disposed to the right of the cutting head 24 so as to be slidable on the guide rail 20, and the cutting head 24 and the ink head 28 are configured to be connectable and detachable via a connecting device 30.

[0021] The cutting head 24 and the ink head 28 are disposed so as to face a sheet 26 , which is a medium, positioned on the base member 14 .

[0022] The overall operation of the image creating and cutting device 10 described above is controlled by a microcomputer (not shown) mounted in the right side member 16R, and the sheet 26 is transported from the rear side to the front side in the sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction in FIG. 1.

[0023] Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a coupling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The diagram is a top view of the imaging and cutting device 10, and does not show the connection between the ink head 28 and the cutting head 24 and the wires 22 and the guide rails 20. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the coupling device 30. The coupling device 30 is made up of a magnet 32, a sheet metal 34 which is a magnetic material, and G The ink head 28 is configured to have a rubber member 36. The rubber member 36 is a deformable and variable member and is configured from an elastic member. In this embodiment, the ink head 28 is assumed to be the first member and the cutting head 24 is assumed to be the second member.

[0024] In this embodiment, the magnet 32 ​​is disposed on the left side of the ink head 28, and the metal plate 34 is disposed on the right side of the cutting head 24, with a rubber member 36 attached between the magnet 32 ​​and the ink head 28. That is, the magnet 32 ​​is disposed on the second member (cutting head 24) side of the first member (ink head 28), and the metal plate 34, which is a magnetizable member, is disposed on the first member (ink head 28) side of the second member (cutting head 24).

[0025] The magnet 32 ​​is a cylindrical permanent magnet, and is preferably a neodymium magnet, for example. Its size is smaller than the left side surface of the ink head 28, with a thickness of about 5 mm. A hole 32a is formed in the center of the magnet 32, and a male screw 38 is passed through this hole 32a. This male screw 38 screws into a female screw 28b formed on the left side surface of the ink head 28, and the magnet 32 ​​is fixed to the ink head 28. The head of the male screw 38 is configured to be flush with the attraction surface 32b of the magnet 32.

[0026] The metal plate 34 is a rectangular flat plate that is larger than the magnet 32, is made of a material that can be attracted (magnetized) to the magnet 32, and is disposed opposite the attracting surface 32b of the magnet 32. The metal plate 34 is attached to the right side surface of the cutting head 24, and this attachment is performed using a normal fixing method such as screw fixing or adhesive fixing. Although not shown in the present embodiment, the metal plate 34 is fixed to the right side surface of the cutting head 24 with a screw.

[0027] The rubber member 36 as an elastic member is annular, smaller than the diameter of the magnet 32, and has an elastic modulus selected so as to be easily deformable. More specifically, it has an inner diameter equal to the outer diameter of the male screw 38 that is threaded through the magnet 32, and the outer diameter is about 5 mm.

[0028] Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the state before and after the ink head 28 and the cutting head 24 are connected. Fig. 4(a) shows the state before connection, and Fig. 4(b) shows the state after connection. Here, as an example, the magnet 32 ​​is correctly attached to the left side surface 28a of the ink head 28, i.e., the attraction surface 32b of the magnet 32 ​​is attached perpendicular to the main scanning direction, but the attraction surface 34a of the metal plate 34 of the cutting head 24 is attached at an angle θ to the main scanning direction, not perpendicular to the main scanning direction.

[0029] In such a case, if the rubber member 36 of the present invention were not present, the attraction surface 32b of the magnet 32 ​​and the attraction surface 34a of the metal sheet 34 would not be parallel, and although the magnet 32 ​​and part of the metal sheet 34 would be attracted to each other, a gap would remain between the magnet 32 ​​and the metal sheet 34. In such a situation, even if the magnet 32 ​​has a sufficient attraction force, the magnet 32 ​​and the metal sheet 34 are in a state of point or line contact, so that the attraction force between the magnet 32 ​​and the metal sheet 34 is weak, i.e., the connection force between the ink head 28 and the cutting head 24 is weak, and the image creation and cutting device 10 does not operate normally.

[0030] In the connecting device 30 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the rubber member 36 inserted on the side opposite to the attracting surface 32b of the magnet 32 ​​deforms the rubber member 36 so that the attracting surface 32b of the magnet 32 ​​and the attracting surface 34a of the metal sheet 34 are parallel to each other. Therefore, the contact area between the magnet 32 ​​and the metal sheet 34 increases, and the connecting force between the cutting head 24 and the ink head 28 becomes stronger. That is, the rubber member 36 deforms according to the above-mentioned angle θ, and the magnet 32 ​​is angled so that the attracting surface 32b of the magnet 32 ​​and the attracting surface 34a of the metal sheet 34 become parallel to each other. Therefore, the connecting force between the ink head 28 and the cutting head 24 is always maintained in a good state.

[0031] According to the connecting device 30 of this embodiment, the magnet 32 ​​is fixed to the ink head 28 with a screw, sandwiching the rubber member 36. Therefore, since the rubber member 36 is fixed at the center, the magnet 32 ​​can be displaced in the main scanning direction at any angle over 360 degrees around the male screw 38 as viewed in the main scanning direction, and the attraction surface 32b of the magnet 32 ​​can be easily made parallel to the attraction surface 34a of the metal plate 34. Therefore, the connecting force between the ink head 28 and the cutting head 24 is always maintained in a good state.

[0032] In particular, the outer diameter of the rubber member 36, which is a deformable and elastic member, is set to be smaller than the diameter of the magnet 32, so the entire rubber member 36 deforms. Therefore, compared to when the outer diameter of the rubber member 36 is the same as or larger than the outer diameter of the magnet 32, the amount of displacement in the main scanning direction can be made larger, making it easier to set an angle using the magnet 32. This allows the attraction surface 32b of the magnet 32 ​​and the attraction surface 34a of the metal plate 34 to be connected in a state parallel to each other.

[0033] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment of a connecting device of the present invention. The difference from the first embodiment is that a rubber member 36, which is an elastic member, is attached to the metal plate 34 side, not to the magnet 32 ​​side.

[0034] In this embodiment, the rubber member 36 is flat and is adhesively fixed to the right side surface 24a of the cutting head 24. The metal plate 34 is adhesively fixed to the rubber member 36. The rubber member 36 has an appropriately selected elastic modulus and is smaller in size than the metal plate 34, so that it is configured to be able to absorb the displacement applied to the metal plate 34 in the main scanning direction.

[0035] Even with this configuration, for example as shown in Fig. 5(a), even if the magnet 32 ​​is attached at an angle to the left side surface 28a of the ink head 28, the rubber member 36 on the opposite side to the attraction surface 34a of the metal plate 34 absorbs the inclination, and the attraction surface 32b of the magnet 32 ​​and the attraction surface 34a of the metal plate 34 deform so as to become parallel to each other. Therefore, the connecting force between the cutting head 24 and the ink head 28 is excellent.

[0036] In addition, since the size of the rubber member 36 is smaller than the metal plate 34, the entire rubber member 36 deforms, and the amount of displacement in the main scanning direction can be increased, making it easier to set an angle using the metal plate 34. This allows the attraction surface 32b of the magnet 32 ​​and the attraction surface 34a of the metal plate 34 to be connected in a state parallel to each other.

[0037] Although not illustrated in the embodiment, a good connecting force between the first and second members can also be achieved by using a plastic resin such as sponge as the deformable member instead of a rubber member, which is an elastic member.

[0038] Although not shown in the embodiment, various mechanisms can be used instead of the deformable member interposed between the first member and the magnet or between the second member and the magnetizable member. For example, the magnet can be installed on the first member using a mechanism that flexibly supports the magnet. The metal plate of the magnetizable member can also be installed on the second member using a mechanism that flexibly supports the metal plate. Even with this configuration, a good connecting force between the first member and the second member can be obtained. Examples of such mechanisms include a swing support mechanism and a point support mechanism.

[0039] In this embodiment, a rubber member, which is an elastic member, is used as the deformable member, but as described above, it is also possible to use a resin sponge or the like.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the ink head 28 is the first member and the cutting head 24 is the second member, but the cutting head 24 may be the first member and the ink head 28 may be the second member. Also, the magnet 32 ​​is attached to the ink head 28, but it may be attached to the cutting head 24.

[0041] That is, the first member corresponds to either the ink head 28 or the cutting head 24, and the second member corresponds to the other of the ink head 28 or the cutting head 24.

[0042] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the elastic member as the deformable member is exemplified as a circular rubber member and a flat rubber member, but is not limited to these. The shape may also be pentagonal or hexagonal. The magnet is also cylindrical, but is not limited to this and may be flat. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 10. Image Creation and Crop Equipment 12 Base member 14 Base material 16L Left side member 16R Right side member 18 Central wall 20 Guide rail 22 Wire 24 Cutting head (second component) 26 Media (recording paper) 28 Ink head (first member) 28a Left side 28b female thread 30 Coupling device 32 Magnet 34 Sheet metal (magnetic parts) 36 Rubber materials (deformable materials, elastic materials) 44 Drive motor

Claims

1. a cutting head arranged on said rail in a juxtaposed relationship with said ink head in the extending direction of said rail and arranged movably on said rail; a magnet provided on one side of said ink head or said ink head side of said cutting head; and a magnetic member provided on the other side of said ink head or said ink head side of said cutting head, said connecting device being used in an image creating and cutting device for connecting and separating said ink head and said cutting head by attracting and separating said magnet and said magnetic member, a deformable member interposed between the ink head or the cutting head and the magnet, or between the cutting head or the ink head and the magnetizable member, A connecting device for an image creating and cutting device, characterized in that when the adhesive surface of the magnet or the magnetizable member is attached at an angle θ to the moving direction of the cutting head and the ink head rather than perpendicular to the moving direction of the cutting head and the ink head, the deformable member deforms to match the angle θ and angles the magnet or the magnetizable member.

2. 2. The connector for use in an imaging and cropping machine of claim 1, wherein said deformable member is comprised of an elastic member.

3. 3. A coupling device for an imaging and cutting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer diameter of said deformable member is smaller than the outer diameter of said magnet or said magnetizable member.

4. 3. A connecting device for use in an image creating and cutting device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the magnetic member has a flat portion arranged opposite to the attraction surface of the magnet, and a size of the flat portion of the magnetic member is set to be larger than a size of the magnet.

5. 3. A connecting device for use in an image creation and cutting device as described in claim 2, characterized in that the magnet is fixed to the ink head side of the cutting head or the cutting head side of the ink head by a fastening member at the center of the elastic member, and the fastening member is positioned so that its upper end does not protrude from the attraction surface of the magnet.

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