Printing device

Abstract

To enable a finger to be arranged in a proper position.SOLUTION: A finger position adjustment mechanism 4 comprises a finger holder 41 where a finger is arranged. The finger holder 41 is moved while being intermittently locked in its longitudinal direction D. This enables the finger U to be arranged in a proper position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to Printing device .

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a printing device (nail print device) for printing designs on nails or the like has been known, and users can print various designs and enjoy them. For example, in the printing device described in Patent Document 1, when a finger is placed in a depression formed in accordance with the shape of the finger, a design is printed on the nail of that finger.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, since the depression for placing the finger is formed in a specific shape, a finger whose length does not match cannot be placed in a natural state in the depression. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to enable a finger to be placed at an appropriate position.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To achieve the above object, the Printing device of the present invention includes a finger placement portion where a finger is placed, and Printing means for printing the claws of the fingers arranged in the finger arrangement part an intermittent movement mechanism configured to be movable while intermittently locking the finger placement portion in a first direction of the finger placement portion, and is provided with Well The intermittent movement mechanism A plurality of teeth provided in the finger arrangement part and arranged along the first direction A locking claw with a fixed position in the first direction Second biasing means for biasing the locking claw toward the finger arrangement part and meshing the locking claw with the plurality of teeth Release means for releasing the biasing force of the second biasing means and releasing the meshing between the locking claw and the plurality of teeth Characterized by comprising.

Advantages of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, the finger can be placed at an appropriate position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. Note that, although various technically preferable limitations are imposed on the following embodiments for carrying out the present invention, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples. In the following embodiments, the case where the finger position adjustment mechanism according to the present invention targets the fingers of the hand will be described as an example. However, the target of the finger position adjustment mechanism according to the present invention is not limited to the fingers of the hand, and for example, it may target the toes. That is, the drying device and the printing device according to the present invention target the fingers (nails) of the hand or foot as the drying target or the printing target.

[0009] [First Embodiment] First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the case where the finger position adjustment mechanism according to the present invention is applied to a drying device for drying fingers will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a drying device 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the drying device 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 3. Note that, in FIG. 2, the upper cover 3 described later is not shown. In the following embodiments, up, down, left, right, front, and rear refer to the directions shown in the figures.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the drying device 1 has a main body case 2 formed in a substantially box shape. The upper surface of the main body case 2 is open, and this opening is closed by a substantially flat upper cover 3. The upper cover 3 has a ventilation hole 31 formed over most of it, and the ventilation hole 31 communicates the inside and outside of the main body case 2. In addition, an opening 21 is provided on the front surface of the main body case 2 over substantially the entire surface except for the upper part thereof. The opening 21 functions as an insertion port or the like for inserting a finger U (see FIG. 3) having a nail T to be dried into the main body case 2.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 2, a finger position adjusting mechanism 4 is accommodated inside the main body case 2. The finger position adjusting mechanism 4 includes an intermittent movement mechanism according to the present invention, and supports the plurality of fingers U while individually adjusting the longitudinal positions of the plurality of fingers U, and dries the claws T of each finger U. Specifically, the finger position adjusting mechanism 4 includes a plurality (six in this embodiment) of finger arrangement units 40 arranged side by side left and right. The plurality of finger arrangement units 40 correspond to the plurality of fingers U, and among them, the four in the left and right centers are the first finger arrangement units 40a for arranging the four fingers other than the thumb, and the two on the left and right sides are the second finger arrangement units 40b for arranging the thumbs. The two second finger arrangement units 40b are such that the left one is for the right thumb (see FIG. 7), the right one is for the left thumb, and they are inclined left and right so that the upper surface faces obliquely upward and outward of the device. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the first finger arrangement unit 40a for arranging the four fingers other than the thumb will be taken as an example for description. The second finger arrangement unit 40b is configured substantially the same as the first finger arrangement unit 40a except for the above-described left and right inclinations.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each finger arrangement unit 40 has a finger rest 41, a first biasing spring 42, a locking claw 43, and a second biasing spring 44. The finger rest 41 is an example of a finger arrangement portion according to the present invention, and is a portion where one finger U of the hand is arranged, and is formed to be long in the front-rear direction. The upper surface of the finger rest 41 is a finger placement surface 41a for supporting the finger U, and is formed in a concave shape with the left and right centers recessed corresponding to the belly of the finger U. The longitudinal direction D (front-rear direction, first direction) of the finger rest 41 corresponds to the extending direction of the finger U arranged on the finger rest 41, and one side (rear side) thereof corresponds to the tip side of the finger U.

[0013] The finger rest 41 is supported by the main body case 2 so as to be movable back and forth. Specifically, the lower surface of the main body case 2 has a substantially front half portion of the portion excluding both left and right sides raised in an isosceles trapezoid shape, and on the upper surface of this raised portion, a partition plate 24 that partitions the upper surface into a plurality of lanes 23 corresponding to the plurality of finger rests 41 is erected. On the side surface of the partition plate 24, guide protrusions 24a extending along the front and rear are erected, and on both side surfaces of the finger rest 41, guide grooves 41b corresponding to the guide protrusions 24a are formed. The finger rest 41 is supported so as to be movable back and forth by engaging the guide grooves 41b with the guide protrusions 24a of the main body case 2 in a guidable manner.

[0014] A small fan motor 411, which is an example of the finger drying means according to the present invention, is integrally provided at the rear end portion of the finger rest 41. The fan motor 411 is fixed to a fan support portion 41c erected at the rear end of the finger rest 41 and is arranged so as to be able to blow air downward above the rear end portion of the finger placement surface 41a. The fan motor 411 blows air toward the claw T arranged at the rear end portion of the finger placement surface 41a. Note that the finger drying means according to the present invention is not limited to a fan motor as long as it is provided on each finger rest 41 and can dry the finger U (claw T), and may be, for example, a heating element or the like.

[0015] The first biasing spring 42 is arranged behind the finger rest 41 and between the finger rest 41 and the rear portion of the main body case 2. This first biasing spring 42 is an example of the first biasing means according to the present invention and biases the finger rest 41 forward.

[0016] The locking claw 43 and the second biasing spring 44 are for intermittently moving the finger rest 41 backward. Among these, the locking claw 43 is arranged below the finger rest 41 and is configured to be able to mesh with a plurality of teeth 41d formed on the lower surface of the finger rest 41. The second biasing spring 44 is an example of the second biasing means according to the present invention, biases the locking claw 43 upward toward the finger rest 41, and meshes the locking claw 43 with the plurality of teeth 41d. Specifically, the locking claw 43 is inserted into a through hole 23a formed in the lane 23 of the main body case 2 and is supported so as to be movable vertically while its position in the front-rear direction is fixed. A plurality of teeth 41d that mesh with the locking claw 43 are arranged along the longitudinal direction D of the finger rest 41 over substantially the entire lower surface of the finger rest 41.

[0017] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the tip (upper end) of the locking claw 43 is formed in a substantially serrated shape having a front surface that curves gradually rearward toward the tip and a flat rear surface that is substantially orthogonal to the front-rear direction. On the other hand, the tip (lower end) of each tooth 41d of the finger rest 41 is formed in a substantially serrated shape having a flat front surface that is substantially orthogonal to the front-rear direction and a rear surface that curves gradually forward toward the tip.

[0018] With such a configuration, when the finger rest 41 attempts to move forward while the locking claw 43 is engaged with the plurality of teeth 41d, the flat front surface of the tooth 41d and the rear surface of the locking claw 43 come into contact with each other. As a result, the finger rest 41 is locked by the locking claw 43 and its forward movement is restricted. On the other hand, when the finger rest 41 attempts to move rearward, the rear surface of the tooth 41d that curves so as to face each other and the front surface of the locking claw 43 come into contact, and the tooth 41d pushes the locking claw 43 downward against the biasing force of the second biasing spring 44. Then, when the tooth 41d that has pushed down the locking claw 43 passes rearward, the locking claw 43 is biased upward by the second biasing spring 44 and returns to the position in front of the tooth 41d and is locked to the next tooth 41d adjacent to the front of the tooth 41d. By repeating this, the finger rest 41 moves rearward while being intermittently locked at the pitch between adjacent teeth 41d. Therefore, when the plurality of teeth 41d are engaged with the locking claw 43, the finger rest 41 moves intermittently toward one side (rearward) in the longitudinal direction D, and its movement toward the other side (forward) in the longitudinal direction D is restricted.

[0019] Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the finger position adjusting mechanism 4 includes a release plate 46 that releases the engagement between the locking claw 43 and the plurality of teeth 41d. The release plate 46 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape orthogonal to the vertical direction, and supports the locking claw 43 and the second biasing spring 44 from below. More specifically, the locking claws 43 and the second biasing springs 44 of all the finger placement units 40 are supported by the support plate 47, and the release plate 46 supports the locking claw 43 and the second biasing spring 44 via the support plate 47. The release plate 46 is housed below the lower surface of the main body case 2 that bulges in the shape of an isosceles trapezoid, and is supported by the main body case 2 and the lower cover 5 so as to be movable back and forth with its lower side covered by the lower cover 5. Further, a handle portion 46c for the user to operate the release plate 46 back and forth is formed at the center of the left and right of the front end of the release plate 46.

[0020] The release plate 46 has a high platform portion 46a on the front side and a low platform portion 46b on the rear side thereof via a stepped portion 46d slightly on the rear side of the center in the front-rear direction. The high platform portion 46a and the low platform portion 46b are integrally formed by a plurality of fins standing along the front-rear direction. The high platform portion 46a is formed at a height to support the support plate 47 (the locking claw 43 and the second biasing spring 44) so that the locking claw 43 can mesh with the plurality of teeth 41d. The high platform portion 46a supports the support plate 47 in the normal state where the release plate 46 is housed in the main body case 2. Further, the rear end portion (the connecting portion with the low platform portion 46b) of the high platform portion 46a is formed in a tapered shape that smoothly connects to the low platform portion 46b so that the support plate 47 can easily return from the low platform portion 46b (easily climb the stepped portion 46d). The low platform portion 46b is at a lower height than the high platform portion 46a, and is formed at a height to support the support plate 47 (the locking claw 43 and the second biasing spring 44) so as to release the engagement between the locking claw 43 and the plurality of teeth 41d (separate the locking claw 43 and the plurality of teeth 41d). Therefore, when the release plate 46 is moved forward from the normal position, the biasing force of the second biasing spring 44 is temporarily released in all the finger placement units 40, and the engagement between the locking claw 43 and the plurality of teeth 41d is released (see FIG. 8). Note that, among the release plates 46, the left and right side portions corresponding to the second finger placement unit 40b are formed lower by an amount corresponding to the inclination of the second finger placement unit 40b than the portions corresponding to the first finger placement unit 40a so that the support plate 47 (locking claw 43 and second biasing spring 44) can also be supported in the second finger placement unit 40b in the same manner as in the first finger placement unit 40a. Further, the release plate 46 may be provided individually in each finger placement unit 40 so as to release the biasing force of the second biasing spring 44 and release the engagement between the locking claw 43 and the plurality of teeth 41d.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a control block diagram showing a schematic control configuration of the drying apparatus 1. As shown in this figure, in addition to the above-described configuration, the drying apparatus 1 includes an operation unit 61, a storage unit 64, a control unit 65, and the like.

[0022] The operation unit 61 is configured to be able to perform various inputs, settings, etc. according to a user's operation, and an input signal corresponding to the operation received by the operation unit 61 is transmitted to the control unit 65. The operation unit 61 of the present embodiment includes, for example, a button for starting / stopping the fan motor 411. However, the specific configuration of the operation unit 61 is not particularly limited, and for example, various operation buttons, a keyboard, a pointing device, a touch panel, etc. may be provided as the operation unit 61. The storage unit 64 stores various information and various programs for operating the drying apparatus 1. The control unit 65 controls each part of the drying apparatus 1. By expanding and executing the program of the storage unit 64 in the work area, the control unit 65 performs overall control of each part of the drying apparatus 1.

[0023] Note that the drying apparatus 1 may be configured to be communicable with a terminal device (not shown) that functions as a user interface. The terminal device is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet. However, the terminal device is not particularly limited as long as it can communicate with the drying apparatus 1, and may be, for example, a notebook or stationary personal computer, a terminal device for games, or the like. Further, the drying device 1 may include a display unit or the like that displays various information based on a display command from the control unit 65.

[0024] Subsequently, the operation of the drying device 1 will be described. FIGS. 6 and 8 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the drying device 1, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state when the right hand H is inserted into the drying device 1.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 6(a), in the drying device 1 when not in use (not drying the fingers), in each finger placement unit 40, the finger rest 41 is biased by the first biasing spring 42 and is located at the front end of its movement range. Further, the release plate 46 is entirely housed in the main body case 2, and the high platform portion 46a supports the support plate 47. Therefore, the locking claw 43 supported by the support plate 47 meshes with the plurality of teeth 41d of the finger rest 41.

[0026] In this state, when the user inserts the finger U into the finger placement surface 41a of the finger rest 41 and pushes the finger rest 41 toward the back side (rear side) of the device with the finger U against the biasing force of the first biasing spring 42, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the finger rest 41 moves backward while being intermittently locked by the locking claw 43. Therefore, the finger rest 41 moves to the front - rear direction position where the finger U can extend naturally without force and is locked there.

[0027] In the finger position adjustment mechanism 4, such movement of the finger rest 41 is performed in each finger placement unit 40 (the plurality of finger rests 41 move individually). Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the five fingers U of the right hand H are individually inserted into the plurality of finger placement units 40, the finger rests 41 of each finger placement unit 40 are arranged at positions corresponding to the lengths of the inserted fingers U. Thereby, the user can arrange each of the plurality of fingers U with different lengths in a natural state.

[0028] Then, the user drives the fan motor 411 provided on each finger rest 41 by operating the operation unit 61. Then, in each finger placement unit 40, the fan motor 411 starts blowing air toward the claw T of the finger U disposed at the rear end of the finger rest 41, and the claw T is dried. Since the fan motor 411 is provided on each finger rest 41, the drying conditions such as the air volume and the air direction can be made uniform for the finger U of each finger rest 41, and the claw T of each finger U can be dried evenly.

[0029] When the drying is completed, as shown in Fig. 8(a), the user stops the fan motor 411, removes the finger U from the finger rest 41, and then pulls out the release plate 46 to the front side (front side) of the apparatus by holding the handle portion 46c. As the release plate 46 moves, the portion supporting the support plate 47 becomes lower from the high platform portion 46a to the low platform portion 46b. As a result, the positions of all the locking claws 43 supported by the support plate 47 are lowered, and the engagement between the locking claws 43 and the plurality of teeth 41d is temporarily released in all the finger placement units 40. Then, as shown in Fig. 8(b), since the locking of the finger rest 41 by the locking claw 43 is released, the finger rest 41 returns to the front end position within its movement range by the biasing force of the first biasing spring 42. Then, by pushing the release plate 46 backward and housing it in the main body case 2, as shown in Fig. 6(a), the finger position adjusting mechanism 4 returns to its original state.

[0030] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the finger rest 41 on which the finger U is disposed moves while being intermittently locked in its longitudinal direction D. Therefore, the finger rest 41 moves to a position where the finger U extends naturally as the finger U is inserted, and is locked there. Thereby, the user can place the finger U on the finger rest 41 in a natural state without force. Therefore, the finger U can be placed at an appropriate position.

[0031] Also, according to the first embodiment, the finger position adjusting mechanism 4 moves the plurality of finger rests 41 individually. Thereby, the user can place each of the plurality of fingers U having different lengths in a natural state.

[0032] Further, according to the first embodiment, the finger position adjusting mechanism 4 includes a second biasing spring 44 that biases the locking claw 43 toward the finger rest 41 and meshes the locking claw 43 with a plurality of teeth 41d, and a release plate 46 that releases the biasing force of the second biasing spring 44 and disengages the locking claw 43 from the plurality of teeth 41d. Thereby, by operating the release plate 46, the engagement between the locking claw 43 and the plurality of teeth 41d can be easily released.

[0033] Further, according to the first embodiment, a plurality of locking claws 43 and a plurality of second biasing springs 44 are respectively provided corresponding to the plurality of finger rests 41, and the release plate 46 temporarily releases the biasing forces of the plurality of second biasing springs 44. Thereby, by operating the release plate 46, the locked states of the plurality of finger rests 41 can be temporarily released collectively.

[0034] Further, according to the first embodiment, the finger position adjusting mechanism 4 includes a first biasing spring 42 that biases the finger rest 41 toward the other side (front side) in the longitudinal direction. Thereby, when the locking of the finger rest 41 is released by the release plate 46, the finger rest 41 can be suitably returned to the forward position by the biasing force of the first biasing spring 42.

[0035] [Second Embodiment] Subsequently, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, a case where the finger position adjusting mechanism according to the present invention is applied to a printing device that prints finger nails will be described. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a main part configuration of a printing device 7 according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a camera support member 72 and the like, which will be described later, are removed from the printing device 7 of FIG. 9. In the following embodiments, up and down, left and right, and front and back refer to the directions shown in each figure. Also, the X direction refers to the left - right direction, and the Y direction refers to the front - back direction.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 9, the printing device 7 includes a device main body 70 housed in a housing (not shown). The apparatus main body 70 includes a base 71, a photographing unit 75 provided thereon, a printing unit 80, a finger position adjustment mechanism 4A, etc.

[0037] The photographing unit 75 is disposed above the finger position adjustment mechanism 4A, and photographs the finger U (see FIG. 12(b)) disposed on the finger position adjustment mechanism 4A to acquire an image thereof. Specifically, the photographing unit 75 is attached to a camera support member 72 erected on the base 71. The camera support member 72 is formed in a portal shape having a top plate 721 and leg portions 722 at both left and right ends thereof, and the leg portions 722 are erected at both left and right ends of the base 71. The top plate 721 is disposed above the finger position adjustment mechanism 4A, and a space through which the print head 81 moves is interposed between the top plate 721 and the finger position adjustment mechanism 4A. The photographing unit 75 includes a photographing camera 76 and two illumination lamps 77 attached to the top plate 721. The photographing camera 76 is disposed at the center in the left-right direction of the top plate 721 of the camera support member 72. The photographing camera 76 is, for example, a small camera configured to include a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) type having 2 million pixels or more and a lens or the like. The two illumination lamps 77 are disposed on both left and right sides of the photographing camera 76 on the top plate 721 of the camera support member 72. Each illumination lamp 77 is composed of, for example, a white LED or the like, and illuminates the photographing object (printing finger) of the photographing camera 76.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 10, the printing unit 80 is a printing means for performing printing on the nail T (see FIG. 12(b)) of the finger U, and is assembled on the base 71. The printing unit 80 includes a print head 81 that performs a printing operation, a carriage 83 that supports the print head 81 so as to be movable in the X direction, an X-direction movement motor 86 and a Y-direction movement motor 88 (see FIG. 11) that move the print head 81 and the carriage 83, etc.

[0039] The printing head 81 is for printing a design on the claw T and can eject inks of various colors such as cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). Note that the types of inks that the printing head 81 can eject are not limited to these, and it may be able to eject inks of other colors.

[0040] The printing head 81 of the present embodiment has an ink ejection surface (not shown) on its lower surface and is an inkjet head that sprays atomized ink (liquid agent) from the ink ejection surface onto the claw surface for printing. In the present embodiment, the printing head 81 can perform, for example, multi-pass printing or single-pass printing, and is configured to be able to perform delicate printing on the surface of the claw and the like. Note that the ejection method of the printing head 81 is not limited to the inkjet method. The configuration of the printing head 81 is not particularly limited. For example, it is a cartridge-integrated head in which a ejection mechanism portion such as an ink ejection surface and an ink cartridge for storing ink are integrated. Also, the type and number of the printing heads 81 are not particularly limited. For example, other printing heads for printing the base ink may be arranged side by side. In this case, the base ink is preferably an ink of white or a color close to it so that the color development of the ink is improved when the design is printed.

[0041] The printing head 81 is detachably held by a holder 82. The holder 82 is supported at the front portion of a carriage 83 so as to be movable in the X direction. The carriage 83 is provided with an X-direction rail 831 extending in the left-right direction, and an X-direction movement motor 86 (see FIG. 11) is mounted thereon. The X-direction rail 831 is inserted through the rear portion of the holder 82. The holder 82 can move in the X direction on the carriage 83 along the X-direction rail 831 when the X-direction movement motor 86 is driven and a drive belt (not shown) rotates.

[0042] The carriage 83 is formed in a rectangular box shape that is long in the left-right direction (X direction), and both left and right end portions are supported by Y-direction rails 832 respectively. Each Y-direction rail 832 extends in the Y direction and supports the carriage 83 so as to be movable in the Y direction. Timing belts 87 are connected to both left and right ends of the carriage 83 via belt clips 833. The timing belts 87 are connected to a Y-direction movement motor 88 (see FIG. 11). The carriage 83 is movable in the Y direction while being supported by the Y-direction rail 832 when the Y-direction movement motor 88 is driven and the timing belts 87 rotate.

[0043] A home position A1 where the print head 81 (holder 82) waits during non-printing is provided at the rear right side of the base 71. A cap portion (not shown) for covering the ink ejection surface on the lower surface of the print head 81 and protecting it from drying etc. is provided at the home position A1. A maintenance area A2 for performing maintenance such as cleaning of the print head 81 during non-printing is provided at the rear left side of the base 71. Although not shown in the figure, a purge portion for performing a purge (spit) process, a wipe portion for wiping the ink ejection surface, and a scrape portion for removing the ink adhering to the wiping member of the wipe portion are provided in the maintenance area A2. Approximately the front half portion of the base 71 is an area corresponding to the finger position adjustment mechanism 4A, and is a print area A3 where the print head 81 performs a printing operation during printing. The print head 81 is movable within the XY plane in an area including at least the home position A1, the maintenance area A2, and the print area A3 by the movement in the X direction on the carriage 83 and the movement in the Y direction of the carriage 83 itself.

[0044] The finger position adjustment mechanism 4A supports a plurality of fingers (printing fingers) U having claws T to be printed so that their positions in the longitudinal direction can be individually adjusted, and fixes them within an area suitable for printing. The finger position adjustment mechanism 4A includes an intermittent movement mechanism according to the present invention. The finger position adjustment mechanism 4A of this embodiment is configured substantially the same as the finger position adjustment mechanism 4 of the first embodiment, except for the following points. Therefore, in the following, the differences from the finger position adjustment mechanism 4 of the first embodiment in the configuration of the finger position adjustment mechanism 4A will be mainly described, and the same reference numerals will be given to the common components as those of the finger position adjustment mechanism 4 of the first embodiment, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0045] Specifically, the finger position adjustment mechanism 4A is provided in a substantially front half portion of the apparatus main body 70 and includes a plurality (four in this embodiment) of finger arrangement units 40 arranged side by side in the left and right directions. The plurality of finger arrangement units 40 correspond to a plurality of fingers U, and serve as a first finger arrangement unit 40a for arranging four fingers other than the thumb. Note that the finger position adjustment mechanism 4A of this embodiment does not have the second finger arrangement unit 40b for arranging the thumb in the first embodiment. The left and right side portions of the first finger arrangement unit 40a are spaces S for arranging the thumb during printing.

[0046] Each finger arrangement unit 40 has a finger placement base 41A instead of the finger placement base 41 of the first embodiment. Each finger arrangement unit 40 is configured substantially the same as that of the first embodiment in other respects. That is, each finger arrangement unit 40 has, in addition to the finger placement base 41A, a first biasing spring 42, a locking claw 43, and a second biasing spring 44 (see FIG. 12).

[0047] The finger placement base 41A is an example of a finger arrangement portion according to the present invention, is a portion where one finger U of a hand is arranged, and is formed to be long in the front-rear direction. The longitudinal direction D (front-rear direction; see FIG. 12) of the finger placement base 41A corresponds to the extending direction of the finger U arranged on the finger placement base 41A, and one side (rear side) thereof corresponds to the tip side of the finger U. The finger placement base 41A is supported by a support member 2A fixed to the base 71. The support member 2A has a plurality of lanes 23 corresponding to the plurality of finger placement bases 41A, and supports the finger placement base 41A so as to be movable back and forth in the lane 23.

[0048] Unlike the finger rest 41 in the first embodiment, the finger rest 41A does not have a fan support portion 41c and a fan motor 411. Further, a finger retainer 41e is provided at the front end of the finger rest 41A. The finger retainer 41e extends while curving upward from both the left and right sides of the finger placement surface 41a, and suppresses the lifting of the finger U placed on the finger placement surface 41a. The finger rest 41A is configured substantially the same as the finger rest 41 in the first embodiment in other respects.

[0049] Further, the finger position adjusting mechanism 4A is configured substantially the same as in the first embodiment, and includes a release plate 46 that releases the engagement between the locking claw 43 and the plurality of teeth 41d of the finger rest 41A.

[0050] FIG. 11 is a control block diagram showing a schematic control configuration of the printing apparatus 7. As shown in this figure, in addition to the above-described configuration, the printing apparatus 7 includes an operation unit 91, a display unit 92, a communication unit 93, a storage unit 94, a control unit 95, and the like.

[0051] The operation unit 91 can perform various inputs, settings, etc. according to the user's operation, and an input signal corresponding to the operation received by the operation unit 91 is transmitted to the control unit 95. However, the specific configuration of the operation unit 91 is not particularly limited, and for example, various operation buttons, a keyboard, a pointing device, a touch panel, etc. may be provided as the operation unit 91. The display unit 92 is composed of, for example, an LCD, an organic ELD, or other flat displays, and displays various information in response to a display command from the control unit 95. The communication unit 93 performs wired or wireless data communication through a network line or the like. The communication method of the communication unit 93 is not particularly limited, and for example, it may use a network line such as the Internet, or may perform wireless communication based on a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi.

[0052] The storage unit 94 stores various information, various programs, etc. for operating the printing device 7. For example, the storage unit 94 stores a printing program for performing printing processing, photographed images, nail design data, and the like.

[0053] The control unit 95 controls each part of the printing device 7. By expanding and executing the program in the storage unit 94 in the work area, each part of the printing device 7 is comprehensively controlled. Specifically, the control unit 95 controls the photographing unit 50 to photograph an image of the finger U, generates print data based on the image data, and controls the printing unit 80 based on the print data to print the claw T.

[0054] Note that the printing device 7 may be configured to be communicable with a terminal device (not shown) that functions as a user interface. The terminal device is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet. However, the terminal device is not particularly limited as long as it can communicate with the printing device 7, and may be, for example, a notebook or desktop personal computer, a game terminal device, or the like.

[0055] Subsequently, the operation of the printing device 7 will be described. FIGS. 12 and 13 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the printing device 7.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 12(a), in the printing device 7 when not in use (not performing printing), in each finger placement unit 40, the finger placement base 41A is biased by the first biasing spring 42 and is located at the front end of its movement range. Further, the release plate 46 supports the support plate 47 with the raised portion 46a. Therefore, the locking claw 43 supported by the support plate 47 meshes with the plurality of teeth 41d of the finger placement base 41A.

[0057] In this state, when the user inserts the finger U onto the finger placement surface 41a of the finger placement base 41A and pushes the finger placement base 41A toward the back side (the rear side of the apparatus) with the finger U against the biasing force of the first biasing spring 42, as shown in FIG. 12(b), the finger placement base 41A moves backward while being intermittently locked by the locking claw 43. Therefore, the finger placement base 41A moves to the front-rear direction position where the finger U extends naturally without strain and is locked there.

[0058] In the finger position adjustment mechanism 4A, such movement of the finger placement base 41A is performed in each finger placement unit 40 (a plurality of finger placement bases 41A move individually). Therefore, when a plurality of fingers U are individually inserted into the plurality of finger placement units 40, the finger placement bases 41A of the respective finger placement units 40 are arranged at positions corresponding to the lengths of the inserted fingers U. Thereby, the user can arrange each of the plurality of fingers U having different lengths in a natural state.

[0059] When a plurality of fingers U for printing are arranged on each finger placement base 41A, the control unit 95 controls the imaging unit 75 located above the finger position adjustment mechanism 4A to image the finger U (printing finger) arranged on the finger placement base 41A and acquire an image (nail image) thereof. The acquired image data is stored in the storage unit 94.

[0060] Next, the control unit 95 generates printing data based on the data of the acquired nail image and the nail design to be printed on the nail T. The nail design has been previously selected by the user. When the printing data is generated, the control unit 95 controls the printing unit 80 as shown in FIG. 13(a), discharges ink from the lower surface thereof while moving the print head 81, and prints the nail T of the printing finger.

[0061] When printing is finished, as shown in FIG. 13(b), after the user pulls out the finger U from the finger rest 41A, the user holds the handle portion 46c and pulls out the release plate 46 to the front side (front side) of the apparatus. As the release plate 46 moves, the portion supporting the support plate 47 lowers from the high platform portion 46a to the low platform portion 46b. As a result, the positions of all the locking claws 43 supported by the support plate 47 drop, and the engagement between the locking claws 43 and the plurality of teeth 41d is temporarily released in all the finger placement units 40. Then, since the locking of the finger rest 41 by the locking claw 43 is released, the finger rest 41A returns to the front end position within its movement range by the biasing force of the first biasing spring 42. Then, by pushing the release plate 46 backward, as shown in FIG. 12(a), the finger position adjusting mechanism 4A returns to its original state.

[0062] As described above, according to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0063] It should be noted that although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist thereof.

[0064] For example, in the present embodiment, six or four finger placement units 40 capable of corresponding to the left and right hands are provided, but the number etc. of the finger placement units 40 (finger rests 41, 41A) are not particularly limited. For example, the second finger placement unit 40b corresponding to the thumb may or may not be provided.

[0065] Also, in the present embodiment, the finger position adjusting mechanism is configured to be able to move the plurality of finger rests individually. However, the finger position adjusting mechanism may be configured to move while intermittently locking the finger rests, and may be configured such that the plurality of finger rests move in the same manner, or may be configured such that the finger rests move while being intermittently locked on both sides in the longitudinal direction. Also, the direction (the first direction according to the present invention) in which the finger position adjusting mechanism moves the finger rest is not limited to the longitudinal direction of the finger rest, and may be, for example, the width direction of the finger rest.

[0066] Further, the forward and backward movement of the finger placement base may be detected, and the detection result may be used for control by the control unit. For example, in the drying device 1, when the finger placement base moves from the normal position (the position in FIG. 6(a)) and a certain time has elapsed, it may be determined that the finger U is placed at a predetermined position and drying by the fan motor 411 may be started. The movement (front and rear positions) of the finger placement base 41 may be detected by various sensors or the like. Further, in the printing device 7, the position of the claw T may be estimated from the movement (front and rear positions) of the finger placement base 41 and used for the control of the photographing unit 75 and the printing unit 80.

[0067] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof. The invention described in the claims first attached to the application form of this application is appended below. The claim numbers described in the appendix are as in the claims first attached to the application form of this application. 〔Appendix〕 <Claim 1> A finger placement portion where a finger is placed; An intermittent movement mechanism configured to be movable while intermittently locking the finger placement portion in a first direction of the finger placement portion; Comprising: A finger position adjustment mechanism characterized by the above. <Claim 2> The intermittent movement mechanism moves while intermittently locking the finger placement portion on one side in the first direction, One side in the first direction corresponds to the tip side of the finger placed on the finger placement portion, The finger position adjustment mechanism according to claim 1, characterized by the above. <Claim 3> A plurality of the finger placement portions are provided so that a plurality of fingers can be individually placed, The intermittent movement mechanism individually moves the plurality of finger placement portions, The finger position adjustment mechanism according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by the above. <Claim 4> The intermittent movement mechanism is Provided on the finger arrangement portion, a plurality of teeth arranged along the first direction, a locking claw with a fixed position in the first direction, and comprising: when the finger arrangement portion moves to one side in the first direction, the locking claw meshes with the plurality of teeth, thereby intermittently locking and moving the finger arrangement portion. The finger position adjusting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that. <Claim 5> The intermittent movement mechanism is: a second biasing means for biasing the locking claw toward the finger arrangement portion and meshing the locking claw with the plurality of teeth; a releasing means for releasing the biasing force of the second biasing means and releasing the meshing between the locking claw and the plurality of teeth. and comprising: The finger position adjusting mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that. <Claim 6> A plurality of the locking claws and the second biasing means are respectively provided corresponding to the plurality of finger arrangement portions. The releasing means temporarily releases the biasing forces of the plurality of second biasing means. The finger position adjusting mechanism according to claim 5, which cites claim 3, characterized in that. <Claim 7> The intermittent movement mechanism comprises a first biasing means for biasing the finger arrangement portion toward the other side in the first direction. The finger position adjusting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that. <Claim 8> The finger position adjusting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and finger drying means for drying the fingers arranged on the finger arrangement portion. A drying device comprising: <Claim 9> The finger position adjusting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and printing means for printing the nails of the fingers arranged on the finger arrangement portion. A printing device comprising:

Explanation of reference numerals

[0068] 1 Drying device 7 Printing device 4, 4A Finger position adjusting mechanism (intermittent movement mechanism) 40 Finger placement unit 41, 41A Finger pedestal (finger placement part) 41a Loading surface 41d Teeth 411 Fan motor (finger drying means) 42 First biasing spring (first biasing means) 43 Locking claw 44 Second biasing spring (second biasing means) 46 Release plate (release means) 46a High platform part 46b Low platform part 46c Handle part 47 Support plate D Longitudinal direction (first direction) T Claw U Finger

Claims

1. a finger placement portion where fingers are placed; printing means for printing the nails of the fingers placed on the finger placement portion; an intermittent movement mechanism configured to be movable while intermittently locking the finger placement portion in a first direction of the finger placement portion; comprising; the intermittent movement mechanism; a plurality of teeth provided on the finger placement portion and arranged along the first direction; a locking claw whose position in the first direction is fixed; second biasing means for biasing the locking claw toward the finger placement portion and meshing the locking claw with the plurality of teeth; release means for releasing the biasing force of the second biasing means and releasing the meshing between the locking claw and the plurality of teeth; comprising; A printing apparatus characterized by the above.

2. The intermittent movement mechanism moves the finger placement portion while intermittently locking it on one side in the first direction, One side in the first direction corresponds to the tip side of the finger placed on the finger placement portion, The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. A plurality of finger placement portions are provided so that a plurality of fingers can be individually placed, The intermittent movement mechanism individually moves the plurality of finger placement portions, The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. A plurality of the locking claws and the second biasing means are provided corresponding to the plurality of finger placement portions, respectively, The release means temporarily releases the biasing forces of the plurality of second biasing means, The printing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized by the above.

5. The intermittent movement mechanism; When the finger placement portion moves to one side in the first direction, the locking claw meshes with the plurality of teeth, thereby moving the finger placement portion while intermittently locking it, The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the above.

6. The intermittent movement mechanism includes first biasing means for biasing the finger placement portion toward the other side in the first direction, The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the above.

Images