Printing device

Abstract

To provide a printer which can achieve downsizing.SOLUTION: A printer includes: a cutter unit 17 having a first blade 19 which moves from a stand-by position to a cutting position in a first direction to cut a print medium and a driving pin 77 which integrally moves with the first blade 19; a cylindrical driving cam 91 in which a guide groove 93 which engages with the driving pin 77 is provided on a side surface; and a driving motor 33 which rotates the driving cam 91. The guide groove 93 guides the first blade 19 from the stand-by position to the cutting position along the first direction through the driving pin 77 when the driving cam 91 rotates.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, a printing device has been known that includes a cutter blade that cuts printed paper and two worm wheels that respectively engage with two holes provided in the cutter blade. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-240286 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] With a configuration that includes two or more gears engaged with the cutter blade, as in conventional printing devices, it is difficult to make the device smaller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The printing device of the present invention comprises a cutter unit having a first blade that cuts the printing medium by moving in a first direction from a standby position to a cutting position and a drive pin that moves integrally with the first blade, a cylindrical rotating body having a guide groove on its side that engages with the drive pin, and a drive motor that rotates the rotating body, and when the rotating body rotates, the guide groove guides the first blade in the first direction from the standby position to the cutting position via the drive pin. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printing device with the access cover closed. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a view of the printing device when viewed from the +X direction with the access cover open. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the printing device with the access cover closed. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a view of the cutter unit as seen from the −Y direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Below, we will explain a printing device 1, which is one embodiment of a printing device, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The printing device 1 is a so-called mobile printer and is portable. Note that the following explanation will use directions based on the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system shown in each figure, but these directions are for convenience of explanation only and do not limit the following embodiment in any way.

[0008] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printing device 1 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a device case 3 and an opening / closing cover 5.

[0009] The device case 3 is formed in a box shape with an open face in the +Z direction, and a roll paper holder 7 is provided inside the device case 3. The roll paper holder 7 stores roll paper R, which is wound with recording paper P (see Figure 3), which serves as the print medium. The roll paper R is inserted into the roll paper holder 7 using a drop-in method. The printing device 1 prints on the recording paper P pulled out from the roll paper R stored in the roll paper holder 7.

[0010] The access cover 5 opens and closes the roll paper holder 7. The access cover 5 is attached to the -Y end of the device case 3 so that it can rotate around an axis that is approximately parallel to the X direction. An outlet 9 is provided between the tip of the access cover 5, i.e., the +Y end, and the device case 3. The outlet 9 is shaped like a rectangle that is long in the X direction.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 3, the printing device 1 includes a platen roller 11, a thermal head 13, and a cutting unit 15.

[0012] The platen roller 11 is provided inside the openable cover 5 so that the direction of its rotation axis is approximately parallel to the X direction. The platen roller 11 holds the recording paper P between itself and the thermal head 13, and rotates using a feed motor (not shown) as its drive source, thereby pulling the recording paper P from the roll paper R and feeding it toward the discharge port 9.

[0013] The thermal head 13 is provided inside the device case 3 so as to face the platen roller 11. The thermal head 13 has multiple heating elements (not shown) and performs printing on recording paper P pulled out from the roll paper R.

[0014] The cutting section 15 cuts the recording paper P in the width direction, i.e., the X direction, of the recording paper P behind the printed portion. The cutting section 15 includes a cutter unit 17 having a first blade 19, a second blade 21, and a cutter spring 23. The cutter unit 17 is provided at the end of the device case 3 in the +Y direction. The first blade 19 moves toward and away from the second blade 21, and cuts the recording paper P between the first blade 19 and the second blade 21. In other words, the first blade 19 functions as a movable blade, and the second blade 21 functions as a fixed blade. The cutter unit 17 will be described in detail below.

[0015] The second blade 21 is located in the -Y direction relative to the first blade 19 and is provided inside the openable cover 5. The first blade 19 and the second blade 21 overlap each other with the first blade 19 in the +Z direction and the second blade 21 in the -Z direction when the first blade 19 cuts into the second blade 21. The cutter spring 23 applies a force in the +Z direction to the second blade 21 so that the first blade 19 and the second blade 21 rub against each other appropriately when the first blade 19 cuts into the second blade 21.

[0016] As shown in Figures 4 to 7, in addition to the first blade 19, the cutter unit 17 includes a cutter frame 25, a motor support member 27, a cutter holder 29, a cutter guide 31, a drive motor 33, and a power transmission unit 35.

[0017] The cutter frame 25 supports the first blade 19, a motor support member 27, a cutter holder 29, a cutter guide 31, a drive motor 33, and a power transmission unit 35. The cutter frame 25 includes a first frame portion 37, a second frame portion 39, a third frame portion 41, a fourth frame portion 43, and a fifth frame portion 45.

[0018] The first frame portion 37 is formed in a generally rectangular plate shape generally parallel to the XZ plane. The second frame portion 39 extends in the -Y direction from the -X end of the first frame portion 37 and is formed in a plate shape generally parallel to the YZ plane. The third frame portion 41 extends in the -Y direction from the +X end of the first frame portion 37 and is formed in a plate shape generally parallel to the YZ plane.

[0019] The fourth frame portion 43 extends in the -Y direction from approximately the center in the X direction of the +Z direction end of the first frame portion 37, and is formed in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate that is approximately parallel to the XY plane. The fourth frame portion 43 is located in the +Z direction with a small gap between it and the cutter holder 29, and regulates the position of the cutter holder 29 in the +Z direction.

[0020] The fifth frame portion 45 includes a connection portion 47, a first gear support portion 49, and a second gear support portion 51. The connection portion 47 extends in the -Z direction from approximately the center in the X direction of the -Z direction end of the first frame portion 37, and is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape that is substantially parallel to the XZ plane. The connection portion 47 connects the first gear support portion 49 and the second gear support portion 51. The first gear support portion 49 extends in the -Y direction from the -X direction end of the connection portion 47. The second gear support portion 51 extends in the -Y direction from the +X direction end of the connection portion 47.

[0021] The motor support member 27 is attached to the first frame portion 37 of the cutter frame 25. The motor support member 27 supports the drive motor 33.

[0022] The first blade 19 is movable integrally with the cutter holder 29 in the Y direction between a standby position and a cutting position. The standby position refers to the position farthest from the second blade 21 within the range of movement of the first blade 19, i.e., the position furthest in the +Y direction within the range of movement of the first blade 19. The cutting position refers to the position closest to the second blade 21 within the range of movement of the first blade 19, i.e., the position furthest in the -Y direction within the range of movement of the first blade 19. In FIG. 6 , the first blade 19 and cutter holder 29 when the first blade 19 is located at the standby position are indicated by solid lines, and the first blade 19 and cutter holder 29 when the first blade 19 is located at the cutting position are indicated by two-dot chain lines. The first blade 19 cuts the recording paper P by moving in the -Y direction from the standby position to the cutting position.

[0023] The first blade 19 is formed in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate that is long in the X direction. The first blade 19 includes a cutting edge 53, two screw fastening portions 55, and a positioning recess 57. The cutting edge 53 is provided at the end of the first blade 19 in the -Y direction and is formed in a substantially "V" shape. A notch 59 (see FIG. 5) is provided in the approximate center of the cutting edge 53 in the X direction. This allows the recording paper P to be cut, leaving a portion of the recording paper P in the width direction. Therefore, the cut recording paper P remains in the discharge port 9 without dropping through the discharge port 9. The two screw fastening portions 55 protrude in the +Y direction in a substantially semicircular shape from two locations on the end of the first blade 19 in the +Y direction, symmetrical with respect to the center of the first blade 19 in the X direction. The screw fastening portions 55 are provided with a blade hole (not shown) through which a fixing screw 61 is inserted. The first blade 19 is screwed to the cutter holder 29 by the fixing screw 61. The positioning recess 57 is provided near the −X direction end of the +Y direction end of the first blade 19. The positioning recess 57 engages with the positioning protrusion 75 of the cutter holder 29.

[0024] The cutter holder 29 holds the first blade 19. The cutter holder 29 is provided so as to be slidable in the Y direction relative to the cutter guide 31. The cutter holder 29 includes a holder main body 63, two first protrusions 65, two second protrusions 67, two holder protrusions 69, and a drive protrusion 71.

[0025] The holder body 63 is formed in a generally rectangular plate shape generally parallel to the XY plane. The two first protrusions 65 protrude in the +Z direction from the +X and −X end portions of the +Y direction end of the holder body 63. The two second protrusions 67 protrude in the +Z direction from positions between the two first protrusions 65 of the +Y direction end of the holder body 63. The two second protrusions 67 are located in the −Z direction with respect to the fourth frame portion 43. The screw fastening portion 55 of the first blade 19 is inserted between the first protrusions 65 and the second protrusions 67. That is, a holder hole (not shown) through which the fixing screw 61 is inserted is provided in the holder body 63 at a position between the first protrusions 65 and the second protrusions 67.

[0026] A pressure applying portion 73 protrudes in the -Y direction from each of the two first protrusions 65. The two pressure applying portions 73 contact the end face of the first blade 19 in the +Y direction, and press the first blade 19 against the second blade 21 when the first blade 19 moves to the cutting position. The two pressure applying portions 73 are provided at two locations symmetrical with respect to the center of the first blade 19 in the X direction. This makes it possible to equalize the load that the first blade 19 receives from the two pressure applying portions 73 in the X direction.

[0027] Of the two first protrusions 65, a positioning protrusion 75 protrudes in the -Y direction from the first protrusion 65 in the -X direction. The positioning protrusion 75 engages with the positioning recess 57 of the first blade 19. The first blade 19 is positioned relative to the cutter holder 29 by the engagement of the positioning protrusion 75 with the positioning recess 57.

[0028] The two holder protrusions 69 protrude in the -Z direction from the -X direction end and the +X direction end of the holder main body 63. The two holder protrusions 69 engage with the inner surfaces of the two guide protrusions 78 in the X direction, respectively.

[0029] The drive protrusion 71 protrudes in the -Z direction from approximately the center of the holder body 63 in the X direction. A drive pin 77 protrudes in the -Z direction from the surface of the drive protrusion 71 facing the -Z direction. The drive pin 77 engages with a guide groove 93 of a drive cam 91 (described later) and functions as a drive point for the first blade 19. The drive pin 77 is provided at a position corresponding to the center of the first blade 19 in the X direction, i.e., the center of the first blade 19 in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the first blade 19. This makes it possible to equalize the load that the first blade 19 receives from the drive pin 77 via the cutter holder 29 in the X direction.

[0030] The cutter guide 31 is attached to the first frame portion 37 of the cutter frame 25. The cutter guide 31 has two guide protrusions 78. The two guide protrusions 78 protrude in the +Z direction from the -X direction end and the +X direction end of the cutter guide 31. The cutter holder 29 is placed on the +Z direction of the two guide protrusions 78. The two guide protrusions 78 are engaged with the outer surfaces of the two holder protrusions 69 in the X direction, respectively. When the cutter holder 29 moves in the Y direction, the two guide protrusions 78 restrict movement of the cutter holder 29 in the X direction and guide the cutter holder 29 to move in the Y direction.

[0031] The drive motor 33 is supported by a motor support member 27. The drive motor 33 is a drive source for the first blade 19. An output gear 79 is provided on the shaft of the drive motor 33. The rotation axis of the output gear 79 is approximately parallel to the X direction.

[0032] The power transmission unit 35 transmits the power of the drive motor 33 to the first blade 19 via the cutter holder 29. The power transmission unit 35 includes a first gear 81, a worm 83, a worm wheel 85, a second gear 87, a third gear 89, and a drive cam 91.

[0033] The first gear 81 and the worm 83 are rotatably supported between the first gear support part 49 and the second gear support part 51 so that the rotation axis is approximately parallel to the X direction. The first gear 81 meshes with the output gear 79. The worm 83 is provided coaxially with the first gear 81 and rotates integrally with the first gear 81.

[0034] The worm wheel 85, second gear 87, third gear 89, and drive cam 91 are rotatably mounted on the first frame portion 37 so that their rotation axes are approximately parallel to the Y direction. The worm wheel 85 meshes with the worm 83. The second gear 87 is mounted coaxially with the worm wheel 85 and rotates integrally with the worm wheel 85. The third gear 89 meshes with the second gear 87. The drive cam 91 is mounted coaxially with the third gear 89 and rotates integrally with the third gear 89.

[0035] In this way, the rotation of the drive motor 33 is transmitted to the drive cam 91 via the first gear 81, the worm 83, the worm wheel 85, the second gear 87, and the third gear 89. In other words, the drive motor 33 rotates the drive cam 91 via the first gear 81, the worm 83, the worm wheel 85, the second gear 87, and the third gear 89.

[0036] The drive cam 91 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The drive cam 91 is located in the -Z direction relative to the drive pin 77. A guide groove 93 is formed on the side surface, i.e., the outer peripheral surface, of the drive cam 91. The drive pin 77 engages with the guide groove 93. The guide groove 93 is formed in an annular shape in the circumferential direction of the drive cam 91, i.e., in a substantially elliptical shape inclined in the Y direction, and includes an orthogonal portion 95, a first guide groove portion 97, and a second guide groove portion 99.

[0037] The orthogonal portion 95 is provided at the +Y-direction end of the outer peripheral surface of the drive cam 91 and extends in a direction perpendicular to the Y-direction, which is the movement direction of the first blade 19, i.e., in the X-direction. The +X-direction end of the orthogonal portion 95 is continuous with the first guide groove portion 97, and the −X-direction end of the orthogonal portion 95 is continuous with the second guide groove portion 99. The first guide groove portion 97 refers to a range of approximately half the circumference of the guide groove 93, from the +X-direction end of the orthogonal portion 95 to the −Y-direction end of the guide groove 93. The second guide groove portion 99 refers to a range of approximately half the circumference of the guide groove 93, from the −X-direction end of the orthogonal portion 95 to the −Y-direction end of the guide groove 93.

[0038] When the drive pin 77 is engaged with the orthogonal portion 95, the first blade 19 is positioned in the standby position. At this time, the orthogonal portion 95 prevents the drive pin 77 from moving in the Y direction. This prevents the first blade 19 from moving in the Y direction. For this reason, even if the printing device 1 is subjected to an impact, for example, when a user drops the printing device 1 on the floor or hits it against an object while carrying it, the first blade 19 can be prevented from moving in the Y direction. This prevents the first blade 19 from moving due to such an impact, causing problems with the cutting section 15, such as the first blade 19 overlapping the second blade 21 on the opposite side from its original position, i.e., in the -X direction.

[0039] When the drive cam 91 rotates in the first rotation direction, that is, counterclockwise when viewed from the -Y direction, from a state in which the drive pin 77 is engaged with the orthogonal portion 95, the drive pin 77 moves relatively from the orthogonal portion 95 to the first guide groove portion 97. When the drive cam 91 rotates in the first rotation direction with the drive pin 77 engaged with the first guide groove portion 97, the first guide groove portion 97 guides the drive pin 77 in the -Y direction, and guides the first blade 19 in the -Y direction from the standby position to the cutting position.

[0040] When the drive cam 91 rotates further in the first rotation direction from a state in which the drive pin 77 is engaged with the first guide groove portion 97, the drive pin 77 moves relatively from the first guide groove portion 97 to the second guide groove portion 99. When the drive cam 91 rotates in the first rotation direction with the drive pin 77 engaged with the second guide groove portion 99, the second guide groove portion 99 guides the drive pin 77 in the +Y direction and guides the first blade 19 in the +Y direction from the cutting position to the standby position.

[0041] When the drive cam 91 further rotates in the first rotation direction from a state in which the drive pin 77 is engaged with the second guide groove portion 99, the drive pin 77 moves relatively from the second guide groove portion 99 to the orthogonal portion 95. When the drive pin 77 returns to the orthogonal portion 95, the first blade 19 also returns to the standby position.

[0042] As described above, when the drive cam 91 rotates approximately half a turn in the first rotation direction from the state in which the drive pin 77 is engaged with the orthogonal portion 95, the drive pin 77 moves in the -Y direction, and the first blade 19 moves from the standby position to the cutting position. When the drive cam 91 rotates approximately another half turn in the first rotation direction, the drive pin 77 moves in the +Y direction, and the first blade 19 returns from the cutting position to the standby position. Because the rotation direction of the drive cam 91 is the same when moving the first blade 19 from the standby position to the cutting position in the -Y direction and when moving the first blade 19 from the cutting position to the standby position in the +Y direction, the structure and control of the cutter unit 17 can be simplified. Note that the movement of the first blade 19 to the standby position and the cutting position is detected by a sensor (not shown). The control circuit 101 (see FIG. 3) controls the drive motor 33 in accordance with the output of the sensor.

[0043] As described above, according to the printing device 1 of this embodiment, while the first blade 19 moves in the Y direction, the drive pin 77, which serves as the drive point for the first blade 19, moves in the Y direction integrally with the first blade 19. Therefore, in order to equalize the load that the first blade 19 receives from the drive pin 77 via the cutter holder 29 in the X direction, it is not necessary to provide two drive points at two locations symmetrical with respect to the center of the first blade 19 in the X direction. Therefore, there is no need to provide two or more parts, such as gears, that engage with the drive points, and a single part, the drive cam 91, can do the job, allowing the printing device 1 to be made more compact.

[0044] [Other variations] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various configurations can be adopted within the scope of the spirit thereof. For example, the above-described embodiment can be modified in the following manner in addition to the above. Furthermore, the embodiment and the modified examples may be combined with each other.

[0045] The guide groove 93 is not limited to being formed annularly in the circumferential direction of the drive cam 91, and may be formed only partially in the circumferential direction of the drive cam 91. In this case, the rotation direction of the drive cam 91 can be switched between when the first blade 19 is moved from the standby position to the cutting position in the -Y direction and when the first blade 19 is moved from the cutting position to the standby position in the +Y direction.

[0046] The printing method of the printing device 1 is not limited to the thermal method, but may be, for example, an inkjet method or an electrophotographic method.

[0047] The printing device 1 is not limited to a mobile printer, but may be one that is placed on a desk, floor, or the like.

[0048] [Note] The following additional information is provided regarding the printing device. The printing device includes a cutter unit having a first blade that cuts the printing medium by moving in a first direction from a standby position to a cutting position and a drive pin that moves integrally with the first blade, a cylindrical rotating body having a guide groove on its side that engages with the drive pin, and a drive motor that rotates the rotating body, and when the rotating body rotates, the guide groove guides the first blade in the first direction from the standby position to the cutting position via the drive pin.

[0049] With this configuration, while the first blade moves in the first direction, the drive pin, which serves as the drive point for the first blade, moves integrally with the first blade in the first direction. Therefore, to equalize the load that the first blade receives from the drive pin in the third direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction, it is not necessary to provide two drive points at two symmetrical locations with respect to the center of the first blade in the third direction. Therefore, there is no need to provide two or more parts, such as gears, that engage with the drive points; instead, a single rotating body can be used, which allows for a more compact printing device. The drive cam 91 is an example of a "rotating body." The -Y direction is an example of a "first direction." The X direction is an example of a "third direction."

[0050] In this case, the guide groove is preferably formed in a ring shape in the circumferential direction of the rotating body, and when the rotating body rotates once, the guide groove guides the first blade in a first direction from the standby position to the cutting position via the drive pin, and then guides the first blade in a second direction opposite to the first direction from the cutting position to the standby position.

[0051] With this configuration, the rotation direction of the rotating body is the same when the first blade is moved in a first direction from the standby position to the cutting position and when the first blade is moved in a second direction from the cutting position to the standby position, thereby simplifying the structure and control of the cutter unit. The +Y direction is an example of the "second direction."

[0052] In this case, it is preferable that the guide groove has an orthogonal portion extending in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the drive pin engages with the orthogonal portion when the first blade is located at the standby position.

[0053] With this configuration, even if an impact is applied to the printing device when the first blade is in the standby position, it is possible to prevent the first blade from moving in the first direction.

[0054] In this case, the drive pin is preferably provided at a position corresponding to the center of the first blade in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0055] With this configuration, the load that the first blade receives from the drive pin can be made uniform in the third direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1...printing device, 17...cutter unit, 19...first blade, 33...drive motor, 77...drive pin, 91...drive cam, 93...guide groove, 95...orthogonal portion, P...recording paper.

Claims

1. a first blade that cuts the print medium by moving in a first direction from a standby position to a cutting position; a cutter unit having a drive pin that moves integrally with the first blade; a cylindrical rotating body having a guide groove on a side surface thereof that engages with the drive pin; a drive motor that rotates the rotating body, When the rotating body rotates, the guide groove guides the first blade to the guide the cutting member from the standby position to the cutting position in the first direction; The guide groove is The rotor is formed in an annular shape in the circumferential direction of the rotor, When the rotating body rotates once, the first blade is moved from the standby position to the After being guided in the first direction to the cutting position, the first blade is guided from the cutting position to the standby position. a printing device, characterized in that the printing medium is guided in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

2. the guide groove has an orthogonal portion extending in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction, The drive pin engages with the orthogonal portion when the first blade is located at the standby position.

2. The printing device according to claim 1.

3. a first blade that cuts the print medium by moving in a first direction from a standby position to a cutting position; a cutter unit having a drive pin that moves integrally with the first blade; a cylindrical rotating body having a guide groove on a side surface thereof that engages with the drive pin; a drive motor that rotates the rotating body, When the rotating body rotates, the guide groove guides the first blade to the guide the cutting member from the standby position to the cutting position in the first direction; The drive pin is positioned at the center of the first blade in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction. A printing device characterized in that the printing device is provided at a position corresponding to the section.

4. the guide groove has an orthogonal portion extending in the third direction, The drive pin engages with the orthogonal portion when the first blade is located at the standby position.

4. The printing device according to claim 3.

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