JP2011183587A - Stamp forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stamp forming device which can perform switching between feeding a mask and moving a press by a simple composition and easy operation. <P>SOLUTION: The stamp forming device forms a stamp image on stamping material by performing exposure on a printing surface Ad composed of photocurable resin. The stamp forming device includes a ribbon feeding mechanism 42 (a mask feeding mechanism) for feeding the mask to an exposure part where the printing surface Ad is positioned, a press moving mechanism 51 provided for the exposure part to move the press 50 between a pressing position P1 for pressing the mask to the printing surface Ad and a retreating position P2 for retreating from the pressing surface Ad, a single power source for driving the ribbon feeding mechanism 42 and the press moving mechanism 51, a ribbon feeding gear train 43 (a mask feeding gear train) for transmitting rotation power of the power source to the ribbon feeding mechanism 42, a press moving gear train 52 for transmitting the power to the press moving mechanism 51, and a power switching mechanism 62 for transmitting the power selectively to the ribbon feeding gear train 43 or to the press moving gear train 52. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a stamp creating apparatus that forms a stamp image on a stamp material by exposing a stamp surface made of a photocurable resin through a mask.

Conventionally, a ribbon feeder comprising a rotary function switch manually operated by a user, a print head that comes into contact with a platen roller across an ink ribbon and a plate-making sheet, and a motor and gear train for rotationally driving the platen roller ( Mask feed mechanism) and a ribbon presser link (pressing plate moving mechanism) that moves the pressing plate in conjunction with the rotation of the function switch and presses the printed ink ribbon against the stamping surface made of photo-curing resin. Are known (see Patent Document 1).
In this stamp producing apparatus, after the user rotates the function switch from the power OFF to the printing mode and the printing on the plate-making sheet is completed, the user rotates the function switch again from the printing mode to the exposure mode so that the ribbon is The ink ribbon after printing adheres to the printing surface as a mask by the action of the presser link. By performing exposure in this state, a seal is formed on the stamp surface.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-76613

  However, in the above-described stamp producing apparatus, the user needs to manually rotate the function switch to switch from the printing mode (mask feed) to the exposure mode (press plate movement), and this manual operation is complicated. Met. In particular, when the stamp producing apparatus is used by being connected to a personal computer (PC), it is very troublesome to operate the function switch of the stamp producing apparatus away from the PC, and the deterioration of operability is remarkable. To automate this manual operation, a motor for driving (moving) the ribbon presser link (or pressing plate) is provided separately from the motor for the ribbon feeder, and each mode can be switched by key operation. Though conceivable, the arrangement of a plurality of motors has a problem in that the structure and control are complicated and the cost is increased.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a stamp producing apparatus capable of performing switching between mask feeding and pressing plate movement with a simple configuration and a simple operation.

  The stamp producing apparatus of the present invention is a stamp producing apparatus that forms a stamp image on a stamp material by exposing a stamped surface made of a photocurable resin through a mask. The stamp is positioned on the mask. A mask feeding mechanism that feeds the exposure unit; a pressing plate that is provided in the exposure unit and configured to be movable between a pressing position that presses the mask against the marking surface and a retreating position that retracts from the marking surface; and A pressure plate moving mechanism that moves between the retreat position, a single power source that drives the pressure plate moving mechanism while driving the mask feed mechanism, and a mask feed that transmits the rotational power of the power source to the mask feed mechanism A gear train, a pressing plate moving gear train for transmitting the rotational power of the power source to the pressing plate moving mechanism, and a power switching for selectively transmitting the rotational power of the power source to the mask feed gear train and the pressing plate moving gear train mechanism , Characterized by comprising a.

  According to this configuration, the rotational power of a single power source is selectively used by the power switching mechanism for either the mask feed mechanism (mask feed) or the pressing plate moving mechanism (moving the pressing plate). It will be. That is, one of “feeding the mask” and “moving the pressing plate” can be performed by a single power source. Thereby, the complexity of the structure and control and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed, and the user can automatically switch between “mask feeding” and “movement of the pressing plate” by a simple operation.

  In this case, it is preferable that the power switching mechanism transmits one of the forward rotation power and the reverse rotation power of the power source to the mask feed gear train and transmits the other to the pressing plate moving gear train.

  According to this configuration, “mask feed” and “movement of the pressing plate” can be automatically switched (operation switching) by switching between the normal rotation power and the reverse rotation power of the power source. Thereby, operation switching can be performed only by simple control of controlling the rotation direction of the power source.

  Further, in this case, the power switching mechanism meshes with the clutch gear selectively engaged with the feed input gear serving as the input end of the mask feed gear train and the moving input gear serving as the input end of the pressing plate moving gear train, and with the clutch gear. It is preferable to have a main gear connected to the power source, and a clutch arm that is rotatably supported by a gear shaft on which the main gear is pivotally mounted and rotatably supports the clutch gear.

  According to this configuration, the clutch arm rotates forward and backward with the main gear by switching between the normal power and the reverse power of the power source, and the mask feed gear train (feed input gear) side and the pressing plate moving gear It rotates between the row (moving input gear) side. In this way, by using a mechanism to which the planetary gear is applied, the rotational power can be reliably transmitted to either the mask feed mechanism or the pressing plate moving mechanism with a simple structure.

  In this case, the pressing plate is configured to be movable back and forth between the pressing position and the retracted position, and the pressing plate moving mechanism is configured to move the pressing plate to the retracted position via the pressing plate frame that holds the pressing plate and the pressing plate frame. And a cam mechanism that is interposed between a return plate that urges toward the end, a pressing plate frame, and a moving output gear that is an output end of the pressing plate moving gear train, and moves the pressing plate to a pressing position. It is preferable.

  According to this configuration, the rotational power transmitted from the pressing plate moving gear train can be converted into the forward / backward movement of the pressing plate frame holding the pressing plate via the cam mechanism. Thereby, the pressing plate frame in the retracted position is moved to the pressing position against the return spring by the action of the movement output gear and the cam mechanism, and the pressing plate frame in the pressing position is moved by the return spring. It is moved to the retreat position. That is, an appropriate movement of the pressing plate can be performed.

It is the external appearance perspective view (a) of the cover closed state of the stamp production apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the external appearance perspective view (b) of an open cover state. FIG. 4 is a plan view (a) in a state where a ribbon cassette is mounted on a stamp producing apparatus with an opening / closing lid and a maintenance cover removed, and a plan view (b) in a state where the ribbon cassette is removed. It is the disassembled perspective view which removed the apparatus case of the stamp production apparatus. FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of a plate making sheet (a) and a stamp body (b). It is a top view explaining operation | movement among a ribbon feed gear train, a press board moving gear train, and a power unit. It is a perspective view for demonstrating operation | movement of a separation / contact mechanism. It is a front view (a) (c) (e) and side view (b) (d) (f) for explaining operation of a separation mechanism. It is a perspective view of an exposure apparatus, a ribbon feed gear train, and a power unit. It is a top view explaining operation | movement of exposure apparatus. It is the perspective view (a) (c) and top view (b) (d) explaining operation | movement of a clutch mechanism.

  Hereinafter, a stamp creating apparatus will be described as an example of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. This stamp producing apparatus exposes a desired seal body (processing object) formed with an ultraviolet curable resin to ultraviolet rays using a seal character (a seal image including a pattern) printed (printed) on an ink ribbon as a mask. A seal is created. In the following explanation, as shown in each figure, “front / rear” and “left / right” are defined, and the direction orthogonal to “front / rear” and “left / right” is “up / down”. It is prescribed and explained.

  With reference to FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 3, the stamp production apparatus 1 is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view (a) of the stamp producing apparatus 1 in a closed state and an external perspective view (b) in an opened state. 2A and 2B are a plan view in a state where the ribbon cassette 3 is attached to the stamp producing apparatus 1 from which the opening / closing lid 12 and the maintenance cover 14 are removed, and a plan view in a state where the ribbon cassette 3 is removed. It is. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the stamp producing apparatus 1 with the apparatus case 2 removed. The stamp producing device 1 includes a device case 2 that is divided into two upper and lower parts forming an outer shell, a ribbon cassette 3 on which an ink ribbon C can be fed out freely, and a plate-making sheet B while feeding the ink ribbon C of the ribbon cassette 3. Printing device 4 for performing printing, separation / contact device 7 for moving thermal head 44 away from / to platen roller 45, and exposure device for exposing printing surface Ad of stamp body A using ink ribbon C after printing as a mask 5 (exposure unit), a power device 6 serving as a power source for the printing device 4 and the exposure device 5, a base frame 8 that supports the printing device 4, the exposure device 5 and the power device 6, the printing device 4, and the exposure device 5 And a control board (not shown) for controlling driving of the power unit 6. The base frame 8 is a substantially rectangular plate-like member, and is engaged with a platen roller 45 and a take-up shaft 48 which will be described later, and a platen support shaft 81 and a take-up support shaft 82 that support them are erected. (See FIG. 3).

  A stamp mounting portion 11 for mounting the stamp body A is formed at the center of the upper surface of the apparatus case 2. The stamp body A is mounted on the stamp mounting section 11 so that the stamp surface Ad faces the exposure apparatus 5 (details will be described later) (see FIG. 1B).

  In addition, the stamp mounting portion 11 is provided with an opening / closing lid 12. The open / close lid 12 is opened so that one side of the rear side is a rotation axis (hinge) and the front side is flipped up by a lid opening spring 21 fitted to the rotation axis. A notch 22 for allowing the open lever 13 (details will be described later) to be rotated by the user is cut and formed on the front left side of the opening / closing lid 12. Further, a hook portion 23 that engages with the open lever 13 protrudes from the surface on the stamp mounting portion 11 side of the opening / closing lid 12 and the left end on the near side.

  An open lever 13 for opening the opening / closing lid 12 is disposed on the left side of the front side of the stamp mounting portion 11. The open lever 13 includes an operation support portion 25 that is pivotally supported in a left-right direction around a lever support shaft 27 provided at a substantially central portion in the vertical direction with respect to the device case 2, and an upper end portion of the operation support portion 25. And a block-shaped operation head portion 26 (operator) formed integrally with each other (see FIGS. 10A and 10B). An engagement protrusion 28 that engages with an engagement hole 93 opened in an operating arm 92 of a clutch mechanism 91 described later is provided at the base end portion of the operation support portion 25. The operation head portion 26 faces the cutout portion 22 of the opening / closing lid 12, and the lower surface of the operation head portion 26 is a hook hook portion 29 on which the hook portion 23 is hooked (FIG. 10A). ) (B)). The hook hanging portion 29 closes the opening / closing lid 12 by engaging with the hook portion 23 from the right side. The lever support shaft 27 is fitted with a so-called torsion spring (not shown). The torsion spring urges the open lever 13 in the counterclockwise direction so that the hook portion 23 and the hook hook portion 29 Maintain the latched state. Therefore, when the open lever 13 is rotated against the torsion spring, the engagement with the hook portion 23 is released, and the opening / closing lid 12 is flipped up backward by the action of the lid opening spring 21. The opening / closing lid 12 can be completely opened by the user after being flipped up.

  A substantially “L” -shaped maintenance cover 14 is detachably provided along the stamp attachment portion 11 (opening / closing lid 12) along the ribbon cassette 3. Is formed with a cassette mounting portion 15. Further, an insertion port 16 for inserting a plate making sheet B for creating a stamp character label, which will be described later, and an outlet 17 through which the plate making sheet B after printing is discharged are formed on the right side of the apparatus case 2. (See FIG. 1).

  Although not shown, a connection terminal for connecting to a PC for controlling the stamp producing apparatus 1 is provided on the back of the apparatus case 2. Execution commands for various operations such as plate making (printing) operation and exposure operation are performed by operations from the PC. In addition, you may comprise the input part which consists of a keyboard, a push button group, an operation dial, etc. in the apparatus case 2, without connecting with PC.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a series of operations when creating a seal will be briefly described. First, the open lever 13 is operated to open the opening / closing lid 12, and the stamp body A is set on the stamp mounting portion 11. As the stamp body A is set, the type of the stamp body A is detected by a detection device (not shown), and the detection result is transmitted to the PC. Next, the user operates the PC to input a seal character in an area corresponding to the type of the stamp body A. When the input of the seal character is completed, the plate making sheet B in which the seal character label Bd is formed is inserted into the insertion slot 16 and set.

  Next, printing is performed by operating the PC. Since this printing is a plate making operation, it is performed simultaneously on the ink ribbon C and the plate making sheet B. When printing is completed, the printed portion of the ink ribbon C is sent to the exposure device 5 for exposure, and at the same time, the plate-making sheet B is sent out from the take-out port 17 to the outside. Here, after confirming that there is no error in the stamp character by the sent plate-making sheet B, the PC is operated to perform the exposure operation on the stamp surface Ad.

  When the exposure operation is completed, the open lever 13 is operated to open the opening / closing lid 12, the stamp main body A is taken out from the stamp mounting portion 11, and the stamp is completed by washing it. Then, the stamp character label Bd is peeled off from the plate-making sheet B, and this is adhered to the back surface of the stamp body A (the surface facing the stamp surface Ad). In the present embodiment, the instructions for the plate making operation and the exposure operation are performed from the PC connected to the stamp producing apparatus 1, but the plate making operation is performed by operating a predetermined button or the like provided on the stamp producing apparatus 1. You may make it perform operation | movement and exposure operation | movement.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ribbon cassette 3 is detachably attached to the cassette attachment portion 15 of the apparatus case 2, and can be replaced when the ink ribbon C is consumed (see FIG. 2A). ). The ribbon cassette 3 is formed in an “L” shape in plan view, and an unwinding reel 18 around which the ink ribbon C is wound is provided at the end of the short side of the “L” shape and is fed out from the unwinding reel 18. A take-up reel 19 for winding the ink ribbon C is provided at the end of the long side of the “L” shape. The ink ribbon C is fed from the take-up reel 18, bent into a substantially “L” shape, and taken up on the take-up reel 19. The ink ribbon C fed out from the unwinding reel 18 is guided to the printing device 4 through the guide pin 3a, and is guided to the exposure device 5 through the first path pin 46a and the second path pin 46b. To the take-up reel 19 via a third path pin 46c and a tension pin (not shown) (see FIG. 2B). The guide pin 3a and the tension pin are provided in the ribbon cassette 3, The first path pin 46 a, the second path pin 46 b and the third path pin 46 c are disposed in the cassette mounting portion 15 of the apparatus case 2.

  The ink ribbon C is composed of a transparent ribbon tape and ink applied thereto, and in this embodiment, the one having a thickness of 6 μm is used. When printing is performed on the ink ribbon C in the printing device 4, the ink portion is transferred to the plate-making sheet B. As a result, a negative image is formed on the ribbon tape of the ink ribbon C from which the ink character portion has been peeled off, and a positive image is formed on the plate making sheet B to which the ink character portion has adhered. Then, the ink ribbon C is sent to the preceding exposure device 5 in order to use it as a mask. On the other hand, the plate-making sheet B is sent out of the apparatus case 2.

  The plate-making sheet B and the stamp body A will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of the plate-making sheet B (a) and the stamp body A (b). As shown in FIG. 4A, the plate-making sheet B is formed in a strip shape by laminating a base sheet Ba and an adhesive sheet Bb. A cut line Bc is formed in a square shape on the adhesive sheet Bb, and a square portion of the adhesive sheet Bb peeled off from the base sheet Ba along this becomes a seal character label Bd to be attached to the back surface of the stamp body A. A plurality of types of stamp bodies A having different shapes are prepared in accordance with applications, and a plurality of types of plate making sheets B having different shapes of the stamp character labels Bd are prepared correspondingly. ing.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, the stamp main body A (stamp material) has a thin sponge Ab (foamed urethane) attached to the tip of the rootstock Aa (this embodiment is made of resin), and the sponge Ab On the other hand, a resin base Ac that is not affected by ultraviolet rays and a marking surface Ad made of an ultraviolet curable resin (water-soluble before curing) are laminated. By irradiating ultraviolet rays in a state where the printed ink ribbon C serving as a mask is in close contact with the stamp surface Ad, the portion corresponding to the seal character on the stamp surface Ad is cured and the exposure is completed. Thereafter, when the uncured portion of the stamp surface Ad is washed away, the cured portion becomes a seal. The stamp body A has a resin cap Ae that protects the marking surface Ad. An ultraviolet softening resin may be used in place of the ultraviolet curable resin. In such a case, if the positive and negative of the ink ribbon C and the plate making sheet B are reversed, the same seal as in the present embodiment is created. be able to.

  Subsequently, the printing apparatus 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5. FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining operations among the ribbon feed gear train 43, the pressing plate moving gear train 52, and the power unit 6. The printing apparatus 4 includes a sheet path portion 41 serving as a travel path of the plate-making sheet B, a ribbon feeding mechanism 42 that rotates the take-up reel 19 and the platen roller 45 to travel the ink ribbon C, and the rotational power of the power unit 6. Are provided with a ribbon feed gear train 43 that transmits the ink to the ribbon feed mechanism 42 and a thermal head 44 that contacts the platen roller 45 with the ink ribbon C interposed therebetween and prints on the plate-making sheet B. Note that reference numeral 44 a in FIG. 3 is a control cable extending from the control board for transmitting a control signal to the thermal head 44.

  The sheet path portion 41 includes an insertion path 41 a that communicates with the insertion port 16 and an extraction path 41 b that communicates with the extraction port 17. The plate-making sheet B inserted into the insertion port 16 is sandwiched between the thermal head 44 and the platen roller 45 together with the ink ribbon C through the insertion path 41a, and printing is performed as the ink ribbon C is fed. The plate-making sheet B after printing is discharged from the outlet 17 through the extraction path 41b.

  In the ribbon feeding mechanism 42, the platen roller 45, the first path pin 46a, the second path pin 46b, and the third path pin 46c that define the travel path of the ink ribbon C are engaged with the unwinding reel 18. A take-up shaft 47 and a take-up shaft 48 with which the take-up reel 19 engages are provided. The platen roller 45 and the take-up shaft 48 are each rotated by the rotational power from the power unit 6 via the ribbon feed gear train 43. The take-up shaft 48 is a sliding shaft, and absorbs the change in the peripheral speed when the ink ribbon C is taken up on the take-up reel 19 by causing the slip. The unwinding shaft 47 is disposed in the cassette mounting portion 15 of the apparatus case 2.

  The ribbon feed gear train 43 includes a feed input gear 43a that receives rotational power from the power unit 6, a platen output gear 43b on which the platen roller 45 is pivotally mounted, a winding output gear 43c on which the winding shaft 48 is pivotally mounted, There is a platen reduction gear train 43d that transmits rotational power from the feed input gear 43a to the platen output gear 43b, and a winding reduction gear 43e that transmits rotational power from the feed input gear 43a to the winding output gear 43c. . The ribbon feed gear train 43 is interposed between a pressing plate frame 53 and a base frame 8 which will be described later, and although not particularly shown, each gear of the ribbon feed gear train 43 is freely rotatable on the base frame 8. It is supported (see FIG. 3).

  The feed input gear 43a rotates in conjunction with the power unit 6 by meshing with a clutch gear 64 of a power switching mechanism 62 described later (see FIG. 5A). The rotation of the feed input gear 43a is transmitted to the platen output gear 43b via a platen reduction gear train 43d composed of a plurality of gears having a predetermined reduction ratio, and at the same time, the platen with a predetermined reduction ratio via the winding reduction gear 43e. It is transmitted to the output gear 43b. The platen output gear 43b is rotatably engaged with the platen support shaft 81 erected on the base frame 8 together with the platen roller 45 attached to the shaft. Similarly, the winding output gear 43c is rotatably engaged with the winding support shaft 82 provided upright on the base frame 8 together with the winding shaft 48 attached to the shaft. The number of gears constituting the ribbon feed gear train 43 is arbitrary.

  Subsequently, the separating / connecting device 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining the operation of the separating / connecting device 7. FIG. 7 is a front view (a) (c) (e) and a side view (b) (d) (f) for explaining the operation of the separating / connecting device 7. 6 and 7, the configuration unnecessary for the description of the device case 2 and the like is omitted. In order to solve the problem that the ink ribbon C sticks to the platen roller 45, the separation / contact device 7 sufficiently separates the thermal head 44 and the platen roller 45 when not in use, and the thermal head 44 is inked only during use. The platen roller 45 is pressed through the ribbon C.

  The separation / contact device 7 is linked with a head release mechanism 71 that moves the thermal head 44 away from and in contact with the platen roller 45, and attachment / detachment of the stamp body A to / from the stamp mounting portion 11 and opening / closing of the opening / closing lid 12. And a lock / unlock mechanism 72 that allows or prevents the thermal head 44 from moving toward and away from the head 71.

  The head release mechanism 71 is configured to be rotatable about a support shaft 73a. The head rotation link 73 rotates the thermal head 44 so as to be in contact with and away from the platen roller 45, and a so-called twist fitted to the support shaft 73a. A head return spring 74 that urges the thermal head 44 so as to be separated from the platen roller 45, and a head rotation link 73 against the head return spring 74 in conjunction with the closing of the opening / closing lid 12 described above. Interlocking link 75 that rotates and rotates head rotation link 73 by head return spring 74 in conjunction with opening of opening / closing lid 12 is interposed between head rotation link 73 and interlocking link 75. And a connecting spring 76 formed of a so-called tension spring. Hereinafter, in order to simplify the description, a position where the thermal head 44 contacts the platen roller 45 will be described as a contact position P3, and a position where the thermal head 44 is separated will be described as a separation position P4.

  The head rotation link 73 is located in the vicinity of the platen roller 45, and in the vicinity of the end on the platen roller 45 side, a support shaft 73 a that is rotatably fitted to a support shaft fitting portion 83 formed on the base frame 8. It is supported. Further, one end of a connection spring 76 is engaged with the head rotation link 73 at an end portion separated from the platen roller 45, and a lock / unlock mechanism 72 is brought into contact therewith. The head rotation link 73 rotates like a “lever” with the support shaft 73a as a fulcrum. Further, since a desired separation distance can be set depending on the shape of the head rotation link 73 (bending angle, formation position of the support shaft 73a, etc.), the platen roller 45 and the thermal head 44 can be exchanged when the ink ribbon C is replaced. The ink ribbon C can be easily attached to and detached from the gap.

  The interlocking link 75 has a hook contact portion 75a formed in a substantially triangular shape with which the hook portion 23 of the opening / closing lid 12 contacts, and a connection that extends downward from the hook contact portion 75a and engages with a connection spring 76. A spring engaging portion 75b. The interlocking link 75 (the connecting spring engaging portion 75b) is configured to rotate (swing) in the left-right direction around the uppermost corner portion of the hook contact portion 75a.

  Subsequently, the lock / unlock mechanism 72 rotates the lock lever 77 in conjunction with the lock lever 77 detachably engaged with the head rotation link 73 and the attachment / detachment of the stamp body A with respect to the stamp mounting portion 11. And a lever actuating member 78 to be integrally formed.

  A block-shaped link abutting portion 77a is projected from the lower end portion of the lock lever 77 toward the head rotating link 73 side, and the head rotating link 73 abuts on this from the right side. . Hereinafter, in order to simplify the description, the position where the lock lever 77 can contact the head rotation link 73 is defined as a rotation prevention position P5, and the lock lever 77 is rotated forward in FIGS. A position where the contact with the head rotation link 73 is impossible will be described as a rotation allowable position P6. The base frame 8 is attached to the left side of the lock lever 77 to guide the rotation of the lock lever 77 (link contact portion 77 a) and to be a lever receiving portion that serves as a rotation restricting end of the head rotation link 73. 84 stands upright in a direction connecting the rotation preventing position P5 and the rotation allowable position P6.

  The lever actuating member 78 is pivotally supported by the device case 2 on the right side of the open lever 13 so as to be supported by the left and right sides, and the stamp mounting portion 11 side (rear side) so that the back surface of the stamp main body A mounted on the stamp mounting portion 11 contacts. A plate-like member is disposed obliquely downward. A lock lever 77 is connected to the right side of the lever operating member 78 from the front side. A lever return spring 78c, which is a so-called torsion spring, is fitted to the rotating portion on which the lever operating member 78 is pivotally supported, and the urging force is always applied to the lock lever 77 toward the rotation preventing position P5. Is acting.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the separation / contact operation of the thermal head 44 with respect to the platen roller 45 by the separation / contact device 7 will be described. When the stamp main body A is not attached to the stamp attaching portion 11 and the opening / closing lid 12 is opened, the connecting spring 76 contracts, and the biasing force of the head return spring 74 mainly acts on the head rotation link 73. The head 44 faces the separation position P4 (see FIGS. 6A and 7A and 7B).

  Next, when the opening / closing lid 12 is closed in this state, the connection spring 76 is pulled along with the rotation of the interlocking link 75, and the head rotation link 73 rotates clockwise. However, the head rotation link 73 contacts the lock lever 77 and is prevented from rotating. Therefore, the thermal head 44 maintains a state facing the separation position P4 (see FIGS. 6B and 7C and 7D). At this time, since the connecting spring 76 extends, the closing operation of the opening / closing lid 12 is not hindered, and the opening / closing lid 12 can be appropriately closed. Further, when the lock lever 77 is engaged with the lever receiving portion 84, the rotation of the head rotation link 73 is reliably prevented, and the force acting on the lock lever 77 is released to the base frame 8, so that the lock lever 77 Damage or the like can be prevented.

  On the other hand, when the opening / closing lid 12 is opened and the stamp main body A is mounted on the stamp mounting portion 11, the back surface of the stamp main body A comes into contact with the lever operating member 78, and the lock lever 77 is It rotates and faces the rotation allowable position P6.

  Next, when the open / close lid 12 is closed in this state, the connection spring 76 is pulled with the rotation of the interlocking link 75, the head rotation link 73 rotates clockwise, and the thermal head 44 moves to the contact position P3. (Refer to FIG. 6C and FIGS. 7E and 7F). As described above, in the stamp producing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the stamp main body A is attached to the stamp attaching unit 11 and the opening / closing lid 12 is closed, that is, the user is willing to actually use the stamp producing apparatus 1. Since the thermal head 44 is brought into contact with the platen roller 45 only in some cases, sticking of the ink ribbon C to the platen roller 45 can be reliably prevented.

  Subsequently, the exposure apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, 8, and 9. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the exposure device 5, the ribbon feed gear train 43, and the power unit 6. FIG. 9 is a plan view for explaining the operation of the exposure apparatus 5. The exposure apparatus 5 includes an ultraviolet light source (not shown) provided so as to face the stamp surface Ad of the stamp main body A set in the stamp mounting unit 11, and a pressing plate 50 provided between the ultraviolet light source and the stamp surface Ad. A pressing plate moving mechanism 51 for moving the pressing plate 50 between a pressing position P1 for pressing the printed ink ribbon C against the marking surface Ad and a retreating position P2 for retracting from the marking surface Ad, and a lower side of the pressing plate moving mechanism 51. And a pressing plate moving gear train 52 that transmits the rotational power of the power unit 6 to the pressing plate moving mechanism 51. The ink ribbon C after printing by the printing device 4 faces between the printing surface Ad and the pressing plate 50.

  The pressing plate 50 is made of a transparent resin (or glass) formed in substantially the same shape as the marking surface Ad, and is moved by the pressing plate moving mechanism 51 so as to press the ink ribbon C against the marking surface Ad of the stamp body A. It has become. After the pressing, the ultraviolet light source is turned on, and exposure is performed through the pressing plate 50 using the ink ribbon C as a mask. In addition, it is preferable to provide a reflector behind the ultraviolet light source and irradiate the ultraviolet rays concentratedly on the marking surface Ad.

  The pressing plate moving mechanism 51 includes a pressing plate frame 53 that holds the pressing plate 50, a pressing plate return spring 54 that urges the pressing plate 50 toward the retracted position P2 via the pressing plate frame 53, and a pressing plate frame. 53 and a cam mechanism 55 that is interposed between the output end of the pressing plate moving gear train 52 and moves the pressing plate 50 to the pressing position P1.

  The pressing plate frame 53 includes a plate portion 56 that is a main portion thereof, and a pressing plate support portion 57 that supports and fixes the pressing plate 50 on the plate portion 56. The plate portion 56 is a member that is formed in a stepped shape with both corners on one side on the near side cut out in a rectangular shape, and a cam opening 59 of a cam mechanism 55 described later is opened at the left and right center on the near side. Although not shown, slide guides are provided at both ends of the plate portion 56 to guide the movement of the plate portion 56 in the front-rear direction (pressing position P1 and retracted position P2).

The pressing plate support portion 57 urges the pressing plate 50 forward via the stay portions 57a by a pair of stay portions 57a erected on the left and right ends on the rear side of the cam opening 59 and a pair of urging springs 57c. A pair of urging portions 57b.
The pair of stay portions 57a is formed so that both left and right end portions of the pressing plate 50 are fitted. The pressing plate 50 fitted to the pair of stay portions 57a is fixed to each stay portion 57a with two upper and lower screws. Each urging portion 57b is disposed on both outer sides of each stay portion 57a, and supports each stay portion 57a in a state in which it can move minutely in the direction connecting the pressing position P1 and the retracted position P2. In addition, each biasing spring 57c that receives the device case 2 is disposed through each biasing portion 57b, and each of the penetrating springs 57c that penetrates has an end portion of each stay portion 57a. It abuts from the rear side and urges the pressing plate 50 in the direction toward the pressing position P1 via the stay portions 57a. By each of the biasing springs 57c, the pressing plate 50 can be pressed against the printing surface Ad of the stamp main body A with an appropriate pressure via the ink ribbon C (mask).

  The pressing plate return spring 54 is a so-called tension spring in which one end portion is connected to the rear side of the plate portion 56 of the pressing plate frame 53 and substantially in the left-right direction and the other end portion is connected to the device case 2. The pressing plate return spring 54 always applies a force toward the retracted position P2 to the pressing plate frame 53.

  The cam mechanism 55 is formed on an eccentric protrusion 58 provided at an eccentric position on the end face of the movement output gear 52b, which will be described later, and the pressing plate frame 53, and positively engages with the eccentric protrusion 58 by the pressing plate return spring 54. And a cam opening 59 including a cam portion 59a. The eccentric protrusion 58 is erected on the peripheral edge of the movement output gear 52 b on the end face of the movement output gear 52 b of the pressing plate movement gear train 52.

  The cam opening 59 is a substantially circular opening having substantially the same size as the rotation track of the eccentric protrusion 58, that is, a radius substantially the same as the turning radius of the eccentric protrusion 58 on the movement output gear 52b. The cam opening 59 engages with the eccentric protrusion 58 from above and allows the eccentric protrusion 58 to rotate (rotation of the movement output gear 52b). The cam opening 59 is formed with a cam portion 59a protruding in a substantially trapezoidal shape from a part on the circumference thereof. The position of the pressing plate 50 when the eccentric protrusion 58 is engaged with the top of the cam portion 59a is the pressing position P1 (see FIG. 9B). The eccentric protrusion 58 engaged with the cam opening 59 rotates with the rotation of the movement output gear 52 b, and this rotation is converted into the forward and backward movement of the pressing plate frame 53. Thus, by forming the cam opening 59 in the pressing plate frame 53 itself that is desired to advance and retract, the cam mechanism 55 that converts the rotational motion into the forward and backward motion can be simply configured.

  In addition, when the cam opening 59 and the eccentric protrusion 58 are engaged with each other, the imaginary line connecting the rotation center of the movement output gear 52b and the center of the eccentric protrusion 58 is formed on the cam portion 59a. ) At a position shifted from the moving direction (see FIG. 9B). Thereby, although the details will be described later, the position of the eccentric protrusion 58 with respect to the pressing plate frame 53 when the urging force of the pressing plate return spring 54 acts on the eccentric protrusion 58 via the pressing plate frame 53 at the pressing position P1. Can be avoided.

  The pressing plate moving gear train 52 is moved from the moving input gear 52a that receives the rotational power from the power unit 6, the moving output gear 52b that is engaged with the cam mechanism 55 and serves as an output end of the rotating power, and the moving input gear 52a. And a moving reduction gear 52c that transmits rotational power to the output gear 52b. In addition, as will be described in detail later, a clutch mechanism 91 for releasing the engagement between the movement output gear 52b and the movement reduction gear 52c is provided (see FIG. 10). The rotation of the movement input gear 52a is transmitted to the movement output gear 52b with a predetermined reduction ratio via the movement reduction gear 52c. Although not specifically shown, each gear is rotatably supported on the base frame 8. Further, the number of gears constituting the pressing plate moving gear train 52 is arbitrary.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 9, the movement of the pressing plate frame 53 in the front-rear direction, that is, the movement between the pressing position P1 and the retracted position P2 will be described. In a state where the pressing plate 50 faces the retracted position P2 (see FIG. 9A), when the power unit 6 is driven to rotate the movement output gear 52b (clockwise in the present embodiment), the eccentric protrusion 58 eventually becomes a cam. It contacts the part 59a. When the movement output gear 52b is further rotated from there, the pressing plate frame 53 moves forward against the pressing plate return spring 54 according to the rotation. Then, the eccentric protrusion 58 reaches (climbs on) the top of the cam portion 59a, and the pressing plate 50 faces the pressing position P1 (see FIG. 9B). In other words, the pressing plate 50 is pressed against the marking surface Ad of the stamp main body A with the ink ribbon C after printing interposed therebetween. When the rotation of the movement output gear 52b (power device 6) is stopped in this state, the urging force of the pressing plate return spring 54 is in the reverse direction from the pressing plate moving gear train 52 to the power device 6, that is, the rotational load is large. Acts in the direction of speed increase. Therefore, the urging force of the pressing plate return spring 54 cannot resist the rotational load in the speed increasing direction of the pressing plate moving gear train 52 (balance or rotational load is larger), and the moving output gear 52b ( The pressing plate moving gear train 52) does not rotate, and the pressing plate 50 is maintained at the pressing position P1.

  Although illustration is omitted, the movement output gear 52b is provided with a projection for indicating that the eccentric projection 58 is positioned at the top of the cam portion 59a, that is, that the pressing plate 50 is at the pressing position P1. A micro switch SW that is switched by this protrusion is provided in the vicinity of the movement output gear 52b (see FIG. 5). In the present embodiment, it is possible to reliably detect that the pressing plate 50 has reached the pressing position P1 by controlling the driving stop timing of the power unit 6 based on the detection result of the micro switch SW. Instead of the protrusion and the micro switch SW, a mark indicating a rotation range where the eccentric protrusion 58 is located at the top of the cam portion 59a may be formed, and a photo sensor or the like for reading the mark may be provided.

  Next, when the eccentric protrusion 58 is positioned at the top of the cam portion 59a, the movement output gear 52b is further rotated (either forward rotation or reverse rotation), and the engagement between the eccentric protrusion 58 and the cam portion 59a is achieved. The pressing plate frame 53 moves rearward by the urging force of the pressing plate return spring 54 according to the rotation. Then, the pressing plate 50 faces the retracted position P2 (see FIG. 9A). The device case 2 is provided with a contact (not shown) for restricting the backward movement of the pressing plate frame 53.

  As described above, in the stamp producing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the rotational power transmitted from the power unit 6 can be converted into the forward / backward movement of the pressing plate frame 53 (the pressing plate 50) via the cam mechanism 55. Thereby, the movement of the press plate 50 between the retreat position P2 and the press position P1 can be implemented appropriately. In the present embodiment, the movement output gear 52b is rotated clockwise, but the rotation direction is arbitrary.

  Subsequently, the power unit 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 8. The power unit 6 selects a single motor 61 (DC motor) serving as a power source and the rotational power of the motor 61 for the ribbon feed gear train 43 of the printing device 4 and the pressing plate moving gear train 52 of the exposure device 5. And a power switching mechanism 62 that transmits automatically.

  The motor 61 is connected to a control board that controls its rotational drive. A worm 63 (screw gear) is coupled to the output shaft (rotary shaft) of the motor 61. The control board receives a command from the PC and switches the rotation direction of the motor 61 (worm 63) between forward rotation and reverse rotation. The rotation direction is switched by switching the electrodes (+/−) input to the motor 61.

  The power switching mechanism 62 includes a clutch gear 64 that is selectively meshed with the feed input gear 43 a of the ribbon feed gear train 43 and the movement input gear 52 a of the pressing plate moving gear train 52, and a worm that is meshed with the clutch gear 64 and connected to the motor 61. A wheel 65 (main gear) and a clutch arm 66 that rotatably supports the clutch gear 64 while being rotatably supported by a gear shaft on which the worm wheel 65 is pivotally mounted are provided. In the power switching mechanism 62, the clutch arm 66 rotates with the worm wheel 65. That is, by switching the rotation direction (power) of the motor 61 between normal rotation and reverse rotation, the clutch arm 66 rotates between the feed input gear 43a and the movement input gear 52a.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 5, transmission of rotational power from the power unit 6 to the ribbon feed gear train 43 or the pressing plate moving gear train 52 will be described. In the present embodiment, the rotation in the direction in which the worm 63 is pulled into the motor 61 is referred to as “forward rotation”. When the printing process is performed using the printing apparatus 4, the control board rotates the motor 61 in the normal direction. Then, the worm wheel 65 rotates counterclockwise and rotational power is transmitted to the clutch gear 64, and the clutch gear 64 rotates in the direction of the ribbon feed gear train 43 as the worm wheel 65 rotates (FIG. 5 ( a)). The clutch gear 64 meshes with the feed input gear 43 a and transmits the rotational power of the motor 61 to the ribbon feed gear train 43. As a result, the platen roller 45 and the take-up shaft 48 are rotated to perform the printing process.

  Next, when an exposure process is performed using the exposure apparatus 5, the control board reverses the motor 61. Then, the worm wheel 65 rotates rightward, and the clutch gear 64 rotates in the direction of the pressing plate moving gear train 52 with this rotation (see FIG. 5B). The clutch gear 64 meshes with the movement input gear 52 a and transmits the rotational power of the motor 61 to the pressing plate movement gear train 52. Thereby, the pressing plate 50 moves to the pressing position P1 (or the retracted position P2).

  As described above, the rotational power of the single motor 61 is converted by the power switching mechanism 62 between the ribbon feeding mechanism 42 (feeding the ink ribbon C (mask)) and the pressing plate moving mechanism 51 (moving the pressing plate 50). Either of them will be used selectively. That is, the operation can be switched only by simple control of controlling the rotation direction of the single motor 61 for either “feeding the ink ribbon C” or “moving the pressing plate 50”. Thereby, the complexity of the structure and control and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed, and the user can automatically “feed the ink ribbon C” and “press plate” by a simple operation (for example, operation on a PC). 50 movements ". Further, by using a mechanism using a planetary gear composed of a worm wheel 65 (sun gear), a clutch gear 64 (planetary gear), and a clutch arm 66 (planet carrier), the ribbon feed mechanism 42 and the pressing force can be reduced with a simple structure. Rotational power can be reliably transmitted to any of the plate moving mechanisms 51.

  Furthermore, since a high reduction ratio can be obtained by employing a worm gear composed of the worm 63 and the worm wheel 65, the motor 61 can be configured with a small size (low output). Furthermore, as described above, by using the high reduction ratio, the pressing plate 50 connected to the movement output gear 52b of the pressing plate moving gear train 52 can be held at the pressing position P1 only by stopping the motor 61. Thereby, since it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for holding the large motor 61 and the pressing plate 50 at the pressing position P1, it is possible to reduce the size of the stamp producing apparatus 1 and to reduce the manufacturing cost thereof. .

  By the way, there is a case where the exposure is stopped (or the exposure is stopped) for some reason (user convenience, apparatus trouble, etc.) during the exposure process, and the stamp body A is taken out from the stamp mounting portion 11 by opening the opening / closing lid 12. is there. However, in the conventional stamp producing apparatus 1, since the pressing plate 50 presses the mask (ink ribbon C) against the printing surface Ad, if the stamp main body A is forcibly taken out, the ink ribbon C and the pressing plate are damaged. Etc. Therefore, in the stamp producing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, a clutch mechanism 91 that releases the pressing by the pressing plate 50 against the marking surface Ad is incorporated in the pressing plate moving gear train 52 in conjunction with the opening of the opening / closing lid 12. Although explanation is omitted, when the opening / closing lid 12 is opened during the exposure process, the lit ultraviolet light source is automatically turned off. Hereinafter, the clutch mechanism 91 will be described with reference to FIG. 10A and 10B are perspective views (a) and (c) and plan views (b) and (d) for explaining the operation of the clutch mechanism 91. FIG.

  The clutch mechanism 91 pivotally supports the movement reduction gear 52c, and the open lever 13 is mounted on the operating arm 92 rotatably supported by the gear shaft of the movement input gear 52a meshing with the movement reduction gear 52c. The base end portions of the two are connected.

  The operating arm 92 is integrally formed as a stepped plate-like member having a step difference in the vertical direction between the arm upper step portion 92a and the arm lower step portion 92b. A movement input gear 52a and a movement reduction gear 52c are rotatably supported on the lower surface of the arm upper step portion 92a, and the movement reduction gear 52c is separated from (connected to) the movement output gear 52b from the left side. Yes. On the upper surface of the arm lower step portion 92b, an engagement hole 93 that engages with the engagement protrusion 28 provided at the base end portion (lower end portion) of the operation support portion 25 of the open lever 13 is opened. Therefore, when the open lever 13 is rotated rightward to open the opening / closing lid 12, the base end portion (engagement protrusion 28) of the operation support portion 25 is rotated leftward about the lever support shaft 27. Accordingly, the operating arm 92 engaged with the open lever 13 also rotates around the gear shaft of the moving input gear 52a.

  Next, the operation of the clutch mechanism 91 will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, in order to simplify the description, it is assumed that the stamp main body A is mounted on the stamp mounting unit 11, the opening / closing lid 12 is closed, and the exposure processing by the exposure apparatus 5 is performed. The position where the operating arm 92 faces will be described as a power transmission position P7 where the moving reduction gear 52c meshes with the movement output gear 52b, and a power cutoff position P8 where the meshing is released. Further, the position of the open lever 13 in a state in which the hook portion 23 of the opening / closing lid 12 is engaged with the hook hook portion 29 of the open lever 13 is defined as a lock position P9, and the position of the open lever 13 in the state in which the engagement is released is set. This will be described as the unlock position P10.

  First, when the open lever 13 faces the lock position P9, the moving reduction gear 52c (actuating arm 92) faces the power transmission position P7 by the biasing force of the torsion spring fitted to the lever support shaft 27 (FIG. 10 ( a) (b)). That is, when the opening / closing lid 12 is closed, the movement output gear 52 b and the movement reduction gear 52 c mesh with each other, and the rotational power from the power unit 6 can be transmitted to the pressing plate moving mechanism 51 via the pressing plate moving gear train 52. As described above, when the driving of the power unit 6 (the motor 61 thereof) is stopped in a state where the pressing plate 50 (the pressing plate frame 53) faces the pressing position P1, the urging force of the pressing plate return spring 54 is increased in the speed increasing direction. Since it acts on (large rotation load), the pressing plate moving gear train 52 does not rotate, and the pressing plate 50 is maintained at the pressing position P1.

  From this point, when the operating head portion 26 of the open lever 13 is tilted to the right, the open lever 13 moves to the unlock position P10, and the opening / closing lid 12 is automatically opened by the action of the lid opening spring 21 and at the same time the operating arm. 92 rotates and moves to the power cutoff position P8 (see FIGS. 10C and 10D). That is, when the opening / closing lid 12 is opened, the meshing of the movement output gear 52b and the movement reduction gear 52c is released, and the movement output gear 52b freely rotates. Further, as described above, the eccentric protrusion 58 that engages with the cam opening 59 opened in the pressing plate frame 53 is formed at a position that is angularly shifted from the rotation center of the movement output gear 52b. The movement output gear 52b is rotated by the urging force of the pressing plate return spring 54, and at the same time, the pressing plate 50 (the pressing plate frame 53) is moved to the retracted position P2 by the urging force. As described above, the pressing plate 50 is automatically released from the pressing surface Ad in conjunction with the opening of the opening / closing lid 12, and thus the stamp main body A mounted on the stamp mounting portion 11 can be easily removed. Thereby, when taking out the stamp main body A, the ink ribbon C, the stamp main body A, the pressing plate 50 and the like are not damaged. Further, the opening arm 13 is rotated between the lock position P9 and the unlock position P10, which is the opening / closing operation of the open / close lid 12 that is normally performed by the user, and the operating arm 92 between the power transmission position P7 and the power cutoff position P8. Can be linked to the rotation of Accordingly, the user can automatically move the pressing plate 50 to the retracted position P2 simultaneously with the opening of the opening / closing lid 12 without performing any special operation.

In place of the configuration of the clutch mechanism 91 of the present embodiment, the operating arm 92 is rotatably supported by the movement reduction gear 52c and the movement output gear 52b, and is rotated around the gear shaft of the movement output gear 52b. The meshing between the moving reduction gear 52c and the moving input gear 52a may be intermittent.
However, in order to minimize the load for moving the pressing plate 50 to the retracted position P2, the movement output gear 52b located on the most downstream side of the pressing plate moving gear train 52 as in the clutch mechanism 91 of the present embodiment. It is preferable to intermittently engage the mesh.

  According to the stamp producing apparatus 1 described above, the single motor 61 is selected for either the ribbon feeding mechanism 42 (feeding the ink ribbon C (mask)) or the pressing plate moving mechanism 51 (moving the pressing plate 50). Therefore, the structure and control of the stamp producing device 1 can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. Further, for example, in the case of the stamp creation apparatus 1 used by connecting to a PC, the user can create a seal only by operating on the PC without touching the stamp creation apparatus 1. For this reason, the user can switch between “feeding the ink ribbon C” and “moving the pressing plate 50” with a simple operation and without requiring an operation on the stamp producing apparatus 1 (automatically).

  1: Stamp making device, 4: Printing device, 5: Exposure device, 6: Power device, 42: Ribbon feeding mechanism, 43: Ribbon feeding gear train, 43a: Feeding input gear, 50: Press plate, 51: Press plate movement Mechanism: 52: Pressing plate moving gear train, 53: Pressing plate frame, 54: Pressing plate return spring, 55: Cam mechanism, 61: Motor, 62: Power switching mechanism, 63: Worm, 64: Clutch gear, 65: Worm Wheel, 66: Clutch arm, A: Stamp body, Ad: Mark

Claims (4)

A stamp creation device that forms a stamp image on a stamp material by exposing a stamp surface composed of a photocurable resin through a mask,
A mask feed mechanism for feeding the mask to an exposure unit where the marking surface is located;
A pressing plate provided in the exposure unit and configured to be movable between a pressing position for pressing the mask against the marking surface and a retracting position for retracting from the marking surface;
A pressing plate moving mechanism for moving the pressing plate between the pressing position and the retracted position;
A single power source for driving the mask feed mechanism and driving the pressing plate moving mechanism;
A mask feed gear train for transmitting rotational power of the power source to the mask feed mechanism;
A pressing plate moving gear train for transmitting rotational power of the power source to the pressing plate moving mechanism;
A stamp producing apparatus comprising: a power switching mechanism that selectively transmits rotational power of the power source to the mask feed gear train and the pressing plate moving gear train.   The power switching mechanism transmits one of forward rotation power and reverse rotation power of the power source to the mask feed gear train, and transmits the other to the pressing plate moving gear train. Stamp making device. The power switching mechanism includes a clutch input gear selectively engaged with a feed input gear serving as an input end of the mask feed gear train and a movement input gear serving as an input end of the pressing plate moving gear train,
A main gear meshing with the clutch gear and connected to the power source;
3. The clutch arm according to claim 2, further comprising a clutch arm that is rotatably supported by a gear shaft on which the main gear is mounted, and that rotatably supports the clutch gear. Stamp making device. The pressing plate is configured to be movable back and forth between the pressing position and the retracted position,
The pressing plate moving mechanism includes a pressing plate frame that holds the pressing plate;
A return spring for biasing the pressing plate toward the retracted position via the pressing plate frame;
A cam mechanism interposed between the pressing plate frame and a moving output gear serving as an output end of the pressing plate moving gear train, and moving the pressing plate to the pressing position; The stamp producing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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