JP2012116150A - Image recording apparatus and method of controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recording apparatus that has a cutting section promptly resettable when the cutting section is stopped, and to provide a method of controlling the image recording apparatus.SOLUTION: The image recording apparatus, which records an image on a recording medium, includes: a cutting blade which cuts a recording medium; and a first magnet, includes: a supporting member which supports the cutting blade; and a second magnet, and includes a retreating section which makes the cutting blade evacuate from a cutting position in which cutting of recording medium is performed by using a magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus having a function of cutting a wound or folded long recording medium into a predetermined length, and a method for controlling the image recording apparatus.

  In general, an image recording apparatus that records an image on a continuous recording medium wound in a roll shape on a shaft portion such as recording paper or recording film has a predetermined length when the recording medium is output from the apparatus. A cutting part for cutting is provided. Such a cutting unit includes, for example, a cutting blade that cuts the recording medium, a cutter roller that fixes and rotates the cutting blade, and an anvil roller that is arranged to receive the cutting blade, and rotates the cutter roller. Then, the recording medium is cut by pressing the cutting blade against the anvil roller.

  In an image recording apparatus provided with such a cutting unit, a stop process for quickly stopping the operation of the cutting unit is performed when an abnormality occurs in the main body of the image recording apparatus or in the cutting unit.

  When the cutting unit is stopped, a process for returning the apparatus is performed after the cause of the abnormality is removed. In this return processing, an operation called return to origin is performed in order to place the position of the cutting blade under the control of the control unit. That is, an operation is performed in which the cutter roller is rotated to a predetermined origin position to return the cutting blade to a predetermined position.

  During the return to origin operation, if there is a recording medium at the cutting position where the recording medium is cut by the cutting blade, the recording medium is cut. Since the cut piece of the recording medium generated at the time of such return to origin is different from the rated length, for example, it does not reach the conveyance roller provided at the subsequent stage of the cutting part and moves to an unexpected position in the apparatus. This hinders the conveyance of the subsequent paper and causes a so-called paper jam, which is a factor that prevents normal recovery.

  Several techniques are known for cutting the recording medium in the return operation of the apparatus. For example, in Patent Document 1, when the mechanism of the cutting unit is reset, the completion / non-completion of the cutting operation is automatically determined using the storage information of the control device regarding the completion / non-completion of the cutting operation. In the case of, a technique for quickly cutting is shown.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-246987

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the storage information of the control device is used to determine whether the control device is disconnected or not completed, for example, it is possible to cope with a stop due to a situation in which the storage information such as a power failure is lost. I couldn't.

  In addition, regarding the paper cut at the time of automatic return, the paper is cut to a length different from the rated length, and no consideration is given to the fact that it causes a paper jam.

  The problem that the paper is cut to a length different from the above-mentioned rated length is that, for example, the recording medium is once removed from the apparatus before the return operation, and the recording medium is manually cut to a length that does not reach the cutting position in advance. Further, it can be avoided by returning the recording medium to the apparatus.

  However, depending on the position of the cutting blade of the stopped cutting part, the recording medium may be pinched between the cutting blade and the anvil roller. In this case, even if the recording medium is removed from the apparatus, the recording medium is caught. The recorded recording medium cannot be easily removed, and the returning operation becomes difficult.

  The present invention provides an image recording apparatus having a cutting section that can be quickly restored when the cutting section is stopped, and a method for controlling the image recording apparatus.

  An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cutting blade that cuts the recording medium, a first magnet, a support unit that supports the cutting blade, and a second A retraction unit that includes a magnet and retracts the cutting blade from a cutting position where the recording medium is cut using a magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet.

  An image recording apparatus control method for recording an image on a recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention is a step of bringing a retracting unit including a second magnet closer to a first magnet attached to a support unit, A step in which the cutting blade supported by the support portion is retracted from the cutting position where the recording medium is cut by the magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to quickly return the apparatus when the cutting unit stops.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic layout diagram of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the electric power supply to the control part which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, a motor driver, a motor, and a retracting part. It is a figure showing the state of the cutting part at the time of normal operation | movement of the image recording device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the state of a cutting part at the time of a stop of the image recording device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the attachment angle of the cutting blade of the cutting part of the image recording device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a typical layout drawing of the cutting part concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, some embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image recording apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image recording apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit 40, an unwinder unit 2, a printer unit 3, a cutting unit 5, a discharge unit 6, a display unit 9, an operation unit 32, and a retracting unit 27.

  The control unit 40 includes, for example, an MPU (Micro Processor Unit) and has a control function and a calculation function. The control unit 40 includes a storage unit 41.

  The control unit 40 executes, for example, a control program stored in the ROM of the storage unit 41, thereby functioning as, for example, the image recording control unit 40a, the cutting control unit 40b, and the conveyance control unit 40c, and the image recording apparatus 1 The operation of each unit such as the unwinder unit 2, the printer unit 3, the cutting unit 5 and the discharge unit 6 provided in the above is controlled.

  The image recording control unit 40a controls the printer unit 3 to cause the printer unit 3 to execute image recording processing. The cutting control unit 40b controls the cutting unit 5 to cause the cutting unit 5 to execute a recording medium cutting process. The conveyance control unit 40 c controls conveyance of the recording medium 10 by the unwinder unit 2, the discharge unit 6, and the medium conveyance unit 4 of the printer unit 3.

  The storage unit 41 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a control program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that the MPU uses as a working storage area, and a nonvolatile that stores various setting values related to the control of the image recording apparatus 1. Including memory.

  The unwinder unit 2 is an unwinding unit that rotatably holds the recording medium 10 shown in FIG. 2 and unwinds the recording medium 10 to the printer unit 3. In one embodiment, the unwinder unit 2 holds roll paper as the recording medium 10. The unwinder unit 2 also has a function of applying a back tension to the recording medium 10 in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 10.

  The printer unit 3 is connected to the control unit 40 and executes image recording processing in accordance with instructions from the control unit 40. The printer unit 3 includes, for example, a first image recording unit 7, a second image recording unit 8, a medium conveyance unit 4, a conveyance information generation unit 13, and the like.

  The first image recording unit 7 and the second image recording unit 8 record an image on the recording medium 10. The first image recording unit 7 and the second image recording unit 8 include, for example, a recording head, and execute recording processing by ejecting ink from the recording head.

  The medium transport unit 4 transports the recording medium 10 transported from the unwinder unit 2 to a position where recording by the first image recording unit 7 and the second image recording unit 8 is possible, and then transports the recording medium 10 to the cutting unit 5. To do. The conveyance information generation unit 13 generates information related to the conveyance distance of the recording medium 10 conveyed by the medium conveyance unit 4. The conveyance information generation unit 13 is, for example, a rotary encoder.

  In FIG. 1, the image recording apparatus 1 is connected to a host apparatus 30 such as a personal computer (PC). In one embodiment, the image recording apparatus 1 receives recording instruction information from the host apparatus 30 and executes a recording process on a recording medium according to the received recording instruction information.

  However, the image recording apparatus does not necessarily need to be connected to the host apparatus 30. In another embodiment, for example, a storage medium such as a flash memory is connected to the image recording apparatus, and the image recording apparatus is stored in the storage medium. Recording instruction information may be generated based on the recorded data and the recording process may be executed.

  The recording instruction information is data that instructs the image recording apparatus 1 to perform recording processing on the recording medium, and is, for example, a print job.

  The cutting unit 5 is connected to the control unit 40 and cuts the recording medium 10 that has been conveyed in accordance with instructions from the control unit.

  The discharge unit 6 discharges the recording medium 10 cut by the cutting unit 5 to the outside of the apparatus and stores it in the storage unit 26 shown in FIG.

  The operation unit 32 receives an input operation from the user, such as an instruction to execute an image recording process, and transmits it to the control unit 40. In one embodiment, the operation unit 32 accepts an input operation instructing an emergency stop from a user, for example.

  The display unit 9 displays information such as the status of the image recording apparatus, and is configured by a liquid crystal panel, for example.

  The evacuation unit 27 moves the cutting blade 58 to the cutting position when the cutting unit 5 stops with the recording medium 10 sandwiched between the cutting blade 58 and the anvil roller 56 due to an emergency stop or the like. Evacuate from. The retracting portion 27 is electrically controlled in one embodiment, but operates independently in another embodiment, and the cutting portion 5 is in a recording position between the cutting blade 58 and the anvil roller 56. When 10 is sandwiched and stopped, the cutting blade 58 is retracted from the cutting position. Details of the saving unit 27 will be described later.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of components included in the image recording apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. In FIG. 2, components corresponding to those in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the image recording apparatus 1 includes an unwinder unit 2, a printer unit 3, a cutting unit 5, a discharge unit 6, and a storage unit 26. In FIG. 2, the control unit 40, the display unit 9, the operation unit 32, and the like are omitted.

  The unwinder unit 2 includes an unwinder unit stand (not shown) and a paper tube fixing shaft. The unwinder unit 2 holds the recording medium 10 rotatably and unwinds the recording medium 10 to the printer unit 3. In the present embodiment, the unwinder unit 2 holds roll paper as the recording medium 10. Further, the unwinder unit 2 has a function of applying a back tension to the recording medium 10 in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 10.

  The printer unit 3 executes image recording processing in accordance with instructions from the control unit 40. The printer unit 3 includes a medium transport unit 4 for transporting the recording medium 10, and a first image recording unit 7 and a second image recording unit 8 that perform recording by discharging ink.

  In FIG. 2, for example, the medium transport unit 4 includes a plurality of free rollers 14 to 18, a first drum 11, a second drum 12, nip rollers 20 and 21, and a nip roller driving unit 22.

  The first drum 11 and the second drum 12 wrap and hold the recording medium 10 at a position where ink discharged from the first image recording unit 7 and the second image recording unit 8 reaches, respectively. The first image recording unit 7 and the second image recording unit 8 perform recording processing by ejecting ink from the recording head to the recording medium held on the drum.

  The free rollers 14 to 18 control the flow of conveyance of the recording medium in order to convey the recording medium along a predetermined conveyance path. The nip rollers 20 and 21 sandwich the recording medium 10, and the nip roller driving unit 22 conveys the recording medium by rotating the nip rollers 20 and 21.

  The configuration of each unit included in the printer unit 3 will be described in detail along the conveyance of the recording medium 10.

  The recording medium 10 unwound from the unwinder unit 2 is conveyed to the first drum 11 via the free roller 14.

  The first drum 11 is, for example, a hollow cylinder made of aluminum. The rotation shaft 28 of the first drum 11 is rotatably supported by a main body frame (not shown).

  In the present embodiment, the first drum 11 is configured such that the recording medium 10 is wound at a winding angle of 330 degrees, and approximately three A3 size vertical (420 mm) sheets at a winding angle of 330 degrees. The size of the drum is set so as to have a circumference equivalent to minutes.

  During the conveyance, the recording medium 10 is subjected to the back tension generated by the unwinder unit 2 and the conveyance force applied by the nip rollers 20 and 21, so that the recording medium 10 is applied to the recording medium 10 on the outer peripheral surface of the first drum 11. A vertical drag is generated, and the recording medium 10 is held on the first drum 11 by friction with the first drum 11.

  In the first drum 11, ink is ejected from the first image recording unit 7 to the held recording medium 10, and an image is recorded on the recording medium 10.

  Subsequently, the recording medium 10 is conveyed from the first drum 11 to the second drum 12 via the free rollers 15, 16, and 17. The second drum 12 is a hollow cylinder made of, for example, aluminum.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the second drum 12 is configured such that the recording medium 10 is wound at a winding angle of 330 degrees, similarly to the first drum 11, and at a winding angle of 330 degrees. The size of the drum is set so as to have a circumferential length equivalent to about three A3 vertical (420 mm) sheets.

  In the recording medium 10, a vertical drag is generated on the outer peripheral surface of the second drum 12 by the back tension generated by the unwinder unit 2 and the tension by the nip rollers 20 and 21, and the recording medium 10 is in contact with the second drum 12. The second drum 12 is held by friction.

  In the second drum 12, ink is ejected from the second image recording unit 8 to the held recording medium 10, and an image is recorded on the recording medium 10.

  The second image recording unit 8 records an image on the back side of the surface of the recording medium 10 on which recording has been performed by the first image recording unit 7. Accordingly, double-sided recording is performed on the recording medium 10 by the second image recording unit 8 and the first image recording unit 7.

  The conveyance information generation unit 13 is connected to the rotation shaft 29 of the second drum 12. The conveyance information generation unit 13 is, for example, a rotary encoder. The conveyance information generation unit 13 outputs a detection pulse synchronized with the rotation of the second drum 12.

  This detection pulse is input to a head driving unit (not shown) that drives the recording heads of the first image recording unit 7 and the second image recording unit 8, and the head driving unit synchronizes with the detection pulse and supplies ink to the recording head. To discharge.

  The conveyance information generation unit 13 is configured to output a predetermined number of detection pulses in accordance with the rotation of the drum, for example, to output 18000 detection pulses per rotation of the second drum 12. Therefore, the control unit 40 can acquire the transport distance of the recording medium by counting the number of output detection pulses.

  In the present embodiment, the diameter of the first drum 11 is the same as the diameter of the second drum 12. With this configuration, the recording heads of the first image recording unit 7 and the second image recording unit 8 perform ink ejection driving in synchronization with the detection pulse of the conveyance information generation unit 13 and perform printing with a resolution of 300 dpi in the conveyance direction. Becomes easier.

After the end of winding of the second drum 12, the recording medium 10 is sandwiched between nip rollers 20 and 21 after passing through free rollers 18 and 19.

  The nip rollers 20 and 21 have sufficient frictional force and nip force (pinch force) to give the recording medium 10 a conveying force. The nip rollers 20 and 21 are driven by the nip roller driving unit 22, and as a result, the nip rollers 20 and 21 are rotated and the recording medium 10 is conveyed. That is, the conveyance speed of the recording medium 10 is determined by the driving speed of the nip rollers 20 and 21 by the nip roller driving unit 22.

  Since the frictional force is generated between the recording medium 10 and the first drum 11 and the second drum 12 as described above, the conveyance speed of the recording medium 10 conveyed by the nip rollers 20 and 21 is increased. At the same time, the first drum 11 and the second drum 12 rotate in a driven manner.

  After the nip rollers 20 and 21, the recording medium 10 is sent to the cutting unit 5 and is cut into a predetermined size by the cutting unit 5.

  Next, the operation of the cutting unit 5 will be described. The cutting unit 5 includes a pair of cutter introduction rollers 54 and 55, an anvil roller 56, a cutter roller 57, and a pair of cutter discharge rollers 63 and 64. The cutter roller 57 includes a cutting blade 58 for cutting the recording medium 10 and is an example of a support unit that supports the cutting blade 58.

  The recording medium 10 sent from the printer unit 3 is introduced into the cutter introduction rollers 54 and 55 in the cutting unit 5. The cutter introduction rollers 54 and 55 are rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown), and the cutting unit 5 applies a necessary conveying force to the recording medium 10.

  The main body portion of the cutter is composed of an anvil roller 56 and a cutter roller 57. The anvil roller 56 and the cutter roller 57 are driven by the motor 68 shown in FIG. 3, and the recording medium is at a position where the cutting blade 58 attached to the cutter roller 57 is in contact with the anvil roller 56 (referred to as a cutting position). 10 is cut.

  The rotation speed of the cutter roller 57 is variable, and the paper size of the recording medium to be cut can be determined by the conveyance speed of the recording medium 10 given by the cutter introduction rollers 54 and 55 and the rotation speed of the cutter roller 57. . A cutter roller magnet 59 is attached to the cutter roller 57.

  The cutter roller 57 is formed with a cutter origin 66 indicating the origin position of the cutter roller 57. A cutter origin sensor 67 for detecting the cutter origin 66 is disposed in the vicinity of the cutter roller 57.

  The cutter origin 66 and the cutter origin sensor 67 are used for the control unit 40 to grasp the position of the cutting blade 58. It is also used when returning the cutting blade to the origin position when the apparatus is activated.

  The cutter origin sensor 67 is, for example, a photomicro sensor. For example, the cutter roller 57 is provided with a disk, and a slit is formed as the cutter origin 66 at the origin of the disk. And the cutting blade 58 can be arrange | positioned in a predetermined | prescribed origin position by detecting the slit using the cutter origin sensor 67 which used the photomicro sensor, for example.

  The controller 40 can place the cutting timing of the recording medium 10 by the cutting blade 58 by controlling the rotational speed of the cutter roller 57 by arranging the cutting blade 58 at the origin position.

  In the present embodiment, the conveyance of the recording medium 10 from the position on the first drum 11 where the image is recorded by the first image recording unit 7 to the position where the recording medium 10 is cut by the cutting unit 5 is performed. The number of detection pulses output from the information generation unit 13 is configured to be a constant value.

  Similarly, the conveyance information is generated while the recording medium 10 is conveyed from the position on the second drum 12 where the image is recorded by the second image recording unit 8 to the position where the recording medium 10 is cut by the cutting unit 5. The number of detection pulses output from the unit 13 is also configured to be a constant value.

  Therefore, the control unit 40 arranges the first image recording unit on the basis of the cutting timing by the cutting blade 58 placed under control by being arranged at the origin position and the number of detection pulses output from the conveyance information generating unit 13. 7 and the image recording timing of the second image recording unit 8 on the recording medium 10 are controlled so that the cutting unit 5 does not cut the area where the image is recorded on the recording medium 10.

  The cutting unit 5 also includes a retracting unit 27. The retracting unit 27 includes a retracting magnet 60 and a moving unit 31. The operation of the saving unit 27 will be described later.

  The cutter discharge roller pairs 63 and 64 are rollers for applying a propulsive force to the cut recording medium and guiding it to the discharge unit at the subsequent stage. The recording medium 10 is cut by the cutting unit 5 and then sent to the discharge unit 6.

  The discharge unit 6 includes a discharge path 23 and discharge roller pairs 24 and 25. The discharge path 23 is composed of, for example, a plate having a bowed structure, and is used for changing the direction of the cut recording medium from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction.

  The pair of discharge rollers 24 and 25 gives the cut recording medium 10 a sufficient driving force for discharging, whereby the recording medium 10 is sent to the storage unit 26 and stored.

  Next, FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating power supply to a control unit, a motor driver, a motor, and a retracting unit according to an embodiment.

  FIG. 3 shows a control unit 40, a motor driver 53, a motor 68, a cutter roller 57, a retracting unit 27, a power source 50, an emergency stop switch 51, and an interlock switch 52.

  Here, the power source 50 supplies power to the control unit 40, the motor driver 53, and the motor 68. The power source 50 also supplies power to the retracting unit 27 as shown in FIG. 3 in the first embodiment to be described later.

  The control unit 40 outputs a control signal to the motor driver 53 to control the operation of the motor driver 53.

  The motor driver 53 drives the motor 68 by the control signal from the control unit 40 and the power supplied from the power source 50, whereby the cutter roller 57 rotates and the cutting process is executed.

  In FIG. 3, an emergency stop switch 51 and an interlock switch 52 are interposed between the power source 50 and the motor driver 53. Since FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram, only one switch is shown, but actually, a plurality of switches can be mounted.

  The emergency stop switch 51 is a switch for stopping the operation of the apparatus at the discretion of the apparatus operator when some trouble occurs in the apparatus. The interlock switch 52 is a switch for stopping the power unit in conjunction with the device being opened so that the operator can touch the vicinity of the internal power unit. . When a person is working near the power unit with the cover of the device open, the interlock switch 52 is opened to stop the power unit so that there is no danger even if the person touches the power unit. Is done.

  Both switches require that the power section of the device be shut off immediately and reliably to avoid danger. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the electric power supplied to the motor driver 53 is directly cut off by a switch to stop the driving of the motor 68, thereby stopping the power to the cutter roller 57.

  Under a situation where an emergency stop is performed, an abnormal program operation of the control unit 40 must be taken into consideration, and the stop process needs to be performed without the control unit 40 interposed. Therefore, the emergency stop switch 51 is provided at a position where the power to the control unit 40 is cut off. By opening the emergency stop switch 51, the power supply to the control unit 40 and the motor driver 53 is cut off, whereby the drive of the motor 68 is stopped and the cutter roller 57 is also stopped.

  For example, when the operator opens the cover and works, the interlock switch 52 may cause harm to the operator if the power unit is operating. It is a switch to stop. The interlock switch 52 also needs to be operated without the control unit 40. For example, when a plurality of switches are connected in series and one part is disconnected, an electromagnetic relay (not shown) is disconnected. Thus, the power supply to the motor driver 53 and the motor 68 is cut off, and the cutter roller 57 is stopped.

    The control unit 40 does not directly control the power disconnection, but has a function of detecting which part of the interlock switch 52 is opened and notifying the user.

  Further, in the case of a power failure or the like, power is not supplied from the power source 50, so that power supply to the motor driver 53 and the motor 68 is cut off, and the cutter roller 57 stops.

  As described above, when the switch 51 or 52 is opened or when the power supplied from the power source 50 is cut off due to a power failure or the like, the power supply to the motor driver 53 is stopped, thereby driving the motor 68. Stops, and the cutter roller 57 also stops rotating. When the cutter roller 57 stops due to such power interruption, the control unit 40 cannot control the rotation angle of the cutter roller 57 when stopping, so the cutter roller 57 stops at various rotation angles. become.

  In the first embodiment, power is supplied to the retracting unit 27 as shown in FIG. The power supply to the retracting unit is controlled in the same way as the motor driver 53 and the motor 68. Accordingly, when the emergency stop switch 51 or the interlock switch 52 is opened, or when the power supplied from the power source 50 is cut off due to a power failure or the like, the power supply to the retracting unit 27 is also stopped.

  As described above, when the supply of electric power to the motor 68 is stopped and thereby the cutter roller 57 is stopped, the cutter roller 57 stops its operation regardless of the position of the cutting blade 58 attached thereto. . Therefore, the cutter roller 57 may stop in a state where the recording medium 10 is sandwiched between the cutting blade 58 and the anvil roller 56.

  Hereinafter, the case where the cutter roller 57 stops in a state where the recording medium 10 is sandwiched between the cutting blade 58 and the anvil roller 56 will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of the recording medium 10, the cutter roller 57, and the cutting blade 58 in the cutting unit 5 of the image recording apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 shows the recording medium 10, the cutter roller 57, and the cutting blade 58.

  In the image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the cutter roller 57 and the cutting blade 58 form an angle θ with respect to a direction (main scanning direction) perpendicular to the conveyance direction A of the recording medium 10 as shown in FIG. Attached.

  By attaching the cutting blade at an angle to the recording medium in this way, the recording medium 10 is not cut at a stretch, but is gradually cut according to the attachment angle θ. Performance is improved.

  However, when the cutter roller 57 stops with the cutting blade 58 sandwiching the recording medium 10 at the cutting position, a part of the recording medium 10 remains uncut.

  In this case, even if an attempt is made to remove the recording medium 10 from the cutting unit 5 in order to return the apparatus, the uncut part remains and is left when the operator removes the recording medium 10. The recording medium 10 may get stuck, or if it is forcibly removed, it may be torn off, which may hinder the restoration work of the apparatus.

  In addition, when the recording medium 10 is torn off during removal, a minute piece of the recording medium remains in the cutting part 5, and the minute piece is a path of the discharge part 6 disposed at the subsequent stage of the cutting part 5. A trouble may occur in the conveyance of the recording medium 10 due to staying at an unintended portion such as above.

  In order to solve such problems, in some embodiments of the present invention, a retracting portion 27 is provided. Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 3.

  4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating the state of the cutting unit during normal operation and when the image recording apparatus according to the first embodiment is stopped. 4A and 4B, components corresponding to those in FIG. 4A and 4B, the configuration other than the save unit 27 is the same as that shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in the first embodiment, a roller magnet 59 is attached to the cutter roller 57. Further, a retracting portion 27 is provided at a position away from the cutter roller 57 provided with the roller magnet 59 by a gap distance δ. The retracting unit 27 includes a retracting magnet 60 and a moving unit 31. The moving unit 31 moves the retracting magnet 60 so as to approach or move away from the cutter roller 57, and the length of the gap distance δ is changed by the moving unit 31.

  In the first embodiment, the moving unit 31 includes a solenoid 62 and a spring 61. The spring 61 serves as an auxiliary to the solenoid 62 and is involved in changing the length of the gap distance δ. The solenoid 62 includes a plunger 65 and is configured to be excited in a direction in which the plunger 65 is pulled in an energized state.

  FIG. 4A illustrates the cutting unit 5 and the saving unit 27 during normal operation such as when waiting for a recording instruction to be sent from a higher-level device or when performing image recording processing, for example. Represents a state.

  During normal operation, the emergency stop switch 51 and the interlock switch 52 in FIG. 3 are closed together, and power is also supplied from the power source 50. In this case, electric power is also supplied to the retracting unit 27 shown in FIG. 3, and the solenoid 62 is excited by the electric power.

  When the solenoid 62 is energized, the plunger 65 is drawn, so that the retracting magnet 60 connected to the plunger 65 is attracted, whereby the spring 61 contracts. Since the spring 61 is contracted, the gap distance δ is also increased by the amount of contraction of the spring.

  At this time, the gap distance δ between the roller magnet 59 and the retracting magnet 60 is kept long enough because the spring is contracted by the attractive force of the magnet. Interference due to the magnetic force between them is weak and does not hinder the rotation of the cutter roller 57.

In FIG. 4B, the emergency stop switch 51 or the interlock switch 52 is in an open state, or the power from the power source 50 is stopped due to a power failure or the like, and the cutter roller 57
The state of the cutting | disconnection part and retraction | saving part at the time of driving | operation stopping is represented.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the emergency stop switch 51 or the interlock switch 52 is opened, or the power from the power source 50 is stopped due to a power failure or the like and the driving of the cutter roller 57 is stopped, the evacuation is performed. The power supply to the unit 27 is also stopped.

  Therefore, the power supply to the solenoid 62 is stopped and the solenoid 62 is not excited. Then, as shown in FIG. 4B, the plunger 61 of the solenoid 62 becomes free (in a state where it is not retracted), so that the spring 61 that has contracted returns to its original length. When the spring 61 returns to the original length, the retracting magnet 60 is brought closer to the cutter roller 57, and the gap distance δ is shortened. As the gap distance δ becomes shorter, the magnetic force between the roller magnet 59 and the retracting magnet 60 becomes stronger.

  In the first embodiment, when the cutting blade 58 is in the cutting position, as shown in FIG. 4A, the different polarities of the roller magnet 59 and the retracting magnet 60 (here, the S pole of the roller magnet 59 and the retracting magnet). 60 N pole) and the rotation angle of the cutter roller 57 at which the attraction force between the different poles between the roller magnet 59 and the retracting magnet 60 is maximized, as shown in FIG. A roller magnet 59 is attached to the cutter roller 57 so that the cutting blade 58 is at a position away from the cutting position.

  In such a configuration, for example, when the power supply to the motor driver 53 is cut off and the driving of the motor 68 is stopped, the cutter roller 57 stops at the position shown in FIG. 4A. At this time, the recording medium 10 is sandwiched between the cutting blade 58 and the anvil roller 56, and the recording medium 10 cannot be easily taken out. However, even in such a case, when the power supply to the retracting unit 27 is stopped and the gap distance δ is shortened, the attractive force between the roller magnet 59 and the retracting magnet 60 is strengthened, whereby FIG. Since the cutter roller 57 rotates as indicated by the arrow, the cutting blade 58 is retracted from the cutting position where the recording medium 10 is sandwiched.

  As described above, when the cutting blade 58 is near the cutting position, the roller magnet 59 and the retracting magnet 60 are strongly attracted by magnetic force when the retracting magnet 60 is brought close to the cutter roller 57 and the gap distance δ is shortened. As a result, the cutter roller 57 rotates and stops at a rotation angle at which the attractive force between the opposite poles of both magnets is maximized. Therefore, even if the power to the motor driver 53 is cut off at the timing when the cutting blade 58 stops at the cutting position, the cutting blade 58 stops by sandwiching the recording medium 10 at the cutting position, which hinders recovery of the apparatus. Can be avoided.

  It should be noted that the retracting operation of the cutting blade 58 from the cutting position is performed without the control unit 40 being interposed.

  In addition to the situation described so far, as a case where the cutting unit 5 has to be stopped, there is a stop due to a paper jam. In this case, a paper sensor (not shown) detects a paper jam, and the control unit 40 receives the detection result and stops the cutting unit 5. Therefore, when stopping the cutter roller 57, the control unit 40 can control the cutting blade 58 so as not to stop at the cutting position.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the cutting blade 58 stops at the cutting position when the cutting unit 5 stops due to an emergency stop, an interlock, a power failure, or the like, The cutting blade 58 can be retracted from the cutting position.

  When the cutting blade 58 stops at the cutting position, the cutting blade 58 can be retracted from the cutting position, so that the recording blade 10 is sandwiched between the cutting blade 58 and the anvil roller 56 and stopped. This prevents the recording medium 10 from being hindered from being removed from the cutting portion 5. Therefore, it is possible to reliably perform a treatment in which the recording medium 10 is once removed from the cutting unit 5, cut to an optimum length, and returned to the cutting unit 5 again during the restoration process. Therefore, at the time of restart after the cutter roller 57 is stopped, the recording medium 10 is cut into sections other than the rated length in the origin return operation of the cutter roller 57, and the section becomes a factor of paper jam. It can be avoided.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  Also in the second embodiment, by bringing the retracting magnet 60 closer to the cutter roller 57, the cutting blade 58 is retracted from the cutting position using the magnetic force of the roller magnet 59 and the retracting magnet 60 attached to the cutter roller 57. This is the same as in the first embodiment. However, in the first embodiment, a solenoid and a spring are used as the moving unit 31 for driving the retracting magnet 60, but in the second embodiment, the retracting magnet 60 is driven using a mechanism member as the moving unit 31.

  FIG. 6 shows the cutting part 5 shown in FIG. 2 in more detail according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 6, components corresponding to those in FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows the cutting part 5 in two states, a state in which the cutter cover 74 is closed and an open state. In FIG. 6, a portion drawn by a solid line is a state when the cutter cover 74 is closed, and a portion drawn by a broken line is a state when the cutter cover 74 is open.

  Regarding the members indicated by both solid lines and broken lines in FIG. 6, the reference numerals “a” are given to the closed members drawn by the solid lines (for example, the cam follower 70 a, the eccentric cam 71 a, the cutter cover). 74a). In addition, the members in the open state drawn by broken lines are given “b” as a reference symbol (for example, cam follower 70b, eccentric cam 71b, cutter cover 74b). Reference numerals that refer to members in both the closed state and the open state are given only by numerals (for example, the cam follower 70, the eccentric cam 71, and the cutter cover 74). In FIG. 6, the configuration other than the saving unit 27 is the same as that in FIG.

  In FIG. 6, a link rod 69 is attached to the retracting magnet 60 of the retracting portion 27. A cam follower 70 is attached to the link rod 69 and is engaged with the eccentric cam 71.

  The eccentric cam 71 is a cam that is partially different in distance from the central rotation shaft to the outer periphery. By rotating the eccentric cam 71, the cam follower 70 is pushed up or returned to its original position. Or

  As the cam follower 70 moves up and down, the link rod 69 and the retracting magnet 60 also move up and down, thereby increasing the length of the gap distance δ, which is the distance between the retracting magnet 60 and the cutter roller 57, It becomes shorter.

  A cam gear 72 is attached to the eccentric cam 71 at the center of rotation. A cover gear 73 is engaged with the cam gear 72. A cutter cover 74 is attached to the cover gear 73, and the cover gear 73 is configured to rotate as the cutter cover 74 is opened and closed. In the second embodiment, the moving unit 31 includes a link rod 69, a cam follower 70, an eccentric cam 71, a cam gear 72, a cover gear 73, and a cutter cover 74.

  During normal operation, the cutter cover 74 covers the entire cutting part 5 and is in a state as shown by 74a shown by a solid line in FIG.

  If a trouble occurs in the image recording device and the drive of the cutter roller 57 is stopped due to emergency stop or interlock open treatment or due to a power failure, the recording medium 10 in the cutting unit 5 is temporarily removed and cut to an optimum length. Then, in order to perform the treatment for returning to the cutting part 5 again, it is necessary to open the cutter cover 74.

  When the cutter cover 74 is opened, the cutter cover rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 6 and enters a state as shown by 74b in FIG. Then, the eccentric cam 71 mechanically connected by this opening operation also rotates to a state of an eccentric cam 71b indicated by a broken line, and as a result, the cam follower 70 is also pushed up to the cam follower 70b position indicated by the broken line and retracted. The magnet 60 approaches the cutter roller 57.

  As a result, as in the first embodiment, even if the stopped cutting blade 58 is at the cutting position as shown in FIG. 6 and the cutter roller 57 is stopped while the recording medium 10 is sandwiched therebetween, as shown in FIG. The attraction force between the roller magnet 59 and the retracting magnet 60 strengthened by bringing the retracting magnet 60 closer to the cutter roller 57 rotates the cutter roller 57, and the cutting blade 58 can be retracted from the cutting position. .

  As described above, according to some embodiments of the present invention, when the cutter roller 57 is stopped, the cutting blade 58 moves the recording medium at the cutting position by bringing the retracting magnet 60 close to the cutter roller 57. When the cutter roller 57 is stopped in the sandwiched state, the cutting blade 58 can be retracted from the cutting position.

  In addition, since the retracting operation of the cutting blade 58 by the retracting unit 27 in the second embodiment can be performed without supplying power, for example, power supply to the image recording apparatus 1 such as a power failure is cut off. Can also be executed.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, and in FIGS. 2, 4A, 4B, and 6, only one roller magnet 59 is disposed along the diameter of the cutter roller 57 and is retracted. Although only one magnet 60 is shown, the configurations of the roller magnet 59 and the retracting magnet 60 are not limited to these. The roller magnet 59 and the retracting magnet 60 rotate the cutter roller 57 by the magnetic force of the roller magnet 59 and the retracting magnet 60 strengthened by bringing the retracting portion 27 closer to the roller magnet 59 when the cutting blade 58 is in the cutting position. Any configuration can be used as long as the cutting blade 58 at the cutting position can be retracted. For example, various roller magnets 59 and retracting magnets 60 that differ in arrangement, shape, and number. Can be used. Further, the roller magnet 59 does not need to be directly attached to the cutter roller 57, and for example, a connecting member may be used between the cutter roller 57 and the roller magnet 59.

  Similarly, with respect to the relative positional relationship between the retraction magnet 60 and the roller magnet 59, similarly, the retraction portion 27 and the roller magnet 59 strengthened by approaching the roller magnet 59 when the cutting blade 58 is at the cutting position. Any configuration may be used as long as the cutter roller 57 can be rotated by the magnetic force with the magnet 60 to retract the cutting blade 58 at the cutting position.

  Further, the moving unit 31 is not limited to the configuration described above, and can move the retracting magnet 60 toward or away from the roller magnet 59 when the cutting blade 58 is at the cutting position. Any configuration may be used.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the retracting operation for retracting the cutting blade 58 from the cutting position is performed using the magnet's attractive force, but the retracting operation uses the repulsive force of the magnet. May be used.

  Further, the rotation direction of the cutter roller 57 can also be selected depending on the arrangement of the roller magnet 59 and the retracting magnet 60. In the first and second embodiments described above, the cutting blade 58 stopped at the cutting position during the cutting of the recording medium 10 is rotated to rotate the cutter roller 57 in the direction in which the cutting is completed, and the cutting blade 58 is retracted. Thus, the positions of the roller magnet 59 and the retracting magnet 60 are determined (FIG. 4B).

  Since the recording medium 10 that is stopped during cutting and part of the recording medium 10 that remains without being cut may cause twisting or the like, the recording medium 10 is twisted even if the recording medium 10 is not sandwiched by the cutting blade 58. This may be caught by the cutter introduction rollers 54 and 55, for example, and it may be difficult to remove the recording medium 10 from the cutting unit 5 for restoration.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the positions of the roller magnet 59 and the retracting magnet 60 are determined such that the cutting blade 58 is rotated and retracted in the direction in which the cutting being completed is completed. Since the cutting is reliably completed even when the blade 58 stops at the cutting position, the recording medium 10 is prevented from being caught by twisting or the like when the recording medium 10 is removed from the cutting portion 5.

  In another embodiment, the cutting blade 58 stopped at the cutting position during cutting of the recording medium 10 is retracted by rotating the cutter roller 57 in the direction opposite to the direction in which cutting during cutting is completed. In addition, the positions of the roller magnet 59 and the retracting magnet 60 may be determined.

  In order to cut the recording medium 10, more force is required due to the rotation of the cutter roller 57. Therefore, unlike the first and second embodiments, the cutter roller 57 is opposite to the direction in which the cutting is completed. By determining the positions of the roller magnet 59 and the retracting magnet 60 so as to rotate the recording medium 10, the magnetic force of the roller magnet 59 and the retracting magnet 60 necessary for rotating the cutter roller 57 is more than when cutting the recording medium 10. It can be kept low.

  Further, as described above, the retracting operation of the cutting blade 58 in some embodiments of the present invention is performed using the magnetic force of the magnet, and thus is performed without contact with the cutter roller 57.

  The cutting blade 58 attached to the cutter roller 57 may be cut or bent in order to maintain the cutting performance and cut the recording medium 10 cleanly and accurately. It is desirable to avoid this as much as possible. When the cutter roller 57 to which such a cutting blade 58 is attached is rotated by bringing something into contact therewith, there is a possibility that the cutting blade 58 may also be contacted, and the cutting blade 58 may be damaged.

  In some embodiments of the present invention, the cutter roller 57 is rotated by a magnetic force in a non-contact manner to retract the cutting blade 58 from the cutting position, so that the retraction operation causes the cutter roller 57 and the cutting blade 58 to be damaged due to contact, etc. Is prevented from being adversely affected.

  In some embodiments of the present invention, when the cutting blade 58 stops at the cutting position, the roller magnet 59 and the retracting magnet are moved closer to the roller magnet 59 by using the moving unit 31. The cutting blade 58 is retracted from the cutting position by the magnetic force 60. Therefore, it is possible to reliably perform the treatment of once removing the recording medium 10 from the cutting unit 5, cutting the recording medium 10 to an optimum length, and returning it to the cutting unit 5 again.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the present invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives included in the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims. It should be understood as including. For example, it will be understood that the present invention can be embodied by modifying the components without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Further, it will be understood that various embodiments according to the present invention can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-described embodiments. Alternatively, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced with some components removed from all the components shown in the embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image recording device 2 Unwinder part 3 Printer part 4 Medium conveyance part 5 Cutting part 6 Discharge part 7 First image recording part 8 Second image recording part 9 Display part 10 Recording medium 11 First drum 12 Second drum 13 Conveyance information Generation unit 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 Free roller 20, 21 Nip roller 22 Nip roller drive unit 23 Discharge path 24, 25 Discharge roller 26 Storage unit 27 Retraction unit 28 Rotating shaft 29 Rotating shaft 30 Host device 31 Movement Unit 32 Operation unit 40 Control unit 41 Storage unit 50 Power source 51 Emergency stop switch 52 Interlock switch 53 Motor driver 54, 55 Cutter introduction roller 56 Anvil roller 57 Cutter roller 58 Cutting blade 59 Cutter roller magnet 60 Retraction magnet 61 Spring 62 Solenoid 63, 64 Cutter discharge roller 6 5 Plunger 66 Cutter origin 67 Cutter origin sensor 68 Motor 69 Link rod 70a, b Cam follower 71a, b Eccentric cam 72 Cam gear 73 Cover gear 74a, b Cutter cover

Claims (8)

An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium,
A cutting blade for cutting the recording medium;
A first magnet, and a support for supporting the cutting blade;
A retraction unit that includes a second magnet, and retreats the cutting blade from a cutting position where the recording medium is cut using a magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet;
An image recording apparatus comprising:   The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the retracting unit includes a moving unit that moves the second magnet in a direction in which the second magnet approaches the first magnet. The moving part includes a spring;
The image recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the moving unit moves the retracting unit in a direction in which the second magnet approaches the first magnet by using an elastic force of the spring. The moving part further comprises a solenoid having a plunger,
The solenoid is energized in a direction in which the plunger is pulled in an energized state, and attracts the second magnet in a direction opposite to the elastic force of the spring,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the spring moves the second magnet in a direction in which the first magnet approaches the first magnet when the energization state of the solenoid is canceled. The image recording apparatus includes:
An opening and closing cover;
A cover gear that rotates by opening and closing the opening and closing cover;
An eccentric cam meshed with the cover gear;
Is further provided,
The moving part further includes a cam follower meshed with the eccentric cam,
The eccentric cam rotates by opening and closing the opening and closing cover, so that the moving unit moves the second magnet in a direction to approach the first magnet.
The image recording apparatus according to claim 2.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic force is an attraction force between different polarities of the first magnet and the second magnet.   The said support part is a roller to which the said 1st magnet is being fixed, The polarity which the said 1st magnet orient | assigns to the said 2nd magnet changes with rotation angles of the said roller. The image recording apparatus according to item. A control method of an image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium,
A step of bringing a retracting portion including a second magnet closer to the first magnet attached to the supporting portion, wherein the supporting portion is supported by the magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet. A control method including a step, wherein the cut blade is retracted from a cutting position where the recording medium is cut.

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