JP2023074855A - Medium cutting device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a medium cutting device for cutting a long medium, which can cut the medium in a laterally cutting mode in which the medium is cut in a width direction of the medium, and cut the medium in an obliquely cutting mode in which the medium is cut in a direction inclining with respect to the width direction of the medium, and yet can stabilize a state of a cutter blade which is cutting the medium in the laterally cutting mode.SOLUTION: In the medium cutting device, a cutter unit 9 is equipped with a switching mechanism that switches a state of a cutter holder 31 between a turning restricted state in which the cutter holder 31 to which a cutter blade is fixed is restricted from turning with respect to a unit frame 32 and a turnable state in which the cutter holder 31 can turn with respect to the unit frame 32. Thereby, when the medium is cut in an obliquely cutting mode, the cutter holder 31 is in the turnable state, meanwhile, when the medium is cut in a laterally cutting mode, the cutter holder 31 is set in the turning restricted state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to a medium cutting device for cutting a long medium.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a printing apparatus that prints on a long sheet-like medium (continuous medium) (see Patent Document 1). The printing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200000 includes a printing unit that prints on a medium using an inkjet method, a medium transporting unit that transports the medium, and a cutter unit that cuts the medium. The medium transport section includes a pair of transport rollers including a driving roller and a pinch roller. The cutter section includes a cutter blade that cuts the medium and a carriage that moves the cutter blade along the width direction of the medium. The cutter blade is rotatably held by the carriage. The cutter blade is rotatable with respect to the carriage with the thickness direction of the medium as the rotation axis direction, and is rotatable with respect to the carriage with the vertical direction as the rotation axis direction.

In the printing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the medium is cut in a first mode in which the medium is cut in a direction inclined with respect to the width direction of the medium, and the medium is cut in a second mode in which the medium is cut in the width direction of the medium. can be cut. In this printing apparatus, the medium is cut in the second mode when the printing process for the medium is completed. Also, in this printing device, when performing print processing on a medium, if the type of media used in the received print job is different from the type of media set in the printing device, the media set in the printing device is need to be replaced, the medium set in the printing device is removed from the printing device after cutting in the first mode.

That is, in the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, one end of the medium that is temporarily removed from the printing apparatus and then set again in the printing apparatus is inclined with respect to the width direction of the medium. Therefore, in this printing apparatus, when the medium is set in the printing apparatus, one end of the medium can be easily passed between the transport roller pair.

JP 2018-83251 A

In the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the cutter blade is rotatable with respect to the carriage with the thickness direction of the medium as the rotation axis direction, so that in the second mode, the medium is cut in the width direction. Also, in the first mode, the medium can be cut in a direction inclined with respect to the width direction of the medium. On the other hand, in this printing apparatus, the cutter blade is rotatable with respect to the carriage even in the second mode. The state of the cutter blade moving in the width direction of the medium becomes unstable, and there is a risk that the cutter blade will rotate relative to the carriage for some reason.

The cutter blade that has rotated with respect to the carriage rotates parallel to the width direction of the medium as it moves in the width direction of the medium, and returns to its original state. When returning, the cutter blade may be deformed three-dimensionally and damaged. In addition, when the cutter blade returns to its original state, there is a possibility that the medium may be left uncut.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a medium cutting device for cutting a long medium, in which the medium is cut in a horizontal cut mode in the width direction of the medium, and the medium is cut in a direction inclined with respect to the width direction of the medium. To provide a medium cutting device capable of stabilizing the state of a cutter blade when cutting a medium in a horizontal cut mode even if the medium can be cut in an oblique cut mode. That's what it is.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the medium cutting device of the present invention is a medium cutting device for cutting a long medium, comprising a cutter unit having a cutter blade for cutting the medium, and a cutter unit that cuts the medium in the longitudinal direction. and a moving mechanism for moving the cutter unit relative to the medium in the width direction and the longitudinal direction of the medium perpendicular to the medium thickness direction, and a control unit for controlling the medium cutting device, the cutter unit is a cutter holder to which a cutter blade is fixed, a unit frame that rotatably holds the cutter holder, a rotation restriction state in which rotation of the cutter holder with respect to the unit frame is restricted, and rotation of the cutter holder with respect to the unit frame. The cutter holder is rotatable with respect to the unit frame with the thickness direction of the medium as the rotation axis direction. , the control unit cuts the medium in a horizontal cut mode by moving the cutter unit relative to the medium in the width direction of the medium to cut the medium in the width direction of the medium; The medium is cut in an oblique cut mode in which the medium is cut in a direction inclined with respect to the width direction of the medium by relatively moving in the direction and the width direction of the medium, and the rotation of the cutter holder is restricted in the horizontal cut mode. state, and the cutter holder is made rotatable in the oblique cut mode.

In the medium cutting device of the present invention, the cutter unit has a rotation restriction state in which rotation of the cutter holder to which the cutter blade is fixed with respect to the unit frame is restricted, and a rotation restriction state in which rotation of the cutter holder with respect to the unit frame is allowed. A switching mechanism is provided to switch the state of the cutter holder between the enabled state and the enabled state. Further, in the present invention, the control section moves the cutter unit relative to the medium in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the medium to cut the medium in a direction inclined with respect to the width direction of the medium in an oblique cut mode. When cutting the medium in , the cutter holder is in a rotatable state, but the medium is cut in the horizontal cut mode by moving the cutter unit in the width direction of the medium relative to the medium. When cutting, the cutter holder is in a rotation restricted state.

Therefore, in the present invention, a medium is cut in a transverse cut mode in which the medium is cut in the width direction of the medium, and a medium is cut in an oblique cut mode in which the medium is cut in a direction inclined with respect to the width direction of the medium. Even if is enabled, it is possible to stabilize the state of the cutter holder when cutting the medium in the horizontal cut mode, and as a result, stabilize the state of the cutter blade when cutting the medium in the horizontal cut mode. becomes possible.

In the present invention, for example, the switching mechanism includes a regulating member for regulating the rotation of the cutter holder, and moving the regulating member between a regulating position where the regulating member approaches the cutter holder and a regulation release position where the regulating member moves away from the cutter holder. When the regulating member is placed at the regulating position, the cutter holder is placed in a rotation restricted state, and when the regulating member is placed at the restriction release position, the cutter holder is placed in a rotatable state. Become. In this case, it is possible to switch the state of the cutter holder with a relatively simple configuration.

In the present invention, for example, the cutter unit includes a rotation range restricting member that restricts the rotation range of the cutter holder in a rotatable state.

In the present invention, the medium cutting device includes, for example, a medium winding mechanism that rotates a winding paper tube to which the end of the medium is fixed and winds the medium around the paper tube.

In the present invention, for example, the control unit cuts the medium in a first diagonal cut mode as the diagonal cut mode between the intermediate position of the medium in the width direction of the medium and one end side of the medium in the width direction of the medium. and cutting the medium in a second oblique cut mode as an oblique cut mode for cutting the medium between the middle position of the medium in the width direction of the medium and the other end side of the medium in the width direction of the medium. In this case, since both widthwise side portions of one end of the medium in the longitudinal direction of the medium are inclined with respect to the widthwise direction of the medium, when the medium is started to be wound by the paper tube, the medium is becomes easier to wind up.

In the present invention, for example, the moving mechanism includes a medium transport mechanism that transports the medium in the longitudinal direction of the medium, and a cutter unit drive mechanism that moves the cutter unit in the width direction of the medium, and the controller provides input to the controller. In the first oblique cut mode and the second oblique cut mode, the medium conveying speed by the medium conveying mechanism and the cutter unit moving speed by the cutter unit driving mechanism are controlled in accordance with the predetermined data to cut the medium. Cut at a desired angle with respect to the width direction of the medium.

In the present invention, for example, the paper tube has an outer diameter of 3 inches or 2 inches. In this case, the medium is formed of soft polyvinyl chloride or tarpaulin, and the cut angle of the medium with respect to the width direction of the medium in the first oblique cut mode and the second oblique cut mode is 7° to 13°. It is preferable that According to studies by the inventors of the present application, with this configuration, it is possible to appropriately wind the medium by the paper tube while suppressing tearing of the medium when the medium is started to be wound by the paper tube.

In this case, the cut angle of the medium with respect to the width direction of the medium in the first oblique cut mode and the second oblique cut mode is more preferably 8° to 12°. According to studies by the inventors of the present application, with this configuration, it is possible to more appropriately wind the medium around the paper tube while preventing the medium from being torn when the medium is started to be wound around the paper tube.

In the present invention, the medium cutting device includes, for example, a processing mechanism for performing a predetermined processing on the medium before being cut, and the portion of the medium processed by the processing mechanism is defined as the processing unit. Assuming that a portion on the upstream side of the processing portion in the transport direction and which is not processed by the processing mechanism is the non-processing portion, the control unit cuts the width of the medium in the horizontal cut mode after the processing of the medium by the processing mechanism. After cutting the non-processed portion over the entire area, the medium is cut in the first oblique cut mode with respect to the non-processed portion located upstream in the medium transport direction from the cutting position in the horizontal cut mode. and cutting the medium in the second oblique cut mode.

In this case, the medium is cut in the first oblique cut mode and the medium is cut in the second oblique cut mode with respect to the non-processed portion arranged upstream in the medium transport direction from the cutting position in the lateral cut mode. 1 and 2 are cut, both side portions in the width direction of the medium at one end of the medium removed from the medium cutting device are inclined with respect to the width direction of the medium. Therefore, both side portions in the width direction of one end of the medium that is once removed from the medium cutting device and then set again in the medium cutting device are inclined with respect to the width direction of the medium. Therefore, even if the medium is not cut after the medium is set in the medium cutting device, the medium can be easily wound by the paper tube when the medium is started to be wound by the paper tube.

In the present invention, the medium cutting device includes a printing mechanism that prints on a medium before cutting by an inkjet method, the printing mechanism includes an inkjet head that ejects ink onto the medium, and a carriage on which the inkjet head is mounted, The moving mechanism includes a medium transport mechanism that transports the medium in the longitudinal direction of the medium, and a cutter unit drive mechanism that moves the cutter unit in the width direction of the medium. , the carriage is preferably moved in the width direction of the medium. With this configuration, it is possible to move not only the cutter unit but also the inkjet head in the width direction of the medium using the cutter unit driving mechanism. , it is possible to simplify the configuration of the medium cutting device.

As described above, according to the present invention, in a medium cutting device for cutting a long medium, the medium is cut in the transverse cut mode in which the medium is cut in the width direction of the medium, and the medium is cut in the transverse cut mode, and the medium is cut in the transverse cut mode in which the medium is cut in the width direction of the medium. It is possible to stabilize the state of the cutter blade when cutting the medium in the horizontal cut mode even if it is possible to cut the medium in the oblique cut mode in which the medium is cut in the direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a side view for demonstrating the structure of the medium cutting device concerning embodiment of this invention. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the medium cutting device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a method of fixing a medium to the paper tube shown in FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cutter unit shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a side view of the tip of a cutter blade included in the cutter unit shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a side view for explaining the configuration of the cutter unit shown in FIG. 4; FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining the configuration of the cutter unit shown in FIG. 4; 3 is a process diagram for explaining a medium cutting procedure in the medium cutting device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a method of cutting a medium by the medium cutting device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a method of cutting a medium by the medium cutting device shown in FIG. 1; FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Overall Configuration of Printing Device)
FIG. 1 is a side view for explaining the configuration of a printer 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the printing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a method of fixing the medium 2 to the paper tube 26 shown in FIG.

The printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is a commercial inkjet printer for printing on a long medium 2 . The medium 2 is made of soft polyvinyl chloride or tarpaulin. The printing apparatus 1 also has a cutting function for cutting the medium 2 and separating the medium 2 in the longitudinal direction thereof. The printing device 1 includes a printing mechanism 3 that prints on a medium 2 before being cut by an inkjet method, and a support 4 that supports the printing mechanism 3 from below. The printing mechanism 3 includes an inkjet head 6 (hereinafter referred to as "head 6") that ejects ink onto the medium 2, and a carriage 7 on which the head 6 is mounted. A printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is a medium cutting apparatus for cutting a long medium 2 . Further, the printing mechanism 3 of this embodiment is a processing mechanism for performing predetermined processing on the medium 2 before being cut.

Further, the printing apparatus 1 includes a cutter unit 9 having a cutter blade 8 (see FIG. 5 etc.) for cutting the medium 2, a medium transport mechanism 10 for transporting the medium 2 in the longitudinal direction of the medium 2, and a A carriage driving mechanism 11 for moving the carriage 7 in the width direction (main scanning direction, Y direction in FIG. 1, etc.) of the medium 2 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction of the medium 2; and a medium winding mechanism 13 for winding the medium 2 after printing. The printing device 1 also includes a control unit 14 that controls the printing device 1 .

In the following description, the width direction of the medium 2 (the Y direction in FIG. 1 etc.) is defined as the “horizontal direction”, and the vertical direction (the Z direction in FIG. 1 etc.) and the horizontal direction (the X direction in FIG. 1 etc.) ) shall be referred to as the “forward-backward direction”. In addition, the Y1 direction side in FIG. 3 etc., which is one side in the left-right direction, is the "left" side, and the Y2 direction side in FIG. 3 etc., which is the opposite side, is the "right" side. The X1 direction side of 1, etc. is defined as the "front" side, and the opposite X2 direction side in FIG. 1 etc. is defined as the "rear" side. Also, in the following description, the direction in which the medium 2 is transported by the medium transport mechanism 10 is referred to as the "medium transport direction." Further, the upstream side in the medium transport direction is referred to as the "upstream side in the medium transport direction", and the downstream side in the medium transport direction is referred to as the "downstream side in the transport direction". The left side (Y1 direction side) of this embodiment is the first direction side, which is one side in the width direction of the medium 2, and the right side (Y2 direction side) is the second side, which is the other side in the width direction of the medium 2. direction side.

The carriage 7 is supported by a support frame 17 so as to be movable in the horizontal direction. A platen 18 is arranged below the carriage 7 . The head 6 ejects ink downward. The carriage drive mechanism 11 includes, for example, a belt partially fixed to the carriage 7, a pulley around which the belt is stretched, and a motor for rotating the pulley. A medium 2 is placed on the platen 18 during printing. The thickness direction of the medium 2 placed on the platen 18 coincides with the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the medium 2 before printing is conveyed from the rear side to the upper surface of the platen 18 , and the medium 2 after printing is conveyed from the upper surface of the platen 18 to the front side.

The medium transport mechanism 10 includes a transport roller 19 and a pad roller 20 arranged to face the transport roller 19 and biased toward the transport roller 19 . The transport roller 19 and the pad roller 20 are arranged upstream of the platen 18 in the transport direction. Further, the transport roller 19 and the pad roller 20 are arranged upstream of the head 6 and the cutter blade 8 in the transport direction. The transport roller 19 is connected to a drive mechanism that rotates the transport roller 19 . The drive mechanism has a motor as a drive source. The medium 2 is transported while being sandwiched between the transport roller 19 and the pad roller 20 .

The cutter unit 9 is mounted on the carriage 7 and arranged above the medium 2 placed on the platen 18 . The cutter unit 9 is mounted, for example, on the right end or left end of the carriage 7 . The cutter unit 9 moves laterally together with the carriage 7 . The carriage drive mechanism 11 of this embodiment is a cutter unit drive mechanism that moves the cutter unit 9 in the lateral direction, which is the width direction of the medium 2 . move. In this embodiment, the medium transport mechanism 10 and the carriage drive mechanism 11 constitute a moving mechanism 21 that moves the cutter unit 9 relative to the medium 2 in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the medium 2 . ing. A specific configuration of the cutter unit 9 will be described later.

The medium feeding mechanism 12 is arranged below the printing mechanism 3 . The medium feeding mechanism 12 rotatably holds the feeding roll 23 . The delivery roll 23 is composed of a cylindrical paper tube 24 forming the center of the delivery roll 23 and the medium 2 before printing wound around the paper tube 24 in a roll shape. An end of the medium 2 is fixed to the paper tube 24 . Specifically, the upstream end of the medium 2 in the transport direction is fixed to the paper tube 24 . The medium feeding mechanism 12 has a rotary shaft inserted through the inner circumference of the paper tube 24 .

The medium take-up mechanism 13 is arranged below the printing mechanism 3 . The medium winding mechanism 13 rotatably holds a winding roll 25 . The take-up roll 25 is composed of a cylindrical paper tube 26 forming the center of the take-up roll 25 and the printed medium 2 wound around the paper tube 26 in a roll shape. The paper tube 26 has an outer diameter of 3 inches or 2 inches. An end of the medium 2 is fixed to the paper tube 26 . Specifically, the downstream end of the medium 2 in the transport direction is fixed to the paper tube 26 . Further, the downstream end portion of the medium 2 in the transport direction is fixed to the paper tube 26 by, for example, a tape 27 .

The medium winding mechanism 13 includes a rotating shaft that is inserted through the inner circumference of the paper tube 26 and a drive mechanism that rotates the rotating shaft. The medium winding mechanism 13 also includes a torque limiter for idling the winding roll 25 so that the tension of the medium 2 wound on the winding roll 25 does not exceed a predetermined tension. The medium winding mechanism 13 rotates a winding paper tube 26 to which the end of the medium 2 is fixed, and winds the medium 2 around the paper tube 26 .

The medium transport mechanism 10 is electrically connected to the controller 14 . Specifically, the control unit 14 is electrically connected to a motor or the like that constitutes a part of the medium transport mechanism 10 . Further, the carriage drive mechanism 11 is electrically connected to the controller 14 . Specifically, the control unit 14 is electrically connected to a motor or the like that constitutes a part of the carriage driving mechanism 11 . Further, the controller 14 is electrically connected to an elevation mechanism 33 and a switching mechanism 34 which constitute a part of the cutter unit 9 and which will be described later. Specifically, the controller 14 is electrically connected to a later-described solenoid 37 that constitutes a part of the lifting mechanism 33 and a later-described solenoid 43 that constitutes a part of the switching mechanism 34 .

(Configuration of cutter unit)
4 is a perspective view of the cutter unit 9 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 5 is a side view of the tip of the cutter blade 8 of the cutter unit 9 shown in FIG. 6 is a side view for explaining the configuration of the cutter unit 9 shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a plan view for explaining the configuration of the cutter unit 9 shown in FIG. 4. FIG.

The cutter unit 9 includes a cutter holder 31 to which the cutter blade 8 is fixed, and a unit frame 32 that rotatably holds the cutter holder 31 . The cutter blade 8 cuts the medium 2 placed on the platen 18 . The cutter holder 31 is rotatable with respect to the unit frame 32 with the thickness direction of the medium 2 placed on the platen 18 as the axial direction of rotation. That is, the cutter holder 31 is rotatable with respect to the unit frame 32 with the thickness direction of the medium 2 to be cut by the cutter blade 8 as the axial direction of rotation. Specifically, the cutter holder 31 is rotatable with respect to the unit frame 32 with the vertical direction being the axial direction of rotation. 4, illustration of the cutter blade 8 is omitted.

Also, the unit frame 32 holds the cutter holder 31 so that it can move up and down, and the cutter holder 31 can move up and down with respect to the unit frame 32 . The cutter unit 9 includes an elevating mechanism 33 that elevates the cutter holder 31 with respect to the unit frame 32 . Further, the cutter unit 9 has a rotation restriction state in which rotation of the cutter holder 31 with respect to the unit frame 32 is restricted, and a rotatable state in which rotation of the cutter holder 31 with respect to the unit frame 32 is possible. A switching mechanism 34 for switching the state of

The cutter blade 8 is a double-edged cutter blade with a sharp cutting edge (see FIG. 5). The cutter holder 31 is attached to the front end portion of the unit frame 32 so as to be vertically movable and rotatable. The cutter blade 8 is fixed to the front lower end portion of the cutter holder 31 . When the cutter holder 31 is in the rotation restricted state, the thickness direction of the cutter blade 8 coincides with the front-rear direction, and the width direction of the cutter blade 8 coincides with the left-right direction. Note that the cutter blade 8 may be a single-edged cutter blade.

The unit frame 32 is fixed to the carriage 7 . A guide shaft 35 for guiding the cutter holder 31 in the vertical direction is fixed to the unit frame 32 . The guide shaft 35 is arranged so that the axial direction of the guide shaft 35 is aligned with the vertical direction. A guide hole through which the guide shaft 35 is inserted is formed in the cutter holder 31, and this guide hole passes through the cutter holder 31 in the vertical direction. The guide shaft 35 serves as the rotation center of the cutter holder 31 that rotates with respect to the unit frame 32 with the vertical direction as the axial direction of rotation.

The lifting mechanism 33 includes a lever member 36 rotatably held by the unit frame 32 , a solenoid 37 for rotating the lever member 36 with respect to the unit frame 32 , and a cutter holder 31 with respect to the unit frame 32 . A compression coil spring 38 that biases upward is provided. The lever member 36 is rotatable with respect to the unit frame 32 with the lateral direction as the axial direction of rotation. A rear end portion of a lever member 36 is rotatably held by the unit frame 32 . A front end portion of the lever member 36 is engaged with the cutter holder 31 . The cutter holder 31 is formed with an engagement recess 31a into which the front end of the lever member 36 is inserted and engaged.

The solenoid 37 is fixed to the unit frame 32 so that a plunger 37a of the solenoid 37 protrudes upward. An engagement pin 39 is fixed to the upper end of the plunger 37a to engage with the intermediate portion of the lever member 36 in the front-rear direction. A guide shaft 35 is inserted through the compression coil spring 38 . The upper end of the compression coil spring 38 contacts the cutter holder 31 and the lower end of the compression coil spring 38 contacts the unit frame 32 .

When the solenoid 37 is not energized, the cutter holder 31 is lifted by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 38 . When the cutter holder 31 is raised by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 38 , the lower end of the cutter blade 8 is raised to a position where it does not contact the medium 2 placed on the platen 18 . When the solenoid 37 is energized, the plunger 37a descends, the lever member 36 rotates in the direction in which the front end of the lever member 36 descends, and the cutter holder 31 descends. When the cutter holder 31 descends, the medium 2 can be cut by the cutter blade 8 . That is, when the medium 2 is cut by the cutter blade 8, the solenoid 37 is energized.

The switching mechanism 34 includes a regulating member 42 for regulating the rotation of the cutter holder 31 whose axial direction of rotation is the vertical direction. The restricting member 42 is held by the unit frame 32 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The regulating member 42 is arranged behind the upper end of the cutter holder 31 . The rear surface of the upper end portion of the cutter holder 31 arranged on the front side of the regulating member 42 is flat. The front end surface of the regulating member 42 is a curved surface that has a semicircular shape when viewed in the left-right direction.

The switching mechanism 34 has a regulation position 42A (see FIG. 6A) where the regulation member 42 approaches the cutter holder 31 and a regulation release position 42B where the regulation member 42 moves away from the cutter holder 31 (see FIG. 6B). A solenoid 43 is provided as a drive source for moving the regulating member 42 . That is, the switching mechanism 34 has a solenoid 43 for moving the restricting member 42 in the front-rear direction with respect to the unit frame 32 . Further, the switching mechanism 34 includes a tension coil spring 44 that biases the restricting member 42 forward with respect to the unit frame 32 .

The solenoid 43 is fixed to the unit frame 32 so that a plunger 43a of the solenoid 43 protrudes forward. An engagement pin 45 that engages with the rear end of the regulating member 42 is fixed to the front end of the plunger 43a. A front end portion of the tension coil spring 44 is attached to the unit frame 32 , and a rear end portion of the tension coil spring 44 is attached to a rear end portion of the restricting member 42 . When the solenoid 43 is in a non-energized state, the regulating member 42 is arranged at the regulating position 42A by the biasing force of the tension coil spring 44 . When the solenoid 43 is energized, the plunger 43a moves rearward and the regulating member 42 moves rearward, so that the regulating member 42 is placed at the regulation release position 42B.

The front end surface of the regulating member 42 arranged at the regulating position 42A is in light contact with the rear surface of the upper end portion of the cutter holder 31, or the front end surface of the regulating member 42 arranged at the regulating position 42A is in contact with the cutter holder. A slight gap is formed between the upper end portion of 31 and the rear surface thereof. Therefore, when the regulating member 42 is arranged at the regulating position 42</b>A, the cutter holder 31 is placed in a rotation regulating state in which rotation of the cutter holder 31 with respect to the unit frame 32 is regulated.

On the other hand, a large gap is formed between the front end surface of the regulation member 42 arranged at the regulation release position 42B and the rear surface of the upper end portion of the cutter holder 31, and the regulation member 42 is arranged at the regulation release position 42B. Then, the cutter holder 31 enters a rotatable state in which the cutter holder 31 can be rotated with respect to the unit frame 32 . When the cutter holder 31 becomes rotatable, as shown in FIG. 7B, the cutter holder 31 rotates in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. and, as shown in FIG. 7C, the cutter holder 31 can be rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. .

The cutter unit 9 includes a rotation range restricting member that restricts the rotation range (rotation angle) of the cutter holder 31 in the rotatable state. This rotation range restricting member is fixed to the unit frame 32 . This rotation range restricting member can contact the rear surface of the cutter holder 31, and restricts the rotation range of the cutter holder 31 in the clockwise direction and the rotation range of the cutter holder 31 in the counterclockwise direction. This rotation range restricting member is, for example, the maximum rotation angle in the clockwise direction and the maximum rotation angle in the counterclockwise direction of the cutter holder 31 when the thickness direction of the cutter blade 8 coincides with the front-rear direction. is regulated to about 15°.

(Media cutting method)
FIG. 8 is a process chart for explaining the procedure for cutting the medium 2 in the printer 1 shown in FIG. 9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining a method of cutting the medium 2 in the printing apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

In the printing apparatus 1, when printing is performed on a medium 2 different from this medium 2 (specifically, a medium 2 with a different material and width) after printing on a certain medium 2 is completed, the printing apparatus 1 The set medium 2 is replaced. The medium 2 is cut by the cutter blade 8 before the medium 2 is replaced. A method for cutting the medium 2 before replacement in the printing apparatus 1 will be described below.

In the operation of replacing the medium 2, the medium 2 before printing, which is arranged on the upstream side of the cutting position in the transport direction, is wound around the supply roll 23, removed from the printing apparatus 1, and placed on the downstream side of the cutting position in the transport direction. The printed medium 2 placed on the side is taken up, for example, on a take-up roll 25 and removed from the printing device 1 . Further, in the medium 2 replacement work, the delivery roll 23 is attached to the printer 1 after that. Further, after the medium 2 is pulled out from the delivery roll 23 and passed over the platen 18 , the downstream end of the medium 2 in the transport direction is fixed to the paper tube 26 .

The method for cutting the medium 2 includes a piercing step ST1 in which the cutter blade 8 is pierced into the medium 2 so as to penetrate the medium 2, and a piercing point SP1 (see FIG. 9) where the cutter blade 8 is pierced in the piercing step ST1. (A)) as a starting point, the cutter blade 8 is moved in the horizontal direction relative to the medium 2 to cut the medium 2 in the horizontal direction.

Further, the method of cutting the medium 2 includes a piercing step ST4 in which the cutter blade 8 is pierced into the medium 2 so as to penetrate the medium 2, and a piercing point SP2 ( 9C), the cutter blade 8 is moved in the horizontal direction relative to the medium 2 to cut the medium 2 in the horizontal direction. An oblique cutting step ST6 is included in which the cutter blade 8 is moved relative to the medium 2 in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the medium 2 to cut the medium 2 in a direction inclined with respect to the lateral direction.

Furthermore, the method for cutting the medium 2 includes a piercing step ST7 in which the cutter blade 8 is pierced into the medium 2 so as to penetrate the medium 2, and a piercing point SP3 ( 10B), the cutter blade 8 is moved in the horizontal direction relative to the medium 2 to cut the medium 2 in the horizontal direction, and the piercing point SP3 is used as the starting point. An oblique cutting step ST9 is included in which the cutter blade 8 is moved relative to the medium 2 in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the medium 2 to cut the medium 2 in a direction inclined with respect to the lateral direction.

The piercing process ST1, the lateral cutting process ST2, the lateral cutting process ST3, the piercing process ST4, the lateral cutting process ST5, the diagonal cutting process ST6, the piercing process ST7, the lateral cutting process ST8, and the diagonal cutting process ST9 are performed in this order. will be The cutting process of the medium 2 of this embodiment includes a piercing process ST1, lateral cutting processes ST2 and ST3, a piercing process ST4, a lateral cutting process ST5, an oblique cutting process ST6, a piercing process ST7, a lateral cutting process ST8, and an oblique cutting process. ST9.

A portion of the medium 2 printed by the printing mechanism 3 is defined as a printing portion 2a, and a portion of the medium 2 on the upstream side of the printing portion 2a in the medium transport direction and not printed by the printing mechanism 3. is the non-printing portion 2b, the piercing step ST1, the lateral cutting steps ST2 and ST3, the piercing step ST4, the lateral cutting step ST5, the diagonal cutting step ST6, the piercing step ST7, the lateral cutting step ST8, and the diagonal cutting step ST9 are , to the non-printing portion 2b. The printing portion 2a of this embodiment is a processing portion, and the non-printing portion 2b is a non-processing portion.

In the piercing step ST1, the cutter blade 8 is pierced into the middle position of the medium 2 in the horizontal direction (see FIG. 9A). In the piercing step ST1, after moving the cutter unit 9 with the cutter holder 31 raised to a predetermined position, the cutter holder 31 is lowered to pierce the medium 2 with the cutter blade 8 . In the piercing step ST1, the cutter holder 31 is in a rotation restricted state, and the cutter blade 8 does not rotate with respect to the unit frame 32. As shown in FIG.

In the horizontal cutting step ST2, the medium 2 is cut by moving the cutter blade 8 leftward from the puncture point SP1 to the left end surface of the medium 2 (see FIG. 9A). That is, in the horizontal cutting step ST2, the cutter unit 9 is moved leftward while the medium 2 is stopped, and the medium 2 is cut. In the lateral cutting step ST3, the medium 2 is cut by moving the cutter blade 8 to the right from the puncture point ST1 to the right end surface of the medium 2 (see FIG. 9B). That is, in the horizontal cutting step ST3, the medium 2 is cut by moving the cutter unit 9 to the right while the medium 2 is stopped. In the lateral cutting steps ST2 and ST3, the cutter holder 31 is in a rotation restricted state, and the cutter blade 8 does not rotate with respect to the unit frame 32. As shown in FIG.

The piercing step ST1 of this embodiment is the third piercing step, the lateral cutting step ST2 is the sixth cutting step, and the lateral cutting step ST3 is the seventh cutting step. In addition, the puncture point SP1 of this embodiment is the third puncture point. Further, in this embodiment, the second cut is performed by moving the cutter blade 8 in the left-right direction relative to the medium 2 to cut the medium 2 over the entire area in the left-right direction by the stabbing step ST1 and the lateral cutting steps ST2 and ST3. Step ST11 is configured. In the following description, the medium 2 arranged upstream in the transport direction from the cutting position of the medium 2 in the second cutting step ST11 is referred to as an upstream medium 2c. Further, the end surface of the upstream medium 2c on the downstream side in the transport direction after the second cutting step ST11 is completed is referred to as a first end surface 2d.

In the piercing step ST4, the cutter blade 8 is pierced into the left end portion of the upstream medium 2c so as to penetrate the upstream medium 2c (see FIG. 9(C)). In the piercing step ST4, similarly to the piercing step ST1, after the cutter unit 9 with the cutter holder 31 being raised is moved to a predetermined position, the cutter holder 31 is lowered to pierce the upstream medium 2c with the cutter blade. Poke 8. In the piercing step ST4, the cutter holder 31 is in a rotation restricted state, and the cutter blade 8 does not rotate with respect to the unit frame 32. As shown in FIG.

In the horizontal cutting step ST5, the cutter blade 8 is moved to the left from the puncture point SP2 to cut the upstream medium 2c from the puncture point SP2 to the left end surface of the upstream medium 2c (see FIG. 9C). . That is, in the horizontal cutting step ST5, the cutter unit 9 is moved leftward while the upstream medium 2c is stopped to cut the upstream medium 2c. In the horizontal cutting step ST5, the cutter holder 31 is in a rotation restricted state, and the cutter blade 8 does not rotate with respect to the unit frame 32. As shown in FIG.

In the oblique cutting step ST6, the cutter blade 8 is moved relative to the upstream medium 2c from the puncturing point SP2 to the first end face 2d to the downstream side and right side in the conveying direction, starting from the puncturing point SP2. The upstream medium 2c is cut from the point SP2 to the first end face 2d (see FIG. 10A). That is, in the diagonal cutting step ST6, the cutter unit 9 is moved to the right at a predetermined speed while conveying the upstream medium 2c to the upstream side in the conveying direction at a predetermined speed to cut the upstream medium 2c. Further, in the oblique cutting step ST6, the upstream medium 2c is linearly cut from the puncture point SP2 to the first end surface 2d.

After the oblique cutting step ST6 is completed, the second end face 2e parallel to the left-right direction and the third end face inclined with respect to the left-right direction (specifically, inclined toward the downstream side in the conveying direction toward the right side). 2f is formed at the downstream end of the upstream medium 2c in the transport direction. The second end face 2e is formed between the left end face of the upstream medium 2c and the piercing point SP2. The third end surface 2f is formed between the puncture point SP2 and the first end surface 2d. The right end of the third end face 2f is arranged to the left of the center of the first end face 2d in the horizontal direction.

In the oblique cutting step ST6, the cutter holder 31 is in a rotatable state, and the cutter blade 8 is in a rotatable state with respect to the unit frame 32. As shown in FIG. In the oblique cutting step ST6, the cutter blade 8 rotates with respect to the unit frame 32 so that the direction of relative movement of the cutter blade 8 with respect to the upstream medium 2c and the width direction of the cutter blade 8 coincide with each other. The cutter blade 8 moves relative to the upstream medium 2c while maintaining a state in which the direction of relative movement of the cutter blade 8 with respect to 2c and the width direction of the cutter blade 8 match.

The piercing step ST4 of this embodiment is the first piercing step, and the diagonal cutting step ST6 is the first cutting step. Further, the lateral cutting step ST5 of this embodiment is the fourth cutting step, and the lateral cutting step ST5 as the fourth cutting step is performed after the piercing step ST4 as the first piercing step and after the first piercing step. This is performed before the oblique cutting step ST6, which is a step. In addition, the puncture point SP2 of this embodiment is the first puncture point.

In the piercing step ST7, the cutter blade 8 is pierced into the right end portion of the upstream medium 2c so as to penetrate the upstream medium 2c (see FIG. 10(B)). In the stabbing step ST7, similarly to the stabbing step ST1, after the cutter unit 9 in which the cutter holder 31 is raised is moved to a predetermined position, the cutter holder 31 is lowered so that the cutter blade is applied to the upstream medium 2c. Poke 8. In this embodiment, the puncture point SP3 is formed at the same position as the puncture point SP2 in the medium transport direction. Therefore, after the oblique cutting step ST6 and before the piercing step ST7, the upstream medium 2c is conveyed downstream in the conveying direction by a predetermined amount. Further, in this embodiment, the distance from the left end surface of the upstream medium 2c to the puncture point SP2 (horizontal distance) and the distance from the right end surface of the upstream medium 2c to the puncture point SP3 (horizontal distance) is equal to In the piercing step ST7, the cutter holder 31 is in a rotation restricted state, and the cutter blade 8 does not rotate with respect to the unit frame 32. As shown in FIG.

In the lateral cutting step ST8, the cutter blade 8 is moved to the right from the piercing point SP3 to cut the upstream medium 2c from the piercing point SP3 to the right end surface of the upstream medium 2c (see FIG. 10B). . That is, in the horizontal cutting step ST8, the cutter unit 9 is moved rightward while the upstream medium 2c is stopped to cut the upstream medium 2c. In the lateral cutting step ST8, the cutter holder 31 is in a rotation restricted state, and the cutter blade 8 does not rotate with respect to the unit frame 32. As shown in FIG.

In the oblique cutting step ST9, the cutter blade 8 is moved relative to the upstream medium 2c from the piercing point SP3 to the first end face 2d to the downstream side and left side in the conveying direction to pierce the upstream medium 2c. The upstream medium 2c is cut from the point SP3 to the first end surface 2d (see FIG. 10(C)). That is, in the diagonal cutting step ST9, the cutter unit 9 is moved to the left at a predetermined speed while conveying the upstream medium 2c to the upstream side in the conveying direction at a predetermined speed to cut the upstream medium 2c. Further, in the oblique cutting step ST9, the upstream medium 2c is linearly cut from the puncture point SP3 to the first end surface 2d.

After the oblique cutting step ST9 is finished, the fourth end face 2g parallel to the left-right direction and the fifth end face inclined with respect to the left-right direction (specifically, inclined toward the downstream side in the conveying direction toward the left side). 2h is formed at the downstream end of the upstream medium 2c in the transport direction. The fourth end face 2g is formed between the right end face of the upstream medium 2c and the piercing point SP3. The fifth end surface 2h is formed between the puncture point SP3 and the first end surface 2d. The left end of the fifth end surface 2h is arranged on the right side of the center of the first end surface 2d in the horizontal direction. Therefore, even after the oblique cutting step ST9 is finished, the central portion of the first end surface 2d in the left-right direction remains, and the end surface of the upstream medium 2c on the downstream side in the transport direction after the oblique cutting step ST9 is finished is the first end surface. It is composed of a first end face 2d, a second end face 2e, a third end face 2f, a fourth end face 2g and a fifth end face 2h.

In the oblique cutting step ST9, the cutter holder 31 is in a rotatable state, and the cutter blade 8 is in a rotatable state with respect to the unit frame 32. As shown in FIG. In the oblique cutting step ST9, the cutter blade 8 rotates with respect to the unit frame 32 so that the direction of relative movement of the cutter blade 8 with respect to the upstream medium 2c and the width direction of the cutter blade 8 coincide with each other. The cutter blade 8 moves relative to the upstream medium 2c while maintaining a state in which the direction of relative movement of the cutter blade 8 with respect to 2c and the width direction of the cutter blade 8 match.

The piercing step ST7 of this embodiment is the second piercing step, and the oblique cutting step ST9 is the third cutting step. Further, the lateral cutting step ST8 of the present embodiment is the fifth cutting step, and the lateral cutting step ST8 as the fifth cutting step is performed after the piercing step ST7 as the second piercing step and after the third piercing step. This is performed before the oblique cutting step ST9, which is a step. In addition, the puncture point SP3 of this embodiment is the second puncture point.

In this embodiment, the cut angle of the upstream medium 2c with respect to the horizontal direction in the oblique cutting step ST6 (that is, the inclination angle of the third end surface 2f with respect to the horizontal direction) θ1 (see FIG. 10A) and the oblique cutting step ST9 is equal to the cut angle of the upstream medium 2c with respect to the horizontal direction (that is, the inclination angle of the fifth end face 2h with respect to the horizontal direction) θ2 (see FIG. 10C). The cut angles θ1 and θ2 are 7° to 13°. More specifically, the cut angles θ1 and θ2 are 8° to 12°. In this embodiment, the cut angles θ1 and θ2 are 10°.

Also, the cut angles θ1 and θ2 are constant regardless of the width of the medium 2 to be cut. That is, even if the width of the medium 2 to be cut is changed, the cut angles θ1 and θ2 are 10°. and the cut angles θ1 and θ2 are 10° even if the width of the medium 2 to be cut is 1000 mm. Further, as described above, the puncture point SP2 and the puncture point SP3 are formed at the same position in the medium conveying direction, and the distance from the left end face of the upstream medium 2c to the puncture point SP2 is Since the distance from the right end face of 2c to the puncture point SP3 is equal, the third end face 2f and the fifth end face 2h are arranged symmetrically.

After cutting the medium 2 before replacing the medium 2, the end surfaces of the upstream medium 2c on the downstream side in the transport direction are the first end surface 2d, the second end surface 2e, the third end surface 2f, and the fourth end surface 2g. Therefore, the downstream end surface in the transport direction of the medium 2 before printing, which is once detached from the printing apparatus 1 and then reattached to the printing apparatus 1, also includes the first end surface 2d and the fifth end surface 2h. It is composed of a second end face 2e, a third end face 2f, a fourth end face 2g and a fifth end face 2h. Therefore, in the operation of replacing the medium 2, the end surfaces on the downstream side in the transport direction of the medium 2 fixed to the paper tube 26 are the first end surface 2d, the second end surface 2e, the third end surface 2f, the fourth end surface 2g, and the fifth end surface. 2h (see FIG. 3). A center portion of the medium 2 in the left-right direction on which the first end surface 2d is formed is fixed to the paper tube 26 .

However, when a new medium 2 is attached to the printing apparatus 1, the end surface of the medium 2 fixed to the paper tube 26 on the downstream side in the transport direction is parallel to the left-right direction. In this case, before fixing the downstream end of the medium 2 in the transport direction to the paper tube 26, the piercing step ST4, the lateral cutting step ST5, the diagonal cutting step ST6, the piercing step ST7, the lateral cutting step ST8 and An oblique cutting step ST9 is performed.

The piercing process ST1, the lateral cutting processes ST2 and ST3, the piercing process ST4, the lateral cutting process ST5, the oblique cutting process ST6, the piercing process ST7, the lateral cutting process ST8, and the oblique cutting process ST9 are automatically and continuously performed. . That is, in the printing apparatus 1, the control unit 14 has a piercing step ST1, lateral cutting steps ST2 and ST3, a piercing step ST4, a lateral cutting step ST5, an oblique cutting step ST6, a piercing step ST7, a lateral cutting step ST8, and an oblique cutting step ST8. A control program for continuously executing the cutting step ST9 is stored, and the control section 14 continuously executes these steps based on this control program. For example, when the medium 2 needs to be replaced and the operator of the printer 1 presses a predetermined operation button, the controller 14 continuously executes these steps.

That is, when the operator presses the operation button, the control unit 14 first executes the sticking step ST1 (sticking step S1), then executes the horizontal cutting step ST2 (horizontal cutting step S2), and then executes the horizontal cutting step S2. A cutting step ST3 is executed (horizontal cutting step S3). After that, the control unit 14 executes the piercing step ST4 (piercing step S4), then the horizontal cutting step ST5 (horizontal cutting step S5), and then the diagonal cutting step ST6 (diagonal cutting step S6). Further, the control unit 14 then executes the piercing step ST7 (piercing step S7), then executes the horizontal cutting step ST8 (horizontal cutting step S8), and then executes the oblique cutting step ST9 (oblique cutting step S8). cut step S9).

The piercing step S4 of this embodiment is the first piercing step, the diagonal cutting step S6 is the first cutting step, the piercing step S7 is the second piercing step, and the diagonal cutting step S9 is This is the third cutting step. Further, the horizontal cutting step S5 of this embodiment is the fourth cutting step, and is executed before the oblique cutting step S6, which is the first cutting step. Further, the horizontal cutting step S8 of this embodiment is the fifth cutting step, and is executed before the oblique cutting step S9, which is the third cutting step.

Further, the control unit 14 controls the medium transport mechanism 10 and the carriage drive mechanism 11 to move the cutter unit 9 relative to the medium 2 in the horizontal direction in the horizontal cutting steps S2, S3, S5, and S8. The medium 2 is cut in a horizontal cut mode in which the medium 2 is cut in the horizontal direction. In the horizontal cutting mode, the control unit 14 controls the switching mechanism 34 to put the cutter holder 31 in the rotation restriction state. That is, the switching mechanism 34 puts the cutter holder 31 in the rotation restriction state in the horizontal cutting mode.

Further, in the oblique cut steps S6 and S9, the control unit 14 controls the medium transport mechanism 10 and the carriage drive mechanism 11 to move the cutter unit 9 relative to the medium 2 in the medium transport direction and in the horizontal direction. The cutting of the medium 2 is performed in an oblique cut mode in which the medium 2 is cut in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

Specifically, in the diagonal cutting step S6, the control unit 14 cuts between the middle position of the medium 2 in the left-right direction and one end side (left end side) of the medium 2 in the left-right direction (specifically, the first position in the left-right direction). The medium 2 is cut in a first oblique cut mode as an oblique cut mode for cutting the medium 2 between the intermediate position of the first end surface 2d and the puncture point SP2. The oblique cutting of the medium 2 between the middle position and the other end side (right end side) of the medium 2 in the left-right direction (specifically, between the middle position of the first end surface 2d in the left-right direction and the puncture point SP3) The medium 2 is cut in the second oblique cut mode as the cut mode.

In the oblique cut mode, the controller 14 controls the switching mechanism 34 to put the cutter holder 31 in a rotatable state. That is, the switching mechanism 34 makes the cutter holder 31 rotatable in the oblique cut mode. Further, the control unit 14 controls the transport speed of the medium 2 by the medium transport mechanism 10 and the speed of the carriage drive mechanism 11 in the first oblique cut mode and the second oblique cut mode according to predetermined data input to the control unit 14 . The medium 2 is cut at a desired angle with respect to the horizontal direction by controlling the moving speed of the cutter unit 9 by means of . The data input to the control unit 14 includes, for example, the transport speed data of the medium 2 in the first oblique cut mode and the second oblique cut mode, the moving speed data of the cutter unit 9, the position data of the cutter blade 8 at the start of cutting, and the like. is.

The cut angle θ1 of the medium 2 in the horizontal direction in the first oblique cut mode and the cut angle θ2 of the medium 2 in the horizontal direction in the second oblique cut mode are 7° to 13° as described above. It's becoming More specifically, the cut angles θ1 and θ2 are 8° to 12°, and in this embodiment, the cut angles θ1 and θ2 are 10°. After printing the medium 2 by the printing mechanism 3, the control unit 14 cuts the non-printed portion 2b over the entire width in the horizontal cut mode in the horizontal cut steps S2 and S3, and then cuts the non-printed portion 2b in the horizontal cut step S6. In S9, cutting of the medium 2 in the first diagonal cut mode and cutting of the medium in the second diagonal cut mode are performed on the non-printing portion 2b arranged on the upstream side in the transport direction from the cutting positions in the horizontal cutting steps S2 and S3. 2 cuts are performed.

(Main effects of this form)
As described above, in the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the cutter unit 9 has a rotation restriction state in which rotation of the cutter holder 31 with respect to the unit frame 32 is restricted, and a rotation restriction state in which rotation of the cutter holder 31 with respect to the unit frame 32 is restricted. A switching mechanism 34 is provided for switching the state of the cutter holder 31 between the rotatable state and the rotatable state. Further, in this embodiment, the control unit 14 moves the cutter unit 9 relative to the medium 2 in the medium transport direction and the left-right direction to cut the medium 2 in an oblique cut mode with respect to the left-right direction. When cutting the medium 2, the cutter holder 31 is in a rotatable state. When cutting, the cutter holder 31 is placed in a rotation restricted state.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, cutting of the medium 2 in the horizontal cut mode to cut the medium 2 in the horizontal direction and cutting of the medium 2 in the oblique cut mode to cut the medium 2 in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction are performed. is possible, it is possible to stabilize the state of the cutter holder 31 when cutting the medium 2 in the horizontal cut mode, and as a result, the state of the cutter blade 8 when cutting the medium 2 in the horizontal cut mode can be stabilized.

In this embodiment, the switching mechanism 34 includes a regulating member 42 for regulating the rotation of the cutter holder 31, and a solenoid 43 for moving the regulating member 42 between the regulation position 42A and the regulation release position 42B. When the regulating member 42 is arranged at the regulating position 42A, the cutter holder 31 is in the rotation regulated state, and when the regulating member 42 is arranged in the regulation release position 42B, the cutter holder 31 is in the rotatable state. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to switch the state of the cutter holder 31 with a relatively simple configuration.

In the present embodiment, the end face on the downstream side in the transport direction of the medium 2 that is temporarily removed from the printing apparatus 1 and then reattached to the printing apparatus 1 is provided with a third tapered portion that is inclined toward the downstream side in the transport direction toward the right side. The end face 2f and the fifth end face 2h that inclines toward the downstream side in the conveying direction toward the left side are formed symmetrically. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the medium 2 to be reattached to the printing apparatus 1 is not cut, after the end of the medium 2 on the downstream side in the transport direction is fixed to the paper tube 26 in the replacement work of the medium 2, At the start of winding the medium 2 by the paper tube 26, the medium 2 can be easily wound by the paper tube 26.例文帳に追加

In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the paper tube 26 is 3 inches or 2 inches, and the medium 2 is made of soft polyvinyl chloride or tarpaulin. The cut angles θ1 and θ2 of the medium 2 with respect to the horizontal direction in the mode are 7° to 13°. Therefore, according to the studies of the inventors of the present application, in this embodiment, it is possible to appropriately wind the medium 2 by the paper tube 26 while suppressing tearing of the medium 2 when the medium 2 is started to be wound by the paper tube 26. become. In particular, in this embodiment, the cut angles θ1 and θ2 are 8° to 12°, so according to the study of the inventors of the present application, tearing of the medium 2 can be prevented when the paper tube 26 starts winding the medium 2. At the same time, the paper tube 26 allows the medium 2 to be wound more appropriately.

In this embodiment, the cutter unit 9 is mounted on the carriage 7 , and the carriage drive mechanism 11 can be used to move the cutter unit 9 in addition to the head 6 in the horizontal direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the configuration of the printing apparatus 1 can be simplified as compared with a case where a drive mechanism for moving the cutter unit 9 in the left-right direction is separately provided.

(Other embodiments)
The embodiment described above is an example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

In the embodiment described above, the cutter holder 31 is in the rotation restricted state in the lateral cutting steps ST5 and ST8, but the cutter holder 31 is in the rotatable state in the lateral cutting steps ST5 and ST8. good. Further, the cutter holder 31 may be in a rotatable state in the stabbing steps ST1, ST4, and ST7. Further, in the embodiment described above, the piercing step ST4 may be performed, the oblique cutting step ST6 may be performed, and then the lateral cutting step ST5 may be performed. Similarly, in the embodiment described above, after performing the piercing step ST7, after performing the oblique cutting step ST9, the lateral cutting step ST8 may be performed.

In the embodiment described above, if the medium 2 can be cut appropriately, the piercing steps ST1, ST4, and ST7 need not be performed. In this case, for example, the cutter blade 8 is moved in the horizontal direction from the right end surface to the left end surface of the medium 2 to cut the medium 2 in the horizontal direction (medium 2 in the horizontal cut mode). ), the cutter blade 8 is relatively moved downstream and right in the conveying direction with respect to the upstream medium 2c, and the upstream medium 2c is cut from the left end surface of the upstream medium 2c to the first end surface 2d. (cutting of the medium 2 in the oblique cutting mode), and the cutter blade 8 is relatively moved downstream and left in the conveying direction with respect to the upstream medium 2c, and from the right end face of the upstream medium 2c and an oblique cutting step (cutting of the medium 2 in an oblique cutting mode) for cutting the upstream medium 2c up to the first end surface 2d.

In the embodiment described above, only the piercing step ST4, the oblique cutting step ST6, the piercing step ST7, the oblique cutting step ST9, and the lateral cutting steps ST2 and ST3 may be performed in this order. In this case, for example, in the piercing step ST4, the cutter blade 8 is pierced into the middle position of the medium 2 in the left-right direction, and in the oblique cutting step ST6, the medium 2 is cut from the piercing point SP2 to the left end surface of the medium 2. The cutter blade 8 is relatively moved upstream and leftward in the conveying direction to cut the medium 2 from the piercing point SP2 to the left end surface of the medium 2. - 特許庁

Further, in the piercing step ST7, the cutter blade 8 is pierced into the middle position of the medium 2 in the horizontal direction, and in the oblique cutting step ST9, the cutter blade 8 is conveyed from the piercing point SP3 to the right end surface of the medium 2 with respect to the medium 2. The medium 2 is cut from the piercing point SP3 to the right end surface of the medium 2 by relatively moving upstream and rightward in the direction. In the lateral cutting steps ST2 and ST3, the medium 2 is cut by moving the cutter blade 8 from the puncture point SP2 or the puncture point SP3 to both lateral end surfaces of the medium 2 .

In the form described above, the upstream medium 2c may be cut so that the right end of the third end face 2f and the left end of the fifth end face 2h are connected. That is, the upstream medium 2c may be cut so that the first end face 2d does not remain after the oblique cutting step ST9 is finished. Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, the cut angles θ1 and θ2 may be less than 7° or may exceed 13°. Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the cut angle θ1 and the cut angle θ2 may be different.

In the embodiment described above, the puncture point SP2 and the puncture point SP3 may be shifted in the medium transport direction. Further, in the embodiment described above, the horizontal distance from the left end surface of the upstream medium 2c to the puncture point SP2 is different from the horizontal distance from the right end surface of the upstream medium 2c to the puncture point SP3. Also good. Moreover, in the embodiment described above, the cut angles θ1 and θ2 may be changed according to the width of the medium 2 to be cut. For example, regardless of the width of the medium 2 to be cut, the distance between the second end face 2e, the fourth end face 2g, and the first end face 2d in the medium transport direction is constant. Therefore, the cut angles θ1 and θ2 may be changed.

In the form described above, the cutter unit 9 does not have to be mounted on the carriage 7 . In this case, a carriage on which the cutter unit 9 is mounted and a cutter unit driving mechanism for moving the carriage in the left-right direction are separately provided. Further, in this case, a second cutter unit drive mechanism may be provided for moving the carriage on which the cutter unit 9 is mounted in the front-rear direction. In this case, for example, a moving mechanism for moving the cutter unit 9 relative to the medium 2 in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the medium 2 by the cutter unit drive mechanism and the second cutter unit drive mechanism. may be configured.

In the embodiment described above, the switching mechanism 34 may have a motor as a drive source instead of the solenoid 43 . In addition, in the embodiment described above, the medium 2 may be made of resin other than polyvinyl chloride, or may be made of paper. Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the printing apparatus 1 may include a medium cutting mechanism for cutting the printed medium 2 into a predetermined shape and separating it. This medium cutting mechanism is arranged, for example, between the platen 18 and the medium winding mechanism 13 in the vertical direction. Alternatively, this medium cutting mechanism may be mounted on the carriage 7 . Further, in the embodiment described above, instead of the printing mechanism 3, a processing mechanism for performing predetermined processing on the medium 2 before being cut may be provided. Further, in the embodiment described above, the printing mechanism 3 and the processing mechanism may not be provided. That is, the medium cutting device to which the present invention is applied may be a device having only a cutting function.

1 Printing device (medium cutting device)
2 medium 2a printing unit (processing unit)
2b non-printing part (non-processing part)
3 Printing Mechanism (Processing Mechanism)
6 head (inkjet head)
7 carriage 8 cutter blade 9 cutter unit 10 medium transport mechanism 11 carriage drive mechanism (cutter unit drive mechanism)
13 Medium Winding Mechanism 14 Control Unit 21 Moving Mechanism 26 Paper Tube 31 Cutter Holder 32 Unit Frame 34 Switching Mechanism 42 Regulating Member 42A Regulating Position 42B Regulating Position 43 Solenoid (Driving Source)
Y Media width direction θ1, θ2 Cut angle

Claims (11)

A medium cutting device for cutting a long medium,
a cutter unit having a cutter blade for cutting the medium; A moving mechanism that relatively moves the unit, and a control unit that controls the medium cutting device,
The cutter unit includes a cutter holder to which the cutter blade is fixed, a unit frame that rotatably holds the cutter holder, a rotation restriction state that restricts rotation of the cutter holder with respect to the unit frame, and the a switching mechanism for switching the state of the cutter holder between a rotatable state in which the cutter holder is rotatable with respect to the unit frame;
The cutter holder is rotatable with respect to the unit frame with the thickness direction of the medium as the rotation axis direction,
The control unit cuts the medium in a horizontal cut mode by moving the cutter unit relative to the medium in the width direction of the medium to cut the medium in the width direction of the medium; and cutting the medium in an oblique cut mode by relatively moving the cutter unit in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the medium to cut the medium in a direction inclined with respect to the width direction of the medium. In addition, the medium cutting device places the cutter holder in the rotation restricted state in the horizontal cut mode, and places the cutter holder in the rotatable state in the oblique cut mode. The switching mechanism includes a regulating member for regulating rotation of the cutter holder, and a regulating position where the regulating member approaches the cutter holder and a regulation release position where the regulating member moves away from the cutter holder. and a driving source for moving,
When the regulating member is arranged at the regulating position, the cutter holder is in the rotation regulating state,
2. The medium cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the cutter holder is placed in the rotatable state when the regulating member is arranged at the regulating position. 3. The medium cutting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cutter unit includes a rotation range restricting member that restricts a rotation range of the cutter holder in the rotatable state. 4. The medium according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a medium winding mechanism that rotates a winding paper tube to which an end of the medium is fixed and winds the medium around the paper tube. Media cutting device. The control unit cuts the medium between an intermediate position of the medium in the width direction of the medium and one end side of the medium in the width direction of the medium in a first oblique cut mode as the oblique cut mode. and a second oblique cut mode as the oblique cut mode that cuts the medium between an intermediate position of the medium in the width direction of the medium and the other end side of the medium in the width direction of the medium. 5. The medium cutting device according to claim 4, wherein the medium cutting device performs the cutting of the medium. The moving mechanism includes a medium transport mechanism that transports the medium in the longitudinal direction of the medium, and a cutter unit drive mechanism that moves the cutter unit in the width direction of the medium,
In the first oblique cut mode and the second oblique cut mode, the control unit controls the medium transport speed by the medium transport mechanism and the cutter unit drive speed in accordance with predetermined data input to the control unit. 6. The medium cutting device according to claim 5, wherein the medium is cut at a desired angle with respect to the width direction of the medium by controlling the movement speed of the cutter unit by a mechanism. 7. The medium cutting device according to claim 6, wherein the paper tube has an outer diameter of 3 inches or 2 inches. The medium is made of soft polyvinyl chloride or tarpaulin,
8. The medium cutting according to claim 7, wherein the cut angle of the medium with respect to the width direction of the medium in the first oblique cut mode and the second oblique cut mode is 7° to 13°. Device. 9. The medium cutting according to claim 8, wherein the cut angle of the medium with respect to the width direction of the medium in the first oblique cut mode and the second oblique cut mode is 8° to 12°. Device. A processing mechanism for performing a predetermined processing on the medium before cutting,
A portion of the medium processed by the processing mechanism is defined as a processed portion, and a portion of the medium on the upstream side of the processed portion in the transport direction of the medium is not processed by the processing mechanism. Assuming that the part is the unprocessed part,
After the processing of the medium by the processing mechanism, the control unit cuts the non-processed portion across the entire width direction of the medium in the lateral cut mode, and then cuts the non-processed portion at the cutting position in the lateral cut mode. Cutting the medium in the first oblique cut mode and cutting the medium in the second oblique cut mode are performed on the non-processed portion arranged on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the medium. The medium cutting device according to any one of claims 6 to 9. A printing mechanism that prints on the medium before cutting by an inkjet method,
The printing mechanism includes an inkjet head that ejects ink onto the medium and a carriage on which the inkjet head is mounted,
The moving mechanism includes a medium transport mechanism that transports the medium in the longitudinal direction of the medium, and a cutter unit drive mechanism that moves the cutter unit in the width direction of the medium,
The cutter unit is mounted on the carriage,
The medium cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the cutter unit drive mechanism moves the carriage in the width direction of the medium.

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