JP6683523B2 - Laser marking device - Google Patents

Description

  One embodiment of the present invention relates to a laser marking device for marking characters on a medium such as a card with a laser.

  BACKGROUND ART A laser marking device (laser marker) for irradiating a medium such as a card with laser light to mark characters and symbols has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2). In such a laser marking device, a medium such as a card is conveyed by a roller to a laser irradiation position.

JP, 2013-244692, A JP, 2005-163405, A

  In the above conventional laser marking device, a medium such as a card is conveyed by using a conveyance roller that conveys by rotating while pressing the marking surface from the vertical direction (front and back sides). Occasionally, scratches were generated. Thus, if the marking surface is scratched, it may affect the quality of characters and symbols formed by a laser on a medium such as a card.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to solve the above problems. In the following description, reference numerals and the like in the drawings are added in parentheses in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, but each constituent element of the present invention is not limited to these additions. It should be broadly interpreted to the extent that a person can technically understand it.

One means of the present invention is
A laser device (10) for irradiating the medium (2) with laser light;
A carrier (3) supporting the medium,
A carrier transport unit (motor 5 or the like) for transporting the carrier to the irradiation position of the laser beam,
A supply unit (1) for supplying the medium to the carrier,
Equipped with
The carrier has rollers (32) for conveying while nipping the end surface of the medium.
It is a laser marking device.

  According to the laser marking device having the above-described structure, the medium is conveyed while the end surface is sandwiched by the rollers, so that the roller does not contact the marking surface of the medium. Therefore, the marking surface of the medium is not scratched, and the medium such as a card can be laser-marked with high quality.

In the above laser marking device, preferably,
A taper (32d) is formed on the contact surface of the roller with the medium.

  According to the laser marking device having the above structure, the taper is formed, so that the medium can be sandwiched from both sides so as not to be displaced.

In the above laser marking device, preferably,
The carrier has fixed width guides (33) for guiding both end surfaces of the medium at an insertion port to which the medium is supplied.

  According to the laser marking device having the above-described configuration, since the carrier has the fixed width guide, it is possible to insert a medium such as a card into the carrier without displacement.

In the above laser marking device, preferably,
The carrier can change the transport direction of the medium by rotating.

  According to the laser marking device having the above-described configuration, the carrier itself is rotated to change the transport direction of the medium, and for example, an operation of transporting the medium in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the medium during marking is possible. Become.

In the above laser marking device, preferably,
The rollers include drive rollers that transport the media in and out of the carrier.

The figure which shows the structure of the laser marking device in the state which a card carriage case supports a card. The figure which shows the structure of the laser marking device in the state which a card carriage case conveys a card downward. The figure which shows the structure of the laser marking apparatus in the state which performs marking on a card. An enlarged view of a card carriage case and its peripheral portion. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the card carriage case and its periphery as seen from the upper surface side. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the card carriage case and the BB position around the case. The side view of a card carriage case and its periphery. An enlarged view of a card carriage case. The top view which looked at the card carriage case from the upper surface side. Sectional drawing of the AA position of a card carriage case. The enlarged view of a roller part and a card. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a card holding portion by a roller portion. The enlarged view of a roller part. The exploded view of a roller part. The figure which shows the roller and fixed width guide of a card carriage case. An enlarged view of a fixed width guide.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings according to the following configurations. However, the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, in each drawing, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted.
1. Embodiment 2. Supplementary information

<1. Embodiment>
One of the features of the laser marking apparatus of the present embodiment is that the card, which is the recording medium, is conveyed while sandwiching the end face. Another feature of the laser marking device of the present embodiment is that the card carriage case itself, which carries the card while supporting it, is rotated to change the carrying direction of the card. There is. Hereinafter, the laser marking device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the description of the same configuration as a conventional general laser marking device may be omitted.

  1 to 3 show a laser marking apparatus of the present embodiment, FIG. 1 shows a state in which a card 2 is supplied from a card supply unit 1 to a card carriage case 3, and FIG. 2 shows a card carriage. The case 3 shows the state when the card 2 is conveyed in the downward direction, and FIG. 3 shows the state when the card carriage case 3 conveys the card 2 to the laser irradiation position. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the laser marking device according to the present embodiment includes a card supply unit 1, a card carriage case 3, a guide shaft 4, a laser device 10, an exposure optical system 20, a control unit 30, and an imaging unit. It is configured to include 40.

<Laser device 10>
The laser device 10 has, for example, a resonator and is configured to amplify pump light from a pump light source such as a laser diode (LD) or a light emitting diode (LED) and output a pulsed laser light 21 of high intensity. Has been done. The laser device 10 is a device serving as a laser light source for irradiating the card 2 which is a medium conveyed by the laser marking device with the pulsed laser light 21.

<Exposure optical system 20>
The exposure optical system 20 irradiates the pulsed laser light 21 emitted from the laser device 10 to a predetermined position of the card 2 by a raster method or the like based on predetermined image data (see FIG. 3). The exposure optical system 20 has, for example, one or more galvanometer mirrors, an fθ lens, and the like, and is controlled by the control unit 30.

<Control unit 30>
The control unit 30 functions as a control unit that comprehensively controls each component of the laser marking device. The control unit 30 includes a control unit, a communication unit, a display unit, an input unit, an interface unit, and a storage unit (not shown). For example, the control unit 30 controls the card supply unit 1 to supply the card 2 to the card carriage case 3. Further, the control unit 30 controls the laser device 10 and the exposure optical system 20 based on the program and the image data stored in the storage unit, and irradiates the card 2 with laser light. In addition, the control unit 30 controls the card carriage case 3 to move the card carriage case 3 along the guide shaft 4, rotate it around a rotation shaft 31 (described later), and rotate the card carriage case 3 roller. An operation of rotating 32 (described later) to convey the card 2 is controlled.

<Imaging unit 40>
The imaging unit 40 is arranged below the transportation path of the card 2 and is configured to capture an image of the card 2 transported downward by the card carriage case 3 (see FIG. 2). The image capturing unit 40 outputs the data of the captured image to the control unit 30.

<Card supply unit 1>
The card supply unit 1 holds the plurality of cards 2 and supplies the cards 2 to the card carriage case 3 one by one under the control of the control unit 30.

<Card carriage case 3>
The card carriage case 3 supports the cards 2 into which the cards 2 supplied one by one from the card supply unit 1 provided on the upstream side are inserted. The card carriage case 3 is moved along the guide shaft 4 by the timing belt 41 which is rotated by the motor 5 operated by the control of the control unit 30 to move the card 2 from the card insertion position to the laser irradiation position, Carry it to the card ejection position. The card carriage case 3 is an example of the carrier in the present invention.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the card carriage case 3 and its peripheral portion. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the card carriage case 3 and its surroundings as viewed from the top side. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. FIG. 7 is a side view of the card carriage case 3 and its periphery. FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the card carriage case 3. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the card carriage case 3 as seen from the upper surface side. FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 10, the card carriage case 3 is configured to include a rotary shaft 31, a plurality of rollers 32, a plurality of fixed width guides 33, and the like (see particularly FIG. 4).

<Rotating shaft 31>
The rotating shaft 31 is fixed to the inner frame of the card carriage case 3, and is rotated by the control unit 30 to rotate the card 2 supported by the inner frame of the card carriage case 3. By rotating the rotating shaft 31, the card carriage case 3 can set the card 2 to be conveyed in the downward direction (vertical direction) as shown in FIG. It becomes a state where it can be moved to the image pickup position. Further, the rotary shaft 31 may be configured to rotate in one direction or may be configured to rotate in two directions (both directions). The rotation shaft 31 is capable of rotating the card carriage case 3 so that either the front surface or the back surface of the card 2 faces the imaging unit 40.

<Roller 32>
The rollers 32 are arranged in two rows along the side surface of the card 2 so as to sandwich and support both end surfaces of the card 2 which is inserted and supported in the card carriage case 3. A plurality of rollers 32 are arranged on both sides of the card 2 so as to face each other with the card 2 interposed therebetween. The roller 32 also has a function as a width guide of the card 2 supported and conveyed by the card carriage case 3. Particularly, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, it is configured to include a roller portion 32a and a round belt pulley 32b. That is, the roller 32 is a general term for a configuration including the roller portion 32a and the round belt pulley 32b.

<Roller part 32a>
FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the roller portion 32a and the card 2. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the holding portion of the card 2 by the roller portion 32a. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the roller portion 32a. FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the roller portion 32a. FIG. 15 is a view showing the roller 32 and the fixed width guide 33 of the card carriage case 3. As shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, the roller portion 32a is formed of resin or the like into a flat columnar shape, and a groove-shaped taper 32d is formed in the central portion of the side surface thereof (see particularly FIG. 12). ). The taper 32d is formed in a V-shaped groove shape, and is formed so that the bottom surface portion thereof supports the card 2. As shown in FIG. 12, the roller portion 32a holds the end surface 2a of the card 2 between the groove portions having the taper 32d. As described above, the taper 32d is formed in the groove portion on the side surface of the roller portion 32a, so that the card 2 can be supported and conveyed without being displaced and scratched. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the roller portion 32a has a rubber ring 32e attached to a groove on the side surface thereof. The rubber ring 32e has an elastic force to the extent that the card 2 is not bent, and is configured to secure the card carrying force. The rubber ring 32e allows the roller portion 32a to elastically support and convey the end surface of the card 2 without displacement.

<Round belt pulley 32b>
Round belt pulleys 32b are arranged above and below the roller portion 32a. The rollers 32 included in the card carriage case 3 are arranged in two rows along both side surfaces of the card 2, and the rollers 32 in each row are attached to a round belt pulley 32b as shown in FIGS. It is adapted to be interlocked by the round belt 32c. Thus, the plurality (for example, five) of the rollers 32 forming each row are configured so that at least one of them is driven by a roller driving motor (not shown) to transmit the driving force to the other rollers 32. Has become. Of the rollers 32, the roller 32 driven by the roller drive motor may be referred to as a drive roller.

<Fixed width guide 33>
As shown in FIGS. 4, 7, and 15, fixed width guides 33 are arranged at the card insertion port and the card ejection port of the card carriage case 3. FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the fixed width guide 33. As shown in FIGS. 7, 15 and 16, the fixed width guide 33 is provided with a taper 33 a at a position in contact with the card 2. By disposing the fixed width guide 33 having such a taper 33a at the card insertion port and the card ejection port, the card 2 supplied from the card supply unit 1 to the card carriage case 3 is inserted without displacement. .

<Guide shaft 4>
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, etc., the guide shaft 4 is fixed to the laser marking device and is arranged to support the card carriage case 3. As described above, when the motor 5 is rotated by the control unit 30, the timing belt 41 is rotated, so that the card carriage case 3 is directly moved along the guide shaft 4.

  Here, the operation of marking the card 2 with laser light in the laser marking device of the present embodiment will be described.

  First, under the control of the control unit 30, one card 2 is supplied from the card supply unit 1 to the card carriage case 3 (see FIG. 1). The card 2 supplied from the card supply unit 1 is inserted into the card carriage case 3 while sandwiching both side surfaces by the fixed width guide 33 of the card carriage case 3. The card 2 inserted into the card carriage case 3 is conveyed to the back of the card carriage case 3 while being nipped by the rollers 32 which are controlled to rotate by the control unit 30. When the card 2 moves to the central portion of the card carriage case 3, the roller 32 stops its rotation, whereby the card 2 is supported by the card carriage case 3 with its end face being clamped (see FIG. 1). .

  In this state, when the card 2 is to be marked with laser light, the control unit 30 rotates the motor 5 so that the card carriage case 3 moves linearly along the guide shaft 4. When the card 2 supported by the card carriage case 3 reaches a predetermined position, the control unit 30 stops the operation of the motor 5 and stops the conveyance of the card carriage case 3 (see FIG. 3). In this state, the control unit 30 drives the laser device 10 and the exposure optical system 20 to perform marking with a laser beam on a predetermined position of the card 2. When the marking with the laser light is completed, the control unit 30 moves the card carriage case 3 along the guide shaft 4 to the operation end position. Then, when the card carriage case 3 moves to the operation end position, the controller 30 operates the roller 32 to eject the card 2. As a result, the marking process by the laser light on the card 2 is completed, and the marking process on the next card 2 is performed as necessary.

  Further, when imaging the card surface of the card 2 before marking or the marking state, the control unit 30 rotates the rotation shaft 31 of the card carriage case 3 to convey the card carriage case 3 by the guide shaft 4. It is controlled so as to face the direction perpendicular to the direction (see FIG. 2). From this state, when the roller 32 is rotated by the control unit 30, the card 2 is ejected to a position where the image pickup unit 40 can pick up an image. The card carriage case 3 does not necessarily need to be rotated at the position shown in FIG. 2, but may be configured to be rotated at any position.

  As described above, the laser marking device according to the present embodiment includes the card carriage case 3 configured to be supported and conveyed while the end surface of the card 2 is sandwiched by the rollers 32. It has a structure that does not contact. Therefore, the marking surface of the card 2 is not scratched, and high-quality laser marking can be performed on the card 2.

  Further, in the laser marking device of this embodiment, the taper 32d is formed on the surface of the roller 32 that contacts the card 2. As a result, the card 2 can be held from both sides so as not to be displaced.

  Further, in the laser marking device of the present embodiment, fixed width guides 33 that guide both end surfaces of the card 2 are arranged at the insertion opening into which the card 2 is inserted. This makes it possible to supply the card 2 from the card supply unit 1 to the card carriage case 3 without causing a positional deviation.

  Further, in the laser marking device of the present embodiment, since the card carriage case 3 is configured to be rotatable by the rotation shaft 31, the transport direction of the card 2 is changed, and for example, the card is placed in the space where the imaging unit 40 is arranged. 2 can be moved.

<2. Supplementary items>
Heretofore, a specific description has been given of the embodiment of the present invention. The above description is merely one embodiment, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to this one embodiment, and is broadly construed to a range that a person skilled in the art can grasp based on the same technical idea. is there.

  In the laser marking device according to the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the card 2 is irradiated with the laser for marking is described as a specific example, but the medium for irradiating the laser is not limited to the card 2, and paper, Alternatively, a medium formed of a resin having a shape other than the card may be used as the medium.

  In the laser marking device of the above embodiment, an example in which the card supply unit 1 is provided has been described, but the card supply unit does not necessarily have to be provided, and the medium is supplied from another device provided on the upstream side of the laser marking device. May be done.

  The laser marking device may further include a reading unit that reads data stored in the IC chip of the medium. Alternatively, the reading unit may be provided instead of the imaging unit.

  Further, in the laser marking device of the above-described embodiment, the example in which the card carriage case 3 is rotatable by the rotation shaft 31 has been described, but the card carriage case 3 need not necessarily have such a configuration. May not be rotatable. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to configure a laser marking device having a configuration in which the card 2 and the end surface are supported and conveyed while being sandwiched.

  The laser marking device of the present invention is used as a device capable of printing characters and symbols on a medium such as a card using a laser.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Card supply part 2 ... Card 2a ... End surface 3 ... Card carriage case 31 ... Rotating shaft 32 ... Roller 32a ... Roller part 32b ... Round belt pulley 32c ... Round belt 32d ... Taper 32e ... Rubber ring 33 ... Fixed width guide 33a ... Taper 4 ... Guide shaft 41 ... Timing belt 5 ... Motor 10 ... Laser device 20 ... Exposure optical system 21 ... Pulse laser light 30 ... Control unit 40 ... Imaging unit

Claims (5)

A laser device for irradiating a medium with laser light;
A carrier supporting the medium,
A carrier transport unit that transports the carrier to an irradiation position of the laser light,
The carrier has a roller that conveys while sandwiching the end surface of the medium.
Laser marking device. The contact surface of the roller with the medium is tapered.
The laser marking device according to claim 1. The carrier has fixed width guides for guiding both end faces of the medium at an insertion port to which the medium is supplied,
The laser marking device according to claim 1 or 2. The carrier can change the transport direction of the medium by rotating.
The laser marking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The roller includes a drive roller that conveys the medium into and out of the carrier,
The laser marking device according to claim 1.

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