JPH0335596Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] The present invention relates to a pen holding mechanism for an XY plotter, more specifically, a pen holding mechanism suitable for use in an XY plotter that performs automatic pen replacement.The purpose of the invention is to have a simple structure, Easy to replace pens
The purpose is to provide a secure pen retention mechanism.

For comparison with the present invention, the pen holding mechanism of the XY plotter, on which the present invention was devised, will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

FIG. 1 shows a simplified plan view of the XY plotter. In the figure, 1 is the main body of the XY plotter, and 2 is a slider frame, which is transported within the main body 1 in the X direction shown in the figure. 3 is a paint cartridge, which is transported along the slider frame 2 in the Y direction in the figure. Reference numeral 4 denotes an arm that is rotatably held by the paint cartridge 3 by a predetermined amount, and the arm 4 is rotated by electromagnetic means (not shown) mounted on the paint cartridge 3. Reference numeral 5 denotes a pen holder fixed to the arm 4, and a pen 6 is detachably attached to the pen holder 5, so that the pen 6 comes into contact with and separates from the recording paper by the rotation of the arm 4 mentioned above. It's summery.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the main parts of the paint cartridge 3. In the figure, reference numeral 5 denotes a pen holder made of a thin metal plate bent into a substantially U-shape, and its base end 5a is fixed to the arm 4 with a screw 7. Arm portions 5b, 5b are made to protrude. Reference numeral 6 denotes a pen held between the curved arms 5b, which can be easily attached and detached by moving it with fingers or the like in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Reference numeral 6a denotes a disc-shaped collar provided on the pen 6, which is fitted into grooves 5c, 5c of the curved arms 5b, 5b, and is adapted to position the pen 6 in the vertical direction (see Fig. 5). ). In addition, in FIG. 5, 8 is the pivot shaft of the arm 4, 5d, 5d
is a protrusion that prevents the pen 6 from shaking.

In FIG. 1, a support plate 10 installed at the left end of the main body 1 is provided with pen stock bodies 11 each holding pens 6 of various colors. As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 3, the pen stock body 11 is made up of a pair of elastic holding arms 11a, 11a, an elastic tongue piece 11b, and a holding groove 11c into which the collar 6a is inserted and held. Made of synthetic resin. The pen 6 is held by the holding arm 11.
a, 11a and the elastic tongue piece 11b, and is held in a state in which the collar portion 6a is inserted deep into the holding groove 11a. Further, the distance between the holding arms 11a and 11a is set to a size sufficient to allow the curved arm portions 5b, 5b to pass through, and the elastic force of the pen stock body 11 for holding the pen is The holding force is set to be smaller than the holding force by a predetermined amount.

Therefore, as shown in the fourth figure, if the pen cartridge 3 holding the pen 6 is transferred to the path in the direction of the arrow A in the figure, the pen 6 will be transferred from the pen cartridge 3 to the pen stock body 11, and the pen will be transferred to the pen stock body 11 with no pen loaded. If the paint cartridge 3 is transferred in the direction opposite to the arrow A, the pen 6 can be transferred from the pen stock 11 to the paint cartridge 3.

The pen exchange mechanism described above is simpler and cheaper to manufacture than a pen exchange mechanism using a magnet or the like. However, in the recording state, the pen 6 is perpendicular to the paper surface P as shown in FIG.
Since this is required from the viewpoint of slidability of the pen tip against the paper surface, etc., the curved arm portion 5b is in an inclined state as shown in FIG. 6 when the pen 6 is replaced. In particular, when attempting to make the paint cartridge 3 smaller and lighter, the curved arm portion 5b becomes shorter and the amount of inclination thereof needs to be greater than a predetermined amount. For this reason, the paint cartridge 3
goes to pick up pen 6 from pen stock 11,
As shown in Figure 6, the collar 6a and the groove 5c of the curved arm 5b do not match, resulting in a situation where the pen 6 cannot be replaced.

In view of the above-mentioned points, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by making the brim of the pen 6 into a substantially truncated conical shape in the above-mentioned pen holding mechanism.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the pen 6 is formed with a generally truncated conical flange 6a', and the inclined surface T of the flange 6a' functions as a guide surface when the flange 6a' and the groove 5c are fitted together. It's starting to happen. That is, when the paint cartridge 3 is pushed in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. 8, the presence of the inclined surface T and the elasticity of the curved arm portion 5b combine to cause the collar portion 6a' to easily fit into the groove 5c. Therefore, the accuracy of the holding position of the pen 6 in the pen stock body 11 is easily permitted.

As described above, according to the present invention, automatic pen replacement is easy and reliable, and its practical value is high.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 to 6 relate to the pen holding mechanism of the XY plotter, which was the premise for devising the present invention. Figure 1 is a simplified plan view of the XY plotter, and Figure 2 shows the main parts of the pen cartridge. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pen stock body, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operation, and FIG.
The figure is a recording state diagram, Figure 6 is a pen replacement state diagram,
7 and 8 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 7 is a side view of the pen, and FIG. 8 is a diagram of the pen being replaced. 1... Main body of XY plotter, 2... Slider frame, 3... Pen cartridge, 4... Arm, 6
...Pen, 6a'...Brim, 6b...Nib, 7
...Screw, 8...Rotation shaft, 5...Pen holder, 5a...Base end, 5b...Curved arm, 5c...
...Groove, 5d...Protrusion, 11...Pen stock body,
T... Inclined surface.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A pen cartridge that is transferred in the XY direction, a pen holder that is rotatably attached to the pen cartridge by a predetermined amount, a pair of elastic curved arms provided on the pen holder, and a pen that is detachably held between the curved arms. 1. A pen holding mechanism for an XY plotter, comprising: a pen; and grooves formed in both curved arms for fitting a roughly conical collar provided on the pen.