JPH0966698A - Head feed device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To connect separably an active main head with a follower head without using a solenoid and reduce the cost by moving the active head in the fixed component direction on the other side when connecting sections are in the connected state and releasing the connection of the connecting sections except in one direction. SOLUTION: When an active head 16 is connected with a follower head 18, the active head 16 is moved in the right direction and a wrapping body 14 of the active head 16 is pressed to a wrapping body 46 of the follower head 18. At that time, a wrapping piece 50 is press stretched from outside by a columnar body 56 in resistance to the energizing force of a stretching spring 52. When the active head 16 is moved in the right direction, the columnar body 56 is stored in a notch section and wrapped completely by the wrapping piece 50 to complete the connection of both heads 16 and 18. When the active head 16 is separated from the follower head 18, the active head 16 is moved in the left direction in the state that the follower head 18 is connected with a right side fixed section 28R, and the wrapping piece 50 is stretched by a body 56 to be wrapped in resistance to the energizing force of the stretching spring 52.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises a first connecting portion for separably connecting a driving head and a subordinate head, and a second connecting portion for separably connecting the subordinate head and a fixing member. The present invention relates to a head feeding device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A head feeding device which is of interest to the present invention is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-44592.

In the head feeding device disclosed in the above publication, as shown in FIG. 18, a detachable hook 206 is pivotally supported about a shaft in a casing 204 of a paper cutting device which is a subordinate head 202. An image pickup head, which is a main driving head 208, is provided with a connecting portion 212 including a detachable hook receiver 210 fixed to face the detachable hook 206.

The attachment / detachment hook 206 is urged by the pulling force of the spring 214 so that one end on the driving head side faces downward. In addition, the casing 204 has a pin 2
16 is movably supported, and the lower end of the pin 216 is placed near the other end of the detachable hook 206. Further, a fixing member 220 is arranged to fix the Y rail 218 on which the main driving head 208 and the subordinate head 202 travel, and a solenoid 224 for moving the pin 216 up and down is provided on a horizontal plate 222 above the fixing member 220. Is provided.

When the subordinate head 202 moves to a predetermined standby position where it is locked by a stopper 226 near the end of the Y rail 218, the pin 216 is positioned directly below the output shaft 228 of the solenoid 224. It is set.

In the above structure, when cutting the paper 230, the driving head 208 is moved toward the right end portion of the Y rail 218, the solenoid 224 is energized, and the detachable hook 206 is rotated clockwise to be raised. Keep it. When the attachment / detachment hook receiver 210 moves to the engagement position with the attachment / detachment hook 206, the movement of the driving head 208 is stopped and the energization of the solenoid 224 is released. At this time, the detachable hook 206 is rotated counterclockwise by the pulling force of the spring 214. Therefore, the hooking portion of the detachable hook 206 and the detachable hook receiver 210 are engaged with each other so that the driving head 2
08 and the subordinate head 202 are connected. Next, when the driving head 208 is moved leftward along the Y rail 218,
The interlocked subordinate head 202 cuts the paper. As described above, the feeding device 200 is operated by the subordinate head 202 as necessary.
Is ready to use.

[0007]

However, the feeding device 200 described above has the detaching hook 206 of the subordinate head 202.
Since the solenoid 224 is used to rotate the
It was expensive. Further, a space for arranging the solenoid 224 and a space for wiring are required, which causes an increase in size of the device. Further, there is a problem that a running cost is required to drive the solenoid 224 each time the subordinate head 202 is used.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the cost and downsize by connecting the main head and the subordinate head in a separable manner without using a solenoid. The present invention is to provide such a head feeding device.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a head feeding device of the present invention has a guide rail fixed to a pair of fixing members, and a motor driven by a control of a control unit along the guide rail. And a subordinate head movably arranged along the guide rail and connected to the main driving head to move, wherein the main driving head and the subordinate head are separated from each other. A first connecting part that connects with each other and a second connecting part that connects the one side fixing member of the pair of fixing members and the subordinate head in a separable manner. Any one of the two connecting portions includes an engaged body and an engaging body capable of engaging with the engaged body, and the engaging body is guided to the engaged body as the driving head moves. And drive head A pin that moves in a loop path along the engaged body by the reciprocating movement is provided, and the engaged body is engaged with the pin, and the engagement is achieved only by moving toward the one side fixing member of the driving head. The engaging stepped portion configured to be disengaged, the first guide path for guiding the pin to the engaging stepped portion, and the pin located in the engaging stepped portion toward the one side fixing member of the driving head. And a pin located at the disengagement position is brought into contact with the first guide path by moving the driving head toward the other side fixing member. A second guide path for guiding to a front position is provided, and when the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are in a connected state, the driving head is moved toward the one side fixing member to move the engaging body. Disengage the pin from the engaged body Position is moved, then move the said main driving head to the other side fixing member direction, connecting the connecting portion of one said is released,
Further, when the driving head is moved toward the other side fixing member when the first connecting part and the second connecting part are in the connected state, the connection of the connecting parts other than the one connecting part is released. It has a feature.

[0010]

That is, in the head feeding device according to the present invention, the main driving head is moved along the guide rail by the motor driven by the control unit, and the main driving unit is used to drive the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. The connecting part is connected and separated. Then, the coupling / separation is performed on the engaged body having a loop track composed of the first guide path, the engagement step portion, the engagement release guide path and the second guide path, and moving on the loop track. It is carried out by engaging with an engaging body having a pin.

For example, in the case where the engaging body is attached to the subordinate head and the engaged body is attached to the one side fixing member to form the second connecting portion, the subordinate head is When connecting with the one side fixing member, the subordinate head is moved toward the one side fixing member by the driving head, and the pin of the engaging body is guided to the first guide path of the engaged body to be engaged. Guided to the step.
As a result, the pin is engaged with the engaging step portion and the second connecting portion is connected. Further, when the connection is released, the subordinate head is further moved toward the one side fixing member by the driving head, and the pin located at the engagement step portion is guided to the engagement release guide path. To the disengagement position. Here, the subordinate head is moved toward the other side fixing member by the main driving head, and the pin located at the engagement releasing position is guided to the second guide path of the engaged body to the first guide path. Move to the position before contact. As a result, the engaging body is disengaged from the engaged body and the second connecting portion is separated.

Further, when the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are in a connected state (that is, when the pin of the engaging body is engaged with the engaging step portion of the engaged body), the first connecting portion
In order to disconnect the connecting portion and separate the main driving head and the subordinate head, the main driving head is moved toward the other side fixing member. At this time, since the pin is engaged with the engaging step portion and the second connecting portion is not separated, the connection of the first connecting portion is released and the driving head and the subordinate head are separated.

As described above, in the head feeding device according to the present invention, the main head and the subordinate head can be connected / disconnected by controlling the moving amount of the main head without using the solenoid. The device is cheaper and more compact than a conventional feeding device that requires a solenoid for connecting / disconnecting the subordinate head.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a connecting mechanism of a head feeding device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is an external perspective view of a head feeding device showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view showing a connection state of a main driving head and a subordinate head in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a main driving head and a subordinate head in FIG. It is a front view which shows a separated state. As shown in these figures, the head feeding device 10 of the present embodiment is
A main body 12 to which a signal of image data is mainly input from a host computer (not shown), an operation panel 14 for controlling the overall operation and instructing various processes, a main driving head 16 and a subordinate as an output unit. It is composed of a head 18, a grid roller 22L, 22R that feeds a sheet 20 such as a single sheet or a long rolled sheet in the X direction, and a sheet driving unit by pinch rollers 24L, 24R. In FIG. 1, 15R is a right side cover, 15L is a left side cover, 17 is an upper cover,
9 is an apron and 36 is a platen.

The driving head 16 and the subordinate head 18 are
The head feed device 10 is mounted via guide rollers 32 and 34 so as to be movable in the Y direction along a guide rail 30 supported by fixing members 28L and 28R. In addition, the driving head 16 and the subordinate head 18 are provided with a first connecting portion 40 that connects the driving head 16 and the subordinate head 18 so as to be separable from each other.
The subordinate head 18 and the right side fixing member 28R are provided with a second connecting portion 42 that connects the subordinate head 18 and the right side fixing member 28R in a separable manner.
An endless belt (not shown) arranged along the outer circumference of the guide rail 30 is attached to the driving head 16, and a belt driving stepping motor (not shown) engaged with the endless belt. ), The driving head 16 moves in the Y direction.

The first connecting portion 40 has a structure in which a gripping body 44 fixed to the right side of the driving head 16 and a gripped body 46 fixed to the left side of the subordinate head 18 face each other. . More specifically with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the gripping body 44 has a U-shaped notch 4 for receiving the gripped body 46, like a pen holder of a general pen plotter.
8 and a rotatable gripping piece 50 for gripping the received object to be gripped 46. The gripping piece 50 is always biased by the extension spring 52 so as to rotate counterclockwise. Further, the grasped body 46 corresponds to the subordinate head 1
A columnar body 56 is fixedly mounted on two support plates 54 which are vertically provided so as to project from the left side surface of the column 8.

When the driving head 16 and the dependent head 18 are connected, the driving head 16 moves to the right as shown in FIG. 3, and the gripping body 44 of the driving head 16 is pressed against the gripped body 46 of the dependent head 18. . At this time, the gripping piece 50 is spread from the outside by the columnar body 56 against the biasing force of the extension spring 52. When the driving head 16 further moves to the right, the columnar body 56 is housed in the cutout portion 48 and is completely gripped by the gripping piece 50. Here both heads 16,1
The connection of 8 is completed. Further, when the main driving head 16 and the subordinate head 18 are separated, the main driving head 16 is moved leftward while the subordinate head 18 is connected to the right fixing member 28R. At this time, the gripping piece 50 is spread from the inside by the gripped body 56 against the biasing force of the extension spring 52. When the driving head 16 further moves to the left, the columnar body 56 is completely removed from the notch 48, and the separation of the heads 16 and 18 is completed. Such connection and disconnection of both the heads 16 and 18 is normally performed when the subordinate head 18 is at the standby position of the right side fixing member 28R.

In the first connecting portion 40, the grip body 4
4 may be fixed to the subordinate head 18, and the grasped body 46 may be fixed to the driving head 16.

The second connecting portion 42 is composed of an engaging body 60 fixed to the right side of the subordinate head 18 and an engaged portion 62 fixed to the left side of the fixing member 28R. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the engagement body 60 has two grooves 64a and 64b parallel to each other at a predetermined interval on the upper inner surface thereof, and a groove made in a resin case 68 having a notch 66 on the bottom surface thereof. 64
One metal ball 7 that can be engaged with either a or 64b
0, and a slider 74 having a pin 72 loosely fitted in the cutout portion 66 is fitted therein. That is, the lateral width of the slider 74 is designed to be smaller than the lateral width in the case 68 by at least the interval between the grooves 64a and 64b, and is movable in the lateral direction in the case 68.

The metal ball 70 is attached via an extension spring 80 so as to project from a hole 78 formed in the upper surface of the resin slider body 76, and is always urged upward. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, when the slider 74 is located leftward in the space of the case 68, the metal ball 70 engages with the left groove 64a, and when the slider 74 is located rightward in the space of the case 68. The metal ball 70 is engaged with the groove 64b on the right side.

The pin 72 has an upper end portion 82 having a diameter larger than that of the body portion, and a lower end portion 84 having a spherical shape.
The upper end portion 82 is provided at the lower end of the extension spring 88 provided in the hole 86 formed in the lower surface of the resin slider body 76. A cylindrical stopper ring 90 is fitted in the hole 86 so as to be flush with the lower surface of the resin slider main body 76 while the pin 72 is being inserted.
It is installed so that it can move up and down without falling.

The above-mentioned engaging body 60 thus constructed is
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a case opening 68a is brought into contact with and screwed to the right side of the subordinate head 18 so that the pin 72 is vertically projected downward.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the engaged member 62 is formed by cutting a substantially square resin flat plate, and the lower portion is notched and the upper portion is V in the left side portion.
A V-shaped piece 92 having a V shape is formed. In addition, in the lower central portion, there is an upwardly inclined first guiding path 94 for guiding the pin 72.
Are formed. Further, the upper surface is shaved to form a step portion 96 from the substantially central portion to the central right portion and from the right vicinity of the first guide passage 94 to the central right portion, and at the step portion 96, the first guide passage 94 is formed. Pin 7 is near the right
The engaging stepped portion 96b engages with 2. The engagement release guide path 96a, which is one wall surface of the stepped portion 96, is formed to be inclined upward to the right from the vicinity of the right of the first guide path 94 to the right side of the center, and the engagement body 60 is directed toward the right fixing member 28R. When the pin 72 moves, the pin 72 comes into contact with the engagement release guide path 96a, and the pin 72 slides in the case 68. The right side surface of the V-shaped piece 92 is a second guide path 96b with which the slid pin 72 abuts when the engaging body 60 moves in the left side fixing member 28L direction, and the pin 72 is slid to the original position in the case 68. It is what makes me.

The engaged body 62 thus configured
The left side surface of the engaging member 6 as shown in FIGS.
Towards 0, attach the mounting bracket 6 to the left side of the right side fixing member 28R.
It is screwed via 3. Here, the engaged body 62
Is a state in which the position of the pin 72 of the engaging body 60 is located on the front side (a state in which the slider 74 is located on the right side in FIG. 7 and the metal ball 70 is engaged with the right groove 64b).
At this time, the pin 72 comes into contact with the first guide path 94 of the engaged body 62, is engageable with the engagement step portion 96b in the vicinity of the right side of the first guide path 94 as shown in FIG. When the position is located on the back side (guide rail side) (the slider 74 is located on the left side in FIG. 7 and the metal ball 70 is engaged with the left groove 64a), the pin 72 is As shown in FIG. 9, it is positioned so as to be movable from the engagement releasing position 96c in the substantially central part on the right side until it comes into contact with the second guide path 92b on the left side.

When connecting the subordinate head 18 and the right side fixing member 28R, the subordinate head 18 is moved to the right by pressing by the movement of the driving head 16 as shown in FIG. At this time, when the position of the pin 72 of the engaging body 60 is located on the back side, the pin 72 slides to the front position by being guided by the V-shaped left side surface 92a of the engaged body 62, and then the pin 72 72 is brought into contact with the first guide path 94 of the engaged body 62. Further, when the position of the pin 72 of the engaging body 60 is located on the front side, the pin 72 is brought into contact with the first guide path 94 without hitting the V-shaped piece left side surface 92a of the engaged body 62. . After that, when the subordinate head 18 further moves to the right, the pin 72 climbs up the first guide path 94 and engages with the engagement step portion 9.
6b is engaged. Here, the connection between the subordinate head 18 and the right side fixing member 28R is completed. In this state, the driving head 16
Is moved to the left, the movement of the pin 72 is restricted by the engagement wall surface 96d of the stepped portion 96 near the right of the first guide path 94, so that the driving head 16 is separated from the subordinate head 18. .

Further, the subordinate head 18 and the right side fixing member 28
When separating from R, the subordinate head 18 is moved to the right by the main driving head 16. At this time, the pin 72 of the engagement body 60 is guided by the engagement release guide path 96a in FIG. 9 and slides to the engagement release position 96c. Then, when the subordinate head 18 is moved leftward, the pin 72 comes into contact with the second guide path 92b, which is the right side surface of the V-shaped piece. So pin 72
Is guided by the second guide path 92b and slides to the connection release position 92c, that is, the position before coming into contact with the first guide path 94. Here, the separation of the subordinate head 18 and the right side fixing member 28R is completed.

In the second connecting portion 42, the engaging body 6
0 may be fixed to the right side fixing member 28R, and the engaged body 60 may be fixed to the subordinate head 18.

The relationship between the connecting forces of the respective parts will now be described. When the driving head 16 moves toward the left side fixing member 28L with the first connecting part 40 and the second connecting part 42 in the connected state, the first connecting part 40 The relationship of the connecting force between the connecting portion 40 and the second connecting portion 42 is such that the connecting force of the first connecting portion 40 <the connecting force of the second connecting portion 42 (the engaging force between the pin 72 and the engaging stepped portion 96b).
Therefore, when the driving head 16 moves in the direction of the right side fixing member 28R and then in the direction of the left side fixing member 28L, the relationship of the connecting force between the first connecting portion 40 and the second connecting portion 42 becomes The connecting force of the portion 40> the connecting force of the second connecting portion 42 (the engaging force between the left groove 64a and the metal ball 70).

In this embodiment, a cutting head is used as the driving head 16. This will be described in detail with reference to the front view, side view and plan view shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, respectively. The driving head 16 has guide frames 1 extending vertically on both left and right sides of a frame-shaped carriage base 100.
02a and 102b are provided in parallel, and both guide bars 1
A cutter holder 104 is attached to 02a and 102b so as to be vertically movable.

The cutter holder 104 is a guide rod 102.
The pen gripping portion 108 having two sandwiching claws protrudes from one end side of the bar 106 attached to a and 102b toward the front, and an engaging piece 110 protruded on the rear side of one end side. An expansion spring 114 bridged over an engagement piece 112 protruding from the rear end of the carriage base 100 on one end side.
It has been pulled up by.

An actuator 116 is disposed on the other end side of the bottom of the carriage base 100, and a moving portion 116a above the actuator 116 is connected to a rear portion of the cutter holder 104. Therefore,
Normally, the moving part 116a is pulled up by the expansion spring 114 and the cutter holder 104 is positioned above, but when the actuator 116 is operated, the moving part 116a is pulled down against the expansion spring 114, and the cutter holder 104 is moved. Will be located below.

Further, a cutter 118 is held by the grip portion 108 of the cutter holder 104, and a cutter blade 120 whose blade tip is offset from the cutter shaft is replaceably attached to the tip of the cutter 118. Further, a height detector 122 is arranged at the rear of the cutter holder 104, and a detection signal is transmitted from the detector 122 to a control unit described later to confirm the position of the cutter blade 120 with respect to the sheet 20. . Normally, when the cutter holder 104 is located below, the blade tip of the cutter blade 120 is in a state of biting into the sheet 20.

The cutting head uses a cutter having an offset blade, but a cutter or a cutter blade forcibly rotating the cutter blade by a θ control system using a motor for rotating the cutter blade is used. Any cutting head may be used, such as one that uses a cutter that heats and cuts the sheet or one that emits laser light. Further, the driving head 16 is not limited to the cutting head, and any one such as a printing head, a writing head, a spindle head or a sensor head may be adopted.

In this embodiment, an ink jet head is used as the subordinate head 18. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inkjet head has a plurality of inkjet nozzles 126a to 126n, and these inkjet nozzles 126a to 126n are filled with different color inks. Then, based on the image data signal, the inkjet nozzles 126a to 126a-1
26n is selected so that a desired color image can be formed on the surface of the sheet 20.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing the principle of ink jet, and each ink jet nozzle 126a-126.
At n, a tank 130 with a built-in ultrasonic vibrator that is vibrated by the ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic generator 128 is installed. Then, various color inks 134 filled in the tanks 132 are injected into the tanks 130 with a built-in ultrasonic transducer through the filters 136 and the pumps 138, and selected based on the image data signals. Color ink is ejected from the inkjet nozzles 126a to 126n to form a color image.

Further, the ink jet nozzles 126a-1.
For the purpose of preventing 26n from drying, a nozzle cap device 140 is provided in the platen 36 at the right end portion as shown in FIGS. This nozzle cap device 14
In No. 0, nozzle caps 144a to 144n are fixedly installed on the upper surface of the plate-shaped base 142 at predetermined intervals,
The leaf spring 14 can be brought into contact with the inkjet nozzle 126n.
6 is screwed. In addition, the nozzle cap device 1
Reference numeral 40 is swingably attached to a base 148 fixed to the right side fixing member 28R via a metal fitting 150. Therefore, when the color image is created by the ink jet head, as shown in FIG.
0 is in contact with the base 148, the inkjet head moves to the right end, and the engaging body 60 and the engaged body 6
2, the plate spring 146 is brought into contact with the inkjet nozzle 126n to raise the plate-shaped base 142, and the ink ejecting portions 152a to 152a of the nozzles are ejected.
The nozzle caps 144a to 144n are pressed by 152n. Here, the nozzle caps 144a-1
As shown in FIG. 14, 44n has a structure in which sponges 145a to 145n are arranged in a resin case having an open upper surface.

A sheet piece 154 having a high rigidity is attached to the base 148 via a holder. The sheet piece 154 is disposed so as to be able to contact the lower surface of the ink ejecting portion of the inkjet nozzle. That is, when the inkjet nozzle moves on the sheet piece 154, the sheet piece 154 strokes the lower surface of the ink ejecting portion to remove ink stains.

The subordinate head 18 is not limited to the above-mentioned ink jet head, but may be any other head such as another print head using a thermal ink ribbon, a cutting head, a writing head, a spindle head or a sensor head. May be adopted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet 20 is slidably mounted along the guide rails 30 and the grid rollers 22L and 22R installed with a part thereof exposed from the upper surface of the platen 36. Pinch rollers 24L, 24R
It is sandwiched between and, and is fed in the X direction by rotating the grid rollers 22L and 22R by a grid roller driving stepping motor (not shown).

In the above embodiment, the sheet 20 has grid rollers 22L, 22R and pinch rollers 24L,
Although it is configured to be fed in the X direction by the driving unit 26 composed of 24R, if a sheet in which a series of feeding holes is formed along both side edges of the sheet 20 extending in the Y direction is used exclusively, Instead of the drive unit 26, a sprocket having a sprocket pin that meshes with the series of feeding holes may be arranged near both fixing members 28L and 28R to feed the sheet.

As shown in FIG. 1, the operation panel 14 is disposed on the right side cover 15R so that the front surface of the guide rule 30 is slightly upward in front of the right end portion. Then, on the operation panel 14, a cursor key 14a for designating the positions of the driving head 16 and the subordinate head 18 is provided.
And a start area setting key 14b for designating an area of a predetermined portion where the movement of the driving head should be started based on the signal of the head movement data, and for starting movement of the driving head from the set starting area. An operation start key 14c and the like are provided.

The overall operation of the head feeding device 10 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a data signal from an external host computer 156 is received, and control is performed by a signal of head movement data output from the control unit 158.

The control unit 158 is a central processing unit (CPU).
160, a read only memory (ROM) 162 that stores a program executed by the CPU 160, a buffer memory that temporarily stores a data signal from the host computer 156, and various registers necessary when the CPU 160 executes the program. And a random access memory (RAM) 164 as a working area.

Further, to the CPU 160, via the bus,
A driver 16 that performs on / off control of the grid roller driving stepping motor 163, the belt driving stepping motor 165, and the actuator 116, respectively.
6, 168, 170, a driver 172 for controlling the subordinate head (ink jet head) 18, and power on / off.
An operation panel 14 provided with a switch for turning off and various operation keys is connected to a limit switch 174 for setting an origin at a position where the driving head (cutting head) 16 is adjacent to the left side fixing member 28L. .

In the above embodiment, the stepping motors 163 and 165 are used to drive the grid rollers 22L and 22R and the belt, but it is also possible to use servo motors. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the position of the driving head when the limit switch 174 is turned on is set as the origin, but another position may be set as the origin based on that position. Further, instead of the limit switch 174, the position where the stepping motor 165 for driving the belt is out of step can be set as the origin or the reference point.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart for explaining the flow of processing by the control unit relating to the initial operation of the feeding apparatus 10 of this embodiment, and the initial operation will be explained with reference to this. First, when the power is turned on, the control unit 158 proceeds to step S
1, the limit switch 17 for moving the driving head 16 to the vicinity of the left side fixing member 28L and detecting the origin.
Turn on 4. Here, the position of the driving head 16 near the left side fixing member 28L is stored in the RAM 164 as the origin, and the feed position of the driving head 16 is made absolute. Therefore, the movement amount of the driving head 16 can be controlled.

Next, in step S2, the main driving head 16 is moved to the movement limit point near the right side fixing member 28R, and the main driving head 16 and the subordinate head 18 are connected.

Next, in step S3, the driving head 16 is moved in the direction of the left side fixing member 28L by a predetermined amount so that the pin 72 is disengaged from the engaged portion 62 provided on the right side fixing member 28R, and the subordinate head 18 is moved. Right side fixing member 2
Separate from 8R.

In step S4, the driving head 1 is again turned on.
6 is moved to the vicinity of the right side fixing member 28R, and at the point where the engaging body 60 and the engaged body 62 are engaged, that is, the pin 72 of the engaging body 60 is engaged with the engaging stepped portion 96b of the engaged portion 62. The movement of the driving head 16 is stopped, and the subordinate head 18 and the right side fixing member 28R are connected.

By performing the above initial operation, it is possible to stand by in a state where the main driving head 16 and the subordinate head 18 are connected and the subordinate head 18 and the right side fixing member 28R are connected.

In the above-described configuration, the feeding device 10 that has performed the initial operation reads the signal of the print or cutout data output from the host computer 156 into the buffer memory of the RAM 164 and stores it.
The type of data in the AM 164 is determined. When the above data is print data, the driving head 16 is moved further to the right from the standby position, and the pin 72 of the engaging body 60 of the subordinate head 18 is brought to the disengagement position 96c of the engaged body 62 in FIG. Slide it and then drive head 16
Is moved to the left to release the connection of the second connecting portion 42.

Then, the CPU 160 reads the image data of the RAM 164, controls the driver 168 according to the sequentially read image data to drive the belt driving stepping motor 165, and as shown in FIG.
6 is moved to the right along the guide rail 30 while controlling the driver 172, and the ink nozzles 126a to 126a of the inkjet heads are connected to the ink jet heads 126a to 1c.
Ink is ejected from 26n to print one line.
When the printing of one line is completed, the CPU 160 controls the driver 166 to rotate the grid rollers 22L and 22R and feed the sheet 20 in the X direction by one line. Then, the desired image is printed on the sheet 20 by performing the above printing operation again based on the next image data.

The ink jet nozzles 126a-1.
To clean 26n, it is preferable to move the inkjet head to the standby position every 3 to 60 seconds.

When the data read and stored in the buffer memory of the RAM 164 is the cutout data, the driving head 16 is moved leftward from the standby position to release the connection of the first connecting portion 40. Then, the CPU 160 controls the driver 168 according to the cutout data so that only the cutting head (main driving head 16) is guided to the guide rail 3.
At the same time as the sheet 20 is moved along 0, the driver 166 is controlled to rotate the grid rollers 22L and 22R to move the sheet 20 in the X direction. Further, based on the cutout data, the CPU 160 drives the actuator 116 and moves the cutting pen 118 up and down. As a result, the sheet 20 is cut out into a desired image based on the cutout data.

As described above, the head feeding device 10 connects and disconnects the cutting head (main driving head 16) and the ink jet head (dependent head 18) as necessary based on the printing and cutting data to print a desired image. And a desired image can be cut out.

The head feeding device 10 of the present embodiment, which operates as described above, does not require a solenoid when connecting and disconnecting the driving head 16 and the dependent head 18 and between the dependent head 18 and the right side fixing member 28R. All can be done by controlling the moving amount of the driving head 16. As a result, the device itself becomes inexpensive, and the device can be easily downsized.

Further, in the conventional head feeding device 200, when the subordinate head 202 is disengaged from the predetermined standby position for some reason, the detachment hook 206 of the main head 208 collides with the detachment hook 206 of the subordinate head 202. However, the head feeding device 10 of the present embodiment can prevent the gripping body 50 supported by the extension spring 52 even if the driving head 16 strongly collides with the subordinate head 18.
Absorbs the impact, so that the first connecting portion 40 is not damaged. The subordinate head 18 cannot be removed unless the subordinate head 18 is moved rightward from the standby position to slide the pin 72 of the engaging body 60 and then leftward.

Further, since the gripping body 44 has the same structure as the gripping body of a general pen plotter, it is possible to perform the coupling with excellent coupling accuracy. Therefore, the subordinate head 18 can also accurately form an image. That is, the feeding device 200 given as a conventional example
Means that the subordinate head 202 simply cuts the paper linearly, and therefore the detachable hook 206 and the detachable hook receiver 20
The rattling of the connection with 8 is unlikely to be a problem, but in the case where the subordinate head 18 forms an image as in the present embodiment, the accuracy of the image quality is required, so that it is the main component. It is necessary to connect the head 16 and the subordinate head 18 without rattling, and the first connecting portion 40
Such a configuration is particularly effective.

As the structure of the first connecting portion other than the above, the connected portion may be made of a magnetic material and the connecting portion may be made of a magnet, and either one of the connected portion and the connecting portion may be formed. Alternatively, any structure may be used as long as both of them move in the direction of the connecting partner to be connected and move in the direction of the connecting partner to separate. In addition, as the configuration of the second connecting portion other than the above, for example, the engaged body is
The deformable heart cam comprises an engaged portion that prevents the engaging body from moving toward the left side fixing member, and a guide portion that guides the engaging body from the engaged portion to the disengagement position. May be constituted by a member that slides on the peripheral surface of the modified heart cam, and when the driving head moves toward the left side fixing member, the connecting force is larger than that of the first connecting portion and the driving head moves toward the right side fixing member. If the connecting force is smaller than that of the first connecting portion when moving to the left side fixing member after moving to.

Further, when the subordinate head is one that simply cuts the paper linearly as in the conventional example, the first connecting portion used in this embodiment is used for connecting the subordinate head and the fixing member. Alternatively, the second connecting portion used in this embodiment may be used for connecting the driving head and the subordinate head.

Here, the second connecting portion 42 used in this embodiment.
Instead of the above, an example using the modified heart cam will be briefly described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the engaging portion 1
80 is a case 184 in which a disc 184 having a pin 182 is provided horizontally.
6 expansion springs 188a, 1
It is sandwiched by 88b, and the tip of the pin 182 is in a state of protruding from the case 186. Further, the engaged portion 190 is a deformed heart cam 194 supported by a support 192 from one side, and the pin 18 is formed on the peripheral surface thereof by the movement of the driving head 16 in the right fixing member 28R direction.
The first guide path 196a that guides 2 to the engagement step 196b and the engagement step that prevents the pin 182 from moving in the downward direction by the expansion spring 188a and engaging with each other to prevent the pin 182 from moving toward the left side fixing member 28R. 196b and the pin 182 engaged with the engagement step portion 196b are connected to the right side fixing member 2 of the driving head 16.
An engagement release guide path 196c for guiding to the engagement release position 196d by moving in the 8R direction, and an engagement release position 196d.
The pin 182 on the left side fixing member 28 of the driving head 16.
A second guide path 196e is provided which guides the connection release position 196f, that is, the position before contacting the first guide path 196a, while moving downward by moving in the L direction.

When connecting the second connecting portion thus constructed, the main head 16 moves the subordinate head 18 to the right. At this time, the pin 182 is connected to the first taxiway 19
6a is climbed up and engaged with the engagement step 196b. Here, the connection between the subordinate head 18 and the right side fixing member 28R is completed. When the driving head 16 is moved leftward in this state, the movement of the pin 182 is restricted by the engagement wall surface 196g of the engagement step portion 196b, so that the driving head 16 is separated from the subordinate head 18.

When the second connecting portion is separated, the main head 16 moves the subordinate head 18 to the right.
At this time, the pin 182 is guided by the engagement release guide path 196c and moves to the engagement release position 196d. Then, when the subordinate head 18 is moved to the left, the pin 182 comes into contact with the second guide path 196e. Then, the pin 182 is guided by the second guide path 196e and moves to the connection release position 196f, that is, the position before coming into contact with the first guide path 196a. Here, the separation of the subordinate head 18 and the right side fixing member 28R is completed.

[0064]

As described above, the head feeding device of the present invention can connect and separate the main driving head and the subordinate head by controlling the moving amount of the main driving head. As described above, according to the present invention, since the driving head and the subordinate head can be connected and separated without using a solenoid,
The device itself has become cheaper and the device can be easily downsized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a head feeding device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a connected state of a main driving head and a subordinate head in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a separated state of a main driving head and a subordinate head in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first connecting portion in the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a first connecting portion in the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an engaging body of a second connecting portion in the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front view of an engaging body of a second connecting portion in the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an engaged body of a second connecting portion in the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an engaged body of a second connecting portion in the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the cutting head according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the cutting head according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a cutting head according to this embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an inkjet principle of the inkjet head in the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an ink drying cap of the inkjet head in the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a control method of the feeding device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing by the control unit relating to the initial operation of the feeding device in the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which a modified heart cam is used as the second connecting portion of the feeding device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a front view showing a main part of a conventional feeding device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Head feeding device 16 Driving head 18 Subordinate head 28L Left side fixing member 28R Right side fixing member 30 Guide rail 40 First connecting part 42 Second connecting part 44 Grip body 46 Grip body 48 Cutout part 50 Grip piece 52 Extension spring 54 Support body 56 cylindrical body 60 engaging body 62 engaged body 68 case 72 pin 76 slider 92 V-shaped piece 92b second guiding path 94 first guiding path 96a engaging release guide path 96b engaging step 96c engaging releasing position 96d engaging wall surface 158 Control unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A guide rail fixed to a pair of fixing members, a driving head which moves along the guide rail by a motor drive under the control of a control unit, and a movable head which is movably arranged along the guide rail. A feeding device comprising: a subordinate head that is connected to a main driving head to move; a first connecting portion that separably connects the main driving head and the subordinate head; and one side of the pair of fixing members. It has a 2nd connecting part which connects a fixed member and the above-mentioned subordinate head so that separation is possible, and either one of the 1st above-mentioned connecting part or the above-mentioned 2nd connecting part is an engaged object and the above-mentioned engaged. The engaging body is composed of an engaging body that can be engaged with the united body, and the engaging body is guided to the engaged body as the driving head moves and moves along the engaged body in a loop path along with the reciprocating movement of the driving head. A pin The engaging body engages the pin with an engagement step portion configured to be engaged with the pin, and the engagement can be released only by moving the driving head toward the one side fixing member. A first guide path that guides to a step portion, and an engagement release guide path that guides a pin located at the engagement step portion to an engagement release position by moving the pin toward the one side fixing member of the driving head,
A second guide path for guiding the pin located at the disengagement position to a position before coming into contact with the first guide path by moving the pin toward the other fixing member of the driving head; And when the second connecting portion is in the connected state, the driving head is moved toward the one side fixing member to move the pin of the engaging body to the disengaged position of the engaged body, and then, When the driving head is moved toward the other side fixing member, the coupling of the one coupling portion is released, and when the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are in the coupled state, the driving head is The head feeding device is characterized in that the connection of the connecting portions other than the above one is released when the is moved toward the other side fixing member. 2. A columnar body in which the connecting portion other than the above-mentioned one is composed of a grasped body and a grasping body capable of detachably grasping the grasped body, and the grasped body is supported by a support body. ,
2. The grip body is configured by a notch portion that receives the cylindrical body, and a grip piece that is rotatably supported by an extension spring to grip the cylinder body. Head feeder. 3. The engagement body is provided with a vertically movable pin having a spring for urging downward arranged at an upper end portion so as to be horizontally slidable in a case, and the engaged body is a lower end portion of the pin. A guide path which is arranged at a position where it can come into contact with the driving head and which guides the pin while moving the pin upward by moving the head toward the one side fixing member; An engaging step portion configured so that the engaged pin is moved downward to engage and the engagement can be released only by moving the driving head in the direction of the one side fixing member; An engagement release guide path for guiding the located pin to the engagement release position while sliding in the case by moving the pin toward the one side fixing member of the driving head, and the engagement release guide path is located at the engagement release position. Pin the other side of the driving head The second guide path for guiding to a position before coming into contact with the first guide path while sliding in the case by being moved in the direction of the fixing member is provided. The described head feeding device. 4. The engagement body is provided with a horizontally arranged pin sandwiched from above and below by a spring material so as to be vertically movable, and the engaged body is arranged at a position where it can abut against a side portion of the pin. , A first guide path having an upward slope that guides the pin while moving the pin upward by moving the drive head toward one side fixing member, and the pin guided by the first guide path moves downward. An engaging step portion configured to be engaged and capable of releasing the engagement only by moving toward the one side fixing member of the driving head, and a pin positioned at the engaging step portion are provided on the driving head. The engagement release guide path for guiding the engagement release position by the movement toward the one side fixing member and the pin located at the engagement release position are moved downward by the movement of the driving head toward the other side fixing member. Touch the first taxiway while moving Head feed apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a second guide path to guide the previous position. 5. The driving head is a cutting head,
When the subordinate head is an inkjet head, and an ink drying prevention cap is disposed in the vicinity of the one side fixing member so as to be vertically displaceable, and when the ink jet head is connected to the one side fixing member, the ink When the drying cap is located above and closes the ink ejection surface of the inkjet nozzle of the inkjet head, and when the inkjet head is separated from the one side fixing member, it is located below the ink drying prevention cap. The head feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the head feeding device is separated from the inkjet nozzle. 6. The control unit, in an initial operation when power is turned on to the apparatus, first moves the main driving head to a position near the other side fixing member to perform origin detection, and the control unit performs the above-mentioned operation. The position of the driving head is made absolute, and then the driving head is moved to the vicinity of the one side fixing member by a predetermined amount to be connected to the dependent head, and then the driving head to which the dependent head is connected is moved by a predetermined amount. Only in the direction toward the other side fixing member to separate the subordinate head from the other side fixing member, and further, the driving head connected to the subordinate head is moved toward the one side fixing member by a predetermined amount. A program is provided for connecting the subordinate head and the one side fixing member, and controlling the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion to stand by in a connected state. Head feed apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in.