WO2023074564A1

WO2023074564A1 - Foil transfer device

Info

Publication number: WO2023074564A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/039281
Authority: WO
Inventors: 亮輔酒井
Original assignee: ブラザー工業株式会社
Priority date: 2021-10-28
Filing date: 2022-10-21
Publication date: 2023-05-04
Also published as: JP2023065728A

Abstract

The present invention makes it possible to forcibly unlock a cover even in a state in which the cover is locked by a locking member. A foil transfer device 1 is provided with: a housing body 21; a first cover 22; a locking member (rotating member 93); a temperature sensor that detects a temperature inside the housing body; a control unit; and a forcibly unlocking member CR. The first cover 22 moves between a first closing position at which an opening of the housing body 21 is closed and a first opening position at which the opening is opened. The locking member moves between a locking position at which the first cover 22 is locked to the first closing position and an unlocking position at which the first cover 22 is unlocked. The control unit positions the locking member at the locking position when a detected temperature of the temperature sensor is a first prescribed value or more, and positions the locking member at the unlocking position when the detected temperature is less than the first prescribed value. When the first cover 22 is at the first closing position, the forcibly unlocking member CR is operable from the outside of the housing body 21 to move the locking member from the locking position to the unlocking position.

Description

Foil transfer device

The present invention relates to a foil transfer device provided with a first cover that opens and closes an opening of a housing body.

Conventionally, as a fixing device such as a printer, there is known one that includes a cover that covers a heating roller and a locking member for locking the cover (see Patent Document 1). In this technology, the lock member is configured to lock the cover when the temperature of the heating roller is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, and unlock the cover when the temperature of the heating roller is lower than the predetermined temperature.

JP-A-04-245276

By the way, even a foil transfer device that transfers a transfer layer containing foil to a sheet has a heat source inside, so it is conceivable to adopt a configuration that locks the cover as in the prior art. However, in this case, unless the temperature inside the foil transfer apparatus drops below a predetermined temperature, the user cannot perform work inside the apparatus, which poses a problem of inconvenience for the user.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a foil transfer device capable of forcibly unlocking the cover even when the cover is locked by the locking member.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a foil transfer apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus that superimposes a sheet on a foil film having a transfer layer containing foil and transfers the transfer layer to the sheet.
The foil transfer device includes a housing body, a first cover, a lock member, a temperature sensor, a controller, and a forced release member.
The housing body has an opening.
The first cover is movable between a first closed position that closes the opening and a first open position that opens the opening.
The lock member is movable between a lock position for locking the first cover in the first closed position and a release position for unlocking the first cover.
The temperature sensor detects the temperature inside the housing body.
The controller positions the locking member at the locking position when the detected temperature detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a first predetermined value, and when the detected temperature detected by the temperature sensor is less than the first predetermined value. In one case, the locking member is positioned in the unlocked position.
The forced release member is a forced release member that can be operated from the outside of the housing body when the first cover is in the first closed position, and moves the lock member from the lock position to the release position. It is possible to

According to this configuration, even when the lock member is in the locked position because the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value, the user can operate the forced release member to move the lock member to the locked position. Since the first cover can be moved to the unlocked position from the top, even if the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value, the lock of the first cover can be forcibly unlocked.

Further, the lock member is rotatable between the lock position and the release position, and the forced release member is positioned at the lock corresponding position when the lock member is positioned at the lock position. The lock member may be positioned at a release corresponding position when positioned at the release position, and rotatable between the lock corresponding position and the release corresponding position.

Further, the lock member is slidable between the lock position and the release position, and the forced release member is positioned at the lock corresponding position when the lock member is positioned at the lock position. The lock member may be positioned at a release corresponding position when positioned at the release position, and slidably movable between the lock corresponding position and the release corresponding position.

The foil transfer device may further include a second cover movable between a second closed position covering the forced release member and a second open position exposing the forced release member. .

According to this configuration, the forcible release member cannot be operated unless the second cover is moved to the second open position, so it is possible to prevent the first cover from being erroneously forcibly released. .

The foil transfer device may further include a cover sensor for detecting opening and closing of the second cover, and a position sensor for detecting the position of the locking member.
In this case, the control section may be capable of executing a foil transfer process, a foil transfer lock process, a position storage process, and a position correction process.
The foil transfer process is a process of transferring the transfer layer to the sheet.
The lock process during foil transfer is a process for positioning the lock member at the lock position during the foil transfer process.
The position storage process stores a position corresponding to the movement command as a normal position when a movement command for moving the locking member to the locking position or the unlocking position is output to a driving source for moving the locking member. It is a process to
The position correcting process moves the lock member from the specific position to the normal position when the specific position, which is the position of the lock member identified based on the detection result of the position sensor, is different from the normal position. processing.
When the control unit satisfies a lock recommendation condition for recommending locking of the first cover, or when determining that the second cover is closed based on the detection result of the cover sensor, the forcible release is performed. Even if the lock member is moved to the unlocked position by operating the member, the lock member may be returned to the lock position by executing the position correction process.
The control unit does not execute the position correction process when the lock recommendation condition is not satisfied and when it is determined that the second cover is opened based on the detection result of the cover sensor. Further, the lock member moved to the release position by the operation of the forced release member may be held at the release position.

According to this configuration, in a situation where locking of the first cover is recommended, even if the second cover is opened and the forced release member is operated to move the lock member to the release position, the position correction process is performed. Since the lock member is returned to the lock position by , it is possible to suppress the forced opening of the first cover during foil transfer.

Further, the lock recommendation condition may include a condition that the foil transfer process is in progress.

According to this configuration, even if the lock member is moved to the unlocked position by operating the forced release member during the foil transfer process, the lock member is returned to the locked position by the position correction process. 1 cover can be prevented from being opened.

Further, the lock recommendation condition may include a condition that the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a second predetermined value that is greater than the first predetermined value.

According to this configuration, when the detected temperature is at a high temperature equal to or higher than the second predetermined value, even if the lock member is moved to the release position by operating the forced release member, the lock member is returned to the lock position by the position correction process. It is possible to suppress the opening of the first cover when the temperature is high.

Also, the lock recommendation condition may include a condition that the foil transfer device is out of order.

According to this configuration, when the foil transfer device fails, even if the lock member is moved to the release position by operating the forced release member, the lock member is returned to the lock position by the position correction process, so that the user can easily handle the foil at high temperatures. Work in the transfer device is not wasted.

Further, the foil transfer device according to the present invention may be configured to forcibly unlock the first cover under the control of the control unit instead of providing the forced unlocking member.
In this case, the foil transfer device receives information from the housing body, the first cover, the locking member, and the temperature sensor, as well as a control unit that forcibly unlocks the first cover by control. an input unit;
The control section has a function of positioning the lock member at the lock position when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a first predetermined value.
When a forced release command for moving the lock member to the release position is input to the input unit, the control unit releases the lock member even if the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a first predetermined value. Execute forced release processing to move to the position.

According to this configuration, even when the lock member is positioned at the lock position because the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value, the user can input the forced release command to the input unit so that the lock member can be unlocked. can be moved to the release position, the lock of the first cover can be forcibly released even if the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value.

The forced release command includes a first command and a second command, and the control unit notifies confirmation of execution of the forced release process when the first command is input to the input unit. The forced release process may be executed when the second command is input to the input unit after the notification process.

According to this configuration, since two actions are required to execute the forced release process, the user can be made aware of the risk of forcibly opening the first cover. The user can be made to carefully perform the work of

Further, when the forced release command is input to the input unit, the control unit executes a forced release mode in which the forced release process is executed unless a lock recommendation condition for recommending locking of the first cover is satisfied. The forced cancellation mode may be ended when a cancel command for ending the forced cancellation mode is input to the input unit.

Further, when the forced release command is input to the input unit, the control unit executes a forced release mode in which the forced release process is executed unless a lock recommendation condition for recommending locking of the first cover is satisfied. The forced release mode may be ended when a predetermined time has elapsed since the forced release mode was started.

Further, the control unit may execute a foil transfer process for transferring the transfer layer to the sheet, and the lock recommendation condition may include a condition that the foil transfer process is in progress.

According to this configuration, since the forced release process is not executed during the foil transfer process, it is possible to suppress the opening of the first cover during the foil transfer process.

Also, the lock recommendation condition may include a condition that the detected temperature is greater than a second predetermined value that is greater than the first predetermined value.

According to this configuration, the forced release process is not executed when the detected temperature is at a high temperature equal to or higher than the second predetermined value, so opening of the first cover at a high temperature can be suppressed.

According to this configuration, the forced release process is not executed when the foil transfer device fails, so the user does not waste work in the foil transfer device at high temperatures.

According to the present invention, even when the first cover is locked by the lock member, it is possible to forcibly unlock the first cover.

1 is a diagram showing a foil transfer device according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the first cover of the foil transfer device is opened; It is a perspective view which shows a hook. FIG. 4A is a side view showing the structure around the hook, and FIG. It is a figure (c) which shows the state located in an engagement position. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the lock mechanism in a locked state; FIG. 5 is a side view showing the lock mechanism in an unlocked state; It is a perspective view which shows a 2nd cover and a forced release member. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of a control unit; It is the perspective view (a) which shows the foil transfer apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, and the figure (b) which shows an operation panel. 9 is a flow chart showing the operation of a control unit according to the second embodiment;

Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the following description, the direction shown in FIG. 1 will be used. 1 is defined as "front", the left side of FIG. 1 is defined as "rear", the front side of FIG. 1 is defined as "left", and the back side of FIG. 1 is defined as "right". Moreover, the upper and lower sides of FIG. 1 are referred to as "up and down".

As shown in FIG. 1, the foil transfer device 1 is a device for transferring foil such as gold foil onto the toner image of the sheet S after forming a toner image on the sheet S with an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer. is. That is, the foil transfer device 1 forms a foil image on the sheet S by transferring the foil onto the toner image on the sheet S. As shown in FIG. The foil transfer device 1 includes a housing 2 , a sheet tray 3 , a sheet transport section 10 , a film supply section 30 and a transfer section 50 .

The housing 2 is made of resin or the like, and includes a housing main body 21 and a first cover 22 . The housing body 21 has an opening 21A (see FIG. 2) at the top. The opening 21A is an opening for attaching and detaching a film unit FU, which will be described later, to the housing body 21. As shown in FIG. The first cover 22 is a member for opening and closing the opening 21A. A rear end portion of the first cover 22 is rotatably supported by the housing body 21 . The first cover 22 is rotatable between a first closed position (position shown in FIG. 1) that closes the opening 21A and a first open position (position shown in FIG. 2) that opens the opening 21A.

The first cover 22 has hooks 81 that can be engaged with the housing body 21 . The hook 81 is positioned at the front end of the first cover 22 . The hook 81 will be detailed later.

The sheet tray 3 is a tray on which sheets S such as paper and OHP films are placed. A sheet tray 3 is provided at the rear of the housing 2 . The sheet S is placed on the sheet tray 3 with the surface on which the toner image is formed facing downward.

The sheet conveying unit 10 includes a sheet supply mechanism 11 and a sheet discharge mechanism 12. The sheet supply mechanism 11 is a mechanism that conveys the sheets S on the sheet tray 3 one by one toward the transfer section 50 . The sheet supply mechanism 11 has a pickup roller and a conveying roller.

The sheet ejection mechanism 12 is a mechanism that ejects the sheet S that has passed through the transfer section 50 to the outside of the housing 2 . The sheet discharge mechanism 12 has a plurality of conveying rollers.

The film supply unit 30 is a part that supplies the foil film F so as to overlap the sheet S conveyed from the sheet supply mechanism 11 . The film supply section 30 includes a film unit FU and a driving source such as a motor (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 2, the film unit FU is detachable from the housing body 21 through an opening 21A in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the supply reel 31, which will be described later. The film unit FU has a supply reel 31 and a take-up reel 35 . A foil film F is wound around the supply reel 31 .

The foil film F is a film consisting of multiple layers. Specifically, the foil film F has a supporting layer and a supported layer. The support layer is a tape-shaped transparent substrate made of a polymeric material, and supports the layer to be supported. The layer to be supported has, for example, a release layer, a transfer layer, and an adhesive layer. The peeling layer is a layer for facilitating peeling of the transfer layer from the support layer, and is arranged between the support layer and the transfer layer. The release layer contains a transparent material such as a wax-based resin that can be easily released from the support layer.

The transfer layer is the layer that is transferred to the toner image and contains foil. A foil is a thinly rolled metal such as gold, silver, copper, or aluminum. Also, the transfer layer contains a coloring material such as gold, silver, or red, and a thermoplastic resin. The transfer layer is arranged between the release layer and the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is a layer for facilitating adhesion of the transfer layer to the toner image. The adhesive layer contains a material that easily adheres to the toner image heated by the transfer unit 50, which will be described later, such as vinyl chloride resin or acrylic resin.

The supply reel 31 is made of resin or the like, and has a supply shaft portion 31A around which the foil film F is wound. One end of the foil film F is fixed to the supply shaft portion 31A.

The take-up reel 35 is made of resin or the like, and has a take-up shaft portion 35A for winding up the foil film F. The other end of the foil film F is fixed to the winding shaft portion 35A.

With the film unit FU attached to the foil transfer device 1, the take-up reel 35 is rotated counterclockwise in the figure by a drive source (not shown). When the take-up reel 35 rotates, the foil film F wound around the supply reel 31 is pulled out, and the taken-out foil film F is taken up by the take-up reel 35 . More specifically, during foil transfer, the foil film F is drawn out from the supply reel 31 by being sent out by a pressure roller 51 and a heating roller 61 which will be described later. Then, the foil film F sent out from the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 is taken up by the take-up reel 35 .

The transfer portion 50 is a portion for transferring the transfer layer onto the toner image formed on the sheet S by applying heat and pressure while the sheet S and the foil film F are stacked. The transfer section 50 includes a pressure roller 51 and a heating roller 61 . The transfer unit 50 heats and presses the sheet S and the foil film F in a nip portion between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 .

The pressure roller 51 is a roller in which a rubber layer made of silicone rubber covers the circumference of a cylindrical cored bar. The pressure roller 51 is arranged above the foil film F and is capable of contacting the back surface of the sheet S (the surface opposite to the surface on which the toner image is formed).

The pressure roller 51 is rotatably supported by the first cover 22 . The pressure roller 51 sandwiches the sheet S and the foil film F between itself and the heating roller 61, and is rotationally driven by a drive source (not shown), thereby causing the heating roller 61 to rotate.

The heating roller 61 is a roller in which a heater is arranged inside a cylindrically formed metal tube, and heats the foil film F and the sheet S. The heating roller 61 is arranged below the foil film F and is in contact with the foil film F. As shown in FIG. The heating roller 61 is rotatably supported by the housing body 21 .

Note that in this embodiment, the heating roller 61 is moved by a contact/separation mechanism 70 for bringing the heating roller 61 into contact with/separating from the foil film F. When the first cover 22 is closed, the contact/separation mechanism 70 moves the heating roller 61 to the contact position where it contacts the foil film F at the timing when the sheet S is supplied to the transfer unit 50 . . Further, when the first cover 22 is opened or when the transfer unit 50 does not transfer the foil to the sheet S, the contact/separation mechanism 70 moves the heating roller 61 to the separation position where it is separated from the foil film F. I am letting

In the foil transfer device 1 configured as described above, the sheets S placed on the sheet tray 3 with the surface of the sheets S facing downward are conveyed one by one toward the transfer section 50 by the sheet supply mechanism 11 . The sheet S is superimposed on the foil film F supplied from the supply reel 31 on the upstream side of the transfer section 50 in the sheet conveying direction, and conveyed to the transfer section 50 in a state in which the toner image of the sheet S and the foil film F are in contact with each other. be.

In the transfer section 50, the sheet S and the foil film F are heated and pressed by the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 when passing through the nip portion between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61, and the toner image is formed. Foil is transferred on top. The foil film F is peeled off from the sheet S on the downstream side of the transfer section 50 .

The foil film F separated from the sheet S is taken up by the take-up reel 35 . On the other hand, the sheet S from which the foil film F has been peeled off is discharged to the outside of the housing 2 by the sheet discharge mechanism 12 with the surface to which the foil has been transferred facing downward.

The foil transfer device 1 further includes a temperature sensor Sa and a control section 100. The temperature sensor Sa is a sensor that detects the temperature inside the housing body 21 . The temperature sensor Sa can be arranged at a position where the temperature of the transfer section 50 can be detected, for example.

The control unit 100 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, and an input/output circuit, and executes control by performing various arithmetic processing based on programs and data stored in the ROM or the like. The operation of the control unit 100 will be detailed later.

As shown in FIG. 3, one hook 81 is provided at each end of a cylindrical shaft 82 . The shaft 82 is rotatably supported by the first cover 22 . A handle 83 operated by a user is provided at the axial center of the shaft 82 . Each hook 81 and handle 83 are fixed to the shaft 82 . Thus, when the user rotates the handle 83 , each hook 81 rotates together with the shaft 82 .

As shown in FIG. 4( a ), the tip of the hook 81 can be engaged with a lock pin RP provided on the housing body 21 . When the first cover 22 is in the closed position, the hook 81 has an engagement position (position shown in FIG. 4A) in which it can engage with the lock pin RP and a non-engagement position (position shown in FIG. 4A) where it disengages from the lock pin RP. 4(c) position).

The housing body 21 further includes an interlocking member 84, a locking mechanism 90, and a position sensor Sc.

The interlocking member 84 is a member that interlocks with the movement of the hook 81 . The interlocking member 84 is rotatable between a first position shown in FIG. 4(a) and a second position shown in FIG. 4(c). The interlocking member 84 has a first boss 84A that can come into contact with the hook 81 and a second boss 84B that can come into contact with the later-described slide member 92 of the lock mechanism 90 . The interlocking member 84 can move from the first position to the second position by the hook 81 pushing the first boss 84A when the hook 81 moves from the engaging position toward the non-engaging position. .

Specifically, the hook 81 has a first surface 81A and a second surface 81B that can contact the first boss 84A. The first surface 81A is positioned closer to the center of rotation of the hook 81 than the second surface 81B. The second surface 81B extends from the first surface 81A at an angle different from that of the first surface 81A. When the hook 81 rotates by a predetermined angle, the first surface 81A and the second surface 81A are arranged so that the amount by which the first boss 84A is pushed out by the first surface 81A is larger than the amount by which the first boss 84A is pushed out by the second surface 81B. The angle of the two surfaces 81B is set.

The interlocking member 84 is biased toward the hook 81 by a torsion spring (not shown). As a result, when the hook 81 moves from the non-engaging position to the engaging position, the interlocking member 84 is moved by the biasing force of the torsion spring while the first boss 84A is supported by the first surface 81A or the second surface 81B. Move from the second position to the first position.

The lock mechanism 90 is a mechanism for restricting or permitting the movement of the hook 81 from the engaging position to the non-engaging position by restricting or permitting the movement of the interlocking member 84 from the first position to the second position. be. As shown in FIG. 5, the lock mechanism 90 includes a solenoid 91 as an example of a drive source, a slide member 92, and a rotating member 93 as an example of a lock member.

The solenoid 91 includes a plunger 91A made of a magnetic material and a housing 91B that movably supports the plunger 91A.

The plunger 91A is formed in a cylindrical shape and is axially movable between a first locking position shown in FIG. 5 and a first unlocking position shown in FIG. An engagement groove A1 that can be engaged with the rotating member 93 is formed at the tip of the plunger 91A.

The housing 91B has coils and permanent magnets (not shown) inside. The plunger 91A can be moved to the first locking position or the first unlocking position by switching the direction of the current flowing through the coil. After the plunger 91A is moved by energizing the coil, the lock mechanism 90 is configured so that the plunger 91A is held at the post-movement position even when the energization of the coil is stopped. Specifically, the magnetic force of the permanent magnet of the solenoid 91, the electromagnetic force of the coil, and the biasing force of a coil spring 94, which will be described later, are set so that the plunger 91A is held at the position after movement even when the coil is de-energized. ing. By configuring the lock mechanism 90 in this way, even if the plunger 91A is moved by operating a forced release member CR (see FIG. 7) to be described later in a state in which energization of the coil is stopped, the plunger 91A does not move. It is meant to be held in a rearward position.

The slide member 92 is linearly slidable between the second lock position shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) and the second release position shown in FIG. 4(c). As shown in FIG. 4(b), the slide member 92 contacts the second boss 84B of the interlocking member 84 at the second lock position to prevent the interlocking member 84 from moving from the first position to the second position. Regulating. 4(c), the slide member 92 moves away from the second boss 84B of the interlocking member 84 at the second release position, thereby moving the interlocking member 84 from the first position toward the second position. is allowed.

Thereby, the slide member 92 restricts the movement of the hook 81 from the engagement position to the non-engagement position via the interlocking member 84 in the second lock position. At the second release position, the slide member 92 allows the hook 81 to move from the engagement position to the non-engagement position.

As shown in FIG. 5, the rotating member 93 is a member that transmits the force of the solenoid 91 to the slide member 92. The rotating member 93 is rotatable between a third locking position shown in FIG. 5 and a third unlocking position shown in FIG. The rotating member 93 has an engagement piece 93A that engages with the engagement groove A1 of the plunger 91A. The rotating member 93 is connected to the plunger 91A by engaging the engaging piece 93A with the engaging groove A1, and can be interlocked with the plunger 91A.

The rotating member 93 and the interlocking member 84 are rotatable about the same rotating shaft X1. The rotating member 93 extends from the rotating shaft X1 toward the slide member 92 . An elongated engagement hole 93B is formed at the end of the rotating member 93 on the slide member 92 side.

The slide member 92 has a first protrusion 92B that engages with the engagement hole 93B of the rotating member 93 . The slide member 92 is connected to the rotating member 93 by engaging the first protrusion 92B with the engaging hole 93B, and can be interlocked with the rotating member 93 .

The slide member 92 further has a second projection 92C that engages with the long hole 21H formed in the housing body 21. The slide member 92 is biased toward the second release position by a coil spring 94 . The coil spring 94 has one end supported by a spring support portion 21S provided in the housing body 21 and the other end in contact with the slide member 92 .

When the rotating member 93 is positioned at the third locked position, the slide member 92 is positioned at the second locked position. Therefore, the rotating member 93 locks the first cover 22 at the first closed position at the third locked position. When the rotating member 93 is positioned at the third release position, the slide member 92 is positioned at the second release position. Therefore, the rotating member 93 unlocks the first cover 22 at the third unlocked position.

As shown in FIG. 4( a ), the position sensor Sc is a sensor for detecting the position of the slide member 92 . The position sensor Sc indirectly detects the position of the rotating member 93 by detecting the position of the slide member 92 .

The position sensor Sc is an optical sensor and has a light-emitting portion Sc1 that emits light and a light-receiving portion Sc2 that can receive the light from the light-emitting portion Sc1. The slide member 92 has a detected portion 92A positioned between the light emitting portion Sc1 and the light receiving portion Sc2 in the second lock position. When the sliding member 92 moves from the second locking position to the second unlocking position, the detected portion 92A is removed from between the light emitting portion Sc1 and the light receiving portion Sc2.

The position sensor Sc outputs a signal indicating that the slide member 92 is positioned at the second lock position when light from the light emitting portion Sc1 is blocked by the detected portion 92A and no light is input to the light receiving portion Sc2. do. Further, the position sensor Sc is configured so that the slide member 92 is positioned at the second lock position when light is input to the light receiving portion Sc2 by removing the detected portion 92A from between the light emitting portion Sc1 and the light receiving portion Sc2. Outputs a signal indicating that the

As shown in FIG. 7, the foil transfer device 1 further includes a forced release member CR, a second cover 23, and a cover sensor Sb.
The forced release member CR is a member for forcibly releasing the lock of the first cover 22 . The forced release member CR can be operated from the outside of the housing body 21 when the first cover 22 is in the first closed position.

The compulsory release member CR is a columnar member and is rotatable with respect to the housing body 21. The forced release member CR penetrates the outer wall of the housing body 21 . The outer surface of the forced release member CR is formed with an engagement groove CR1 that can be engaged with a jig such as a user's fingernail or a flathead screwdriver.

As shown in FIG. 5, the forced release member CR is fixed to the rotating member 93 and is rotatable together with the rotating member 93 about the rotating shaft X1. Thereby, the forced release member CR can move the rotating member 93 from the third lock position to the third release position.

Returning to FIG. 7, the housing body 21 has a recess 21B. The forced release member CR protrudes outward from the bottom surface of the recess 21B. On the bottom surface of the concave portion 21B, the characters "ON" indicating that the first cover 22 is locked and the characters "OFF" indicating that the lock of the first cover 22 is released are formed with ink or the like. It is

The forced release member CR is rotatable between a lock corresponding position where the engagement groove CR1 faces the "ON" character and a release corresponding position where the engagement groove CR1 faces the "OFF" character. When the forced release member CR is positioned at the lock corresponding position, the rotating member 93 is positioned at the third lock position. When the forced release member CR is positioned at the release corresponding position, the rotating member 93 is positioned at the third release position.

The second cover 23 is a cover that opens and closes the opening of the recess 21B. The second cover 23 is rotatable between a second closed position covering the compulsory release member CR and a second open position exposing the compulsory release member CR to the outside. When the second cover 23 is positioned at the second closed position, the forced release member CR cannot be operated. When the second cover 23 is positioned at the second open position, the forced release member CR can be operated.

The cover sensor Sb is a sensor that detects opening and closing of the second cover 23 . As the cover sensor Sb, a switch-type sensor that is turned on by contact with the second cover 23, an optical sensor that detects the second cover 23 with light, or the like can be used.

The control unit 100 locks the lock mechanism 90 when the detected temperature T detected by the temperature sensor Sa is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value T1, and locks when the detected temperature T is less than the first predetermined value T1. It has the function of disengaging the mechanism 90 .

Here, "bringing the lock mechanism 90 into the locked state" means positioning each member (91A, 92, 93) of the solenoid 91 at each lock position. Further, "putting the lock mechanism 90 into the unlocked state" means positioning each member of the solenoid 91 at each unlocked position.

It should be noted that "locating each member of the solenoid 91 at each locking position" does not mean that each member is actually moved to each locking position. Specifically, "to position each member of the solenoid 91 at each lock position" means that when the current state of the lock mechanism 90 is in the unlocked state, each member of the solenoid 91 is moved to each lock position. It means outputting a lock movement command to the solenoid 91 . Further, "to position each member of the solenoid 91 at each lock position" means that the lock movement command is not output to the solenoid 91 when the current state of the lock mechanism 90 is in the locked state.

Similarly, "to position each member of the solenoid 91 at each release position" does not mean that each member is actually moved to each release position. Specifically, "to position each member of the solenoid 91 at each release position" means that, when the current state of the lock mechanism 90 is in the locked state, each member of the solenoid 91 is moved to each release position. This means outputting a release movement command to the solenoid 91 . Further, "to position each member of the solenoid 91 at each release position" means that the release movement command is not output to the solenoid 91 when the current state of the lock mechanism 90 is the released state. It should be noted that the movement command is a current that is passed through the solenoid 91 . The lock movement command is a current in a predetermined direction, and the release movement command is a current in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction.

Further, the control unit 100 can execute a foil transfer process, a foil transfer lock process, a position storage process, and a position correction process.
The foil transfer process is a process of transferring the transfer layer of the foil film F onto the sheet S. As shown in FIG.
The lock process during foil transfer is a process for locking the lock mechanism 90 during the foil transfer process.

In the position memory processing, when a movement command for moving each member (91A, 92, 93) of the solenoid 91 to each lock position or each release position is output to the solenoid 91, the position corresponding to the movement command is stored as the normal position. This is a process of storing as
The position correction process is a process of moving the slide member 92 from the specified position to the regular position when the specified position, which is the position of the slide member 92 specified based on the detection result of the position sensor Sc, is different from the above-described regular position. be.

When the control unit 100 satisfies a lock recommendation condition for recommending locking of the first cover 22, or when determining that the second cover 23 is closed based on the detection result of the cover sensor Sb, the control unit 100 selects the forced release member. Even if the lock mechanism 90 is released by the operation of the CR, it has a function of returning the lock mechanism 90 to the locked state by executing the position correction process. Further, when the lock recommendation condition is not satisfied and the control unit 100 determines that the second cover 23 is opened based on the detection result of the cover sensor Sb, the control unit 100 does not execute the position correction processing. and has a function of holding the lock mechanism 90 in the released state by operating the forced release member CR in the released state.

The lock recommendation conditions include a first condition, a second condition and a third condition.
The first condition is that the foil transfer process is in progress.
The second condition is that the detected temperature T is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value T2, which is greater than the first predetermined value T1.
A third condition is that the foil transfer device 1 is out of order.
The control unit 100 determines that the lock recommendation condition is satisfied when any one of the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition is satisfied.

Next, the operation of the control unit 100 will be described in detail. The control unit 100 repeatedly executes the processing shown in FIG.

In the process shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 100 first acquires the detected temperature T, which is the temperature detected by the temperature sensor Sa (S1). After step S1, the controller 100 determines whether or not the detected temperature T is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value T1 (S2).

When it is determined that T≧T1 in step S2 (Yes), the control unit 100 sets the state of the lock mechanism 90 to the locked state (S3). T≧T in step S2
If it is determined not to be 1 (No), the controller 100 sets the state of the lock mechanism 90 to the unlocked state (S4).

Here, for example, a flag or the like can be used to set the state of the lock mechanism 90 . Specifically, when the flag is set to 1, it can be assumed that the state of the lock mechanism 90 is set to the locked state. Further, when the flag is set to 0, it can be assumed that the state of the lock mechanism 90 is set to the released state.

After step S3 or step S4, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the detected temperature T is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value T2 that is greater than the first predetermined value T1 (S5). If it is determined in step S5 that T≧T2 does not hold (No), the control section 100 determines whether or not the foil transfer device 1 is out of order (S6).

When it is determined in step S6 that the foil transfer device 1 is not out of order (No), the control section 100 determines whether foil transfer is in progress (S7). If it is determined in step S7 that the foil is being transferred (Yes), the controller 100 sets the state of the lock mechanism 90 to the locked state (S8).

After step S8, or when it is determined as Yes in either step S5 or S6, the control unit 100 operates the lock mechanism 90 according to the setting of the state of the lock mechanism 90 (S9). Specifically, in step S9, the control unit 100 first determines whether or not the slide member 92 is positioned at the second lock position based on the signal from the position sensor Sc. Determine whether or not there is

When the setting of the state of the lock mechanism 90 is "locked state", if it is determined that the lock mechanism 90 is not in the locked state based on the signal from the position sensor Sc, the control unit 100 controls each member of the solenoid 91 (91A, 92, 93) to each lock position is output to the solenoid 91, each member of the solenoid 91 is moved to each lock position. Further, when the setting of the state of the lock mechanism 90 is “locked state”, if it is determined that the lock mechanism 90 is in the locked state based on the signal from the position sensor Sc, the control unit 100 causes the solenoid 91 to be locked. Each member of the solenoid 91 is maintained at each locking position without issuing a movement command.

When the setting of the state of the lock mechanism 90 is the “released state” and it is determined that the lock mechanism 90 is in the locked state based on the signal from the position sensor Sc, the controller 100 controls each member (91A , 92, 93) to respective release positions, each member of the solenoid 91 is moved to each release position. Further, when the setting of the state of the lock mechanism 90 is “released state”, if it is determined that the lock mechanism 90 is not in the locked state based on the signal from the position sensor Sc, the control unit 100 causes the solenoid 91 to move to release. Each member of the solenoid 91 is maintained in each release position without issuing a command.

When the control unit 100 outputs the lock movement command or the release movement command to the solenoid 91, it stores the position corresponding to the output movement command as the normal position. Specifically, when the control unit 100 outputs the lock movement command, the control unit 100 stores the lock position as the normal position. When the control unit 100 outputs the release movement command, the control unit 100 stores the release position as the normal position. Here, the position stored as the normal position may be any position corresponding to each member (91A, 92, 93) of the solenoid 91. FIG. Even if the position of the rotating member 93 as the locking member is not stored, the position of the rotating member 93 is stored because the rotating member 93 moves in conjunction with the other members (91A, 92). is equivalent to In this embodiment, the position of the rotating member 93 is stored by storing the position of the slide member 92 .

After step S9, the control unit 100 executes position correction processing (S10), and terminates this processing. Specifically, in step S10, the controller 100 first sets the current position of the slide member 92 as the specific position based on the signal from the position sensor Sc. When the specific position is the second lock position and the normal position is the second release position, the control unit 100 outputs a release movement command to the solenoid 91 to bring the lock mechanism 90 into the released state. Further, when the specific position is the second release position and the normal position is the second lock position, the control unit 100 outputs a lock movement command to the solenoid 91 to put the lock mechanism 90 into the locked state. do. Further, when the specific position and the regular position are the same, the control unit 100 does nothing in the position correction process.

When a movement command is output in the position correction process, it is determined based on the signal from the position sensor Sc whether or not the slide member 92 is positioned at the normal position. An error may be reported if

If it is determined in step S7 that the foil is not being transferred (No), the control unit 100 determines whether the second cover 23 is open based on the signal from the cover sensor Sb (S11). If it is determined in step S11 that the second cover 23 is closed (No), the control section 100 proceeds to the process of step S9.

If it is determined in step S11 that the second cover 23 is open (Yes), the control unit 100 terminates this process without executing the processes of steps S9 and S10.

Next, a specific example of the operation of the control unit 100 will be described.
After the foil transfer is completed, the user may want to immediately perform work such as exchanging the film unit FU. When the temperature immediately after the foil transfer is very high, the detected temperature T becomes equal to or higher than the second predetermined value T2. The processing of S9 and S10 is repeated. Since the process of step S<b>11 is not performed during such processing, the processes of steps S<b>9 and S<b>10 are executed regardless of the state of the second cover 23 . Therefore, even if the user opens the second cover 23 and switches the lock mechanism 90 to the released state by the forced release member CR during such processing, the lock mechanism 90 is released in step S3 by the processing of steps S9 and S10. It is returned to the set "locked state". This can prevent the user from opening the first cover 22 when the temperature is extremely high.

Similarly, when the other recommended lock conditions (step S6 or step S7) are satisfied, the process of step S11 is not performed. Even if the mechanism 90 is switched to the unlocked state, the lock mechanism 90 is returned to the "locked state" by the processing of S9 and S10.

When the detected temperature T becomes lower than the second predetermined value T2 and equal to or higher than the first predetermined value T1 after the foil transfer is completed, the control unit 100 performs steps S1, S2 (Yes), steps S3, steps S5-S7 ( respectively No), step S11 (No), and steps S9 and S10 are repeated. If the user opens the second cover 23 during such processing, the control unit 100 determines Yes in step S11 and stops executing the processing in steps S9 and S10. Therefore, when the user puts the lock mechanism 90 in the unlocked state by the forced release member CR, the lock mechanism 90 is maintained in the unlocked state because the processing of steps S9 and S10 is not performed. The work can be performed by opening the second cover 23 without waiting until the temperature becomes less than the first predetermined value T1.

According to the above, the following effects can be obtained in this embodiment.
Even if the lock mechanism 90 is in the locked state because the detected temperature T is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value T1, the lock mechanism 90 can be changed from the locked state to the unlocked state by the user's operation of the forced release member CR. Therefore, even if the detected temperature T is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value T1, the lock of the first cover 22 can be forcibly released.

Since the forced release member CR cannot be operated unless the second cover 23 is moved to the second open position, erroneous forced release of the lock of the first cover 22 can be suppressed.

When the lock mechanism 90 is released by opening the second cover 23 and operating the forced release member CR in a situation where the lock recommendation condition for recommending locking of the first cover 22 is satisfied. Also, since the lock mechanism 90 is returned to the locked state by the position correction process or the like, it is possible to suppress the forced opening of the first cover 22 .

Since the recommended lock condition includes the condition that the foil transfer process is in progress, it is possible to prevent the first cover 22 from being opened during the foil transfer process.

Since the lock recommendation condition includes the condition that T≧T2, it is possible to prevent the first cover 22 from being opened when the detected temperature T is at a high temperature equal to or higher than the second predetermined value T2.

Since the recommended lock condition includes the condition that the foil transfer device is out of order, it is possible to prevent the first cover 22 from being opened when the foil transfer device 1 is out of order, and the user can easily handle the foil at high temperatures. Work in the transfer device 1 is not wasted.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In addition, since the structure of the present embodiment is partially modified from the structure of the first embodiment, the same components and processes as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. I decided to.

As shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b), the foil transfer device 1A according to the second embodiment has an operation panel PA. A foil transfer apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment does not have the forced release member CR and the second cover 23 as in the first embodiment.

The operation panel PA is located on the upper surface of the first cover 22, for example. The operation panel PA includes a plurality of buttons B as an example of an input section, and a display section 200 for displaying images. A plurality of buttons B are buttons for inputting information such as foil transfer condition settings. The button B has a button B1 for displaying a menu on the display unit 200, a button B2 for clearing the information displayed on the display unit 200 or returning to the previous screen, and a button B3 for starting the foil transfer process. are doing.

The buttons B1 to B3 are capable of inputting a forced release command to put the lock mechanism 90 into the released state. The forced release command includes a first command and a second command. The first command is input to the operation panel PA by simultaneously pressing the buttons B1 and B2. The second command is input to the operation panel PA by pressing the button B3 after pressing the buttons B1 and B2 at the same time. The first command and the second command input to operation panel PA are output to control unit 100 .

When the forced release command is input to the buttons B1 to B3, the control unit 100 executes the forced release process to release the lock mechanism 90 even if the detected temperature T is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value T1. have a function. In the forced release process, control unit 100 outputs a release movement command to lock mechanism 90 .

Specifically, when the first command is input to the buttons B1 and B2, the control unit 100 executes a notification process for confirming the execution of the forced release process. Further, after the notification process, the control unit 100 executes the forced release process when the second command is input to the button B3.

When a forced release command is input to the buttons B1 to B3, the control unit 100 executes a forced release mode in which a forced release process is executed as long as the lock recommendation conditions for recommending locking of the first cover 22 are not met. . In other words, during the forced release mode, the control unit 100 executes the forced release process each time the forced release condition, which is the opposite condition to the recommended lock condition, is satisfied.

Here, the lock recommendation conditions include the same first condition (during foil transfer), second condition (T≧T2) and third condition (failure) as in the first embodiment. Further, the forced cancellation conditions are conditions that the foil transfer process is not being executed, T<T2, and the foil transfer device 1A is not out of order.

The control unit 100 ends the forced release mode when a cancel command for ending the forced release mode is input to the button. Here, it is assumed that the cancel command is input by, for example, pressing the buttons B1 and B2 simultaneously again. A cancel command input to the operation panel PA is output to the control unit 100 .

Next, the operation of the control unit 100 according to the second embodiment will be described in detail. The control unit 100 repeatedly executes the processing shown in FIG.

In the process shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 100 first determines whether or not the first command has been obtained from the operation panel PA (S31). If it is determined in step S31 that the first command has been obtained (Yes), the control unit 100 notifies the user of information for confirming execution of the forced release process (S32). For example, in step S32, the control unit 100 displays on the display unit 200 a message such as "Do you want to unlock the cover? If you do, you may get burned."

After step S32, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the second command has been obtained from the operation panel PA (S33). If it is determined in step S33 that the second command has been obtained (Yes), the controller 100 turns on the forced release mode (S34).

After step S34, or when it is determined No in either step S31 or S33, the control unit 100 determines whether or not a cancel command has been received from the operation panel PA (S35). If it is determined in step S35 that the cancel command has been acquired (Yes), the controller 100 turns off the forced cancellation mode (S36).

After step S36, or if it is determined No in step S35, the control unit 100 proceeds to substantially the same processing as in the first embodiment. Specifically, the flow of processing performed after step S36 has contents in which new steps S41 and S42 are added instead of step S11 in the flowchart of FIG.

Specifically, after step S36, or when it is determined No in step S35, the control unit 100 executes steps S1 to S7 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. If it is determined No in step S7, that is, if the forced release condition is satisfied (S5 to S7 are all No), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the forced release mode is ON (S41).

When it is determined in step S41 that the forced release mode is not ON (No), the control unit 100 proceeds to the process of step S9. When it is determined that the forced release mode is ON in step S41 (Yes), the control unit 100 executes the forced release process (S42) and terminates this process.

As described above, the following effects can be obtained in the second embodiment.
Even if the lock mechanism 90 is in the locked state because the detected temperature T is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value T1, the lock mechanism 90 is released by inputting a forced release command to the buttons B1 to B3 by the user. Therefore, even if the detected temperature T is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value T1, the locking of the first cover 22 can be forcibly released.

Since two actions of inputting the first command and inputting the second command are required to execute the forced release process, the user can be made aware of the risk of forcibly opening the first cover 22. , the user can be made to carefully perform the work after opening the first cover 22 .

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be used in various forms as exemplified below.
In the second embodiment, the forced cancellation mode is terminated by inputting a cancel command, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit may terminate the forced release mode when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the forced release mode was started.

Any method may be used to input the first command, second command, and cancel command. For example, the first command may be input by pressing three or more buttons. Also, a dedicated button for inputting each command may be provided.

Although the rotating member 93 was exemplified as the locking member in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. The locking member may be, for example, the sliding member 92 . In this case, the forced release member may be provided integrally with the slide member 92 so as to be slidable between the lock corresponding position and the release corresponding position.

Although each of the first cover 22 and the second cover 23 is configured to be rotatable in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first cover or the second cover may be linearly slidable.

The lock mechanism may be composed only of a solenoid plunger as exemplified in the above embodiment. In this case, the plunger is an example of the locking member, and the first cover can be locked/unlocked by inserting and withdrawing the plunger into a hole formed in the first cover.

Also, the lock mechanism can be configured by omitting the rotating member 93 as in the above embodiment and consisting of a plunger and a slide member fixed to the tip of the plunger.

In the above-described embodiment, movement of the hook 81 is restricted by bringing the interlocking member 84 into contact with the slide member 92 , but the present invention is not limited to this, and the hook 81 is moved to the slide member 92 without providing the interlocking member 84 . The movement of the hook 81 may be regulated by contacting the .

The elements described in the above embodiment and modifications may be combined arbitrarily and implemented.

Reference Signs List 1 foil transfer device 21 housing body 21A opening 22 first cover 93 rotating member 100 control unit CR forced release member F foil film S sheet Sa temperature sensor

Claims

A foil transfer device for superimposing a sheet on a foil film having a transfer layer containing foil and transferring the transfer layer to the sheet,
a housing body having an opening;
a first cover movable between a first closed position that closes the opening and a first open position that opens the opening;
a lock member movable between a lock position for locking the first cover in the first closed position and a release position for unlocking the first cover;
a temperature sensor that detects the temperature inside the housing body;
When the detected temperature detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value, the lock member is positioned at the lock position, and when the detected temperature detected by the temperature sensor is less than the first predetermined value, the a control unit for positioning the lock member at the unlocked position;
a forcible release member operable from the outside of the housing body when the first cover is in the first closed position, the forcible release member being capable of moving the lock member from the lock position to the release position; a release member;
A foil transfer device comprising:
the lock member is rotatable between the lock position and the release position;
The forced release member is
positioned at a lock corresponding position when the lock member is positioned at the lock position;
positioned at a release corresponding position when the lock member is positioned at the release position;
2. A foil transfer device according to claim 1, wherein said foil transfer device is rotatable between said locking corresponding position and said unlocking corresponding position.
the lock member is slidable between the lock position and the release position;
The forced release member is
positioned at a lock corresponding position when the lock member is positioned at the lock position;
positioned at a release corresponding position when the lock member is positioned at the release position;
2. The foil transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the foil transfer device is slidable between the locking corresponding position and the unlocking corresponding position.
3. The apparatus further comprises a second cover movable between a second closed position covering the forced release member and a second open position exposing the forced release member to the outside. The foil transfer device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.
a cover sensor that detects opening and closing of the second cover;
a position sensor that detects the position of the lock member,
The control unit
a foil transfer process for transferring the transfer layer to the sheet;
a lock process during foil transfer for positioning the lock member at the lock position during the foil transfer process;
position storage processing for storing a position corresponding to the movement command as a normal position when a movement command for moving the locking member to the locking position or the unlocking position is output to a driving source for moving the locking member;
a position correction process of moving the lock member from the specific position to the normal position when a specific position, which is the position of the lock member identified based on the detection result of the position sensor, is different from the normal position; is executable and
When the lock recommendation condition for recommending locking of the first cover is satisfied, or when it is determined that the second cover is closed based on the detection result of the cover sensor, the forced release member is operated by the operation of the forced release member. returning the lock member to the lock position by executing the position correction process even if the lock member has been moved to the release position;
When the lock recommendation condition is not satisfied and when it is determined that the second cover is opened based on the detection result of the cover sensor, the forced release is performed by not executing the position correction process. 5. The foil transfer device according to claim 4, wherein the lock member moved to the release position by operation of the member is held at the release position.
The foil transfer device according to claim 5, wherein the lock recommendation condition includes a condition that the foil transfer process is in progress.
The foil transfer apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the lock recommendation condition includes a condition that the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a second predetermined value that is greater than the first predetermined value.
The foil transfer device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the lock recommendation conditions include a condition that the foil transfer device is out of order.
A foil transfer device for superimposing a sheet on a foil film having a transfer layer containing foil and transferring the transfer layer to the sheet,
a housing body having an opening;
a first cover movable between a first closed position that closes the opening and a first open position that opens the opening;
a lock member movable between a lock position for locking the first cover in the first closed position and a release position for unlocking the first cover;
a temperature sensor that detects the temperature inside the housing body;
a control unit that positions the lock member at the lock position when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a first predetermined value;
an input unit into which information is input;
When a forced release command for moving the lock member to the release position is input to the input unit, the control unit releases the lock member even if the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a first predetermined value. A foil transfer device, characterized in that it executes forced release processing to move the foil transfer device to a position.
The forced release command includes a first command and a second command,
The control unit
executing a notification process for notifying confirmation of execution of the forced release process when the first command is input to the input unit;
10. The foil transfer apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when said second command is input to said input section after said notification process, said forced release process is executed.
The control unit
executing a forced release mode for executing the forced release process unless a lock recommendation condition for recommending locking of the first cover is satisfied when the forced release command is input to the input unit;
11. The foil transfer apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the forced cancellation mode is ended when a cancel command for ending the forced cancellation mode is input to the input unit.
The control unit
executing a forced release mode for executing the forced release process unless a lock recommendation condition for recommending locking of the first cover is satisfied when the forced release command is input to the input unit;
11. The foil transfer apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the forced release mode is ended when a predetermined time has elapsed since the forced release mode was started.
The control unit
A foil transfer process for transferring the transfer layer to the sheet can be performed,
13. The foil transfer apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the lock recommendation condition includes a condition that the foil transfer process is in progress.
14. The lock recommendation condition according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the detected temperature is greater than a second predetermined value that is greater than the first predetermined value. Foil transfer device.
The foil transfer device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the lock recommendation conditions include a condition that the foil transfer device is out of order.