This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-046192 filed. Mar. 13, 2019. The entire content of the priority application is incorporated herein by reference.
The present disclosure relates to a cutting device and a printing device.
Printing devices using label tape as the printing medium and equipped with a cutting mechanism are well known in the art. The cutting mechanism is provided to cut the label tape after the tape has been printed. The cutting mechanism includes a drive motor, and a movable blade. The movable blade has a shaft hole and is supported so as to be pivotable about the shaft hole. Normally, the movable blade is in an idle state (home position) and is separated from the label tape when in the home position. When the drive motor is driven, the drive force of the motor advances the movable blade from the home position toward the label tape so that the movable blade cuts the label tape. After the tape is cut, the drive force of the drive motor retracts the movable blade, returning the movable blade to the home position. A microswitch is provided for detecting when the movable blade is in the home position.
However, some issues have arisen with the conventional technology. First, if the movable blade comes to a stop at an abnormal position between the position at which the blade begins to cut the printing medium and the position at which the blade completes the cut through the printing medium, the movable blade does not operate normally thereafter. Second, the label tape is often housed in a cartridge (corresponding to the tape cassette) in a wound state. In such cases, the cartridge is detachably accommodated inside the printing device. However, the cartridge cannot be properly mounted in or removed from the printing device when the movable blade comes to a stop in an abnormal position.
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a cutting device and a printing device capable of performing a cutting operation, even when the movable blade is stopped in an abnormal position.
In order to attain the above and other objects, the present disclosure provides a cutting device including: a cutting blade; a drive portion; a memory; and a controller. The cutting blade is reciprocally movable within a movable range including a first retracted position away from a target to be cut and a cut complete position at which cutting of the target is to be completed. The drive portion is configured to move the cutting blade. The memory is configured to store cutting data indicating at least the first retracted position. The controller is configured to perform: (a) controlling; (b) controlling; (c) controlling; and (d) updating. The (a) controlling controls the drive portion to move the cutting blade from the first retracted position to the cut complete position according to the cutting data, thereby cutting the target. The (b) controlling controls the drive portion to move the cutting blade from the cut complete position after the (a) controlling is completed. The (c) controlling controls, in response to determining that the cutting blade has stopped at an intervening position during one of the (a) controlling and the (b) controlling, the drive portion to move the cutting blade from the intervening position to a second retracted position. The intervening position is in between a cut start position at which cutting of the target is started and the cut complete position. The second retracted position is positioned within the movable range and is away from the target. The (d) updating updates the cutting data stored in the memory so as to indicate the second retracted position in place of the first retracted position.
According to another aspect, present disclosure provides a printing device including a printing portion; and a cutting device. The printing portion is configured to perform a print on a target. The cutting device includes: a cutting blade; a drive portion; a memory; and a controller. The cutting blade is reciprocally movable within a movable range including a first retracted position away from a target to be cut and a cut complete position at which cutting of the target is to be completed. The drive portion is configured to move the cutting blade. The memory is configured to store cutting data indicating at least the first retracted position. The controller is configured to perform: (a) controlling; (b) controlling; (c) controlling; and (d) updating. The (a) controlling controls the drive portion to move the cutting blade from the first retracted position to the cut complete position according to the cutting data, thereby cutting the target. The (b) controlling controls the drive portion to move the cutting blade from the cut complete position after the (a) controlling is completed. The (c) controlling controls, in response to determining that the cutting blade has stopped at an intervening position during one of the (a) controlling and the (b) controlling, the drive portion to move the cutting blade from the intervening position to a second retracted position. The intervening position is in between a cut start position at which cutting of the target is started and the cut complete position. The second retracted position is positioned within the movable range and is away from the target. The (d) updating updates the cutting data stored in the memory so as to indicate the second retracted position in place of the first retracted position.
The particular features and advantages of the disclosure as well as other objects will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Next, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described while referring to the accompanying drawings. The referenced drawings are used to describe the technical features made possible with the present disclosure. The configurations of the devices illustrated in the drawings are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to these configurations.
The mechanical structure of a printing device 100 will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
A locking part 4 is provided on the top surface of the housing 2 in the front-right corner thereof The locking part 4 engages with the cover 3 when the cover 3 is in the closed position. When pressed, the locking part 4 disengages from the cover 3, whereby the urging force of the urging member moves the cover 3 to the open position. Operating buttons 5 are provided on the front surface of the housing 2 near the upper-right corner thereof. The operating buttons 5 input various information into the printing device 100. A discharge opening 11 is formed in the front surface of the housing 2 on the left side of the operating buttons 5. The discharge opening 11 is elongated vertically and provides communication between the interior and exterior of the housing 2. LEDs 85 for reporting the status of the printing device 100 are provided on the front surface of the housing 2 above the operating buttons 5. The LEDs 85 will be described later in greater detail,
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
A platen roller 65 and a sub-roller 66 (see
A recessed area 15 is formed forward of the cartridge holder 6 near the right-front corner of the same. The recessed area 15 is recessed downward from the top surface of the housing 2 and extends forward from the right-front corner of the cartridge holder 6 to the front surface of the housing 2. The recessed area 15 defines an open area 10. The open area 10 includes part of a conveying region. H through which the tape 9 is conveyed (see
The open area 10 includes the discharge opening 11, an entry opening 12, and a tape-insertion opening 13. The discharge opening 11 is an opening formed downstream of the blade unit 31 in the conveying direction. The portion of the tape 9 printed inside the housing 2 is discharged from the housing 2 through the discharge opening 11. The entry opening 12 is an opening on the upstream side of the blade unit 31 in the conveying direction. The entry opening 12 provides communication between the open area 10 and the cartridge holder 6. The portion of the tape 9 discharged from the tape cassette 7 enters the open area 10 through the entry opening 12. The tape-insertion opening 13 is an opening formed above the blade unit 31. When mounting the tape cassette 7 into the cartridge holder 6 from above, the tape 9 can enter the open area 10 through the tape-insertion opening 13. The discharge opening 11 and tape-insertion opening 13 are in communication with each other. The entry opening 12 and tape-insertion opening 13 are in communication with each other.
Next, the cutting device 1 will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
The fixed blade 41 is disposed on the left side of the conveying region H (see
The first movable blade 42 is a plate member having a general V-shape that opens toward the right in a front-side view. The first movable blade 42 opposes the fixed blade 41 from the right side. The first movable blade 42 is rotatably supported by the rotating shaft 37 and is capable of rotating counterclockwise or clockwise in a front-side view. A blade edge 421 is formed along the left edge of the first movable blade 42 in the portion above the rotating shaft 37. The blade edge 421 extends substantially vertically. When the first movable blade 42 rotates counterclockwise in a front-side view about the rotating shaft 37, the upper portion of the first movable blade 42 approaches the upper portion of the fixed blade 41. When the first movable blade 42 rotates clockwise in a front-side view about the rotating shaft 37, the upper portion of the first movable blade 42 separates from the upper portion of the fixed blade 41.
The first movable blade drive motor 27A (see
A first movable blade sensor 39A is provided above the first movable blade drive gear 32. The first movable blade sensor 39A is fixed to the support plate with screws (not illustrated). The first movable blade sensor 39A is a limit switch that has a movable piece 391A, and a fixed piece (not illustrated). When the movable piece 391A is moved so as to contact the fixed piece, the first movable blade sensor 39A outputs an ON signal. When the movable piece 391A separates from the fixed piece, the first movable blade sensor 39A outputs an OFF signal.
In a retracted position of the first movable blade 42, the blade edge 421 of the first movable blade 42 is separated from the conveying region H of the tape 9. The blade edge 421 begins moving toward the fixed blade 41 from the retracted position and halts in a cut complete position after the blade edge 421 completes a full cut of the tape 9 present in the conveying region H. Subsequently, the first movable blade 42 returns to the retracted position from the cut complete position and remains halted in the retracted position. In the present embodiment, this series of operations performed by the first movable blade 42 will be called a cut operation.
When the first movable blade 42 is in the retracted position, the cam 321 presses against the movable piece 391A of the first movable blade sensor 39A (see
As illustrated in
The receiving part 51 is disposed on the left side of the conveying region H (see
The second movable blade 52 is a plate member that extends in directions orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The second movable blade 52 is disposed on the front side of the first movable blade 42 (see
The second movable blade drive motor 27B can generate a rotational drive in both forward and reverse directions. The second movable blade drive motor 27B is coupled to the second movable blade 52 through a gear train 28 configured of a plurality of gears, and a second movable blade drive gear 33. The second movable blade drive gear 33 is formed in a general disc-shape. The second movable blade drive gear 33 is rotatably supported on the anchoring plate 38 (see
A second movable blade sensor 39B is provided on the rear side of the second movable blade drive gear 33. The second movable blade sensor 39B is fixed to the anchoring plate 38 (see
In a retracted position of the second movable blade 52, the blade edge 521 of the second movable blade 52 is separated from the conveying region H of the tape 9. The second movable blade 52 begins moving toward the receiving part 51 from the retracted position and halts in a cut complete position after completing a partial cut of the tape 9 present in the conveying region H. Subsequently, the second movable blade 52 returns to the retracted position from the cut complete position and remains halted in the retracted position. In the present embodiment, this series of operations performed by the second movable blade 52 will be called a cut operation.
When the second movable blade 52 is in the retracted position, the protruding piece 331 pushes against the movable piece 391B of the second movable blade sensor 39B (see
Next, the movements in the cutting operations of the first movable blade 42 and second movable blade 52 will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
With the first cutting blade 40 of the present embodiment, the first movable blade 42 is disposed in the retracted position (
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
With the second cutting blade 50 of the present embodiment, the second movable blade 52 is disposed in the retracted position (
Next, a procedure for printing with the printing device 100 will be described with reference to
When placed in the closed position, the cover 3 covers the tops of the cartridge holder 6 and the recessed area 15 (see
Although not illustrated in the drawings or described in detail herein, the printing device 100 is connected to and capable of communicating through wires or wirelessly with an external terminal, such as a personal computer, a tablet computer, or a smartphone. The printing device 100 receives print data transmitted from the external terminal.
The printing device 100 prints on the tape 9, while conveying the same, according to the print data received from the external terminal. Specifically, the printing device 100 applies heat to the ink ribbon by heating the thermal head 25, whereby ink in the ink ribbon is thermally transferred onto the printing base material 91 to print characters and other information. The printing device 100 rotates the ribbon take-up shaft 61 and tape drive shaft 62 by driving the tape drive motor 26 (see
The tape 9 is conveyed such that the longitudinal dimension is oriented in the front-rear direction, the latitudinal dimension is oriented in the vertical direction, and the thickness dimension is oriented in the left-right direction. Specifically, the printing base material 91 side of the tape 9 faces rightward (toward the first movable blade 42 and second movable blade 52), while the adhesive tape 92 side faces leftward (toward the fixed blade 41 and receiving part 51). After being discharged from the tape cassette 7, the printed tape 9 enters the open area 10 through the entry opening 12.
The printing device 100 moves the first movable blade 42 or the second movable blade 52 from its retracted position to its cut complete position (see
The printing device 100 is also provided with a non-cutting mode that suspends the cutting operations described above. The user can switch the printing device 100 to the non-cutting mode by operating the operating buttons 5. When the printing device 100 is in the non-cutting mode, the printed tape 9 is not cut by the cutting device 1 after being discharged from the tape cassette 7, and the uncut tape 9 enters the entry opening 12, passes through the open area 10, and is discharged from the printing device 100 via the discharge opening 11. The non-cutting mode will be described later in greater detail.
Next, the electrical configuration of the printing device 100 will be described with reference to
The CPU 21 is also connected to the operating buttons 5, the first movable blade sensor 39A, the second movable blade sensor 39B, an A/D converter 82A, and an A/D converter 82B. The operating buttons 5, first movable blade sensor 39A, second movable blade sensor 39B, A/D converter 82A, and A/D converter 82B input information required for control into the CPU 21.
The CPU 21 is also connected to the thermal head 25, the tape drive motor 26, a first motor driver 81A, a second motor driver 81B, and the LEDs 85. The CPU 21 outputs information necessary for controlling the thermal head 25, tape drive motor 26, first motor driver 81A, second motor driver 81B, and LEDs 85.
The first motor driver 81A is connected to the first movable blade drive motor 27A, the A/D converter 82A, and one end of a resistor R1. The first motor driver 81A is a driver device for driving the first movable blade drive motor 27A in response to control signals outputted by the CPU 21. The first motor driver 81A outputs a current equivalent to the current conducted to the first movable blade drive motor 27A. The outputted current is supplied to the resistor R1. In this case, a voltage corresponding to the outputted current is generated across both ends of the resistor R.1. The AID converter 82A converts the voltage level generated in the resistor R1 from an analog value to a digital value and outputs the digital value to the CPU 21. Accordingly, the CPU 21 can identify the voltage generated across the ends of the resistor R1 based on the digital value obtained from the A/D converter 82A and can detect the current being conducted to the first movable blade drive motor 27A based on the relationship between the identified voltage and the resistor R1. Therefore, the A/D converter 82A can detect when an overcurrent is being conducted to the first movable blade drive motor 27A.
The second motor driver 81B is connected to the second movable blade drive motor 27B, the A/D converter 82B, and one end of a resistor R2. The second motor driver 81B is a driver device for driving the second movable blade drive motor 27B in response to control signals outputted by the CPU 21. The second motor driver 81B outputs a current equivalent to the current conducted to the second movable blade drive motor 27B. The outputted current is supplied to the resistor R2. The A/D converter 82B converts the voltage level generated in the resistor R2 from an analog value to a digital value and outputs the digital value to the CPU 21. Therefore, as with the A/D converter 82A, the A/D converter 82B can detect when an overcurrent is being conducted to the second movable blade drive motor 27B.
Next, the main process will be described with reference to
In S11 of
In. S21 the CPU 21 determines whether a non-cutting mode signal has been received. The user operates the operating buttons 5 when changing the mode of the printing device 100 to the non-cutting mode. If the CPU 21 has received a non-cutting mode signal from the operating buttons 5 (S21: YES), in S22 the CPU 21 performs a non-cutting mode process described later, and subsequently ends the main process.
When the CPU 21 has not received a non-cutting mode signal (S21: NO), in S31 the CPU 21 determines whether an abnormal stoppage flag is set to “ON”. The abnormal stoppage flag is a flag stored in the RAM 24 that indicates whether one of the movable blades 34 was halted in an abnormal position described later during a cutting operation. The abnormal stoppage flag is “ON” when at least one of the first movable blade 42 and second movable blade 52 stopped in an abnormal position. The abnormal stoppage flag is set to “OFF” when the CPU 21 executes a first position updating process (S35) or a second position updating process (S36) described later.
When the abnormal stoppage flag is “OFF” (S31: NO), in 532 the CPU 21 determines whether an overload flag is set to “ON”. The overload flag is a flag stored in the RAM 24 that indicates whether the current supplied to the first movable blade drive motor 27A and second movable blade drive motor 27B is an overcurrent. The overload flag is set to “ON” when the current supplied to at least one of the first movable blade drive motor 27A and second movable blade drive motor 27B and identified from the output of the corresponding A/D converter 82A and A/D converter 82B is an overcurrent. The overload flag is set to “OFF” when the CPU 21 executes the first position updating process (S35) or the second position updating process (S36).
When the abnormal stoppage flag is “OFF” (S31: NO) and the overload flag is “OFF” (S32: NO), in S41 of
In S42 the CPU 21 adds “1” to a print count and stores this print count in the RAM 24. The print count denotes the number of printing operations executed by the printing device 100. The CPU 21 resets this print count to “0” in the initialization process of S11 (see
In. S45 the CPU 21 determines whether the print count has reached the designated printing number. If the print count has not yet reached the designated printing number (S45: NO), in S51 the CPU 21 drives the tape drive motor 26 to convey the tape 9 to a cutting position. The cutting position is the position at which the cutting device 1 can cut the printed portion of the tape 9.
In S52 the CPU 21 executes a partial cutting process. In this process, the second cutting blade 50 of the cutting device 1 performs a partial cut through the tape 9. Subsequently, the CPU 21 returns to S42 and repeats the process described above. While the print count has not reached the designated printing number (S45: NO), the CPU 21 repeatedly executes the printing operation and the partial cutting operation in S51, S52, and S42 through S44.
When the print count reaches the designated printing number (S45: YES), in S61 the CPU 21 conveys the printed tape 9 to the cutting position.
In S62 the CPU 21 executes a full cutting process. In this process, the first cutting blade 40 of the cutting device 1 performs a full cut through the tape 9. After completing the full cutting process, the CPU 21 ends the main process.
The details of the partial cutting process of S52 and the full cutting process of S62 are essentially the same, and differ only in whether the second cutting blade 50 performs the cutting operation or the first cutting blade 40 performs the cutting operation. Therefore, only the fill cutting; process will be described in the present embodiment, while a description of the partial cutting process will be omitted.
The full cutting process will be described with reference to
In S102 the CPU 21 acquires a stop time ST from the ROM 23. The stop time ST is the time required for the first movable blade drive motor 27A to come to a stop after deceleration begins during driving. In S103 the CPU 21 sets an operating time counter to “0” and starts measurements with the operating time counter. The operating time counter tracks the operating time that has elapsed since the full cutting process was begun. In Sill the CPU 21 begins driving the first movable blade drive motor 27A to start the cutting operation with the first movable blade 42.
In S121 of
When the CPU 21 does not detect an overload on the first movable blade drive motor 27A (S121: NO), in S122 the CPU 21 determines whether the operating time has reached a deceleration start time on the basis of the value of the operating time counter set in S103. The deceleration start time is the amount of time from When the first movable blade drive motor 27A starts driving until the first movable blade drive motor 27A starts decelerating. The deceleration start time is calculated as (moving time T)—(stop time ST). In a normal cutting operation, the first movable blade 42 will be moving from the cut complete position toward the retracted position when the operating time reaches the deceleration start time. If the operating time has not yet reached the deceleration start time (S122: NO), the CPU 21 returns to S121 and repeats the process from S121.
When the operating time has reached the deceleration start time (S122: YES), in S123 the CPU 21 begins overrun correction. If the first movable blade drive motor 27A were to be abruptly halted once the moving time T had elapsed, the first movable blade 42 might overrun the retracted position due to its inertia. Overrun correction controls the deceleration of the first movable blade drive motor 27A in order to prevent the first movable blade 42 from overrunning the retracted position. Since the CPU 21 begins overrun correction before the moving time T has elapsed, the CPU 21 can halt the first movable blade drive motor 27A once the operating time has reached the moving time T, thereby stopping the first movable blade 42 at the retracted position.
In S124 the CPU 21 determines whether the operating time has reached the moving time T on the basis of the value of the operating time counter set in S103. The CPU 21 continually repeats the determination in S 124 as long as the operating time has not yet reached the moving time T (S124: NO). When the operating time has reached the moving time T (S124: YES), in S125 the CPU 21 stops driving the first movable blade drive motor 27A.
In S126 the CPU 21 determines whether the first movable blade 42 has been detected. The CPU 21 can make this determination because the first movable blade sensor 39A outputs an ON signal to the CPU 21 upon detecting the first movable blade 42 after a cutting operation was begun. In a normal cutting operation, the first movable blade sensor 39A detects the first movable blade 42 once the operating time has reached the moving time T (S124: YES) since the first movable blade drive motor 27A is halted (S125) with the first movable blade 42 in the retracted position. If the first movable blade 42 is detected (S126: YES), the CPU 21 returns to the main process of
If the first movable blade 42 is not detected (S126: NO), in 5141 the CPU 21 determines whether the operating time has reached a warning time. This determination is made on the basis of the value of the operating time counter that was set in S103. The warning time is a value set sufficiently longer than the moving time T and is pre-stored in the ROM 23. If the operating time exceeds the warning time without the first movable blade 42 being detected, the CPU 21 determines that a normal cutting operation could not be completed and that the first movable blade 42 has stopped in an abnormal position described later. If the operating time has not yet reached the warning time (S141: NO), the CPU 21 returns to S126 and continues monitoring the operating time. The warning time corresponds to the “prescribed time” of the present disclosure.
If the operating time has reached the warning time (S141: YES), in S142 the CPU 21 determines that the first movable blade 42 stopped in an abnormal position and notifies the user of this abnormal stoppage by lighting LEDs 85. This notification is continued until the first position updating process described later (S35 of
On the other hand, if the CPU 21 detects an overload on the first movable blade drive motor 27A (S121: YES), in S131 the CPU 21 notifies the user of the detected overload by lighting LEDs 85. This notification is continued until the first position updating process (described later) is performed. In S132 the CPU 21 sets the overload flag to “ON”, and in S133 halts the drive of the first movable blade drive motor 27A. Subsequently, the CPU 21 returns to the main process.
Here, a case in which the first movable blade 42 was halted in an abnormal position will be described. Occasionally, the first movable blade 42 may stop in an abnormal position during a full cutting process. An abnormal position is a position between the cut start position and the cut complete position (see
As described above, the CPU 21 determines that the first movable blade 42 stopped in an abnormal position if the first movable blade 42 has not been detected when the operating time exceeds the warning time. Since the CPU 21 notifies the user that the first movable blade 42 stopped in an abnormal position by lighting the LEDs 85, the user can recognize that the first movable blade 42 was halted in an abnormal position without having to confirm the position of the first movable blade 42 visually through the discharge opening 11 after the cutting operation. Note that since the user can visually confirm the position of the first movable blade 42 through the discharge opening 11 after a cutting operation, users can determine themselves whether the first movable blade 42 was halted in an abnormal position, even if the notification process of S142 were omitted. The same holds true for the second movable blade 52.
When the user recognizes that the first movable blade 42 was halted in an abnormal position from the notification by the CPU 21 (S142), for example, the user will realize that a subsequent cutting operation cannot be performed in this state since the first movable blade 42 is not in the retracted position. In other words, the CPU 21 does not know the current position of the first movable blade 42 and, hence, cannot properly perform a cutting operation. Further, when stopped in an abnormal position, the first movable blade 42 is inside the conveying region II. In this state, the user may be unable to mount or remove the tape cassette 7 properly. In certain cases, the tape 9 may not have been fully cut through and may still be interposed between the fixed blade 41 and first movable blade 42. Further, if the tape cassette 7 is temporarily removed and subsequently remounted, the first movable blade 42 stopped in the abnormal position may obstruct the tape 9. Accordingly, the user must move the first movable blade 42 at least to a position outside of the conveying region H and set this position as a new retracted position.
Hence, the user must perform prescribed operations on the operating buttons 5 in order to return the first movable blade 42 to a suitable position. When input for the prescribed operations is received, the operating buttons 5 transmit a position update mode signal to the CPU 21.
Specifically, the user operates the operating buttons 5 in order to perform the main process. When a start command is received from the operating buttons 5, the CPU 21 executes the main process. In S11 the CPU 21 performs the initialization process, and in. S21 determines whether a non-cutting mode signal has been received. When a non-cutting mode signal has not been received (S21: NO), the CPU 21 determines in S31 whether the abnormal stoppage flag is set to “ON” and in S32 whether the overload flag is set to “ON”. When either of the abnormal stoppage flag and overload flag is “ON” (S31: YES or 532: YES), in S33 the CPU 21 determines whether a position update mode signal has been received from the operating buttons 5. The position update mode signal is received when the user issues a command to execute a position updating process through an operation on the operating buttons 5. While a position update mode signal has not been received (S33: NO), the CPU 21 returns to S31 and performs the above determinations.
When a position update mode signal has been received (S33: YES), in S34 the CPU 21 determines whether the position update mode signal is a first position update mode signal. That is, when operating the operating buttons 5 to issue a command for executing a position updating process, the user selects whether to execute a first position updating process or a second position updating process. Here, the first position updating process is a position updating process performed for adjusting the first movable blade 42, and the second position updating process is a position updating process performed for adjusting the second movable blade 52. When the CPU 21 receives a first position update mode signal specifying execution of the first position updating process (S34: YES), in S35 the CPU 21 executes the first position updating process and returns to S31. If a first position update mode signal was not received (S34: NO), in other words, if the CPU 21 receives a second position update mode signal specifying execution of the second position updating process (S34: NO), in. S36 the CPU 21 executes the second position updating process, and subsequently returns to S31.
Note that even if both the abnormal stoppage flag and the overload flag are “OFF” (S31: NO, S31: NO), the user may still input the position update mode signal via the operating buttons 5 upon noticing that the first movable blade 42 is visible through the discharge opening 11 after a cutting operation. The same holds true if the second movable blade 52 is visible. Thus, the position updating process can be performed even in such cases. For simplification, the following description will cover only the first position updating process and not the second position updating process.
The first position updating process will be described with reference to
When a position adjustment signal has been received (S202: YES), in S203 the CPU 21 increments the counter value K by “1” and stores the counter value Kin the RAM 24. Hence, the value of K denotes the number of times that a position adjustment signal has been received. In S204 the CPU 21 drives the first movable blade drive motor 27A a prescribed number of rotations in the reverse direction. Through the drive force of the first movable blade drive motor 27A, the first movable blade 42 is moved the prescribed distance in the direction away from the fixed blade 41.
In S205 the CPU 21 determines whether the first movable blade 42 has been detected. This determination is identical to the determination in S126 described above (see
When the first movable blade 42 has been detected (S205: YES), in S206 the CPU 21 notifies the user that the first movable blade 42 has been detected by lighting the LEDs 85, and in S207 stores the value of K at the moment the first movable blade 42 was detected in the RAM 24 as K1. Through the notification in S206, the user can recognize that the first movable blade 42 has been moved to a position detectable by the first movable blade sensor 39A.
If the position that the first movable blade sensor 39A detects the first movable lade 42 is identical to the retracted position preset on the printing device 100 (the first retracted position), the first movable blade 42 is in a separated position and not an abnormal position. A separated position is a position between the cut start position and the maximum separation position and is a position separated from the conveying region H of the tape 9. When the first movable blade 42 is in a separated position, the first movable blade 42 is outside of the conveying region H through which the tape 9 passes and thus is in a normal state. Accordingly, the user operates the operating buttons 5 in order to quit adjustments for the first movable blade 42. In S208 the CPU 21 determines whether a quit signal has been received from the operating buttons 5. If a quit signal has been received (S208: YES), the CPU 21 advances to S211 described later.
However, the position at which the first movable blade sensor 39A detects the first movable blade 42 may differ from the first retracted position. In some cases, the mounted position of the first movable blade sensor 39A may shift, causing the detection position to move to an abnormal position, for example. As described above, when the CPU 21 performs the notification in S206, the first movable blade 42 is in the first retracted position in normal cases. However, when the user can see the first movable blade 42 through the discharge opening 11, it is possible that the first movable blade 42 is still in an abnormal position, but that the position of the first movable blade sensor 39A has deviated. In this case, the user must continue adjusting the position of the first movable blade 42 in order to ensure that the first movable blade 42 is moved completely out of the conveying region H. Accordingly, the user does not input a quit command on the operating buttons 5. Since the CPU 21 does not receive the quit signal from the operating buttons 5 (S208: NO), the CPU 21 returns to S202 and repeats the process described above. The user continues operating the operating buttons 5 to move the first movable blade 42 farther away from the fixed blade 41. Once the first movable blade 42 has moved from an abnormal position to a separated position and can no longer be seen through the discharge opening 11, the user operates the operating buttons 5 to quit adjustments for the first movable blade 42. When the CPU 21 receives the quit signal from the operating buttons 5 (S208: YES), in 5211 the CPU 21 stores the value of the counter K at the timing that the quit signal was received in the RAM 24 as K2.
In 5212 the CPU 21 calculates the distance between the separated position at which the first movable blade 42 is positioned and the detection position at which the first movable blade sensor 39A detected the first movable blade 42. As described above, the distance that the first movable blade 42 is moved by one position adjustment signal is preset. Therefore, the distance between the separated position and the detection position is calculated using the difference between the value of K1 that was stored in S207 and the value of K2 that was stored in S211.
In S214 the CPU 21 calculates the moving time T and stores the moving time T in the flash memory 22. Here, the CPU 21 calculates the moving time T to be the time required for reciprocating the first movable blade 42 between the separated position and the cut complete position. The moving time T is calculated using the distance between the separated position and detection position calculated in S212 and the drive speed of the first movable blade drive motor 27A. The CPU 21 uses this calculated. moving time T for controlling subsequent cutting operations.
In S215 the CPU 21 sets the separated position at which the first movable blade 42 is currently position to be a second retracted position and stores this second retracted position in the flash memory 22 as the new retracted position. In other words, the second retracted position becomes the new retracted position to be used in place of the first retracted position. The moving time T is then updated to he the time required for moving the first movable blade 42 in a cutting operation when the second retracted position is the start point of the operation. Therefore, the first movable blade 42 can start the cutting operation from the second retracted position, turn back at the cut complete position, and stop in the second retracted position. Thus, the first movable blade 42 can be reciprocated between the second retracted position and the cut complete position in subsequent cutting operations.
In S216 the CPU 21 sets the abnormal stoppage flag to “OFF” and in S217 sets the overload flag to “OFF”. In S218 the CPU 21 suspends the notification for either the abnormal position of the first movable blade 42 or the overload. Subsequently, the CPU 21 ends the current process.
Next, the non-cutting mode process will be described with reference to
In S401 of
In 5405 the CPU 21 conveys the tape 9 to a manual cutting position. The manual cutting position is the position at which the entire portion of the tape 9 that has been printed with characters and other information is discharged from the discharge opening 11. Since cutting operations by the cutting device 1 are suspended in the non-cutting mode, the user uses scissors to cut the tape 9 at the manual cutting position.
In S406 the CPU 21 determines whether the print count has reached the designated printing number. If the print count has not yet reached the designated printing number (S406: NO), in S407 the CPU 21 determines whether a next print command signal has been received. The next print command signal is a command for starting the next printing operation. The user performs an operation on the operating buttons S in order to start the next printing operation. The CPU 21 waits, i.e., continually loops hack to S407, while the next print command signal has not been received from the operating buttons 5 (S407: NO). When the next print command signal is received from the operating buttons 5 (S407: YES), the CPU 21 returns to S402 and executes a similar printing operation to that described above (S402 through S407). When the print count reaches the designated printing number after repeating the above printing operations (S406: YES), the CPU 21 ends the non-cutting mode process and returns to the main process,
As described above, when the movable blade 34 (first movable blade 42 or second movable blade 52) stops in an abnormal position, the cutting device 1 moves the movable blade 34 from the abnormal position to a separated position through the position updating process. Next, the cutting device 1 sets this separated position as the second retracted position and stores the second retracted position as the retracted position, thereby enabling the cutting device 1 to perform cutting operations,
In some cases, the cutting device 1 may be provided with the first movable blade sensor 39A or second movable blade sensor 39B for detecting when the movable blade 34 is in the first retracted position. If the first movable blade sensor 39A or second movable blade sensor 39B does not detect the corresponding movable blade 34 in the first retracted position, the cutting device 1 moves the movable blade 34 from the abnormal position to a separated position through the position updating process, thereby enabling the cutting device 1 to perform cutting operations.
When the first movable blade sensor 39A or second movable blade sensor 39B cannot detect whether the corresponding movable blade 34 is in the first retracted position because the detection position is in an abnormal position, the CPU 21 calculates the distance between the detection position and the second retracted position. The CPU 21 calculates the moving time T based on the distance between the detection position and the second retracted position and performs control to ensure that the movable blade 34 reaches the second retracted position after completing a cutting operation, thereby enabling the cutting device 1 to perform cutting operations.
If the CPU 21 has not detected the movable blade 34 when the operating time has exceeded the warning time, the CPU 21 determines that the movable blade 34 has stopped in an abnormal position. By determining when the movable blade 34 has stopped in an abnormal position, the CPU 21 can assist the user in recognizing that the movable blade 34 has stopped in an abnormal position.
In this case, the user can operate the operating buttons 5 to input position adjustment signals into the CPU 21. Since the user is performing the operations to move the movable blade 34 to a separated position, the user can readily understand when the movable blade 34 has been moved to a separated position.
The cutting device 1 begins decelerating the first movable blade drive motor 27A or second movable blade drive motor 27B before the moving time T has elapsed, i.e., before the movable blade 34 returns to the first retracted position or second retracted position. The CPU 21 performs control such that the movable blade 34 stops at the first retracted position or second retracted position. The cutting device 1 can prevent the movable blade 34 from overrunning the first retracted position or second retracted position and can reliably halt the movable blade 34 in the first retracted position or second retracted position.
In the cutting device 1, the CPU 21 halts the first movable blade drive motor 27A or second movable blade drive motor 27B when detecting an overload on the first movable blade drive motor 27A or second movable blade drive motor 27B from the A/D converter 82A or A/D converter 82B. In this way, the CPU 21 can prevent the first movable blade 42 from contacting the tape 9 or fixed blade 41 and the second movable blade 52 from contacting the tape 9 or receiving part 51 with more than the prescribed drive force, thereby ensuring good durability of the first movable blade drive motor 27A, second movable blade drive motor 27B, and movable blade 34.
The printing device 100 is provided with the non-cutting mode for suspending the cutting operations of the cutting device 1. By setting the printing device 100 to the non-cutting mode, cutting operations with the cutting device 1 can be suspended, and the printing device 100 can continue to execute only printing operations on the tape 9 even though an abnormality has occurred in the cutting device 1.
in the embodiment described above, the tape 9 corresponds to the “target” of the present disclosure. The first movable blade 42 and second movable blade 52 correspond to the “cutting blade” of the present disclosure. The first movable blade drive motor 27A and second movable blade drive motor 27B correspond to the “drive portion” of the present disclosure. The flash memory 22 corresponds to the “memory” of the present disclosure. The CPU 21 corresponds to the “controller” of the present disclosure. The operating buttons 5 correspond to the “input interface” of the present disclosure. The first movable blade sensor 39A and second movable blade sensor 39B correspond to the “sensor” of the present disclosure. The thermal head 25 corresponds to the “printing portion” of the present disclosure.
The process of S52 and S62 in
While the description has been made in detail with reference to specific embodiment, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made thereto. In the embodiment described above, the user operates the operating buttons 5 on the printing device 100 to input various signals, such as the non-cutting mode signal, the designated printing number, the position update mode signal, and the next print command signal. However, the user may instead input the signals described above from an external device through operations on the external device.
While the printing device 100 of the present embodiment is provided with the first movable blade sensor 39A to detect whether the first movable blade 42 is in the retracted position, provision of the first movable blade sensor 39A is not essential. When the first movable blade sensor 39A is not provided, the retracted position of the first movable blade 42 may be set to the maximum separation position (see
In the first position updating process according to the embodiment described above, the user repeatedly inputs a position adjustment signal at least until the first movable blade sensor 39A detects the first movable blade 42 at the detection position (S202 through. S205). However, the first movable blade 42 may instead be moved to the detection position through one input operation. This method can simplify operations for the user by not requiring the user to repeatedly input position adjustment signals. When the detection position differs from the first retracted position, the distance between the separated position (i.e., the second retracted position) and the detection position must be calculated. Therefore, the CPU 21 preferably performs control to halt the first movable blade 42 in the detection position, and subsequently to move the first movable blade 42 the prescribed distance each tune a position adjustment signal is inputted.
In the embodiment described above, the first movable blade 42 is moved the prescribed distance each time a position adjustment signal is inputted. However, the CPU 21 may continuously move the first movable blade 42 when a position adjustment signal is inputted once and may halt the first movable blade 42 upon receiving a stop signal for halting the first movable blade 42. In this case, the CPU 21 calculates the distance that the first movable blade 42 was moved on the basis of the time that elapsed between reception of the position adjustment signal and reception of the stop signal.
In the embodiment described above, the CPU 21 performs overrun correction to begin decelerating the first movable blade drive motor 27A or second movable blade drive motor 27B before the movable blade 34 has arrived in the first retracted position or second retracted position, but control by the CPU 21 need not include overrun correction.
In the non-cutting mode process (
While the first movable blade sensor 39A and second movable blade sensor 39B are limit switches in the embodiment described above, optical sensors may be used instead. Further, sensors are only provided for detecting when the movable blades 34 are in the retracted position in the embodiment described above. However, sensors may also be provided for detecting when the movable blades 34 are in the cut complete position, for example.
In the embodiment described above, the first retracted position is set to the position at which the first movable blade sensor 39A or second movable blade sensor 39B detects the corresponding movable blade 34. However, the first retracted position may be set to the position of the corresponding movable blade 34 when the first movable blade drive motor 27A or second movable blade drive motor 27B is driven a prescribed number of rotations from the position for detecting the movable blade 34.
The structure of the blade unit 31 is not limited to that described in the embodiment. For example, while the blade unit 31 has both the first cutting blade 40 and the second cutting blade 50 in the embodiment described above, the blade unit 31 need only have one of the first cutting blade 40 and second cutting blade 50. Further, the first cutting blade 40 may be provided with a receiving part in place of the fixed blade 41, for example, and may adopt a configuration for cutting the tape 9 with either a full cut or a partial cut using a single cutting blade, as described below. In this case, the receiving part has a first receiving part formed with a flat surface, and a second receiving part formed with a recess. The receiving part is configured such that the area opposing the first movable blade 42 is switehable between the first receiving part and second receiving part.
When the first receiving part opposes the first movable blade 42, the first movable blade 42 performs a full cut through the tape 9 as the blade edge 421 contacts the first receiving part with no gap formed therebetween. When the second receiving part opposes the first movable blade 42, the first movable blade 42 performs a partial cut through the tape 9 as the blade edge 421 contacts the second receiving part with a gap formed therebetween by the recess.
In the embodiment described above, the first movable blade 42 is rotatably supported relative to the fixed blade 41 by the rotating shaft 37. However, the first movable blade 42 may be supported by a rail or other guide member so as to be capable of moving linearly in directions toward and away from the fixed blade 41. Further, the fixed blade 41 and first movable blade 42 may be arranged such that the blade edges 411 and 421 extend parallel to each other and are in contact with each other. In this case, the first movable blade 42 is known as a slide cutter that cuts the tape 9 between the first movable blade 42 and fixed blade 41 by moving the blade edge 421 linearly between one end of the blade edge 411 and the other.
In the embodiment described above, the first movable blade drive motor 27A of the cutting device 1 moves the first movable blade 42, and the second movable blade drive motor 27B of the cutting device 1 moves the second movable blade 52. However, the single first movable blade drive motor 27A may be configured to move both the first movable blade 42 and second movable blade 52.
In the embodiment described above, the tape 9 is configured by affixing the adhesive tape 92 to the printing base material 91 after the printing base material 91 has been printed. However, the adhesive tape 92 may be omitted from the tape 9. In this case, the printing base material 91 corresponds to the “target” of the present disclosure. The printing base material 91 may have a strip-like base material, and an adhesive layer provided on the base material. In this case, a release paper that can be peeled off the adhesive layer may be applied to the adhesive layer. The printing device 100 may also employ thermal paper, tubes, or the like as the cutting medium (target to be cut) and the printing medium.
When the cover 3 is in the closed position in the embodiment described above, only the entry opening 12 and tape-insertion opening 13 are covered, while the discharge opening 11 remains exposed. However, the cover 3 may also cover the discharge opening 11 when in the closed position while one or both of the entry opening 12 and tape-insertion opening 13 may be uncovered. Alternatively, the cover 3 may be omitted from the printing device 100. In this case, the user can easily visualize when the movable blade 34 is in an abnormal position. What is claimed is:
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2019-046192 | Mar 2019 | JP | national |