The present disclosure relates to a printer for printing on objects.
Printers for printing manicure colors or motifs on fingernails of hands of users using an ink jet method are known (see PTL 1, for example). The printer of this type includes a head having a nozzle face which ejects ink to a fingernail, and a driving mechanism which moves the head in a first direction and a second direction approximately orthogonal to the first direction.
Such a printer is configured to cap the nozzle face with a nozzle cap to prevent clogging caused by drying of the nozzle face when the head is in a standby position.
[PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-59579
The printer described above is carried to a variety of places in a house for use, for example. However, vibration when the printer is being carried may unexpectedly move the head in the first direction and the second direction with respect to the nozzle cap, so that the nozzle cap may be removed from the nozzle face.
The present disclosure has been made to solve such a problem above, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a printer which ensures capping of a nozzle face of a head with a nozzle cap.
To solve the above object, the printer according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a printer for printing on an object, the printer including: a head including a nozzle face which ejects ink toward the object; a driving mechanism which moves the head in a first direction and a second direction approximately orthogonal to the first direction; a nozzle cap movable between a first position where the nozzle face is capped and a second position where the nozzle face is uncapped; and a lock mechanism which regulates movement of the head in the first direction and the second direction in a state where the nozzle cap is in the first position.
According to this aspect, the lock mechanism regulates the movement of the head in the first direction and the second direction in the state where the nozzle cap is in the first position. Thus, for example, even if any vibration is applied to the printer when the printer is being carried, the head can be prevented from unexpected movement in the first direction and the second direction with respect to the nozzle cap. As a result, removal of the nozzle cap from the nozzle face of the head can be prevented, ensuring capping of the nozzle face of the head with the nozzle cap.
For example, in the printer according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the driving mechanism may be configured to include a driving source; a worm gear rotatable by the driving source; a worm wheel engaged with the worm gear; and a drive conversion mechanism which converts rotation of the worm wheel to movement of the head in the first direction. The lock mechanism may regulate the movement of the head in the first direction by utilizing a self-locking characteristic of the worm gear in the state where the nozzle cap is in the first position.
According to this aspect, because the lock mechanism regulates the movement of the head in the first direction by utilizing a self-locking characteristic of the worm gear in the state where the nozzle cap is in the first position, the driving mechanism can also serve as the lock mechanism. As a result, the number of parts of the printer can be reduced, resulting in a smaller printer.
For example, in the printer according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the printer may be configured to further include an interlocking mechanism which moves the nozzle cap from the second position to the first position in conjunction with movement of the head from one side to an other side in the first direction.
According to this aspect, the nozzle cap can be moved from the second position to the first position by the interlocking mechanism in conjunction with the movement of the head.
For example, in the printer according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the interlocking mechanism may be configured to include a first engaging part disposed in the head; a cap holder which holds the nozzle cap; and a second engaging part which is disposed in the cap holder and is engageable with the first engaging part. The first engaging part may be configured to engage with the second engaging part when the head moves from the one side to the other side in the first direction, causing the nozzle cap to move from the second position to the first position in conjunction with the movement of the head, and the lock mechanism may configured to regulate movement of the head in the second direction by utilizing engagement between the first engaging part and the second engaging part in the state where the nozzle cap is in the first position.
According to this aspect, because the lock mechanism regulates the movement of the head in the second direction by utilizing the engagement between the first engaging part and the second engaging part in the state where the nozzle cap is in the first position, the interlocking mechanism can also serve as the lock mechanism. As a result, the number of parts of the printer can be reduced, resulting in a smaller printer.
For example, in the printer according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the printer may be configured to further include a holding mechanism which holds the nozzle cap in a third position between the first position and the second position; and a wiper held by the cap holder. The head may move in the second direction with respect to the nozzle cap in the state where the nozzle cap is held in the third position, causing the wiper to wipe the nozzle face.
According to this aspect, because the holding mechanism holds the nozzle cap in the third position, the nozzle face of the head can be held in a position allowing wiping by the wiper.
For example, in the printer according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the holding mechanism may be configured to include an urging member which urges the nozzle cap from the first position toward the second position; a lever member rotatably held by the cap holder; and a nail member which is engageable with the lever member. When the head moves from the other side to the one side in the first direction in the state where the nozzle cap is in the first position, the nozzle cap may move from the first position toward the third position by an urging force from the urging member, the lever member swings to engage with the nail member, causing the nozzle cap to be held in the third position. When the head further moves from the other side to the one side in the first direction in the state where the nozzle cap is held in the third position, the lever member may swing to disengage from the nail member, allowing the urging force from the urging member to move the nozzle cap from the third position to the second position.
According to this aspect, the holding mechanism can be implemented with a relatively simple configuration.
The printer according to one aspect of the present disclosure can ensure capping of the nozzle face of the head with the nozzle cap.
Embodiments according to the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below all illustrate comprehensive or specific examples. Numeric values, shapes, materials, components, arrangements and positions of the components, and connection forms thereof shown in the following embodiments are exemplary, and should not be construed as limitations to the present disclosure. Moreover, among the components of the embodiments below, the components not described in an independent claim will be described as arbitrary components.
[1-1. Configuration of Printer]
First, the configuration of printer 2 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
Printer 2 can wirelessly communicate with an external terminal (not illustrated) such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The user can operate printer 2 using application software installed in the external terminal as an interface.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Nail 10 of finger 8 disposed inside housing 4 is captured by camera unit 19 disposed above finger holder 16 to face finger holder 16. Camera unit 19 includes wiring substrate 19a disposed above finger holder 16 to face finger holder 16, and image capturer 19b mounted on a bottom surface of wiring substrate 19a. Wiring substrate 19a is held by an inner cover (not illustrated) disposed inside housing 4, for example. Image capturer 19b directly captures an image of the top of the surface of nail 10 of finger 8 placed on finger holder 16, and captures an image of the side of the surface of nail 10 of finger 8 reflected on mirror surface 17a of mirror 17. The image data of nail 10 captured by image capturer 19b is wirelessly transmitted from printer 2 to the external terminal, and is displayed on a display screen of the external terminal. The user views the image data of nail 10 presented on the display screen of the external terminal to check the position of nail 10 on finger holder 16.
Printing unit 6 is a unit for performing manicure printing on nail 10 of finger 8 disposed inside housing 4. The printing method for printing unit 6 is an ink jet method of printing by spraying a mist of ink onto nail 10 of finger 8.
As illustrated in
Head 20 includes head holder 30 and ink head 31 mounted on head holder 30. Ink head 31 contains several color inks inside thereof. The bottom surface of head 20 includes nozzle face 32 (see
Driving mechanism 22 is a mechanism for two-dimensionally moving head 20 in a first direction (X-axis direction) and a second direction (Y-axis direction) approximately orthogonal to the first direction. A specific configuration of driving mechanism 22 will be described later.
Head maintaining mechanism 24 is a mechanism for maintaining nozzle face 32 of head 20. Head maintaining mechanism 24 is disposed on one side (on the plus side of the Y-axis) with respect to the central portion of the moving region of head 20 in the second direction, and is disposed below nozzle face 32 of head 20. Head maintaining mechanism 24 includes cap holder 34, nozzle cap 36, and wiper 38.
Cap holder 34 can move in a direction approaching to nozzle face 32 of head 20 and in a direction away from nozzle face 32. Nozzle cap 36 is a cap for capping (sealing) nozzle face 32 of head 20 in a standby position (described later), and is held by cap holder 34. Wiper 38 is a wiper blade for wiping (cleaning) nozzle face 32 of head 20, and is held by cap holder 34. Wiper 38 is made of a rubber or elastomer resin having flexibility, for example.
Interlocking mechanism 26 is a mechanism for moving nozzle cap 36 held by cap holder 34 in the direction approaching to nozzle face 32 of head 20 in conjunction with the movement of head 20 from one side to the other side of the first direction (from the minus side to the plus side of the X-axis). A specific configuration of interlocking mechanism 26 will be described later.
Lock mechanism 28 is a mechanism for regulating the movement of head 20 in the first direction and the second direction in the state where nozzle face 32 of head 20 is capped with nozzle cap 36. A specific configuration of lock mechanism 28 will be described later.
[1-2. Configuration of Driving Mechanism]
Next, the configuration of driving mechanism 22 will be described with reference to
Driving mechanism 22 includes X-axis driving mechanism 22a for moving head 20 in the first direction, and Y-axis driving mechanism 22b for moving head 20 in the second direction.
As illustrated in
Y-axis guide shaft 42 is held by movable table 40 disposed inside housing 4, and extends in the second direction in an elongated form. Head 20 is movably held by Y-axis guide shaft 42. Y-axis motor 44 is configured with a servomotor, for example, and is held by the bottom surface of movable table 40.
The driving force of Y-axis motor 44 is transmitted through timing belt 46 to head 20. As a result, head 20 reciprocally moves-on movable table 40 along Y-axis guide shaft 42 in the second direction.
As illustrated in
X-axis guide shaft 50 is held by support plate 59 disposed inside housing 4, and extends in the first direction in an elongated form. Bearing member 48 fixed to the bottom surface of movable table 40 is movably held by X-axis guide shaft 50. In other words, movable table 40 is movably held by X-axis guide shaft 50 through bearing member 48. X-axis motor 52 is configured with a servomotor, for example, and is held by support plate 59. Worm gear 54 is rotatably held by the driving shaft of X-axis motor 52. Worm wheel 56 is rotatably held by support plate 59, and is engaged with worm gear 54.
Drive conversion mechanism 58 is a mechanism for converting the rotation of worm wheel 56 to linear movement of head 20 in the first direction. Drive conversion mechanism 58 includes pinion gear 60 disposed in worm wheel 56, and rack gear 62 disposed in bearing member 48. Pinion gear 60 and rack gear 62 are engaged with each other.
The driving force of X-axis motor 52 is transmitted through worm gear 54, worm wheel 56, pinion gear 60, and rack gear 62 to movable table 40. As a result, head 20 reciprocally moves together with movable table 40 along X-axis guide shaft 50 in the first direction.
Nail 10 of finger 8 is printed by ejecting the ink from nozzle face 32 of head 20 toward nail 10 of finger 8 in the state where head 20 is moving from the other side to one side of the first direction (from the plus side to the minus side of the X-axis) while reciprocally moving in the second direction.
After the printing is completed, head 20 moves from the current location to the other side to one side of the first direction (from the plus side to the minus side of the X-axis), moves from the other side to one side of the second direction (from the minus side to the plus side of Y-axis), and once stops at the position (hereinafter, referred to as “relay position”) illustrated in
[1-3. Configuration of Interlocking Mechanism]
Next, the configuration of interlocking mechanism 26 will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Next, the operation of interlocking mechanism 26 will be described with reference to
Head 20 moves from the relay position toward the standby position (from one side to the other side of the first direction), and reaches a position between the relay position and the standby position (hereinafter, referred to as “intermediate position”). At this timing, second engaging part 70 is engaged with first wall 64a of first engaging part 64.
As illustrated in
For example, when head 20 moves from the standby position to the relay position at the start of printing, first wall 64a of first engaging part 64 disengages from second engaging part 70. Thereby, nozzle cap 36 moves from the first position to the second position by the urging force from urging member 68.
[1-4. Configuration of Lock Mechanism]
Next, the configuration of lock mechanism 28 will be described.
First, the function of lock mechanism 28 to regulate the movement of head 20 in the first direction will be described with reference to
Specifically, the lead helix angle of worm gear 54 is set to be less than or equal to the angle of friction. For this reason, in the state where the rotations of worm gear 54 and worm wheel 56 are stopped, the frictional resistance generated on the surfaces of the engaging teeth of worm gear 54 prevents worm gear 54 from being rotated from worm wheel 56 side, that is, a so-called self-locking acts. In other words, in the state where the driving of X-axis motor 52 is stopped, the rotation of worm gear 54 is self-locked even if an external force in the first direction is applied to head 20. Thus, head 20 is held in the standby position.
As described above, by utilizing such a self-locking characteristic of worm gear 54, lock mechanism 28 regulates the movement of head 20 in the first direction in the state where nozzle cap 36 is in the first position.
Next, the function of lock mechanism 28 to regulate the movement of head 20 in the second direction will be described with reference to
Specifically, second wall 64b of first engaging part 64 is engaged with second engaging part 70 in the state where head 20 is in the standby position. For this reason, head 20 is held in the standby position even if an external force from one side to the other side of the second direction (from the minus side to the plus side of the Y-axis) is applied to head 20.
As described above, by utilizing the engagement between first engaging part 64 and second engaging part 70, lock mechanism 28 regulates the movement of head 20 in the second direction in the state where nozzle cap 36 is in the first position.
[1-5. Effects]
As described above, lock mechanism 28 regulates the movement of head 20 in the first direction and the second direction in the state where nozzle cap 36 is in the first position. Thus, for example, even if any vibration is applied to printer 2 when printer 2 is being carried, head 20 can be prevented from unexpected movement in the first direction and the second direction with respect to nozzle cap 36. As a result, removal of nozzle cap 36 from nozzle face 32 of head 20 can be prevented, further ensuring capping of nozzle face 32 of head 20 with nozzle cap 36.
[2-1. Configuration of Printer]
The configuration of printer 2A according to Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
Lever member 78 is formed into a shape of an elongated plate. One end of lever member 78 in the longitudinal direction is rotatably held by rotary shaft 82 disposed on one of the lateral surfaces of cap holder 34. Lever member 78 extends from rotary shaft 82 to the other side of the first direction (the plus side of the X-axis). In other words, lever member 78 can swing around rotary shaft 82 vertically (within an X-Z plane). One lateral surface of lever member 78 in the lateral direction (the lateral surface facing head 20) includes cut-off portion 84 extending in the longitudinal direction of lever member 78.
One end of urging member 68A is held by one end of lever member 78, and the other end of urging member 68A is held by support plate 59.
Nail member 80 is disposed at the upper end of support wall 86 erected from the top surface of support plate 59. Nail member 80 is engageable with one end 84a (the end close to rotary shaft 82) of cut-off portion 84 of lever member 78 and the other end 84b (the end remote from rotary shaft 82) thereof.
[2-2. Operation of Holding Mechanism]
Next, the operation of holding mechanism 76 will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
For example, when head 20 moves from the other side to one side in the first direction (from the plus side to the minus side of the X-axis) in the first direction at the start of printing in the state where nozzle cap 36 is in the first position, nozzle cap 36 moves from the first position toward the third position by the urging force from urging member 68A, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
After the wiping is completed, head 20 moves in the second direction, and returns to the position illustrated in
In the state where nozzle cap 36 is in the second position, nozzle face 32 of head 20 is held in a position not allowing wiping by wiper 38. For this reason, the tip of wiper 38 is not in contact with nozzle face 32 of head 20 when head 20 reciprocally moves in the second direction with respect to nozzle cap 36 in the state where nozzle cap 36 is in the second position.
[2-3. Effects]
As described above, because holding mechanism 76 holds nozzle cap 36 in the third position, nozzle face 32 of head 20 can be held in a position allowing wiping by wiper 38.
[Modifications]
The printers according to Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present disclosure have been described above, but these embodiments should not be construed as limitations to the present disclosure. For example, the embodiments above may be combined.
Although printing is performed on nail 10 of finger 8 of the hand of the user by printer 2 (2A) in the embodiments above, printing may be performed on any other objects such as a golf ball.
The present disclosure can be used as a printer for performing manicure printing on fingernails of hands of a user.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP2019/021249 | 5/29/2019 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2020/110352 | 6/4/2020 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
7708374 | Ha | May 2010 | B2 |
8752956 | Bitoh | Jun 2014 | B2 |
20130019799 | Bitoh | Jan 2013 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2002-187287 | Jul 2002 | JP |
2006-130666 | May 2006 | JP |
2011-214792 | Oct 2011 | JP |
2012-250396 | Dec 2012 | JP |
2013-59579 | Apr 2013 | JP |
2014-40020 | Mar 2014 | JP |
2016-169999 | Sep 2016 | JP |
2018-153940 | Oct 2018 | JP |
Entry |
---|
International Search Report (ISR) dated Aug. 20, 2019 in International (PCT) Application No. PCT/JP2019/021249. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20210235841 A1 | Aug 2021 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62773520 | Nov 2018 | US |