JP2001239494A - Paper cutter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a generation of powders or slips of paper by cutting a sheet of paper smoothly without tearing off uncut remaining parts during full cutting for cutting the uncut remaining parts at partial cutting. SOLUTION: This paper cutter is equipped with a plate shaped fixed blade 10, a movable blade 20, and a driving means 40 for driving the movable blade 20 reciprocally. The movable blade is provided with a pair of right and left main blades 23 at an end side of a forward direction. A recessed part 24 for forming the uncut remaining parts on a sheet of paper to be partial cutting state is formed between the main blades 23. A sub blade 25 is formed behind the recessed part 24. Thus, the uncut remaining parts at partial cutting can be cut by the sub blade 25 during full cutting.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper cutter provided in a small-sized printer or the like and for cutting a sheet stored in a roll into an arbitrary length.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are various types of paper cutters of this type, depending on the shape and operating form of the blade. However, a plate-shaped fixed blade and a movable blade are opposed to each other across a paper transport path, and the movable blade is movable. There is widely provided a push-to-cut type in which a sheet is reciprocated toward a fixed blade side, and at the time of the forward movement, a sheet sandwiched between both blades is cut. As shown in FIG. 10A, the movable blade of the push-cut type paper cutter is a symmetrical V-shaped protruding forward (fixed blade direction, upward in FIG. 10A) from the center toward both ends. In general, a blade 60 is formed in a letter shape, and a concave portion 61 that retracts rearward is formed at the center thereof. The concave portion 61 has the left and right blades 60.
Although it is required as a grinding allowance when forming a sheet, the concave portion 61 enables partial cut in which the sheet S is left uncut and connected to the subsequent sheet.
FIG. 10A shows a partial cut state.

[0003]

In the push-cut type paper cutter, in addition to the partial cut, FIG.
As shown in (2), a full cut for cutting the entire width of the sheet S by passing the recess 61 through the sheet S is also performed. However, since the edge of the concave portion 61 is not formed as a blade, a portion through which the concave portion 61 passes is torn rather than cut, resulting in a broken state. The term “blade” as used herein refers to a portion in which a plate-shaped metal processed by punching or the like is subjected to grinding or the like to form sharp corners. Further, it is desirable that this blade is formed in a linear shape having an inclination with respect to the moving direction of the movable blade. For this reason, paper dust or a piece of paper is likely to be generated, which may adversely affect peripheral components. For example, if the paper transport state is configured to detect a jam or the like by detecting the optical sensor disposed on the transport path, a piece of paper obstructs the optical path of the optical sensor,
It will cause malfunction.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a paper which can perform partial cut and full cut, and at the time of full cut, the paper is cut smoothly to prevent the generation of paper dust and paper chips, thereby ensuring normal operation. It is intended to provide a cutter.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a plate-shaped fixed blade is opposed to the fixed blade with a sheet conveying path interposed therebetween, and reciprocates from a home position, which is a position facing the fixed blade, toward the fixed blade. It comprises a freely movable plate-shaped movable blade, and a driving means for reciprocatingly driving the movable blade, and when the movable blade moves forward, a sheet existing in the paper transport path is sandwiched between the movable blade and the fixed blade. A push-cut type paper cutter for cutting,
The movable blade has a pair of left and right main blades on the tip side in the forward movement direction,
Between these main blades, there is formed a retreating portion which retreats backward in the forward direction to form an uncut portion on the sheet, and further, a sub-blade is formed at least at an edge of the retreating portion facing the fixed blade. The moving stroke of the movable blade is divided into two stages: a partial cut that cuts the paper with only the main blade to form an uncut portion on the paper, and a full cut that cuts the entire width of the paper with the main blade and sub-blade. It is characterized by being set.

According to the present invention, the sheet is cut by the main blade at the time of the partial cut, and the uncut portion remains because the retracting portion does not pass through the sheet. At the time of the full cut, the movable blade further moves forward from the partial cut state, and the retreating portion passes through a portion that becomes an uncut portion, and at this time, the paper is cut by the sub blade. Therefore, the paper is not torn at the time of the full cut, and no paper dust and paper chips are generated. As a result, normal operation is guaranteed without adversely affecting peripheral components.

In the present invention, it is preferable that a pair of left and right edges extending parallel to the reciprocating direction of the movable blade and constituting a part of the retreating portion is interposed between the main blade and the auxiliary blade. It has a form. According to this configuration, the width of the uncut portion after the partial cut corresponds to the distance between the left and right edges. Since the left and right edges are parallel to each other and have a certain distance, the width of the uncut portion must always be constant even if an error occurs in the stroke end of the movable blade during partial cutting. Can be. In other words, the precision of the mechanism for reciprocating the movable blade can be set relatively rough, which is advantageous in manufacturing.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a small printer will be described below with reference to the drawings. (1) First Embodiment A. Configuration of Printer FIG. 1, the sheet cutter according to the first embodiment (hereinafter, simply referred to as cutter) control block diagram of the printer 1 has been applied. The printer operation (printing, paper transport, and paper cutting) of the printer is controlled by a control unit 2 including a CPU 2a which is a microcontroller having various peripheral functions, an interface 2b, a ROM 2c, and a RAM 2d. Interface 2b
Is an input / output unit for the host computer 3. The ROM 2c stores control programs and fixed data, and the RAM 2d stores print data and the like as needed. These interfaces 2b, ROM2
c and the RAM 2d are connected to the CPU 2a.
The CPU 2a performs various controls according to a program stored in the ROM 2c.

The CPU 2a supplies a thermal signal based on the print data to the print head 4, and further supplies an operation signal to the paper transport mechanism 5 and the cutter 1. The printer has a display unit 6 for displaying input / output data and errors.
The CPU 2a supplies a display signal to the display unit 6.

B. Next, the configuration of the cutter 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, the cutter 1 includes a fixed blade 10
And a movable blade 20 for cutting a sheet in cooperation with the fixed blade 10
And a movable blade unit 20A provided with a movable blade unit 20A.
The fixed blade 10 has a plate shape, and an edge facing the movable blade 20 is formed on the blade 11. The gap between the fixed blade 10 and the movable blade 20 is the paper transport path 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the movable blade unit 20A has a substantially T-shaped movable blade incorporated in the support plate 30 so as to be reciprocally movable in the front-rear direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2). And a leaf spring 31 for applying a cutting pressure to the movable blade 20. The support plate 30, the movable blade 20, and the leaf spring 31 are stacked in this order, and the support plate 30 is fixed to a predetermined portion of the printer with the movable blade 20 and the leaf spring 31 sandwiched between a cover (not shown) of the printer. You. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the movable blade 20 is at the home position where the movable blade 20 retreats most from the fixed blade 10.

The movable blade 20 has a plate-like shape in which a horizontally extending blade body 21 and a base 22 extending rearward from the center of the blade body 21 are integrally formed. 2
3 are formed. The main blades 23 protrude forward from the center toward both ends in order to realize smooth paper cutting, and the pair of main blades 23 form a symmetrical V-shape. A concave portion (retracted portion) retracted rearward at a central portion (V-shaped vertex) between the main blades 23.
24 are formed. With the concave portion 24, an uncut portion is formed in the sheet, and the cut sheet can be connected to the subsequent sheet.

As shown in FIG. 5, the inner edge of the recess 24 is formed in a symmetrical V-shape, and the V-shaped portion is formed with a blade 25 by grinding. Here, the blade is referred to as an auxiliary blade 25. Between the auxiliary blade 25 and the main blade 23,
A pair of left and right edges 26 extending parallel to the moving direction of the movable blade 20 is formed. The edge 26 is not formed on the blade, but may be formed on the blade.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fixed blade 1 is provided at both ends of the blade 21 even when the movable blade 20 is at the home position.
A guide piece 27 that rides on the vehicle 0 protrudes forward. Since the guide pieces 27 ride on the fixed blade 10 in advance, the blade body 21 smoothly overlaps the fixed blade 10. In addition, before and after the central portion in the width direction of the movable blade 20, there are elongated holes 70,
71 are formed. Guide holes 30a, 30b projecting from the support plate 30 are provided in these long holes 70, 71, respectively.
Are inserted respectively. The movable blade 20 has a long hole 70.
The combination of the guide pin 30a and the elongated hole 71 / guide pin 30b guides reciprocation in the front-rear direction.

A rack 32 is fixed to the lower surface of the base 22 of the movable blade 20 to be engaged with a pinion 47 of a movable blade driving means 40 described later. The rack 32 extends in the front-rear direction, and has holes (not shown) formed in the support plate 30.
Penetrates downward. The hole of the support plate 30 through which the rack 32 penetrates has a length that does not interfere with the rack 32 and hinder the reciprocation of the movable blade 20.

The leaf spring 31 includes a main blade 23 of the movable blade 20.
And the movable blade 20 is pressed against the support plate 30 so that the auxiliary blade 25 slides on the fixed blade 10 with appropriate pressure. The movable blade 20 traverses a portion extending from the blade body 21 to the base 22, and both ends are supported by the support plate 30. It is fixed to.
The spring force of the leaf spring 31 does not restrict the reciprocation of the movable blade 20.

The stroke of the movable blade 20 is divided into a partial cut in which the sheet is cut only by the main blade 23 to form an uncut portion in the sheet, and a full cut in which the entire width of the sheet is cut by the main blade 23 and the sub-blade 25. It is set in two stages. As shown in FIG. 3, the partial cutting position of the movable blade 20 is such that the main blade 23 slides on the fixed blade 10 and the concave portion 2
Reference numeral 4 denotes a state in which the sheet exists in the paper transport path 12, and the full cut position is a state in which the sub-blade 25 of the concave portion 24 slides on the fixed blade 10 further forward from the partial cut position as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the support plate 30 includes a home position detector (hereinafter abbreviated as HP detector) SW1 for detecting whether the movable blade 20 is located at the home position, and a movable plate. Partial cut position detector (hereinafter abbreviated as PP detector) SW for detecting that the blade 20 has reached the partial cut position
2 are provided. These detectors SW1, SW2
Is composed of a contact-type switch. HP detector S
When the movable blade 20 is located at the home position, the rear end of the base 22 contacts W1 and the switch W1 is turned on. When the movable blade 20 is located at the partial cut position, the PP detector SW2 is turned on by the contact of the bulging portion 22a formed on the base 22. The ON / OFF signals of the detectors SW1 and SW2 are supplied to the CPU 2a of the control unit 2 described above.

Next, the movable blade driving means 40 for reciprocating the movable blade 20 will be described with reference to FIG. This driving means 4
The drive source of 0 is a motor 41.
A worm gear 44 composed of a worm 42 and a worm wheel 43 is connected. Worm wheel 43
Is a two-stage gear having a large gear 43a and a small gear 43b, and the large gear 43a meshes with the worm.
Reference numeral 45 denotes a transmission shaft having a gear 46 at one end and a pinion 47 at the other end. The gear 46 of the transmission shaft 45 meshes with the small gear 43b of the worm wheel 43, and the pinion 47 meshes with the rack 32. .

According to the driving means 40, the power of the motor 41 is transmitted to the transmission shaft 45 via the worm gear 44, and the pinion 47 is rotated, whereby the rack 32 is rotated.
The movable blade 20 is reciprocated via. Here, the rotation direction of the motor 41 is defined as forward rotation when the movable blade 20 moves forward (forward movement), and reverse rotation when the movable blade 20 moves backward (reverse movement).

C. Operation of Cutter Next, the operation of the cutter 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. C-1. Initial setting The movable blade 20 of the movable blade unit 20A is initialized as follows when the power is turned on. In step S1 of FIG. 6, it is determined whether the movable blade 20 is at the home position. That is, when the HP detector SW1 is ON (Yes), it is determined that the movable blade 20 is at the home position, and the process proceeds to step S2 to wait for a paper cutting command. On the other hand, if the HP detector SW1 is OFF in step S1 (No), the process proceeds to step S3, in which the motor 41 rotates in the reverse direction and the movable blade 20 moves backward. When the HP detector SW1 is turned on in the next step S4, it is determined that the movable blade 20 has returned to the home position (Yes), and the process proceeds to step S5 to stop the motor 41.

On the other hand, if the HP detector SW1 is not turned on in step S4 (No), the process proceeds to step S6,
It is determined whether S seconds (for example, 1 second) have elapsed since the motor 41 was rotated in the reverse direction. When S seconds have not elapsed (No), the process returns to step S4, and when S seconds have elapsed (Yes), step S4 is performed.
Proceeding to 7, the motor 41 stops, and an error is displayed on the display unit 6 in step S8. Thereby, the movable blade 2
It is notified that 0 is an abnormal state that does not return to the home position.

When a paper cutting command is received in step S2 (Yes), the flow advances to step S9 to determine whether the content of the command is a partial cut or a full cut.
In the case of a partial cut (Yes), the process proceeds to step S10, and in the case of a full cut (No), the process proceeds to step S2 in FIG.
Proceed to 2.

C-2. Next , the operation of the movable blade 20 during the partial cut will be described with reference to FIG. In step S10, the motor 41 rotates forward, whereby the movable blade 20 moves forward. In the next step S11, it is determined whether or not the movable blade 20 has reached the partial cut position by ON / OFF of the PP detector SW2, and has reached the partial cut position (Y
es), the process proceeds to step S12 and the motor 4
1 stops, and the movable blade 20 stops at the partial cut position. That is, the paper is partially cut only by the main blade 23 of the movable blade 20, and an uncut portion is formed at the center.

In step S11, the PP detector SW2 is turned on.
If not (No), the process proceeds to step S13, and it is determined whether or not S seconds (for example, 1 second) have elapsed since the motor 41 rotated forward. If S seconds have not elapsed (No), the process returns to step S11. If S seconds have elapsed (Yes), step S11 is performed.
Proceeding to step S14, the motor 41 stops, and furthermore, step S1
In step 5, an error is displayed on the display unit 6. Thus, it is notified that the movable blade 20 is in an abnormal state in which the movable blade 20 has not reached the partial cut position.

After the partial cut of the paper is completed in step S12, the process proceeds to step S16, and the reverse rotation of the motor 41 is started. Next, at step S17, the movable blade 20 is turned on / off by the HP detector SW1.
Is determined to have returned to the home position. If it is determined that the pointer has returned to the home position (Yes), the process proceeds to step S18, where the motor 41 stops, and the partial cutting operation of the movable blade 20 ends.

On the other hand, in step S17, the HP detector SW1
Does not turn on (No), the process proceeds to step S19, and it is determined whether S seconds (for example, 1 second) have elapsed since the motor 41 was rotated in the reverse direction. If S seconds have not elapsed (No), the process returns to step S17. If S seconds have elapsed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S20, where the motor 41 is stopped, and an error is displayed on the display unit 6 in step S21. Thereby, it is notified that the movable blade 20 is in an abnormal state in which it does not reach the home position.

C-3. Full cutting Next, the operation of the movable blade 20 during a full cut with reference to FIG. If it is determined in step S9 shown in FIG. 6 that the content of the sheet cutting command is a full cut (No), the process proceeds to step S22 in FIG. 7 and the motor 41 rotates forward, thereby moving the movable blade 20 forward. . Next step S
At 23, the PP detector SW2 is once turned on from the off state
Is turned off again, it is determined whether or not the movable blade 20 has reached the full-cut position. If it is determined that the full-cut position has been reached (Yes), the process proceeds to step S24 to stop the motor 41. Then, the movable blade 20 stops at the full cut position. While the movable blade 20 reaches the full cut position, the paper is first moved to the movable blade 20.
Is cut by the main blade 23 so that the uncut portion remains,
Subsequently, the uncut portion is cut by the sub-blade 25.
That is, full cut is performed.

On the other hand, if No is determined in the step S23, the process proceeds to a step S25, in which it is determined whether or not S seconds (for example, 1 second) have elapsed since the motor 41 is normally rotated.
Unless S seconds have elapsed (No), the process returns to step S23, and S
After the lapse of seconds (Yes), the process proceeds to step S26 to stop the motor 41, and an error is displayed on the display unit 6 in step S27. Thus, it is notified that the movable blade 20 is in an abnormal state in which the movable blade 20 has not reached the full cut position.

When the full cut of the paper is completed in step S24, the process proceeds to step S28, and the reverse rotation of the motor 41 is started. Next, at step S29, H
It is determined whether or not the movable blade 20 has returned to the home position by ON / OFF of the P detector SW1, and if it is determined that the movable blade 20 has returned to the home position (Yes), step S30 is performed.
Then, the motor 41 stops, and the full cutting operation of the movable blade 20 ends.

On the other hand, in step S29, the HP detector SW1
Does not turn on (No), the process proceeds to step S31, and it is determined whether S seconds (for example, 1 second) have elapsed since the motor 41 was rotated in the reverse direction. If S seconds have not elapsed (No), the process returns to step S29. If S seconds have elapsed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S32, where the motor 41 stops, and an error is displayed on the display unit 6 in step S33. Thereby, it is notified that the movable blade 20 is in an abnormal state in which it does not reach the home position.

According to the above embodiment, the partial cut is performed by the main blade 23 of the movable blade 20, and the full cut is performed by cutting the uncut portion remaining in the partial cut by the sub-blade 25. That is, the uncut portion at the time of the full cut is also cut by the blade, that is, the sub-blade 25. Therefore, the uncut portion is not torn off during the full cut, and the uncut portion is cut smoothly. For this reason, paper dust and paper chips are not generated at full cut,
The adverse effects of the paper dust and paper fragments on peripheral components are prevented, and normal operation is assured.

The width of the uncut portion after the partial cut corresponds to the distance between the left and right edge portions 26 constituting the concave portion 24. Since these edges 26 are parallel in the reciprocating direction of the movable blade 20, even if an error occurs in the stroke end of the movable blade 20 during partial cutting, the width of the uncut portion is always constant. It can be. In other words, the accuracy of the movable blade driving means 40 for reciprocating the movable blade 20 can be set relatively rough, which is advantageous in manufacturing.

Next, referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a second embodiment and a third embodiment of the present invention in which the shape of the sub-blade 25 is changed.
An embodiment will be described. In these figures, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. (2) Second Embodiment-FIG. 8 As shown in FIG . 8, the inner edge of the concave portion (retracting portion) 24B of the movable blade 20 in the second embodiment is obliquely aligned with the left and right edge portions 26. It is formed in a shape. This oblique edge is formed on the sub-blade 50 by grinding. The sub-blade 50 extends rearward (downward in FIG. 8) from the left edge 26 to the right edge 26, and its angle is, for example, 85 to 60 with respect to the right edge 26. It is about ゜.

(3) Third Embodiment—FIG. 9 As shown in FIG . 9, in the third embodiment, the movable blade 2
0, a recess 24B similar to that of the second embodiment is formed.
Further, an oval hole 51 communicating with the concave portion 24B is formed on the right side of the concave portion 24B. Secondary blade 50 in this case
Extends rightward from the right edge 26.

According to the second and third embodiments, as in the first embodiment, the uncut portion in the partial cut is cut by the sub-blade 50 during the full cut, so that the paper dust or the like is reduced. The effect similar to that of the first embodiment is obtained in that the generation of paper fragments is prevented. In particular, the third
In the embodiment, since the concave portion 24B has the hole 51 continuous with the concave portion 24B, the length of the sub-blade 50 is extended over the entire area between the left and right edge portions 26 by setting the grinding allowance of the sub-blade 50 on the hole 51 side. There is an advantage that it is easy to form. When the movable blade 20 is formed by punching, as shown in FIG.
With only the concave portion 24B, the chipping of the punch is likely to occur at an acute angle portion (indicated by D in FIG. 8), but the acute angle is not required to be formed by forming the hole 51, which is advantageous in manufacturing.

[0037]

As described above, according to the paper cutter of the present invention, a partial cut and a full cut can be performed, and even at the time of the full cut, the paper is cut smoothly to generate paper dust and paper chips. Is prevented, and as a result, a normal operation is guaranteed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of a printer applied to a paper cutter according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a side view of the paper cutter according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which a movable blade is located at a home position, and FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the paper cutter according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which a movable blade is located at a partial cut position.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the paper cutter according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which a movable blade is located at a full-cut position.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a sub blade of the movable blade according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a partial cut of the paper cutter according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a full cut operation of the paper cutter according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a sub blade of a movable blade according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a sub blade of a movable blade according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10A is a plan view showing a state of a partial cut by a conventional paper cutter, and FIG. 10B is a plan view showing a state of a full cut by a conventional paper cutter.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Paper cutter, 10 ... Fixed blade, 12 ... Paper conveyance path,
Reference numeral 20: movable blade, 23: main blade, 24, 24B: concave portion (retracted portion), 25, 50: sub blade, 26: edge portion, 40: movable blade driving means.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A plate-shaped fixed blade, which is opposed to the fixed blade with a sheet conveyance path interposed therebetween, and is provided so as to be reciprocally movable from a home position, which is a facing position thereof, toward the fixed blade. A movable blade, and a drive means for reciprocatingly driving the movable blade. A push-cut type paper cutter for cutting the paper existing in the paper conveyance path between the movable blade and the fixed blade when the movable blade moves forward. The movable blade has a pair of left and right main blades on the distal end side in the forward movement direction, and a retracting unit that retracts rearward in the forward movement direction between these main blades to form an uncut portion on the sheet. Further, a sub-blade is formed at least at an edge of the retreating portion facing the fixed blade, and the forward stroke of the movable blade is such that the paper is cut only by the main blade and the uncut portion is left on the paper. Partial cut that forms the part, and the main blade and auxiliary blade Paper cutter, characterized in that it is set to 2 stages of the full cut for cutting the entire width of the paper Ri. 2. A pair of left and right edges which extend in parallel along the reciprocating direction of the movable blade and constitute a part of the retreating part are interposed between the main blade and the sub-blade. The paper cutter according to claim 1, wherein: