JPH0126478Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention relates to a roll-type plotter that is installed in a computer terminal device and can draw characters, figures, graphs, etc. in multiple colors using different colored pens.

The purpose of the present invention is to make the shape of the pen return spring functional, which is a plate spring-like shape, to urge the plurality of pens held in the pen holder on the pen cartridge away from the platen, that is, to the initial position of extrusion by the hammer. To provide a pen holding mechanism for a roll-type plotter capable of pushing back a plurality of pens over a long stroke using a pen return spring.

The present invention provides a pen holder with a pen return spring in the form of a leaf spring, forms an arm extending circumferentially around the pen return spring, and forms a support portion that engages with the pen at the tip of this arm. A feature of this pen is that the elastic force of this arm biases the pen in the direction away from the platen.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of a roll plotter. First, the general structure and operation of this roll type plotter will be explained.

Reference numeral 1 in the figure is the base. A front plate 2 is provided at the front of the base 1. The front plate 2 is formed by bending the front end of the base 1 upward at a right angle (see FIG. 4). Further, a left side plate 3 and a right side plate 4 are fixedly provided on the base 1, and a guide plate 5 is arranged at a rear position between the both side plates 3 and 4.

A platen 6 is rotatably supported at the upper center of both side plates 3 and 4. The right end of the shaft 7 of the platen 6 protrudes to the outside of the right side plate 4, and a gear 8 is fixed to the tip thereof. Similarly, a stepping motor 9 is provided on the outside of the right side plate 4.
A pinion (not shown) fixed to the rotating shaft of the stepping motor 9 meshes with the gear 8. By the forward and reverse rotation of the stepping motor 9,
The platen 6 is designed to be able to rotate in both directions. The recording paper is moved from the direction of the guide plate 5 to the platen 6.
It is supplied to the lower side and projected in the direction of arrow Xa along the curved guide plate 10 that covers the lower side of the platen 6. The recording paper is pressed against the platen 6 by rollers 12 provided on both sides of the lower shaft 11 facing the platen 6 and rollers 14 provided on both sides of the upper shaft 13. Further, a paper pressing roller 15 in the shape of a bead is provided at an inner position of the upper shaft 13. When the recording paper is set so as to be wrapped around the front surface of the platen 6 by these rollers, and the stepping motor 9 is rotated in the forward and reverse directions, the recording paper is sent out in the direction of arrows Xa-Xb. A lever 16a is rotatably provided on the outside of the left side plate 3, and a lever 16b is rotatably provided on the outside of the right side plate 4. A detailed explanation of the mechanism will be omitted, but when the levers 16a and 16b are pushed forward (in the direction of the arrow in the figure), the rollers 12, 14, 15 and the platen 6 are separated from each other, allowing recording paper to be loaded. .
Furthermore, two rows of metal teeth 17a and 17b are provided along the circumferential surface of the platen 6, and one row of metal teeth 17c is provided at the other end. There is. When the recording paper is wound around the platen 6, both ends of the paper are exposed to the teeth 17a, 17.
b, 17c. Then,
When the platen 6 rotates, the recording paper does not slip between the recording paper and the platen 6, and the recording paper is securely aligned with the arrow.
It will now be sent in the Xa-Xb direction. Also,
Sprockets 18a, 18b are provided on both sides of the teeth 17a, 17b, and 17c so as to rotate together with the platen 6. When using recording paper that has feeding holes at both ends, the feeding holes can be engaged with the protrusions of the sprockets 18a and 18b. Therefore, even when this type of recording paper is used, slipping on the surface of the platen 6 can be prevented.

A paint cartridge 20 is provided in front of the platen 6. This paint cartridge 20 is guided by a guide piece 2a bent and formed on the upper part of the front plate 2 along a shaft 21 installed between the left side plate 3 and the right side plate 4, and is guided by the arrow Ya-Yb. It is now possible to move in any direction. Carriage 20
is adapted to be driven by a wire 22. That is, wires 22 are connected to both sides of the carriage 20, and these wires 22 are connected to upper and lower pulleys 23a and 2 installed on the outside of the left side plate 3.
3b, and is further wound around a drive pulley 24 provided on the outside of the left side plate 3. on the other hand,
A pulley similar to pulleys 23a and 23b is also provided on the outside of the right side plate 4, and the wire 22 is also hung on this pulley. A gear 25 is integrated into the drive pulley 24, and a pinion 26 is attached to this gear 25.
are interlocking. The pinion 26 is connected to the guide plate 5
This is fixed to the rotating shaft of a stepping motor 27 (only a portion of which is shown) located below the motor. By rotating the stepping motor 27 in the forward and reverse directions, the drive pulley 24 rotates, and the paint cartridge 20 is pulled by the wire 22 and moved along the arrow Ya.
It is now moving in the Yb direction. Four oil-based or water-based pens P of different colors are held on the paint cartridge 20 (only one is shown in FIG. 1). A pen switching mechanism, which will be described later, allows a pen P of a predetermined color to be positioned at the top of the pen cartridge 20.

When performing a recording operation, the stepping motor 9 is rotated forward and backward to feed the recording paper wound around the platen 6 in the direction of arrows Xa-Xb, and the other stepping motor 27 is rotated forward and backward to move the paint cartridge 20 in the direction of arrow Ya-Xb. Move in the Yb direction.
Then, if necessary, the pen P is brought into pressure contact with the recording paper to draw a predetermined figure or character.

Next, the structure of the paint cartridge 20 will be explained in detail with reference to FIG. 2 and subsequent drawings.

2 is an assembled perspective view of the paint cartridge 20, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the paint cartridge 20, FIG. 5A to 6C are operation diagrams of the pen switching mechanism, FIGS. 7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams of the pen return spring, and FIGS. 9 and 10 are operation diagrams of the hammer mechanism.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, reference numeral 31 indicates a carriage base. A sleeve 32 is attached to the lower part of the carriage base 31. This sleeve 32 is in sliding contact with the outer surface of the shaft 21, so that the carriage base 31 can move in the direction of arrows Ya-Yb. Furthermore, a slit 31a is formed on the front side of the carriage base 31. While the carriage base 31 moves in the direction of arrows Ya-Yb, the slit 31a remains engaged with the guide piece 2a at the upper end of the front plate 2 from beginning to end (see FIG. 1). Since this guide piece 2a is inserted into the slit 31a, rotation of the carriage base 31 with respect to the shaft 21 is prevented, and the facing angle of the pen P loaded on the carriage base 31 with respect to the platen 6 is kept constant ( In the example shown in the figure, it can be maintained in a horizontal position.

A shaft 33 is attached to the carriage base 31. One end of the shaft 33 is supported by a support hole 31b (indicated by a broken line) formed in the carriage base 31, and the other end is supported by a support plate 35 via a sleeve 34. This support plate 35
The lower end of is fixed to the end surface 31c of the carriage base 31 by a fixing screw 36. Both ends 33a and 33b of the shaft are formed into an oval shape in cross section. A pen holder 37 is inserted into one end 33a, and a pen holder 38 is inserted into the other end 33b.
38 can rotate integrally via the shaft 33. Around the pen holder 37 are recesses 37a, 37b, 37 for holding the pen P.
c, 37d are formed, and recesses 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d are also formed around the pen holder 38. These recesses 37a, 38a, 37
b and 38b, 37c and 38c, and 37d and 38d are located on the same axis, and the pair of pen holders 37 and 38 can hold four pens P. The pens P held therein are of different colors such as red, blue, black, and green.

The configuration of the pen switching mechanism that selects the color-specific pen P and moves it to the writing position on the recording paper will be described below.

A ratchet 41 is attached to the end 33a of the shaft 33. This ratchet 41 rotates together with the pen holders 37 and 38 via the shaft 33. A stopper 42 is pressed against one side of the ratchet 41 (see FIG. 5B). This stopper 42 is a plate spring, and is fixed to the female screw hole 31d of the carriage base 31 by a fixing screw 43. Due to the presence of this stopper 42, the ratchet 41, shaft 33, and pen holders 37 and 38 are
It can be rotated clockwise in Figure B, and counterclockwise rotation is prevented. A pawl plate 44 is adapted to engage with the other side of the ratchet 41. Female screw holes 44a and 44b are formed in the claw plate 44, and pins 45 and 46 inserted into the elongated holes 31e and 31f of the carriage base 31 are inserted into the female screw holes 44a and 44b.
is screwed on. The claw plate 44 is attached to this elongated hole 31.
It is designed to be able to slide up and down along lines e and 31f. Further, a spring 48 is hung between the pin 47 fixed to the carriage base 31 and the pin 45, and the claw plate 44 is pulled downward in the drawing by the elastic force of the spring 48. On the other hand, a cam 49 is provided on the lower surface of the carriage base 31. This cam 49 has an oval hole 49a.
The shaft 21 is inserted into the sleeve 32 on the lower surface of the carriage base 31.
passes through this oval hole 49a. The shaft 21 also has an oval cross-section, and the cam 49 can rotate together with the shaft 21. The tip 49b of the cam 49 is connected to the claw plate 44.
It is designed to come into contact with the lower end surface of. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the right end of the shaft 21 projects outward from a hole 4a formed in the right side plate 4, and a lever 50 is attached to the tip thereof.
That is, the bent portion 50a of the lever 50 is brought into contact with the right side surface of the shaft 21a, and the mounting screw 51 is
Accordingly, the bent portion 50a is screwed into the female threaded hole 21a of the shaft 21 and fixed. On the other hand, a solenoid mounting plate 1a is formed on the front right side of the base 1. This solenoid mounting plate 1
A is formed by bending a part of the base 1 upward. And this solenoid mounting plate 1a
A solenoid 52 is attached by a mounting screw 53. The solenoid 52 is equipped with a downward plunger 52a, and the lower end of the plunger 52a is connected to the lever 52 by a pin 52b.
0 support hole 50b. Further, an eccentric stopper 54 is attached to the outside of the right side plate 4. The end of the lever 50 is adapted to abut against this eccentric stopper 54. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 6A, the lever 50
A spring 55 is hung on the tip of the lever 50 , and the elastic force of the spring 55 urges the lever 50 in the direction of contacting the eccentric stopper 54 .

5A to 5C show a state in which the solenoid 52 is de-energized. At this time, the lever 50 is brought into contact with the eccentric stopper 54 due to the force of the spring 55. Therefore, the shaft 21 is not rotating, and the tip of the cam 49 integrated with the shaft 21 is downward as shown in FIG. 5C, and the claw plate 44 is pulled down by the spring 48. are doing. The positional relationship between the pawl plate 44 and the ratchet 41 at this time is shown in FIG. 5B. Also, Figure 6A~
FIG. 6C shows a state in which the solenoid 52 is energized. The plunger 52a is pulled upward, and the shaft 21 rotates counterclockwise by a certain angle as shown in FIG. 6A. At this time, the cam 49 also rotates together with the shaft 21, and the tip 49b of the cam 49 pushes the claw plate 44 upward. At this time, the claw plate 44 rises to the state shown in FIG. 6B. moreover,
When the power to the solenoid 52 is cut off, the lever 50 and the shaft 21 return to the state shown in FIG. 5A due to the elastic force of the spring 55, and the pawl plate 44 also descends to the state shown in FIG. 5B due to the force of the spring 48. By repeating the on/off of energization to the solenoid 52, the pawl plate 44 rotates the ratchet 41 in the clockwise direction in the figure. Therefore, the pen holders 37, 38 and the pen P held therein are also attached to the shaft 33.
Rotate using the fulcrum as a fulcrum.

On the other hand, an elongated hole 31g is formed in the center of the carriage base 31, and a stabilizing stopper 56 is installed inside the elongated hole 31g (see FIG. 3).
A support hole 56a is bored in this stable stopper 56, and a support pin 57 inserted into the carriage base 31 is inserted into this support hole 56a, so that the stable stopper 56 rotates about the support pin 57 as a fulcrum. It's getting old. A leaf spring 58 is fixed to the lower surface of the carriage base 31 by a screw 59, and the stable stopper 56 is biased downward by the leaf spring 58. As described above, the pawl plate 44 rotates the ratchet 41 and the pen holders 37 and 38 by turning on and off the energization to the solenoid 52 provided on the outside of the right side plate 4. When one of the pens P on the book reaches the lowest position, this pen P
The center lower surface of the stabilizing stopper 56 has a recess 56 on the upper surface
b, and is stabilized in that position. That is, the pen holders 37 and 38 are held in a state in which the pen P is located vertically and horizontally (Fig. 5B,
It has become stable in the state shown in Figure C). 4
Among the pens P of the book, the one located at the top is
Writing is performed on the recording paper wrapped around the platen 6.

Next, the configuration of the hammer drive mechanism for bringing the pen P located at the top into pressure contact with the recording paper wound around the platen 6 will be explained.

In this roll-type plotter, the hammer drive mechanism is mounted on the paint cartridge 20, and together with the paint cartridge 20, the hammer drive mechanism is mounted in the arrow Ya-Yb direction (the first
(see figure).

Solenoid 61 that serves as the drive source for the hammer drive mechanism
is provided at the lower left side of the carriage base 31. That is, an L-shaped solenoid mounting plate 31h is integrally formed at the lower left side of the carriage base 31. A sheet metal holder 61a is fixed to the lower side of the solenoid mounting plate 31h with screws. A fixed iron core 61b is fixed to the holder 61a, and a coil bobbin 61c is attached thereto. A movable iron core 61 is located in front of the coil bobbin 61c.
d is provided. The movable iron core 61d is designed to be attracted to the fixed iron core 61b between the coil bobbin 61c and the holder 31h of the carriage base 31 without falling off.
A support hole 61e is bored in the right side of the holder 61a, and a shaft 62 is inserted into the support hole 61e (shown on the upper right side of FIG. 3).
This shaft 62 is inserted into the support hole 61e and also into the support holes 31i and 31j on the carriage base 31.
The shaft 62 is formed into an oval shape in cross section, and its lower end fits into an oval hole 63a of an actuator 63 provided on the side of the holder 61a. Therefore, the actuator 63
can rotate integrally with the shaft 62. Further, the actuator 63 can move toward and away from the coil bobbin 61c together with the movable iron core 61d, and by the return spring 64,
It is urged in a direction away from the coil bobbin 61c. Furthermore, a hammer 6 is provided at the upper end of the shaft 62.
5 is provided. This hammer 65 has an oval-shaped hole 65a, into which the upper end of the shaft 62 is fitted, so that the hammer 65 and the shaft 62 can rotate together. Further, the protrusion 65b of the hammer 65 is attached to the pen holder 3.
7, 38 and is in contact with the rear end surface of the pen P which has reached the uppermost position.

On the other hand, a pen return spring 71 is provided between the pen holder 38 and the sleeve 34. As shown in FIG. 7 (front view) and FIG. 8 (enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 7), this pen return spring 71 is as shown in FIG.
It is press-molded from a thin spring material such as phosphor bronze plate. A mounting hole 71a is bored in the center of the pen return spring 71.
1a is supported by a shaft 33. Four arms 71b extending circumferentially around the attachment hole 71a are formed around the pen return spring 71, and a support hole 71c is bored at the tip of each arm 71b. Moreover, around the support hole 71c,
As shown in FIG. 8, a flange 71d extending in the direction of the platen 6 is integrally formed. Said pen P
The distal end of the support hole 71c is inserted into the support hole 71c and supported. The pen P is attached to the arm 71 of this pen return spring 71.
It is urged away from the platen 6 by the elastic force b.

When the power to the solenoid 61 is cut off, the movable iron core 61d and the actuator 6
3 is separated from the coil bobbin 61c by a spring 64. Further, the hammer 65 connected to the actuator 63 via the shaft 62 rotates in the same direction as the actuator 63, and although the protrusion 65b of the hammer 65 is located at the top of the four pens P, By pressing the rear end surface, the tip of the pen P comes into pressure contact with the recording paper wrapped around the platen 6, and becomes ready for writing (see FIG. 10). Furthermore, when the solenoid 61 is energized, the movable iron core 61d
is attracted to the fixed iron core 61b, and the actuator 6
3 rotates in a direction approaching the coil bobbin 61c. The hammer 65 also rotates in the same direction, and the protrusion 6
The pushing force exerted by the pen 5b on the pen P disappears. Therefore, the pen P is pushed back by the elastic force of the arm 71b of the pen presser spring 71, and the tip of the pen P leaves the recording paper, resulting in a state in which writing is not performed (see FIG. 9).

Next, the overall operation of the pen cartridge 20 having the above configuration will be explained in relation to the overall operation of the roll type plotter.

As described above, the recording paper wound around the platen 6 is sent out in the direction of arrows Xa-Xb according to the forward and reverse rotation of the stepping motor 9. Further, the paint cartridge 20 is pulled by a wire 22 wound around a drive pulley 24 driven by a stepping motor 27 to move in the Ya-Yb direction.

During the above operation, if the solenoid 61 of the hammer drive mechanism is de-energized, the pen holder 3
Of the four pens P held by pens 7 and 38, the one located at the top is pushed by the hammer 65, and its pen tip comes into pressure contact with the recording paper. and,
Characters and figures corresponding to the motion control in the Xa-Xb and Ya-Yb directions are written on the recording paper. Conversely, when the solenoid 61 is energized, the hammer 65 retreats, the pen P leaves the recording paper, and writing is interrupted. When trying to change the color of characters or figures written on recording paper, excitation of the solenoid 52 (located on the outside of the right side plate 4) of the pen switching mechanism;
Repeat de-energization. As a result, the shaft 21 rotates back and forth via the lever 50, and the carriage base 3
A cam 49 provided at the bottom of 1 pushes the claw plate 44 upward several times. Therefore, the claw plate 44 is attached to the ratchet 4.
1 is rotated, and the pen holders 37 and 38 are also rotated together with the pen holders 37 and 38. When the pen P of a predetermined color reaches the uppermost position, the drive by the solenoid 52 is stopped. After that, insert the recording paper again.
In the Xb direction, also move the paint cartridge 20 to the Ya- direction.
by moving it in the Yb direction and using the hammer 65,
This pen P is brought into pressure contact with the recording paper to write in different colors.

In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, the pen holders 37, 3
Although the number of pens P held at 8 is four, the number of pens P may be three, five, or more.

As described above, according to the present invention, a pen return spring in the form of a leaf spring is provided in the pen holder, an arm extending in the circumferential direction is formed around the pen return spring, and the tip of this arm engages with the pen. Since the support portion is formed, the amount of bending of the arm can be increased, and the stroke of the pen moving forward and backward relative to the platen can be lengthened. Therefore, even if the printer is relatively large, the pen can be moved over a long distance by the hammer.
Further, since the arm extends along the circumferential direction of the spring, there is no need to increase the diameter of the pen return spring, and the pen return spring can be arranged in a small space. Furthermore, by providing the same number of arms as pens, a single pen return spring can apply biasing force to a plurality of pens. Furthermore, by arbitrarily setting the arm length and arm width, the biasing force against the pen can be freely adjusted.
This has the effect of making it possible to freely set the pressing force of the hammer used to press the pen.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention.
The figure is a perspective view showing the overall structure of a roll-type plotter.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the pen cartridge, Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the pen cartridge, Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the support structure for the end of the shaft that constitutes the pen switching mechanism, and Fig. 5A is an exploded perspective view of the pen switching mechanism. Figure 5B is a side view showing the solenoid in a non-energized state, Figure 5B is a rear view showing the positional relationship between the ratchet of the paint cartridge and the pawl plate, Figure 5C is a right side view thereof, and Figure 6A is the solenoid in an energized state. A diagram equivalent to Figure 5A,
Fig. 6B and Fig. 6C are Fig. 5B and Fig. 5 at this time.
A view corresponding to Figure C, Figure 7 is a front view of the pen return spring, Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of Figure 7, Figure 9 is a right side view of the pen holder showing a non-writing state, and Figure 10 is a writing state. FIG. 3 is a right side view of the pen holder. 6... Platen, 9... Motor for driving platen, 20... Pen cartridge, 21... Shaft, 27... Motor for moving pen cartridge, 31
...Carriage base, 37, 38...Pen holder, 71...Pen return spring, 71a...Mounting hole,
71b...Arm, 71c...Support hole, P...Pen.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] It is equipped with a platen that rotates in both forward and reverse directions, and a pen cartridge that moves in the axial direction of the platen.A pen holder that holds a plurality of pens is provided on the pen cartridge, and the pens that are moved to the writing position by the rotation of this pen holder are provided. In a roll printer equipped with a hammer that presses against the platen, the pen holder is provided with a pen return spring formed from a plate spring material, and an arm extending in the circumferential direction is arranged around the pen return spring. The same number of pens are formed, and a support part that engages with the pen is provided at the tip of each arm, and the elastic force of this arm urges each pen in a direction away from the platen, and the pen is pushed to the initial position by the hammer. A pen holding mechanism for a roll-type printer, which is characterized by being designed to return to its original position.