阅读说明：本技术 电子设备及印刷装置 (Electronic device and printing device ) 是由 木村哲 于 2020-02-21 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供电子设备及印刷装置。印刷装置具备：墨盒保持件,保持墨盒；头移动机构,具备用来使墨盒保持件移动的移动马达；以及印刷控制部,控制移动马达；印刷控制部对于为了使墨盒保持于墨盒保持件而经由墨盒向墨盒保持件施加的外力,向移动马达施加电压或电流,以对墨盒保持件施加抵抗力。(The invention provides an electronic device and a printing apparatus. The printing device is provided with: an ink cartridge holder holding an ink cartridge; a head moving mechanism having a moving motor for moving the ink cartridge holder; and a printing control unit for controlling the movement motor; the printing control unit applies a voltage or a current to the movement motor to apply a resistance to the cartridge holder against an external force applied to the cartridge holder via the ink cartridge in order to hold the ink cartridge to the cartridge holder.)

1. An electronic device, characterized in that,

the disclosed device is provided with:

an ink cartridge holder holding an ink cartridge;

a moving mechanism including a motor for moving the ink cartridge holder in a moving direction; and

a motor control mechanism for controlling the movement of the ink cartridge holder in the moving direction by the motor;

the motor control means applies a voltage or a current to the motor against an external force applied to the cartridge holder in the moving direction via the ink cartridge so as to attach the ink cartridge to the cartridge holder from the moving direction, so as to apply a resistance force to the cartridge holder in a direction opposite to the external force.

2. The electronic device of claim 1,

the moving direction is at least one of an X-axis direction which is a left-right direction of the apparatus or a Y-axis direction which is a front-rear direction of the electronic device and is orthogonal to the X-axis direction.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 or 2,

the motor control means controls the voltage or the current applied to the motor so that an absolute value of the resistance force is larger than an absolute value of the minimum external force required to attach the ink cartridge to the cartridge holder.

4. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the motor control means controls the voltage or the current applied to the motor so that an absolute value of the resistance force is smaller than an absolute value of a force that may cause the moving means to be damaged by pressing the cartridge holder.

5. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the motor control means controls the voltage or the current so that the voltage or the current applied to the motor has a constant value.

6. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the motor control means controls the voltage or the current applied to the motor to vary according to the magnitude of the external force applied to the cartridge holder via the ink cartridge.

7. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the ink cartridge includes an ink storage portion for storing ink to be printed on a printing object.

8. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

the ink box is also provided with an ink ejecting surface;

the ink is ejected from the ink ejection surface to perform printing on a printing target.

9. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the ink cartridge is a printing pen, and the ink cartridge holder is a pen holder for holding the printing pen.

10. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,

the resistance force is a force that blocks the ink cartridge holder.

11. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,

a second moving mechanism including a second drive motor for moving the ink cartridge holder in a second moving direction orthogonal to the moving direction;

the motor control means controls the movement of the ink cartridge holder in the second movement direction by the second drive motor.

12. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,

the electronic device includes an opening for attaching and detaching the ink cartridge on a front surface side of a housing of the electronic device.

13. The electronic device of claim 1,

the ink cartridge includes a guide portion provided in the cartridge holder and configured to attach the ink cartridge to the cartridge holder from the moving direction.

14. The electronic device of claim 1,

the motor control means applies a voltage or a current to the motor so that a resistance force in a second direction opposite to the external force is applied to the cartridge holder against the external force applied to the cartridge holder via the ink cartridge in a first direction of the movement direction in order to attach the ink cartridge to the cartridge holder from the movement direction.

15. A driving method of a motor of an electronic apparatus having an ink cartridge holder for holding an ink cartridge and a moving mechanism having the motor for moving the ink cartridge holder in a moving direction,

when the ink cartridge is mounted to the cartridge holder from the moving direction, a voltage or a current is applied to the motor for moving the cartridge holder against an external force applied to the cartridge holder in the moving direction via the ink cartridge, so that a resistance force in a direction opposite to the external force is applied to the cartridge holder.

Technical Field

The invention relates to an electronic device and a printing apparatus.

Background

Conventionally, in electronic devices that perform printing such as printing apparatuses, there is known a configuration in which an ink cartridge storing ink is configured to be replaceable, and the ink cartridge is mounted on a cartridge holder (carriage) to perform a printing operation.

In the case where the ink cartridge is replaceable, the user must attach the ink cartridge to the apparatus (ink cartridge holder). Further, when the ink cartridge is not properly mounted, the printing operation cannot be properly performed.

In view of this, a printing apparatus (electronic device) including a printing function and a scanner has been proposed, in which an operation panel disposed on a side portion of a glass stand on which a scanner document is placed is configured to be openable and closable, and an ink cartridge is attached and detached to and from a position of the operation panel (for example, see patent document 1).

In the printing apparatus described in patent document 1, after the operation panel is opened upward, the ink cartridge is mounted to the cartridge holder (the carriage in patent document 1) by pressing the ink cartridge downward from above.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides an electronic device, comprising: an ink cartridge holder holding an ink cartridge; a moving mechanism including a motor for moving the ink cartridge holder in a moving direction; and a motor control mechanism for controlling the movement of the ink cartridge holder in the moving direction by the motor; the motor control means applies a voltage or a current to the motor against an external force applied to the cartridge holder in the moving direction via the ink cartridge so as to attach the ink cartridge to the cartridge holder from the moving direction, so as to apply a resistance force to the cartridge holder in a direction opposite to the external force.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the nail print apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the lower cover is removed from the nail print apparatus shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the nail print apparatus shown in fig. 1 is removed from the lower cover and the upper cover is opened.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the nail print apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a main part of the ink cartridge of the present embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge holder of the present embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge holder as viewed from above.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge holder as viewed from above.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a state where the ink cartridge is to be mounted in a reverse direction to the cartridge holder, as viewed from above.

Fig. 10 is a main part block diagram showing a control configuration of the present embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a diagram for explaining control of the head moving mechanism according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 12(a) is a diagram illustrating a force of mounting the ink cartridge to the cartridge holder, and fig. 12(B) is an enlarged view of a portion B surrounded by a one-dot chain line in fig. 12 (a).

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the ink cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder in the nail print apparatus in the state shown in fig. 3.

Detailed Description

An embodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention is described with reference to fig. 1 to 13.

In the following embodiments, various technically preferable limitations are given to practice of the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and the illustrated examples.

In the following embodiments, a case will be described where the electronic device is a nail print apparatus that is a printing apparatus for printing on a nail of a finger as a printing target, but the electronic device of the present invention is not limited to the printing apparatus such as the nail print apparatus, and may be any device that is used by attaching an ink cartridge to an ink cartridge holder. The printing target of the printing apparatus (nail print apparatus) as the electronic device is not limited to the nail of the finger, and for example, the toenail of the toe may be the printing target. Further, an object other than a nail, such as an artificial nail or a surface of various components, may be a printing target.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a nail print apparatus as an electronic device according to the present embodiment.

In the following embodiments, the upper and lower sides, the left and right sides, and the front and rear sides refer to the directions shown in fig. 1. The X direction and the Y direction refer to the directions shown in fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 1, nail print apparatus 1 has a housing 2 formed in a substantially box shape.

The housing 2 includes: a case main body 21 having an opening 211 on a front surface side (front side of the nail print apparatus 1, front side in fig. 1); and a lower cover 22 and an upper cover 23 which are disposed on the front surface side of the housing main body 21 and close the opening 211.

That is, in the present embodiment, the front surface of the housing 2 is divided into approximately half in the vertical direction of the housing 2, the lower side of the front surface is constituted by the lower cover 22, and the upper side of the front surface is constituted by the upper cover 23. The lower and upper covers 22 and 23 are substantially coplanar in the closed state.

Further, a front wall portion 212 (see fig. 3) is provided on the upper side of the front surface of the housing main body 21 and inside the upper cover 23. A part of the front wall portion 212 is cut out and opened, and serves as an ejection port (an opening portion for attaching and detaching the ink cartridge 7) 213 when attaching and detaching the ink cartridge 7 to and from the apparatus, which will be described later.

As will be described later, in the present embodiment, a home position Ar1 (waiting area at the time of non-printing) of the ink cartridge 7 is provided on the right side in the width direction (X direction) in the apparatus, and a position linearly advanced from the home position Ar1 to the front of the apparatus in the Y direction becomes a replacement area Ar3 at the time of attaching/detaching/replacing the ink cartridge 7.

The ejection port 213 is formed at a position corresponding to the replacement area Ar3 to such a degree that it does not get caught when the ink cartridge 7 is attached and detached.

The lower cover 22 is detachable from the housing main body 21.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the lower cover is detached from the housing.

As shown in fig. 2, by removing the lower cover 22, a finger fixing portion 6 and a finger standby portion 350, which will be described later, are exposed from the opening 211 of the case main body 21, and a nail to be printed (neither a finger corresponding to the nail (hereinafter referred to as a "printing finger") is shown) and a finger other than the printing finger (not shown, hereinafter referred to as a "non-printing finger") can be inserted into the nail print apparatus 1.

Further, a drawer portion 24, which is housed inside the case 2 in a state where the lower cover 22 is attached to the case main body 21, is integrally formed on the back side (the rear side in fig. 1) of the lower cover 22. The drawer 24 may be, for example, a glove box capable of accommodating various components, not shown, attached to the nail print apparatus 1.

The upper cover 23 is rotatably coupled to the casing main body 21 via a hinge mechanism 214 provided at an upper end portion of the front wall portion 212 or a front end portion of the upper surface (ceiling) of the casing main body 21. The hinge mechanism 214 is preferably constituted by a slide hinge or the like so as not to be exposed to the external appearance of the housing 2.

The upper cover 23 is rotatable from a closed state covering the front surface side of the housing main body 21 to an open state (in the present embodiment, the front wall portion 212 is exposed) opening the front surface side of the housing main body 21.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the nail print apparatus with the upper cover opened. Fig. 3 shows a state in which the ink cartridge 7 is mounted.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 3, the upper cover 23 is rotated forward of the housing 2 in the open state. In the example shown in fig. 3, the upper cover 23 is raised to a position higher than the upper surface of the housing 2 in the open state, but the height position of the upper cover 23 in the open state is not limited to the example shown in the drawing.

As described above, the lower cover 22 and the upper cover 23 are configured to be detachable or openable toward the front of the apparatus, and thus even when the nail print apparatus 1 is stored in a place where there is no margin in the height direction, printing and the like can be performed without being taken out from the storage place.

The upper cover 23 is provided with a window 231 to which a transparent member made of transparent plastic or the like is attached, at a substantially central portion in the width direction of the housing 2 (the left-right direction of the nail print apparatus, the X direction in fig. 1 or the like).

From the window 231, the inside of the device, particularly, a finger fixing portion 6 (described later) on which a nail to be printed is disposed can be visually observed from the outside.

A handle 25 is provided at a substantially central portion of the upper surface of the housing 2.

A recess 251 is formed in the upper surface of the housing 2, and the handle 25 can be accommodated in the recess 251. The handle 25 is substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the housing 2 in the accommodated state (the state shown in fig. 1 and the like) accommodated in the concave portion 251. Thus, the nail print apparatus 1 can be disposed with a gap of a large height of the housing 2, and space saving can be achieved when the apparatus is stored.

Further, the handle 25 serves as a handle for carrying the nail print apparatus 1 in a pulled-up state in which it is pulled up from the inside of the concave portion 251.

The shape, arrangement, and the like of each part of the case 2 are not limited to the illustrated examples, and can be set as appropriate. For example, a power switch button for turning on/off the power of nail print apparatus 1, various display portions, and the like may be provided on the upper surface, the side surface, or the like of case 2.

Further, an imaging unit 50 (see fig. 10) that images a nail (including a printing finger of the nail) exposed from the opening 63 and acquires a nail image is provided inside the upper surface (top plate) of the housing 2 and above the opening 63 of the finger fixing unit 6 described later.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a main part showing an internal structure of the nail print apparatus shown in fig. 1 and the like with the housing removed.

As shown in fig. 4, a base 3 to which various internal structures are assembled is provided in the housing 2.

The upper surface of the base 3 is a substantially flat base upper surface 30. The base upper surface 30 is disposed at a height substantially flush with the nail surface (print target surface) in a state where the printing finger is fixed to the finger fixing portion 6.

The finger fixing portion 6 is disposed at a front side (near front side) portion of the base upper surface 30 and substantially at the center in the left-right direction.

The finger fixing portion 6 is a box-shaped member having an opening 61 opened on the front surface side of the apparatus, and a finger fixing member 62 for fixing the printing finger is disposed inside the finger fixing portion 6.

The finger fixing member 62 is formed of, for example, a flexible resin, and supports the printing finger by pushing it up from below. In the present embodiment, the fixing member 62 is formed in a shape in which a substantially central portion in the width direction (left-right direction) is recessed. Thus, when the printing finger is placed on the finger fixing member 62, the finger fixing member 62 receives the finger pad portion of the printing finger, and the finger can be prevented from being shaken in the right and left directions.

The rear side (rear side in the Y direction) of the top surface of the finger fixing portion 6 is an opening 63. The nail of the finger inserted into the finger fixing portion 6 is exposed from the opening 63.

In the present embodiment, printing is performed by the printing unit 40 described later in the region where the opening 63 is provided.

Further, the top surface front side (Y-direction front side) of the finger fixing portion 6 serves as a finger pressing portion 64 that prevents the floating of the printing finger and restricts the position above the printing finger.

The printing finger is supported from below by the finger fixing member 62, and the upper side of the printing finger is pressed by the finger pressing portion 64, so that the position of the nail surface (print target surface) of the printing finger in the height direction is positioned at a predetermined position suitable for printing by the printing portion 40.

A partition plate 35 is provided substantially parallel to the base upper surface 30 at a height position below the base upper surface 30 and not interfering with the drawer 24. The partition plate 35 is formed with a finger insertion portion 351 having a recess or a hole.

The space between the base upper surface 30 and the partition plate 35 serves as a finger waiting section 350 for waiting a non-printing finger when printing a nail of a printing finger.

In printing, the user can easily hold a non-printing finger in a stable state by inserting the non-printing finger waiting for printing into the finger waiting section 350 and appropriately inserting the fingertip into the finger inserting section 351. Therefore, no burden is imposed on the printing fingers, and shaking during printing is less likely to occur.

Further, since the fingertips of the non-printing fingers can be inserted into the finger insertion portion 351, it is possible to prevent, for example, the nails of the already printed fingers from coming into contact with each part of the apparatus. This prevents the printed nail from being scratched or damaged, and prevents dirt from adhering to the inside of the device.

A home position Ar1, which is a waiting area where the ink cartridge 7 waits when not printing, a maintenance area Ar2 in which maintenance such as cleaning of the ink cartridge 7 is performed when not printing, and the like are provided in a portion of the base upper surface 30 on the rear side (rear side in the Y direction) of the finger fixing portion 6.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 4, the home position Ar1 is disposed on the right side in the width direction (X direction) in the apparatus, and the maintenance area Ar2 is disposed on the left side.

Further, a position linearly advanced from the home position Ar1 to the front of the ejection port 213 in the Y direction toward the front of the apparatus is a replacement area Ar3 in which the cartridge holder 8 is disposed when the ink cartridge 7 is attached to and replaced.

As shown in fig. 4, a printing unit 40 for printing on a printing target surface is provided inside the casing 2. Here, the printing target surface is a surface of a printing target, and in the present embodiment, is a surface of a nail.

The printing unit 40 includes: an ink cartridge 7 having a function as a print head, a cartridge holder 8 for supporting the ink cartridge 7, an X-direction moving stage 45 for moving the ink cartridge 7 in an X-direction along the left-right direction, an X-direction moving motor 46 (see fig. 10), a Y-direction moving stage 47 for moving the ink cartridge 7 in a Y-direction along the front-rear direction, a Y-direction moving motor 48 (see fig. 10), and the like.

The Y-direction moving table 47 has support members 471 extending in the front-rear direction (Y direction) on both sides of the base upper surface 30 in the left-right direction.

Pulleys 477 are attached to both ends of the pair of supporting members 471 in the extending direction. Drive belts 474 extending in the front-rear direction are wound around the pulleys 477 on the left side and the right side of the apparatus, respectively.

Pulleys 477 provided on the rear side of the apparatus are attached to both ends of the drive shaft 476. The Y-direction movement motor 48 is connected to the driving shaft 476, and the driving shaft 476 and the pulley 477 attached thereto are appropriately rotated in the forward and backward directions by driving the Y-direction movement motor 48.

By the rotation of the pulley 477, the drive belt 474 wound around the pulley 477 is also rotated, whereby the X-direction moving stage 45 (and the ink cartridge 7 mounted on the X-direction moving stage 45) can be moved in the Y-direction.

Further, a guide shaft 475 extending in the front-rear direction in parallel with the drive belt 474 is provided to the support member 471.

The X-direction moving stage 45 is formed in a rectangular box shape extending in the left-right direction (X direction), and is provided at the rear end portion of the base upper surface 30.

The guide shafts 475 are inserted into both left and right end portions of the X-direction moving stage 45, and the drive belt 474 is rotated by the driving of the Y-direction moving motor 48, whereby the X-direction moving stage 45 can move in the Y direction along the guide shafts 475.

Further, a pulley, not shown, is provided inside the X-direction moving stage 45, and a driving belt 454 extending in the left-right direction is wound around the pulley. Further, inside the X-direction moving stage 45, a guide shaft 455 extending in the left-right direction substantially parallel to the driving belt 454 is provided.

The X-direction moving stage 45 carries the ink cartridge holder 8.

On the back side (rear side in fig. 4) of the cartridge holder 8, a holder support member 85 (see fig. 6 and the like, described later) through which the guide shaft 455 is inserted is provided.

The belt 454 is driven by the X-direction moving motor 46 to rotate, so that the cartridge holder 8 can move in the X direction along the guide shaft 455 inside the X-direction moving table 45.

In the present embodiment, the X-direction movement motor 46 and the Y-direction movement motor 48 are drive motors for moving the ink cartridge holder 8. The X-direction movement motor 46 and the Y-direction movement motor 48 are provided to constitute a movement mechanism (in fig. 10 and the like, "head movement mechanism 49") of the printing unit 40.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a main part of the ink cartridge of the present embodiment. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a main portion of the ink cartridge holder according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge holder as viewed from above, and fig. 8 is a plan view of the ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge holder as viewed from above.

In the present embodiment, the ink cartridge 7 is an integrated ink cartridge, which has an ink storage portion (not shown) therein and is integrally provided with an ink jet type print head mechanism 71 (see fig. 10) which discharges ink as fine droplets from an ink discharge surface 711 and performs printing on a printing target surface.

That is, an ink ejection surface 711 is integrally formed on a surface (lower surface in fig. 5) of the ink cartridge 7 facing a printing target surface (nail surface). On the ink ejection surface 711, ejection ports (ink ejection ports, not shown) of a nozzle array including a plurality of nozzles ejecting ink of each color are formed in a row.

The ink cartridge 7 properly ejects a predetermined ink from the ink ejection port to perform printing by controlling the print head mechanism 71 by a print control unit 113 (see fig. 10) described later.

The ink storage portion is provided corresponding to YELLOW (Y; YELLOW), MAGENTA (M; MAGENTA), and CYAN (C; CYAN), for example. The ink that can be ejected from the ink cartridge 7 is not limited to the example shown here, and an ink storage unit that stores ink of another color may be provided.

As shown in fig. 5, an ink cartridge terminal portion 73 is provided on a surface which becomes a rear side (rear side in fig. 5) of the apparatus in a mounted state in which the ink cartridge 7 is mounted on the cartridge holder 8.

The cartridge terminal portion 73 is a terminal plate in which a plurality of terminals on the cartridge 7 side are arranged, and is electrically connected to the holder terminal portion 86 by being in contact with the holder terminal portion 86 on the cartridge holder 8 side, and the terminals on the cartridge 7 side receive a drive signal to the print head mechanism 71 of the cartridge 7.

The 1 st projecting portion 722 is provided on the upper surface of the ink cartridge 7 so as to extend in the width direction of the ink cartridge 7 (the direction orthogonal to the mounting direction indicated by the hollow arrow in fig. 7) at a position on the near side (the front side in fig. 5) when mounted. The 1 st projection 722 is disposed over substantially the entire width of the ink cartridge 7.

In fig. 5 and the like, the case where the 1 st projecting portion 722 is divided into 2 pieces and has a gap in the center portion in the width direction is illustrated, but the 1 st projecting portion 722 may be disposed at least at both end portions in the width direction of the ink cartridge 7, may be 1 continuous body, or may be divided into 3 or more pieces and provided.

As will be described later, ribs 824 (shown by broken lines in fig. 7 to 9) protruding inward are formed on the inner side of the upper portion of the cartridge holder 8. When the ink cartridge 7 is to be properly mounted to the cartridge holder 8 from the rear side (rear side in fig. 5), as shown in fig. 7, the 1 st projection 722 does not collide with the rib 824 when the ink cartridge 7 is pushed in the mounting direction (direction indicated by the hollow arrow in fig. 7). Therefore, as shown in fig. 8, the ink cartridge 7 can be pushed into the depth of the cartridge holder 8.

In contrast, when the ink cartridge 7 is erroneously attached to the cartridge holder 8 from the near side (front side in fig. 5) (that is, when the ink cartridge is inserted reversely), the 1 st projecting portion 722 is caught by the rib 824 as shown in fig. 9. Therefore, the ink cartridge 7 cannot be pushed deep into the cartridge holder 8.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the ink cartridge 7 cannot be pushed into the cartridge holder 8 from the front side (front side in fig. 5) even when the ink cartridge is mounted. This reliably prevents erroneous mounting (reverse insertion) of the ink cartridge 7.

Further, a 2 nd projecting portion 723 is provided at a position on the upper surface of the ink cartridge 7, which becomes a rear side (rear side in fig. 5) when attached, at a substantially central portion in the width direction (direction orthogonal to the attaching direction) of the ink cartridge 7. At least a part of the upper surface of the 2 nd protrusion 723 on the back side (rear side) is an inclined surface 723a provided with an inclination or R.

As will be described later, an ink cartridge locking portion 831 is provided on the inner side of the upper surface of the ink cartridge holder 8 that holds the ink cartridge 7.

The cartridge locking portion 831 is a plate spring or the like having elasticity, and when the ink cartridge 7 is mounted, it collides with the inclined surface 723a from the back side of the 2 nd projecting portion 723, and is fitted to the front side of the 2 nd projecting portion 723 over the inclination. Thereby, the ink cartridge 7 is locked to the cartridge holder 8. In this case, the user who mounts the ink cartridge 7 can feel a click feeling, and can intuitively recognize that the ink cartridge 7 is normally pushed into the predetermined position.

The 2 nd projecting portion 723 may be arranged in a range not interfering with the rib 824 of the cartridge holder 8 and locked with the cartridge locking portion 831, and the shape, specific arrangement, and the like thereof are not limited to the illustrated example.

In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral portion of the upper surface of the ink cartridge 7 is a flange portion 75 that protrudes outward.

The flange 75 extends to a width that contacts the rib 824 of the cartridge holder 8, and limits the height of the ink cartridge 7 (the upper surface 721 of the ink cartridge 7) so that the upper surface of the flange 75 hits the lower surface 825 of the rib 824 and does not rise above the rib 824 when the ink cartridge 7 is mounted on the cartridge holder 8.

A guide projection 751 is formed on the lower surface of the flange 75. The shape and number of the guide projections 751 are not particularly limited, and in the present embodiment, 2 positions are provided on each of the right and left sides of the ink cartridge 7 on the back side and the front side in the mounting direction.

The ink cartridge holder 8 detachably and replaceably holds the ink cartridge 7.

In the ink cartridge holder 8, the ink cartridge 7 is mounted by the user pressing the ink cartridge 7 in the moving direction of the ink cartridge holder 8 by the head moving mechanism 49.

In the nail print apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, an ejection port 213 of the ink cartridge 7 is formed on the front surface side of the apparatus. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 7 is attached/detached and replaced, the ink cartridge 7 is attached to the cartridge holder 8 by pressing the ink cartridge 7 from the front surface side of the apparatus.

As shown in fig. 6, the ink cartridge holder 8 of the present embodiment is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape, and the front surface side and the lower side of the apparatus are opened.

The rear side (rear side) of the cartridge holder 8 is a rear surface 81, side surface portions 82 are disposed on both sides of the rear surface 81, and an upper surface portion 83 is disposed on the upper side.

In the present embodiment, a holder terminal portion 86 is provided on a surface (i.e., the rear surface portion 81) on the inner side of the cartridge holder 8 and on the rear side in the mounting direction of the ink cartridge 7.

The holder terminal portion 86 is a terminal block in which a plurality of terminals on the cartridge holder 8 side for transmitting a drive signal to the print head mechanism 71 of the ink cartridge 7 are arranged.

The holder terminal portion 86 is electrically connected to the cartridge terminal portion 73 of the ink cartridge 7 in the mounted state of the ink cartridge 7 to the cartridge holder 8.

A holder support member 85 is provided on the outer surface of the rear surface 81 of the cartridge holder 8. The cartridge holder 8 is supported by the X-direction moving stage 45 by inserting the guide shaft 455 into the holder support member 85.

The holder support member 85 is provided with a flexible wiring board 425 (see fig. 4, 7 to 9) having one end electrically connected to the holder terminal portion 86.

The other end of the wiring board 425 is connected to a board or the like on the apparatus main body side, not shown, and transmits a drive signal sent from the apparatus main body to the print head mechanism 71 of the ink cartridge 7 via the holder terminal portion 86 and the cartridge terminal portion 73 connected thereto.

The inner lower portion of the cartridge holder 8 has a narrower distance between the left and right side surface portions 82 than the width of the flange portion 75 of the ink cartridge 7. On the other hand, the upper inside of the cartridge holder 8 has a wide part 821 wider than the flange 75 of the ink cartridge 7 between the left and right side parts 82.

In the present embodiment, a step is formed between the lower portion and the upper portion (i.e., the wide portion 821) of the ink cartridge holder 8, and the upper surface of the step (hereinafter referred to as a step upper surface 822) functions as a guide portion that guides the ink cartridge 7 from the front surface side of the apparatus toward the rear surface side of the apparatus when the ink cartridge 7 is mounted.

The step upper surface 822 contacts the lower surface side of the flange portion 75 (in the present embodiment, the lower surface of the flange portion 75 or the guide projection 751 provided on the lower surface) and guides the ink cartridge 7 from below.

This allows the ink cartridge 7 to smoothly move from the front side of the apparatus to the rear side (back side) of the apparatus in the cartridge holder 8 when the ink cartridge 7 is mounted.

The step upper surface 822 of the present embodiment has a stepped portion 822a on the device rear surface side (back side) lower than the device front surface side.

The lower surface of the flange portion 75 of the ink cartridge 7 or the guide convex portion 751 provided on the lower surface moves toward the device rear surface side (rear side) while contacting the step upper surface 822, and when the rear side (rear side in fig. 5) of the ink cartridge 7 reaches the step portion 822a, the height position of the rear side (rear side in fig. 5) of the ink cartridge 7 is largely lowered.

Thus, for example, when the ink cartridge 7 is inserted into the cartridge holder 8 from obliquely below in a state of being inclined downward toward the front (i.e., in a state of being inclined upward toward the back side of the ink cartridge 7), the ink cartridge 7 is rotated in a direction toward the back side of the portion having reached the stepped portion 822a, and the mounting posture can be corrected to be substantially horizontal with respect to the cartridge holder 8.

A rib 824 protruding inward of the cartridge holder 8 extends substantially horizontally from the device front surface side of the side surface portion 82 toward the device rear surface side above the step upper surface 822 in the wide portion 821.

The rib 824 protrudes inward from the position of the flange 75 when the ink cartridge 7 is mounted on the cartridge holder 8. That is, the rib 824 is arranged to contact the upper surface side end of the flange portion 75 when the ink cartridge 7 is mounted to the cartridge holder 8. Therefore, the ink cartridge 7 can be raised only to a position where the upper surface of the flange portion 75 contacts the lower surface 825 of the rib 824, and the upper limit position of the upper surface of the ink cartridge 7 is restricted.

In this way, in the present embodiment, when the ink cartridge 7 is mounted to the cartridge holder 8, the mounting path is defined so that the flange portion 75 moves in the wide portion 821 between the step upper surface 822 and the rib 824.

This makes it possible to easily mount the ink cartridge 7 at a predetermined position in the cartridge holder 8 without the user having to strictly confirm the mounting position.

As described above, the rib 824 protrudes inward from the position where the 1 st projection 722 is provided.

Thus, if the ink cartridge 7 is to be attached to the cartridge holder 8 from the side where the 1 st projection 722 is provided (i.e., the front side of the ink cartridge 7, the front side in fig. 5), the 1 st projection 722 collides with the left and right ribs 824.

Therefore, as shown in fig. 9, the ink cartridge 7 cannot be pushed deep into the cartridge holder 8, and the ink cartridge 7 is prevented from being inserted in the wrong direction in the reverse direction of the mounting.

Further, an elastic cartridge locking portion 831 is provided on a lower surface of the upper surface portion 83 of the cartridge holder 8 (a surface inside the cartridge holder 8).

The cartridge locking portion 831 is a plate spring formed by bending a metal plate, for example.

The cartridge locking portion 831 is disposed corresponding to the portion of the 2 nd protrusion 723 where the inclined surface 723a is provided, and when the ink cartridge 7 is mounted on the cartridge holder 8, the cartridge locking portion 831 collides with the 2 nd protrusion 723 from the back side (the rear side in fig. 5), and is locked on the front side (the front side in fig. 5) of the 2 nd protrusion 723 over the inclined surface 723 a.

At this time, the user who mounts the ink cartridge 7 feels the click feeling that the cartridge locking portion 831 has passed over the 2 nd protrusion portion 723, and can intuitively recognize that the ink cartridge 7 is correctly mounted.

Although not shown in fig. 6 and the like, the ink cartridge holder 8 is provided with a stopper member 84 shaped like コ as shown in fig. 3 and 4.

The stopper member 84 has rear end portions fixed to the left and right side surface portions 82 of the cartridge holder 8, and pivots about the fixed portions as fulcrums.

The stopper member 84 is lifted upward in a state where the ink cartridge 7 is not mounted, and opens the front surface side of the cartridge holder 8.

Further, if the ink cartridge 7 is mounted on the cartridge holder 8, the ink cartridge 7 is disposed on the front surface side of the ink cartridge 7, and the ink cartridge 7 is prevented from being detached from the cartridge holder 8 and falling due to external impact, vibration, or the like.

The stopper member 84 may be configured to be automatically lowered to the front surface side of the ink cartridge 7 by attaching the ink cartridge 7 to the cartridge holder 8, or the user may be configured to manually move the stopper member 84 up and down.

The cartridge holder 8 further includes a lower support portion 87 for supporting the lower portion of the ink cartridge 7.

The lower support portions 87 are provided at the lower end portions of the left and right side surface portions 82 so as to protrude inward of the cartridge holder 8.

In the present embodiment, the lower support portion 87 is provided, so that the user can easily know the lower end of the mounting position when mounting the ink cartridge 7, and the ink cartridge holder 8 can be easily mounted.

Next, a control structure of the nail print apparatus of the present embodiment and the terminal apparatus linked therewith will be described with reference to fig. 10.

Fig. 10 is a control block diagram showing a schematic control configuration of the nail print apparatus and the terminal apparatus.

As shown in fig. 10, nail print apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment operates in accordance with an instruction input from terminal apparatus 9 in conjunction with terminal apparatus 9.

The nail print apparatus 1 includes an imaging unit 50, a communication unit 15, and a control device 10 in addition to the printing unit 40.

The imaging unit 50 includes an imaging device 51 and an illumination device 52.

The imaging unit 50 illuminates the nail of the printing finger placed on the finger fixing unit 6 by the illumination device 52. Then, the image pickup device 51 picks up an image of the printing finger and acquires a nail image (including an image of the nail of the printing finger) which is an image of the nail of the printing finger.

The imaging unit 50 may be configured to be movable in the XY direction by the head moving mechanism 49 that moves the ink cartridge 7.

The imaging device 51 is a compact camera including a solid-state imaging element having pixels of 200 ten thousand or more pixels, a lens, and the like, for example. The illumination device 52 is an illumination lamp such as a white LED, for example.

The imaging unit 50 is connected to an imaging control unit 112 of the control device 10 described later, and the operation is controlled by the imaging control unit 112.

The image data acquired by the imaging unit 50 is appropriately transmitted to a terminal device described later. The image data may be stored in the storage unit 12 or the like described later.

The communication unit 15 is configured to be able to transmit and receive information to and from the terminal device 9.

The communication between the nail print apparatus 1 and the terminal apparatus 9 is performed by, for example, a wireless LAN or the like. The communication between nail print apparatus 1 and terminal apparatus 9 is not limited to this, and any communication method may be used. For example, a network line such as the internet may be used, and wireless communication based on a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi may be performed. The communication is not limited to wireless communication, and various data can be transmitted and received between the two by wired connection. The communication unit 15 includes an antenna chip and the like corresponding to the communication method of the terminal device 9.

The control device 10 is provided on a substrate, not shown, disposed on a lower surface side of the top surface of the housing 2, for example.

The control device 10 is a computer, and includes a control unit 11 including a cpu (central Processing unit), not shown, and a storage unit 12 including a rom (read Only memory)121, a ram (random Access memory)122, and the like.

The storage unit 12 stores various programs and various data for operating the nail print apparatus 1.

Specifically, various programs such as a program for performing imaging processing and a printing program for performing printing processing are stored in the ROM121 of the storage unit 12, and the control device 10 executes these programs to collectively control the respective units of the nail print apparatus 1.

From a functional aspect, the control unit 11 includes a communication control unit 111, an imaging control unit 112, a printing control unit 113, and the like. These functions as the communication control unit 111, the imaging control unit 112, the printing control unit 113, and the like are realized by cooperation of the CPU of the control unit 11 and the program stored in the ROM121 of the storage unit 12.

The communication control unit 111 controls the operation of the communication unit 15. In the present embodiment, communication with the terminal device 9 described later is controlled, and when printing data or the like is transmitted from the terminal device 9, the printing data or the like is received.

When the nail image is acquired by the imaging unit 50, the nail image data is transmitted to the terminal device 9.

The imaging control unit 112 controls the imaging device 51 and the illumination device 52 of the imaging unit 50 to cause the imaging device 51 to image an image of a finger (nail image) including an image of a nail of a printed finger fixed to the finger fixing unit 6.

The image data of the nail image acquired by the imaging unit 50 is transmitted to the terminal device 9 via the communication unit 15. The image data may be stored in the storage unit 12 or the like.

The print control unit 113 is a control unit that outputs a control signal to the printing unit 40 based on the print data transmitted from the terminal device 9, and controls the head moving mechanism 49 of the printing unit 40 (the X-direction moving motor 46 and the Y-direction moving motor 48 constituting the head moving mechanism 49), the print head mechanism of the ink cartridge 7, and the like so as to print the nail according to the print data.

In the present embodiment, when the ink cartridge 7 needs to be attached and detached, the print control unit 113 functions as a motor control unit that controls the operation of the drive motors (i.e., the X-direction movement motor 46 and the Y-direction movement motor 48) constituting the head movement mechanism 49 so that the cartridge holder 8 holding the ink cartridge 7 moves to the predetermined replacement area Ar3 (see fig. 4).

Here, the function of the print control section 113 as the motor control means will be described in detail with reference to fig. 11, 12(a) and 12 (B).

In the present embodiment, the cartridge holder 8 is disposed at the home position Ar1 (see fig. 4) which is a standby position in the initial state where the power supply of the nail print apparatus is off.

In this case, if the nail print apparatus 1 is powered on in accordance with the operation instruction from the terminal device 9, the print control unit 113 moves the cartridge holder 8 from the home position Ar1 to the replacement area Ar 3.

Specifically, the Y-direction movement motor 48 is controlled to move the cartridge holder 8 (the X-direction movement table 45 supporting the cartridge holder 8) straight to the front surface side of the apparatus in the Y-direction, and to stop in the replacement area Ar3 in front of the ejection port 213.

The home position Ar1 is provided with a cap mechanism, not shown, for protecting the ink ejection surface 711 of the ink cartridge 7 from drying and the like, and when the ink cartridge 7 is mounted on the cartridge holder 8 and replaced in the present state, the cartridge holder 8 is disposed at the home position Ar 1.

However, for example, when the ink cartridge 7 is detached from the cartridge holder 8 without using a device or the like for a long period of time, the cartridge holder 8 is not always arranged at the home position Ar 1. Further, the power may be turned off in a state where the cartridge holder 8 is disposed at a position different from the home position Ar 1.

In this case, the print control unit 113 grasps the current position of the cartridge holder 8, and appropriately controls the X-direction movement motor 46 and the Y-direction movement motor 48 to move the cartridge holder 8 in the X-direction and the Y-direction, and stops after moving to the replacement area Ar 3.

When the ink cartridge 7 is mounted on the cartridge holder 8, the print control unit 113 as the motor control means applies a predetermined voltage or current to the X-direction movement motor 46 and the Y-direction movement motor 48 as the drive motors to control the operation of the drive motors (i.e., the X-direction movement motor 46 and the Y-direction movement motor 48) so that the cartridge holder 8 does not move in the movement direction.

In the present embodiment, if the cartridge holder 8 is stopped in the replacement area Ar3, the print control unit 113 applies a predetermined voltage or current to the drive motors (i.e., the X-direction movement motor 46 and the Y-direction movement motor 48) so as to keep the cartridge holder 8 in the stopped state, in order to prevent the cartridge holder 8 from moving from this position.

As described above, the user presses the ink cartridge 7 against the cartridge holder 8 in the moving direction of the cartridge holder 8 to mount the ink cartridge 7, and in the present embodiment, the user presses the ink cartridge 7 against the cartridge holder 8 that is stationary in the replacement area Ar3 from the front side of the apparatus toward the rear side in the Y direction to mount the ink cartridge 7 on the cartridge holder 8.

Therefore, if the Y-direction movement motor 48 as the drive motor is turned OFF (OFF) and is in a free state, the ink cartridge holder 8 is lowered in the pressing direction when the user presses the ink cartridge 7, and the ink cartridge 7 cannot be mounted.

On the other hand, if the cartridge holder 8 is completely fixed mechanically or electrically so as to be stationary, there is a possibility that parts in the apparatus may be damaged when an excessively strong force is applied.

In particular, when the voltage or current applied to the drive motor (Y-direction movement motor 48 in the present embodiment) is increased and it is desired to completely maintain the stationary state of the cartridge holder 8, there is a possibility that various mechanisms in the drive motor (Y-direction movement motor 48) and its periphery may be damaged, for example, the belt (drive belt 474) connected to the drive motor (Y-direction movement motor 48) may be damaged to cause tooth skipping, the belt (drive belt 474) may be broken, and the shaft portion (guide shaft 475) may be damaged.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the absolute value of the minimum force (external force) required to attach the ink cartridge 7 to the cartridge holder 8 is P, the absolute value of the force (force against the external force, force against the direction opposite to the external force) capable of holding the cartridge holder 8 in the stationary state is Q, and the absolute value of the force capable of damaging the movement mechanism is R, the print control unit 113 as the motor control mechanism controls the voltage or current applied to the drive motor (i.e., the Y-direction movement motor 48) so that P < Q < R.

Fig. 11 is a diagram for explaining control of the head moving mechanism according to the present embodiment.

In fig. 11, the horizontal axis represents the applied current value (in [ mA/Phase ]) applied to the drive motor (Y-direction movement motor 48) for each 1 Phase to keep the ink cartridge holder 8 in a stationary state, and the vertical axis represents the force applied to the ink cartridge holder 8 (in [ kg ]).

In fig. 11, a horizontal line (horizontal line in the lower part of the figure) indicated by a dotted line indicates a minimum force "P" required to attach the ink cartridge 7 to the cartridge holder 8, and fig. 11 shows an example of about 1.6 kg. In fig. 11, a horizontal line (horizontal line above the drawing) indicated by a broken line indicates a force (force "R" which may damage the moving mechanism) at which tooth skipping of the belt (drive belt 474) may occur, and fig. 11 shows an example of about 4.5 kg. In fig. 11, a diagonal line indicated by a one-dot chain line indicates a force "Q" capable of holding the cartridge holder 8 in a stationary state.

The greater the applied current to the drive motor (Y-direction movement motor 48), the greater the force with which the ink cartridge holder 8 can be made to stand against the external force.

In this regard, if the force with which the user pushes the ink cartridge 7 is weak when the user pushes the ink cartridge 7 into the ink cartridge holder 8, the force is balanced even if the applied current to the drive motor (Y-direction movement motor 48) is small, and the ink cartridge holder 8 can be made stationary.

However, in order to attach the ink cartridge 7 to the cartridge holder 8, it is necessary to push in with a certain strong force.

Fig. 12(a) is a diagram illustrating a force of mounting the ink cartridge to the cartridge holder, and fig. 12(B) is an enlarged view of a portion B surrounded by a one-dot chain line in fig. 12 (a).

The minimum force (external force) required to attach the ink cartridge 7 to the cartridge holder 8 is affected by slight differences in the manufacturing stage and the assembling stage of the ink cartridge 7 and the cartridge holder 8. Fig. 11 shows an example of the completion of the attachment when the ink cartridge 7 is pressed with a force of 1.6kg or more, and fig. 12(a) and 12(B) show an example of the attachment of the ink cartridge 7 to the cartridge holder 8 with a pressing force of about 1.4 kg.

In the present embodiment, after the ink cartridge 7 is mounted, the cartridge locking portion 831 is fitted to the 2 nd protrusion 723 over the inclined surface 723a from the back side of the 2 nd protrusion 723 to the front side of the 2 nd protrusion 723 as described above, thereby generating a click feeling. With such a structure that generates the click feeling, in the example shown in fig. 12(a) and 12(B), there is a situation in which the force rapidly fluctuates up and down instantaneously after exceeding 1.4kg, and then decreases at a glance.

In order to attach the ink cartridge 7, as described above, the force "Q" capable of holding the cartridge holder 8 in the stationary state must be larger than the minimum force "P" required to attach the ink cartridge 7 to the cartridge holder 8.

In the example shown in fig. 11, the force "Q" exceeding the force "P" is when a current of about 160 mA/Phase or more is applied to the drive motor (Y-direction movement motor 48).

The force "Q" exceeding the force "R" that may damage the moving mechanism is applied when a current of about 420 mA/Phase or more is applied to the drive motor (Y-direction moving motor 48).

Therefore, in the example shown in fig. 11, the print control unit 113 as the motor control means performs control so that a current in a range from about 160[ mA/Phase ] to about 420[ mA/Phase ] (in a range denoted by α in fig. 11) is applied to the drive motor (that is, the Y-direction movement motor 48) as a current such as P < Q < R.

By performing the control as described above, when a current in the range indicated by α is applied to the drive motor (Y-direction movement motor 48), the ink cartridge 7 can be attached with the ink cartridge holder 8 stationary in the range surrounded by the triangle ABC, that is, when the absolute value of the force acting on the ink cartridge holder 8 by the user pressing the ink cartridge 7 is smaller than the force "Q". In the range surrounded by the trapezoidal ACDE, that is, when the absolute value of the force acting on the cartridge holder 8 by the user pressing the ink cartridge 7 is larger than the force "Q", the ink cartridge holder 8 can be attached even though it is slightly moved in the moving direction (Y direction in the present embodiment).

The current value or voltage value to be applied to the drive motor (Y-direction movement motor 48) for P < Q < R varies depending on various conditions such as the structures of the ink cartridge 7 and the cartridge holder 8 and the rigidity of the apparatus.

Therefore, the values shown in fig. 11 are examples, and appropriate values are set appropriately at the stage of designing each device.

As the terminal device 9, for example, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet computer is assumed, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The terminal device 9 is not particularly limited as long as it can communicate with the nail print apparatus 1, and may be, for example, a notebook-type or stationary-type personal computer, a game terminal device, or the like.

Specifically, the terminal device 9 includes an operation unit 91, a display unit 92, a communication unit 94, a control device 95, and the like.

The operation unit 91 can perform various inputs, settings, and the like in accordance with an operation by a user, and when the operation unit 91 is operated, an input signal corresponding to the operation is transmitted to the control device 95. In the present embodiment, a touch panel is integrally provided on the surface of the display unit 92, and the user can perform various operations such as input and setting by touching the touch panel.

The operation unit 91 for performing various operations such as input and setting is not limited to the case of a touch panel. For example, various operation buttons, a keyboard, a pointing device, and the like may be provided as the operation unit 91.

In the present embodiment, a user can select a nail design or the like to be printed on a nail by operating the operation unit 91.

The touch panel configured in the display unit 92 displays various display screens according to control of a controller 951 described later.

In the present embodiment, the nail design input and selected by the user from the operation unit 91, the image transmitted from the nail print apparatus 1, and the like can be displayed on the display unit 92.

The communication unit 94 can transmit print data to the nail print apparatus 1. Further, the communication unit 94 receives data such as nail images when the data is transmitted from the nail print apparatus 1. The communication unit 94 includes a wireless communication module and the like that can communicate with the communication unit 15 of the nail print apparatus 1.

The communication unit 94 may be configured to communicate with the nail print apparatus 1 as long as it can communicate with the nail print apparatus 1, and conforms to the communication standard of the communication unit 15 of the nail print apparatus 1.

The control device 95 is a computer including a control unit 951 configured by a cpu (central Processing unit) and the like, not shown, and a storage unit 952 configured by a rom (read Only memory) and a ram (random Access memory), not shown, and the like.

The storage unit 952 stores various programs and various data for operating the respective units of the terminal device 9.

Specifically, the ROM or the like of the present embodiment stores various programs (none of which is shown) such as a nail print application program for performing nail print by the nail print apparatus 1, in addition to an operation program for integrally controlling each part of the terminal apparatus 9, and the control apparatus 95 controls the terminal apparatus 9 by expanding and executing these programs in a job area of the RAM, for example.

The storage unit 952 of the present embodiment stores nail design data, nail image data, information on the position and range of the nail, and the like.

The controller 951 integrally controls operations of each part of the terminal device 9. The controller 951 realizes various functions for printing on a nail in cooperation with a program stored in the storage 952.

The following describes the operation of nail print apparatus 1 when ink cartridge 7 is mounted in the present embodiment.

When replacing the ink cartridge 7 of the nail print apparatus 1, first, the user inputs a replacement instruction of the ink cartridge 7 of the nail print apparatus 1 from the terminal apparatus 9. Thus, when the power of the nail print apparatus 1 is turned off, the terminal device 9 outputs an instruction to turn on the power to the nail print apparatus 1, and the nail print apparatus 1 is started.

When the nail print apparatus 1 is activated, the print control unit 113 controls the drive motors (i.e., the X-direction movement motor 46 and the Y-direction movement motor 48 constituting the head movement mechanism 49) to move the cartridge holder 8 to the replacement area Ar3 corresponding to the ejection port 213.

For example, if the cartridge holder 8 is located at the home position Ar1 on the far right side of the base 3 in the initial state when the power supply is off, the print control unit 113 controls the Y-direction moving motor 48 to move the cartridge holder 8 forward in the Y direction (the direction indicated by the black arrow in fig. 4) to the apparatus front side and move the cartridge holder to the replacement area Ar 3.

At this time, on a display unit, not shown, of the terminal device, it is possible to display "please open the upper cover of the nail print apparatus and mount the ink cartridge. "etc.

When the ink cartridge holder 8 is moved to the replacement area Ar3, the user detaches the lower cover 22 from the casing main body 21 and opens the upper cover 23, and when the stopper member 84 of the ink cartridge holder 8 is lowered downward, it is raised upward to open the ink cartridge holder 8. Then, as shown in fig. 13, the ink cartridge 7 is attached to the cartridge holder 8 which is opened from the front side. In fig. 13, the hand of the user pushing the ink cartridge 7 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. Furthermore, the method is simple. In fig. 13, a pressing direction when the user pushes the ink cartridge 7 is indicated by a black arrow.

Specifically, the ink cartridge 7 is inserted so as to be pushed obliquely upward from obliquely lower side of the front surface side of the cartridge holder 8 with the cartridge terminal portion 73 facing the rear side.

At this time, the print control unit 113 applies a predetermined current or voltage to the drive motor (Y-direction movement motor 48) so as to satisfy the condition P < Q < R.

Thereby, the drive motor (Y-direction moving motor 48) is in a state of being applied with the brake (brake), and the ink cartridge holder 8 is held in a stationary state against the pressing force of the user (force in the direction indicated by the hollow arrow in fig. 7 and 13). Therefore, the user can easily mount the ink cartridge 7.

The holder terminal portion 86 and the cartridge terminal portion 73 are electrically connected by pushing the ink cartridge 7 by the user into the depth of the cartridge holder 8.

When the ink cartridge 7 is pushed into the depth of the cartridge holder 8, the cartridge locking portion 831 passes over the 2 nd protrusion 723 of the ink cartridge 7 and is locked to the 2 nd protrusion 723. At this time, the user can intuitively recognize that the ink cartridge 7 is correctly mounted by feeling the click feeling of the engagement of the cartridge retaining portion 831 as a leaf spring with the 2 nd protrusion 723.

Then, the user lowers the blocking member 84 to the near side of the ink cartridge 7, preventing the ink cartridge 7 from being accidentally dropped, and the like.

Then, the upper cover 23 is closed, and the lower cover 22 and the drawer 24 integrated therewith are removed to the outside of the apparatus, so that the finger fixing portion 6 and the finger waiting portion 350 are exposed.

When the ink cartridge 7 is mounted on the cartridge holder 8, the user selects and sets a nail design to be printed on the nail from the terminal device 9, places the printing finger on the finger fixing section 6, and places the other non-printing fingers on the finger waiting section 350. Then, by instructing the printing start from the terminal device 9, the printing operation is appropriately performed, and the desired nail design is printed on the nail of the printing finger.

It is also preferable that the control device 90 of the terminal device 9 instructs the image pickup unit 50 of the nail print apparatus 1 to pick up an image of a print finger placed on the finger fixing unit 6 before starting printing, detects a nail area by analyzing the image (nail image) when the picked-up image is transmitted to the terminal device 9, appropriately adjusts the nail design using the detected nail area as a print area, and generates print data after performing various corrections.

In this case, the printing data is output from the terminal device 9 to the nail print apparatus 1. When the print data is fed from the terminal device 9, the print control unit 113 of the nail print apparatus 1 outputs the print data to the print head mechanism 71, and performs printing based on the print data by appropriately controlling the head moving mechanism 49. This enables appropriate printing in accordance with the fingernail of the user.

As described above, the present embodiment includes: a head moving mechanism 49 including a drive motor (in the present embodiment, a Y-direction moving motor 48) for moving the ink cartridge holder 8 that detachably holds the ink cartridge 7; and a printing control section 113 as a motor control means for controlling the operation of the Y-direction movement motor 48; the ink cartridge 7 is mounted to the cartridge holder 8 by pressing the ink cartridge 7 in the moving direction by the head moving mechanism 49; when the ink cartridge 7 is mounted on the cartridge holder 8, the print control unit 113 applies a predetermined voltage or current to the Y-direction movement motor 48 to control the operation of the Y-direction movement motor 48 so that the cartridge holder 8 does not move in the movement direction (Y direction in the present embodiment).

This enables the ink cartridge to be mounted even in the Y direction (the front-rear direction of the apparatus) which is the same as the insertion direction in which the printing direction finger fixing portion 6 is inserted during printing, and thus enables the structure to be easily understood intuitively for the user.

Further, by making the insertion direction of the printing finger the same as the mounting direction of the ink cartridge and performing the insertion operation and the mounting operation from the same surface side (in the present embodiment, the front surface side of the apparatus), it is sufficient to provide the opening portion only on 1 surface and it is sufficient to open only 1 surface, so that it is not necessary to provide a plurality of lid portions and opening portions on the upper surface, the side surface, or the like, and the apparatus structure can be simplified.

In addition, when the user pushes the ink cartridge 7 in the moving direction of the cartridge holder 8 at the time of mounting the ink cartridge 7 as described above, the cartridge holder 8 needs to be configured to maintain a stationary state against the pushing of the user, and by adopting the above configuration, the position of the cartridge holder 8 can be favorably maintained, and the ink cartridge 7 can be mounted easily and appropriately.

Therefore, the ink cartridge 7 can be easily attached and replaced, and a nail print apparatus capable of performing good printing can be realized.

In the present embodiment, when the absolute value of the minimum force (external force) required to attach the ink cartridge 7 to the cartridge holder 8 is P, the absolute value of the force (force against the external force) capable of holding the cartridge holder 8 in the stationary state is Q, and the absolute value of the force capable of damaging the drive belt 474 and other parts constituting the head moving mechanism 49 is R, the print control unit 113 as the motor control means controls the predetermined voltage or current applied to the Y-direction moving motor 48 so that P < Q < R.

This makes it possible to easily mount and replace the ink cartridge 7, prevent excessive force from being applied to each part of the apparatus, prevent the drive belt 474 from jumping and breaking, and prevent each part in the nail print apparatus 1 from being damaged.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, although the present embodiment is configured such that the ejection port 213 of the ink cartridge 7 is provided on the front surface side of the apparatus and the replacement area Ar3 is defined as a position after the straight advance in the Y direction from the home position Ar1 toward the front of the apparatus, the positions where the ejection port 213 and the replacement area Ar3 are provided are not limited to the example shown in the present embodiment.

The replacement area Ar3 when the ink cartridge 7 is attached to the cartridge holder 8 and the ejection port 213 of the ink cartridge 7 may be provided on the side surface of the apparatus.

The movement direction of the cartridge holder 8 by the head moving mechanism 49 may be at least either the Y-axis direction, which is the front-rear direction of the apparatus, or the X-axis direction, which is the left-right direction of the apparatus and is orthogonal to the Y-axis direction.

The ink cartridge 7 is mounted to the cartridge holder 8 by being pressed in the moving direction by the head moving mechanism 49, but when the replacement area Ar3 and the ejection port 213 are provided on the side of the apparatus, the ink cartridge 7 may be mounted to the cartridge holder 8 from the side.

In this case, the moving direction is an X direction which is a left-right direction of the apparatus. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 7 is mounted, the print control unit 113 as a motor control unit controls a predetermined voltage or current to be applied to the X-direction movement motor 46 constituting the head movement mechanism 49. Thereby, the ink cartridge holder 8 is held in a stationary state, and the user can easily mount the ink cartridge.

In this way, regardless of the mounting direction of the ink cartridge 7, the head moving mechanism 49 can easily mount the ink cartridge 7 by controlling the voltage or current applied to the X-direction moving motor 46 or the Y-direction moving motor 48 to a predetermined value by the print control unit 113 as a motor control unit.

In the present embodiment, a current is applied to the drive motor (Y-direction movement motor 48) so that Q, which is the absolute value of the force (force against the external force) capable of holding the cartridge holder 8 in the stationary state, satisfies the condition of P < Q < R, but a measurement unit may be provided which measures the force received by the cartridge holder 8 as needed when the ink cartridge 7 is pushed in, and the print control unit 113 may perform control so that the applied current is changed in accordance with the measured force.

In this case, even when the initially set current to be applied is small, the cartridge holder 8 can be held at the position of the replacement area Ar3 by increasing the current to be applied to the drive motor (i.e., the Y-direction moving motor 48) to a level not exceeding R.

This can always prevent the drive motor (Y-direction movement motor 48) from being consumed by a large amount of flow current, and can normally mount the ink cartridge 7 to the cartridge holder 8 without moving the cartridge holder 8 from the replacement area Ar 3.

In the present embodiment, the case where the ink cartridge 7 is a head-integrated type ink cartridge integrally provided with a print head mechanism of an ink jet system is exemplified, but the ink cartridge is not limited to printing by the ink jet system.

The ink cartridge is not limited to the head-integrated type. For example, a print head mechanism having a function of ejecting ink may be provided on the cartridge holder 8 side or the like to which the ink cartridge 7 is attached, and the ink cartridge may have only an ink storage portion.

In this case, the ink cartridge that is replaceable as a consumable can be realized with a simple and inexpensive structure, and is economical for the user.

In this case, the configuration may be such that: the ink cartridge includes a sensor for monitoring the degree of ink reduction and a terminal portion connected to the sensor, and when the ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge holder, the remaining amount of ink is grasped on the device side via the cartridge terminal portion and the holder terminal portion, and the timing of replacement of the ink cartridge is reported to the user.

Further, when a sensor for monitoring the degree of reduction of ink is provided and the detection result of the sensor is transmitted to the terminal device, and when it is determined that the ink cartridge is in the replacement timing in the control device 90 or the like of the terminal device because the ink is reduced to a predetermined level or less based on the detection result of the sensor, an operation instruction may be output to the print control unit 113 of the nail print apparatus 1 so that the cartridge holder 8 is moved to the replacement area Ar3, and a predetermined voltage or current for bringing the cartridge holder 8 into a stationary state may be applied to the drive motor (the X-direction movement motor 46 or the Y-direction movement motor 48).

In the present embodiment, the nail print apparatus 1 performs printing by the ink jet method, but the method of performing printing by the nail print apparatus 1 is not limited to the ink jet method.

For example, printing may be performed using a pen, which includes a pen holder for holding a printing pen that performs printing by bringing a pen tip into contact with a nail surface. Further, it may be configured to perform printing using a plurality of printing mechanisms, including both the ink jet printing mechanism and the pen holder holding the printing pen as in the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the nail print apparatus 1 and the terminal apparatus cooperate to form a printing system, and the nail print apparatus 1 performs a printing operation of printing nails after inputting a print start instruction, detecting a print area (that is, a nail area), performing various corrections, generating print data, and the like on the terminal apparatus side, but the nail print apparatus 1 is not limited to the case shown here.

For example, an operation unit and a display unit for inputting various instructions, a print data generation unit for generating print data, and the like may be provided on the nail print apparatus 1 side, and the control device of the nail print apparatus 1 may perform these processes.

In the case of such a configuration, the nail print apparatus 1 can be configured to be able to perform a printing operation by itself without cooperation with the terminal apparatus.

Further, the image data of nail design may be provided in the storage unit of the terminal device, or may be stored in the storage unit of the nail print apparatus 1.

Further, the image data of nail design may be stored in a server device or the like connectable via a network line or the like, and the terminal device or nail print apparatus 1 may be configured to be able to access the server device or the like and refer to the image data of nail design.

In this way, a design to be printed can be selected from a larger number of nail designs.

Further, the nail print apparatus 1 may be provided with a drying unit including a heater and/or a fan for drying ink after printing.

For example, by providing a drying unit in the finger waiting unit 350 or the like, the printed nail can be dried while printing the nails of other fingers, and the time required for nail print can be shortened.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.