U.S. patent application number 14/625463 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-24 for drawing apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Hiroyasu BITOH.
Application Number | 20150366317 14/625463 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53766495 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150366317 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BITOH; Hiroyasu |
December 24, 2015 |
DRAWING APPARATUS
Abstract
A drawing apparatus includes a mounting section having a
mounting surface for mounting thereon a drawing target object
having a drawing target surface, a carriage for attaching thereto a
drawing tool having a tip portion at one end, and a drawing tool
pressing mechanism for bringing the tip portion of the drawing tool
attached to the carriage into contact with the drawing target
surface of the drawing target object mounted on the mounting
surface. The carriage includes a fitting member to be fitted with
the tip portion of the drawing tool, and configured to be movable
with the drawing tool having the fitted tip portion, and a biasing
member biasing the fitting member in a direction away from the
mounting surface. The drawing tool pressing mechanism presses the
drawing tool with the tip portion fitted with the fitting member in
a direction where the tip portion approaches the mounting surface,
and brings the tip portion into contact with the drawing target
surface.
Inventors: |
BITOH; Hiroyasu; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
53766495 |
Appl. No.: |
14/625463 |
Filed: |
February 18, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/73.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2029/005 20130101;
A45D 29/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 29/00 20060101
A45D029/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 20, 2013 |
JP |
2013-263762 |
Jun 26, 2014 |
JP |
2014-131329 |
Claims
1. A drawing apparatus comprising: a mounting section including a
mounting surface configured to mount thereon a drawing target
object having a drawing target surface; a carriage including a
fitting member configured to be fitted with a tip portion of a
drawing tool having the tip portion on one end side, and be movable
together with the drawing tool whose tip portion is fitted therein,
and a biasing member biasing the fitting member in a first
direction away from the mounting surface; and a drawing tool
pressing mechanism configured to press the drawing tool whose tip
portion is fitted in the fitting member in a second direction where
the tip portion approaches the mounting surface with a larger force
than a biasing force of the biasing member, and bring the tip
portion into contact with the drawing target surface of the drawing
target object mounted on the mounting surface.
2. The drawing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising an
auxiliary shaft member fixed at one end to the fitting member and
configured to be movable together with the drawing tool whose tip
portion is fitted in the fitting member.
3. The drawing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the biasing
member is an elastic member placed on an outer periphery of the
auxiliary shaft member and compressed upon the drawing tool being
pressed by the drawing tool pressing mechanism in the first
direction, the elastic member having a restoring force attempting
to return to the original state against an external force.
4. The drawing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drawing
tool includes a shaft portion having the tip portion on one end
side, and a fitting portion at the tip portion, the fitting portion
having a diameter smaller than that of the shaft portion, and the
fitting member includes a through hole in which the fitting portion
is mounted and fitted.
5. The drawing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drawing
tool includes, at the tip portion, a threaded portion having one of
an external thread and an internal thread, and the fitting member
includes a through hole having an internal peripheral surface on
which the other of an external thread and an internal thread to be
fitted with the threaded portion is formed.
6. The drawing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the threaded
portion has a diameter smaller than that of the shaft portion, the
drawing tool includes a tapered portion at the tip portion, the
tapered portion gradually reducing in diameter toward the threaded
portion, and the fitting member includes a taper receiving portion
formed into a bowl shape configured to receive the tapered
portion.
7. The drawing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drawing
tool pressing mechanism includes an elastically deformable press
side elastic member configured to come into contact with the
drawing tool and press the drawing tool in the second direction,
the press side elastic member is a flat spring, and the flat spring
elastically deforms upon pressing the drawing tool in the second
direction, and bends and deforms upon the drawing tool being
pressed up in accordance with the shape of the drawing target
surface at the time of drawing.
8. The drawing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the drawing
tool pressing mechanism further includes a flat spring moving
mechanism connected to one end side of the flat spring and
configured to selectively move the flat spring to a first position
where the other end side of the flat spring comes into direct
contact with the other end side of the drawing tool to press the
drawing tool in the second direction, or a second position in no
contact with the other end of the drawing tool.
9. The drawing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the drawing
tool pressing mechanism further includes a slide pin having one end
and the other end, the other end being able to come into contact
with the other end side of the drawing tool, the other end being
biased by a pin elastic member in a direction away from the other
end side of the drawing tool, and a flat spring moving mechanism
connected to one end side of the flat spring and configured to
selectively move the flat spring to a first position of bringing
the other end side of the flat spring into contact with the one end
of the slide pin, pressing the slide pin in a direction where the
other end comes into contact with the other end side of the drawing
tool, bringing the other end of the slide pin into contact with the
other end side of the drawing tool, pressing the drawing tool in
the second direction, and bringing the tip portion into contact
with the drawing target surface, or a second position of not
pressing the slide pin.
10. The drawing apparatus according to claim 7, comprising an
auxiliary shaft member fixed at one end to the fitting member and
configured to be movable together with the drawing tool whose tip
portion is fitted in the fitting member, wherein the auxiliary
shaft member includes a protruding member protruding in a direction
away from the axial center of the drawing tool, the flat spring
includes a through hole through which the drawing tool and the
auxiliary shaft member are inserted, and an engaging portion being
able to come into contact with the protruding member, and the
drawing tool pressing mechanism includes a flat spring moving
mechanism configured to selectively move the flat spring to a first
position where the engaging portion of the flat spring comes into
contact with the protruding member to press the drawing tool via
the auxiliary shaft member in the second direction, or a second
position where the protruding member does not come into contact
with the engaging portion of the flat spring.
11. The drawing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising
a print head configured to eject ink reduced into smaller droplets
onto the drawing target surface, and draw.
12. The drawing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising
a moving mechanism configured to move the carriage and the print
head simultaneously.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application Nos.
2013-263762, filed on Dec. 20, 2013, and 2014-131329, filed on Jun.
26, 2014, and the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a drawing apparatus.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A nail printing apparatus is conventionally known which
prints design images such as colors and patterns on the surfaces of
nails of a person by an inkjet method.
[0006] However, the diameter of a nozzle hole of an inkjet print
head is small. Therefore, there are restrictions such as that an
ink having a color material with a large particle size and an ink
having a high viscosity cannot be used. Hence, there is a limit to
printable nail designs.
[0007] In order to deal with this, there is a plotter drawing
apparatus that includes a drawing unit on which a drawing tool such
as a pen is attached, and causes a tip portion of the pen to come
into contact with paper to draw. Such a drawing apparatus is
described in, for example, JP 7-266789 A. The use of the plotter
drawing apparatus as a drawing apparatus that performs nail
printing with high color saturation, using various inks is
conceivable.
[0008] Here, a nail being a print target object of the nail
printing apparatus has a curved shape whose ends and center portion
are different in height. A print target surface being the surface
of the nail changes relatively largely in the up and down direction
(height direction) by approximately 10 mm at the maximum.
[0009] Hence, if the plotter drawing apparatus is used as the nail
printing apparatus, it is necessary to apply appropriate pressure
on a tip portion of a drawing tool such as a pen and relatively
largely and flexibly move the tip portion up and down, following
changes in the height direction of the surface of the nail.
[0010] However, the known plotter printing apparatus is configured
assuming to draw on a flat surface such as paper. Hence, it does
not have a structure that can apply appropriate pressure on the tip
portion of the drawing tool such as a pen and cause the tip portion
to excellently follow relatively large changes in the up and down
direction (height direction) of the drawing target surface.
[0011] Furthermore, in the plotter printing apparatus, it is
necessary to control the shift of the axis of the pen of when the
drawing tool is largely moved up and down in order to draw with
fine detail while largely moving the drawing tool up and down.
However, in the known plotter drawing apparatus, this point is not
considered, either. Hence, it is difficult in the configuration of
the known plotter drawing apparatus to smoothly and beautifully
perform nail printing on the surface of the nail.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention has an advantage that can provide a
drawing apparatus that can follow changes in the height direction
of a drawing target surface and control the shift of the axis of a
pen to perform nail printing with fine detail, in a case of drawing
on nails in the plotter method.
[0013] There is provided a drawing apparatus including: a mounting
section including a mounting surface configured to mount thereon a
drawing target object having a drawing target surface; a carriage
including a fitting member configured to be fitted with a tip
portion of a drawing tool having the tip portion on one end side,
and be movable together with the drawing tool whose tip portion is
fitted therein, and a biasing member biasing the fitting member in
a first direction away from the mounting surface; and a drawing
tool pressing mechanism configured to press the drawing tool whose
tip portion is fitted in the fitting member in a second direction
where the tip portion approaches the mounting surface with a larger
force than a biasing force of the biasing member, and bring the tip
portion into contact with the drawing target surface of the drawing
target object mounted on the mounting surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0014] FIG. 1 is a front view of a nail printing apparatus in a
first embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side view in section illustrating an internal
configuration by sectioning a part of the nail printing apparatus
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3A is a top view of a drawing head in the first
embodiment, FIG. 3B is a front view of the drawing head of FIG. 3A
when viewed from an arrow b direction, and FIG. 3C is a side view
of the drawing head of FIG. 3A when viewed from an arrow c
direction;
[0017] FIG. 4A is a side view that enlarges a part of a pen
carriage in a state where auxiliary shaft members are not being
pressed, FIG. 4B is a side view that enlarges a part of the pen
carriage in a state where the auxiliary shaft members are being
pressed, FIG. 4C is a bottom view of the pen carriage of FIG. 4A
when viewed from the undersurface side, and FIG. 4D is a plan view
that enlarges a part of a first plate-like member;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a side view of a pen;
[0019] FIGS. 6A and 6B are side views of a slide pin, a coil
spring, and a pin attachment member, and FIG. 6A is a side view
illustrating a state where the slide pin is not being pressed, and
FIG. 6B is a side view illustrating a state where the slide pin is
being pressed;
[0020] FIG. 7A is a side view that enlarges the pen carriage at the
time of non-drawing and a pen supported by the pen carriage, and
FIG. 7B is a side view that enlarges the pen carriage in a state
where the pen is being pressed down, and the pen supported by the
pen carriage;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a side view of the pen carriage in a drawing state
where a finger is placed in a finger fixing section and the pen
supported by the pen carriage;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a main part block diagram illustrating a control
configuration of the nail printing apparatus according to the
embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 10A is a top view of a drawing head in a second
embodiment, FIG. 10B is a front view of the drawing head of FIG. 1
OA when viewed from an arrow b direction, and FIG. 10C is a side
view of the drawing head of FIG. 10A when viewed from an arrow c
direction;
[0024] FIG. 11A is a top view of a pen in a third embodiment, FIG.
11B is a side view of the pen of FIG. 11A, FIG. 11C is a side view
of a nib fitting member into which the pen of FIG. 11A is fitted,
and auxiliary shaft members, and FIG. 11D is a bottom view of the
nib fitting member and the auxiliary shaft members of FIG. 11C when
viewed from an arrow d direction;
[0025] FIG. 12A is a side view that enlarges a part of a pen
carriage in a state where the auxiliary shaft members are not being
pressed in the third embodiment, FIG. 12B is a side view that
enlarges a part of the pen carriage in a state where the auxiliary
shaft members are being pressed in the third embodiment, and FIG.
12C is a bottom view of the pen carriage of FIG. 12A when viewed
from an arrow c direction;
[0026] FIG. 13A is a top view of a drawing head in a fourth
embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a side view of the drawing head of FIG.
13A;
[0027] FIG. 14A is a side view of a pen in a state where auxiliary
shaft members are not being pressed in the fourth embodiment, FIG.
14B is a side view of the pen in a state where the auxiliary shaft
members are being pressed in the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 14C is
a bottom view of the pen and the nib fitting member of FIG. 14A
when viewed from an arrow c direction; and
[0028] FIG. 15A is a top view of a drawing head in a fifth
embodiment, and FIG. 15B is a side view of the drawing head of FIG.
15A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Embodiments of a drawing apparatus and a drawing control
method for the drawing apparatus according to the present invention
are described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
[0030] Various limitations, which are technically preferable, are
added to the embodiments described below to carry out the present
invention. However, the scope of the present invention is not
limited by the following embodiments and illustrated examples.
[0031] In the following embodiments, a drawing apparatus is assumed
to draw with a finger of the hand as a drawing target object, and
the surface of the nail of the finger of the hand as a drawing
target surface. However, the drawing target object of the present
invention is not limited to a finger of the hand, and the drawing
target surface is not limited to the surface of the nail of the
finger of the hand. For example, a toe of the foot may be set as
the drawing target object, and the surface of the nail of the toe
of the foot as the drawing target surface.
First Embodiment
[0032] A first embodiment of the nail printing apparatus (drawing
apparatus) according to the present invention is described with
reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.
[0033] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the internal configuration
of a nail printing apparatus 1.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a side view in section illustrating the internal
configuration by sectioning a part of the nail printing apparatus
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0035] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the nail printing apparatus
(drawing apparatus) 1 in the embodiment is a plotter printing
apparatus where a drawing head 70 includes a pen 71 that draws on a
nail T of a print finger U1.
[0036] The nail printing apparatus 1 includes a case main body 2
and an apparatus main body 10 housed in the case main body 2.
[0037] A pen replacement purpose cover unit 23 configured to be
openable and closable for replacing the pen (drawing tool) 71 of a
drawing unit 7 described below is provided at one end of an upper
part of a side surface of the case main body 2.
[0038] The pen replacement purpose cover unit 23 is pivotable on,
for example, a hinge from the closed state to the open state, as
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0039] Furthermore, a medium insertion/removal port 24 where a
drawing medium (not illustrated) to be mounted on a pen break-in
section 61 described below can be replaced is formed at a position
on one side surface of the case main body 2 (a left side surface in
FIG. 1 in the embodiment), the position corresponding to the pen
break-in section 61.
[0040] An operating unit 25 (refer to FIG. 9) is placed on a top
surface (top) of the case main body 2.
[0041] The operating unit 25 is an input unit that allows a user to
perform various input operations.
[0042] Unillustrated operation buttons for performing various input
operations, such as a power switch button to turn on the power to
the nail printing apparatus 1, a stop switch button to stop the
operation, a design selection button to select a design image to be
drawn on the nail T, and a drawing start button to instruct the
start of drawing, are placed on the operating unit 25.
[0043] A display unit 26 is placed in a substantially center
portion of the top surface (top) of the case main body 2.
[0044] The display unit 26 includes, for example, a liquid crystal
display (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display), an organic
electroluminescence display, or any other flat display.
[0045] In the embodiment, for example, a nail image (a finger image
including an image of the nail T) obtained by photographing the
print finger U1, an image of the outline and the like of the nail T
included in the nail image, a design selection screen for selecting
a design image to be drawn on the nail T, a thumbnail image for a
design check, and an instruction screen for displaying various
instructions are displayed on the display unit 26, as
appropriate.
[0046] A touch panel may be integrally formed on the surface of the
display unit 26. In this case, it is configured in such a manner as
to be able to perform various input operations by touch operations
of touching the surface of the display unit 26 with, for example,
an unillustrated stylus pen or fingertip, the stylus pen being a
rod-like writing instrument with a pointing tip and writing by
being pressed against the surface of the touch panel.
[0047] The apparatus main body 10 includes a lower machine casing
11 formed into a substantially box shape and placed in a lower part
inside the case main body 2, and an upper machine casing 12 placed
in an upper part inside the case main body 2 above the lower
machine casing 11.
[0048] First, the lower machine casing 11 is described.
[0049] The lower machine casing 11 includes a back plate 111, a
bottom plate 112, a pair of left and right side plates 113a and
113b, an X-direction moving stage housing section 114, a
Y-direction moving stage housing section 115, and a dividing wall
116.
[0050] Lower ends of the side plates 113a and 113b are coupled
directly to both of left and right ends of the bottom plate 112.
The side plates 113a and 113b are provided in a standing manner
with respect to the bottom plate 112.
[0051] A lower part of the back plate 111 is formed in such a
manner as to be recessed toward the front (frontward in a finger
insertion direction) in two stages. A lower end of the back plate
111 is coupled to a front end of the bottom plate 112. The back
plate 111 partitions an area surrounded by the bottom plate 112 and
the side plates 113a and 113b into front and back spaces.
[0052] The space formed behind the recessed back plate 111 serves
as the X-direction moving stage housing section 114 and the
Y-direction moving stage housing section 115 (refer to FIG. 2). An
X-direction moving stage 45 of the drawing unit 7 is housed in the
X-direction moving stage housing section 114 when the drawing unit
7 has moved to the front (frontward in the finger insertion
direction).
[0053] A Y-direction moving stage 47 of the drawing unit 7 is
placed in the Y-direction moving stage housing section 115.
[0054] The dividing wall 116 is provided inside the lower machine
casing 11 in such a manner as to partition the front space in the
lower machine casing 11 (the frontward space in the finger
insertion direction surrounded by the back plate 111, the bottom
plate 112, and the side plates 113a and 113b) into upper and lower
spaces.
[0055] The dividing wall 116 is provided substantially
horizontally. Both of left and right ends of the dividing wall 116
are coupled directly to the side plates 113a and 113b,
respectively. A back end of the dividing wall 116 is coupled to the
back plate 111.
[0056] The lower machine casing 11 is integrally provided with a
finger fixing section 30 (refer to FIG. 2).
[0057] The finger fixing section 30 includes a finger receiving
section 31 that receives a finger corresponding to the nail T on
which drawing is performed (hereinafter referred to as the "print
finger U1"), and a finger withdrawal section 32 that allows the
fingers but the print finger U1 (hereinafter referred to as the
"non-print fingers U2") to withdraw.
[0058] The finger receiving section 31 is placed in a substantially
central portion in the width direction of the lower machine casing
11 above the dividing wall 116.
[0059] The space partitioned by the dividing wall 116 as the lower
side of the lower machine casing 11 forms the finger withdrawal
section 32.
[0060] For example, if drawing is performed on the nail T of the
ring finger, the ring finger as the print finger U1 is inserted
into the finger receiving section 31, and the other four fingers
(the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and little finger) being
the non-print fingers U2 are inserted into the finger withdrawal
section 32, as illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0061] The finger receiving section 31 opens toward the front
surface side of the lower machine casing 11 (frontward in the print
finger insertion direction). A lower side of the finger receiving
section 31 is partitioned by a finger mounting section 116a forming
a part of the dividing wall 116, both sides thereof by a divider
31a, and a back side thereof by a divider 31c (refer to FIG. 8).
The finger mounting section 116a is for mounting a finger of the
nail T on which drawing is performed (the print finger U1 and the
drawing target object) on an X-Y plane.
[0062] An upper side of the finger receiving section 31 is
partitioned by a ceiling section 31d.
[0063] A window 31e for exposing the nail T of the print finger U1,
which has been inserted into the finger receiving section 31, is
formed in the ceiling section 31d (refer to FIG. 8).
[0064] Front walls 31f (refer to FIG. 1) that block the front
surface side of the lower machine casing 11 are provided in a
standing manner on a top surface of the dividing wall 116 at both
ends on the front surface side of the lower machine casing 11.
[0065] A pair of guide walls 31g (refer to FIG. 1) that narrows
from one ends of the front walls 31f, which are closer to the
central portion, toward the finger receiving section 31 and guides
the print finger U1 into the finger receiving section 31 is
provided in a standing manner on the top surface of the dividing
wall 116.
[0066] The user can sandwich the dividing wall 116 between the
print finger U1 inserted into the finger receiving section 31 and
the non-print fingers U2 inserted into the finger withdrawal
section 32. Hence, the print finger U1 inserted into the finger
receiving section 31 is stably fixed.
[0067] In the embodiment, a protrusion 116b protruding downward is
formed at a front end of the dividing wall 116.
[0068] The protrusion 116b is a taper portion whose thickness
gradually decreases toward the front side and gradually increases
toward the back side. The protrusion 116b may have a structure that
is thick as a whole as compared to a recess on a back side of the
dividing wall 116. In this manner, the protrusion 116b is formed at
the front end of the dividing wall 116. Accordingly, as illustrated
in FIG. 8, when the non-print fingers U2 have been inserted into
the finger withdrawal section 32, a space is secured between the
nail T of the already drawn finger and the dividing wall 116 so
that it is possible to prevent the ink from attaching to the
apparatus side and prevent the design drawn on the nail T from
being smudged and marred, due to the contact of the nail T with an
undersurface of the dividing wall 116.
[0069] The pen break-in section 61 that allows the pen 71 described
below to break in is provided on a top surface of the lower machine
casing 11 on a side of the finger receiving section 31 (a position
corresponding to the medium insertion/removal port 24 of the case
main body 2, and on the left side in FIG. 1 in the embodiment)
within a drawable area of the drawing head 70 described below.
[0070] The pen break-in section 61 is formed by recessing a part of
the top surface of the lower machine casing 11, and is preferably
provided in such a manner as that the height of the pen break-in
section 61 is made substantially the same as that of the nail T of
when the print finger U1 is inserted into the finger receiving
section 31.
[0071] The pen break-in section 61 is a flat plate-like part, and
is configured in such a manner as that an unillustrated drawn
medium inserted from the above-mentioned medium insertion/removal
port 24 of the case main body 2 is mounted thereon.
[0072] The drawn medium to be mounted on the pen break-in section
61 is required to enable a nib (tip portion) 713 to break in and
is, for example, a slip of paper.
[0073] In order to prevent the start of drawing from becoming
patchy due to reasons such as the dry nib 713 and insufficient
deposition of ink, the pen break-in section 61 lowers the pen 71 on
the drawn medium, draws a predetermined shape such as "o" or
".infin.", causes the nib 713 to break in, and makes the state of
the nib 713 excellent before starting drawing on the nail T with
image data.
[0074] The predetermined shape to be drawn upon breaking in is not
specially limited. However, simple shapes such as "o" and ".infin."
are preferable to prevent a waste of ink. In breaking in, it is
preferable to shift the shape drawing position bit by bit within an
area of the pen break-in section 61 for every break-in.
[0075] When drawing has been performed on the substantially entire
surface of the drawn medium, a display screen that prompts the
replacement of the drawn medium, such as "Please replace the
paper," is configured to be displayed on the display unit 26.
[0076] In this case, the user removes the drawn medium from the
medium insertion/removal port 24 to replace it with a new one.
Accordingly, it enters a state where break-in can be performed on
the new drawn medium.
[0077] For example, if the drawn medium is a roll of paper, when
the drawing space is used up, the drawn medium is unreeled from the
roll of paper to enable break-in on a new drawing surface.
[0078] The drawing unit 7 is formed including, for example, the
drawing head 70 having the drawing purpose pen 71, a unit
supporting member 44 that supports the drawing head 70, the
X-direction moving stage 45 for moving the drawing head 70 in the X
direction (the X direction in FIG. 1, and the left and right
direction of the nail printing apparatus 1), an X-direction
movement motor 46, the Y-direction moving stage 47 for moving the
drawing head 70 in the Y direction (the Y direction in FIG. 2, and
the front and back direction of the nail printing apparatus 1), and
a Y-direction movement motor 48.
[0079] FIG. 3A is a top view of the drawing head 70.
[0080] FIG. 3B is a front view of the drawing head 70 of FIG. 3A
when viewed from an arrow b direction.
[0081] FIG. 3C is a side view of the drawing head 70 of FIG. 3A
when viewed from an arrow c direction.
[0082] As illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3C, in the embodiment, the
drawing head 70 includes a rotary pen carriage 72 that can hold a
plurality of pens 71, a carriage rotating mechanism 73 for rotating
the pen carriage 72, and a pen pressing mechanism 74 for moving up
and down the pen 71 held by the pen carriage 72.
[0083] An upper end of the unit supporting member 44 is a beam
portion 441 jutting out toward the front side of the nail printing
apparatus 1 (the left side in FIG. 2) in a substantially L shape.
The drawing head 70 is provided to the beam portion 441.
[0084] The pen carriage 72 of the embodiment includes three
plate-like members 721 to 723 (in other words, the first plate-like
member 721, the second plate-like member 722, and the third
plate-like member 723), nib fitting members 720, a rotating shaft
724, auxiliary shaft members 725, coil springs 726, pen-specific
cylindrical members 761, and a rotating shaft-specific cylindrical
member 762.
[0085] The three plate-like members 721 to 723 (the first
plate-like member 721, the second plate-like member 722, and the
third plate-like member 723) are disc-shaped members formed in
substantially the same size, and are stacked in the order of the
first plate-like member 721, the second plate-like member 722, and
the third plate-like member 723 from the bottom.
[0086] Teeth to mesh with a gear 733 of the carriage rotating
mechanism 73 are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the third
plate-like member 723 placed at the top. The third plate-like
member 723 functions as a gear.
[0087] A reference indicator 728 for indicating a reference
position of the rotation of the pen carriage 72 is provided at a
predetermined position (for example, a position corresponding to a
predetermined pen-specific cylindrical member 761) on an outer
peripheral surface of the second plate-like member 722.
[0088] The reference indicator 728 is a reflective cloth, a
reflective sheet, or the like that can be read by, for example, a
photoreflector, and is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the
second plate-like member 722 by affixation or the like in the
embodiment.
[0089] The pen carriage 72 includes eight pen-specific cylindrical
members 761 that open upward and downward and respectively hold the
pens 71, the eight pen-specific cylindrical members 761 being
placed along the periphery of the pen carriage 72.
[0090] FIG. 4A is a main part side view enlarging and illustrating
a part of the pen carriage 72, and illustrates a non-drawing state
where the pen 71 is up.
[0091] FIG. 4B is a main part side view illustrating a drawable
state where the pen 71 of FIG. 4A is down.
[0092] FIG. 4C is a bottom view of the pen carriage 72 of FIG. 4A
when viewed from the undersurface side.
[0093] FIG. 4D is a partially enlarged view of the first plate-like
member 721, which illustrates a state where the nib fitting member
720 has been removed from the first plate-like member 721 of FIG.
4C.
[0094] As illustrated in FIGS. 4A to 4D, in the embodiment, through
holes (only a through hole 721a of the first plate-like member 721
is illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4D) corresponding to the
positions where the pen-specific cylindrical members 761 are placed
are respectively formed in the three plate-like members 721 to 723.
The pen-specific cylindrical member 761 is inserted through the
through holes, and is provided penetrating the three plate-like
members 721 to 723.
[0095] The number of the pen-specific cylindrical members 761
provided to the pen carriage 72 is not specially limited. It may be
more than or less than eight.
[0096] As the number of the pen-specific cylindrical members 761
included is increased, more pens 71 can be held simultaneously.
Accordingly, it becomes possible to draw a complicated nail design
using various inks.
[0097] Not all the pen-specific cylindrical members 761 are
required to hold the pen 71.
[0098] FIGS. 3A and 3C illustrate an example where four
pen-specific cylindrical members 761 out of eight hold the pens
71.
[0099] Through holes for an auxiliary shaft through which the
auxiliary shaft members 725 are inserted (only a through hole 721b
of the first plate-like member 721 is illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B,
and 4D) are formed on both sides of the through holes for a pen in
the first plate-like member 721 and the second plate-like member
722.
[0100] The nib fitting members 720 are respectively placed on an
undersurface of the first plate-like member 721 in such a manner as
to block undersurfaces of the pen-specific cylindrical members
761.
[0101] The nib fitting member 720 is a fitting member for fixing a
tip portion side of a pen shaft portion 711 of the pen 71 being a
drawing tool.
[0102] The nib fitting member 720 is provided with the auxiliary
shaft members 725 that are fixed in parallel with the pen shaft
portion 711 of the pen 71 and move up and down together with the
pen 71, and the coil springs 726 as auxiliary shaft biasing members
that bias the auxiliary shaft members 725 upward in a state where
an external force is not applied.
[0103] Specifically, in the embodiment, the substantially central
portion of the nib fitting member 720 is provided with a through
hole 720a into which a fitting portion 712 of the pen 71, which is
described below, is inserted and the fitting portion 712 is fitted.
Recesses 720b into which the auxiliary shaft members 725 are fitted
are provided on both sides of the through hole 720a.
[0104] The auxiliary shaft member 725 is inserted through the
through holes for an auxiliary shaft in the first plate-like member
721 and the second plate-like member 722. A lower end portion of
the auxiliary shaft member 725 is fitted in the recess 720b of the
nib fitting member 720.
[0105] Consequently, the auxiliary shaft member 725 is fixed to the
nib fitting member 720 in parallel with the pen shaft portion 711
of the pen 71.
[0106] An E ring 727 jutting outward is provided in the vicinity of
an upper end of the auxiliary shaft member 725.
[0107] The outer diameter of the E ring 727 is formed larger than
the inner diameter of the through hole for an auxiliary shaft in
the second plate-like member 722.
[0108] The coil spring 726 is wound around the outer periphery of
the pen 71 between the E ring 727 and a top surface of the second
plate-like member 722.
[0109] The coil spring 726 as the auxiliary shaft biasing member
biases the auxiliary shaft member 725 upward in the state where the
external force is not applied.
[0110] In the embodiment, the coil spring 726 as the auxiliary
shaft biasing member is an elastic member that is placed on the
outer periphery of the pen 71 and is compressed when the pen 71 is
pressed downward by the external force, and has a restoring force
that attempts to return to the original state against the external
force.
[0111] One end side of the coil spring 726 is in contact with an
undersurface of the E ring 727. The other end side is in contact
with the top surface of the second plate-like member 722.
[0112] The coil spring 726 holds the position of the pen 71 at a
position where the nib 713 is not in contact with the nail T in a
non-drawing state. In other words, as described above, the
auxiliary shaft member 725 is biased upward (upward in FIGS. 4A and
4B) by the coil spring 726 and held at a position where the upper
end of the auxiliary shaft member 725 is in contact with an
undersurface of the third plate-like member 723 in the state where
the external force is not applied.
[0113] In this state, the nib 713 is located near the undersurface
of the first plate-like member 721. It is configured in such a
manner as that the nib 713 does not come into contact with the nail
T even if the pen carriage moves above the finger receiving section
31.
[0114] Through holes (only a through hole 721c of the first
plate-like member 721 is illustrated in FIG. 4D) are formed in
substantially central portions of the three plate-like members 721
to 723.
[0115] The rotating shaft-specific cylindrical member 762 is
inserted through the through holes in the central portions. The
rotating shaft-specific cylindrical member 762 is provided
penetrating the three plate-like members 721 to 723.
[0116] The rotating shaft 724 suspended from the beam portion 441
is inserted through the rotating shaft-specific cylindrical member
762. The pen carriage 72 is configured to be rotatable
substantially horizontally around the rotating shaft 724.
[0117] Washers are provided to the rotating shaft 724 in such a
manner as to sandwich the top and bottom of the pen carriage 72. It
is preferable that a retaining E ring or the like be provided at a
lower end of the rotating shaft 724. Consequently, the pen carriage
72 can rotate more smoothly around the rotating shaft 724.
[0118] FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating the appearance of the pen
71 held by such a pen-specific cylindrical member 761 as
illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3C in the embodiment.
[0119] The pen 71 is a drawing tool that sets the surface of the
nail T as the drawing target surface, brings its tip portion into
contact with the surface of the nail T being the drawing target
surface, and draws thereon.
[0120] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the pen 71 as the drawing tool is
provided with the nib 713 on the tip portion side (lower side of
FIG. 5) of the rod-like pen shaft portion 711.
[0121] In the embodiment, the fitting portion 712 having a smaller
diameter than that of the pen shaft portion 711 is provided on the
tip portion side of the pen shaft portion 711.
[0122] The fitting portion 712 is a part to be fitted into the
through hole 720a of the nib fitting member 720. The fitting
portion 712 is fitted into the through hole 720a so that the nib
713 is mated excellently. Accordingly, a shake and the like of the
nib 713 become hard to occur.
[0123] A rod-like protrusion 714 is provided on top of the pen
shaft portion 711.
[0124] The protrusion 714 is a part to be pressed by a slide pin 77
described below.
[0125] The protrusion 714 also functions as a holding portion to be
held between fingers or the like when the user removes the pen 71
upon the replacement and the like of the pen 71.
[0126] In the embodiment, the case where a tip portion of the
protrusion 714 is hemispherical is illustrated. However, the shape
of the tip portion of the protrusion 714 is simply required to be a
shape that can stably apply pressure by a pressing surface 747a,
and gives a user an easy hold. The shape of the tip portion of the
protrusion 714 is not limited to the illustrated example.
[0127] The tip portion of the protrusion 714 may have, for example,
a spherical shape or a flat plate shape.
[0128] The inside of the pen shaft portion 711 is an ink storage
portion for storing various inks.
[0129] Various inks can be applied as the inks to be stored in the
pen shaft portion 711.
[0130] The viscosity of ink, the particle diameter (particle size)
of a color material, and the like are not specially limited. For
example, gold and silver lame inks, white ink, UV curing inks and
gel polishes, undercoats, top coats, and nail polishes can also be
used.
[0131] In the embodiment, the pen 71 is a pen having the ballpoint
pen nib 713 through which the ink stored in the pen shaft portion
711 seeps by, for example, pressing the nib 713 against the surface
of the nail T to enable drawing.
[0132] The pen 71 is not limited to the ballpoint pen.
[0133] It may be, for example, a marker pen that impregnates a felt
tip with ink to draw, and a brush pen that impregnates a bundle of
bristles with ink to draw.
[0134] Various sizes can be prepared for the nib 713.
[0135] The pens 71 held by the pen carriage 72 may be pens all
having the nibs 713 of the same type, or pens having the nibs 713
of different types.
[0136] The pen 71 is held only by being inserted through the
pen-specific cylindrical member 761 of the pen carriage 72 from
above. Hence, it can be easily replaced by methods such as opening
the pen replacement purpose cover unit 23 provided to the case main
body 2 to hold the protrusion 714 with, for example, a hand or
tweezers.
[0137] Consequently, the user can realize a wide range of nail
designs by appropriately replacing the pen 71 to be attached to the
pen carriage 72 with the pen 71 with a different color, a different
type of nib 713, and a different type of ink in accordance with the
nail design that the user desires to draw.
[0138] As illustrated in FIG. 3C, the carriage rotating mechanism
73 includes a step motor 731, and the gear 733 connected to the
step motor 731 via the rotating shaft 732 to mesh with the teeth
formed on the outer peripheral surface of the third plate-like
member 723.
[0139] In the embodiment, the rotating shaft 732 is rotated by the
drive of the step motor 731. When the gear 733 attached to the
rotating shaft 732 is rotated, the third plate-like member 723 as
the gear meshing with the gear 733 is rotated. Consequently, it is
configured to rotate the pen carriage 72 leftward and
rightward.
[0140] The carriage rotating mechanism 73 includes an indicator
reading portion 734 for reading the reference indicator 728 of the
pen carriage 72. The indicator reading portion 734 includes a
photoreflector or the like that can read the reference indicator
728 including, for example, a reflective cloth or reflective sheet.
The indicator reading portion 734 is configured to output a read
result to a drawing control unit 815 whenever reading the reference
indicator 728.
[0141] The pen pressing mechanism 74 includes an elastically
deformable press side elastic member, and is configured to press
downward the pen 71 being a drawing tool attached to the pen
carriage 72.
[0142] In the embodiment, the pen pressing mechanism 74 includes a
solenoid 740 having a coil portion 741 and a plunger 742, a pin 743
attached to a movable end side of the plunger 742 of the solenoid
740, a flat spring lift lever 744 coupled at one end to the plunger
742 via the pin 743, a flat spring 746 attached to the other end of
the flat spring lift lever 744, the slide pin 77, and a coil spring
78 placed on an outer periphery of the slide pin 77.
[0143] The solenoid 740 of the embodiment is a pull-type solenoid
that pulls the plunger 742 to the coil portion 741 side (the right
side in FIG. 7A and the like) by the energization of the coil
portion 741 and protrudes the plunger 742 to the original position
by stopping the energization.
[0144] The solenoid 740 is required to reciprocate linearly, and is
not limited to the pull type but may be configured to be a push
type.
[0145] A supporting member 442 is provided in a standing manner on
the beam portion 441. A supporting shaft 745 is provided to the
supporting member 442, extending in a direction orthogonal to the
movement direction of the plunger 742.
[0146] As illustrated in FIG. 3C, the flat spring lift lever 744
has a substantially L shape in side view. The supporting shaft 745
is inserted through a cross section portion of the L shape of the
flat spring lift lever 744. The flat spring lift lever 744 can
pivot on the supporting shaft 745.
[0147] A long hole 744a is formed in the flat spring lift lever 744
on a connection side to the plunger 742. The pin 743 attached to
the plunger 742 is fitted in the long hole 744a.
[0148] The flat spring 746 is fixed on the other end side of the
flat spring lift lever 744.
[0149] The flat spring 746 is a press side elastic member that can
come into contact with a head of the slide pin 77 and press
downward the slide pin 77 and the pen 71 with which the slide pin
77 subsequently comes into contact, and also that can bend and
deform when being pressed upward by the slide pin 77 and the pen
71.
[0150] The flat spring 746 of the embodiment is a flat plate-like
spring, and is placed in such a manner as that its free end side is
located above the slide pin 77.
[0151] The flat spring 746 has a sufficiently wide width for the
slide pin 77 and is configured to come into line or surface contact
with the head of the slide pin 77.
[0152] If the flat spring 746 is configured to come into point
contact with the slide pin 77, the flat spring 746 may deviate from
the slide pin 77. Hence, it is configured in such a manner as that
the flat spring 746 comes into line or surface contact with the
slide pin 77 in order to enable the flat spring 746 to stably and
securely press the slide pin 77.
[0153] Consequently, the flat spring 746 does not deviate from the
slide pin 77 and can stably press the pen 71, which has been
brought into contact with the slide pin 77, down in the vertical
direction.
[0154] A general spring material can be used as the material
forming the flat spring 746. For example, "SUS", "spring steel",
"phosphor bronze", and "beryllium copper" can be applied. For
example, "SUS301-H", "SUS304", and "SUS316" can be used as
"SUS".
[0155] The material forming the flat spring 746 is not limited to
those illustrated herein. The pressing force by the flat spring 746
is related to the bending amount of the spring and the length of
the flat spring 746 (in other words, a distance from a base end (a
fixed end to the flat spring lift lever 744) to the free end that
acts on a press target). If the length of the flat spring 746 is
short, even if a softer material is used, a sufficient pressing
force can be obtained. If the length of the flat spring 746 is
long, a sufficient pressing force cannot be obtained unless a
harder material is used.
[0156] The pressing force can be adjusted by the spring constant
decided by the material used to form the flat spring 746 and the
shape (length, width, and the like) of the flat spring 746. The
pressing force is set in accordance with an arrangement space and
the like of the flat spring 746, as appropriate.
[0157] FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a state where the slide
pin 77 is up. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a state where the
slide pin 77 is down.
[0158] As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the slide pin 77 can move
in the up and down direction and is configured in such a manner as
that a lower end of the slide pin 77 can come into contact with the
top of the pen 71 in a state where the slide pin 77 is down.
[0159] Specifically, in the embodiment, the slide pin 77 includes a
pin shaft portion 771, a pin head 772 that is provided to an upper
end of the pin shaft portion 771, has a larger diameter than that
of the pin shaft portion 771, and juts outward of the pin shaft
portion 771, and a flange portion 773 that is provided to a lower
end surface of the pin shaft portion 771, has a larger diameter
than that of the pin shaft portion 771, and juts outward of the pin
shaft portion 771. A lower end surface of the flange portion 773 is
provided with a pressing portion 774 that can come into contact
with the top of the pen 71.
[0160] In the embodiment, the pressing portion 774 is formed in a
conical concave shape to receive the protrusion 714 of the pen
71.
[0161] The shape of the pressing portion 774 is required to be able
to stably receive an upper end of the protrusion 714, and is not
limited to the concave shape.
[0162] For example, the pressing portion 774 may be formed into a
convex shape, and a concave portion that receives the pressing
portion 774 may be formed at the upper end of the protrusion
714.
[0163] The coil spring 78 is a pin side elastic member that is
placed on the outer periphery of the pin shaft portion 771 of the
slide pin 77 between the pin head 772 and a pin attachment member
79, is compressed when the slide pin 77 is pressed downward by the
external force, and has a restoring force that attempts to return
to the original state against the external force.
[0164] The pin side elastic member is not limited to a coil spring.
As long as it is an elastic member that is compressed when the
slide pin 77 is pressed downward by the external force and has a
restoring force that attempts to return to the original state
against the external force.
[0165] The slide pin 77 and the coil spring 78 are attached by the
pin attachment member 79 onto the beam portion 441.
[0166] In other words, a shaft insertion hole 791 through which the
pin shaft portion 771 is inserted is formed in the pin attachment
member 79.
[0167] The shaft insertion hole 791 is formed in such a manner as
that the inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the
pin shaft portion 771 and is smaller than the outer diameters of
the pin head 772 and the flange portion 773, and is configured in
such a manner as to prevent the pin shaft portion 771 inserted
through the shaft insertion hole 791 from coming off.
[0168] The coil spring 78 provided on the outer periphery of the
pin shaft portion 771 is stopped on one end side in contact with a
top surface of the pin attachment member 79, and is stopped on the
other end side bumping into an undersurface of the pin head 772.
When the slide pin 77 is pressed downward by the external force,
the coil spring 78 is compressed between the top surface of the pin
attachment member 79 and the undersurface of the pin head 772.
[0169] Screw-specific holes 792 are formed in the pin attachment
member 79. Screws are inserted through the screw-specific holes 792
to screw and fix the pin attachment member 79 onto the beam portion
441. Accordingly, the slide pin 77 having the pin shaft portion 771
inserted through the shaft insertion hole 791, and the coil spring
78 provided on the outer periphery of the pin shaft portion 771 are
attached on the beam portion 441.
[0170] In the embodiment, the press side elastic member includes
the flat spring 746 and the coil spring 78 being the pin side
elastic member.
[0171] FIG. 7A illustrates a state where the solenoid 740 of the
pen pressing mechanism 74 is not being operated at the time of
non-drawing.
[0172] FIG. 7B illustrates a state where the solenoid 740 of the
pen pressing mechanism 74 is being operated at the time of
drawing.
[0173] At the time of non-drawing, the coil portion 741 of the
solenoid 740 is not energized. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG.
7A, the plunger 742 is in a state of protruding toward the front
side of the nail printing apparatus 1 (the left side in FIG. 2).
Accordingly, the pressing surface 747a of the flat spring 746 does
not come into contact with the protrusion 714 of the pen 71.
[0174] In this manner, in the state where the external force (the
pressing force by the flat spring 746) is not applied, the pen 71
is pressed upward (upward in FIGS. 4A and 4B) by the biasing forces
of the coil springs 726. The nib 713 is held at a height that does
not come into contact with the surface of the nail T being the
drawing target surface.
[0175] In contrast, at the time of drawing, the coil portion 741 of
the solenoid 740 is energized to enter a state where the plunger
742 is pulled toward the back side of the nail printing apparatus 1
(the right side in FIG. 2) as illustrated in FIG. 7B.
[0176] Consequently, the flat spring lift lever 744 having one end
into which the pin 743 of the plunger 742 is fitted pivots on the
supporting shaft 745. The flat spring 746 attached to the flat
spring lift lever 744 is inclined downward. The free end side of
the flat spring 746 comes into contact with the pin head 772 of the
slide pin 77 to press the slide pin 77 downward.
[0177] Consequently, the pressing portion 774 of the slide pin 77
comes into contact with the upper end of the protrusion 714 to
press the protrusion 714 downward.
[0178] In the embodiment, the spring constant of the flat spring
746 is configured to be larger than the spring constants of the
coil spring 726, which is the auxiliary shaft biasing member, and
the coil spring 78. Hence, in a state where the nail T is not
placed below the pen 71 as in FIG. 7B, the flat spring 746 can
press the pen 71 down to the lowest point only by being slightly
bent.
[0179] FIG. 8 illustrates a state where the solenoid 740 of the pen
pressing mechanism 74 is operated with the print finger U1 inserted
into the finger receiving section 31 and the nib 713 is in contact
with the nail T.
[0180] In this case, as in FIG. 7B, the coil portion 741 of the
solenoid 740 is energized to enter a state where the plunger 742 is
pulled toward the back side of the nail printing apparatus 1 (the
right side in FIG. 2). The flat spring lift lever 744 having one
end through which the pin 743 of the plunger 742 is inserted pivots
on the supporting shaft 745.
[0181] Consequently, the flat spring 746 attached to the flat
spring lift lever 744 is inclined downward. The free end side of
the flat spring 746 comes into contact with the pin head 772 of the
slide pin 77 to press the slide pin 77 downward.
[0182] Consequently, the pressing portion 774 of the slide pin 77
comes into contact with the upper end of the auxiliary shaft
members 725 and presses the protrusion 714 downward.
[0183] When the auxiliary shaft members 725 are pressed down, the
pen 71 coupled to the auxiliary shaft members 725 by the nib
fitting member 720 is also pressed downward so that the nib 713
comes into contact with the surface of the nail T.
[0184] When the nib 713 touches the nail T and the pen 71 is
pressed up in accordance with the curved shape of the nail T, the
auxiliary shaft members 725 are also pressed up following it.
[0185] The flat spring 746 bends and deforms (elastically deforms)
by being pressed by the auxiliary shaft members 725. Accordingly,
the pen 71 follows the height of the nail T while maintaining
appropriate instrument pressure.
[0186] The spring constant of the flat spring 746 is not so large.
The spring constant is set to a value with the magnitude that does
not cause pain and the like on the nail T when the pressing force
(external force) by the flat spring 746 is applied on the nail
T.
[0187] Here, the flat spring 746 is appropriately bent to absorb
impact caused by the up and down movements of the pen 71 and also
drawing can be beautifully performed with appropriate instrument
pressure applied on the nib 713.
[0188] The unit supporting member 44 is fixed to an X-direction
moving unit 451 attached to the X-direction moving stage 45.
[0189] The X-direction moving unit 451 is configured to move on the
X-direction moving stage 45 in the X direction along an
unillustrated guide with the drive of the X-direction movement
motor 46.
[0190] Consequently, the drawing head 70 attached to the unit
supporting member 44 can move in the X direction (the X direction
in FIG. 1 and the left and right direction of the nail printing
apparatus 1).
[0191] The X-direction moving stage 45 is fixed to a Y-direction
moving unit 471 of the Y-direction moving stage 47.
[0192] The Y-direction moving unit 471 is configured to move on the
Y-direction moving stage 47 in the Y direction along an
unillustrated guide with the drive of the Y-direction movement
motor 48.
[0193] Consequently, the drawing head 70 attached to the unit
supporting member 44 can move in the Y direction (the Y direction
in FIG. 2 and the front and back direction of the nail printing
apparatus 1).
[0194] In the embodiment, the X-direction moving stage 45 and the
Y-direction moving stage 47 are configured to combine the
X-direction movement motor 46, the Y-direction movement motor 48,
and unillustrated ball screws and guides.
[0195] In the embodiment, the X-direction movement motor 46, the
Y-direction movement motor 48, and the like form a head drive unit
49 as an X-Y drive unit that drives, in the X and Y directions, the
drawing head 70 including the pen 71 to draw on the nail T.
[0196] The solenoid 740 of the pen pressing mechanism 74 for moving
the pen 71 up and down, the step motor 731 for rotating the pen
carriage 72, the X-direction movement motor 46, and the Y-direction
movement motor 48 in the drawing unit 7 are connected to the
drawing control unit 815 (refer to FIG. 9) of a control apparatus
80 described below and configured to be controlled by the drawing
control unit 815.
[0197] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a photographing unit 50 is
provided to the upper machine casing 12.
[0198] In other words, a base plate 13 is installed on the upper
machine casing 12. Two cameras 51 as imaging apparatuses of the
photographing unit 50 are installed on an undersurface of the
central portion of the base plate 13.
[0199] The camera 51 is preferably a small camera formed including
a solid state image sensor having, for example, approximately two
million pixels or more, a lens, and the like.
[0200] The camera 51 photographs the nail T of the print finger U1
inserted into the finger receiving section 31, and obtains a nail
image (a finger image including an image of the nail T) being an
image of the nail T of the print finger U1.
[0201] In the embodiment, the two cameras 51 are provided in
substantially parallel with the width direction of the nail T of
the print finger U1 inserted into the finger receiving section
31.
[0202] One of the two cameras 51 is provided facing an underside of
the finger receiving section 31, and photographs the nail T from
directly above.
[0203] The other camera 51 is placed at a slight inclination from
the underside of the finger receiving section 31, and photographs
the nail T from an obliquely upward direction.
[0204] Illumination lamps (lighting devices) 52 such as white LEDs
are installed on the base plate 13 in such a manner as to surround
the cameras 51. The illumination lamps 52 light up the nail T of
the print finger U1 upon photographing with the cameras 51. The
photographing unit 50 is formed including the cameras 51 and the
illumination lamps 52.
[0205] The photographing unit 50 is connected to a photographing
control unit 811 (refer to FIG. 9) of the control apparatus 80
described below and configured to be controlled by the
photographing control unit 811.
[0206] Image data of the images photographed by the photographing
unit 50 is stored in a nail image storage area 821 of a storage
unit 82 described below.
[0207] In the embodiment, the two cameras 51 as the imaging
apparatuses can photograph the nail T from at least two different
positions/angles, and at least two nail images are acquired.
[0208] A nail information detection unit 812 described below
detects nail information such as the outline of the nail T (the
shape of the nail T), the curved shape of the nail T, and the
vertical position, based on these nail images.
[0209] The nail information detection unit 812 is configured to be
able to detect the angle of inclination of the surface of the nail
T (hereinafter referred to as the "inclination angle of the nail T"
or "nail curvature") from the X-Y plane based on these nail
images.
[0210] In other words, for example, an image of the nail T from
directly above and an image of the nail T from the obliquely upward
direction are captured and accordingly not only the outline of the
nail T but also the inclination angle of the surface of the nail T
can be detected correctly.
[0211] The content of the nail information detected by the nail
information detection unit 812 is not limited to those illustrated
herein by example. Only a part (for example, the outline of the
nail T) of the above items may be detected as the nail information.
Alternatively, other items other than the above items may be
detected as the nail information.
[0212] The control apparatus 80 is installed on, for example, the
base plate 13 placed on the upper machine casing 12.
[0213] FIG. 9 is a main part block diagram illustrating a control
configuration in the embodiment.
[0214] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the control apparatus 80 is a
computer including a control unit 81 having an illustrated central
processing unit (CPU), and a storage unit 82 having a read only
memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and the like (any of
which are not illustrated).
[0215] Various programs for operating the nail printing apparatus
1, various pieces of data, and the like are stored in the storage
unit 82.
[0216] Specifically, various programs such as a nail information
detection program for detecting, from the nail images, the nail
information such as the shape of the nail T and the outline of the
nail T, a drawing data generation program for generating drawing
data, and a drawing program for performing a drawing process are
stored in the ROM of the storage unit 82. These programs are
executed by the control apparatus 80 to perform overall control of
each unit of the nail printing apparatus 1.
[0217] In the embodiment, the storage unit 82 is provided with the
nail image storage area 821 where nail images of the nail T of the
print finger U1 of the user acquired by the photographing unit 50
are stored, a nail information storage area 822 where the nail
information (the outline of the nail T, the inclination angle of
the nail T, and the like) detected by the nail information
detection unit 812 is stored, and a nail design storage area 823
where image data of a nail design to be drawn on the nail T is
stored.
[0218] In terms of the functions, the control unit 81 includes the
photographing control unit 811, the nail information detection unit
812, a drawing data generation unit 813, a display control unit
814, and the drawing control unit 815. The functions as the
photographing control unit 811, the nail information detection unit
812, the drawing data generation unit 813, the display control unit
814, the drawing control unit 815, and the like are achieved in
cooperation with the CPU of the control unit 81 and the programs
stored in the ROM of the storage unit 82.
[0219] The photographing control unit 811 controls the cameras 51
and the illumination lamps 52 of the photographing unit 50 and
photographs images of a finger including images of the nail T of
the print finger U1 inserted into the finger receiving section 31
(hereinafter referred to as the "nail images") with the cameras
51.
[0220] In the embodiment, the photographing control unit 511 causes
the two cameras 51 to acquire at least two nail images from
different positions/angles (for example, from directly above the
nail T and from the obliquely upward direction of the nail T).
[0221] Image data of the nail images acquired by the photographing
unit 50 may be stored in the storage unit 82.
[0222] The nail information detection unit 812 detects the nail
information on the nail T of the print finger U1 based on the
images of the nail T of the print finger U1 inserted into the
finger receiving section 31, the images having been photographed by
the cameras 51.
[0223] Here, the nail information is, for example, the outline of
the nail T (the nail shape and the horizontal position of the nail
T), the height of the nail T (the position of the nail T in the
vertical direction, hereinafter referred to as the "vertical
position of the nail T" or also simply referred to as the "position
of the nail T"), and the inclination angle of the surface of the
nail T (the inclination angle of the nail T or the nail curvature)
from the X-Y plane.
[0224] Specifically, the nail information detection unit 812
detects the outline (shape and size) and position of the nail T
from the nail images of the nail T of the print finger U1 acquired
by the cameras 51, and acquires the outline as information
expressed in the x and y coordinates or the like.
[0225] The nail information detection unit 812 detects, for
example, the outline (shape) of the nail T from, for example, the
nail images of the nail T of the print finger U1 acquired by the
cameras 51 based on differences in, for example, color between the
nail T and the other finger parts.
[0226] The method where the nail information detection unit 812
detects the outline (shape) of the nail T is not specially limited,
and is not limited to those cited herein.
[0227] The nail information detection unit 812 detects the
inclination angle of the nail T (the nail curvature) based on at
least two nail images photographed by the two cameras 51.
[0228] The nail information detection unit 812 detects the
inclination angle of the nail T (the nail curvature) of the user
from, for example, differences in position, shape, and the like
appearing in the two nail images photographed by the two cameras 51
from the different positions/angles (for example, from directly
above the nail T and from the obliquely upward direction of the
nail T).
[0229] The method where the nail information detection unit 812
detects the inclination angle of the nail T (the nail curvature) is
not specially limited, and is not limited to those cited
herein.
[0230] The drawing data generation unit 813 generates data for
drawing to be drawn on the nail T of the print finger U1 with the
drawing head 70 based on the nail information detected by the nail
information detection unit 812.
[0231] Specifically, the drawing data generation unit 813 performs
an adjustment process by enlargement, size reduction, segmentation,
and the like on the image data of a nail design based on the shape
and the like of the nail T detected by the nail information
detection unit 812, and generates data for drawing on the nail
T.
[0232] In the embodiment, the drawing data generation unit 813
adjusts the image data of the nail design to the shape of the nail
T in accordance with the nail information detected by the nail
information detection unit 812, and makes a curved surface
correction and the like, as appropriate.
[0233] Consequently, the data for drawing of the nail design is
generated.
[0234] The display control unit 814 controls the display unit 26 to
display various display screens on the display unit 26. In the
embodiment, the display control unit 814 is configured to cause the
display unit 26 to display, for example, a nail design selection
screen, a thumbnail image for a design check, nail images acquired
by photographing the print finger U1, and various instruction
screens.
[0235] The drawing control unit 815 is a control unit that outputs
a control signal to the drawing unit 7 based on the drawing data
generated by the drawing data generation unit 813, and controls the
solenoid 740 of the pen pressing mechanism 74, the step motor 731,
the X-direction movement motor 46, and the Y-direction movement
motor 48 in the drawing unit 7 in such a manner as to draw on the
nail T in accordance with the drawing data.
[0236] In the embodiment, the drawing control unit 815 controls the
operation of the solenoid 740 in such a manner as to not operate
the solenoid 740 at the time of non-drawing, and energize the coil
portion 741 of the solenoid 740 and pull the plunger 742 frontward
at the time of drawing.
[0237] Consequently, at the time of non-drawing, the flat spring
746 does not press down the pin head 772 of the slide pin 77. The
auxiliary shaft members 725 are biased upward by the coil springs
726. The pen 71 enters a state where the nib 713 has been lifted to
the position of not coming into contact with the nail T.
[0238] On the other hand, at the time of drawing, the flat spring
746 presses down the pin head 772 of the slide pin 77. The pen 71
is pressed down against the biasing forces of the coil springs 726
to enter a state where the nib 713 has been lowered to a position
of coming into contact with the nail T.
[0239] In this manner, the drawing control unit 815 controls the
operation of the solenoid 740 to lift the pen 71 up and down, as
appropriate. Accordingly, the nib 713 follows the height of the
nail T and moves up and down while maintaining appropriate
instrument pressure so that a desired nail design can be drawn on
the surface of the nail T being the drawing target.
[0240] Next, the operation and usage of the nail printing apparatus
1 in the embodiment are described.
[0241] When the nail printing apparatus 1 performs drawing, the
user first turns on the power switch and starts the control
apparatus 80.
[0242] The display control unit 814 causes the display unit 26 to
display the design selection screen. The user operates the
operation button and the like of the operating unit 25, and selects
a desired nail design from a plurality of nail designs displayed on
the design selection screen. Accordingly, a selection instruction
signal is output from the operating unit 25 to select the nail
design to be drawn on the nail T.
[0243] When the nail design has been selected, the control unit 81
causes the display unit 26 to display an instruction screen to
prompt the setting of a pen 71 necessary to draw the selected nail
design in a predetermined pen carriage 72 of the drawing head
70.
[0244] For example, when a red ink and a gold lame ink are
required, an instruction on which ink pen 71 should be mounted in
the pen carriage 72 is provided on the display unit 26.
[0245] The user follows the instruction displayed on the display
screen and sets a predetermined type of pen 71 in a predetermined
pen carriage 72.
[0246] The user may set a different pen 71 from the instruction on
purpose, and realize a nail design with a favorite color and
texture.
[0247] The control unit 81 may be configured to be able to read
which type of pen 71 is set in the pen carriage 72 with a barcode
or the like. In this case, it may be configured in such a manner as
that nail designs that can be drawn with the pen 71 set in the pen
carriage 72 are displayed on the design selection screen of the
display unit 26, and the user is allowed to select a nail design
from them.
[0248] Next, after inserting the print finger U1 into the finger
receiving section 31, inserting the non-print fingers U2 into the
finger withdrawal section 32, and fixing the print finger U1, the
user operates a drawing switch.
[0249] For example, if the ring finger of the left hand is inserted
as the print finger U1 into the finger receiving section 31, the
other fingers are inserted as the non-print fingers U2 into the
finger withdrawal section 32.
[0250] When an instruction is input from the drawing switch, the
photographing control unit 811 first controls the photographing
unit 50 before starting a drawing operation, and photographs the
print finger U1 with the two cameras 51 while lighting up the print
finger U1 with the illumination lamps 52. Consequently, the
photographing control unit 811 acquires at least two images of the
nail T (nail images) of the print finger U1 inserted into the
finger receiving section 31.
[0251] Next, the nail information detection unit 812 detects the
nail information such as the outline of the nail T (the nail shape)
and the inclination angle of the nail T (the nail curvature) based
on the nail images.
[0252] When the nail information detection unit 812 detects the
outline of the nail T (the nail shape) and the inclination angle of
the nail T (the nail curvature), the drawing data generation unit
813 performs the adjustment process to the nail T on the image data
of the nail design.
[0253] The drawing data generation unit 813 makes a curved surface
correction on the image data of the nail design based on the nail
information.
[0254] Consequently, drawing data is generated.
[0255] The drawing control unit 815 moves the drawing unit 7 to the
pen break-in section 61 before the start of drawing on the nail T,
drives the solenoid 740 of the pen pressing mechanism 74 of the pen
carriage 72 holding the pen 71, presses the pen 71 down with the
flat spring 746, and brings the pen 71 into a drawable state.
[0256] Breaking-in of drawing a predetermined shape such as "o" or
".infin." is then performed on the drawn medium.
[0257] Breaking-in may be performed for only the pen 71 necessary
to draw the selected nail design or may be performed for all the
pens 71.
[0258] When the drawing data has been generated and break-in is
complete, the drawing control unit 815 outputs a control signal to
the drawing unit 7 based on the drawing data, and causes the
drawing head 70 to draw based on the drawing data.
[0259] Specifically, first, the drawing control unit 815 grasps the
amount of rotation of the pen carriage 72 from the read result of
the reference indicator 728 by the indicator reading portion 734,
and controls the drive of the step motor 731 in accordance with the
amount of rotation of the pen carriage 72. The pen carriage 72 is
rotated until the pen 71 necessary for drawing moves to a position
where the pen pressing mechanism 74 is provided.
[0260] Furthermore, the drawing head 70 is moved in the X-Y
direction, as appropriate, and is moved to the drawing position.
The pen pressing mechanism 74 is operated to press the auxiliary
shaft members 725 downward with the flat spring 746.
[0261] Consequently, the pen 71 is pressed downward to press the
nib 713 of the pen 71 against the surface of the nail T.
[0262] At this point in time, the nib 713 is biased downward by the
flat spring 746 with an appropriate pressing force. Drawing is
performed on the surface of the nail T while the nib 713 is moving
up and down following the shape of the surface of the nail T.
[0263] If drawing is performed on the nails T of a plurality of
fingers, after the drawing process is finished for the nail T of
one finger, the finger of the already drawn nail T is pulled out
from the finger receiving section 31. A finger of the nail T on
which drawing is performed next is inserted as the print finger U1
into the finger receiving section 31. Nail images of the nail T are
acquired. The above processes are repeated.
[0264] If the pen 71 is replaced, the drawing control unit 815
moves the drawing head 70 to a position corresponding to the pen
replacement purpose cover unit 23.
[0265] The user opens the pen replacement purpose cover unit 23 in
this state. Accordingly, it becomes possible to pull out and
replace the pen 71.
[0266] As described above, the nail printing apparatus 1 of the
embodiment is provided on a side of the pen carriage 72 with the
nib fitting members 720 into which the tip portion sides (the
fitting portions 712) of the pen shaft portions 711 of the pens 71
are fitted. The nib fitting member 720 is provided with the
auxiliary shaft members 725 that are fixed in parallel with the pen
shaft portion 711 and move up and down together with the pen 71,
and the coil springs 726 as the auxiliary shaft biasing members
that bias the auxiliary shaft members 725 upward in the state where
the external force is not applied. The downward external force is
applied to the auxiliary shaft members 725 via the flat spring 746
being the press side elastic member of the pen pressing mechanism
74.
[0267] Consequently, when the pen pressing mechanism 74 applies the
downward external force to the protrusion 714 of the upper part of
the pen via the slide pin 77, the pen 71 is pressed down. The nib
fitting member 720 joined to the fitting portion 712 of the pen 71
is pressed down. Accordingly, the auxiliary shaft members 725 are
also lowered so that the coil springs 726 are compressed. Hence,
the nib 713 comes into contact with the surface of the nail T while
maintaining appropriate instrument pressure, and it enters a state
where drawing can be performed on the surface of the nail T.
[0268] When the nib 713 touches the nail T to lift the pen 71, the
flat spring 746 bends and deforms and also the nib fitting member
720 in contact with the nib 713, and the auxiliary shaft members
725 are lifted upward by the restoring forces of the coil springs
726.
[0269] Consequently, even if the height of the nail T being the
drawing target surface changes, the nib 713 follows the shape of
the nail T and smoothly moves up and down. At the same time, the
fitting portion 712 is fixed to the nib fitting member 720. The
flat spring 746 absorbs the impact caused by the up and down
movements of the pen 71. The wobble and shake of the nib 713 in the
X-Y direction can be suppressed.
[0270] Consequently, it makes it possible to relatively largely
move the pen 71 up and down following the shape of the nail T while
the wobble and shake of the nib 713 of when the pen 71 is
relatively largely moved up and down can be suppressed and a highly
colorful nail print can be performed.
[0271] Here, the pen 71 has a simple configuration where the nib
713 is simply provided to the pen shaft portion 711. Hence, the pen
71 can be formed relatively narrow.
[0272] Consequently, as illustrated in FIG. 3A and the like, it is
possible to make the diameter of the pen-specific cylindrical
member 761 that holds the pen 71 small. Accordingly, the pen
carriage 72 can be configured to hold many pens 71.
[0273] Furthermore, the pen carriage 72 itself can be minimized,
and by extension the downsizing of the entire nail printing
apparatus 1 can also be achieved.
[0274] Furthermore, as described above, the configuration of the
pen 71 can be simplified. Accordingly, the pen 71 being a
consumable can be manufactured relatively easily and at low
cost.
Second Embodiment
[0275] Next, a second embodiment of the nail printing apparatus
according to the present invention is described with reference to
FIGS. 10A to 10C.
[0276] The embodiment is different only in the configuration of the
pen pressing mechanism from the first embodiment. Accordingly,
different points from the first embodiment are mainly described
below.
[0277] FIG. 10A is a top view of the drawing head 70.
[0278] FIG. 10B is a front view of the drawing head 70 of FIG. 10A
when viewed from an arrow b direction.
[0279] FIG. 10C is a side view of the drawing head 70 of FIG. 10A
when viewed from an arrow c direction.
[0280] As illustrated in FIGS. 10A to 10C, in the embodiment, the
pen pressing mechanism 74 includes the solenoid 740 having a
similar configuration to that of the first embodiment, the flat
spring lift lever 744 connected on one end side to the solenoid 740
via the pin 743, and a flat spring 747 attached to the other end
side of the flat spring lift lever 744.
[0281] The flat spring 747 is the press side elastic member in the
embodiment.
[0282] The flat spring 747 bends at two points on the free end side
and is formed in a substantially angular U shape in side view.
[0283] A lower surface of the flat spring 747 bent into an angular
U shape serves as the pressing surface 747a that presses the upper
end of the protrusion 714 of the pen 71.
[0284] The pressing surface 747a is configured in such a manner as
to come into contact with the upper end of the protrusion 714 of
the pen 71 and be able to press the auxiliary shaft members
725.
[0285] The pressing surface 747a of the flat spring 747 comes into
line or surface contact with the protrusion 714 of the pen 71.
Accordingly, the flat spring 747 is configured to be able to stably
press down in the vertical direction the protrusion 714 of the pen
71, and the pen 71, which moves up and down in conjunction with the
protrusion 714.
[0286] The shape of the flat spring 747 is not limited to the one
illustrated herein by example.
[0287] For example, the flat spring 747 on the free end side may
not have an angular U shape but may have a U shape or the like. The
free end side of the flat spring 747 may be bent like a crank.
[0288] In any shape, it is preferable that the part (the pressing
surface 747a in the embodiment) of the flat spring 747, which comes
into contact with the protrusion 714 of the pen 71, be a "line or
surface."
[0289] In other words, if the flat spring 747 is configured to come
into point contact with the protrusion 714 of the pen 71, the flat
spring 747 may deviate from the protrusion 714 of the pen 71.
Hence, in order to enable the flat spring 747 to stably and
securely press the auxiliary shaft members 725, the width of the
flat spring 747 is made sufficiently wide and is configured to come
into line or surface contact with the protrusion 714 of the pen
71.
[0290] With the above configuration, in the embodiment, the coil
portion 741 of the solenoid 740 is not energized at the time of
non-drawing. Accordingly, the plunger 742 is in a state of
protruding toward the front side of the nail printing apparatus 1
(the left side in FIG. 2) so that the flat spring 747 does not
press the upper end of the protrusion 714 of the pen 71.
[0291] In this manner, in the state where the external force (the
pressing force by the flat spring 747) is not applied, the
auxiliary shaft members 725 are pressed upward by the biasing
forces of the coil springs 726. The pen 71, which moves up and down
in conjunction with the auxiliary shaft members 725, is also moved
upward. The nib 713 is held at the height that does not come into
contact with the surface of the nail T being the drawing target
surface.
[0292] In contrast, the coil portion 741 of the solenoid 740 is
energized at the time of drawing. Accordingly, the plunger 742
enters a state of being pulled toward the back side of the nail
printing apparatus 1 (the right side in FIG. 2).
[0293] Consequently, the flat spring lift lever 744 having one end
into which the pin 743 of the plunger 742 is fitted pivots on the
supporting shaft 745. The flat spring 747 attached to the flat
spring lift lever 744 is inclined downward. The free end side of
the flat spring 747 presses down the upper end of the protrusion
714 of the pen 71. The pen 71 is pressed downward. The nib 713
comes into contact with the surface of the nail T being the drawing
target surface.
[0294] Also in the case of the embodiment, the spring constant of
the flat spring 747 is larger than the spring constant of the coil
spring 726 being the auxiliary shaft biasing member. Hence, in the
state where the nail T is not placed below the pen 71, the flat
spring 747 can press the pen 71 down to the lowest point only by
being slightly bent.
[0295] If the solenoid 740 of the pen pressing mechanism 74 is
operated in the state where the print finger U1 is inserted into
the finger receiving section 31, the coil portion 741 of the
solenoid 740 is energized. Accordingly, the plunger 742 enters a
state of being pulled toward the back side of the nail printing
apparatus 1 (the right side in FIG. 2). The flat spring lift lever
744 having one end into which the pin 743 of the plunger 742 is
fitted pivots on the supporting shaft 745.
[0296] Consequently, the flat spring 747 attached to the flat
spring lift lever 744 is inclined downward. The free end side
presses down the upper end of the protrusion 714 of the pen 71 to
press the auxiliary shaft members 725 downward. The pen 71 is
pressed downward. Accordingly, the nib 713 comes into contact with
the surface of the nail T.
[0297] The nib 713 then touches the nail T to press the pen 71 up.
Accordingly, the flat spring 747 is pressed by the protrusion 714
of the pen 71 and bends and deforms (elastically deforms).
[0298] Consequently, the pen 71 follows the height of the nail T,
maintaining appropriate instrument pressure.
[0299] The spring constant of the flat spring 747 is not so large.
The spring constant is set to a value with the magnitude that does
not cause pain and the like on the nail T when the pressing force
(external force) by the flat spring 747 is applied on the nail
T.
[0300] Here, the flat spring 747 is appropriately bent to absorb
the impact caused by the up and down movements of the pen 71 and
also drawing can be beautifully performed with appropriate
instrument pressure applied on the nib 713.
[0301] The other configurations are similar to those of the first
embodiment. Accordingly, their descriptions are omitted.
[0302] Next, the operation of the nail printing apparatus 1 in the
embodiment is described.
[0303] First, as in the first embodiment, the selection of a nail
design, the detection of the nail information, and the like are
performed before the start of the drawing operation.
[0304] Upon drawing, specifically, the drawing control unit 815
first grasps the amount of rotation of the pen carriage 72 from the
read result of the reference indicator 728 by the indicator reading
portion 734. The drive of the step motor 731 is controlled in
accordance with the amount of rotation of the pen carriage 72. The
pen carriage 72 is rotated until a pen 71 necessary for drawing
moves to the position where the pen pressing mechanism 74 is
provided.
[0305] Furthermore, the drawing head 70 is moved in the X-Y
direction, as appropriate, and moved to the drawing position. The
pen pressing mechanism 74 is operated so that the flat spring 747
presses the protrusion 714 of the pen 71 downward. Consequently,
the pen 71 is pressed downward. The nib 713 of the pen 71 is
pressed against the surface of the nail T.
[0306] At this point in time, the nib 713 is biased downward by the
flat spring 747 with an appropriate pressing force. The nib 713
draws on the surface of the nail T while moving up and down
following the shape of the surface of the nail T.
[0307] The other points are similar to those of the first
embodiment. Accordingly, their descriptions are omitted.
[0308] As described above, according to the embodiment, similar
effects to the first embodiment can be obtained. The following
effects can also be obtained.
[0309] In other words, in the embodiment, the press side elastic
member of the pen pressing mechanism 74 includes only the flat
spring 747.
[0310] Hence, the configuration of the pen pressing mechanism 74
can be further simplified. Accordingly, the number of parts and the
number of man-hours can be reduced so that the action cost can be
reduced.
[0311] Furthermore, a reduction in size and weight of the entire
apparatus can also be achieved.
Third Embodiment
[0312] Next, a third embodiment of the nail printing apparatus
according to the present invention is described with reference to
FIGS. 11A to 11D and 12A to 12C.
[0313] The embodiment is different only in the configurations of
the pen and the nib fitting member from the first and second
embodiments. Accordingly, different points from the first and
second embodiments are mainly described below.
[0314] FIG. 11A is a top view of a pen in the embodiment.
[0315] FIG. 11B is a side view of the pen of FIG. 11A.
[0316] FIG. 11C is a side view of a nib fitting member into which
the pen of FIG. 11A is fitted and auxiliary shaft members.
[0317] FIG. 11D is a bottom view of the nib fitting member and the
auxiliary shaft members of FIG. 11C when viewed from an arrow d
direction.
[0318] FIG. 12A is a side view that enlarges a part of a pen
carriage in a state where the auxiliary shaft members are not being
pressed in the embodiment.
[0319] FIG. 12B is a side view that enlarges a part of the pen
carriage in a state where the auxiliary shaft members are being
pressed in the embodiment.
[0320] FIG. 12C is a bottom view of the pen carriage of FIG. 12A
when viewed from an arrow c direction.
[0321] As illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B, a pen 750 (drawing
tool) of the embodiment includes a pen shaft portion 751 and a nib
753 as in the first embodiment.
[0322] A tip portion of the pen 750 is provided with a threaded
portion 752 having a smaller diameter than that of the pen shaft
portion 751 and an external thread formed on the outer peripheral
surface, and a tapered portion 754 gradually reducing in diameter
from the pen shaft portion 751 side toward the threaded portion
752.
[0323] The external thread provided to the threaded portion 752 may
be a single start thread, a double start thread, a triple start
thread, or the like.
[0324] If the external thread provided to the threaded portion 752
is a double start thread or a triple start thread, the number of
revolutions to screw down the thread is less than the case of a
single start thread, which is preferable.
[0325] In the embodiment, the threaded portion 752 and the tapered
portion 754 are integrally provided. The entire configuration is
like a flat head screw.
[0326] The pen 750 includes a rod-like protrusion 755 at the top of
the pen shaft portion 751.
[0327] In the embodiment, the protrusion 755 has a quadratic prism
shape being a substantially rectangle in top view, as illustrated
in FIG. 11A.
[0328] In the embodiment, as described below, the user rotates the
pen 750 axially to screw down the pen 750. Accordingly, the pen 750
is fitted into a nib fitting member 700. The protrusion 755
functions as a holding portion to be held between the fingers or
the like when the user rotates the pen.
[0329] Since the protrusion 755 is shaped into a quadratic prism,
it is possible to hold the protrusion 755 more firmly than the case
where the protrusion 755 is cylindrical, and fix the pen 750
securely and easily.
[0330] The shape and the like of the protrusion 755 are required to
be one that is easy to hold and can securely apply power upon the
rotation of the pen 750, and are not limited to the illustrated
examples.
[0331] As illustrated in FIGS. 11C and 11D, the nib fitting member
700 of the embodiment is provided with fixing portions 703 in which
the auxiliary shaft members 725 are fitted as in the first
embodiment. The fixing portion 703 may be a through hole or a blind
recess.
[0332] In the embodiment, the nib fitting member 700 includes a
through hole 701 having an internal thread to be fitted with the
external thread of the threaded portion 752 of the pen 750, the
internal thread being formed on the inner peripheral surface, and a
taper receiving portion 702 at a position corresponding to the
through hole 701 on a surface on the tip portion insertion side of
the nib fitting member 700, the taper receiving portion 702 being
formed into a bowl for receiving the tapered portion 754.
[0333] Here, in the above description, the thread of the threaded
portion 752 is an external thread, and the thread of the through
hole 701 is an internal thread. However, the thread of the threaded
portion 752 may be an internal thread, and the thread of the
through hole 701 may be an external thread.
[0334] The other configurations are similar to those of the first
embodiment and the like. Accordingly, the same reference numerals
are assigned to the same members and their descriptions are
omitted.
[0335] In the embodiment, when replacing and newly attaching the
pen 750, the user inserts the nib 753 into the through hole 701 of
the nib fitting member 700, and rotates the pen 750 with a hold of
the protrusion 755 between fingers or the like. Accordingly, the
external thread of the threaded portion 752 is threadedly engaged
with the internal thread of the through hole 701.
[0336] At this point in time, with the progress of screwing the
thread, the tapered portion 754 comes into intimate contact with
the taper receiving portion 702. Consequently, the pen 750 is
fitted into the nib fitting member 700 in a no-wobble state and
fixed therein.
[0337] Also when the pen 750 moves up and down at the time of
drawing, as illustrated in FIGS. 12A to 12C, the threaded portion
752 of the pen 750 is screwed into the through hole 701 of the nib
fitting member 700. The state where the tapered portion 754 is in
intimate contact with the taper receiving portion 702 is
maintained. Hence, the nib 753 does not wobble or shake.
[0338] At the time of drawing, the auxiliary shaft members 725
provided in parallel with the pen 750 move up and down together
with the nib fitting member 700 and the pen 750 fixed to the nib
fitting member 700. Hence, the movement of the pen 750 can be
stabilized. Accordingly, the pen 750 can be smoothly moved up and
down.
[0339] The other points are similar to those of the first
embodiment. Accordingly, their descriptions are omitted.
[0340] As described above, according to the embodiment, similar
effects to the first embodiment and the like can be obtained. The
following effects can also be obtained.
[0341] In other words, in the embodiment, the threaded portion 752
provided to the tip portion of the pen 750 is screwed into the
through hole 701 of the nib fitting member 700. Accordingly, the
nib 753 can be more securely fixed to the nib fitting member
700.
[0342] Furthermore, the part continuous with the threaded portion
752 is the tapered portion 754. The tapered portion 754 is received
by the taper receiving portion 702 provided on the nib fitting
member 700 side.
[0343] Hence, when the threaded portion 752 is screwed into the
through hole 701, a wobble can be more securely suppressed. Also
when setting the pen 750, even if the user does not make a precise
position adjustment and set the pen 750 above the nib fitting
member 700, the user places the pen 750 down in the taper receiving
portion 702 and rotates the pen 750 so that the nib 753 is
automatically guided to a central portion of the through hole 701
and positioned and fixed at the right position.
[0344] Hence, the pen 750 can be set easily. At the same time, the
nib 753 can also be perfectly fixed with no play. Consequently, a
shake of the nib 753 is prevented excellently. Delicate, fine nail
arts such as "lace" and "flower" can be stably done without
fail.
Fourth Embodiment
[0345] Next, a fourth embodiment of the nail printing apparatus
according to the present invention is described with reference to
FIGS. 13A, 13B and 14A to 14C.
[0346] The embodiment is different in the configuration of the pen
carriage of a print head from the first embodiment and the like.
Accordingly, different points from the first embodiment and the
like are mainly described below.
[0347] As illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B, a drawing head 70a
holds four pens 750 in the embodiment. The pens 750 are
respectively held by the pen-specific cylindrical members 761
similar to those of the first embodiment and the like.
[0348] Four plate-like members 730 having a through hole through
which the pen 750 is inserted are attached to the beam portion 441
of the embodiment. The pen-specific cylindrical members 761 are
respectively attached to the plate-like members 730.
[0349] The nib fitting member 700 having a similar configuration to
that of the third embodiment is provided below each pen-specific
cylindrical member 761. The pen 750 and the auxiliary shaft members
725 are fixed to the nib fitting member 700.
[0350] In other words, the pen 750 includes the threaded portion
752 and the tapered portion 754. The nib fitting member 700
includes the through hole 701 into which the threaded portion 752
is screwed, and the taper receiving portion 702 that receives the
tapered portion 754. It is configured to be able to suppress a
wobble more securely by screwing the threaded portion 752 into the
through hole 701.
[0351] The auxiliary shaft member 725 of the embodiment includes a
protruding member 729 protruding in a direction away from the axial
center of the pen 750 being the drawing tool.
[0352] The beam portion 441 is provided with four plate-like
members 730 and four supporting plates 443 respectively
corresponding to the pen-specific cylindrical members 761. Each
supporting plate 443 is provided with a solenoid 780 and a
supporting shaft 781.
[0353] An arm member 782 that swings in response to the operation
of the solenoid 780 is coupled to each solenoid 780 and supporting
shaft 781. A flat spring 765 is attached to a free end of the arm
member 782.
[0354] As illustrated in FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 14A to 14C, the flat
spring 765 includes a through hole 765a through which the pen 750
and the auxiliary shaft members 725 are inserted, and also engaging
portions 765b that can come into contact with the protruding
members 729.
[0355] In the embodiment, it is configured in such a manner as that
when the solenoid 780 is turned on/off to swing the arm member 782,
the flat spring 765 also moves up and down. The solenoid 780
functions as a flat spring moving mechanism that, in a state where
the protruding members 729 are in contact with the engaging
portions 765b of the flat spring 765, moves the flat spring 765 to
a first position to apply, to the auxiliary shaft members 725 and
the pen 750, the external force in a direction where the tip
portion of the pen 750 approaches the surface of the nail T being
the drawing target surface, or a second position where the engaging
portions 765b of the flat spring 765 do not come into contact with
the protruding members 729.
[0356] The other configurations are similar to those of the third
embodiment and the like. Accordingly, the same reference numerals
are assigned to the same members and their descriptions are
omitted.
[0357] In the embodiment, when the solenoid 780 is OFF state, the
free end side of the arm member 782 is lift up as illustrated by a
solid line in FIG. 13B. The flat spring 765 attached to the free
end is also lifted up, and located at the second position where the
protruding members 729 do not come into contact with the engaging
portions 765b. In this state, as illustrated in FIG. 14A, the nib
753 is lifted up and enters a non-drawing state of not coming into
contact with the nail T.
[0358] When the solenoid 780 is energized to be turned on, the arm
member is pulled as illustrated by a dot and dash line in FIG. 13B
to rotate with the supporting shaft 781 as the pivot. The flat
spring provided on the free end side of the arm member is pressed
downward.
[0359] At this point in time, the engaging portions 765b of the
flat spring 765 touch the protruding members 729. The flat spring
presses the auxiliary shaft members 725 and the pen 750 downward in
a state where the protruding members 729 are in contact with the
engaging portions 765b. The flat spring is located at the first
position of applying, to the auxiliary shaft members 725 and the
pen 750, the external force in the direction where the tip portion
of the pen 750 approaches the surface of the nail T being the
drawing target surface (in other words, the downward external force
in the embodiment).
[0360] In this manner, even if the flat spring 765 moves up and
down by the turning-on/off of the solenoid 780, the pen 750 is
securely fixed by placing the tapered portion 754 in the taper
receiving portion 702 and screwing the threaded portion 752 into
the through hole 701. Therefore, the pen 750 will not wobble and
can draw following the height of the nail.
[0361] The other points are similar to those of the first
embodiment and the like. Accordingly, their descriptions are
omitted.
[0362] As described above, according to the embodiment, similar
effects to the first embodiment and the like can be obtained. The
following effects can also be obtained.
[0363] In other words, in the embodiment, the combination of the
solenoid 780 and the flat spring 765 enables the pen 750 to move up
and down. Drawing with the pen 750 can be achieved with a simple
and inexpensive configuration.
[0364] Also in this case, the threaded portion 752 provided to the
tip portion of the pen 750 is screwed into the through hole 701 of
the nib fitting member 700. Accordingly, the nib 753 can be
securely fixed to the nib fitting member 700. It becomes possible
to prevent a shake of the nib 753 and draw a delicate, fine nail
art stably without fail.
[0365] The mechanism that moves the flat spring 765 up and down is
not limited to the one illustrated in the embodiment.
[0366] For example, a stepping motor may be used instead of the
solenoid 780. In this case, it is preferable to include a micro
switch for detecting the speed of the stepping motor and
controlling the movement of the motor.
Fifth Embodiment
[0367] Next, a fifth embodiment of the nail printing apparatus
according to the present invention is described with reference to
FIGS. 15A and 15B.
[0368] The embodiment is different in the configuration of the
drawing head from the first embodiment and the like. Accordingly,
different points from the first embodiment and the like are mainly
described below.
[0369] As illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B, in the embodiment, a
drawing head 70b includes an inkjet print head 90 that ejects ink
reduced into smaller droplets onto the surface of the nail T being
the drawing target surface, and draws, in addition to the
pen-specific cylindrical member 761 as a carriage that holds the
pen 750 as the drawing tool to draw with its tip portion in contact
with the surface of the nail T being the drawing target
surface.
[0370] FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate the configuration including one
pen 750. However, the number of the pens 750 provided to the
drawing head 70b is not specially limited.
[0371] The print head 90 is supported by a carriage 91. The pen 750
of the embodiment, the solenoid 780 for moving the pen 750 up and
down, and the like are attached to the carriage 91 of the print
head 90.
[0372] In the embodiment, the pen-specific cylindrical member 761
as the carriage that holds the pen 750 being the drawing tool, and
the print head 90 can be moved simultaneously by a head drive unit.
The head drive unit functions as a moving mechanism that moves the
pen 750 and the print head 90 simultaneously.
[0373] The configuration where the print head 90 ejects ink is not
specially limited. For example, a bubble jet (registered trademark)
or thermal inkjet head can be applied.
[0374] The other configurations are similar to those of the third
embodiment and the like. Accordingly, the same reference numerals
are assigned to the same members and their descriptions are
omitted.
[0375] In the embodiment, the solenoid 780 is operated to bring the
nib 753 of the pen 750 into contact with the nail T. The pen 750 is
used to apply, for example, a base coat and a background color to
the nail T. Ink is then ejected from the inkjet print head 90 to
draw a fine pattern and the like.
[0376] The other points are similar to those of the first
embodiment and the like. Accordingly, their descriptions are
omitted.
[0377] As described above, according to the embodiment, similar
effects to the third embodiment and the like can be obtained. The
following effects can also be obtained.
[0378] In other words, in the embodiment, both the pen 750 and the
inkjet print head 90 are included.
[0379] Hence, the pen 750 is used to draw for, for example, an ink
with a high viscosity that is difficult to eject in the inkjet
method, and a base coat ink. Delicate patterns and the like are
drawn with the inkjet print head 90. They are used by making use of
their features so that a range of nail print variations that can be
drawn by the nail printing apparatus can be widened.
[0380] The moving mechanism that moves the pen 750 and the print
head 90 simultaneously is included. Accordingly, drawing by use of
both the pen 750 and the print head 90 can be achieved without
making the configuration complicated.
[0381] Up to this point the embodiments of the present invention
have been described. However, the present invention is not limited
to the embodiments. Needless to say, various modifications can be
made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0382] For example, in the embodiments, it is configured in such a
manner as that the coil spring 726 is provided as the auxiliary
shaft biasing member to the outer periphery of the auxiliary shaft
member 725. However, the auxiliary shaft biasing member is not
limited to the coil spring.
[0383] The auxiliary shaft biasing member is required to be an
elastic member that is placed on the outer periphery of the
auxiliary shaft member 725, is compressed when the auxiliary shaft
member 725 is pressed downward by the external force, and has a
restoring force that attempts to return to the original state
against the external force. The auxiliary shaft biasing member may
include, for example, rubber.
[0384] The auxiliary shaft biasing member is required to be one
that can bias the auxiliary shaft member 725 upward when the
external force is not applied, and is not limited to the elastic
member such as the coil spring 726. For example, a mechanism that
uses hydraulic pressure or air pressure may be applied as the
auxiliary shaft biasing member.
[0385] In the first embodiment, the configuration including the
flat spring 746 and the slide pin 77 as the press side elastic
member provided to the pen pressing mechanism 74 is illustrated by
example. In the second embodiment, the configuration including the
flat spring 747 is illustrated by example. However, the press side
elastic member provided to the pen pressing mechanism 74 is not
limited to them.
[0386] For example, the pen pressing mechanism 74 may include a
solenoid having a plunger that moves linearly in the up and down
direction. The upper end of the auxiliary shaft member 725 may be
pressed by a lower end of the plunger.
[0387] In this case, a press side elastic member (for example, a
coil spring) that can deform elastically when being pressed upward
by the auxiliary shaft member 725 is placed on the outer periphery
or the like of the plunger.
[0388] The embodiments illustrate the case where the nail printing
apparatus 1 includes the pen carriage 72 that can attach eight pens
71. However, the number of the pens 71 to be held by the nail
printing apparatus 1 is not limited to eight. A pen carriage that
can attach, for example, 10 or more pens 71 may be included. As the
number of attachable pens 71 is increased, it becomes possible to
draw a more complicated nail design using many colors.
[0389] The pen carriage may be configured to be not able to hold a
plurality of pens simultaneously but be able to attach only one pen
71. In this case, there is no need to rotate the pen carriage.
There is no need to include the carriage rotating mechanism 73
having the step motor 731 and the like, the reference indicator 728
of the pen carriage 72, and the indicator reading portion 734 for
reading the reference indicator 728. Hence, the configuration of
the apparatus can be further simplified. A reduction in size and
weight of the apparatus can be achieved.
[0390] A mechanism that automatically replaces the pen 71 to be
attached to the pen carriage 72 may be mounted. In this case, for
example, a plurality of pens is held in a waiting space, and a pen
is selected automatically from there to be attached to the pen
carriage 72. With such a configuration, the number of pens 71 that
can be held by the apparatus can also be increased.
[0391] It may be a system where the user replaces the pen 71 to be
attached to the pen carriage 72 manually if necessary, as
appropriate.
[0392] In the embodiment, the configuration using a solenoid as the
pen pressing mechanism that moves the pen 71 up and down is
illustrated by example. However, the configuration of the pen
pressing mechanism is not limited to this. For example, it may
include a step motor, a DC motor, a motor, or a ball screw.
[0393] The embodiments illustrate the example of forming the
X-direction moving stage 45 and the Y-direction moving stage 47,
which are for moving the drawing head 70, with a combination of the
X-direction movement motor 46 and the Y-direction movement motor
48, which are step motors, and unillustrated ball screws and
guides. However, the configuration for moving the drawing head 70
is not limited to this.
[0394] The X-direction movement motor 46 and the Y-direction
movement motor 48 are required to be able to freely move the
drawing head 70 back, front, left, and right. The X-direction
movement motor 46 and the Y-direction movement motor 48 may be, for
example, configured using a mechanism including a shaft, a guide,
and a wire, which are used in a known inexpensive printer or the
like, or may be configured using a servo motor or the like.
[0395] The embodiments illustrate the example of using the step
motor 731 as the drive means of the carriage rotating mechanism 73
that rotates the pen carriage 72 of the drawing head 70. However,
the configuration of the carriage rotating mechanism 73 is not
limited to this.
[0396] For example, the carriage rotating mechanism that rotates
the pen carriage of the drawing head may include a ratchet
mechanism and a solenoid.
[0397] In the embodiment, one that draws with ink is illustrated as
the pen. However, the pen to be attached to the drawing head is not
limited to a pen that draws with ink.
[0398] For example, a pen storing colorless or colored transparent
liquid glue is attached to the drawing head. A predetermined
pattern is drawn (applied) with the liquid glue using the attached
pen. Powder lame and the like are then sprinkled or rhinestones and
the like are affixed before the liquid glue dries. Accordingly, a
more gorgeous nail design can also be realized.
[0399] It may also be configured in such a manner as that a pen
storing liquid or the like with flavor is attached to the drawing
head to draw with the pen so that scented nail printing can be
enjoyed.
[0400] In the embodiment, the case of using a drawn medium being a
slip of paper for pen break-in is illustrated. The drawn medium is
not limited to paper. The drawn medium may use a roll. In this
case, a medium feeding mechanism is provided which unreels and
winds the drawn medium automatically or manually. If the drawn
medium is a roll, a medium attachment/detachment port for
attaching/detaching the rolled drawn medium is provided instead of
the medium insertion/removal port 24.
[0401] In the embodiment, the case is taken as an example, where
the drawing data generation unit 813 adjusts the image data of a
nail design to the shape of the nail T and also makes a curved
surface correction on the image data of the nail design to generate
the image data. However, the generation of the drawing data with
the drawing data generation unit 813 is not an essential component
of the present invention. For example, the drawing data may not be
generated separately, and the drawing control unit 815 may perform
drawing control in such a manner as that the image data of the nail
design is converted by an LUT (Lookup Table) or the like, as
appropriate while being output to the drawing head and drawing is
performed in accordance with the nail shape.
[0402] In the embodiment, the case is taken as an example, where
the shape of the nail T is detected as the nail information and
drawing data is generated based on the nail information. However,
the detection of the nail shape is not an essential component of
the present invention. For example, as in the case of drawing a
one-point pattern in the middle of the nail T, if it is not
essential in drawing to extract the outline of the nail T, there is
no need to recognize the shape of the nail T correctly. Drawing can
be performed without detecting the nail shape.
[0403] The imaging apparatus is not limited to the camera 51 that
captures a still image, and may be one that can capture a moving
image. In this case, a moving image is captured by a camera. An
image of a top surface of the nail T is cut out from the captured
moving image, as appropriate, which is used for the detection of
the nail information.
[0404] In the embodiment, the case is taken as an example, where
the nail image storage area 821, the nail information storage area
822, and the nail design storage area 823 are provided within the
storage unit 82 of the control apparatus 80. However, it is not
limited to the case where the nail image storage area 821, the nail
information storage area 822, and the nail design storage area 823
are provided in the storage unit 82 of the control apparatus 80,
and a storage unit may be provided separately.
[0405] In the embodiment, the nail printing apparatus 1 where
fingers are inserted into the apparatus one by one and drawing is
performed on the fingers sequentially is taken as an example.
However, the present invention can also be applied to an apparatus
that can continuously draw on a plurality of fingers without
removing the fingers.
[0406] For example, the operating area of the pen is enlarged to
make the drawable area larger. Accordingly, it also becomes
possible to continuously draw on the nails of fingers in a state
where a plurality of print fingers U1 is inserted
simultaneously.
[0407] Some embodiments of the present invention have been
described above. However, the scope of the present invention is not
limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but includes the scope
of the invention described in the claims, and an equivalent.
* * * * *