Cutter blade position detection mechanism and method of reporting cutter malfunction

• US 6,889,585 B1
• Filed: 01/04/2000
• Issued: 05/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Harris, Richard Hunter, Thomas, Jeff David, Yoder, Robert Dean
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoap, Allan N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PRONE, JASON D
• Application Number:
  US09/478,246
• Time in Patent Office: 1,953 Days
• Field of Search: 839/27, 83/72, 83/74, 83/76, 835/222.5, 835/222.7, 835/221.2, 835/222.3, 83/621, 83/62, 83/769, 83/767, 83/766, 83/768, 833/67, 839/42
• US Class Current: 83/62
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 5/00 Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 7/22 Safety devices specially adapted for cutting machines safety devices in general F16P
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 7/24 arranged to disable the operating means for the cutting member
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/70 cutting perpendicular to the direction of paper feed
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 83/942 Contact pin of electrical component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/088 Responsive to tool detector or work-feed-means detector
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/141 With means to monitor and control operation [e.g., self-regulating means]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/175 With condition sensor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/18 With operator input means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/85 Signal; e.g., alarm

Abstract

A sheet cutting device utilizing cutter blades as a position detection mechanism and a method of reporting cutter malfunctions is provided. The sheet cutting device including a cutter having a pair of cutter blades, one of the blades connected to a cutter driving mechanism for moving the blade through a cutting cycle, a power source is connected to one of the blades so that a circuit is closed when the blades contact one another, and a current sensing device in connection with the circuit to identify when the blades are in physical contact.

Claims

1. A sheet cutting device comprising:

a cutter having a first and a second blade;

a cutter driving mechanism in connection with at least one of said blades for moving said blade through a plurality of positions for cutting material;

a voltage source in connection with said first blade; and

a current sensing device connected between said voltage source and said cutter for detecting an electrical current when said blades are in contact with one another.

2. The cutting device of claim 1, further including:

a processing unit in functional connection with said cutter driving mechanism and said current detection mechanism;

wherein said processing unit starts and stops said cutter driving mechanism and records whether said blades are in contact via said current detection.

3. The cutting device of claim 2, further including:

a display unit in connection with said processing unit for receiving a signal from said processing unit and displaying a condition of said blades.

4. The cutting device of claim 1, further including:

a counter in connection with said cutter driver mechanism for determining said plurality of positions.

5. The cutting device of claim 4, further including:

a processing unit in functional connection with said cutter driving mechanism, said current detection mechanism, and said counter;

wherein said processing unit starts and stops said cutter driving mechanism and records whether said blades are in contact via said current detection, and records positions in the cutting cycle.

6. The cutting device of claim 5, further including:

a display unit in connection with said processing unit for receiving a signal from said processing unit and displaying a condition of said blades.

7. A sheet cutting device comprising:

a cutter having a first and a second blade, said first blade insulated from electrical ground, said second blade electrically grounded;

a cutter driving mechanism in connection with at least one of said blades for moving said blade through a plurality of positions for cutting a sheet of material;

a voltage source in connection with said first blade;

a current sensing device connected between said voltage source and said cutter for detecting an electrical current when said blades are in contact with one another;

a counter in connection with said cutter driving mechanism for determining said plurality of positions within a cutting cycle;

a display unit; and

a processing unit in connection with said current sensing device, said cutter driving mechanism, said counter, and said display unit;

wherein said processing unit starts and stops said cutter driving mechanism and monitors said current sensing device and said counter for displaying a condition of said cutter.

8. The printer of claim 7, wherein:

said processing unit is connected to a remote repair service provider via a network.

9. A printer comprising:

a frame carrying paper for printing;

a cutter connected to said frame, said cutter having a first and a second blade, said first blade insulated from electrical ground, said second blade electrically grounded;

a cutter driving mechanism in connection with at least on of said blades for moving said blade through a plurality of positions for cutting said paper;

a voltage source in connection with said first blade;

a current sensing device connected between said voltage source and said cutter for detecting an electrical current when said blades are in contact with one another;

a counter in connection with said cutter driving mechanism for determining said plurality of positions within a cutting cycle;

a display unit; and

a processing unit in connection with said current sensing device, said cutter driving mechanism, said counter, and said display unit;

wherein said processing unit starts and stops said cutter driving mechanism and monitors said current sensing device and said counter for displaying a condition of said cutter.

10. The printer of claim 9, wherein:

said paper is a continuous roll of paper.

11. The printer of claim 9, wherein:

said printer is connected to a remote repair service provider via a network.

12. The printer of claim 11, wherein:

said paper is a continuous roll of paper.