JP2002166605A - Cartridge detector and tape printer comprising it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cartridge detector which can detect the type of a print tape contained in a tape cartridge appropriately, and a tape printer comprising it. SOLUTION: The cartridge detector 37 for detecting the type of a print tape T contained in a tape cartridge 20 through the tape cartridge 20 fixed to cartridge fixing section 30 comprises a detection switch 60 provided at the cartridge fixing section 30 and turned on/off by engaging a protruding and recessed part formed at a part 29 being detected of the tape cartridge 20 selectively from the fixing direction. The detection switch 60 is movable in the fixing direction of the tape cartridge 20 between a steady position and a push-in position in the rear thereof and urged toward the steady position by means of a spring 71.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cartridge detecting device for detecting the type of a printing tape accommodated in a tape cartridge, and a tape printing device having the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a tape printer equipped with this kind of cartridge detecting device, there is known a device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2736950. This tape printing apparatus includes a detection switch that protrudes three detectors in a mounting direction of a tape cartridge in a cartridge mounting portion in which a tape cartridge is removably mounted. On the other hand, the tape cartridge has detection holes as detection target portions which are selectively formed on the lower surface of the case according to the type of the print tape to be accommodated, at positions corresponding to the three detectors. The tape printer detects the type of the print tape by the detection switch using a bit pattern in which the three detectors are selectively engaged (appeared) by the detection holes when the tape cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion. Is what you can do. In this case, the detection switch is held by a switch holder fixedly provided in the cartridge mounting portion with the tip of the detector protruding.

[0003]

In such a conventional tape printing apparatus, the tape cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion in a floating manner due to manufacturing errors and mounting errors of the tape cartridge and the switch holder. May not appear properly. Conversely, even if the detected part of the tape cartridge is held (abutted) by the switch holder and the detection switch operates properly,
The tape cartridge may not be mounted at an appropriate depth position.

However, if the length of the detector itself is increased in consideration of the molding error of the switch holder, the detector may be broken due to the operation of attaching and detaching the tape cartridge. On the other hand, when it is attempted to increase the number of types of print tapes that can be detected, it is conceivable to increase the number of detectors and the number of detection holes. Considering the positioning of the detection hole to be drilled in the case, it is difficult to configure the tape printer and the tape cartridge.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cartridge detecting device capable of appropriately detecting the type of a printing tape contained in a tape cartridge, and a tape printing device provided with the same.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A tape printing apparatus according to the present invention is a cartridge detecting device for detecting the type of a printing tape contained in a tape cartridge via a tape cartridge mounted in the cartridge mounting section. A detection switch for selectively engaging and disengaging the concave / convex portion formed on the detected portion of the tape cartridge from the mounting direction, the detection switch comprising: a steady position; The movable member is configured to be movable in the mounting direction of the tape cartridge, and is biased toward a steady position by a spring.

According to this configuration, the detection switch is turned ON / OFF by selective engagement with the concave / convex portion of the mounted tape cartridge, and detects the type of the printing tape accommodated in the tape cartridge. More specifically, when the tape cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, the detection switch in the state returned to the steady position by the spring selectively engages with the concave and convex portion of the tape cartridge, and depending on the accuracy error, The detection switch itself is pushed by the tape cartridge from the steady position toward the pushing position against the spring. The movable detection switch functions effectively even when a special cartridge is used in which the height of the detection target is at a low position when the detection switch is mounted.

In this case, the detection switch comprises a switch main body having a plurality of detectors engaging with the concave and convex portions of the tape cartridge, and a switch holder holding the switch main body, and the spring is connected to the switch main body via the switch holder. Is preferably applied.

According to this structure, the switch body having the plurality of detectors engaging with the concave and convex portions of the tape cartridge is held by the switch holder and is urged by the spring via the switch holder. Therefore, the detection switch can be stably urged in the mounting direction by the spring. Thus, the detector can appropriately face the concave and convex portion of the tape cartridge, and erroneous engagement of the detector with the concave and convex portion can be prevented. Further, even in the case of an array-shaped detection switch composed of a plurality of switch bodies, it can be stably held and moved as a unit. The detector projects from the switch body in the direction in which the tape cartridge is detached from the cartridge mounting portion, and is pushed into the switch body in the mounting direction.

[0010] In these cases, it is preferable that the apparatus further comprises a sub-detecting means for detecting one or more movement stop positions of the detection switch between the steady position and the depressed position.

According to this structure, the sub-detecting means can detect the position of the detection switch at which the detection switch stops moving in the mounting direction in a stepwise manner. More specifically, when the tape cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, the detection switch itself, which is returned to the normal position by the spring, is moved to the rear side of the normal position by the tape cartridge depending on the type of the printing tape accommodated. To stop at a predetermined position. By detecting the movement stop position by the sub-detecting means and using the detection result to determine the type of the printing tape, the number of detectable types of the printing tape can be greatly increased. That is, the number of types corresponding to the product of the number of types that can be detected by the detection switch and the number of types that can be detected by the sub-detection unit can be detected. Note that, by detecting the displacement of the detection switch from the steady position in the mounting direction, the movement stop position of the detection switch may be secondarily detected.

In this case, it is preferable that the sub-detecting means is constituted by an optical sensor.

According to this configuration, the movement stop position of the detection switch can be appropriately detected with a simple structure. The optical sensor may be a transmission type optical sensor such as a photo interrupter or a reflection type optical sensor.

The cartridge detecting device according to the present invention is provided in the cartridge mounting portion for detecting the type of the printing tape contained in the tape cartridge via the tape cartridge mounted in the cartridge mounting portion. A movable body configured to be movable in the mounting direction of the tape cartridge between the pushing position on the back side of the steady position and being urged toward the steady position by a spring, and a movable body between the steady position and the pushing position. Detecting means for detecting one or more movement stop positions of the moving body, wherein the movement stopping position of the moving body is determined based on the shape of the tape cartridge completely mounted in the cartridge mounting portion.

According to this configuration, the movable body provided on the cartridge mounting portion so as to be movable in the mounting direction within a predetermined range by the spring has a movement stop position based on the shape of the tape cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting portion. Decided.
Then, the type of the printing tape accommodated in the tape cartridge is detected by detecting the movement stop position by the detecting means. More specifically, when the tape cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, the moving body that has been returned to the normal position by the spring is pushed by the tape cartridge toward the back of the normal position, and has a predetermined shape depending on its shape. The movement stops at the position, and the type of the printing tape is detected at the movement stop position. In other words, depending on the position of the detected part of the fully mounted tape cartridge,
Type detection can be performed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tape printing apparatus including the cartridge detecting device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.

With this configuration, the type of the print tape of the tape cartridge can be appropriately detected regardless of the mounting position accuracy of the tape cartridge simply by mounting the tape cartridge in the cartridge mounting portion.

[0018]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cartridge detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This tape printing apparatus mounts a tape cartridge containing a printing tape, prints desired characters and figures on the printing tape while pulling out the printing tape from the tape cartridge, and prints a printed portion of the printing tape to a predetermined position. The label is cut into lengths. The tape printing apparatus is configured to be able to detect the type of the attached printing tape via a tape cartridge.

The tape printer will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the tape printer, FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the tape printer with a cover opened, and FIG. 3 is an overall plan view of the tape printer with an open / close lid opened. It is. As shown in these drawings, the tape printing apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 3 having an outer shell formed by an apparatus case 2 and a plurality of types of tape cartridges 20 detachably mounted on the apparatus main body 3. In the tape cartridge 20, a printing tape T with release paper as an object to be printed is accommodated so as to be able to be fed out.

The apparatus main body 3 has a printing tape T on the right rear upper surface.
A trim portion 4 for trimming a corner of the device and an open / close button 5 recessed to the left of the trim portion 4 are provided. An opening / closing lid 6 with a window, which is a part of the opening, is attached. The opening / closing lid 6 is opened and closed by a push button operation of the opening / closing button 5, and a cartridge mounting section 30 for detachably mounting the tape cartridge 20 is formed inside the opening / closing lid 6.

A tape outlet 7 for sending out a printed printing tape T to the outside of the apparatus is formed on the left side of the apparatus main body 3 in communication with the cartridge mounting section 30. A cutting mechanism is built in between the mounting section 30 and the label is created by cutting the printing tape T fully or half. On the other hand, an adapter insertion port 8 for an AC adapter and a connector 9 for communication connection with a personal computer or the like are provided at a rear portion on the right side of the apparatus main body 3. In addition, the apparatus main body 3 has a power supply on the left front upper surface.
Power input key 10 for FF operation and communication input key 1 for ON-OFF operation of connection with personal computer etc.
1 are arranged in order from the left.

A crescent-shaped display section 12 is formed on the upper surface of the front center of the apparatus main body 3. On the front upper surface of the display unit 12, in addition to the power supply indicator lamp 17, an indicator lamp which is turned on / off in various operation states such as a communication indicator lamp is provided. Behind the display unit 12, on the same plane as the surface on which the power input key 10 and the communication input key 11 are disposed, a keyboard 13 composed of a plurality of keys serving as various input means is disposed. On the upper side of the keyboard 13, a large lid 14 that covers the keyboard 13 so that it can be opened and closed is attached to an intermediate portion of the apparatus main body 3.

The lid 14 is configured to be openable and closable in the up-down direction by a hinge built in the rear right half where the opening / closing lid 6 escapes, and the display 15 is incorporated on the inner surface.
That is, the cover 14 is in the closed state,
When the cover is opened, the keyboard 13 is opened obliquely upward and rearward about the hinge, and the keyboard 13 is opened in the foreground, and the display 15 is arranged in the front, so that input work by the keyboard 13 is enabled. I do. The display 15 has a rectangular display screen 18 inside a trapezoidal shape.
And displays data input from the keyboard 13 on the display screen 18.

In the apparatus main body 3 configured as described above, the apparatus case 2 is formed to have a large thickness from the front side to the rear side, and when the cover 14 is closed, the display unit 12 and the cover 1 are closed.
A wedge surface having a substantially “U” shape in plan view is formed with the outer surface of the keyboard 4, and the wedge surface is flush with the upper surface of the rear half portion, and is continuous with the upper surface on which the keyboard 13 is provided. The overall design has a solid appearance. In addition, a concave position is provided between the display unit 12 and the lid 14 in the closed state, and the concave position is used when a finger can be inserted and the lid 14 is opened upward. In both cases, a grip structure cooperates with a finger insertion portion immersed in the back surface of the device case 2 to allow easy carrying of the device main body 3.

On the other hand, the cartridge mounting portion 30 in the apparatus main body 3 has a guide projection 36 for guiding the mounting of the tape cartridge 20 at the center, a platen driving shaft 34 for applying rotational power to a driven portion of the tape cartridge 20, and a A ribbon winding shaft 35 and a head unit 33 having a thermal head 50 are provided upright, and a cartridge for detecting the type of the mounted tape cartridge 20 (mainly, the type of the printing tape T) is provided at the lower right corner. A detection device 37 is provided. Note that the cartridge detection device 3
7 has three detectors 63 projecting into the cartridge mounting section 30 (see FIG. 7).

The bottom plate 31 of the cartridge mounting section 30
A plurality of (three) spacers 38 are provided on the upper side. Further, a tape feed mechanism (not shown) having a motor 51 for rotating the platen drive shaft 34 and the ribbon take-up shaft 35 is built in below the cartridge mounting portion 30, and the tape cartridge 20 is moved by the platen drive shaft 34. The printing tape T is fed by rotating the platen 27, and the ribbon winding core 26 of the tape cartridge 20 on the side of the tape cartridge 20 on which the ink ribbon R is wound is rotated to wind and run the ink ribbon R.

When the user uses the tape printer 1, first, the user presses the open / close button 5 to open the open / close lid 6, and places the tape cartridge 2 in the cartridge mounting section 30.
0 is attached. At this time, the head opening 23 formed in the tape cartridge 20 is guided to the head unit 33 of the cartridge mounting section 30, and
Is mounted on the cartridge mounting section 30, the printing tape T
The ink ribbon R is inserted between the platen 27 and the thermal head 50, the platen drive shaft 34 is connected to the platen 27, and the ribbon take-up shaft 35 is connected to the ribbon take-up core 2.
6 is engaged. In addition, a cartridge detection device 3 described later
The detector 63 of No. 7 is pushed for type detection. When the cover 6 is closed, the thermal head 50 rotates so as to sandwich the printing tape T and the ink ribbon R, comes into contact with the platen 27, and enters a printing standby state.

Next, the power input key 10 is pressed to turn on (at this time, the power indicator lamp 17 is turned on), and at about the same time, the lid 14 is opened, and the keyboard 13 is opened. Then, the display 15 is positioned at the front to prepare for input. Here, the user operates the keyboard 13 while referring to the display 15 to input desired characters and the like.
Edit and instruct print execution. When printing execution is instructed, the printing tape T and the ink ribbon R are simultaneously sent, and the thermal head 50 is appropriately driven to
Is thermally transferred, and printing is performed on the printing tape T.
The printed ink ribbon R is taken up by the ribbon take-up core 26, while the printed printing tape T is fed into the tape outlet 7.
Then, the cutting mechanism is driven, the printed portion is cut off, and a label is created.

In this case, before the print tape T is cut off (full cut), the print tape T may be subjected to half cut while leaving only the release paper. As a result, a tab-shaped label having slits is continuously formed. Further, the end of the label thus formed can be formed and cut into an R shape by the trim portion 4.

By the way, the tape cartridges 20 having different thicknesses are mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 30 thus configured. FIG. 4A shows a thick tape cartridge 20b, and FIG. 4B shows a thin tape cartridge 20a. In this case, the thin tape cartridge 20a is mounted so as to be slightly floating from the bottom plate 31 of the cartridge mounting portion 30 by the plurality of spacers 38, and the thick tape cartridge 20b has the lower surface of the bottom plate of the cartridge mounting portion 30. It is attached so as to be in contact with 31. For this reason, the thick tape cartridge 20
b, a spacer 38 is provided at a position corresponding to the spacer 38.
Is formed.

Although the details will be described later, when the thick tape cartridge 20b is mounted, the lower surface thereof does not contact the upper plate 64 of the switch holder 62 of the cartridge detecting device 37. When the tape cartridge 20a is mounted, the lower surface thereof is in contact with the upper plate 64 of the switch holder 62 so as to push down the switch holder 62. For this reason, the thick tape cartridge 20b has the shallow concave groove 28 so that the detected portion 29 corresponding to the switch holder 62 can escape the switch holder 62.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the outer periphery of the tape cartridge 20 is formed by a cartridge case 22 having an upper case and a lower case and having a vertically divided structure. Inside the cartridge case 22, a tape core 24 around which the printing tape T is wound, a ribbon feeding core 25 around which the ink ribbon R is wound, a ribbon winding core 26 around which the ink ribbon R is wound, and platen rubber are wound. The platen 27 is rotatably accommodated.
The printing tape T is fed out from the tape core 24, while the ink ribbon R is fed out from the ribbon feeding core 25, overlaps with the printing tape T at the position of the platen 27, and runs around the ribbon winding core 26. A head opening 23 facing the head unit 33 is formed in a portion where the printing tape T and the ink ribbon R overlap.

On the lower surface (back surface) of the cartridge case 22, when the tape cartridge 20 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 30, the type of the tape cartridge 20, that is, the type of the printing tape T is detected by the tape printer 1. To be detected 29 is formed.
The detected part 29 forms or does not form detection holes at three places on the rear right side of the lower case corresponding to the three detectors 63, that is, the detection holes are formed at any of these three places. The type of the 8-bit pattern is formed by puncturing and how many punctures are made. Thereby, the tape printer 1
Prints on the print tape T by controlling the print width area, character size, and the like according to the type of the recognized print tape T.

Here, the control configuration of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The tape printing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 40 that controls various operations of the tape printing apparatus 1 inside the apparatus main body 3. The control unit 40 includes a CPU 41 for performing various controls, a ROM 42, a character generator ROM 42 (CG-ROM 43), a RAM 4
4 and an interface 45, which are connected to each other via a bus 46.

The ROM 42 has an area for storing control programs and control data processed by the CPU 41.
The CG-ROM 43 stores font data such as characters, symbols, and graphics prepared in the tape printer 1 and a special print form such as a radiation imaging mode, and is provided with code data for specifying characters and the like. Output the corresponding font data. The RAM 44 is used as various work areas for control processing. The interface 45 incorporates a logic circuit for supplementing the function of the CPU 41 and handling signals with peripheral circuits. The cartridge detection device 37, the keyboard 13, the display 15, the thermal head 50, and the motor 51 are connected via a driver. It is connected.

The CPU 41 inputs various detection signals, various commands, various data and the like via the interface 45 according to the control program in the ROM 42, and
By processing font data from the ROM 43, various data in the RAM 44, and outputting control signals via the interface 45, based on the type of the printing tape T detected by the cartridge detecting device 37 through various drivers. To control the position of printing on the printing tape T and the display of the display 15,
0 to print on the printing tape T under predetermined printing conditions,
By controlling the motor 51 of the tape feed mechanism, the printing tape T
And controls the entire tape printing apparatus 1 such as feeding the ink ribbon R.

Next, the structure around the cartridge detecting device 37 will be described with reference to FIGS. The cartridge detection device 37 is configured by a detection switch 60 partially protruding from the lower right corner of the cartridge mounting section 30.
It is connected to the interface 45 via a driver. A base frame 39 (see FIG. 8) is provided in a lower space of the cartridge mounting section 30, and the base frame 39 supports the detection switch 60 so as to be movable in the mounting direction.

The detection switch 60 comprises a switch body 61 having three detectors 63 (in which three switches are formed) and a switch holder 62 which holds the switch body 61 so as to surround it. The tips of the three detectors 63 protrude from the upper surface of the switch holder 62. The detector 63 protrudes from the switch main body 61 in the detaching direction (upward) of the tape cartridge 20 by a spring (not shown) housed in the switch main body 61 and can be protruded and retracted from the switch main body 61. The switch body 61 includes the switch body 6 of the detector 63.
The circuit (contact terminal) is connected and turned ON by immersion in the circuit 1. On the other hand, when the detector 63 is in the protruding state, the circuit (contact terminal) is cut off and turned OFF. As described above, the switch main body 61 can determine the type of the printing tape T based on the ON-OFF bit patterns (up to eight patterns) of the three detectors 63.

The switch holder 62 is constructed such that the left and right side plates (65a, 65a,
65b) and a front plate 66 on the front side (rear side in FIG. 7).
Are lowered, and both left and right side plates (65a,
65b) A body holding projection 67 bent inward is formed at the lower edge portion, and has a large space area inside as a whole. The upper plate 64 has rectangular openings at two places on the left and right,
Three circular loose fitting holes 69 are formed through the center portion.
The three detectors 63 of the switch main body 61 are inserted through the individual loose fitting holes 69. The switch holder 62 has a loose fitting hole 6.
9 with the detector 63 protruding from the main body holding protrusion 6.
The lower left and right edges of the switch main body 61 are supported by 7, and the switch main body 61 is held in an inner space area.

The both side plates (65a, 6a) of the switch holder 62
A pair of left and right spring supporting pieces 70 project outward from the upper and lower intermediate portions of 5b). One end of a holder urging spring 71 extending in the vertical direction is locked to the lower end of the spring support piece 70. The other end of the holder urging spring 71 is locked to the base frame 39. That is, the switch holder 62 is supported in a state where the switch holder 62 is urged upward by the base frame 39 by the holder urging springs 71 respectively engaged with the pair of spring supporting pieces 70. Therefore, when the upper plate 64 is pressed downward, the switch holder 62 is pushed downward while holding the switch body 61 against the holder urging spring 71. The elastic force of the holder urging spring 71 is larger than the elastic force of a spring for making the detector 63 housed in the switch body 61 protrude and retract.

On the other hand, guide portions are formed in the cartridge mounting portion 30 in a vertical direction corresponding to the both side plates (65a, 65b) and the front plate 66 of the switch holder 62. The guide part is a frame wall 81 that extends long in the up-down direction on the front side of the cartridge mounting part 30.
And an arm-shaped right guide wall 82 forming a part of the right bottom plate 31 of the cartridge mounting portion 30 and a left guide wall 83 forming a part of the left bottom plate 31. The frame wall 81, the right guide wall 82, and the left guide wall 83 extend vertically along the front plate 66 and both side plates (65a, 65b), and move the both side plates (65a, 65b) and the front plate 66 up and down. Slide guide in the direction. This allows the switch holder 62 to slide in the up-down direction while maintaining the balance in the front-rear, left-right directions.

As described above, the detection switch 60 is formed by the switch holder 62 locked by the holder biasing spring 71 itself.
, The switch body 61 is movable upward and downward, and is maintained in a state where the switch main body 61 is urged upward. That is, the upper end position of the detection switch 60 is regulated by a stopper (not shown) against the holder urging spring 71. It is movable between positions.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the thick tape cartridge 20b is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 30, although the detector 63 and the detection hole (29) are selectively engaged, the tape cartridge 20 is The detection groove 60 does not move from the steady position because the formed groove 28 is in a floating state not in contact with the upper plate 64 of the switch holder 62. On the other hand, when the thin tape cartridge 20 a is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 30, the detector 63 is selectively engaged with the detection hole (29), and the bottom surface of the tape cartridge 20 is formed by the plurality of spacers 38. Although not in contact with the bottom plate 31 of the cartridge mounting portion 30, the bottom surface of the tape cartridge 20 contacts the upper plate 64 of the switch holder 62 and pushes it down. For this reason,
The detection switch 60 moves from the steady position to the pushed-in position on the far side, and stops moving here.

As described above, the detection switch 60 is appropriately pushed into the cartridge mounting section 30 corresponding to the tape cartridges 20 having different thicknesses. Therefore, even if the position (level) on the lower surface (detected portion 29) of the tape cartridge 20 at the time of mounting may differ depending on the tape cartridge 20, the tape cartridge
Even if there is an accuracy error in the shape of the tape cartridge 2, the tape cartridge 2
0 pushes the detection switch 60 itself, and the detector 6
3 appropriately engages with the detected portion 29 of the tape cartridge 20 to reliably detect the type of the printing tape T.

In this embodiment, the case where two types of tape cartridges 20 are used, that is, a thin tape cartridge 20a and a thick tape cartridge 20b, has been described. However, the present invention is also applicable to a case where two or more types of tape cartridges 20 are used. Needless to say, we can do it. In such a case, the tape cartridge 20 (printing tape T)
The depth of the concave groove 28 and the step portion 21 differs depending on the type. That is, the thin tape cartridge 2
Even if it is 0a, the concave groove 28 which does not push the detection switch 60 itself may be formed, and even in the case of the thick tape cartridge 20b, the detection switch 60 itself may be pushed.

Although the thickness of the tape cartridge 20 is the same, but the width of the printing tape T mounted is different and the printing tape T is shifted up or down, the above-mentioned concave groove 28 or The steps 21 have different depths. The movable detection switch 60 also functions effectively when a special tape cartridge 20 is used in which the height of the detection target 29 is low at the time of mounting.

Next, a cartridge detecting device 37 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The cartridge detecting device 37 includes the above-described detection switch 60 and a plurality (two in the embodiment, two upper and lower photointerrupters) 90 for detecting the movement of the detection switch 60. The plurality of photo interrupters 90
Detects the movement stop position of the detection switch 60 itself that has moved and stopped in the mounting direction, and uses this detection result to determine the type of the printing tape T. That is,
The cartridge detecting device 37 according to this embodiment uses the detection switch 60 as a main detecting unit, the plurality of photo-interrupters 90 as sub-detecting units, and
The type of the printing tape T accommodated in the printer is detected.

As shown in FIG. 9, in this case, the detection switch 60 has, in addition to the above-described configuration, a pair of left and right spring support pieces 70 with light blocking portions for blocking light at their side ends. A plate 91 is attached. The light-shielding plate 91 is moved when the spring support piece 70 moves up and down in the mounting direction, that is, when the detection switch 60 itself moves up and down.
Moves up and down with 0. By detecting the movement stop position of the light shielding plate 91 in the mounting direction by the plurality of photointerrupters 90 arranged on the movement trajectory of the light shielding plate 91, the movement stop position of the detection switch 60 in the mounting direction of the light switch 91 can be detected at a plurality of locations. Are detected over a period of time.

Each photo interrupter 90 has a cross section
In the vicinity of the spring support piece 70, it is held by the base frame 39, and the interface 45 is provided via a driver similarly to the detection switch 60.
Connected to More specifically, the photo interrupter 90 detects the position of the detection switch 60 by blocking the light with the light shielding plate 91 facing the opening having the U-shaped cross section.

As shown in FIG. 9, in this case, the tape cartridge 20 has a thick one 20b and a thin one 20b.
a and an ultra-thin 20 c are prepared, and two photo-interrupters 90 are held by the base frame 39 in the cartridge detection device 37.
The detection switch 60 is connected to the thick tape cartridge 20b.
In the thin tape cartridge 20a, it is pushed and moved to the back side by one step and stopped, and in the extremely thin tape cartridge 20c, it is pushed and moved to the back side by one step. And stop. The two photo interrupters 90 are arranged at positions where the first-stage movement stop position and the second-stage movement stop position of the detection switch 60 can be detected. More specifically, the two photo interrupters 90 are arranged at the movement stop positions of the respective light shielding plates 91 in the case of the thin and ultrathin tape cartridges 20a and 20c.

That is, the two photo interrupters 90
Then, three movement stop positions including the steady position of the detection switch 60 are detected stepwise. Accordingly, in addition to the detection made by the detection switch 60 and the detection of the bit pattern caused by the appearance and disappearance of the detector 63, the detection made by the photointerrupter 90 and the movement stop of the detection switch 60 itself are also performed.
The number of types of the printing tape T that can be detected can be dramatically increased. That is, the detection switch 60
Thus, the number of types corresponding to the product of the number of types that can be detected and the number of types that can be detected by the sub-detection unit can be detected.

By increasing the number of photointerrupters 90, it is possible to further detect the movement stop position of the detection switch 60, and to increase the types of the detectable tape cartridge 20 (the types of the printing tape T). It goes without saying that you can do it. Further, by detecting the displacement of the detection switch 60 in the mounting direction from the steady position, the movement stop position of the detection switch 60 may be secondarily detected.

Although the cartridge detecting device 37 is composed of two types, that is, the detection switch 60 having the detector 63 and the photo interrupter 90, the detection switch 60 is configured as a simple moving body having no detector 63 in particular. ,
The print tape T is detected only by detecting one or more movement stop positions of the moving body in the vertical direction by the plurality of photo interrupters 90.
May be detected. That is, the type detection may be performed based on the position of the detection target portion 29 of the completely mounted tape cartridge 20. Although the photo interrupter 90 is employed as the sub-detecting means, the sub-detecting means may be based on another optical sensor such as a reflection type optical sensor, or may be a micro switch.

Further, in these embodiments, the number of the detector 63 and the number of the detection holes are three, but it is needless to say that these numbers are not limited to these.

[0055]

According to the cartridge detecting device and the tape printer of the present invention, the detection switch itself is configured to be movable. Therefore, when the tape cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, the detection switch can be properly operated regardless of the accuracy error. By selectively engaging the concave and convex portions of the tape cartridge, the type of the printing tape can be reliably detected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a tape printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the tape printing apparatus with a cover opened.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which an opening / closing lid of the tape printing apparatus is opened.

4A is a perspective view of a thick tape cartridge, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a thin tape cartridge.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the tape cartridge.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control system of the tape printing apparatus.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a cartridge mounting portion of the tape printer.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views around a cartridge detecting device in a state where (a) a thick tape cartridge and (b) a thin tape cartridge are mounted on a cartridge mounting portion.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are cross-sectional views around a cartridge detecting device in a state where (a) a thick tape cartridge, (b) a thin tape cartridge, and (c) an extremely thin tape cartridge are mounted in a cartridge mounting portion.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 tape printing device 3 device main body 20 tape cartridge 28 concave groove 29 detected portion 30 cartridge mounting portion 37 cartridge detecting device 38 spacer 39 base frame 60 detection switch 61 switch main body 62 switch holder 63 detector 64 upper plate 65 both side plates 66 front Plate 67 Main body holding projection 70 Spring support piece 71 Holder urging spring 81 Frame wall 82 Right guide wall 83 Left guide wall 90 Photointerrupter 91 Shield plate T Printing tape R Ink ribbon

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Kobayashi 3-3-5 Yamato, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture Inside Seiko Epson Corporation (72) Inventor Hideki Sakano 3-3-5 Yamato Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture Seiko Epson Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C055 CC00 CC01 CC05

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A cartridge detecting device for detecting a type of a printing tape contained in a tape cartridge via a tape cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, wherein the cartridge detecting device is provided in the cartridge mounting portion and a detection target portion of the tape cartridge is provided. A detection switch that selectively engages with the formed concavo-convex portion from the mounting direction to turn on and off, wherein the detection switch moves the tape cartridge between a steady position and a pushing position on the back side of the steady position. A cartridge detecting device configured to be movable in the mounting direction and urged toward the steady position by a spring. 2. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the detection switch comprises: a switch body having a plurality of detectors engaging with the concave and convex portions of the tape cartridge; and a switch holder holding the switch body. The cartridge detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the switch main body is urged through the switch. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sub-detecting unit configured to detect one or more movement stop positions of the detection switch between the steady position and the depressed position. Cartridge detection device. 4. The cartridge detecting device according to claim 3, wherein said sub-detecting means comprises an optical sensor. 5. A cartridge detecting device for detecting a type of a printing tape accommodated in a tape cartridge via a tape cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, wherein the cartridge detecting portion is provided in the cartridge mounting portion, and includes a stationary position and a depth of the stationary position. A movable body that is configured to be movable in the mounting direction of the tape cartridge between the pushing position on the side and that is urged toward the steady position by a spring; Detecting means for detecting one or more movement stop positions of the moving body, wherein the movement stop position of the moving body is determined based on a shape of the tape cartridge completely mounted on the cartridge mounting portion. Cartridge detecting device. 6. A tape printer comprising the cartridge detecting device according to claim 1. Description: