JP2007313680A - Ink ribbon cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink ribbon cassette which can improve a printing quality by reducing a frictional resistance applied to axial parts of a feeding core and a winding core when the feeding core and the winding core are rotated and driven, and by making delivering and winding of an ink ribbon smooth. <P>SOLUTION: Projections 20a and 20b are respectively formed in bearings of at least one case among bearings 6b and 7b of a first case 5 and bearings 14b and 15b of a second case 13 in which respective axial parts 3d and 4d of the feeding core 3 and the winding core 3 are pivoted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink ribbon cassette used in a line printer, and in particular, reduces the frictional resistance of the shaft portion of the supply core and the winding core, and smoothly feeds and winds the ink ribbon to improve the print quality. The present invention relates to an ink ribbon cassette that can be used.

  In recent years, in an ink ribbon cassette used in a line printer, after the ink ribbon has been used, the ink ribbon is wound in order to reuse the ink ribbon cassette by replacing the supply core and the winding core around which the ink ribbon is wound. Some of the rotated supply core and take-up core can be easily attached and detached.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an ink ribbon cassette 31 as an example of such a conventional ink ribbon cassette is capable of rotating a supply core 33 and a winding core 34 around which a long ink ribbon 32 is wound. A first case 35 and a second case 43 to be supported are fitted and configured.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the supply core 33 and the take-up core 34 are made of substantially cylindrical members made of resin and have the same size, and cylindrical bases 33 a and 34 a provided at the center in the axial direction. The small diameter portions 33b and 34b provided at one end in the axial direction and having a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the base portions 33a and 34a, and the large diameter portion 33c provided at the other end in the axial direction and larger in diameter than the base portions 33a and 34a. , 34c. Further, shaft portions 33d and 34d having smaller diameters than the small-diameter portions 33b and 34b are integrally formed on the distal ends of the small-diameter portions 33b and 34b, respectively. Further, flange portions 33e and 34e and flange portions 33f and 34f having a flange shape at the boundary between the small diameter portions 33b and 34b and the large diameter portions 33c and 34c are integrally formed on the base portions 33a and 34a, respectively. Yes.

  The first case 35 is made of a resin material. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the supply side storage portion 36 and the winding side storage portion 37 formed in a semi-cylindrical shape is provided in the longitudinal direction. At both ends, the first side wall 38 and the second side wall 39 are integrally connected. Further, a first ribbon guide portion 35a and a second ribbon guide portion 35b are integrally formed on opposite sides of the supply side storage portion 36 and the winding side storage portion 37, respectively. Note that an opening 40 through which the ink ribbon 32 is exposed is formed between the first ribbon guide portion 35a and the second ribbon guide portion 35b. Further, the second ribbon guide portion 35b has a guide roller (not shown) disposed in the printer for guiding the ink ribbon 32 when the ink ribbon cassette 31 is mounted on the printer (not shown). A guide roller escape portion 41 is formed so as to extend in the longitudinal direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a semicircular bearing 36a that rotatably supports the large-diameter portion 33c of the supply core 33 is provided in the supply-side storage portion 36 of the first case 35, and A semicircular bearing 36b that rotatably supports the shaft portion 33d of the supply core 33 is integrally formed.

  In the winding side storage portion 37 of the first case 35, a semicircular bearing 37a that rotatably supports the large diameter portion 34c of the winding core 34, and a shaft portion of the winding core 34 A semicircular bearing 37b that rotatably supports 34d is integrally formed.

  A positioning pin (not shown) for positioning the ink ribbon cassette 31 at the correct position of the printer is inserted into the second side wall 39 of the first case 35 when the ink ribbon cassette 31 is attached to the printer. Positioning holes 42a and 42b are formed at a predetermined interval.

  The second case 43 is formed of a resin material as in the first case 35, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the second case 43 and the supply side storage portion 44 formed in a semi-cylindrical shape is wound up. The side storage portion 45 is integrally connected by a first side wall 46 and a second side wall 47 at both ends in the longitudinal direction. Further, a first ribbon guide portion 43a and a second ribbon guide portion 43b are integrally formed on opposite sides of the supply side storage portion 44 and the winding side storage portion 45, respectively. An opening 48 between which the ink ribbon 32 is exposed is formed between the first ribbon guide portion 43a and the second ribbon guide portion 43b. The first ribbon guide portion 43a and the second ribbon guide portion 43b are arranged such that the first ribbon guide portion of the first case 35 when the first case 35 and the second case 43 are fitted. A gap through which the ink ribbon 32 is inserted is provided between 35a and the second ribbon guide portion 35b.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the supply-side storage portion 44 of the second case 43, a semicircular bearing 44 a that rotatably supports the large-diameter portion 33 c of the supply core 33, A semicircular bearing 44b that rotatably supports the shaft portion 33d of the supply core 33 is integrally formed.

  In the winding side storage portion 45 of the second case 43, a semicircular bearing 45a that rotatably supports the large diameter portion 34c of the winding core 34, and a shaft portion of the winding core 34 A semicircular bearing 45b that rotatably supports 34d is integrally formed.

  Further, the supply side storage portion 44 and the take-up side storage portion 45 of the second case 43 are positioned for positioning the ink ribbon cassette 31 at the correct position of the printer when the ink ribbon cassette 31 is mounted on the printer. Positioning holes 49a and 49b through which pins (not shown) are inserted are respectively formed.

  The first case 35 and the second case 43 are integrally formed with fitting members (not shown) that fit each other, and the bearings 36a, 36b of the first case 35 are integrated. And the supply core 33 and the take-up core 34 around which the ink ribbon 32 is wound around the bearings 37a and 37b and the bearings 44a and 44b and the bearings 45a and 45b of the second case 43, respectively. The ink ribbon cassette 31 is configured by fitting the first case 35 and the second case 43 together with the fitting member.

  According to the conventional ink ribbon cassette 31 having the above-described configuration, when the ink ribbon cassette 31 is attached to the printer, the positioning holes 42a and 42b formed in the second side wall 39 of the first case 35, and the second Positioning pins provided in the printer are inserted into the positioning holes 49a and 49b formed in the supply side storage portion 44 and the winding side storage portion 45 of the case 43 so that the ink ribbon cassette 31 is positioned at the correct position of the printer. Can be attached.

  When the use of the ink ribbon 32 is finished, the first case 35 and the second case 43 are disassembled, and the supply core 33 and the winding core 34 around which the used ink ribbon 32 is wound are easily taken out. be able to. The ink ribbon cassette 31 can be used repeatedly by replacing the supply core and the winding core around which a new ink ribbon is wound.

  However, in the conventional ink ribbon cassette 31 as described above, the bearings 36b formed in the supply side storage portions 36 and 44 and the winding side storage portions 37 and 45 of the first case 35 and the second case 43, respectively. 44b and bearings 37b and 45b are formed in a semicircular shape, the ink ribbon cassette 31 is attached to the printer, and the supply core 33 and the winding core 34 are fed by the feeding bobbin and the winding bobbin (both not shown) of the printer. When the shaft is driven to rotate, the frictional resistance in which the shaft portions 33d and 34d of the supply core 33 and the winding core 34 are brought into sliding contact with the bearings 36b and 44b and the bearings 37b and 45b, respectively, is increased. However, there is a problem that unevenness occurs in winding and winding, resulting in a decrease in print quality.

  Therefore, the present invention reduces the frictional resistance applied to the shaft portion of the supply core and the take-up core when the supply core and the take-up core are rotationally driven, thereby smoothly feeding and taking up the ink ribbon and improving the print quality. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink ribbon cassette that can be made to operate.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the ink ribbon cassette according to the present invention is characterized by a supply core and a winding core each having a base around which a long ink ribbon is wound, at one end in the axial direction of the base. A small-diameter portion having a smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the base portion, a large-diameter portion having a larger diameter than the base portion and disposed at the other end portion in the axial direction of the base portion, and a distal end side in the axial direction of the small-diameter portion And a supply core and a winding core, each of which is integrally formed with a shaft portion smaller in diameter than the small-diameter portion, and each of the supply core and the winding core is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape and spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. From the 1st case and the 2nd case which are provided with the supply side storage part and the winding side storage part in which the bearing which rotatably supports each large diameter part and shaft part of a winding core was formed, respectively In the ink ribbon cassette, each of the shaft portions of the supply core and the winding core is respectively supported in at least one of the bearings of the first case and the bearing of the second case. It is in the point which formed the projection part.

  By adopting such a configuration, when the ink ribbon cassette is mounted on the printer and the supply core and the winding core of the ink ribbon cassette are rotated by the rotation driving of the supply bobbin and the winding bobbin of the printer, the supply core and the winding core are rotated. The shaft portion of the core is supported at a point by a projection formed in the bearing, and the frictional resistance applied when the shaft is driven to rotate can be reduced. As a result, the ink ribbon can be fed and wound smoothly, and the print quality can be improved.

  According to the ink ribbon cassette of the present invention, when the ink ribbon cassette is mounted on the printer and the supply core and the winding core of the ink ribbon cassette are rotated by the rotation driving of the supply bobbin and the winding bobbin of the printer, the supply core and the winding core are rotated. The frictional resistance applied to the shaft portion of the core can be reduced, and the ink ribbon can be smoothly fed and wound to improve the printing quality.

  Hereinafter, an ink ribbon cassette according to the present invention will be described with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of an ink ribbon cassette according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1, and FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ink ribbon cassette 1 of the present embodiment includes a first case 5 that rotatably supports a supply core 3 and a winding core 4 around which a long ink ribbon 2 is wound. And the 2nd case 13 is inserted and comprised.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the supply core 3 and the take-up core 4 are made of a substantially cylindrical resin member having the same size, and cylindrical base portions 3a and 4a provided in the central portion in the axial direction. The small diameter portions 3b and 4b provided at one end in the axial direction and having a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the base portions 3a and 4a, and the large diameter portion 3c provided at the other end in the axial direction and larger in diameter than the base portions 3a and 4a. , 4c. Further, shaft portions 3d and 4d having a diameter smaller than that of the small diameter portions 3b and 4b are integrally formed on the distal end side in the axial direction of each of the small diameter portions 3b and 4b. Further, flange portions 3e and 4e and flange portions 3f and 4f having a flange shape at the boundary with the small diameter portions 3b and 4b and the large diameter portions 3c and 4c are integrally formed on the base portions 3a and 4a, respectively. Yes.

  The first case 5 is formed of a resin material, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a supply side storage portion 6 and a winding side storage portion 7 each formed in a semi-cylindrical shape are provided in the longitudinal direction. At both ends, the first side wall 8 and the second side wall 9 are integrally connected. Further, a first ribbon guide portion 5a and a second ribbon guide portion 5b are integrally formed on opposite sides of the supply side storage portion 6 and the winding side storage portion 7, respectively. The space between the first ribbon guide portion 5a and the second ribbon guide portion 5b is an opening 10 through which the ink ribbon 2 is exposed. Further, when the ink ribbon cassette 1 is mounted on a printer (not shown), a guide roller (not shown) disposed in the printer that guides the ink ribbon 2 is applied to the second ribbon guide portion 5b. A guide roller escape portion 11 for contacting is formed extending in the longitudinal direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a semicircular bearing that rotatably supports the large-diameter portion 3c of the supply core 3 is provided in the supply-side storage portion 6 of the first case 5 of the present embodiment. 6a and an arc-shaped bearing 6b that rotatably supports the shaft portion 3d of the supply core 3 are integrally formed. Further, in the winding side storage portion 7 of the first case 5, a semicircular bearing 7 a that rotatably supports the large diameter portion 4 c of the winding core 4, and the winding core 4. An arc-shaped bearing 7b that rotatably supports the shaft portion 4d is integrally formed.

  The second case 13 is made of a resin material like the first case 5, and as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. The side storage portion 15 is integrally formed by a first side wall 16 and a second side wall 17 at both ends in the longitudinal direction. Further, a first ribbon guide portion 13a and a second ribbon guide portion 13b are integrally formed on opposite sides of the supply side storage portion 14 and the winding side storage portion 15, respectively. Note that an opening 18 through which the ink ribbon 2 is exposed is formed between the first ribbon guide portion 13a and the second ribbon guide portion 13b. In addition, when the first case 5 and the second case 13 are fitted to the first ribbon guide portion 13a and the second ribbon guide portion 13b, the first ribbon guide of the first case 5 is fitted. The gap is formed between the portion 5a and the second ribbon guide portion 5b so that the ink ribbon 2 can be inserted therethrough.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the supply-side storage portion 14 of the second case 13 of the present embodiment has a semicircular shape that rotatably supports the large-diameter portion 3 c of the supply core 3. The bearing 14a and a concave bearing 14b that abuts on a bearing 6b formed in the supply-side storage portion 6 of the first case 5 and rotatably supports the shaft portion 3d of the supply core 3 are integrally formed. Is formed. And in the bearing 14b of this embodiment, the protrusion part 20a which makes point contact with the axial part 3b of the said supply core 3 is integrally formed. Further, in the winding side storage portion 15 of the second case 13, a semicircular bearing 15 a that rotatably supports the large diameter portion 4 c of the winding core 4, and the first case 5. A concave bearing 15b that abuts on a bearing 7b formed in the winding side storage portion 7 and rotatably supports the shaft portion 4d of the winding core 4 is integrally formed. And in the bearing 15b of this embodiment, the protrusion part 20b which is in point contact with the axial part 4d of the said winding core 4 is integrally formed.

  The first case 5 and the second case 13 are integrally formed with fitting members (not shown) that fit each other, and the bearings 6a, 6b of the first case 5 are integrated. Further, the supply core 3 and the winding core 4 around which the ink ribbon 2 is wound are respectively supported on the bearings 7a and 7b and the bearings 14a and 14b and the bearings 15a and 15b of the second case 13 so as to be pivotally supported. The ink ribbon cassette 1 is configured by fitting the first case 5 and the second case 13 together with the fitting members.

  According to the ink ribbon cassette 1 of the present embodiment having the configuration described above, the shaft portion 3d of the supply core 3 and the shaft portion 4d of the take-up core 4 are rotated by the bearing 6b and the protruding portion 20a, and the bearing 7b and the protruding portion 20b, respectively. Since the shaft is freely supported, the sliding contact area between the shaft portion 3d of the supply core 3 and the shaft portion 4d of the winding core 4 can be reduced. As a result, when the ink ribbon cassette 1 is mounted on the printer and the supply core 3 and the take-up core 4 are driven to rotate by the supply bobbin and the take-up bobbin (both not shown) of the printer, the supply core 3 and the take-up core 4 can reduce the frictional resistance of sliding contact, and can smoothly feed and wind the ink ribbon to improve the print quality.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, A various change is possible as needed. For example, in this embodiment, the bearing 6b and the bearing 7b of the first case 5 are formed in an arc shape, and the bearing 14b and the bearing 15b of the second case 13 are respectively contacted with the tops of the bearing 6b and the bearing 7b. The concave portions are in contact with each other, and the protrusions 20a and 20b are formed therein. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the bearing 14b and the bearing 15b of the second case 13 are formed in an arc shape. The same effect can be obtained by forming the bearing 6b and the bearing 7b of one case 5 in a concave shape in contact with the tops of the bearing 14b and the bearing 15b, respectively, and forming the protrusions 20a and 20b therein. be able to.

1 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of an ink ribbon cassette according to the present invention. 1 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. Cross-sectional view of the main part of FIG. Schematic perspective view of a conventional general ink ribbon cassette 4 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. Cross-sectional view of the main part of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink ribbon cassette 2 Ink ribbon 3 Supply core 4 Winding core 5 1st case 6 Supply side accommodating part 7 Winding side accommodating part 8 1st side wall 9 2nd side wall 10 Opening part 11 Guide roller escape part 13 2nd case 14 Supply Side Storage Unit 15 Winding Side Storage Unit 16 First Side Wall 17 Second Side Wall 18 Opening 20a, 20b Projection

Claims (1)

A supply core and a winding core each having a base around which a long ink ribbon is wound, the small diameter portion being disposed at one end in the axial direction of the base and having a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the base, A large-diameter portion that is disposed at the other end portion in the axial direction of the base portion and has a larger diameter than the base portion, and a shaft portion that is disposed on the distal end side in the axial direction of the small-diameter portion and has a smaller diameter than the small-diameter portion are integrated A supply core and a winding core formed in
A supply-side storage section and a winding, each of which is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape and has bearings that rotatably support the large-diameter portions and the shaft portions of the supply core and the winding core with a space in the longitudinal direction. An ink ribbon cassette comprising a first case and a second case having a take-up side storage section,
Protrusions are formed in the bearings of at least one of the bearings of the first case and the bearings of the second case on which the shafts of the supply core and the winding core are pivotally supported. Characteristic ink ribbon cassette.

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