JP2008044360A - Inkjet ribbon cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink ribbon cassette which does not externally project its hinge portion but is downsized. <P>SOLUTION: The ink ribbon cassette 10 is provided with a winding out bearing member 17 having a winding out bearing 13 bearing an ink ribbon winding out shaft 12, a rewinding bearing member 20 having a rewinding bearing 15 bearing an ink ribbon rewinding shaft 14, and a bearing unit 23 including a pair of side members 16 connecting the winding out bering member 17 and the rewinding bearing member 20. A winding out bearing lid member 19 covering the winding out bearing member 17 of bearing unit 23 is connected to the winding out bearing member 17 through a first connector 18, and a rewinding bearing lid member 22 covering the rewinding bearing member 20 of a bearing unit 23 is connected to the rewinding bearing member 20 through a second connector member 21. The first connector 18 and the second connector 21 have two or more hinges 18a and 18b and hinges 21a and 21b, respectively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermal transfer type ink ribbon cassette, and more particularly to a miniaturized ink ribbon cassette in which a hinge portion does not protrude to the outside.

  In general, an ink ribbon cassette having a thermal transfer type ink ribbon is widely used in printers and other printing devices. When a thermal head of a printer comes into contact with an ink ribbon, the ink ribbon is superimposed on a substrate to be printed on the ink ribbon. The dyes and pigments are thermally transferred to perform printing. Such a thermal transfer type ink ribbon is supplied from the ink ribbon unwinding shaft of the unwinding bearing body of the ink ribbon cassette and is wound on the ink ribbon unwinding shaft of the winding bearing body of the ink ribbon cassette at the time of printing.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the conventional ink ribbon cassette 30 includes an unwinding bearing body 37 having an unwinding bearing 31 that supports an ink ribbon unwinding shaft 35 around which the ink ribbon 34 is wound, and an ink ribbon 34. A take-up bearing body 39 having a take-up bearing 32 that supports an ink ribbon take-up shaft 36 to which one end thereof is fixed; a pair of side bodies 33 that connect the unwind bearing body 37 and the take-up bearing body 39; The bearing apparatus 41 provided with this is provided. Further, an unwinding bearing lid member 38 covering the unwinding bearing body 37 of the bearing device 41 and a winding bearing lid member 40 covering the winding bearing body 39 of the bearing device 41 are provided separately from the bearing device 41, respectively. It has been.

  When manufacturing such an ink ribbon cassette 30, the bearing device 41, the unwinding bearing lid member 38, and the take-up bearing lid member 40 are separately molded by an injection mold, and then wound around the bearing device 41. The take-out bearing lid member 38 and the take-up bearing lid member 40 are assembled manually.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the unwinding bearing lid member 38 and the winding bearing lid member 40 have fitting members 38a and 40a, respectively. Further, when the unwinding bearing lid member 38 is assembled to the bearing device 41, the fitting member 38 a of the unwinding bearing lid member 38 is snap-engaged within the unwinding bearing body 37 of the bearing device 41. Similarly, when the take-up bearing lid member 40 is assembled to the bearing device 41, the fitting member 40 a of the take-up bearing lid member 40 is snap-fitted into the fitting hole in the take-up bearing body 39 of the bearing device 41.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the fitting member 38a of the unwinding bearing lid member 38 is provided inside the unwinding bearing lid member 38, and the fitting member 40a of the winding bearing lid member 40 is also the same. It is provided inside the take-up bearing lid member 40. Therefore, when the unwinding bearing lid member 38 and the unwinding bearing lid member 40 are assembled to the bearing device 41, the surface 37 a of the unwinding bearing body 37 of the bearing device 41 and the surface 39 a of the winding bearing body 39 are outward. There is no part that protrudes.

  In general, after the unwinding bearing lid member, the take-up bearing lid member (hereinafter also referred to simply as the lid member), and the bearing device are assembled to each other, the assembled ink ribbon cassette is dropped to check its strength. A drop test is being conducted. In this drop test, the ink ribbon cassette is dropped from a certain height, and at this time, the lid member and the bearing device are required not to come off.

  In order to pass this drop test, a preliminary drop test is performed using an ink ribbon cassette in which the unwinding bearing lid member, the take-up bearing lid member, and the bearing device are assembled together. As a result of the preliminary drop test, the shape of the injection mold for molding the lid member and the bearing device, particularly the shape of the fitting member and the fitting hole (hereinafter also referred to as the fitting portion) is adjusted. It is like that. Such a drop test is repeated a plurality of times, and the shape of the fitting portion is adjusted each time.

  On the other hand, in general, in an injection mold of a lid member of an ink ribbon cassette, a cavity corresponding to a plurality of lid members is provided in one mold. Therefore, a plurality of lid members can be molded by injecting the synthetic resin once into one injection mold.

  For example, the cavity A1 and A2 of the lid member A are provided in one injection mold, and the cavity B1 (one) of the bearing device B is provided in the other injection mold. Assume. In this case, it is necessary to adjust the injection mold so that both the combination of the lid member A1 and the bearing device B1 and the combination of the lid member A2 and the bearing device B1 pass the drop test. .

In addition, since there may be different lid members (for example, C1 and C2), the injection mold is adjusted with respect to the fitting state of the fitting portion of the combination of all the lid members and the bearing device in the ink ribbon cassette. It is cumbersome to do. For this reason, it is more efficient to form the lid member and the bearing device integrally with one injection mold and adjust the fitting state only in this injection mold.
JP-A-4-50259 JP-A-9-136464 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-193760 JP 2005-47222 A

  In recent years, with the miniaturization of printers, the ink ribbon cassette attached to the printer has also been miniaturized. For this reason, if there is a projecting portion on the surface of the ink ribbon cassette, there is a possibility that it becomes an obstacle when the ink ribbon cassette is attached to a predetermined position in the printer. Therefore, it is preferable that there is no portion protruding outward from the ink ribbon cassette 30.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a miniaturized ink ribbon cassette that does not have a portion protruding outside such as a hinge.

  The present invention relates to an unwinding bearing body having an unwinding bearing that pivotally supports an ink ribbon unwinding shaft, an unwinding bearing body having an unwinding bearing that pivotally supports an ink ribbon winding shaft, an unwinding bearing body, and an unwinding bearing body. A bearing device including a pair of side bodies connecting the take-up bearing body, an unwinding bearing lid member covering the unwinding bearing body of the bearing device, and a take-up bearing lid member covering the take-up bearing body of the bearing device; The unwinding bearing lid member is coupled to the unwinding bearing body via the first coupling body, and the winding bearing lid member is coupled to the winding bearing body via the second coupling body. Each of the connection body and the second connection body is an ink ribbon cassette having two or more hinges.

  In the present invention, each hinge of the first coupling body does not protrude outward from the outer surface of the first coupling body in a state where the unwinding bearing lid member is closed with respect to the unwinding bearing body. Each hinge of the second coupling body is characterized in that it does not protrude outward from the outer surface of the second coupling body in a state where the winding bearing lid member is closed with respect to the winding bearing body. Ink ribbon cassette.

  In the present invention, the vertical cross section formed by the unwinding bearing lid member, the first coupling body, and the unwinding bearing body in a state where the unwinding bearing lid member is closed with respect to the unwinding bearing body is substantially arc-shaped. In the state where the winding bearing lid member is closed with respect to the winding bearing body, the vertical cross section formed by the winding bearing lid member, the second coupling body, and the winding bearing body has a substantially arc shape. This is an ink ribbon cassette.

  In the ink ribbon cassette according to the present invention, the first connection body and the second connection body each have two hinges, and the hinges are provided at both ends of the first connection body and the second connection body, respectively. is there.

  According to the present invention, each of the first connector and the second connector has three hinges, and the hinges are provided at both ends and the center of the first connector and the second connector, respectively. Is a set.

  The present invention is an ink ribbon cassette in which the bearing device, the unwinding bearing lid member, the take-up bearing lid member, the first coupling body, and the second coupling body are integrally formed of a synthetic resin.

  The present invention is the ink ribbon cassette, wherein the synthetic resin includes a styrene / butadiene block copolymer and polystyrene.

  The present invention is an ink ribbon cassette characterized in that styrene-butadiene block copolymer and polystyrene are mixed in a mixing ratio of about 1: 1 to 1: 3.

  In the present invention, a guide portion that contacts the ink ribbon and guides the ink ribbon in a state where the winding bearing lid member is closed with respect to the winding bearing body is provided at the end of the winding bearing lid member. An ink ribbon cassette.

  The present invention is the ink ribbon cassette characterized in that the guide portion is formed integrally with the take-up bearing lid member.

  The present invention is the ink ribbon cassette characterized in that the guide portion has an abutting surface that abuts on the ink ribbon, and the abutting surface includes an arcuate cross section.

  The present invention is an ink ribbon cassette in which the bearing device further includes a guide rod that is fixed to the take-up bearing body, contacts the ink ribbon, and guides the ink ribbon.

  The present invention is the ink ribbon cassette in which the guide rod is formed integrally with the take-up bearing body.

  According to the present invention, the unwinding bearing cover member is closed with respect to the unwinding bearing body, and the take-up bearing cover member is closed with respect to the winding-up bearing body. Since there is no protruding portion, the ink ribbon cassette can be reduced in size.

  Further, according to the present invention, the bearing device, the unwinding bearing lid member, the take-up bearing lid member, the first coupling body, and the second coupling body are integrally formed of synthetic resin. It is possible to reduce the trouble of adjusting the fitting portion of the injection mold so as to pass the drop test of the ink ribbon cassette.

  Further, according to the present invention, the bearing device, the unwinding bearing lid member, the take-up bearing lid member, the first coupling body, and the second coupling body are integrally formed of a synthetic resin containing a styrene / butadiene block copolymer and polystyrene. Therefore, both the hinge characteristics of the hinge and the strength of the hinge can be achieved.

First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
Here, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing a case where the unwinding bearing lid member (winding bearing lid member) of the bearing device is open with respect to the unwinding bearing body (winding bearing body). FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view showing a case where the unwinding bearing lid member (winding bearing lid member) of the bearing device is in a closed state with respect to the unwinding bearing body (winding bearing body). FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the take-up bearing body in a state where the take-up bearing cover member is closed with respect to the take-up bearing body. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

First, an outline of the ink ribbon cassette according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ink ribbon cassette 10 includes an unwinding bearing body 17 having an unwinding bearing 13 that supports an ink ribbon unwinding shaft 12 around which the ink ribbon 11 is wound, and an ink ribbon 11. A take-up bearing body 20 having a take-up bearing 15 that supports an ink ribbon take-up shaft 14 fixed at one end, and a pair of side bodies 16 that connect the unwind bearing body 17 and the take-up bearing body 20. A bearing device 23 is provided. An unwinding bearing lid member 19 that covers the unwinding bearing body 17 of the bearing device 23 is connected to the unwinding bearing body 17 via the first connecting body 18. Further, a take-up bearing cover member 22 that covers the take-up bearing body 20 of the bearing device 23 is connected to the take-up bearing body 20 via the second connecting body 21.

  The bearing device 23, the unwinding bearing lid member 19, the take-up bearing lid member 20, the first coupling body 18, and the second coupling body 21 are integrally formed of synthetic resin.

  The synthetic resin preferably contains, for example, a styrene / butadiene block copolymer made of Asaflex (trademark) or the like and general-purpose polystyrene made of GPPS (General Purpose Polystyrene) resin or the like. Among them, Asaflex (trademark) is a material having a hinge characteristic, and has a characteristic that whitening or bending does not occur even when bent. However, Asaflex (trademark) is very soft, if only Asaflex (trademark) is used as the material of the ink ribbon cassette 10, the strength of the ink ribbon cassette 10 is insufficient, and the ink ribbon cassette 10 is used while the ink ribbon cassette 10 is used in a printer. There is a possibility that a part of 10 is distorted. For this reason, Asaflex (trademark) and GPPS are mixed so that the strength (hardness) of the ink ribbon cassette 10 increases. The mixing ratio is preferably about Asaflex (trademark): GPPS = 1: 1 to 1: 3.

  In addition, the synthetic resin mentioned above is not restricted to what contains a styrene butadiene block copolymer and general purpose polystyrene, A various well-known material can be used. For example, as such a synthetic resin, any resin can be basically used as long as it can be used for injection molding. As such a material, in particular, any of polyacetal resin (POM resin), polystyrene resin (PS resin), and ABS resin that are widely spread and easily available can be used.

  The first connecting body 18 has hinges 18a and 18b at both ends, and the second connecting body 21 has hinges 21a and 21b at both ends. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the first connector 18 and the second connector 21 have two hinges 18a and 18b and hinges 21a and 21b, respectively. The coupling body 21 may have a total of three hinges at both ends and the center. Alternatively, each of the first connecting body 18 and the second connecting body 21 may have four or more hinges.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the hinges 18 a and 18 b of the first connecting body 18 are connected to the first connecting body 18 with the unwinding bearing cover member 19 closed with respect to the unwinding bearing body 17. It does not protrude outward from the body outer surface 18c. Similarly, the hinges 21a and 21b of the second coupling body 21 do not protrude outward from the second coupling body outer surface 21c in a state where the winding bearing cover member 22 is closed with respect to the winding bearing body 20. It is like that.

  By the way, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the take-up bearing cover member 22 is closed with respect to the take-up bearing body 20 at the end of the take-up bearing cover member 22, it comes into contact with the ink ribbon 11. In addition, a guide part 27 for guiding the ink ribbon 11 is provided. When the take-up bearing cover member 22 is closed with respect to the take-up bearing body 20, the guide portion 27 is located on the opposite side of the take-up bearing body 20 with respect to the ink ribbon 11 (see FIG. 4). . 1 and 2, the guide portion 27 is integrally formed with the take-up bearing lid member 22 and the synthetic resin.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the take-up bearing lid member 22 has a flat portion 22 a that extends along the width direction of the take-up bearing lid member 22, and the guide portion 27 has the take-up bearing lid member 22. Is provided at the outermost end of the flat portion 22a. As shown in FIG. 4, the guide portion 27 has a slight gap between the guide portion 27 and the take-up bearing body 20 when the take-up bearing lid member 22 is closed with respect to the take-up bearing body 20. Arranged to form. Thus, when the ink ribbon 11 is wound on the take-up bearing body 20 side, the ink ribbon 11 is guided to the ink ribbon take-up shaft 14 side so as to contact only the guide portion 27.

  As described above, the guide unit 27 guides the movement of the ink ribbon 11 from the ink ribbon unwinding shaft 12 side to the ink ribbon winding shaft 14 side. For this reason, the guide part 27 has the contact surface 27a contact | abutted with the ink ribbon 11 (refer FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 4, the contact surface 27 a of the guide portion 27 allows the ink ribbon 11 toward the ink ribbon take-up shaft 14 from the ink ribbon unwind shaft 12 so that the ink ribbon 11 can be smoothly guided. The cross section along the moving direction, that is, the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the guide portion 27 (in the visual field of FIG. 4) includes an arcuate contour. As a result, the ink ribbon 11 can smoothly slide (slide) on the contact surface 27 a of the guide portion 27 provided at the end of the take-up bearing lid member 22. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the guide portion 27 is preferably in contact with the ink ribbon 11 over the entire width of the ink ribbon 11 along the axis of the ink ribbon take-up shaft 14. In this case, the ink ribbon 11 can be stably guided by the guide portion 27.

  As described above, the guide portion 27 is formed integrally with the take-up bearing cover member 22 and is provided on the flat portion 22 a of the take-up bearing cover member 22. Therefore, the guide portion 27 has a simple configuration and can have high rigidity. Thereby, the ink ribbon 11 can be stably and smoothly guided. In addition, since the guide portion 27 has a simple configuration, the manufacturing cost of the ink ribbon cassette 10 can be reduced.

  1 and 2, the guide portion 27 is formed integrally with the take-up bearing lid member 22. However, the guide portion 27 is not limited to this, and the guide portion 27 is configured separately from the take-up bearing lid member 22. Thereafter, the guide portion 27 configured as a separate body may be attached to the take-up bearing lid member 22.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described.
First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the ink ribbon cassette 10, the unwinding bearing lid member 19 is opened with respect to the unwinding bearing body 17 of the bearing device 23, and the winding bearing lid member 22 is the winding bearing. In an open state with respect to the body 20, it is integrally molded by an injection mold.

  Next, the ink ribbon unwinding shaft 12 in which the ink ribbon 11 is wound in the integrally formed ink ribbon cassette 10 and the ink ribbon winding shaft 14 to which one end of the ink ribbon 11 is fixed are mounted. Will be described.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the unwinding bearing lid member 19 and the winding bearing lid member 22 of the ink ribbon cassette 10 are opened. Next, the ink ribbon unwinding shaft 12 in which the ink ribbon 11 is wound on the ink ribbon cassette 10 in which the unwinding bearing lid member 19 and the winding bearing lid member 22 are opened as described above, and the ink ribbon 11 An ink ribbon take-up shaft 14 having one end fixed is attached. In this case, first, the ink ribbon unwinding shaft 12 is rotatably mounted in the unwinding bearing 13 of the unwinding bearing body 17, and then the ink ribbon winding shaft 14 is moved into the winding bearing 15 of the winding bearing body 20. It can be mounted freely.

  Next, the unwinding bearing lid member 19 is closed with respect to the unwinding bearing body 17 of the bearing device 23. At this time, the first coupling body 18 is interlocked with the unwinding bearing lid member 19, rotates around the hinge 18 a and the hinge 18 b, and moves to the ink ribbon unwinding shaft 12 side.

  Similarly, the take-up bearing lid member 22 is closed with respect to the take-up bearing body 20 of the bearing device 23. At this time, the second connecting body 21 is interlocked with the take-up bearing cover member 22, rotates around the hinge 21 a and the hinge 21 b, and moves to the ink ribbon take-up shaft 14 side.

  Next, the action when the unwinding bearing lid member 19 is closed with respect to the unwinding bearing body 17 of the bearing device 23 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the hinge 18a of the first connecting body 18 is located outside the hinge 18a (the first connecting body 18) when the unwinding bearing cover member 19 is open with respect to the unwinding bearing body 17. The body 18 is connected to the unwinding bearing body 17 on the outer surface 18c side). Similarly, the hinge 18b of the first coupling body 18 is outside the hinge 18b (on the outer surface 18c side of the first coupling body 18) in a state where the unwinding bearing cover member 19 is open with respect to the unwinding bearing body 17. Is connected to the unwinding bearing lid member 19.

  Next, when the unwinding bearing lid member 19 is closed with respect to the unwinding bearing body 17, as described above, the first connecting body 18 is interlocked with the unwinding bearing lid member 19 and the hinge 18 a and the hinge. It rotates around 18b and moves to the position shown in FIG. In this case, neither the hinge 18a nor the hinge 18b has a portion protruding outward from the first connecting body outer surface 18c. Therefore, the vertical cross section formed by the unwinding bearing lid member 19, the first coupling body 18, and the unwinding bearing body 17 has a substantially arc shape.

  The above-described operation is the same when the take-up bearing cover member 22 is closed with respect to the take-up bearing body 20 of the bearing device 23.

  Next, a modified example of the ink ribbon cassette 10 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the ink ribbon cassette 10 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a guide rod 28 for guiding the ink ribbon 11 is provided on the take-up bearing body 20 side, and other configurations are shown in FIGS. This is substantially the same as the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the same parts as those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG.

  5 and 6, the bearing device 23 has a guide rod 28 that is fixed above the bottom surface 20 b of the take-up bearing body 20, contacts the ink ribbon 11, and guides the ink ribbon 11. . The guide rod 28 is located on the side opposite to the take-up bearing body 20 with respect to the ink ribbon 11 (see FIG. 5). That is, the guide rod 28 has a corner on the side close to the unwinding bearing body 17 of the winding bearing body 20 so as to form a gap for guiding the ink ribbon 11 between the guiding rod 28 and the winding bearing body 20. It arrange | positions in the part 20a vicinity.

  The guide rod 28 may be formed integrally with the take-up bearing body 20 or may be formed separately from the take-up bearing body 20 in advance and then fixed above the bottom surface 20b of the take-up bearing body 20. You may do it. Further, the guide rod 28 may be molded integrally with the take-up bearing lid member 22.

Next, an integrally formed ink ribbon cassette as a comparative example will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the ink ribbon cassette 30 includes an unwinding bearing body 37 having an unwinding bearing 31 that supports an ink ribbon unwinding shaft 35 around which the ink ribbon 34 is wound, and an ink ribbon 34. A take-up bearing body 39 having a take-up bearing 32 that supports an ink ribbon take-up shaft 36 fixed at one end, and a pair of side bodies 33 that connect the unwind bearing body 37 and the take-up bearing body 39. A bearing device 41 is provided. Further, an unwinding bearing lid member 38 that covers the unwinding bearing body 37 of the bearing device 41 is connected to the unwinding bearing body 37 via the thin portion 42. Further, a take-up bearing cover member 40 that covers the take-up bearing body 39 of the bearing device 41 is connected to the take-up bearing body 39 through a thin portion 43.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 12A, the bearing device 41 is integrated with the unwinding bearing body 37 and the unwinding bearing lid member 38 between the unwinding bearing body 37 and the unwinding bearing lid member 38. The thin portion 42 is formed. The thin portion 42 is made thinner than the thickness of the unwinding bearing body 37 and the unwinding bearing lid member 38 and has a certain width W.

  Similarly, the bearing device 41 includes a thin portion 43 formed integrally with the take-up bearing body 39 and the take-up bearing cover member 40 between the take-up bearing body 39 and the take-up bearing cover member 40. Yes. The thin portion 43 is thinner than the thickness of the take-up bearing body 39 and the take-up bearing cover member 40 and has a certain width W.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 12B, when the unwinding bearing cover member 38 covers and closes the unwinding bearing body 37, the unwinding bearing cover member 38 centers around the thin portion 42 and the unwinding bearing body 37. Is rotated upward. At this time, the thin-walled portion 42 is deformed as shown in FIG. 12B, and outwards from the surface 38b of the unwinding bearing lid member 38 and the surface 37a of the unwinding bearing body 37 (leftward in FIG. 12B). ).

  Similarly, when the take-up bearing cover member 40 covers and closes the take-up bearing body 39, the take-up bearing cover member 40 is rotated above the take-up bearing body 39 around the thin portion 43. At this time, the thin-walled portion 43 is deformed as shown in FIG. 12B, and outwards from the surface 40b of the take-up bearing cover member 40 and the surface 39a of the take-up bearing body 39 (leftward in FIG. 12B). ).

  On the other hand, according to the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, as described above, the hinges 18a and 18b of the first coupling body 18 are provided with the unwinding bearing lid member 19 and the unwinding bearing body 17 respectively. In the closed state, the first connecting body outer surface 18c does not protrude outward. Similarly, the hinges 21a and 21b of the second coupling body 21 do not protrude outward from the second coupling body outer surface 21c in a state where the winding bearing cover member 22 is closed with respect to the winding bearing body 20. (See FIGS. 3A and 3B).

  By the way, in the ink ribbon cassette 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the unwinding bearing body 17 and the unwinding bearing lid member 19 are moved outwardly as shown in FIG. 3B without providing the first connecting body 18. It is also conceivable to connect directly via one hinge that does not protrude. However, in this case, when the unwinding bearing lid member 19 is opened with respect to the unwinding bearing body 17, it is difficult for the unwinding bearing lid member 19 to be sufficiently opened with respect to the unwinding bearing body 17. In this case, it is difficult to attach the ink ribbon unwinding shaft 12 to the unwinding bearing 13.

  Similarly, the winding bearing body 20 and the winding bearing lid member 22 are directly coupled via one hinge that does not protrude outward as shown in FIG. 3B without providing the second coupling body 21. It is also possible. However, in this case, when the take-up bearing cover member 22 is opened with respect to the take-up bearing body 20, it is difficult for the take-up bearing cover member 22 to sufficiently open with respect to the take-up bearing body 20. In this case, it becomes difficult to attach the ink ribbon winding shaft 14 to the winding bearing 15.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the take-up bearing cover member 22 is closed with respect to the take-up bearing body 20 at the end of the take-up bearing cover member 22, the ink ribbon 11 abuts and the ink A guide part 27 for guiding the ribbon 11 is provided. Alternatively, the bearing device 23 has a guide rod 28 that is fixed above the bottom surface 20 b of the take-up bearing body 20, contacts the ink ribbon 11, and guides the ink ribbon 11. Thereby, the ink ribbon 11 from the ink ribbon unwinding shaft 12 side can be stably guided to the ink ribbon winding shaft 14 side.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
Here, FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a view showing a guide rod of a bearing device for an ink ribbon cassette in the second embodiment of the present invention. . The second embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is different in the mounting position of the guide rod 25, and the other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment described above. 7 and 8, the same parts as those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the bearing device 23 of the ink ribbon cassette 10 has a guide rod 25 that is fixed to the take-up bearing body 20, contacts the ink ribbon 11, and guides the ink ribbon 11. The guide rod 25 is located on the opposite side of the ink ribbon 11 from the thermal head 5b of the printer 1, and is located on the same side as the take-up bearing body 20 with respect to the ink ribbon 11 (see FIG. 8). . The guide rod 25 may be formed integrally with the take-up bearing body 20 or may be configured separately from the take-up bearing body 20.

  In FIG. 7, the unwinding cover member 19 connected to the first connecting body 18 and the winding cover member 22 connected to the second connecting body 21 are omitted for convenience.

  The take-up bearing body 20 has a trunk portion 20 c that extends along the pivotally supported ink ribbon take-up shaft 14, and the guide rod 25 is fixed to the trunk portion 20 c of the take-up bearing body 20. As shown in FIG. 7, the guide rod 25 extends along the trunk portion 20c of the take-up bearing body 20, and is connected to the trunk portion 20c over the entire length thereof. As shown in FIG. 8, the guide rod 25 is disposed on the end portion 20 d of the body portion 20 c of the take-up bearing body 20 on the side close to the unwinding bearing body 17 or on the vicinity of the end portion 20 d. It is preferable. In this case, the ink ribbon 11 from the thermal head 5b is guided so as not to contact the take-up bearing body 20, in other words, from the thermal head 5b so that the ink ribbon 11 contacts only the guide rod 25. This is because it is possible to guide the ink ribbon to the take-up shaft 14 side.

  As described above, the guide rod 25 guides the movement of the ink ribbon 11 from the ink ribbon unwinding shaft 12 to the ink ribbon winding shaft 14. For this reason, the guide rod 25 has a contact surface 26 that contacts the ink ribbon 11 (see FIG. 8). As shown in FIG. 8, the contact surface 26 of the guide rod 25 allows the ink ribbon 11 toward the ink ribbon take-up shaft 14 from the ink ribbon unwind shaft 12 so that the ink ribbon 11 can be smoothly guided. The cross section along the moving direction and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide rod 25 (in the field of view of FIG. 8) includes an arcuate contour. Thereby, the ink ribbon 11 can smoothly slide (slide) on the contact surface 26 of the guide rod 25 fixed to the take-up bearing body 20. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the guide rod 25 is preferably in contact with the ink ribbon 11 over the entire width of the ink ribbon 11 along the axis of the ink ribbon take-up shaft 14. This is because the ink ribbon 11 can be stably guided by the guide rod 25 in this case.

  When the width of the ink ribbon 11 along the ink ribbon take-up shaft 14 is 100 mm or more and 120 mm or less, the contact surface 26 of the guide rod 25 has a radius r of 1.5 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less in cross section. In order to ensure smooth sliding of the ink ribbon 11, it is preferable to have a certain arcuate outline. When the width of the ink ribbon 11 along the ink ribbon take-up shaft 14 is not less than 100 mm and not more than 120 mm, if the radius r of the arcuate cross-sectional profile of the guide rod 25 is smaller than 1.5 mm, the guide rod 25 and the ink ribbon 11 The pressure applied to is increased. As a result, the movement of the ink ribbon 11 from the ink ribbon unwinding shaft 12 to the ink ribbon winding shaft 14 is not stable, and intense noise is generated when the ink ribbon 11 is moved. On the other hand, when the radius r of the arc-shaped cross-sectional contour of the guide rod 25 is larger than 5.0 mm when the width of the ink ribbon 11 along the ink ribbon unwinding axis 12 is not less than 100 mm and not more than 120 mm, the guide rod 25 will be It does not fit well in the set 10 and is not preferable.

  The width of the ink ribbon 11 along the ink ribbon take-up shaft 14 is 100 mm or more and 120 mm or less, and the contact surface 26 of the guide rod 25 has an arc shape with a radius of 2.0 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less in the cross section. In this case, it is possible to ensure better sliding between the guide rod 25 and the ink ribbon 11 and to guide the ink ribbon 11 more stably. In particular, when the guide rod 25 contains a styrene-butadiene block copolymer, it has been found that it is effective to set the cross-sectional shape of the guide rod 25 in this way. The styrene / butadiene block copolymer is excellent in injection moldability (productivity), impact strength, rigidity, slipperiness, and surface appearance, and the ink ribbon 11 can be guided more stably by the guide rod 25.

  The material forming the guide rod 25 is not limited to the styrene / butadiene block copolymer, and various known materials can be used. For example, as the material forming the guide rod 25, basically any resin can be used as long as it can be used for injection molding. The guide rod 25 is integrally molded with the core holder 11 using any one of such materials, especially polyacetal resin (POM resin), polystyrene resin (PS resin), and ABS resin, which are widely spread and easily available. It is preferable from the viewpoint of manufacturing cost.

  In FIG. 8, with the ink ribbon cassette 10 attached to the printer 1, the ink ribbon 11 is heated by the thermal head 5b of the printer, and the image is transferred to the image receiving sheet 5a. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the ink ribbon 11 fed out from the ink ribbon unwinding shaft 12 moves to a position facing the thermal head 5b. Thereafter, the ink ribbon 11 is wound around the ink winding shaft 14 while being in contact with the guide rod 25 and being guided by the guide rod 25.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the take-up bearing body 20 has the body portion 20c extending along the take-up bearing body 20, and the guide rod 25 is fixed to the body portion 20c. Therefore, the deformation of the guide rod 25 can be suppressed by the body portion 20 c of the take-up bearing body 20. Thereby, the ink ribbon 11 can be stably guided by the guide rod 25 in which large deformation such as bending is suppressed. In particular, according to the present embodiment, the guide rod 25 extends along the trunk portion 20c of the take-up bearing body 20, and is connected to the trunk portion 20c over its entire length. That is, the guide rod 25 is reinforced by the body portion 20c of the winding bearing portion 20 over the entire length. Therefore, the deformation of the guide rod 25 is greatly suppressed, and the ink ribbon 11 can be guided more stably.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the guide rod 25 is disposed on the end portion 20 d on the side close to the unwinding bearing body 17 in the body portion 20 c of the winding bearing body 20. Yes. Therefore, the ink ribbon 11 fed out from the ink ribbon winding shaft 12 can be wound around the ink ribbon winding shaft 14 from a position in contact with the thermal head 5b so as not to come in contact with anything other than the guide rod 25. As a result, the ink ribbon 11 can be prevented from coming into contact with anything and caught, and the ink ribbon 11 can be moved to the thermal head 5b more stably.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the guide rod 25 includes the ink ribbon 11 including an arc-shaped contour in a cross section along the moving direction of the ink ribbon 11 from the ink ribbon unwinding shaft 12 to the ink ribbon winding shaft 14. A contact surface 26 is provided. Therefore, the slip between the guide rod 25 and the ink ribbon 11 becomes smooth. Thereby, the ink ribbon 11 can be stably guided without being caught.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, according to the present embodiment, the guide rod 25 contacts the ink ribbon 11 over the entire width along the axis of the ink ribbon take-up shaft 14 of the ink ribbon 11. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the local friction on the ink ribbon 11 between the guide rod 25 and the guide rod 25. Accordingly, the ink ribbon 11 can be stably guided without being twisted.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of an ink ribbon cassette according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of an ink ribbon cassette according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing the operation of the ink ribbon cassette according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the take-up bearing body in a state where the take-up bearing cover member is closed with respect to the take-up bearing body. FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a modification of the first embodiment of the ink ribbon cassette according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a modification of the first embodiment of the ink ribbon cassette according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of an ink ribbon cassette according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a view showing a guide rod of the bearing device of the second embodiment of the ink ribbon cassette according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional ink ribbon cassette. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an ink ribbon cassette as a comparative example. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an ink ribbon cassette as a comparative example. FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the operation of an ink ribbon cassette as a comparative example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Ink ribbon cassette 11 Ink ribbon 12 Ink ribbon unwinding shaft 13 Unwinding bearing 14 Ink ribbon winding shaft 15 Winding bearing 16 Side surface body 17 Unwinding bearing body 18 1st connection body 18a, 18b, 21a, 21b Hinge 18c 1st Coupling body outer surface 19 Unwinding bearing lid member 20 Rewinding bearing body 21 Second coupling body 21c Second coupling body outer surface 22 Winding bearing lid member 23 Bearing device 25 Guide rod 27 Guide section 28 Guide rod

Claims (13)

An unwinding bearing body having an unwinding bearing that pivotally supports an ink ribbon unwinding shaft, an unwinding bearing body having an unwinding bearing that pivotally supports an ink ribbon winding shaft, an unwinding bearing body, and an unwinding bearing body A bearing device comprising a pair of side bodies connecting the two,
An unwinding bearing lid member covering the unwinding bearing body of the bearing device;
A take-up bearing lid member covering the take-up bearing body of the bearing device,
The unwinding bearing lid member is connected to the unwinding bearing body via the first connecting body,
The take-up bearing lid member is connected to the take-up bearing body via the second connecting body,
An ink ribbon cassette, wherein each of the first connecting body and the second connecting body has two or more hinges.   Each hinge of the first coupling body does not protrude outward from the outer surface of the first coupling body when the unwinding bearing lid member is closed with respect to the unwinding bearing body. 2. The hinges according to claim 1, wherein each of the hinges is configured not to protrude outward from the outer surface of the second connecting body in a state in which the winding bearing cover member is closed with respect to the winding bearing body. The ink ribbon cassette described. In a state where the unwinding bearing lid member is closed with respect to the unwinding bearing body, the vertical cross section formed by the unwinding bearing lid member, the first coupling body, and the unwinding bearing body has a substantially arc shape,
The vertical cross section formed by the take-up bearing cover member, the second coupling body, and the take-up bearing body in a state where the take-up bearing cover member is closed with respect to the take-up bearing body has a substantially arc shape. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 2, wherein the ink ribbon cassette is an ink ribbon cassette.   2. The ink ribbon cover according to claim 1, wherein each of the first connection body and the second connection body has two hinges, and the hinges are provided at both ends of the first connection body and the second connection body, respectively. set.   The first connector and the second connector each have three hinges, and the hinges are provided at both ends and the center of the first connector and the second connector, respectively. Ink ribbon cassette.   The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1, wherein the bearing device, the unwinding bearing lid member, the take-up bearing lid member, the first coupling body, and the second coupling body are integrally formed of a synthetic resin.   The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 6, wherein the synthetic resin includes a styrene / butadiene block copolymer and polystyrene.   8. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 7, wherein the styrene / butadiene block copolymer and the polystyrene are mixed in a mixing ratio of about 1: 1 to 1: 3.   An end portion of the take-up bearing cover member is provided with a guide portion that contacts the ink ribbon and guides the ink ribbon in a state where the take-up bearing cover member is closed with respect to the take-up bearing body. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1.   The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 9, wherein the guide portion is formed integrally with the take-up bearing lid member.   The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 9, wherein the guide portion has a contact surface that contacts the ink ribbon, and the contact surface includes an arcuate cross section.   2. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1, wherein the bearing device further includes a guide rod that is fixed to the take-up bearing body, contacts the ink ribbon, and guides the ink ribbon.   The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 12, wherein the guide rod is formed integrally with the take-up bearing body.

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