JP2019111831A - Tape cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable a positional relationship between a detection part at a tape printer side and a detected part at a tape cartridge side to be an optimal positional relationship and to enable the optimal positional relationship to be maintained.SOLUTION: A cartridge case 130 includes: a bottom wall part being a surface of an attachment direction side; a top wall part being a surface of an opposite side of the attachment direction; and a peripheral wall part erected at the bottom wall part and the top wall part. The peripheral wall part is formed with a type reading pattern 145 being irradiated with detection light from an optical sensor when being attached to a tape printer and capable of reflecting reflection light to the optical sensor. The bottom wall part is formed with a positioning hole part 182 at a position facing a pin when being attached to the tape printer. A notch 400 corresponding to a coupling part when being attached to the tape printer is formed at the bottom wall part and at a surface where the type reading pattern 145 is formed out of the peripheral wall part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tape cartridge to be attached to and detached from a tape printing apparatus.

  Conventionally, as a tape printer (tape writer) in which this type of tape cartridge is used, a main body case for storing various components, a cartridge mounting portion for detachably mounting the tape cartridge, and an inner wall of the cartridge mounting portion 1 There is known one provided with five photointerrupters arranged in a row (see Patent Document 1). The tape cartridge is provided with a specification indication seal for identifying the specification of the printing tape and the printing irregular ink on the side surface. On the other hand, the five photo interrupters are disposed to face the specification indication seal. Then, the five photo interrupters detect whether or not black ink is printed on the five specification display portions formed on the specification display seal, and the specification is identified based on the detection result.

Patent No. 3247585

By the way, in this type of tape printing apparatus, a play on manufacturing tolerances must be provided between the tape cartridge and the cartridge mounting portion. As a result, the position of the mounted tape cartridge may be displaced by the tolerance. That is, for each photo interrupter, the position of the tape cartridge is displaced by the tolerance.
Therefore, in the above-described conventional configuration, the positional relationship between each photo interrupter and each specification display unit (specification display seal) provided in the tape cartridge is shifted each time mounting, and the position of each specification display unit is different. There is a problem that each photo interrupter deviates from the optimum position for detection. As a result, the detection capability of each photo interrupter is reduced, and there is a possibility that the above specification can not be correctly identified.
In addition, even if the positional relationship between each photo interrupter and each specification display section is optimal when installed, the tape cartridge may be affected by external impact or force from the various drive shafts of the tape printer. The position of the lens was shifted, and the optimal positional relationship could not be maintained.

  The present invention can make the positional relationship between the detection unit on the tape printing apparatus side and the detection unit on the tape cartridge side an optimal positional relationship, and can maintain the optimum positional relationship. It is an issue to provide.

  The tape cartridge according to the present invention mounts and dismounts a tape printing apparatus provided with a detection unit that irradiates detection light to the detection target disposed in the tape cartridge and reads the type information of the tape cartridge from the detection target. The tape cartridge is detachably mounted in the direction, and includes a detected portion disposed on the wall surface following the mounting direction, and an engaging portion disposed on the wall surface on the rear side in the mounting direction, It is characterized by engaging with the to-be-engaged part provided in the holder in which the detection part was arrange | positioned, and positioning between a detection part and a to-be-detected part via a holder.

  In this case, the engaged portion is preferably configured by a protrusion, and the engaging portion is preferably configured by a hole that engages with the protrusion.

  According to these configurations, when the tape cartridge is mounted on the tape printing apparatus, the engaging portion of the tape cartridge engages with the engaged portion of the holder provided with the detecting portion. By this engagement, the tape cartridge and the holder are integrated, and the position of the detection unit is positioned with respect to the position of the detection unit. By the positioning accompanying the mounting, the positional relationship between the detection unit and the detected unit can be made an optimal positional relationship. In addition, when the engaging portion and the engaged portion engage with each other, the position and the inclination (angle) of the tape cartridge with respect to the detecting portion deviate due to external impact or force from each drive shaft of the tape printing apparatus. Can be prevented. That is, the optimal positional relationship between the detection unit and the detection target can be maintained. Thus, the positional relationship between the detection unit and the detection unit can be made an optimal positional relationship, and by being able to maintain the optimal positional relationship, the detection capability of the detection unit can be improved. The tape cartridge type information can be read accurately.

  In this case, the cartridge case is further provided, and the cartridge case is constituted by two members of a first member on the near side in the mounting direction and a second member on the far side in the mounting direction, and the first member is the first member The joint member has a joint pin for joining one member to the second member, the second member has a joint hole in which the joint pin is fitted, and the engagement portion is a wall surface of the second member on the back side in the mounting direction Preferably, they are disposed coaxially with the bonding holes.

  According to this configuration, since the engaging portion is disposed using the space directly below (or immediately above) the joining hole, the engaging portion can be disposed efficiently. As a result, it is possible to form the engagement portion by utilizing the discard hole portion that is generated when forming the joint hole.

  Moreover, it is preferable that an engaging part and a joining hole are comprised by the integral through-hole.

  According to this configuration, the engaging portion and the joint hole can be easily formed as compared with individually forming the engaging portion and the joint hole, and the tape cartridge can have a simple configuration.

It is an appearance perspective view of a lid opening state of a tape printer concerning an embodiment. They are a top view (a) and a side view (b) of a tape cartridge concerning an embodiment. It is a top view of a cartridge mounting part. It is the perspective view which looked at the opening-and-closing lid from the back side. They are a top view (a) of a tape cartridge in the state where an upper case was removed, and a back view (b) of an upper case. It is the perspective view which looked at the tape cartridge from the back side. They are a top view (a) and a perspective view (b) around a pattern reading part. They are a perspective view (a), a front view (b) and an AA 'line cross section (c) of the sensor unit, and a back perspective view (d) of the sensor holder. They are a lower side view (a) of a tape cartridge, and a BB 'line sectional view (b) showing positioning hole part circumference. They are a top view (a) and CC 'line sectional view (b) around a pattern reading part and a positioning hole part. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a mounting operation of the tape cartridge.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, a tape cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described together with a tape printing apparatus on which the tape cartridge is mounted. The tape printing apparatus performs printing while feeding a printing tape and an ink ribbon from a mounted tape cartridge, and cuts a printed portion of the printing tape to produce a label (tape piece).

[Overview of Tape Printer]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a tape printing apparatus and a tape cartridge mounted thereto. As shown in the figure, the tape printing apparatus 1 comprises an apparatus case 3 constituting an outer shell, a cartridge mounting portion 5 to which the tape cartridge 100 is detachably mounted in the mounting direction and the dismounting direction, and the cartridge mounting portion 5. And an open / close lid 7 for opening and closing. A cartridge mounting portion 5 is provided on the back side on the upper surface of the device case 3, a display 11 is provided at the center, and a keyboard 13 is provided on the front side. In the vicinity of the open / close lid 7, a recessed portion 15 for hooking a finger is provided. The open / close lid 7 is released by putting a finger on the depressed portion 15 and pulling it up. A longitudinally long tape discharge port 17 to which the printing tape 102 is discharged is provided on the side surface (left side surface) of the device case 3.

  The tape printing apparatus 1 also includes a print mechanism 23 having a print head 21 erected in the cartridge mounting portion 5, a tape feeding mechanism 25 built in the back space of the cartridge mounting portion 5, and a tape discharge port 17. And a tape cutting mechanism unit 27 built in the vicinity. The user inputs print information from the keyboard 13, confirms the print information on the display 11, and executes printing by key operation. When printing is instructed, the tape feeding mechanism unit 25 is driven, whereby the printing tape 102 and the ink ribbon 110 run in parallel. Furthermore, printing is performed by transferring the ink of the ink ribbon 110 to the printing tape 102 by heat applied to the ink ribbon 110 from the printing mechanism unit 23. The printing tape 102 is discharged from the tape discharge port 17 by this printing feed, and when the printing is completed, the tape cutting mechanism unit 27 is driven and the printed portion of the printing tape 102 is separated.

[Overview of tape cartridge]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the tape cartridge 100 includes a tape roll 106 having the printing tape 102 wound around the tape core 104 and a ribbon roll 114 having the ink ribbon 110 wound around the delivery core 112. . The tape cartridge 100 further includes a take-up core 116 for taking up the used ink ribbon 110, and a platen roller 120 (platen) for contacting with the print head 21 and sending the printing tape 102 and the ink ribbon 110. . The tape cartridge 100 further includes a cartridge case 130 accommodating the tape roll 106, the ribbon roll 114, the take-up core 116, and the platen roller 120. Thus, the tape cartridge 100 of the present embodiment has a so-called shell structure in which the outer shell is covered with the cartridge case 130.

  Further, in the tape cartridge 100, an insertion opening 134 into which the print head 21 is inserted when the tape cartridge 100 is mounted to the tape printing apparatus 1 is formed in the cartridge case 130. The tape cartridge 100 includes a tape delivery port 138 formed in the cartridge case 130 and to which the print tape 102 is delivered. Although the details will be described later, the tape roll 106 is rotatably supported by a cylindrical core shaft 192 protruding from the inside of the cartridge case 130.

  When the platen roller 120 and the winding core 116 are driven by the tape feeding mechanism 25, the printing tape 102 is fed out from the tape core 104 and the ink ribbon 110 is fed out from the feeding core 112. The fed printing tape 102 and the ink ribbon 110 run in parallel at a portion of the platen roller 120 and are provided for printing by the printing head 21. The delivery end (printed portion) of the printing tape 102 on which printing has been performed is delivered from the tape delivery port 138 toward the tape delivery port 17. On the other hand, the ink ribbon 110 goes around the peripheral wall portion of the insertion opening 134 and is wound around the winding core 116. The tape cartridge 100 is prepared with a plurality of types having different thicknesses according to the tape width of the printing tape 102.

[Tape Printer Details]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the cartridge mounting portion 5 is formed in a planar shape complementary to the planar shape of the tape cartridge 100, and a tape having the largest thickness among a plurality of mountable tape cartridges 100. The cartridge 100 is formed to have a depth corresponding to that of the cartridge 100. In this case, the mounting base 31 and the side plate portion 33 constituting the bottom plate portion of the cartridge mounting portion 5 are integrally formed (formed) by resin or the like. A slit-like tape discharge path 35 is formed between the cartridge mounting portion 5 and the tape discharge port 17, and the tape cutting mechanism 27 is built in this portion.

  The mounting base 31 of the cartridge mounting portion 5 is provided with a positioning protrusion 41 in which the core shaft 192 is fitted and positioned, a print head 21 covered with a head cover 43, and a platen drive shaft 45 for rotating the platen roller 120. And a take-up drive shaft 47 for driving the take-up core 116 to rotate. Further, a tape width detection unit 51 for detecting the tape width of the printing tape 102 and a core for releasing the rotation stop of the delivery core 112 and the take-up core 116 are provided in the mounting base 31 in the vicinity of the take-up drive shaft 47. A release unit 53 is provided.

  Furthermore, the mounting base 31 is provided with a pair of small protrusions 55 at diagonal positions thereof. In addition, a pair of hooking pieces 57 for hooking and holding the middle portion of the mounted tape cartridge 100 is provided. On the other hand, in the back side space of the mounting base 31, the above-mentioned tape feeding mechanism 25 composed of a motor for rotating the platen drive shaft 45 and the winding drive shaft 47 and a gear train (all not shown) is incorporated. ing. The tape feed mechanism 25 branches power in a gear train to synchronously rotate the platen drive shaft 45 and the winding drive shaft 47.

  On the other hand, on the side plate portion 33 (front side) of the cartridge mounting portion 5, a pattern reading portion 59 for reading a type reading pattern 145 described later provided on the side surface of the tape cartridge 100 is disposed. In the present embodiment, the tape width detection unit 51 detects (recognizes) the tape width of the printing tape 102 accommodated in the tape cartridge 100, and the pattern reading unit 59 excludes the tape width, and the type of the tape cartridge 100. The information (tape color and material of the contained print tape 102, ribbon color of the contained ink ribbon 110, etc.) is recognized. Details of the pattern reading unit 59 will be described later.

  The print mechanism unit 23 includes a print head 21 configured by a thermal head, and a head support frame 61 that supports and rotates the print head 21. The print mechanism unit 23 also includes a head release mechanism (not shown) for rotating the print head 21 between the print position and the retracted position via the head support frame 61, the print head 21 (and the head support frame 61). And a head cover 43 covering the

  The head release mechanism operates in conjunction with the opening and closing of the opening and closing lid 7 and moves (rotates) the print head 21 to the printing position in conjunction with the closing operation of the opening and closing lid 7. The head release mechanism moves (turns) the print head 21 to the retracted position in conjunction with the opening operation. The print head 21 moved to the printing position abuts against the platen roller 120 via the ink ribbon 110 and the printing tape 102, and the print head 21 moved to the retracted position is separated from the platen roller 120. Thereby, when the tape cartridge 100 is attached and detached, the interference of the print tape 102 and the ink ribbon 110 with the print head 21 is prevented.

  The print head 21 is provided with a plurality of heating elements, and the plurality of heating elements are arranged in the same direction as the axial direction of the platen roller 120. Then, printing is performed by feeding of the printing tape 102 and the ink ribbon 110 and selective driving of a plurality of heating elements. The head cover 43 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and is formed (formed) integrally with the mounting base 31 (the cartridge mounting portion 5). Further, the head cover 43 protrudes largely vertically from the mounting base 31, allows rotation of the print head 21 on the inner side thereof, and functions as a mounting guide for the tape cartridge 100 on the outer side.

  The tape width detection unit 51 is configured by a plurality of micro switches 51 a, selectively engages with a detection hole group 180 described later of the tape cartridge 100, and detects the tape width of the printing tape 102.

  The core releasing portion 53 is composed of two releasing pins 53 a for the delivery core 112 and for the winding core 116. Although details will be described later, the cartridge case 130 is provided with detent hooks 206 which are respectively latched to the delivery core 112 and the take-up core 116 (see FIG. 6). When the tape cartridge 100 is mounted, these rotations are performed. The release pin 53a is engaged with the locking hook 206, and the rotation of the feeding core 112 and the winding core 116 is released.

  The platen drive shaft 45 has a platen support shaft 48 elongated to pass through the platen roller 120, and a spline-shaped rotation drive shaft 49 rotatably supported at the base of the platen support shaft 48. (See Figure 3). The rotational power of the tape feeding mechanism 25 is transmitted to the rotational drive shaft 49 and is further transmitted from the rotational drive shaft 49 to the platen roller 120 (details will be described later).

  Similarly, the winding drive shaft 47 has a fixed shaft 47a and a spline-shaped movable shaft 47b rotatably supported on the fixed shaft 47a. Also in this case, the rotational power of the tape feeding mechanism 25 is transmitted to the movable shaft 47 b and further transmitted from the movable shaft 47 b to the winding core 116.

  When the tape cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 5, the core shaft 192 (tape core 104) engages with the positioning protrusion 41, and the platen roller 120 engages with the platen drive shaft 45. The core 116 is engaged. Then, when the open / close lid 7 is closed, the print head 21 pivots and abuts against the platen roller 120 with the print tape 102 and the ink ribbon 110 interposed therebetween, and the tape printing apparatus 1 enters a printing standby state.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the open / close lid 7 is rotatably attached to the device case 3, that is, opened and closed via a hinge portion 71 provided on the back side. The open / close lid 7 has an open / close lid main body 73 and an observation window 75 provided at the center of the open / close lid main body 73. Further, the opening / closing lid 7 is provided on a back surface of the opening / closing lid main body 73 so as to be pivotably supported by the hinge portion 71, and a printing head 21 is provided projecting on the back surface of the opening / closing lid main body 73. And an operation lever 79 for rotating the Further, the open / close lid 7 is provided on the back of the open / close lid main body 73 so as to push in the tape cartridge 100. The lid closing detection switch (not shown) And a pressing projection 83 for turning on (ON).

  The viewing window 75 is formed horizontally long and is made of a transparent (transparent to visible light) resin that is separate from the open / close lid body 73. The tape cartridge 100 mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 5 can be visually recognized (type of print tape 102 and remaining amount of tape) through the viewing window 75. Further, the pair of shaft support pieces 77, the actuating lever 79, the pressing projection 81 and the pressing projection 83, and the open / close lid main body 73 are integrally formed (formed) of resin.

  The operating lever 79 protrudes largely from the back surface of the open / close lid body 73 and is inserted into the slit opening 87 provided on the side of the cartridge mounting portion 5 with the closing of the open / close lid 7. The operating lever 79 inserted into the slit opening 87 operates the head release mechanism to rotate the print head 21. Similarly, the pressing projection 83 is inserted into the rectangular opening 91 adjacent to the slit opening 87 in accordance with the closing of the open / close lid 7 to activate (turn on) the lid close detection switch. The pushing projection 81 corresponds to the position near the platen roller 120 of the tape cartridge 100, and pushes the tape cartridge 100 so that the tape cartridge 100 is seated on the mounting base 31 of the cartridge mounting portion 5 when the open / close lid 7 is closed. .

[Details of tape cartridge]
Next, the tape cartridge 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 5 and FIG. In the description of the tape cartridge 100, referring to FIG. 2A as an example, the front side of the tape cartridge 100 in the mounting direction which is the upper front of the tape cartridge 100 is "front side" and the opposite side is the rear side in the mounting direction The side surface on the left side is referred to as the “left side surface”, the side surface on the right side as the “right side surface”, the upper arc-shaped side surface as the “tip surface”, and the lower side surface as the “base end surface”. Do. Note that “the wall surface following the mounting direction” is a side surface of the tape cartridge 100 in the present embodiment, and “the wall surface at the back in the mounting direction” is the back surface of the tape cartridge 100 in the present embodiment. It is.

  As described above, the tape cartridge 100 includes the cartridge case 130, and the tape roll 106, the ribbon roll 114, the winding core 116, and the platen roller 120 accommodated therein. The tape cartridge 100 also includes an insertion opening 134 formed in the cartridge case 130 and a tape delivery port 138 formed on the left side in the vicinity of the platen roller 120.

  Furthermore, the tape cartridge 100 is attached to the type indication seal 141 (see FIG. 1) attached across the surface, the left side and the right side of the portion where the tape roll 106 is accommodated, and the base end face of the cartridge case 130. And the attached type reading seal 143. The type display sticker 141 displays type information of the tape cartridge 100 (tape width, tape color, material, etc. of the stored print tape 102).

  On the other hand, in the type reading seal 143, a type reading pattern (detected portion) 145 indicating the type information of the tape cartridge 100 (tape color, material, print ribbon color of the contained ink ribbon 110, etc.) Are formed (see FIG. 6). The type reading pattern 145 includes eight bit configuration units 147 arranged in a matrix of 2 rows and 4 columns. The respective bit configuration units 147 indicate bit information of each 1 bit depending on whether black ink is printed (solid printing) in the white printing area. That is, a total of eight bit configuration sections 147 indicate 8-bit bit patterns. The 8-bit bit pattern corresponds to the various type information, and the various type information is indicated by the bit pattern. The broken line 147 in FIG. 6 is illustrated to indicate the bit configuration unit 147 for convenience of explanation, and is not actually formed.

  The cartridge case 130 constitutes the outer shell of the tape cartridge 100 (shell structure), and has a plan view “L” -like appearance in which the base end side of the right side surface is somewhat protruded. The cartridge case 130 in the front and back direction is composed of two members, a lower case 150 (second member) which is on the back side when attached to the cartridge mounting portion 5 and an upper case 152 (first member) which is on the near side. It is done. In the cartridge case 130 of the present embodiment, the upper case 152 is formed of a transparent resin molded article, and the lower case 150 is formed of an opaque resin molded article.

  The upper case 152 is integrally formed (formed) by a top wall portion 156 constituting the surface of the cartridge case 130 and an upper peripheral wall portion 158 vertically provided on the peripheral edge portion of the top wall portion 156. The lower case 150 has a bottom wall portion 160 constituting the back surface of the cartridge case 130, a lower peripheral wall portion 162 erected on the peripheral edge portion of the bottom wall portion 160, and a bottom wall portion to define the insertion opening 134. It is integrally formed (formed) by the opening peripheral wall portion 164 provided upright at 160.

  On the lower end surface of the upper peripheral wall portion 158 of the upper case 152, a plurality of bonding pins 170 are provided at appropriate intervals, while the lower peripheral wall portion 162 of the lower case 150 corresponds to the plurality of bonding pins 170. A plurality of bonding holes 172 in which the bonding pins 170 are respectively fitted are provided (see FIG. 5). After setting components such as the tape roll 106 and the ribbon roll 114 to the lower case 150, the tape cartridge 100 is joined by joining the upper case 152 so as to press-fit the plurality of joining pins 170 into the plurality of joining holes 172. It is assembled. Each bonding hole 172 is formed of a through hole in consideration of ease of molding.

  On the other hand, on the left side surface and the right side surface of the lower case 150, there are provided a pair of hook receiving portions 174 which are hooked to the pair of hooking pieces 57 of the cartridge mounting portion 5 (see FIGS. 2 and 6). . The pair of hooking pieces 57 on the cartridge mounting portion 5 side are hooked and held on the pair of hooking receiving portions 174 of the mounted tape cartridge 100, whereby the tape cartridge 100 is prevented from rising.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, on the base end face of the lower case 150, a read seal sticking portion 175 for sticking the type read seal is formed. The read seal sticking portion 175 is formed by recessing a rectangular concave portion with respect to the base end surface so as to have a depth equal to (or more than) the thickness of the type read seal 143. The type read seal 143 is configured not to protrude from the base end surface by the read seal sticking section 175.

  Furthermore, on the back surface of the lower case 150, a fitting small hole 176 is provided in which the pair of small projections 55 are fitted with a slight margin. By fitting the pair of small protrusions 55 on the cartridge mounting portion 5 side into the pair of small fitting holes 176 of the mounted tape cartridge 100, the tape cartridge 100 can be easily positioned on the mounting base 31.

  A detection hole group 180 corresponding to the tape width detection unit 51 is provided on the rear surface of the lower case 150 at the left corner (right corner when viewed from the front surface side) on the base end surface side ( See Figure 6). The detection hole group 180 indicates a bit pattern depending on the presence or absence of the receiving hole 180 a provided in a portion corresponding to the plurality of micro switches 51 a of the tape width detecting unit 51. That is, the bit pattern indicates the tape width of the printing tape 102 accommodated in the tape cartridge 100, and the tape width detection unit 51 detects the bit pattern by the plurality of micro switches 51a, whereby the tape cartridge is detected. The tape width of the printing tape 102 stored in 100 is detected.

  Further, in the vicinity of the detection hole group 180, a positioning hole portion 182 (engagement portion) for engaging a positioning pin 326 (described later) provided in the pattern reading portion 59 is provided. The details of the positioning hole portion 182 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the upper space (tip surface side) in the cartridge case 130, a tape storage area 190 in which the tape roll 106 is stored widely is configured. At the center of the tape storage area 190, a core shaft 192 formed (formed) integrally with the lower case 150 is erected. The core shaft 192 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the tape roll 106 (tape core 104) is rotatably supported on the outer peripheral surface thereof. Further, a tape guide 194 which is located in the vicinity of the platen roller 120 and guides the fed printing tape 102 to the platen roller 120 is erected integrally with the lower case 150 in the tape storage area 190.

  That is, inside the cartridge case 130, a tape feeding path 196 is formed, which starts from the tape roll 106, passes through the tape guide 194 and the platen roller 120, and reaches the tape delivery port 138. The printing tape 102 fed from the tape roll 106 is guided to a platen roller 120 via a tape guide 194, where it is subjected to printing, and is further guided from the platen roller 120 to a tape delivery port 138.

  The tape roll 106 has a printing tape 102 and a tape core 104 and has two films 198 attached to both end faces of the printing tape 102 in a roll shape. The two films 198 prevent the scattering of the printing tape 102 wound around the tape core 104. Also, although not shown in the figure, the tape core 104 incorporates a reverse rotation stop mechanism. When the tape cartridge 100 is carried, the reverse rotation preventing mechanism prevents reverse rotation of the print tape 102. On the other hand, when the tape cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 5 of the tape printer 1, the reverse rotation stop mechanism of the reverse rotation stopping mechanism is released by the positioning projection 41, and the printing tape 102 can be fed.

  On the base right side in the cartridge case 130, a ribbon storage area 200 is formed adjacent to the insertion opening 134. The delivery side bearing portion 202 rotatably supporting the ribbon roll 114 (delivery core 112) to the right of the ribbon accommodation area 200, and the winding side bearing portion rotatably supporting the take-up core 116 to the left Each 204 is integrally formed in the cartridge case 130. That is, the delivery side bearing portion 202 and the winding side bearing portion 204 are formed in the upper case 152 and the lower case 150, respectively.

  In the notched portions of the delivery side bearing portion 202 and the take-up side bearing portion 204 formed in the lower case 150, the rotation stop hook 206 having its tip end facing the delivery side bearing portion 202 and the take-up side bearing portion 204. Are each integrally formed. The one detent hook 206 engages with the feeding core 112 and the other detent hook 206 engages with the take-up core 116 in the detent state.

  A first ribbon guide 210 which is located in the vicinity of the delivery side bearing portion 202 and guides the delivered ink ribbon 110 to the platen roller 120 is erected integrally with the lower case 150 in the ribbon accommodation area 200. Further, a plurality of second ribbon guides 212 for guiding the circulation of the ink ribbon 110 are integrally formed on the outer peripheral side of the opening peripheral wall portion 164.

  That is, inside the cartridge case 130, a ribbon feeding path 214 starting from the ribbon roll 114, passing through the first ribbon guide 210, the platen roller 120 and the plurality of second ribbon guides 212 to the winding core 116 is configured There is. The ink ribbon 110 drawn from the ribbon roll 114 is guided to the platen roller 120 via the first ribbon guide 210 and is used for printing here, and further from the platen roller 120, the opening peripheral wall portion 164 (a plurality of second ribbon guides 212) and wound around a winding core 116.

  The ribbon roll 114 has an ink ribbon 110 and a delivery core 112, and has an annular leaf spring 220 for applying a braking load to the delivery core 112 (see FIG. 5 (b)). The leaf spring 220 is formed in a wave shape in the circumferential direction, and is interposed between the top wall portion 156 of the upper case 152 and the delivery core 112 in the axial direction. That is, the rotational braking load is applied to the delivery core 112 by the elastic force of the plate spring 220. As a result, back tension is applied to the ink ribbon 110 which is being fed by the winding core 116, and the slack of the ink ribbon 110 is prevented.

  The delivery core 112 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a plurality of notches 222 are formed in the circumferential direction at the end on the lower case 150 side (see FIG. 6). Then, the rotation stopping hook 206 is engaged with the plurality of notches 222. Although the delivery side bearing portion 202 on the lower case 150 side supporting the delivery core 112 is configured as a circular opening, the delivery side bearing portion 202 on the upper case 152 side is configured as a cylindrical projecting portion There is. And the said leaf | plate spring 220 is mounted | worn with this protrusion part (all refer to FIG.5 (b)).

  Similarly, the winding core 116 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a plurality of notches 224 are formed in the circumferential direction at the end on the lower case 150 side. Then, the rotation stopper hook 206 is engaged with and disengaged from the plurality of notches 224. Further, a spline groove 226 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the winding core 116, and splines are engaged with the winding drive shaft 47. Thereby, the rotational force of the winding drive shaft 47 is transmitted to the winding core 116, and the ink ribbon 110 is wound up.

  On the left side of the base in the cartridge case 130, a platen accommodation area 230 is formed adjacent to the insertion opening 134. At the center of the platen housing area 230, a lower bearing portion 234 (see FIG. 6) with an elliptical (elliptical) opening formed in the lower case 150 (see FIG. 6), and an upper bearing 232 with an elliptical opening formed in the upper case 152 (See FIG. 5 (b)) is provided. The platen roller 120 is rotatably and slightly laterally movably supported by the upper bearing 232 and the lower bearing 234. That is, the platen roller 120 supported by the elliptical upper bearing portion 232 and the lower bearing portion 234 has a home position engaged with the platen drive shaft 45 and a nipping position nipping the printing tape 102 and contacting the tape guide 194. Lateral movement (small movement) is possible between the two.

  By the way, the tape cartridge 100 is carried in a state where the delivery end portion of the printing tape 102 is slightly protruded from the tape delivery port 138 to the outside (see FIG. 1). At that time, if a pushing force or a pulling force acts on the delivery end of the printing tape 102 by mistake, the platen roller 120 pulled by this is moved to the holding position. This prevents the delivery end of the print tape 102 from being drawn into the cartridge case 130 from the tape delivery port 138.

  The platen roller 120 has a cylindrical roller base 240 and a rubber roller 242 mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the roller base 240. The rubber roller 242 has a length corresponding to the print head 21 in the axial direction, and the print head 21 moved to the printing position sandwiches the printing tape 102 and the ink ribbon 110 and contacts the rubber roller 242. Further, a spline groove 244 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the roller base 240, and the spline groove is engaged with the rotational drive shaft 49 of the platen drive shaft 45 in a spline manner. Thereby, the rotational force of the platen drive shaft 45 is transmitted to the platen roller 120, and the printing tape 102 (and the ink ribbon 110) is printed and fed.

[Details of pattern reader and positioning hole]
Next, the pattern reading unit 59 and the positioning hole 182 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10. First, the pattern reading unit 59 of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. As shown in FIG. 7, the pattern reading unit 59 is provided on the side plate 33 (front side) of the cartridge mounting unit 5 and is disposed facing the inside of the cartridge mounting unit 5. That is, the pattern reading unit 59 is disposed at a position facing the proximal end surface of the tape cartridge 100 when the tape cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 5. The pattern reading unit 59 includes a sensor unit 300 disposed facing the inside of the cartridge mounting unit 5, a unit support unit 302 for movably supporting the sensor unit 300, and a sensor unit 300 inside the cartridge mounting unit 5. And a unit urging portion 304 for urging.

  The unit support portion 302 is provided in an opening portion 33 a opened in the side plate portion 33 of the cartridge mounting portion 5, and movably supports the sensor unit 300 inside and outside of the cartridge mounting portion 5.

  The unit biasing portion 304 has a pair of left and right coil springs 306, and biases a pair of spring receiving portions 324 (described later) provided in the sensor unit 300 by the pair of coil springs 306. That is, the unit urging portion 304 urges the sensor unit 300 to the inside of the cartridge mounting portion 5 by the pair of coil springs 306 via the pair of spring receiving portions 324. By the biasing, in a state where the tape cartridge 100 is not attached, the sensor unit 300 is in a state where it protrudes inside the cartridge mounting portion 5. When the tape cartridge 100 is mounted, the sensor unit 300 is urged toward the tape cartridge 100, and the sensor unit 300 is pressed against the proximal end face of the tape cartridge 100.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the sensor unit 300 includes a sensor unit 310 (detection unit) in which a plurality of optical sensors 309 are mounted on a sensor substrate 308, and a sensor holder 312 (holder) on which the sensor unit 310 is mounted. There is. The sensor substrate 308 is attached to the proximal end of the sensor holder 312 in a vertical posture. As described above, by mounting the sensor substrate 308 on the sensor holder 312, the sensor holder 312 holds the sensor unit 310.

  The plurality of optical sensors 309 are arranged in a matrix of 2 rows and 4 columns on the sensor substrate 308 as in the bit configuration unit 147 (see FIG. 8B). Each of the plurality of optical sensors 309 is formed of a light reflection type optical non-contact sensor, and irradiates each bit configuration section 147 with detection light and receives reflected light from each bit configuration section 147. Do. As described above, each bit configuration unit 147 indicates bit information depending on whether or not black ink is printed in the printing area on the white background, and each optical sensor 309 detects the bit information from the corresponding bit configuration unit. Based on the presence or absence of reflected light (strictly, whether the light amount is a certain amount or more), it is detected whether or not black ink is printed in the print area, and based on the detection result, each bit configuration unit 147 Read the bit information indicated by. The sensor unit 310 reads the bit pattern of each bit configuration unit 147 by the plurality of optical sensors 309 to read the bit pattern and read the type information of the tape cartridge 100 corresponding to the bit pattern.

  The sensor holder 312 includes a holder body 320 shaped like a side view trapezoid, a pair of upper and lower substrate mounting hooks 322 protruding from the holder body 320 to the base end side, and a pair of left and right springs projecting left and right from the base end of the holder body 320 A receiving portion 324, a positioning pin 326 (engaged portion) provided on the right front of the holder body 320, and a connecting portion 328 for connecting the positioning pin 326 and the holder body 320 are provided. The holder body 320, the pair of substrate attachment hooks 322, the pair of spring receiving portions 324, the positioning pins 326, and the connecting portions 328 are integrally formed (formed) of resin or the like.

  The pair of substrate attachment hooks 322 are for attaching the sensor substrate 308 to the sensor holder 312. That is, the sensor substrate 308 is attached to the sensor holder 312 by the pair of substrate attachment hooks 322.

  The pair of spring receiving portions 324 is a portion to which one end of the pair of coil springs 306 abuts, and the biasing force of the pair of coil springs 306 is received. The pair of spring receiving portions 324 abut against the side plate portion 33 of the cartridge mounting portion 5 and also functions as a front end regulating portion that regulates the front end in the movement of the sensor unit 300.

  The holder main body 320 is composed of a holder cover 330 which covers the entire plurality of optical sensors 309 and a partition member 332 which individually encloses each of the optical sensors 309. At the tip of the holder cover 330, a plurality of sensor holes 334 corresponding to the plurality of optical sensors 309 are formed. Each optical sensor 309 emits detection light from each sensor hole 334, and receives reflected light from each bit configuration section 147 from each sensor hole 334.

  The holder cover 330 functions as an external light shielding unit that shields the external light to each optical sensor 309. On the other hand, the partition member 332 blocks the detection light from the adjacent optical sensor 309 and functions as an interference prevention unit that prevents interference between the optical sensors 309.

  Further, the holder cover 330 not only functions as an external light shielding portion, but also abuts on the proximal end surface of the tape cartridge 100 to set the clearance between the sensor portion 310 (each optical sensor 309) and the type reading pattern 145 It also functions as a spacer for the clearance of That is, the front end surface 330 a of the holder cover 330 is a contact surface with respect to the base end surface of the tape cartridge 100. Then, when the holder cover 330 is pressed against the tape cartridge 100 via the pair of spring receiving portions 324 by the biasing of the unit biasing portion 304 (a pair of coil springs 306), the tip end surface 330a is a tape cartridge The predetermined clearance is formed between the sensor unit 310 and the type reading pattern 145 by being in contact with and in close contact with the proximal end surface 100. The tip end surface 330 a of the holder cover 330 is formed to be slightly inclined forward and downward so as to follow the base end surface of the tape cartridge 100.

  Further, at the front upper end portion of the holder cover 330, a guiding slope 330b which is inclined downward to the front side is formed. When the tape cartridge 100 is mounted, the invitation slope 330b abuts on the rear end of the tape cartridge 100, and part of the force for mounting the tape cartridge 100 (component force) It acts as a pushing force to the outside of 5. The sensor unit 300 is pushed back against the unit urging portion 304 with the attachment of the tape cartridge 100 by the invitation slope 330b. Thus, when the mounting of the tape cartridge 100 is completed, the sensor unit 300 is pressed against the tape cartridge 100.

  The positioning pin 326 is formed in an upward and tapered upright cylindrical shape. That is, the tip of the positioning pin 326 is formed in a truncated cone shape, and the upper bottom surface portion is rounded in a dome shape. The positioning pin 326 is an engaged portion of the sensor holder 312 engaged with the positioning hole 182.

  Next, the positioning hole 182 of the tape cartridge 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 6, FIG. 9 and FIG. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the positioning hole portion 182 is formed in the bottom wall portion 160 of the lower case 150, and is disposed on the back surface of the lower case 150. Further, the positioning hole portion 182 is disposed coaxially with the bonding hole 172 located at the right corner portion, and is configured by the lower end portion of the through hole 172 a constituting the bonding hole 172. That is, the positioning hole portion 182 and the bonding hole 172 are constituted by an integral through hole 172a. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the positioning hole 182 engages with the positioning pin 326 of the sensor holder 312. The positioning hole 182 engages with the positioning pin 326 of the sensor holder 312 to position the position of the sensor unit 310 mounted on the sensor holder 312 with respect to the type reading pattern 145 provided on the tape cartridge 100. That is, the positioning hole 182 positions the type reading pattern 145 and the sensor unit 310 via the sensor holder 312. Thus, the positional relationship between the type reading pattern 145 and the sensor unit 310 is corrected to an optimal positional relationship. In the lower case 150, a notch 400 corresponding to the connecting portion 328 is formed.

  Next, the mounting operation of the tape cartridge 100 to the cartridge mounting portion 5 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, when the tape cartridge 100 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 5 from the front in the mounting direction, first, the rear end of the tape cartridge 100 is a holder cover. It abuts on the invitation slope 330 b of 330. Then, when the insertion proceeds further, the sensor unit 300 is pushed back against the unit urging portion 304 by the guiding slope 330b, and the sensor unit 300 is pressed against the proximal end surface of the tape cartridge 100 (see FIG. Temporary positioning) (see FIG. 11 (c)).

  After that, when the insertion proceeds further, the tape cartridge 100 slides toward the mounting direction while sliding on the sensor unit 300, and the sensor unit 300 is formed by the frusto-conical shape (tapered surface) of the tip portion of the positioning pin 326. The positioning hole 182 provided on the back surface of the tape cartridge 100 engages with the positioning pin 326 of the sensor unit 300 (this positioning) (see FIG. 11D). That is, in a state where the sensor unit 300 is pressed by the tape cartridge 100, the positioning pin 326 and the positioning hole 182 further engage. As a result, the sensor unit 300 and the tape cartridge 100 firmly contact each other, and the sensor unit 300 and the tape cartridge 100 are integrated. As a result, the sensor unit 310 is positioned with respect to the type reading pattern 145 via the sensor holder 312, and the positional relationship between the sensor section 310 and the type reading pattern 145 is optimized. That is, each bit configuration section 147 is positioned at the optimum focal position of each optical sensor 309, and positional deviation or inclination (angle) deviation in the lateral direction is also corrected. As a result, the reading operation of the type reading pattern 145 by the sensor unit 310 can be performed in an optimal state. This completes the mounting operation.

  According to the configuration as described above, when the tape cartridge 100 is mounted to the tape printing apparatus 1, the positioning hole 182 of the tape cartridge 100 engages with the positioning pin 326 of the sensor holder 312. By this engagement, the tape cartridge 100 and the sensor holder 312 are integrated, and the position of the sensor unit 310 is positioned with respect to the position of the type reading pattern 145. By the positioning accompanying the mounting, the positional relationship between the sensor unit 310 and the type reading pattern 145 can be made an optimal positional relationship. Further, by the positioning hole portion 182 and the positioning pin 326 engaging with each other, the position of the tape cartridge 100 with respect to the sensor portion 310 or the force from the drive shaft 45 or 47 of the tape printing apparatus 1 It is possible to prevent the inclination (angle) from shifting. That is, the optimal positional relationship between the sensor unit 310 and the type reading pattern 145 can be maintained. Thus, the positional relationship between the sensor unit 310 and the type reading pattern 145 can be optimized, and the optimal positional relationship can be maintained, whereby the sensor unit 310 (each optical sensor 309) The detection capability of the tape cartridge 100 can be improved, and the type information of the tape cartridge 100 can be read correctly.

  Further, in the lower case 150, by forming the positioning hole 182 coaxially with one of the bonding holes 172, the positioning hole 182 is disposed utilizing the space immediately below the bonding hole 172. . Therefore, the positioning hole portion 182 can be disposed with high space efficiency. As a result, it is possible to form the positioning hole 182 by utilizing the scraped hole portion that occurs when forming the bonding hole 172.

  Furthermore, by forming the bonding hole 172 and the positioning hole portion 182 by the integral through hole 172a, the bonding hole 172 and the positioning hole portion 182 can be easily formed, and the tape cartridge 100 can be configured simply. Can be

  In the above embodiment, the positioning hole portion 182 and the bonding hole 172 are formed by the integral through hole 172a, but even if the positioning hole portion 182 and the bonding hole 172 are separately formed. good.

  Further, in the above embodiment, only one set of the positioning hole portion 182 and the positioning pin 326 is provided, but two or more sets may be provided.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the shape of the positioning hole portion 182 is circular, but it is not limited to this. For example, the shape of the positioning hole 182 may be a rectangle or another polygon.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the engagement portion (positioning hole portion 182) on the tape cartridge 100 side used for positioning the sensor portion 310 and the type reading pattern 145 is a hole portion, and the engagement portion on the sensor unit 300 side is engaged. Although the portion (positioning pin 326) is a protrusion, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the former may be a protrusion and the latter may be a hole.

  In the above embodiment, the bit configuration unit 147 and the detection sensor 309 are provided in eights of two rows and four columns, but the number and arrangement (the number of rows and the number of columns) of these are It is not limited. For example, the configuration may be such that six in one row and six columns are arranged side by side, or the configuration may be configured such that six in six rows and one column are arranged vertically. The number of rows and the number of columns may be the same, such as 16 in 4 rows and 4 columns.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the bit configuration section 147 indicates 1-bit bit information depending on whether black ink is printed (solid printing) in the white printing area. The color of the ink or the color of the ink to be printed is not limited to this as long as bit information can be detected by the detection sensor 309 (if the presence or absence or intensity of the reflected light can be detected when the detection light is irradiated). For example, 1-bit bit information may be indicated depending on whether or not white ink is printed in a printing area of black. Further, for example, one of the color of the printing area and the color of the ink may be blue, green, or green, and the other may be red, yellow, or orange.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the type reading seal 143 on which the type reading pattern 145 is formed is attached to the side surface of the tape cartridge 100, and the type reading pattern 145 is provided on the side surface of the tape cartridge 100. The type reading pattern 145 may be formed directly on the side surface of the tape cartridge 100. In such a case, the type reading pattern 145 may be printed on the side surface, or the type reading pattern 145 may be engraved on the side surface by a laser or the like. As a result, the type reading pattern 145 may be formed by selectively forming an opening in each bit configuration section 147.

  1: Tape printing device, 100: Tape cartridge, 130: Cartridge case, 145: Classification reading pattern, 150: Lower case, 152: Upper case, 170: Junction pin, 172: Junction hole, 182: Positioning hole, 310: Sensor part, 312: Sensor holder, 326: Positioning pin.

Claims (7)

An optical sensor for irradiating detection light and receiving reflected light to read type information of a tape cartridge, a holder cover for covering the optical sensor, a columnar pin, and a connecting part for connecting the pin and the holder cover What is claimed is: 1. A tape cartridge, which is attached to and detached from a tape printing apparatus in a mounting direction and a removing direction,
With the cartridge case,
And a printing tape wound around a tape core housed in the cartridge case,
The cartridge case is
A bottom wall portion which is a surface on the mounting direction side;
A ceiling wall portion which is a surface opposite to the mounting direction;
And a peripheral wall portion vertically provided on the bottom wall portion and the top wall portion,
In the peripheral wall portion, there is formed a type reading pattern capable of being irradiated with the detection light from the optical sensor when mounted on the tape printing apparatus and reflecting the reflected light to the optical sensor.
A hole is formed in the bottom wall at a position facing the pin when mounted on the tape printing apparatus,
A notch corresponding to the connecting portion is formed on the bottom wall portion and the surface of the peripheral wall portion on which the type reading pattern is formed when the tape printing apparatus is mounted. Tape cartridge characterized by With an ink ribbon,
A delivery core for delivering the ink ribbon;
And a take-up core for taking up the ink ribbon,
The ink ribbon, the delivery core, and the winding core are housed in the cartridge case,
The bottom wall portion is formed with a delivery side bearing portion for rotatably supporting the delivery core,
2. The tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the hole portion is positioned between the delivery side bearing portion and the surface of the peripheral wall portion on which the type reading pattern is formed.   The tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the type reading pattern includes a bit configuration unit arranged in a matrix of 2 rows and 4 columns.   The tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the type reading pattern is a seal attached to the peripheral wall portion.   The tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the type reading pattern is a pattern printed on the peripheral wall portion.   The tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the type reading pattern is a pattern engraved on the peripheral wall portion.   The tape cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the type reading pattern is a pattern formed by an opening formed in the peripheral wall portion.

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