JP2998617B2 - Composite cassette and printer including tape cassette and ribbon cassette - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a composite cassette including a tape cassette and a ribbon cassette and a printer to which the composite cassette is applied, and more particularly, to an improved detection means for detecting a tape type and an ink ribbon type. About technology.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The applicant of the present invention has put into practical use a label producing printer suitable for producing a tape-shaped label. A composite cassette that includes a tape cassette that stores a tape and is detachably mounted on a printer, and a ribbon cassette that stores an ink ribbon and is detachably mounted on the tape cassette is applied. In the case of multi-color printing, printing is performed by replacing only the ribbon cassette without changing the tape cassette, or by rewinding the tape after replacing the ribbon cassette and performing printing.

As the tape, a plurality of types of tape cassettes corresponding to a plurality of types of tapes having different widths and structures are appropriately used, and as the ink ribbon, a plurality of types of ink ribbons having different widths and colors are appropriately used. . here,
Conventional label making printers include a plurality of tape cassette detection switches for detecting the type of tape cassette,
Independently equipped with a plurality of ink ribbon detection switches for detecting the type of ink ribbon, the tape cassette side is formed with a part to be detected according to the type of tape, and the ribbon cassette is configured according to the type of ink ribbon. The detected part was formed.

[0004]

In a conventional label producing printer, a plurality of tape cassette detecting switches are provided.
Since a plurality of detection switches for the ink ribbon were provided independently, the number of required detection switches increased, and the production cost of the detection system for detecting the type of the tape and the type of the ink ribbon became expensive. The printing operation is permitted even when only the cassette is mounted or when only the ribbon cassette is mounted.For example, printing is performed with only the ribbon cassette mounted and the platen is soiled. There is a problem that the structure becomes complicated and large. An object of the present invention is to reduce the required number of detection switches, to prevent a printing operation from being permitted when one of a tape cassette and a ribbon cassette is mounted, to simplify and reduce the size of a printer, And so on.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composite cassette including a tape cassette and a ribbon cassette, the tape cassette accommodating a tape as a print medium and being detachably mounted on a printer having a print head. In a composite cassette having an ink ribbon and a ribbon cassette detachably mounted on a tape cassette, a plurality of detection switches movably mounted on the tape cassette and capable of operating a plurality of detection switches provided on a printer side, respectively. The movable element and a part or all of the plurality of detection movable elements are moved to the detection switch side in a combination pattern preset according to the type of the tape of the tape cassette and the type of the ink ribbon of the ribbon cassette. It comprises one or a plurality of detected parts formed on a ribbon cassette.

In the state where only the tape cassette is mounted on the printer, since there is no detected portion of the ribbon cassette, the detection movable element does not move, all the detection switches on the printer side are turned off, and only the ribbon cassette is mounted. In this state, since there is no movable element for detecting the tape cassette, all the detection switches on the printer side are turned off. The printer can be configured such that the printing operation is not permitted in such a state.

When a tape cassette is mounted on a printer, and a ribbon cassette is mounted on the tape cassette, one or a plurality of detected portions of the ribbon cassette move the detection movable element of the corresponding tape cassette to the detection switch side. Let it. The one or a plurality of detected parts are configured such that a part or all of the plurality of detection movable elements are detected by the detection switch side in a combination pattern preset according to the type of the tape of the tape cassette and the type of the ink ribbon of the ribbon cassette. , It is possible to determine the type of the tape of the tape cassette and the type of the ink ribbon of the ribbon cassette from the detection signals of the plurality of detection switches.

[0008] The composite cassette including the tape cassette and the ribbon cassette according to the second aspect is the invention according to the first aspect.
Each of the detection movable elements is mounted movably by a predetermined stroke in a mounting hole formed in the tape cassette and opened at both ends. Therefore, the detection switch on the printer side can be operated by the detected portion of the ribbon cassette via the corresponding detection movable element. Other effects similar to those of the first aspect are obtained.

[0009] The composite cassette including the tape cassette and the ribbon cassette according to the third aspect is the invention according to the second aspect.
The ribbon cassette is provided with a relief hole for projecting, out of the plurality of detection movable elements, a detection movable element that is not moved to the ribbon cassette side. Therefore, the detection movable element not corresponding to the detected portion does not protrude from the escape hole toward the ribbon cassette, and does not turn on the detection switch on the printer side. Other effects similar to those of the second aspect are obtained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer for printing a print medium on a tape as a print medium via an ink ribbon by using a print head, wherein the tape cassette accommodates the tape and is detachably mounted on the printer. In a printer having a ribbon cassette housed and detachably mounted on a tape cassette, a plurality of detection switches and a plurality of detection switches movably mounted on the tape cassette and abutting on detection sections of the plurality of detection switches, respectively. Mover, and moving some or all of the plurality of detection movers to the detection switch side in a combination pattern preset according to the type of tape in the tape cassette and the type of ink ribbon in the ribbon cassette. And one or more detected portions formed on the ribbon cassette.

In the same manner as in the first aspect, when only the tape cassette is mounted on the printer, there is no portion to be detected of the ribbon cassette, so that the detection movable element does not move and all the detection switches on the printer are turned off. When only the ribbon cassette is mounted, all the detection switches on the printer side are turned off because there is no movable element for detecting the tape cassette. The printer can be configured such that the printing operation is not permitted in such a state.

When a tape cassette is mounted on the printer, and a ribbon cassette is mounted on the tape cassette, one or a plurality of detected portions of the ribbon cassette move the corresponding detection movable element of the tape cassette to the detection switch side. Let it. The one or a plurality of detected parts are configured such that a part or all of the plurality of detection movable elements are detected by the detection switch side in a combination pattern preset according to the type of the tape of the tape cassette and the type of the ink ribbon of the ribbon cassette. The type of the tape of the tape cassette and the type of the ink ribbon of the ribbon cassette can be determined from the detection signal of one or a plurality of detection switches that are turned on.

In a printer according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fourth aspect, each of the detection movable elements is mounted in a mounting hole formed in a tape cassette and has both ends opened so as to be movable by a predetermined stroke, and a detection switch is detected. It is mounted so as to be pushed by the part and to partially protrude from the mounting hole. Therefore, the detection switch on the printer side can be operated by the detected portion of the ribbon cassette via the corresponding detection movable element. Other effects similar to those of the fourth aspect are obtained.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the detected portion is configured to push the corresponding detection movable element back into the mounting hole. Therefore,
The detection switch can be turned on by pushing the corresponding detection movable element back into the mounting hole by the detected part. Other effects similar to those of the fifth aspect are obtained.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is a case where the present invention is applied to a label producing printer for producing a tape-shaped label by printing characters, symbols, and characters in multicolor on a tape as a print medium, and a composite cassette applied to the printer. This is an example. The composite cassette includes a tape cassette detachably mounted on the printer and a ribbon cassette detachably mounted on the tape cassette.

First, the label producing printer will be described. As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG.
The keyboard 2, the liquid crystal display 3, the cassette cover 4, the cutter lever 5, and the like are provided on the upper surface of the printer 1. When the cover open lever 7 is slid rightward in FIG. 1, the cassette cover 4 is opened. When the cassette cover 4 is opened, the tape cassette 50 is
Can be installed. Tape cassette 50 and ribbon cassette 6
0 is a separate component, and the tape cassette 50 is
The tape cassette 50 is detachably mounted on the tape cassette 50.
The tape cassette 50 and the tape cassette 5 are configured so that the ribbon cassette 60 is detachably mounted on the tape cassette 50.
A composite cassette 560 is constituted by the ribbon cassette 60 detachably mounted on the cassette cassette 560.

Next, the printing mechanism 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 shows a state in which only the tape cassette 50 is mounted on the printing mechanism 6, and FIG. 8 shows a normal printing state in which the composite cassette 560 composed of the tape cassette 50 and the ribbon cassette 60 is mounted on the printing mechanism 6. The tape cassette 50 is provided with the positioning shaft 25,
The ribbon cassette 60 is positioned with respect to the tape cassette 50 in the horizontal and vertical directions via 26.

A sub roller 11 and a platen 12 are provided on the roller holder 10 so as to swing integrally with the roller holder 10. The roller holder 10 operates according to the opening and closing of the cassette cover 4. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6,
The shaft 14 of the operation plate 13 engages with the cam groove 15 of the cassette cover 4 and is interlocked and connected. As shown in FIG. 6, when the cassette cover 4 is open, the operating plate 1
3 moves rightward, and the release lever 16 engaged with the shaft 17 on the operation plate 13 rotates counterclockwise about the support shaft 18.

The release lever 16 is connected to a roller release rod 20 by a shaft 19, and the roller holder 10 is moved toward and away from the roller holder 10 via a cam portion 21 of the roller release rod 20. When the cassette cover 4 is open, the release lever 16 rotates counterclockwise, the roller release rod 20 moves rightward, and the roller holder 10 is separated by a roller holder release spring (not shown). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, when the cassette cover 4 is closed, the operation plate 13 moves to the left, and the release lever 16 rotates clockwise to rotate the roller release rod 2.
0 moves to the left, and the roller holder 10 moves in the pressing direction via the cam portion 21. Roller release rod 20
Has a roller 22 which is in frictional sliding contact with the wall of the printing mechanism 6 when moving leftward.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 11 to 14, a tape 51 as a printing medium is wound around a tape spool 52 and mounted on a tape cassette 50, and guided by a tape guide 53. The tape feed roller 54 of the tape cassette 50 is drawn out to the front surface of the thermal head 23.
And the sub-roller 11 for feeding the tape of the printing mechanism 6 is led out of the tape cassette 50. Tape spool 5
2 is engaged with the tape knob 52a (see FIG. 12).

As shown in FIG. 12, the tape 51 is wound around a tape spool 52, and the tape knob 54 is configured to engage with the tape spool 52 and rotate integrally therewith. The tape 51 can be rewound by rotating it manually. On the other hand, the ribbon cassette 60 is detachably mounted on the tape cassette 50, and the ribbon cassette 60 is mounted such that the arm portion 62 covers the tape cassette 50.
The sub-roller 11 and the platen 12 are provided on the roller holder 10, and when the cassette cover 4 is closed, the roller holder 10 swings to the pressure contact side in conjunction therewith, so that the sub-roller 11 and the platen 12 are in pressure contact with the thermal head 23. Becomes

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 13, an ink ribbon 61 wound around a ribbon spool 63 is mounted on the ribbon cassette 60, and guided to the front of the thermal head 23 by ribbon guides 64a and 64b. , And is taken up by a take-up spool 66 via a guide rod 65. A clutch spring 67 for preventing the ink ribbon 61 from loosening is attached to a lower portion of the take-up spool 66.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show the tape cassette 50, FIG. 13 shows the ribbon cassette 60, and FIG. 14 shows a composite cassette 560 in which the ribbon cassette 60 is mounted on the tape cassette 50. The ribbon cassette 60 is positioned in the horizontal direction and the height direction with respect to the tape cassette 50, and has three claws 50a, 50b, and 50c shown in FIG.
Fixed through. Two shafts 5 of tape cassette 50
6, 57 are positioned by engaging with holes 68, 69 of the ribbon cassette 60, respectively.

Here, as shown in FIG.
7 protrudes from the upper end surface of the tape cassette 50,
When the ribbon cassette 60 is mounted, first, the shaft 56 is engaged with the hole 68 and the shaft 57 is engaged with the hole 69 to perform two-dimensional positioning in the horizontal direction. Therefore, even when the ribbon cassette 60 is further pushed in, the outer wall of the ribbon cassette 60 is mounted almost without contacting the inner wall of the tape cassette 50. Therefore, it can be mounted more smoothly as compared with a conventional product in which the outer wall and the inner wall are positioned.
Since the ribbon cassette 60 is replaced while the tape cassette 50 is mounted on the printing mechanism 6, the ribbon cassette 60 can be smoothly attached and detached.

As shown in FIG. 13, the ribbon cassette 60
Since a pair of knobs 70 and 71 are formed on the upper end wall of the, the ribbon cassette 60 can be easily attached and detached by grasping the knobs 70 and 71 with fingers. The ribbon cassette 60 is attached to the surfaces 58 and 59 of the tape cassette 50.
The vertical position of the ribbon cassette 60 with respect to the tape cassette 50 is determined by abutting the bottom surfaces of the tape cassette 50, and the claws 50a, 50b, 50c of the tape cassette 50 are engaged with three holes (not shown) of the ribbon cassette 60. Then, the ribbon cassette 60 is fixed to the tape cassette 50.

The claws 50a, 50 of the tape cassette 50
The positions of the tape cassette 50b and the three holes of the ribbon cassette 60 are different depending on the type of the tape cassette 50 and the ribbon cassette 60. The cassette 50 is configured so that only a ribbon cassette 60 for a receptor tape having a width of 24 mm can be mounted. The ink ribbon 61 led out to the front surface of the thermal head 23 contacts the front surface of the thermal head 23, and a tape 51 is superimposed on the front surface of the ink ribbon 61. These ink ribbon 61 and the tape 51 are attached to the thermal head 23 by the platen 12. In the pressed state, printing is performed on the tape 51 by the thermal head 23 in a dot pattern.

The leading end portion of the tape 51 on which the printing has been performed passes between the active blade 27 and the passive blade 28 constituting the cutter and is led out of the slit 9 formed in the main body case 8. The active blade 27 is connected to the cutter lever 5 by the connecting plate 29.
The tape 51 is cut by the active blade 27 and the passive blade 28 by operating the cutter lever 5. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the ribbon cassette 60 is removed, the cassette cover 4 is opened, and the roller holder 10 is separated. In this state, the tape 51 can be rewound by the tape knob 52a.

The tape spool 52 of the tape cassette 50
An opening window 55 which is cut out in a rectangular shape is formed on the outer wall of the place where is stored. That is, the tape 51 is excessively rewound and the leading end of the tape 51 is
When the tape 51 has entered the case of No. 0, the tape 51 can be fed by pushing the portion of the tape 51 facing the opening window 55 in the feed direction with a finger. The opening window 55 is formed on the outer wall of the case near the lead-out path of the tape 51, and the width of the opening window 55 is smaller than the width of the tape 51. It is not derived outside. Also, tape 5
The printing surface of the tape 51 is not contaminated by the operator's finger because the surface opposite to the printing surface of the first printer 1 faces the opening window 55.

Next, the type (width, structure, etc.) of the tape 51 of the tape cassette 50 mounted on the printer 1 and the type (width, ink color) of the ink ribbon 61 of the ribbon cassette 60 mounted on the tape cassette 50 are set. , A type of ink, etc.) will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 19. Eight detection switches 83 (83a to 83h) are provided in a switch mounting portion 81 on the inside of the bottom of the printer 1 corresponding to the rear end of the right end of the tape cassette 50. Has a detector 84 urged upward by a built-in spring.

The movable element mounting portion 85 of the tape cassette 50 corresponding to the upper side of the switch mounting portion 81 has eight detection movable elements 86 (86a to 86a) opposed to the eight detection switches 83a to 83h, respectively. 86h) is provided upright. Each of the detection movable elements 86 is formed in a movable element mounting portion 85 and has a mounting hole 8 having upper and lower ends opened.
7 is mounted so as to be able to move up and down a predetermined stroke. Each detection movable element 86 is made of a synthetic resin rod, and has a short small diameter portion 88a formed at the lower end thereof and a small diameter portion 88b formed at the upper end side thereof.

When the tape cassette 50 is not completely mounted on the printer 1, as shown in FIG. 15, each detection movable element 86 is accommodated in the mounting hole 87, and the tape cassette 50 is completely mounted. Then, each detection movable element 8
Reference numeral 6 is configured to be pushed upward by a detector 84 of a corresponding detection switch 83 and to project from the mounting hole 87 by a predetermined length. In a state where the ribbon cassette 60 is correctly mounted on the tape cassette 50, the mover mounting portion 85 of the tape cassette 50 of the ribbon cassette 60 is provided.
The detected portion forming wall 89 corresponding to the tape cassette 5
A part or all of the eight detection movable elements 86a to 86h are moved to the detection switch 83 side in a combination pattern set in advance according to the type of the tape 51 of No. 0 and the type of the ink ribbon 61 of the ribbon cassette 60. One or a plurality of detected parts 90 (90d) to be pushed back and a plurality of escape holes 91 (91a to 91c, 9) for prohibiting pushing back of the detection movable element 86.
1e to 91h) are formed.

A combination pattern (tape / tape) set in advance according to the type of the tape 51 and the type of the ink ribbon 61 is set.
The ribbon discrimination table is as shown in FIG. Data corresponding to the contents of the tape / ribbon discrimination table is stored in an RO of a microcomputer of a control device (not shown) of the printer 1.
M is stored in advance in M, and the control device detects the type of the tape 51 and the type of the ink ribbon 61 by applying the detection signals of the detection switches 83a to 83h to the tape / ribbon discrimination table, and based on the information, It is configured to control the printing mechanism 6 and the display 3.

In this embodiment, the tape 51 of the tape cassette 50 is a receptor tape having a width of 24 mm, and the ink ribbon 61 of the ribbon cassette 60 is a black ink ribbon, so that only the detection switch 83d is turned on. One detected part 90d corresponding to the switch 83d is formed. In FIG. 19, the receptor tape is a tape without a laminate tape, the lettering tape is a transfer type tape capable of transferring a print character string or the like onto the upper surface of another sheet, and the combination pattern shown in FIG. This is an example, and more combination patterns can be realized.

The above-described tape ribbon detection mechanism 80
The operation of will be described. As shown in FIG. 15, when the tape cassette 50 is not completely mounted on the tape cassette mounting portion of the printer 1, the detection movable elements 86a to 86h
Are in the mounting holes 87 and the detection switches 83a to 83h
Are not operated, it is determined that the mounting state of the tape cassette 50 and the ribbon cassette 60 is incomplete, and
No printing operation is allowed. As shown in FIG. 16, even when the tape cassette 50 is completely installed, none of the detection switches 83a to 83h is operated in the state where the ribbon cassette 60 is not installed, as described above.
It is determined that the mounting state of the tape cassette 50 and the ribbon cassette 60 is incomplete, and the printing operation is not permitted.

As shown in FIG.
In a state where only the ribbon cassette 60 is mounted without mounting the tape cassette 50, the detection movable elements 86a to 86
Since h does not exist, none of the detection switches 83a to 83h is operated, so that the mounting state of the tape cassette 50 and the ribbon cassette 60 is determined to be incomplete, and the printing operation is not permitted. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the platen 12 from being stained with ink by performing printing on the platen 12 via the ink ribbon 61 without the tape 51.

As shown in FIG.
When the ribbon cassette 60 is completely mounted on the tape cassette 50 and the ribbon cassette 60 is completely mounted on the tape cassette 50, one or a plurality of detected portions 90 are formed by one or more detected portions 90 formed on the detected portion forming wall 89 of the ribbon cassette 60. Mover 86 is pushed back downward, and one or more detection switches 83 are turned on.
Therefore, the tape cassette 50 and the ribbon cassette 60
Are determined to be properly mounted, and the tape 51 is determined based on the tape / ribbon determination table.
And the type of the ink ribbon 61 are determined. That is, when the ribbon cassette 60 in this embodiment is a black ink ribbon 61 having a width of 24 mm for a receptor,
Since the ribbon cassette 60 is configured so that it can be mounted only on the tape cassette 50 of the 24 mm width receptor tape, it is determined that both the tape cassette 50 and the ribbon cassette 60 are mounted in a proper state. In this case, the type of the tape 51 and the type of the ink ribbon 61 can be determined.

As described above, a plurality of detection switches 83 are provided on the printer 1 side, and a plurality of detection movable elements 86 corresponding to the plurality of detection switches 83 are provided on the tape cassette 50.
The ribbon cassette 60 is provided with one or a plurality of detected parts 90 corresponding to some or all of the plurality of detection switches 83, and the detection movable element 8 is detected by the one or a plurality of detected parts 90.
Since one or a plurality of detection switches 83 are operated via the switch 6, the following various effects can be obtained.

Since the type of the tape 51 and the type of the ink ribbon 61 are detected by the common detection switch 83, the type of the tape 51 and the type of the ink ribbon 61 are detected in comparison with the case where the detection switches are independently detected. Switch 83
Of the printer 1, the tape cassette 50, and the ribbon cassette 60 can be simplified and downsized.

Tape cassette 50 and ribbon cassette 60
When only one of the ribbon cassettes 60 is mounted, all of the detection switches 83 are turned off, so that the printing operation can not be permitted in this state. As a result, printing can be performed with only the ribbon cassette 60 mounted. Go and platen 1
2 can be reliably prevented from being soiled.

A supplementary description of a modification of the above embodiment will be given. 1) Regarding the tape / ribbon detection mechanism 80, the number of the detection switches 83 and the detection movable elements 86 is not limited to eight, and an appropriate number of the detection switches 83 and the detection movable elements 86 according to the intended use are provided. Can be 2] In the tape / ribbon discrimination table, a plurality of patterns in which two detection switches 83 are simultaneously turned on, and a plurality of patterns in which three or three or more detection switches 83 are simultaneously turned on are provided as necessary. Is possible.

3) It is conceivable to provide a spring member for biasing the detection movable element 86 in the mounting hole 87, and various shapes and structures of the detection movable element 86, the shape and the structure of the mounting hole 87, etc. May be added. 4) It is not impossible to apply a proximity switch or the like instead of the detection switch 83. In addition, it goes without saying that various changes can be made to the embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

5) The tape ribbon detection mechanism 80
A first tape cassette accommodating a first tape body and removably mounted on a printer; and a second tape cassette removably mounted on the first tape cassette. Needless to say, the present invention can be similarly applied to a composite cassette including the second tape cassette accommodating the tape body.

[0043]

In the composite cassette including the tape cassette and the ribbon cassette according to the first aspect, a plurality of detection movable elements are provided on the tape cassette so that a plurality of detection switches on the printer side can be operated, and one or more detection switches are provided on the ribbon cassette. A part or all of the plurality of detection movable elements are moved to the detection switch side in a combination pattern preset according to the type of the tape of the tape cassette and the type of the ink ribbon of the ribbon cassette. By forming as
The printer can determine the type of the tape and the type of the ink ribbon of the ribbon cassette from the detection signals of the plurality of detection switches.

Since the type of the tape and the type of the ink ribbon can be detected through a plurality of common detection switches on the printer side, the required number of detection switches on the printer side can be reduced to reduce the manufacturing cost. The structure of the tape cassette and the ribbon cassette can be simplified and reduced in size. Further, since all the detection switches on the printer side are turned off regardless of whether only the tape cassette is mounted or the ribbon cassette is mounted, the printer can be configured not to permit the printing operation in such a state. .

In the composite cassette including the tape cassette and the ribbon cassette according to the second aspect, the same effect as that of the first aspect is obtained, but each detection movable element is provided with a mounting hole formed in the tape cassette and opened at both ends. Is mounted so as to be movable by a predetermined stroke, the detection switch on the printer side can be operated by the detected portion of the ribbon cassette via the corresponding detection movable element.

In the composite cassette including the tape cassette and the ribbon cassette according to the third aspect, the same effect as that of the second aspect is obtained, but the ribbon cassette includes a detection movable element which is not moved among a plurality of detection movable elements. Since the escape hole for projecting the child to the ribbon cassette side is formed, the detection movable element that does not correspond to the detected portion projects from the escape hole to the ribbon cassette side and does not turn on the detection switch on the printer side.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer comprising a tape cassette which houses a tape and is detachably attached to the printer, and a ribbon cassette which houses an ink ribbon and is detachably attached to the tape cassette. As in claim 1, a plurality of detection movable elements are provided on the tape cassette so that a plurality of detection switches on the printer side can be operated, and one or a plurality of detected parts are provided on the ribbon cassette, and the tape type and the ribbon of the tape cassette are provided. By forming a part or all of the plurality of detection movable elements to the detection switch side in a combination pattern set in advance according to the type of the ink ribbon of the cassette, the plurality of detection switches are provided on the printer side. , It is possible to determine the type of tape and the type of ink ribbon of the ribbon cassette from the detection signal of

Since the type of the tape and the type of the ink ribbon can be detected through a plurality of common detection switches on the printer side, the required number of detection switches on the printer side can be reduced to reduce the manufacturing cost. Since the number of detection switches is reduced, the structure of the printer can be simplified and downsized. Even with only the tape cassette attached,
Even when only the ribbon cassette is installed, all the detection switches on the printer side are turned off.In such a state, the printer can be configured not to allow the printing operation, and printing can be performed with only the ribbon cassette installed. It is possible to eliminate the possibility that the platen will be stained by performing the operation.

In the printer according to the fifth aspect, a fourth aspect is provided.
The same effect as described above is obtained, but each detection movable element is mounted movably by a predetermined stroke in a mounting hole formed in a tape cassette and both ends are opened, and is pushed by a detection portion of a detection switch to partially move from the mounting hole. The detection switch on the printer side can be operated by the detected portion of the ribbon cassette via the detection movable element corresponding to the detection portion of the ribbon cassette.

In the printer according to the sixth aspect, the fifth aspect is provided.
The same effect as described above is obtained, but since the detected part is configured to push the corresponding detection movable element back into the mounting hole, the detected part pushes the corresponding detection movable element back into the mounting hole for detection. The switch can be turned on.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a label producing printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the printer of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the printer of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the printer of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an interlocking mechanism between a cassette cover and a roller holder.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an interlocking mechanism of a cassette cover and a roller holder.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a printing mechanism of the printer and an internal structure of the tape cassette.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an internal structure of a printing mechanism, a tape cassette, and a ribbon cassette of the printer.

FIG. 9 is a main part plan view showing a printing mechanism and a detection switch of the printer.

FIG. 10 is a main part plan view showing a printing mechanism, a detection switch, and the like of the printer.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a tape cassette.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the tape cassette.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a ribbon cassette.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a composite cassette including a tape cassette and a ribbon cassette.

FIG. 15 is a vertical sectional view of a part of the tape ribbon detection mechanism.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view of a part of the tape ribbon detection mechanism.

FIG. 17 is a longitudinal sectional view of a part of the tape ribbon detection mechanism.

FIG. 18 is a vertical sectional view of a main part of a tape / ribbon detecting mechanism.

FIG. 19 is a chart of a tape / ribbon discrimination table.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Label Printer 23 Thermal Head 50 Tape Cassette 51 Tape 60 Ribbon Cassette 61 Ink Ribbon 560 Composite Cassette 80 Tape / Ribbon Detection Mechanism 83 Detection Switch 86 Detection Mover 87 Mounting Hole 90 Detected Part 91 Escape Hole

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-9-86023 (JP, A) JP-A-6-328813 (JP, A) JP-A-6-127094 (JP, A) JP-A-63-254085 (JP) JP-A-5-24291 (JP, A) JP-A-9-39347 (JP, A) JP-A-7-164680 (JP, A) JP-A-6-171824 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 32/00 B41J 3/36 B41J 35/36

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A composite comprising a tape cassette containing a tape as a print medium and detachably mounted on a printer having a print head, and a ribbon cassette containing an ink ribbon and detachably mounted on the tape cassette. In the cassette, a plurality of detection movable elements movably mounted on the tape cassette and capable of operating a plurality of detection switches provided on the printer side, and a type of the tape of the tape cassette and a type of the ink ribbon of the ribbon cassette. And one or more detected portions formed on the ribbon cassette so as to move a part or all of the plurality of detection movable elements to the detection switch side in a combination pattern set in advance according to A composite cassette including the characteristic tape cassette and ribbon cassette. 2. The tape cassette and the ribbon cassette according to claim 1, wherein each of the detection movable elements is mounted movably by a predetermined stroke in a mounting hole formed in the tape cassette and having both ends opened. And a composite cassette including: 3. The ribbon cassette according to claim 2, wherein a relief hole is formed in the ribbon cassette so that a detection movable element of the plurality of detection movable elements that does not move is projected toward the ribbon cassette. A composite cassette including a tape cassette and a ribbon cassette. 4. A printer that prints on a tape as a print medium via an ink ribbon by a print head,
In a printer including a tape cassette that stores a tape and is detachably mounted on a printer and a ribbon cassette that stores an ink ribbon and is removably mounted on the tape cassette, a plurality of detection switches and move to the tape cassette A plurality of detection movable elements that are freely mounted and respectively contact the detection units of the plurality of detection switches; and a combination pattern that is set in advance according to the type of the tape of the tape cassette and the type of the ink ribbon of the ribbon cassette. A printer comprising: one or a plurality of detected parts formed on a ribbon cassette so as to move a part or all of a plurality of detection movable elements to a detection switch side. 5. Each of the detection movable elements is mounted in a mounting hole formed in a tape cassette and having both ends opened so as to be movable by a predetermined stroke, and is pushed by a detection portion of a detection switch to partially move from the mounting hole. The printer according to claim 4, wherein the printer is mounted so as to protrude. 6. The printer according to claim 5, wherein the detected portion pushes the corresponding detection movable element back into the mounting hole.