JP5943817B2 - Ink ribbon cassette, ink ribbon cartridge and printing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink ribbon cassette including a supply roll around which an ink ribbon is wound and a take-up roll. The present invention also relates to an ink ribbon cartridge including the ink ribbon cassette and a printing apparatus including the ink ribbon cartridge.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a thermal transfer type printing apparatus that performs printing by transferring ink of a heated ink ribbon onto a card conveyed through a card conveyance path (for example, see Patent Document 1). The printing apparatus described in Patent Literature 1 includes an ink ribbon cartridge having a supply roll for supplying an ink ribbon and a take-up roll for winding the ink ribbon, and a main body portion to which the ink ribbon cartridge is detachably attached. In this printing apparatus, the ink ribbon cartridge is not provided with a cover that covers the take-up roll, and in the ink ribbon cartridge that has been removed from the main body, the used ink ribbon wound around the take-up roll is external. Is exposed.

  In a thermal transfer type printing apparatus such as the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, ink having the same shape as an image printed on a card is peeled off from the ink ribbon, so that an ink ribbon after printing (used ink ribbon) The ink remains in the same shape as the image printed on the card. Therefore, it is possible to easily know the image printed on the card by looking at the peeling trace. For this reason, in the ink ribbon cartridge removed from the main body, it is not preferable in terms of security that the used ink ribbon wound around the take-up roll is exposed to the outside. Therefore, an ink ribbon cartridge having a cartridge main body that accommodates a used ink ribbon wound around a take-up roll so as not to be exposed to the outside even when the ink ribbon cartridge is detached from the main body is proposed. (For example, see Patent Document 2).

  In addition, when the ink ribbon cartridge is removed from the main body, even if the used ink ribbon is not exposed to the outside, the used ink ribbon wound around the take-up roll is easily pulled out from the cartridge main body. If it is possible, it becomes possible to easily know the image printed on the card. For this reason, the ink ribbon cartridge described in Patent Document 2 is configured so that the used ink ribbon wound around the take-up roll cannot be easily pulled out from the cartridge body even when the ink ribbon cartridge is removed from the main body. It is configured.

  Specifically, in this ink ribbon cartridge, a plurality of ribs are formed on the inner peripheral surface of a winding roll formed in a cylindrical shape, and at one end of the rib in the axial direction of the winding roll, An inclined portion that is inclined toward one side in the rotation direction of the roll is formed. The ink ribbon cartridge further includes a reverse rotation preventing member that can move relative to the cartridge body along the axis of the winding roll, and a biasing member that biases the reverse rotation preventing member toward the winding roll. ing. The reverse rotation preventing member is formed with an opposing inclined portion that is inclined in the same direction as the inclined direction of the inclined portion formed on the rib of the winding roll.

  In this ink ribbon cartridge, when the ink ribbon cartridge is not attached to the main body of the printing apparatus, the urging force of the urging member causes the inclined portion of the take-up roll and the opposing inclined portion of the reverse rotation preventing member to engage with each other. Thus, only the winding roll can be rotated in the direction of winding the ink ribbon. Further, in this ink ribbon cartridge, when the ink ribbon cartridge is attached to the main body portion of the printing apparatus, the reverse rotation preventing member is pushed by the tip end portion of the rotating shaft constituting the main body portion, so that the reverse rotation member and the inclined portion of the take-up roll are reversed. The engagement state of the prevention member with the opposing inclined portion is released, and the winding roll can be rotated in both directions.

  As described above, in the ink ribbon cartridge described in Patent Document 2, the reverse rotation preventing member is pushed at the tip of the rotating shaft to release the engagement state between the inclined portion of the winding roll and the opposite inclined portion of the reverse rotation preventing member. Since the take-up roll cannot be rotated in the direction of pulling out the ink ribbon from the take-up roll, the used ribbon coiled around the take-up roll can be used even when the ink ribbon cartridge is removed from the main body. The ink ribbon cannot be easily pulled out from the cartridge body.

JP 2008-105291 A JP 2004-243727 A

  However, in the ink ribbon cartridge described in Patent Document 2, the engagement between the inclined portion of the winding roll and the opposite inclined portion of the reverse rotation preventing member is released by pressing the reverse rotation preventing member with a predetermined member instead of the rotation shaft. Then, in the ink ribbon cartridge removed from the main body, the used ink ribbon wound around the take-up roll can be pulled out from the cartridge main body. Therefore, it cannot be said that the security of the ink ribbon cartridge is high.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to pull out a used ink ribbon from a take-up side cover that covers substantially the entire ink ribbon wound around a take-up roll in a state where the main body of the printing apparatus is detached. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink ribbon cassette that is more difficult than before. Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink ribbon cartridge including the ink ribbon cassette and a printing apparatus including the ink ribbon cartridge.

  In order to solve the above problems, an ink ribbon cassette according to the present invention includes a supply roll around which the ink ribbon is wound, a take-up roll around which the ink ribbon supplied from the supply roll is wound, and a take-up roll. And a case body that has a winding-side cover portion that covers substantially the entire ink ribbon, and that accommodates the winding roll, and the direction in which the winding roll winds up the ink ribbon is defined as the ribbon winding direction. If the direction of winding the ink ribbon is the ribbon rewind direction, a first anti-rotation mechanism that is provided on one end side in the axial direction of the take-up roll and prevents the take-up roll from rotating at least in the ribbon rewind direction; A second anti-rotation mechanism which is provided on the other end side of the roll in the axial direction and prevents the take-up roll from rotating at least in the ribbon unwinding direction; and urges the take-up roll toward one end in the axial direction A first urging member, wherein the first rotation prevention mechanism is engaged with at least a first roll side engaging portion provided on the winding roll side and a first roll side engaging portion provided on the case body side. A first case side engaging portion that prevents the winding roll from rotating in the ribbon unwinding direction, and the second rotation preventing mechanism includes a second roll side engaging portion provided on the winding roll side, and a case body side. A second case-side engaging portion that engages with the second roll-side engaging portion and prevents at least the winding roll from rotating in the ribbon unwinding direction. A state in which the first case side engaging portion is engaged is defined as a first engaged state, and a state in which the engagement between the first roll side engaging portion and the first case side engaging portion is released is a first state. The disengaged state, the state where the second roll side engaging portion and the second case side engaging portion are engaged is referred to as a second engaged state, Assuming that the state where the engagement between the two roll side engaging portion and the second case side engaging portion is released is a second engagement releasing state, the urging force of the first urging member The second disengaged state is maintained, the rotation of the winding roll in at least the ribbon unwinding direction is prevented, and the winding roll is against the urging force of the first urging member on the other end side in the axial direction. The first disengaged state and the second disengaged state, and the first state in which the winding roll can be rotated in the ribbon winding direction and the ribbon unwinding direction. The state is switched to the second state in which the rotation of the winding roll in the ribbon rewinding direction is prevented at least in the state and the second engagement state.

  In the ink ribbon cassette of the present invention, the first rotation prevention mechanism provided on one end side in the axial direction of the take-up roll includes the first roll-side engaging portion provided on the take-up roll side and the first roll provided on the case body side. A first case side engagement portion that engages with the side engagement portion and prevents at least the rotation of the take-up roll in the ribbon rewind direction, and is provided on the other end side in the axial direction of the take-up roll. The rotation prevention mechanism includes a second roll side engaging portion provided on the winding roll side and a second roll side engaging portion provided on the case body side to rotate the winding roll at least in the ribbon unwinding direction. And a second case side engaging portion for preventing the above. In the ink ribbon cassette of the present invention, the first engagement state in which the first roll side engaging portion and the first case side engaging portion are engaged is maintained by the urging force of the first urging member. At the same time, the second disengaged state in which the engagement between the second roll side engaging portion and the second case side engaging portion is released is maintained. Therefore, in the present invention, when the ink ribbon cassette is removed from the main body of the printing apparatus to which the ink ribbon cassette is attached, the first roll side engaging portion and the first case side engaging portion are applied by the urging force of the first urging member. And the used ink ribbon wound around the take-up roll cannot be pulled out from the take-up side cover portion.

  In the present invention, when the winding roll moves to the other end side in the axial direction against the urging force of the first urging member, the first engagement disengaged state and the second engagement disengaged state are obtained. The first state in which the winding roll can be rotated in the winding direction and the ribbon unwinding direction, and the first engagement disengaged state and the second engagement state in at least the ribbon unwinding direction. It switches to the 2nd state in which rotation is prevented. Therefore, in the present invention, when the ink ribbon cassette is removed from the main body of the printing apparatus, even if the take-up roll is moved to the other end side in the axial direction using a predetermined member, the first state is obtained. If the take-up roll is not moved, the used ink ribbon wound around the take-up roll cannot be pulled out from the take-up side cover. Therefore, in the present invention, in a state where the ink ribbon cassette is detached from the main body of the printing apparatus, it is more difficult than before to pull out the used ink ribbon wound around the winding roll from the winding side cover. Become. As a result, in this embodiment, it is possible to improve security compared to the conventional case.

  In the present invention, the first rotation prevention mechanism is a ratchet mechanism, and the ribbon winding direction when the first engagement state and the second engagement release state are maintained by the urging force of the first urging member. It is preferable that the winding roll can be rotated. If comprised in this way, even if an ink ribbon slacks for some reason between a supply roll and a winding roll, it becomes possible to rotate a winding roll to a ribbon winding direction, and to eliminate the slack of an ink ribbon. .

  In the present invention, the ink ribbon cassette is provided at one end side in the axial direction of the supply roll and is provided with a third rotation prevention mechanism for preventing the supply roll from rotating at least in the ribbon winding direction, and at the other end side in the axial direction of the supply roll. A case body provided with a fourth rotation preventing mechanism provided at least for preventing rotation of the supply roll in the ribbon winding direction and a second urging member for urging the supply roll toward one end side in the axial direction; A supply-side cover that covers substantially the entire ink ribbon wound around the roll is provided, the supply roll is accommodated in the case body, and the third rotation prevention mechanism is provided at the third roll-side engagement provided on the supply roll side. And a third case-side engaging portion that is provided on the case body side and engages with the third roll-side engaging portion to prevent at least the rotation of the supply roll in the ribbon winding direction. The supply roll side A fourth roll side engaging portion provided on the case body side, and a fourth case side engaging portion that engages with the fourth roll side engaging portion to prevent rotation of the supply roll in at least the ribbon winding direction. A state in which the third roll side engaging portion and the third case side engaging portion are engaged is referred to as a third engaging state, and the third roll side engaging portion and the third case side engaging portion are The state where the engagement is released is the third engagement release state, the state where the fourth roll side engagement portion and the fourth case side engagement portion are engaged is the fourth engagement state, When the state in which the engagement between the 4 roll side engaging portion and the fourth case side engaging portion is released is the fourth disengaged state, the urging force of the second urging member causes the third engaged state and The fourth disengaged state is maintained, the rotation of the supply roll in at least the ribbon winding direction is prevented, and the supply roller is resisted against the urging force of the second urging member. And the third disengagement state and the fourth disengagement state, the supply roll can be rotated in the ribbon winding direction and the ribbon unwinding direction. It is preferable to switch to the fourth state in which the rotation of the supply roll in the ribbon winding direction is prevented at least in the third engagement disengaged state and the fourth engaged state.

  With this configuration, when the ink ribbon cassette is removed from the main body of the printing apparatus to which the ink ribbon cassette is attached, the third roll side engaging portion and the third case side engaging portion are applied by the urging force of the second urging member. And the ink ribbon wound around the supply roll cannot be pulled out from the supply side cover portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ink ribbon from sagging when the ink ribbon cassette is removed from the main body. Moreover, if comprised in this way, it will become possible to make the component on the supply roll side of the ink ribbon cassette and the component on the take-up roll side common. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the types of parts constituting the ink ribbon cassette.

  The ink ribbon cassette of the present invention can be used for an ink ribbon cartridge including a cartridge main body portion to which the ink ribbon cassette is detachably attached. In this ink ribbon cartridge, for example, the cartridge main body portion includes a take-up side engaging portion for engaging with the take-up roll from one end side in the axial direction of the take-up roll to rotate the take-up roll, and an ink ribbon cassette Is attached to the cartridge body, and the take-up side engaging portion engages with the take-up roll, the ink ribbon cassette enters the first state.

  In this ink ribbon cartridge, in a state where the ink ribbon cassette is detached from the cartridge main body, it is more difficult than before to pull out the used ink ribbon wound around the winding roll from the winding side cover. Further, in this ink ribbon cartridge, by attaching the ink ribbon cassette to the cartridge main body, it is possible to automatically be in the first state in which the winding roll can be rotated in the ribbon winding direction and the ribbon unwinding direction. . In addition, in this ink ribbon cartridge, the winding side engaging portion for rotating the winding roll is used to set the winding roller in the first state in which the winding roll can be rotated in the ribbon winding direction and the ribbon unwinding direction. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a member for setting the first state. Therefore, the configuration of the ink ribbon cartridge can be simplified.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the cartridge body includes a fifth anti-rotation mechanism that prevents at least the rotation of the take-up roll in the ribbon rewind direction. With this configuration, even if the ink ribbon cassette is attached to the cartridge main body, the winding roll can be automatically rotated in the ribbon winding direction and the ribbon winding direction. It is possible to prevent the used ink ribbon wound around the winding roll from being pulled out of the side cover portion. That is, even when the ink ribbon cassette is attached to the cartridge main body, it is possible to prevent the used ink ribbon from being pulled out from the take-up side cover.

  The ink ribbon cassette of the present invention can be used for an ink ribbon cartridge including a cartridge main body portion to which the ink ribbon cassette is detachably attached. In this ink ribbon cartridge, for example, the cartridge main body portion includes a supply side engaging portion for engaging the supply roll from one end side in the axial direction of the supply roll to rotate the supply roll, and the ink ribbon cassette is the cartridge main body portion. When the supply side engaging portion is engaged with the supply roll, the ink ribbon cassette is in the third state.

  In this ink ribbon cartridge, in a state where the ink ribbon cassette is detached from the cartridge main body, it is more difficult than before to pull out the used ink ribbon wound around the winding roll from the winding side cover. Further, in this ink ribbon cartridge, by attaching the ink ribbon cassette to the cartridge main body portion, it is possible to automatically enter the third state in which the supply roll can be rotated in the ribbon winding direction and the ribbon unwinding direction. In this ink ribbon cartridge, the supply-side engaging portion for rotating the supply roll can be used to be in the third state in which the supply roll can be rotated in the ribbon winding direction and the ribbon unwinding direction. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a member for setting the third state. Therefore, the configuration of the ink ribbon cartridge can be simplified.

  The ink ribbon cartridge including the ink ribbon cassette of the present invention can be used in a printing apparatus including a main body portion to which the ink ribbon cartridge is detachably attached. In this printing apparatus, the main body unit heats the ink ribbon supplied from the supply roll and the ink ribbon supplied from the supply roll, and transfers the ink of the ink ribbon to the print medium passing through the medium conveying path for printing. A thermal head. In this printing apparatus, in a state where the ink ribbon cassette is detached from the cartridge main body, it is more difficult than before to pull out the used ink ribbon wound around the winding roll from the winding side cover.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is more difficult than before to pull out a used ink ribbon from the take-up side cover portion in a state where the ink ribbon cassette is detached from the main body portion or cartridge main body portion of the printing apparatus.

1 is a perspective view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view when an ink ribbon cartridge is removed from the printing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the ink ribbon cartridge shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure for demonstrating the internal structure of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 from a side surface. It is a top view of a part of ink ribbon shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the ink ribbon cassette shown in FIG. 3 from another angle. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the ink ribbon cassette shown in FIG. 6. It is an enlarged view of the E section of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the F section of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the GG cross section of FIG. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating a state when the winding roll shown in FIG. 10 moves against the urging | biasing force of a compression coil spring. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a cartridge main body shown in FIG. 3 from a side surface. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the cartridge main body shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the state of the peripheral portion of the take-up roll when the ink ribbon cassette is attached to the cartridge main body shown in FIG. 3. (A) is a figure for demonstrating a state when the cartridge shown in FIG. 1 is mounted in the 2nd housing, (B) is an enlarged view of the H section of (A). (A) is a figure for demonstrating a state when the cartridge shown in FIG. 1 is attached to a housing, (B) is an enlarged view of the J section of (A). It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action of the rotating member and tension | pulling coil spring which are shown in FIG. (A) is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the detection mechanism of the ink ribbon shown in FIG. 5 from a side surface, (B) is a figure which shows a detection mechanism from the KK direction of (A).

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Schematic configuration of printing device)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view when the ink ribbon cartridge 6 is removed from the printing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ink ribbon cartridge 6 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the internal configuration of the printing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 from the side. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a part of the ink ribbon 3 shown in FIG.

  The printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus for printing images such as characters, symbols, and graphics on a card 2 (see FIG. 4) that is a printing medium. Specifically, the printing apparatus 1 uses the ink ribbon 3 formed by applying ink to a belt-like film and heats the ink on the ink ribbon 3 to transfer the ink on the ink ribbon 3 to the card 2. A thermal transfer type printing apparatus. For example, the printing apparatus 1 is mounted and used in a host apparatus such as a card issuing apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the printing apparatus 1 includes an ink ribbon cartridge 6 (hereinafter referred to as “cartridge 6”) having a supply roll 4 and a take-up roll 5 around which the ink ribbon 3 is wound, and the cartridge 6 includes the cartridge 6. It is comprised from the main-body part 7 attached so that attachment or detachment is possible. The printing apparatus 1 also includes a card transport mechanism 8 that transports the card 2, a thermal head 9 that heats the ink ribbon 3 to transfer the ink of the ink ribbon 3 to the card 2, and prints, a supply roll 4, and a take-up roll And a ribbon feeding mechanism 10 for feeding the ink ribbon 3 to and from 5.

  The card 2 is, for example, a vinyl chloride card having a thickness of about 0.7 to 0.8 mm, and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape. On the surface of the card 2, for example, a magnetic stripe for recording magnetic data is formed. Note that an IC chip or a communication antenna may be built in the card 2. The card 2 may be a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) card having a thickness of about 0.18 to 0.36 mm, or a paper card having a predetermined thickness.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the ink ribbon 3 includes an ink region 3 a where an ink layer that is a layer of ink transferred to the card 2 is formed, and a layer of an overcoat material that covers the surface of the ink transferred to the card 2. And an overcoat region 3b where an overcoat layer is formed. The ink region 3a and the overcoat region 3b are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon 3 formed in a band shape. The width of the ink region 3a and the width of the overcoat region 3b in the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon 3 are substantially equal. Further, the width of the ink region 3 a and the width of the overcoat region 3 b in the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon 3 are substantially equal to the width of the card 2 in the longitudinal direction.

  In this embodiment, printing is performed on one card 2 by one ink region 3a and one overcoat region 3b. That is, in this embodiment, one ink area 3a and one overcoat area 3b constitute a one-screen area 3c that is an area of the ink ribbon 3 required for printing one card 2. In addition, the ink ribbon 3 of this embodiment is capable of printing only in a single color (for example, black).

  In the following description, the three directions orthogonal to each other in FIG. 1 are defined as an X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction. Also, the X direction is the “front / rear direction”, the Y direction is the “left / right direction”, the Z direction is the “vertical direction”, the X1 direction side is the “front” side, the X2 direction side is the “rear (rear)” side, and the Y1 direction. The side is the “left” side, the Y2 direction side is the “right” side, the Z1 direction side is the “upper” side, and the Z2 direction side is the “lower” side. Further, the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 is “clockwise”, and the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4 is “counterclockwise”. In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the card 2 formed in a substantially rectangular shape is substantially coincident with the front-rear direction (X direction), and the thickness direction of the card 2 is substantially coincident with the vertical direction (Z direction). The card 2 is transported from the front to the back by the card transport mechanism 8.

  The main body 7 includes a housing 15 that includes a first housing 13 disposed on the upper side and a second housing 14 disposed on the lower side. A shaft 16 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) is attached to the front upper end side of the second housing 14 so as to be arranged with the left-right direction as the axial direction. The front end side of the first housing 13 is rotatably held by the shaft 16, and the first housing 13 is counterclockwise from the state shown in FIG. 1 with respect to the second housing 14 around the shaft 16 ( It can be turned counterclockwise in FIG. When the first casing 13 is rotated counterclockwise about the shaft 16 from the state shown in FIG. 1, the cartridge 6 can be taken out from the casing 15 upward. In the state shown in FIG. 2, when the cartridge 6 is mounted on the second casing 14 from above and the first casing 13 is rotated clockwise to cover the cartridge 6 from above, the cartridge 6 is attached to the casing 15. .

  The card transport mechanism 8 and the thermal head 9 are attached to the housing 15. That is, the main body 7 includes a card transport mechanism 8 and a thermal head 9. A card transport path 17 is formed in the main body 7 as a medium transport path for transporting the card 2. The card transport path 17 is formed linearly so as to penetrate the printing apparatus 1 in the front-rear direction.

  The card transport mechanism 8 includes a plurality of card transport rollers 19 that contact the card 2 to transport the card 2, and a pad roller 20 that is disposed to face the card transport roller 19. The card transport roller 19 is disposed so as to face the card transport path 17 from below. The plurality of card transport rollers 19 are connected to a card transport motor 22 via a power transmission mechanism 21 including a pulley, a timing belt, and the like. The pad roller 20 faces the card transport roller 19 from above and is urged toward the card transport roller 19.

  The thermal head 9 is disposed substantially at the center in the front-rear direction of the printing apparatus 1 and above the card transport path 17. A platen roller 23 is disposed below the thermal head 9. The platen roller 23 is connected to the card transport motor 22 via the power transmission mechanism 21 and rotates together with the card transport roller 19. The thermal head 9 is connected to a head moving mechanism 24 (see FIG. 2) that moves the thermal head 9 in a direction approaching the card 2 passing through the card transport path 17 and a direction away from the card 2.

  The card 2 and the ink ribbon 3 pass between the thermal head 9 and the platen roller 23 in the vertical direction. Further, the thermal head 9 moves up and down with respect to the card transport path 17 (specifically, with respect to the platen roller 23) by the power transmitted from the head moving mechanism 24. The thermal head 9 abuts on the upper surface of the card 2 with a predetermined abutting force via the ink ribbon 3 and performs printing on the upper surface of the card 2 passing through the card transport path 17.

  Guide shafts 25 for guiding the ink ribbon 3 in the printing apparatus 1 are disposed on both sides of the thermal head 9 in the front-rear direction. The guide shaft 25 is fixed to the first housing 13 or the second housing 14 with the left-right direction as the axial direction. The guide shaft 25 is disposed above the card transport path 17.

  The cartridge 6 includes an ink ribbon cassette 26 having the above-described supply roll 4 and take-up roll 5 and a cartridge main body 27 to which the ink ribbon cassette 26 is detachably attached (see FIG. 3). The cartridge 6 is disposed on the upper side of the card transport path 17 and is detachable from the housing 15 from the upper side. The supply roll 4 and the take-up roll 5 are arranged so that the axial direction thereof matches the left-right direction. The supply roll 4 is disposed in front of the thermal head 9, and the ink ribbon 3 (unused ink ribbon 3) supplied toward the thermal head 9 is wound around the supply roll 4. Yes. The take-up roll 5 is disposed behind the thermal head 9, and the ink ribbon 3 (after the ink is transferred to the card 2 by the thermal head 9 supplied from the supply roll 4 to the take-up roll 5 ( The used ink ribbon 3) is wound up. A specific configuration of the cartridge 6 will be described later.

  The ribbon feeding mechanism 10 includes a ribbon feeding roller 28 that contacts the ink ribbon 3 and feeds the ink ribbon 3, and a pad roller that is disposed to face the ribbon feeding roller 28. The ribbon feeding mechanism 10 includes a ribbon feeding motor 30 to which the ribbon feeding roller 28 is coupled, and a power transmission mechanism 31 for transmitting the power of the ribbon feeding motor 30 to the ribbon feeding roller 28 and the like (see FIG. 4). And.

  The ribbon feed roller 28 is disposed obliquely behind and above the thermal head 9 and is disposed between the thermal head 9 and the take-up roll 5. The ribbon feed roller 28 is rotatably held by the first housing 13. The pad roller faces the ribbon feed roller 28 from substantially the rear side and is biased toward the ribbon feed roller 28. The power transmission mechanism 31 includes a power transmission mechanism 32 that forms part of the main body 7 and a power transmission mechanism 33 that forms part of the cartridge 6.

  In this embodiment, the ribbon feeding mechanism 10 includes a winding roll 5 that winds up the ink ribbon 3 (hereinafter, this direction is referred to as “ribbon winding direction”), and a supply roll 4 that winds up the ink ribbon 3. The ink ribbon 3 can be fed in both directions (hereinafter referred to as “ribbon rewind direction”). When the ink ribbon 3 is fed in the ribbon take-up direction, the ribbon feed roller 28, the supply roll 4 and the take-up roll 5 rotate counterclockwise, and when the ink ribbon 3 is fed in the ribbon rewind direction, the ribbon feed roller 28, the supply roll 4 and the take-up roll 5 rotate clockwise. A specific configuration of the power transmission mechanisms 32 and 33 will be described later.

  When printing on the card 2 is performed by the thermal head 9, the ink ribbon 3 is formed with a trace of the ink transferred to the card 2. In the present embodiment, the ribbon feeding mechanism 10 is configured to perform ribbon winding at the time of printing one card 2 so that an ink peeling trace of the same shape as the image printed on the card 2 is formed on the used ink ribbon 3. The ink ribbons 3 are sequentially fed in the taking direction.

(Configuration of ink ribbon cassette)
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the ink ribbon cassette 26 shown in FIG. 3 from another angle. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the ink ribbon cassette 26 shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion E in FIG. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion F in FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line GG in FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a state when the winding roll 5 shown in FIG. 10 moves against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 44.

  The ink ribbon cassette 26 includes a case body 36 in which the supply roll 4 and the take-up roll 5 are accommodated in addition to the supply roll 4 and the take-up roll 5 described above. The case body 36 includes a case main body 37 and a cover member 38 fixed to the right end side of the case main body 37. The ink ribbon cassette 26 includes a sleeve 39 and a knob 40 for manually rotating the supply roll 4, a compression coil spring 41 as a second biasing member that biases the supply roll 4 to the left side, and a winding roll 5. A sleeve 42 and a knob 43 for manually rotating, and a compression coil spring 44 as a first urging member for urging the winding roll 5 to the left side are provided.

  The case main body 37 includes a cover portion 37 a as a supply-side cover portion that covers substantially the entire ink ribbon 3 wound around the supply roll 4, and a winding that covers substantially the entire ink ribbon 3 wound around the take-up roll 5. The cover part 37b as a taking-side cover part and the connection part 37c which connects the cover part 37a and the cover part 37b are provided. The cover part 37a and the cover part 37b are formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The cover portion 37a and the cover portion 37b formed in a substantially cylindrical shape are arranged with the left-right direction as an axial direction. Moreover, the cover part 37a and the cover part 37b are arrange | positioned in the state which opened the predetermined space | interval in the front-back direction. The connecting portion 37c connects the right rear end of the cover portion 37a and the right front end of the cover portion 37b. The ink ribbon 3 is exposed to the outside of the case body 36 between the cover portion 37a and the cover portion 37b and on the left side of the connecting portion 37c.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the cover portion 37b is formed in an annular shape and includes a bottom portion 37d that forms the left end of the cover portion 37b, a substantially cylindrical tube portion 37e that rises to the right from the outer peripheral end of the bottom portion 37d, and a bottom portion 37d A cylindrical inner cylindrical portion 37f that rises to the right from the inner peripheral end. The length of the inner cylindrical portion 37f in the left-right direction (that is, the axial length of the inner cylindrical portion 37f) is longer than the length of the cylindrical portion 37e in the left-right direction (that is, the axial length of the cylindrical portion 37e). It is getting shorter. The outer peripheral side of the ink ribbon 3 wound around the take-up roll 5 is covered with a cylindrical portion 37e. A slit for drawing out the ink ribbon 3 wound around the take-up roll 5 is formed in the cylindrical portion 37e.

  At the right end of the inner cylindrical portion 37f, an annular ring portion 37g that slightly protrudes toward the inner peripheral side of the inner cylindrical portion 37f is formed. A pawl 37h constituting a rotation prevention mechanism 46 described later is formed on the right surface of the annular portion 37g. The pawl 37h is formed so as to protrude from the right surface of the annular portion 37g to the right side. The pawls 37h are formed, for example, at two positions on the right surface of the annular portion 37g with a 180 ° pitch.

  The cover part 37a is formed in the same shape as the cover part 37b. That is, the cover portion 37a includes a bottom portion 37j corresponding to the bottom portion 37d, a cylindrical portion 37k corresponding to the cylindrical portion 37e, and an inner cylindrical portion 37m corresponding to the inner cylindrical portion 37f. An annular portion corresponding to the annular portion 37g is formed at the right end of the inner cylindrical portion 37m, and a pawl corresponding to the pawl 37h is formed on the right surface of the annular portion. Two prisms 45 (see FIG. 7) are fixed to the lower end side of the cylindrical portion 37k. The two prisms 45 are arranged so as to be shifted from each other in the front-rear and left-right directions.

  The cover member 38 includes a fixing portion 38a that is disposed and fixed on the inner peripheral side of the right end of the cylindrical portion 37e, and a fixing portion 38b that is disposed and fixed on the inner peripheral side of the right end of the cylindrical portion 37k. . The fixed portion 38a is formed concentrically with a cylindrical tube portion 38c rising toward the left side and a cylindrical sleeve holding portion 38d rising toward the right side. The inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 38c is larger than the inner diameter of the sleeve holding portion 38d. A pawl 38e constituting a rotation prevention mechanism 47 described later is formed at the left end of the cylindrical portion 38c. The pawl 38e is formed so as to protrude from the left end of the cylindrical portion 38c to the left side. Further, the pawls 38e are formed, for example, at two positions on the left end of the cylindrical portion 38c at a pitch of 180 °. The fixing part 38a is fixed to the inner peripheral side of the right end of the cylinder part 37e so that the cylinder part 37e and the cylinder part 38c of the cover part 37b are arranged concentrically.

  The fixed part 38b is formed in the same shape as the fixed part 38a. That is, the fixed portion 38b is formed with a cylindrical portion 38f corresponding to the cylindrical portion 38c and a sleeve holding portion corresponding to the sleeve holding portion 38d. Further, a pawl corresponding to the pawl 38e is formed at the left end of the cylindrical portion 38f. The fixing part 38b is fixed to the inner peripheral side of the right end of the cylinder part 37k so that the cylinder part 37k and the cylinder part 38f of the cover part 37a are arranged concentrically.

  The sleeve 42 is formed in a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape with a flange having a bottom portion 42a formed in a substantially disc shape and a cylindrical portion 42b formed in a cylindrical shape. The bottom part 42a is connected to the right end of the cylinder part 42b. The sleeve 42 includes a cylindrical tube portion 42c that rises to the right from the bottom portion 42a. The cylinder part 42c is formed concentrically with the cylinder part 42b.

  The outer peripheral side portion of the bottom portion 42a extends to the outer peripheral side with respect to the cylindrical portion 42b. A cylindrical spring holding portion 42d is formed on the bottom portion 42a so as to rise slightly toward the left side. The spring holding part 42d is formed concentrically with the cylinder part 42b. The inner diameter of the spring holding portion 42d is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 42b. The bottom part 42 a and the cylinder part 42 b are arranged on the inner peripheral side of the cylinder part 38 c of the cover member 38. As shown in FIG. 8, a convex portion 42e that protrudes toward the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 42b is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 42b. The convex part 42e is formed in an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape in the left-right direction. Moreover, the convex part 42e is formed in two places with a 180 degree pitch, for example. The cylindrical portion 42c is rotatably held on the inner peripheral side of the sleeve holding portion 38d of the cover member 38. A knob 43 is fixed to the right end of the cylindrical portion 42c. The knob 43 is fixed to the cylindrical portion 42 c so as to protrude to the right side of the right side surface of the cover member 38.

  The sleeve 39 is formed in the same shape as the sleeve 42. That is, the sleeve 39 includes a bottom portion 39a corresponding to the bottom portion 42a, a cylindrical portion 39b corresponding to the cylindrical portion 42b, and a cylindrical portion 39c corresponding to the cylindrical portion 42c. A spring holding portion corresponding to the spring holding portion 42d is formed on the bottom portion 39a, and a convex portion corresponding to the convex portion 42e is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 39b. The bottom portion 39a and the cylindrical portion 39b are disposed on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 38f of the cover member 38. The cylindrical portion 39c is rotatably held on the inner peripheral side of the sleeve holding portion of the fixed portion 38b. A knob 40 is fixed to the right end of the cylindrical portion 39c. The knob 40 is fixed to the cylindrical portion 39c so as to protrude to the right side of the right side surface of the cover member 38.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the winding roll 5 is formed in a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape having a bottom portion 5a formed in a substantially disc shape and a cylindrical portion 5b formed in a cylindrical shape. The bottom part 5a is connected to the right end of the cylindrical part 5b. The take-up roll 5 includes a cylindrical first inner cylindrical portion 5c disposed on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 5b and a bottomed cylindrical first disposed on the inner peripheral side of the first inner cylindrical portion 5c. 2 An inner cylinder portion 5d and a cylindrical spring holding cylinder portion 5e rising from the bottom portion 5a to the right side are provided. The first inner cylinder part 5c, the second inner cylinder part 5d, and the spring holding cylinder part 5e are formed concentrically with the cylinder part 5b.

  The first inner cylinder portion 5c and the second inner cylinder portion 5d are formed so as to rise from the bottom portion 5a toward the left side. The length of the first inner cylinder portion 5c in the left-right direction (that is, the length in the axial direction of the first inner cylinder portion 5c) is the length of the cylinder portion 5b in the left-right direction (that is, the length in the axial direction of the cylinder portion 5b). It is shorter than the length. The length of the second inner cylinder part 5d in the left-right direction (that is, the length of the second inner cylinder part 5d in the axial direction) is shorter than the length of the first inner cylinder part 5c in the left-right direction. As described above, the second inner cylindrical portion 5d is formed in a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape, and the bottom portion 5f of the second inner cylindrical portion 5d is disposed at the left end of the second inner cylindrical portion 5d. The outer diameter of the spring holding cylinder part 5e is smaller than the outer diameter of the cylinder part 5b. In addition, the outer diameter of the spring holding cylinder portion 5 e is smaller than the inner diameter of the compression coil spring 44.

  The inner diameter of the spring holding cylinder part 5e is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cylinder part 42b of the sleeve 42, and the cylinder part 42b is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the spring holding cylinder part 5e. On the inner peripheral surface of the spring holding cylinder portion 5e, an engagement recess that engages with the protrusion 42e formed on the cylinder portion 42b is formed so as to be recessed outward in the radial direction. Therefore, it is possible to rotate the winding roll 5 together with the sleeve 42 by rotating the knob 43. Moreover, since the convex part 42e is formed in the elongate rectangular parallelepiped shape of the left-right direction, the winding roll 5 is relatively movable with respect to the sleeve 42 in the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the outer diameter of the cylinder part 5b is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylinder part 37e of the cover part 37b. The inner diameter of the cylinder part 5b is larger than the outer diameter of the inner cylinder part 37f of the cover part 37b. The cylinder part 5b is disposed between the cylinder part 37e and the inner cylinder part 37f in the radial direction of the cylinder part 5b. The ink ribbon 3 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 5b. The distance between the right surface of the bottom 5a and the left end surface of the first inner cylinder portion 5c in the left-right direction is shorter than the distance between the right end surface of the inner cylinder portion 37f and the left end of the cylinder portion 38c of the fixing portion 38a in the left-right direction. It has become.

  A gear 5h that can be engaged with a pawl 37h formed at the right end of the inner cylindrical portion 37f is formed on the left end surface of the first inner cylindrical portion 5c. The gear 5h is formed so as to protrude to the left side of the first inner cylinder portion 5c. The plurality of teeth and pawls 37h constituting the gear 5h are configured to prevent the winding roll 5 from rotating in the ribbon unwinding direction when the gear 5h and the pawl 37h are engaged (that is, clockwise) So as to prevent rotation of the take-up roll 5).

  In this embodiment, the gear 5h and the pawl 37h constitute a rotation prevention mechanism 46 as a first rotation prevention mechanism that prevents the winding roll 5 from rotating in the ribbon rewind direction. The rotation prevention mechanism 46 is disposed on the left end side of the winding roll 5 that is one end side in the axial direction of the winding roll 5. Further, the rotation prevention mechanism 46 of the present embodiment is a ratchet mechanism that prevents only the winding roll 5 from rotating in the ribbon unwinding direction. Even if the gear 5h and the pawl 37h are engaged, the ribbon winding direction The winding roll 5 can be rotated. In addition, the gear 5h of this embodiment is a first roll side engaging portion provided on the winding roll 5 side, and the pawl 37h is a first case side engaging portion provided on the case body 36 side.

  A gear 5g that can be engaged with a pawl 38e formed at the left end of the cylindrical portion 38c of the fixed portion 38a is formed on the outer peripheral end side of the right surface of the bottom portion 5a. The gear 5g is formed so as to protrude to the right side of the bottom 5a. The plurality of teeth and pawls 38e constituting the gear 5g are formed to prevent the winding roll 5 from rotating in the ribbon unwinding direction when the gear 5g and the pawls 38e are engaged.

  In this embodiment, the gear 5g and the pawl 38e constitute a rotation prevention mechanism 47 as a second rotation prevention mechanism that prevents the winding roll 5 from rotating in the ribbon rewind direction. The rotation prevention mechanism 47 is disposed on the right end side of the take-up roll 5 that is the other end side in the axial direction of the take-up roll 5. In this embodiment, the plurality of teeth and pawls 38e constituting the gear 5g also prevent the winding roll 5 from rotating in the ribbon winding direction when the gear 5g and the pawls 38e are engaged. Is formed. The gear 5g of this embodiment is a second roll side engaging portion provided on the winding roll 5 side, and the pawl 38e is a second case side engaging portion provided on the case body 36 side.

  A spring holding cylinder portion 5 e is inserted into the inner periphery on the left end side of the compression coil spring 44, and a spring holding portion 42 d of the sleeve 42 is inserted into the inner periphery on the right end side of the compression coil spring 44. The winding roll 5 is urged to the left by the urging force of the compression coil spring 44. When the winding roll 5 is urged to the left side by the urging force of the compression coil spring 44, as shown in FIG. 10, the left end of the cylindrical part 5b is in contact with the right surface of the bottom part 37d of the cover part 37b. At this time, the gear 5h and the pawl 37h are engaged. Therefore, at this time, the winding roll 5 can be rotated in the ribbon winding direction by the action of the rotation prevention mechanism 46, but the winding roll 5 cannot be rotated in the ribbon unwinding direction.

  When the winding roll 5 is moved to the right against the urging force of the compression coil spring 44, the engaged state between the gear 5h and the pawl 37h is released. In this state, the winding roll 5 can be rotated in both the ribbon winding direction and the ribbon unwinding direction. On the other hand, when the winding roll 5 is further moved to the right against the urging force of the compression coil spring 44, the gear 5g and the pawl 38e are engaged as shown in FIG. Therefore, in this state, the winding roll 5 cannot be rotated in the ribbon unwinding direction and the ribbon winding direction by the action of the rotation prevention mechanism 47.

  That is, a state where the gear 5h and the pawl 37h are engaged is a first engagement state, a state where the engagement between the gear 5h and the pawl 37h is released is a first disengagement state, and the gear 5g When the state in which the pawl 38e is engaged is the second engagement state, and the state in which the engagement between the gear 5g and the pawl 38e is released is the second disengagement state, in this embodiment, the compression coil spring 44 With this urging force, the first engaged state and the second disengaged state are maintained, and the winding roll 5 is prevented from rotating in the ribbon unwinding direction. At this time, the winding roll 5 can be rotated in the ribbon winding direction. Further, when the winding roll 5 is moved to the right side against the urging force of the compression coil spring 44, the first engagement disengaged state and the second disengaged state are obtained, and the ribbon winding direction and the ribbon unwinding direction are achieved. The first state in which the take-up roll 5 can be rotated, the first disengaged state, and the second engaged state to prevent the take-up roll 5 from rotating in the ribbon take-up direction and the ribbon rewind direction. Switched to the second state.

  The supply roll 4 is formed in the same shape as the take-up roll 5. That is, the supply roll 4 corresponds to a bottom corresponding to the bottom 5a, a cylinder 4b corresponding to the cylinder 5b, a first inner cylinder corresponding to the first inner cylinder 5c, and a second inner cylinder 5d. A second inner cylinder part and a spring holding cylinder part 4e corresponding to the spring holding cylinder part 5e.

  The inner diameter of the spring holding cylinder 4e is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cylinder 39b of the sleeve 39, and the cylinder 39b is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the spring holding cylinder 4e. On the inner peripheral surface of the spring holding cylinder portion 4e, an engagement recess that engages with a protrusion formed on the cylinder portion 39b is formed so as to be recessed outward in the radial direction. Therefore, it is possible to rotate the supply roll 4 together with the sleeve 39 by rotating the knob 40. Moreover, since the convex part of the cylinder part 39b is formed in the elongate rectangular parallelepiped shape of the left-right direction, the supply roll 4 can be relatively moved with respect to the sleeve 39 in the left-right direction.

  The outer diameter of the cylinder part 4b is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylinder part 37k of the cover part 37a. The inner diameter of the cylinder part 4b is larger than the outer diameter of the inner cylinder part 37m of the cover part 37a. The cylinder part 4b is arrange | positioned between the cylinder part 37k and the inner side cylinder part 37m in the radial direction of the cylinder part 4b. The ink ribbon 3 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 4b. Further, the distance between the right surface of the bottom portion of the supply roll 4 in the left-right direction and the left end surface of the first inner cylinder portion is the distance between the right end surface of the inner cylinder portion 37m and the left end of the cylinder portion 38f of the fixing portion 38b in the left-right direction. Is also shorter.

  A gear that can be engaged with a pawl formed at the left end of the inner cylinder portion 37m is formed on the left end surface of the first inner cylinder portion of the supply roll 4 in the same manner as the first inner cylinder portion 5c. This gear is formed so as to protrude to the left side of the first inner cylinder portion of the supply roll 4. The plurality of teeth constituting the gear and the pawl of the inner cylinder portion 37m prevent the supply roll 4 from rotating in the ribbon winding direction when the gear and the pawl of the inner cylinder portion 37m are engaged. (That is, to prevent the supply roll 4 from rotating in the counterclockwise direction).

  In this embodiment, a third rotation prevention mechanism for preventing the rotation of the supply roll 4 in the ribbon winding direction is configured by the gear of the first inner cylinder part of the supply roll 4 and the pawl of the inner cylinder part 37m. The third rotation prevention mechanism is disposed on the left end side of the supply roll 4 that is one end side in the axial direction of the supply roll 4. Further, the third rotation prevention mechanism is a ratchet mechanism that prevents only the rotation of the supply roll 4 in the ribbon winding direction, and the gear of the first inner cylindrical portion of the supply roll 4 and the pawl of the inner cylindrical portion 37m are engaged. Even if they are combined, the supply roll 4 can be rotated in the ribbon unwinding direction. In this embodiment, the gear of the first inner cylinder part of the supply roll 4 is a third roll side engaging part provided on the supply roll 4 side, and the pawl of the inner cylinder part 37m is provided on the case body 36 side. It is the 3rd case side engaging part.

  A gear that can be engaged with a pawl formed at the left end of the cylindrical portion 38 f of the fixing portion 38 b is formed on the outer peripheral end side of the right surface of the bottom portion of the supply roll 4. This gear is formed so as to protrude to the right side of the bottom of the supply roll 4. The plurality of teeth constituting the gear and the pawl of the tube portion 38f are configured to prevent the supply roll 4 from rotating in the ribbon winding direction when the gear and the pawl of the tube portion 38f are engaged. Is formed.

  In the present embodiment, the fourth rotation prevention mechanism that prevents the rotation of the supply roll 4 in the ribbon winding direction is configured by the gear at the bottom of the supply roll 4 and the pawl of the cylindrical portion 38f. The fourth rotation prevention mechanism is disposed on the right end side of the supply roll 4 that is the other end side in the axial direction of the supply roll 4. Further, in this embodiment, the plurality of teeth constituting the gear at the bottom of the supply roll 4 and the pawl of the cylinder portion 38f are engaged when the gear at the bottom of the supply roll 4 and the pawl of the cylinder portion 38f are engaged. It is formed so as to prevent the supply roll 4 from rotating in the ribbon unwinding direction. In this embodiment, the gear at the bottom of the supply roll 4 is a fourth roll side engaging part provided on the supply roll 4 side, and the pawl of the cylindrical part 38f is provided on the fourth case side provided on the case body 36 side. It is an engaging part.

  A spring holding cylinder portion 4 e is inserted into the inner periphery on the left end side of the compression coil spring 41, and a spring holding portion of the sleeve 39 is inserted into the inner periphery on the right end side of the compression coil spring 41. The supply roll 4 is urged to the left by the urging force of the compression coil spring 41. When the supply roll 4 is urged to the left side by the urging force of the compression coil spring 41, the left end of the cylindrical part 4b is in contact with the right surface of the bottom part 37j of the cover part 37a. At this time, the gear of the first inner cylinder part of the supply roll 4 and the pawl of the inner cylinder part 37m are engaged, and the supply roll 4 can be rotated in the ribbon rewind direction. The supply roll 4 cannot be rotated in the winding direction.

  When the supply roll 4 is moved to the right against the urging force of the compression coil spring 41, the engagement between the gear of the first inner cylinder part of the supply roll 4 and the pawl of the inner cylinder part 37m is released. In this state, the supply roll 4 can be rotated in both the ribbon winding direction and the ribbon unwinding direction. On the other hand, when the supply roll 4 is further moved to the right against the urging force of the compression coil spring 41, the gear at the bottom of the supply roll 4 and the pawl of the cylindrical portion 38f are engaged. The supply roll 4 cannot be rotated in the taking direction and the ribbon unwinding direction.

  That is, the state in which the gear of the first inner cylinder part of the supply roll 4 and the pawl of the inner cylinder part 37m are engaged is the third engagement state, and the gear of the first inner cylinder part of the supply roll 4 and the inner cylinder The state where the engagement of the pawl of the portion 37m is released is the third disengagement state, and the state where the gear of the bottom of the supply roll 4 is engaged with the pawl of the cylindrical portion 38f is the fourth engagement state. If the state where the engagement between the gear at the bottom of the supply roll 4 and the pawl of the cylindrical portion 38f is released is the fourth disengaged state, in this embodiment, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 41 causes the third engagement. The combined state and the fourth disengaged state are maintained, and the rotation of the supply roll 4 in the ribbon winding direction is prevented. At this time, the supply roll 4 can be rotated in the ribbon rewinding direction. Further, when the supply roll 4 is moved to the right against the urging force of the compression coil spring 41, the third engagement disengaged state and the fourth disengaged state are obtained, and the ribbon winding direction and the ribbon unwinding direction are changed. A third state in which the supply roll 4 can be rotated, a third disengaged state, and a fourth engaged state, in which the supply roll 4 is prevented from rotating in the ribbon winding direction and the ribbon unwinding direction. Switch to 4 states.

  In this embodiment, all the parts constituting the ink ribbon cassette 26 are made of resin.

(Configuration of cartridge body)
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the cartridge main body 27 shown in FIG. 3 from the side. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the cartridge main body 27 shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the state of the peripheral portion of the take-up roll 5 when the ink ribbon cassette 26 is attached to the cartridge main body 27 shown in FIG.

  The cartridge main body 27 includes a plurality of shafts 51 arranged with the left-right direction as an axial direction, and a pair of frames 52 and 53 connected via the plurality of shafts 51. The cart gilly main body 27 includes the above-described power transmission mechanism 33 that forms a part of the power transmission mechanism 31.

  The frame 52 constitutes the left side surface of the cartridge main body 27. The frame 53 constitutes the right side surface of the cartridge main body 27. In this embodiment, the ink ribbon cassette 26 is attached to the cartridge main body 27 from the right side and is removed to the right side of the cartridge main body 27.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 53 is formed with a through hole 53 a for attaching and detaching the ink ribbon cassette 26 to the cartridge main body 27. The through hole 53a is formed according to the shape of the right end portion of the ink ribbon cassette 26. When the ink ribbon cassette 26 is attached to the cartridge body 27, the right end portion of the ink ribbon cassette 26 is located in the through hole 53a. Placed in. Further, when the ink ribbon cassette 26 is attached to the cartridge main body 27, the through hole 53 a is filled with the right end side portion of the ink ribbon cassette 26. A lock mechanism 50 for locking the ink ribbon cassette 26 attached to the cartridge main body 27 is attached to the frame 53. The lock mechanisms 50 are disposed on both sides of the through hole 53a in the front-rear direction.

  The power transmission mechanism 33 is disposed on the right side of the frame 52. The power transmission mechanism 33 engages with the supply roll 4 from the left side to rotate the supply roll 4, and engages with the take-up roll 5 from the left side to rotate the take-up roll 5. And a take-up side engaging portion 55 for the purpose. The supply side engaging portion 54 includes a connecting portion 56 connected to the supply roll 4 and a rotating shaft 58 connected to the connecting portion 56 via a torque limiter 57. The winding side engaging portion 55 includes a connecting portion 59 connected to the winding roll 5 and a rotating shaft 61 connected to the connecting portion 59 via the torque limiter 60.

  12 and 13, the power transmission mechanism 33 includes a gear 68, a gear 69 that meshes with the gear 68, a pulley 63 that is connected to the gear 69 via the one-way clutch 62, and a rotary shaft 58. A pulley 64 to be fixed, a belt 65 spanned between the pulley 63 and the pulley 64, and a gear 67 connected to the rotary shaft 61 via a one-way clutch 66 are provided.

  The left end side of the rotation shaft 58 is rotatably supported by the frame 52, and the rotation shaft 58 protrudes from the frame 52 to the right side. The torque limiter 57 is attached to the approximate center position of the rotation shaft 58 in the left-right direction. A sleeve 70 formed in a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape with a hook is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the torque limiter 57. The connecting portion 56 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a hook. The connecting portion 56 is attached to the torque limiter 57 via a sleeve 70. The connecting portion 56 is disposed on the right end side of the rotation shaft 58. The right end side of the rotating shaft 58 protrudes to the right side from the right end of the connecting portion 56.

  A plurality of convex portions 56 a that protrude outward in the radial direction are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 56. The convex portion 56a is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape elongated in the left-right direction. Further, the plurality of convex portions 56 a are formed at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction of the connecting portion 56. The sleeve 70 is formed with a slit portion 70 a for detecting the amount of rotation of the supply roll 4. The slit portion 70 a is formed on the outer peripheral end side of the annular collar portion that constitutes the left end side portion of the sleeve 70.

  A rotating member 72 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape is attached to the left end side of the rotating shaft 58 via a one-way clutch 71. The one-way clutch 71 transmits the rotational force of the rotating shaft 58 in the ribbon winding direction (that is, the rotational force of the rotating shaft 58 in the counterclockwise direction) to the rotating member 72 and the rotational force of the rotating shaft 58 in the ribbon unwinding direction ( In other words, the function of blocking the transmission of the rotational force of the rotating shaft 58 in the clockwise direction) to the rotating member 72 is achieved.

  One end of a tension coil spring 73 is attached to the outer peripheral side of the rotating member 72. The other end of the tension coil spring 73 is attached to the frame 52. The rotating member 72 is urged in the ribbon unwinding direction (that is, clockwise) by the urging force of the tension coil spring 73 around the rotation shaft 58. Note that the rotation range of the rotation member 72 is regulated by a rotation regulation mechanism (not shown). The rotating member 72 is covered with a cover 74 that is fixed to the right side surface of the frame 52.

  The pulley 64 is fixed to the left end side of the rotation shaft 58. The gear 68 is rotatably supported by the frame 52. The gear 69 is fixed to the right end side of the rotating shaft 75 that is rotatably supported by the frame 52. The one-way clutch 62 is attached to the left end side of the rotating shaft 75. The pulley 63 is attached to the one-way clutch 62. The one-way clutch 62 transmits the rotational force of the rotating shaft 75 in the ribbon rewinding direction (that is, the rotating force of the rotating shaft 75 in the clockwise direction) to the pulley 63 and the rotating force of the rotating shaft 75 in the ribbon winding direction (that is, The function of blocking the transmission of the rotational force of the rotating shaft 75 in the counterclockwise direction) to the pulley 63 is achieved.

  The left end side of the rotating shaft 61 is rotatably supported by the frame 52, and the rotating shaft 61 protrudes from the frame 52 to the right side. The torque limiter 60 is attached to the approximate center position of the rotating shaft 61 in the left-right direction. A sleeve 77 formed in a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the torque limiter 60. The connecting portion 59 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a hook. This connecting portion 59 is attached to the torque limiter 60 via a sleeve 77. The connecting portion 59 is disposed on the right end side of the rotation shaft 61. The right end side of the rotating shaft 61 protrudes to the right side from the right end of the connecting portion 59. Similar to the connecting portion 56, a plurality of convex portions 59 a that protrude outward in the radial direction are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 59. The plurality of convex portions 59a are formed in the same manner as the plurality of convex portions 56a.

  On the left end side of the rotating shaft 61, a rotation preventing mechanism 78 is provided as a fifth rotation preventing mechanism for preventing the winding roll 5 from rotating in the ribbon rewinding direction. The rotation prevention mechanism 78 includes a gear 79 fixed to the left end side of the rotation shaft 61 and two claw members 80 engaged with the gear 79. The plurality of teeth and claw members 80 constituting the gear 79 are formed to prevent the winding roll 5 from rotating in the ribbon rewinding direction when the gear 79 and the claw member 80 are engaged. Yes. The rotation prevention mechanism 78 of the present embodiment is a ratchet mechanism that prevents only the winding roll 5 from rotating in the ribbon rewinding direction. Even if the gear 79 and the claw member 80 are engaged, the ribbon winding The winding roll 5 can be rotated in the direction.

  The claw member 80 is rotatably held on the fixed shaft 82. The fixed shaft 82 is fixed to a cover 81 that covers the gear 67 and the gear 79. The two claw members 80 are disposed so as to be engageable with the upper end side and the lower end side of the gear 79. Further, the claw member 80 is urged by a torsion coil spring 83 in a direction (specifically, counterclockwise) in which the claw member 80 is engaged with the gear 79 around the fixed shaft 82. The cover 81 is fixed to the right side surface of the frame 52.

  The one-way clutch 66 is attached to the left end side of the rotating shaft 61. The gear 67 is attached to the one-way clutch 66. The one-way clutch 66 transmits the rotational force of the gear 67 in the ribbon winding direction (that is, the rotational force of the gear 67 in the counterclockwise direction) to the rotary shaft 61 and the rotational force of the gear 67 in the ribbon rewind direction (that is, the timepiece). (The rotational force of the gear 67 in the direction) is transmitted to the rotating shaft 61.

  When the ink ribbon cassette 26 is attached to the cartridge main body 27, as shown in FIG. 14, the connecting portion 59 and the rotating shaft 61 are inserted into the inner peripheral side of the first inner cylinder portion 5c, and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 59 is inserted. The plurality of formed convex portions 59a engage with engaging concave portions formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first inner cylinder portion 5c. Therefore, it is possible to transmit the rotational force between the connecting portion 59 and the take-up roll 5.

  When the rotary shaft 61 is inserted on the inner peripheral side of the first inner cylinder portion 5c, the right end of the rotary shaft 61 comes into contact with the bottom portion 5f of the second inner cylinder portion 5d and pushes the winding roll 5 to the right. . The winding roll 5 pushed by the rotary shaft 61 is engaged with the gear 5g and the pawl 38e until the engagement between the gear 5h and the pawl 37h is released against the urging force of the compression coil spring 44. Move to the right until no position is reached. That is, when the ink ribbon cassette 26 is attached to the cartridge body 27 and the take-up side engaging portion 55 is engaged with the take-up roll 5, the engagement between the gear 5h and the pawl 37h is released and the gear 5g and the pawl are engaged. The state in which the engagement with 38e is released is maintained, and the first state described above is established. However, in the state where the ink ribbon cassette 26 is attached to the cartridge main body 27, since the two claw members 80 are engaged with the gear 79, the winding roll 5 rotates in the ribbon winding direction. Does not rotate in the ribbon rewind direction.

  Further, when the ink ribbon cassette 26 is attached to the cartridge main body 27, the connecting portion 56 and the rotating shaft 58 are inserted into the inner peripheral side of the first inner cylinder portion of the supply roll 4, and formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 56. The plurality of convex portions 56 a engage with engaging concave portions formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first inner cylinder portion of the supply roll 4. Therefore, it is possible to transmit the rotational force between the connecting portion 56 and the supply roll 4.

  When the rotary shaft 58 is inserted into the inner peripheral side of the first inner cylinder portion of the supply roll 4, the right end of the rotary shaft 58 comes into contact with the bottom of the second inner cylinder portion of the supply roll 4, and the supply roll 4 Press to the right. The supply roll 4 pushed by the rotary shaft 58 is against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 41 until the engagement between the gear of the first inner cylindrical portion of the supply roll 4 and the pawl of the inner cylindrical portion 37m is released. And it moves to the right side to the position where the gear of the bottom part of supply roll 4 and the pawl of cylinder part 38f do not engage. That is, when the ink ribbon cassette 26 is attached to the cartridge main body 27 and the supply side engaging portion 54 is engaged with the supply roll 4, the gear of the first inner cylindrical portion of the supply roll 4 and the pawl of the inner cylindrical portion 37m are connected. The state where the engagement is released and the engagement between the gear at the bottom of the supply roll 4 and the pawl of the cylindrical portion 38f is maintained, and the third state described above is obtained. Therefore, when the ink ribbon cassette 26 is attached to the cartridge main body 27, the supply roll 4 can be rotated in both the ribbon winding direction and the ribbon unwinding direction.

(Configuration for releasing the engagement state between the gear and the claw member)
FIG. 15A is a view for explaining a state when the cartridge 6 shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on the second housing 14, and FIG. 15B is a view of the H portion of FIG. It is an enlarged view. 16A is a view for explaining a state when the cartridge 6 shown in FIG. 1 is attached to the housing 15, and FIG. 16B is an enlarged view of a portion J in FIG. 16A. It is.

  The second housing 14 is formed with an engagement release portion 14a for releasing the engagement state between the claw member 80 and the gear 79 that engages the lower end side of the gear 79 of the two claw members 80. Yes. As shown in FIG. 15, when the cartridge 6 is mounted on the second housing 14, the disengagement portion 14 a comes into contact with the claw member 80 that engages with the lower end side of the gear 79, and the claw member 80 is connected to the torsion coil spring. It rotates clockwise about the fixed shaft 82 against the urging force of 83. When the claw member 80 rotates clockwise, the engagement state between the claw member 80 and the gear 79 is released.

  Further, the first casing 13 is formed with an engagement release portion 13a for releasing the engagement state between the claw member 80 and the gear 79 that engages the upper end side of the gear 79 of the two claw members 80. Has been. As shown in FIG. 16, when the cartridge 6 mounted on the second casing 14 is covered with the first casing 13 from the upper side and attached to the casing 15, it engages with the claw member 80 that engages with the upper end side of the gear 79. The release portion 13a comes into contact, and the claw member 80 rotates clockwise about the fixed shaft 82 against the urging force of the torsion coil spring 83. When the claw member 80 rotates clockwise, the engagement state between the claw member 80 and the gear 79 is released.

  As described above, when the cartridge 6 is mounted on the second casing 14 and covered with the first casing 13 from the upper side and attached to the casing 15, the engagement state between the two claw members 80 and the gear 79 is released. Is done. Therefore, when the cartridge 6 is attached to the casing 15 (that is, when the cartridge 6 is attached to the main body 7), the take-up roll 5 can be rotated in both the ribbon take-up direction and the ribbon rewind direction.

  In the process in which the cartridge 6 mounted on the second casing 14 is covered with the first casing 13 from above, the thermal head 9 and the like are disposed between the supply roll 4 and the take-up roll 5 outside the case body 36. The ink ribbon 3 is exposed to the upper surface of the ink ribbon 3. In this embodiment, as described above, when the ink ribbon cassette 26 is attached to the cartridge main body 27, the supply roll 4 can rotate in both the ribbon winding direction and the ribbon unwinding direction. In the process in which the mounted cartridge 6 is covered with the first casing 13 from above, the ink ribbon 3 is pulled out from the supply roll 4.

(Configuration of power transmission mechanism and operation of ribbon feeding mechanism)
FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the rotating member 72 and the tension coil spring 73 shown in FIG.

  The ribbon feeding mechanism 10 includes the power transmission mechanism 32 that forms part of the main body 7 as described above. The power transmission mechanism 32 includes a pulley 87 that is fixed to the output shaft of the ribbon feeding motor 30, a pulley 88 that is rotatably supported by the second housing 14, and a belt 89 that spans the pulley 87 and the pulley 88. , A gear 90 that is arranged coaxially with the pulley 88 and rotates together with the pulley 88, a gear 91 that meshes with the gear 90, a gear 92 that meshes with the gear 91, and a gear 93 that meshes with the gear 92. The gears 91 and 92 are rotatably supported by the second casing 14. The gear 93 is rotatably supported by the first housing 13. The gear 93 is disposed coaxially with the ribbon feed roller 28 and rotates together with the ribbon feed roller 28.

  When the cartridge 6 is attached to the main body 7, the gear 68 on the cartridge 6 side and the gear 93 on the main body 7 side mesh with each other. When the cartridge 6 is attached to the main body 7, the gear 67 on the cartridge 6 and the gear 90 on the main body 7 are engaged with each other.

  When the ribbon feed motor 30 rotates clockwise with the cartridge 6 attached to the main body 7, the power of the ribbon feed motor 30 is transmitted to the take-up roll 5 and the ribbon feed roller 28, and the take-up roll. 5 and the ribbon feed roller 28 rotate counterclockwise. That is, when the ribbon feeding motor 30 rotates in the clockwise direction, the winding roll 5 and the ribbon feeding roller 28 feed the ink ribbon 3 in the ribbon winding direction.

  In this embodiment, the take-up speed of the ink ribbon 3 taken up by the take-up roll 5 is faster than the feed speed of the ink ribbon 3 fed by the ribbon feed roller 28. Therefore, when the ribbon feed motor 30 rotates in the clockwise direction, the torque limiter 60 acts, and the take-up speed of the ink ribbon 3 taken up by the take-up roll 5 and the feed of the ink ribbon 3 fed by the ribbon feed roller 28. The difference from the speed is adjusted.

  On the other hand, when the ribbon feeding motor 30 rotates clockwise, the transmission of the power of the ribbon feeding motor 30 to the supply roll 4 is interrupted by the action of the one-way clutch 62. That is, the rotating shaft 75 idles with respect to the pulley 63, and the transmission of the power of the ribbon feeding motor 30 to the supply roll 4 is interrupted.

  Here, when the ribbon feeding motor 30 rotates in the clockwise direction, the ink ribbon 3 is fed in the ribbon winding direction by the winding roll 5 and the ribbon feeding roller 28, so that the supply roll 4 is in the ribbon winding direction (that is, , Counterclockwise). When the supply roll 4 rotates counterclockwise, the connecting portion 56, the rotary shaft 58, and the pulleys 63 and 64 rotate together with the supply roll 4 in the counterclockwise direction. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 4b of the supply roll 4 is larger than the outer diameter of the ribbon feed roller 28, and the rotational speed of the pulley 63 that rotates counterclockwise together with the supply roll 4 is the ribbon feed speed. It is slower than the rotational speed of the rotating shaft 75 that rotates with the power of the motor 30. Therefore, there is no driving force interference between the pulley 63 and the rotating shaft 75.

  When the supply roll 4 rotates counterclockwise, the rotation member 72 rotates counterclockwise together with the supply roll 4, the connecting portion 56, and the rotation shaft 58. Since the rotation range of the rotation member 72 is restricted by a rotation restriction mechanism (not shown), when the rotation member 72 rotates a predetermined angle in the counterclockwise direction, the rotation member 72 and the rotation shaft 58 stop. Even if the rotating member 72 and the rotating shaft 58 are stopped, the supply roll 4 continues to rotate counterclockwise together with the connecting portion 56 by the action of the torque limiter 57.

  When the rotating member 72 rotates counterclockwise, as shown in FIG. 17A, the tension coil spring 73 extends and the rotating member 72 is urged clockwise. Therefore, when the ink ribbon 3 is slacked on the supply roll 4 side when the ink ribbon 3 is fed in the ribbon winding direction, the ink ribbon 3 is supplied together with the rotating member 72, the rotating shaft 58 and the connecting portion 56 by the urging force of the tension coil spring 73. The roll 4 rotates clockwise (that is, the ribbon winding direction), and the slack of the ink ribbon 3 is eliminated. Further, when the cartridge 6 is removed from the main body 7 while the rotating member 72 is urged clockwise, the urging force of the tension coil spring 73 causes the rotating member 72, the rotating shaft 58 and the connecting portion 56 to move together. The supply roll 4 rotates clockwise. Therefore, the slack of the ink ribbon 3 that may occur in the cartridge 6 is eliminated during the removal of the cartridge 6 from the main body 7, and even after the cartridge 6 is removed, as shown in FIG. In the cartridge 6, the ink ribbon 3 does not sag.

  Further, when the ribbon feed motor 30 rotates counterclockwise with the cartridge 6 attached to the main body 7, the power of the ribbon feed motor 30 is transmitted to the supply roll 4 and the ribbon feed roller 28 to be supplied. The roll 4 and the ribbon feed roller 28 rotate in the clockwise direction. That is, when the ribbon feed motor 30 rotates counterclockwise, the supply roll 4 and the ribbon feed roller 28 feed the ink ribbon 3 in the ribbon rewind direction.

  In this embodiment, the winding speed of the ink ribbon 3 wound up by the supply roll 4 is faster than the feeding speed of the ink ribbon 3 fed by the ribbon feeding roller 28. Therefore, when the ribbon feeding motor 30 rotates counterclockwise, the torque limiter 57 acts to feed the ink ribbon 3 wound by the supply roll 4 and the ink ribbon 3 fed by the ribbon feeding roller 28. The difference from the speed is adjusted. Even if the rotating shaft 58 rotates clockwise by the power of the ribbon feeding motor 30, the rotating member 72 does not rotate due to the action of the one-way clutch 71. However, when the rotating member 72 is urged clockwise by the urging force of the tension coil spring 73, the rotating member 72 rotates clockwise until the position regulated by the rotation regulating mechanism.

  On the other hand, when the ribbon feed motor 30 rotates counterclockwise, the transmission of the power of the ribbon feed motor 30 to the take-up roll 5 is blocked by the action of the one-way clutch 66. That is, the gear 67 idles with respect to the rotating shaft 61, and the transmission of the power of the ribbon feeding motor 30 to the winding roll 5 is interrupted.

  Here, when the ribbon feeding motor 30 rotates counterclockwise, the ink ribbon 3 is fed in the ribbon unwinding direction by the supply roll 4 and the ribbon feeding roller 28, so that the take-up roll 5 has the ribbon unwinding direction ( That is, it rotates clockwise. When the winding roll 5 rotates in the clockwise direction, the connecting portion 59 and the rotating shaft 61 rotate in the clockwise direction together with the winding roll 5. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 5b of the winding roll 5 is larger than the outer diameter of the ribbon feed roller 28, and the rotational speed of the rotary shaft 61 that rotates clockwise together with the winding roll 5 is: The rotational speed of the gear 67 that is rotated by the power of the ribbon feeding motor 30 is slower. Therefore, there is no driving force interference between the gear 67 and the rotating shaft 61.

(Configuration of ink ribbon detection mechanism)
18A is a view for explaining the configuration of the detection mechanism 96 of the ink ribbon 3 shown in FIG. 5 from the side, and FIG. 18B is detected from the KK direction of FIG. 18A. FIG.

  The printing apparatus 1 includes a detection mechanism 96 for detecting the ink ribbon 3. The detection mechanism 96 includes two prisms 45 fixed to the cover portion 37 a of the case main body 37 constituting the ink ribbon cassette 26, and two sensors 97 attached to the main body portion 7. The sensor 97 is an optical sensor having a light emitting unit 97a and a light receiving unit 97b that receives light emitted from the light emitting unit 97a and reflected by the prism 45. The light emitting part 97a and the light receiving part 97b are arranged so as to be adjacent in the left-right direction.

  The sensor 97 is disposed below the prism 45 in a state where the cartridge 6 is attached to the main body 7. When the cartridge 6 is attached to the main body 7, the ink ribbon 3 pulled out from the supply roll 4 is sandwiched between the prism 45 and the sensor 97 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the ink ribbon 3 is detected based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 97b.

(Ribbon feed mechanism control method)
When the printing on one card 2 is completed, the ribbon feeding mechanism 10 moves the ink ribbon in the ribbon winding direction until the ink peeling trace formed on the ink ribbon 3 enters the cover portion 37b of the ink ribbon cassette 26. Send three. Further, the ribbon feeding mechanism 10 feeds the ink ribbon 3 in the ribbon rewinding direction at a feeding amount equal to or less than a feeding amount after completion of printing on the previous one card 2 when printing the next one card 2.

  In this embodiment, printing is performed on a single card 2 using one single screen area 3c, and the ribbon feeding mechanism 10 performs printing on one card 2 after printing on one card 2. The ink ribbon 3 is fed in the ribbon winding direction with a feed amount equal to or greater than the number of pieces. For example, after printing on one card 2, the ribbon feeding mechanism 10 feeds the ink ribbon 3 in the ribbon winding direction with a feeding amount of one or two of the one screen area 3c. Further, the ribbon feeding mechanism 10 is configured such that when the next one card 2 is printed, the reference position of the unused one screen area 3c next to the one screen area 3c used when the previous card 2 is printed and the card 2 The ink ribbon 3 is fed in the ribbon rewind direction so that the reference position matches.

(Main effects of this form)
As described above, in this embodiment, when the ink ribbon cassette 26 is detached from the cartridge main body 27, the gear 5h and the pawl 37h are engaged by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 44, and the ribbon rewinding is performed. The winding roll 5 cannot be rotated in the direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the ink ribbon cassette 26 is removed from the cartridge main body 27, the used ink ribbon 3 wound around the take-up roll 5 from the cover portion 37b (that is, the ink peeling trace). The ink ribbon 3) on which is formed cannot be pulled out.

  In this embodiment, when the winding roll 5 is moved to the right against the urging force of the compression coil spring 44, the engagement state between the gear 5h and the pawl 37h is released, and the ribbon winding direction and the ribbon winding direction are released. Although it becomes possible to rotate the winding roll 5 in both directions of the return direction, when the winding roll 5 is further moved to the right side, the gear 5g and the pawl 38e are engaged, and the ribbon rewind direction and the ribbon winding are engaged. The take-up roll 5 cannot be rotated in the take-up direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the ink ribbon cassette 26 is removed from the cartridge body 27, the gear 5g and the pawl 38e are engaged even if the take-up roll 5 is moved to the right using a predetermined member. If the take-up roll 5 is not moved, the used ink ribbon 3 wound around the take-up roll 5 cannot be pulled out from the cover portion 37b. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is more difficult than before to pull out the used ink ribbon 3 wound around the take-up roll 5 from the cover portion 37b in a state where the ink ribbon cassette 26 is removed from the cartridge body portion 27. Become. As a result, in this embodiment, it is possible to improve security compared to the conventional case.

  In this embodiment, when the ink ribbon cassette 26 is detached from the cartridge main body 27, the gear of the first inner cylindrical portion of the supply roll 4 and the pawl of the inner cylindrical portion 37m are engaged by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 41. The supply roll 4 cannot be rotated in the ribbon winding direction. That is, in this embodiment, when the ink ribbon cassette 26 is detached from the cartridge main body 27, if the supply roll 4 is not moved to the right by a predetermined amount using a predetermined member, it is wound around the supply roll 4. The ink ribbon 3 cannot be pulled out. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the ink ribbon 3 from sagging when the ink ribbon cassette 26 is removed from the cartridge main body 27.

  In this embodiment, the rotation prevention mechanism 46 constituted by the gear 5h and the pawl 37h is a ratchet mechanism, and even if the gear 5h and the pawl 37h are engaged by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 44, the rotation prevention mechanism 46 is moved in the ribbon winding direction. The take-up roll 5 can be rotated. Further, in this embodiment, the third rotation prevention mechanism configured by the gear of the first inner cylinder portion of the supply roll 4 and the pawl of the inner cylinder portion 37 m is a ratchet mechanism, and the supply roll 4 is biased by the urging force of the compression coil spring 41. Even if the gear of the first inner cylinder part and the pawl of the inner cylinder part 37m are engaged, the supply roll 4 can be rotated in the ribbon unwinding direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, even when the ink ribbon 3 between the supply roll 4 and the take-up roll 5 is slack in a state where the ink ribbon cassette 26 is removed from the cartridge main body 27, the take-up roll in the ribbon take-up direction. By rotating 5 or by rotating the supply roll 4 in the ribbon rewinding direction, it is possible to eliminate the slack of the ink ribbon 3.

  In this embodiment, when the ink ribbon cassette 26 is attached to the cartridge main body 27 and the take-up side engaging portion 55 is engaged with the take-up roll 5, the engagement between the gear 5h and the pawl 37h is released. That is, in this embodiment, when the ink ribbon cassette 26 is attached to the cartridge main body 27, the engagement between the gear 5h and the pawl 37h is automatically released. Therefore, in this embodiment, the engagement between the gear 5h and the pawl 37h can be easily released. In this embodiment, when the ink ribbon cassette 26 is attached to the cartridge main body 27 and the supply side engaging portion 54 is engaged with the supply roll 4, the gear of the first inner cylindrical portion of the supply roll 4 and the inner cylindrical portion 37 m are provided. The engagement with the pawl is automatically released. Therefore, in this embodiment, the engagement between the gear of the first inner cylinder part of the supply roll 4 and the pawl of the inner cylinder part 37m can be easily released.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the engagement between the gear 5h and the pawl 37h can be released using the winding-side engaging portion 55 for rotating the winding roll 5, the engagement between the gear 5h and the pawl 37h is achieved. There is no need to provide a separate member for releasing the connection. Further, the supply side engagement portion 54 for rotating the supply roll 4 can be used to release the engagement between the gear of the first inner cylindrical portion of the supply roll 4 and the pawl of the inner cylindrical portion 37m. There is no need to separately provide a member for releasing the engagement between the gear of the first inner cylindrical portion of the roll 4 and the pawl of the inner cylindrical portion 37m. Therefore, in this embodiment, the configuration of the cartridge 6 can be simplified.

  In this embodiment, the cartridge main body 27 is provided with a rotation prevention mechanism 78 that prevents the winding roll 5 from rotating in the ribbon rewind direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the engagement between the gear 5h and the pawl 37h is automatically released by attaching the ink ribbon cassette 26 to the cartridge body 27, the winding roll 5 is wound around the winding roll 5 from the cover 37b. It is possible to prevent the used ink ribbon 3 that has been rotated from being pulled out. That is, in this embodiment, even when the ink ribbon cassette 26 is attached to the cartridge main body 27, it is possible to prevent the used ink ribbon 3 from being pulled out from the cover portion 37b.

(Other embodiments)
The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  In the embodiment described above, the rotation prevention mechanism 46 is a ratchet mechanism that prevents only the winding roll 5 from rotating in the ribbon unwinding direction, and the plurality of teeth and pawls 37h constituting the gear 5h are the gear 5h and pawl 37h. Are engaged so that the take-up roll 5 can be rotated in the ribbon take-up direction. In addition to this, for example, the plurality of teeth and pawls 37h constituting the gear 5h prevent the winding roll 5 from rotating in the ribbon winding direction when the gear 5h and the pawl 37h are engaged. May be formed.

  Similarly, in the form mentioned above, the 3rd rotation prevention mechanism comprised by the gear of the 1st inner side cylinder part of the supply roll 4 and the pawl of the inner side cylinder part 37m is only rotation of the supply roll 4 to a ribbon winding direction. Is a ratchet mechanism that prevents the gear of the first inner cylindrical portion of the supply roll 4 and the pawl of the inner cylindrical portion 37m, even if the gear and the pawl are engaged, the supply roll in the ribbon unwinding direction. 4, the gear of the first inner cylindrical portion of the supply roll 4 and the pawl of the inner cylindrical portion 37 m are engaged when the gear and the pawl are engaged. It may be formed so as to prevent the supply roll 4 from rotating in the ribbon rewind direction.

  In the embodiment described above, the rotation prevention mechanism 78 is a ratchet mechanism that prevents only the winding roll 5 from rotating in the ribbon unwinding direction. The gear 79 and the claw member 80 include the gear 79, the claw member 80, and the like. Is formed so that the winding roll 5 can be rotated in the ribbon winding direction, but the gear 79 and the claw member 80 are engaged with each other. When they are aligned, they may be formed so as to prevent the winding roll 5 from rotating in the ribbon winding direction.

  In the embodiment described above, the plurality of teeth and pawls 38e constituting the gear 5g of the rotation preventing mechanism 47 are wound in the ribbon unwinding direction and the ribbon winding direction when the gear 5g and the pawl 38e are engaged. It is formed so as to prevent the take-up roll 5 from rotating. In addition to this, for example, the rotation preventing mechanism 47 is a ratchet mechanism, and the plurality of teeth and pawls 38e constituting the gear 5g are moved in the ribbon unwinding direction when the gear 5g and the pawls 38e are engaged. However, it may be formed so as to allow rotation of the take-up roll 5 in the ribbon take-up direction.

  Similarly, in the embodiment described above, the plurality of teeth constituting the gear of the bottom portion of the supply roll 4 and the pawl of the cylindrical portion 38f of the fourth rotation preventing mechanism are when the gear and the pawl are engaged. The supply roll 4 is prevented from rotating in the ribbon unwinding direction and the ribbon winding direction, but the fourth rotation prevention mechanism is a ratchet mechanism, and constitutes a gear at the bottom of the supply roll 4. The pawls of the plurality of teeth and the cylindrical portion 38f prevent the rotation of the supply roll 4 in the ribbon winding direction when the gear and the pawl are engaged, but the supply roll in the ribbon unwinding direction. It may be formed so as to allow rotation of 4.

  In the embodiment described above, the pawl 37h constituting the rotation prevention mechanism 46 is formed so as to protrude rightward from the right surface of the annular portion 37g, and the gear 5h is formed so as to protrude leftward of the first inner cylinder portion 5c. Has been. That is, in the embodiment described above, the pawl 37 h and the gear 5 h are formed so as to protrude in the axial direction of the winding roll 5. In addition to this, for example, one of the pawl 37 h or the gear 5 h is formed so as to project inward in the radial direction of the winding roll 5, and the other of the pawl 37 h or the gear 5 h projects outward in the radial direction of the winding roll 5. It may be formed so as to. Similarly, one of the pawl of the inner cylinder part 37m or the gear of the first inner cylinder part of the supply roll 4 is formed so as to protrude inward in the radial direction of the supply roll 4, and the pawl or supply roll 4 of the inner cylinder part 37m is formed. The other gear of the first inner cylindrical portion may be formed so as to protrude outward in the radial direction of the supply roll 4. Further, one of the pawl 38e or the gear 5g is formed so as to protrude inward in the radial direction of the winding roll 5, and the other one of the pawl 38e or the gear 5g is formed so as to protrude outward in the radial direction of the winding roll 5. May be. Further, one of the pawl of the cylindrical portion 38f or the gear at the bottom of the supply roll 4 is formed so as to protrude inward in the radial direction of the supply roll 4, and the other of the pawl of the cylindrical portion 38f or the gear at the bottom of the supply roll 4 is It may be formed so as to protrude outward in the radial direction of the supply roll 4.

  In the embodiment described above, the ink ribbon cassette 26 attached to the cartridge main body 27 can be attached to and detached from the main body 7. That is, in the embodiment described above, the cartridge 6 can be attached to and detached from the main body portion 7. In addition, for example, the main body 7 may be configured such that the ink ribbon cassette 26 can be directly attached to and detached from the main body 7. In this case, the ink ribbon cassette 26 is detached from the main body portion 7 toward the right side of the main body portion 7, and the ink ribbon cassette 26 is attached to the main body portion 7 from the right side of the main body portion 7. Therefore, for example, when the printing device 1 is mounted on a host device such as a card issuing device, a space for replacing the ink ribbon cassette 26 must be provided on the right side of the printing device 1. On the other hand, in the above-described embodiment, the cartridge 6 is detached from the main body portion 7 toward the upper side of the main body portion 7 and the cartridge 6 is attached to the main body portion 7 from the upper side of the main body portion 7. There is no need to provide a space on the right side. For this reason, the degree of freedom in layout of the printing apparatus 1 is increased.

  In the embodiment described above, the engagement between the gear 5h and the pawl 37h is released using the winding side engaging portion 55 for rotating the winding roll 5. In addition, for example, a member for releasing the engagement between the gear 5h and the pawl 37h may be provided separately. Moreover, with the form mentioned above, the engagement of the gear of the 1st inner side cylinder part of the supply roll 4 and the pawl of the inner side cylinder part 37m is cancelled | released using the supply side engaging part 54 for rotating the supply roll 4. FIG. However, a member for releasing the engagement between the gear of the first inner cylinder portion of the supply roll 4 and the pawl of the inner cylinder portion 37m may be provided separately.

  In the embodiment described above, the supply roll 4 is urged to the left by the compression coil spring 41. In addition to this, for example, the supply roll 4 may be urged to the left side by another spring member such as a tension coil spring or a leaf spring. Similarly, in the embodiment described above, the winding roll 5 is biased to the left by the compression coil spring 44, but the winding roll 5 is biased to the left by another spring member such as a tension coil spring or a leaf spring. May be.

  In the embodiment described above, the third rotation prevention mechanism and the fourth rotation prevention mechanism are provided on the supply roll 4 side, but the third rotation prevention mechanism and the fourth rotation prevention mechanism are provided on the supply roll 4 side. It is not necessary. In the embodiment described above, the ink ribbon 3 wound around the supply roll 4 is covered by the cover portion 37a, but the ink ribbon 3 wound around the supply roll 4 is not covered by the cover portion 37a. May be exposed.

  In the embodiment described above, the ink ribbon 3 can only print a single color, but the ink ribbon 3 may be capable of printing a plurality of colors. In the above-described embodiment, the ink ribbon 3 includes the overcoat region 3b. However, the ink ribbon 3 may not include the overcoat region 3b. In the above-described embodiment, the print medium printed by the printing apparatus 1 is the card 2, but the print medium printed by the printing apparatus 1 may be other than the card 2 such as printing paper.

1 Printing device 2 Card (printing medium)
3 Ink Ribbon 4 Supply Roll 5 Winding Roll 5g Gear (Second Roll Side Engagement Section)
5h Gear (first roll side engaging part)
6 Cartridge (ink ribbon cartridge)
7 Body 9 Thermal head 17 Card transport path (medium transport path)
26 Ink Ribbon Cassette 27 Cartridge Body 36 Case Body 37a Cover (Supply Side Cover)
37b Cover (winding side cover)
37h Pawl (first case side engagement part)
38e pawl (second case side engaging portion)
41 Compression coil spring (second biasing member)
44 Compression coil spring (first biasing member)
46 Anti-rotation mechanism (first anti-rotation mechanism)
47 Anti-rotation mechanism (second anti-rotation mechanism)
54 Supply Side Engagement Section 55 Winding Side Engagement Section 78 Antirotation Mechanism (Fifth Antirotation Mechanism)

Claims (7)

A supply roll around which the ink ribbon is wound, a take-up roll around which the ink ribbon supplied from the supply roll is wound, and a winding side covering substantially the whole of the ink ribbon wound around the take-up roll A case body having a cover portion and accommodating the winding roll;
A direction in which the winding roll winds up the ink ribbon is a ribbon winding direction, and a direction in which the supply roll winds up the ink ribbon is a ribbon unwinding direction.
A first anti-rotation mechanism provided at one end side in the axial direction of the take-up roll to prevent the take-up roll from rotating at least in the ribbon unwinding direction; and provided at the other end side in the axial direction of the take-up roll. A second anti-rotation mechanism for preventing rotation of the take-up roll in at least the ribbon rewind direction, and a first urging member for urging the take-up roll toward one end in the axial direction thereof,
The first anti-rotation mechanism includes a first roll side engaging portion provided on the winding roll side and a first roll side engaging portion provided on the case body side, and at least the ribbon unwinding direction. A first case side engaging portion for preventing rotation of the winding roll to
The second rotation preventing mechanism includes a second roll side engaging portion provided on the take-up roll side and a second roll side engaging portion provided on the case body side to engage at least the ribbon unwinding direction. A second case side engaging portion for preventing rotation of the winding roll to
A state in which the first roll side engaging portion and the first case side engaging portion are engaged is referred to as a first engaging state, and the first roll side engaging portion and the first case side engaging portion are provided. The state in which the engagement with the second case side is disengaged is the first disengaged state, and the state in which the second roll side engaging portion and the second case side engaging portion are engaged is the second engaging state. And when the state where the engagement between the second roll side engagement portion and the second case side engagement portion is released is the second engagement release state,
With the urging force of the first urging member, the first engagement state and the second engagement release state are maintained, and at least rotation of the winding roll in the ribbon unwinding direction is prevented,
When the take-up roll moves to the other end side in the axial direction against the urging force of the first urging member, the first and second disengagement states are established and the ribbon winding is performed. A first state in which the winding roll can be rotated in the take-up direction and the ribbon rewind direction, and at least in the ribbon rewind direction in the first disengaged state and the second engaged state. The ink ribbon cassette is switched to a second state in which the winding roll is prevented from rotating. The first rotation prevention mechanism is a ratchet mechanism,
When the first engagement state and the second engagement release state are maintained by the urging force of the first urging member, the winding roll can be rotated in the ribbon winding direction. 2. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1, wherein the ink ribbon cassette is provided. A third anti-rotation mechanism provided on one end side of the supply roll in the axial direction and preventing rotation of the supply roll in at least the ribbon winding direction; and provided on the other end side in the axial direction of the supply roll. A fourth rotation preventing mechanism for preventing rotation of the supply roll in the ribbon winding direction, and a second biasing member for biasing the supply roll toward one end side in the axial direction thereof,
The case body has a supply side cover portion that covers substantially the whole of the ink ribbon wound around the supply roll,
The supply roll is accommodated in the case body,
The third rotation preventing mechanism engages with a third roll side engaging portion provided on the supply roll side and a third roll side engaging portion provided on the case body side, and at least in the ribbon winding direction. A third case side engagement portion for preventing rotation of the supply roll,
The fourth rotation prevention mechanism engages with a fourth roll side engagement portion provided on the supply roll side and a fourth roll side engagement portion provided on the case body side and at least in the ribbon winding direction. A fourth case side engagement portion for preventing rotation of the supply roll,
A state in which the third roll side engaging portion and the third case side engaging portion are engaged is defined as a third engaging state, and the third roll side engaging portion and the third case side engaging portion are provided. A state in which the engagement with the fourth roll side engagement portion is engaged with the fourth case side engagement portion is a fourth engagement state. And when the state in which the engagement between the fourth roll side engaging portion and the fourth case side engaging portion is released is the fourth disengaged state,
With the urging force of the second urging member, the third engagement state and the fourth engagement release state are maintained, and at least rotation of the supply roll in the ribbon winding direction is prevented.
When the supply roll moves to the other end side in the axial direction against the urging force of the second urging member, the third winding disengaged state and the fourth disengaged state are entered, and the ribbon winding A third state in which the supply roll can be rotated in the direction and the ribbon rewind direction, and the supply in at least the ribbon winding direction in the third disengaged state and the fourth engaged state. 3. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1, wherein the ink ribbon cassette is switched to a fourth state in which rotation of the roll is prevented. An ink ribbon cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and a cartridge main body to which the ink ribbon cassette is detachably attached,
The cartridge main body includes a winding side engaging portion for engaging the winding roll from one end side in the axial direction of the winding roll to rotate the winding roll,
2. The ink ribbon cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the ink ribbon cassette is in the first state when the ink ribbon cassette is attached to the cartridge main body and the winding side engaging portion is engaged with the winding roll.   5. The ink ribbon cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the cartridge body includes a fifth rotation prevention mechanism that prevents at least the winding roll from rotating in the ribbon unwinding direction. An ink ribbon cassette according to claim 3, and a cartridge main body to which the ink ribbon cassette is detachably attached,
The cartridge main body includes a supply side engaging portion for engaging the supply roll from one end side in the axial direction of the supply roll to rotate the supply roll,
2. The ink ribbon cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the ink ribbon cassette is in the third state when the ink ribbon cassette is attached to the cartridge main body and the supply side engaging portion is engaged with the supply roll. An ink ribbon cartridge according to any one of claims 4 to 6, and a main body portion to which the ink ribbon cartridge is detachably attached,
The main body portion heats the ink ribbon supplied from the supply roll and a medium conveyance path through which the print medium is conveyed, and transfers the ink of the ink ribbon to the print medium passing through the medium conveyance path. A printing apparatus comprising a thermal head for printing.

Images