JP7327060B2 - Printer and cassette for printing - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to printing devices and printing cassettes.

2. Description of the Related Art In a printing apparatus that prints on a tape, replacement and supply of the tape are performed by attaching and detaching a cassette containing the tape to and from the main body of the printing apparatus. This cassette is provided with a regulation portion for suppressing positional deviation of the tape in the width direction during printing. The regulating portion is arranged upstream of the print position in the tape discharge direction and near the head opening where the print head is arranged.

In such a cassette that is detachable from the printing apparatus main body, a gear that transmits a driving force to the printing apparatus main body may be provided (see Patent Document 1). The gear is arranged to protrude into the head opening.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,514

In the cassette disclosed in the above publication, the gear is located downstream of the regulating portion in the mounting direction to the main body of the printing apparatus. In other words, the gear is arranged at a position where it is inserted into the main body of the printing apparatus before the regulating portion.

Therefore, in the above publication, when the cassette is mounted in the main body of the printing apparatus, there is a possibility that the gear and the print head arranged in the vicinity of the regulating portion will interfere with each other at the head opening. In order to avoid such interference, it is necessary to increase the distance between the gear and the regulating portion and enlarge the head opening. However, enlarging the head opening in this way increases the size of the cassette.

An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a printing device and a printing cassette that can suppress an increase in size of the cassette while avoiding interference between the print head and the gear.

One aspect of the present disclosure is a printing device that includes a printing device main body and a printing cassette that is detachable from the printing device main body. The printing cassette accommodates the printing tape, an output gear that is rotatable around a rotation axis and outputs driving force to the outside, at least part of the printing tape, and at least part of the output gear. a case;

The printing apparatus main body includes a print head for printing on a printing tape, a platen roller facing the printing head and for conveying the printing tape, and a platen roller connected to the printing apparatus main body. a platen gear that engages the output gear when attached to the.

The case defines a portion of the head opening in which the print head is arranged, and includes a transport section for transporting the printing tape, and a regulation section arranged in the transport section for regulating movement of the printing tape in the width direction. have The transport section has an opening outlet through which the printing tape is discharged to the head opening.

The ejection direction of the printing tape at the outlet for the opening of the transport section is the positive direction of the X axis, and the direction from the rotation axis of the output gear toward the outlet for the opening along the direction perpendicular to both the X axis and the rotation axis of the output gear. is the positive direction of the Y-axis, and the output gear is located in the positive direction of the Z-axis relative to the restricting portion.

Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a printing tape, a gear that is rotatable about a rotation axis and that transmits driving force for conveying the printing tape, at least a portion of the printing tape and the gear and a case in which at least part of the is housed.

The case defines a part of the opening of the head where printing of the printing tape is performed, a transport section for transporting the printing tape, and a regulation placed in the transport section for regulating movement of the printing tape in the width direction. and The transport section has an opening outlet through which the printing tape is discharged to the head opening.

The ejection direction of the printing tape at the outlet for the opening of the transport section is the positive direction of the X axis, and the direction from the rotation axis of the gear toward the outlet for the opening along the direction perpendicular to both the X axis and the rotation axis of the gear is Y. In a right-handed orthogonal coordinate system in which the axis is in the positive direction, the gear is positioned in the Z-axis positive direction with respect to the regulating portion.

According to such a configuration, since the gear is positioned in the Z-axis positive direction (that is, upstream in the mounting direction of the printing cassette to the main body of the printing apparatus) of the regulating portion, when the printing cassette is mounted in the head opening, to avoid interference between the gear of the printer and the print head. As a result, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the cassette due to the enlargement of the head opening.

1A, 1B, and 1C are schematic perspective views showing a state in which a printing cassette is removed from a main body of the printing apparatus in the printing apparatus according to the embodiment. 2A, 2B and 2C are schematic perspective views of a printing cassette in the printing apparatus of FIG. 1A. FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the printing cassette of FIG. 2A. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2C. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the first lid portion of the printing cassette of FIG. 2C is removed. 6A is a schematic side view of the printing cassette of FIG. 2A, and FIG. 6B is a schematic perspective view of the printing cassette of FIG. 2A with the second cover removed. 7A is a schematic cross-sectional view along line VIIA-VIIA of FIG. 2C, FIG. 7B is a schematic cross-sectional view along line VIIB-VIIB of FIG. 2C, and FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view of VIIC of FIG. 2C. 7D is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line -VIIC, and FIG. 7D is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIID-VIID of FIG. 2C. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating paths of the printing tape and the ink ribbon in the printing cassette of FIG. 2A. FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of the printer main body in the printer of FIG. 1A. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an engagement state between an output gear and a platen gear in the printing apparatus of FIG. 1A. 11A and 11B are schematic perspective views showing a state in which the printing cassette is removed from the main body of the printing apparatus in an embodiment different from that of FIG. 1A. FIG. 12 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a printing cassette in the printing apparatus of FIG. 11A. 13 is a schematic plan view of the printing device main body of FIG. 11A in the printing device of FIG. 11A. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an engagement state between the output gear and the platen gear in the printing apparatus of FIG. 11A.

[1. First Embodiment]
[1-1. composition]
A printing apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C includes a printing cassette 10 and a printing apparatus main body 100 . The printer 1 is a device that prints on a tape-shaped print medium.

In this embodiment, the axial direction of the output gear 18 of the printing cassette 10 is the vertical direction, and the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction in which the output gear 18 and the input spool 16 are aligned is the front-rear direction. The horizontal direction is the direction perpendicular to both

<Printer body>
The printer main body 100 includes a cassette insertion portion 101, a print head 102, a platen roller 103, a platen gear 104, a drive shaft 105, and a housing 110, as shown in FIG. 1B.

(cassette insertion part)
The cassette inserting portion 101 is a recess into which the printing cassette 10 is mounted. The cassette inserting portion 101 has a positioning function for the printing cassette 10 . The cassette insertion portion 101 is provided in the housing 110 .

(print head)
The print head 102 is arranged inside the cassette insertion portion 101 . The print head 102 has a plurality of heating elements whose heat generation is individually controlled.

(platen roller)
A rotation axis L1 of the platen roller 103 is parallel to the vertical direction. The platen roller 103 is arranged near the print head 102 so as to face the print head 102 inside the cassette insertion portion 101 . The platen roller 103 can swing toward or away from the print head 102 .

(Platen gear)
A platen gear 104 is connected to the platen roller 103 . In this embodiment, the rotation axis L2 of the platen gear 104 is arranged on the same line as the rotation axis L1 of the platen roller 103 .

(drive shaft)
Drive shaft 105 is inserted into input spool 16 . A drive shaft 105 rotates the input spool 16 .

The drive shaft 105 is arranged inside the cassette insertion portion 101 . A rotation axis L3 of the drive shaft 105 is parallel to the vertical direction. The drive shaft 105 rotates around the rotation axis L3 by a drive source (for example, a motor) not shown.

<Cassette for printing>
The printing cassette 10 stores printing media. The printing cassette 10 is detachable from the printer main body 100 . By exchanging the printing cassette 10, it is possible to replenish the printing medium and change the type of printing medium (for example, color, material, etc.).

The printing cassette 10, as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, includes a case 35 for storing the printing tape 11A, the ink ribbon 14A, and the like. The outer shape of the printing cassette 10 (that is, the shape of the case 35) is a rectangular parallelepiped having sides parallel to the vertical direction, sides parallel to the front-rear direction, and sides parallel to the left-right direction. The case 35 has a first lid portion 31 , a first frame portion 32 , a second frame portion 33 and a second lid portion 34 .

The printing cassette 10 includes a first roll 11, a first supply spool 12, spacer films 13A and 13B, a second roll 14, a second supply spool 15, and an input spool 16, as shown in FIG. , a clutch spring holder 17 , an output gear 18 , an input gear 19 and an idle gear 20 .

(first roll)
The first roll 11 is obtained by winding a printing tape 11 A on which printing is performed around a first supply spool 12 . Printing is performed on the surface of the printing tape 11A by the printing head 102 and the ink ribbon 14A of the printing apparatus main body 100. FIG.

Two spacer films 13A and 13B are arranged outside the first roll 11 in the vertical direction so as to sandwich the first roll 11 therebetween. The spacer films 13A and 13B are arranged between the first roll 11 and the first lid portion 31 and between the first roll 11 and the first frame portion 32 .

(First supply spool)
The first supply spool 12 is rotatable around a rotation axis L4. The first supply spool 12 supplies the printing tape 11A to the print head 102 by rotating as the printing tape 11A is conveyed by the platen roller 103 of the printing apparatus main body 100 .

(second roll)
The second roll 14 is obtained by winding an ink ribbon 14A, which is used for printing on the printing tape 11A, around the second supply spool 15. As shown in FIG.

The ink ribbon 14A is superimposed on the printing tape 11A at the head opening 33B and is used for printing by the print head 102. As shown in FIG. The ink ribbon 14A used for printing is wound around the input spool 16. As shown in FIG.

Rotational resistance is applied to the second roll 14 by a clutch spring held by a clutch spring holder 17 . At least part of the second roll 14 is arranged at a position overlapping the first roll 11 in the vertical direction.

(Second supply spool)
The second supply spool 15 is rotatable around the rotation axis L5. The rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15 is parallel to the rotation axis L4 of the first supply spool 12, that is, parallel to the vertical direction.

The second supply spool 15 supplies the ink ribbon 14A to the print head 102 by rotating as the ink ribbon 14A is taken up by the input spool 16 .

(input spool)
The input spool 16 is rotatable around a rotation axis L6. The rotation axis L6 of the input spool 16 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15. As shown in FIG.

The input spool 16 is cylindrical and has an inner peripheral surface 16A defining a hollow portion. An inner peripheral surface 16A of the input spool 16 is provided with spline teeth 16B. A drive shaft 105 of the printer main body 100 is connected to the spline teeth 16B. Input spool 16 is rotated by drive shaft 105 .

(output gear)
The output gear 18 is a single gear that is rotatable around a rotation axis L7 and outputs driving force for conveying the printing tape 11A to the outside.

Specifically, the output gear 18 outputs driving force to the platen gear 104 of the printing apparatus main body 100 . A rotation axis L<b>7 of the output gear 18 is parallel to the rotation axis L<b>5 of the second supply spool 15 . Also, the output gear 18 overlaps the cover portion 32B in the vertical direction.

A part of the output gear 18 is exposed in the head opening 33B. That is, part of the output gear 18 is positioned outside the case 35 . The output gear 18 is engaged with the platen gear 104 at the head opening 33B in a state in which the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printer main body 100 .

As shown in FIG. 4, the second supply spool 15, the output gear 18, and the first roll 11 are arranged in the order of the second supply spool 15, the output gear 18, and the first roll 11 in the vertical direction. there is That is, the output gear 18 is positioned between the second supply spool 15 and the first roll 11 in the vertical direction.

(input gear)
As shown in FIG. 3 , the input gear 19 indirectly engages the output gear 18 via an idle gear 20 to transmit driving force to the output gear 18 .

The input gear 19 has a gear 19A and a cylindrical spool 19B fixed to a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the gear 19A and having spline teeth on its inner peripheral surface. The gear 19A rotates integrally with the spool 19B by the driving force input to the spool 19B.

A rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19 (that is, a rotation axis of the gear 19A and a rotation axis of the spool 19B) is arranged on the same line as the rotation axis L6 of the input spool 16. As shown in FIG. 4, the input spool 16, the input gear 19, and the first roll 11 are arranged in the order of the input spool 16, the input gear 19, and the first roll 11 in the vertical direction.

A portion of the input gear 19 (that is, the gear 19A) is positioned between the input spool 16 and the first roll 11 in the vertical direction. At least part of the input gear 19 is arranged at a position overlapping the first roll 11 in the vertical direction.

A rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19 overlaps the hollow portion of the input spool 16 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the drive shaft 105 is inserted through the input spool 16 and the input gear 19 at the same time. As a result, the input gear 19 is not directly connected to the input spool 16, but is rotated by a common drive source (that is, the drive shaft 105) with the input spool 16.

(idle gear)
Idle gear 20 engages input gear 19 and output gear 18 . The idle gear 20 transmits the driving force input to the input gear 19 to the output gear 18 .

The idle gear 20 is a step gear in which a first gear 20A engaged with the output gear 18 and a second gear 20B engaged with the input gear 19 are coaxially arranged side by side. The second gear 20B has a larger diameter than the first gear 20A.

In addition, the first gear 20A is arranged at a position closer (that is, above) to the first roll 11 than the second gear 20B in the vertical direction. The idle gear 20 constitutes a deceleration mechanism that decelerates the rotational speed of the driving force input to the input gear 19 .

(Case)
As shown in FIG. 3 , the first lid portion 31 constitutes the upper end portion of the printing cassette 10 . The first frame portion 32 is arranged below the first lid portion 31 and is connected to the first lid portion 31 in the vertical direction. The second frame portion 33 is arranged below the first frame portion 32 and connected to the first frame portion 32 in the vertical direction. The second lid portion 34 constitutes the lower end portion of the printing cassette 10 . The second lid portion 34 is connected to the second frame portion 33 in the vertical direction.

The first lid portion 31 and the first frame portion 32 constitute a first case portion 41 that accommodates the first roll 11 . That is, the first roll 11 is arranged in a space surrounded by the first lid portion 31 and the first frame portion 32 .

The second lid portion 34 and the second frame portion 33 constitute a second case portion 42 that accommodates the second roll 14 , the second supply spool 15 and the input spool 16 . In other words, the second roll 14 , the second supply spool 15 and the input spool 16 are arranged in a space surrounded by the second lid portion 34 and the second frame portion 33 .

The first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33 constitute a third case portion 43 in which a portion of the output gear 18, the input gear 19, and the idle gear 20 are accommodated. That is, part of the output gear 18, the input gear 19, and the idle gear 20 are arranged in a space surrounded by the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33. As shown in FIG. The third case portion 43 is arranged between the first case portion 41 and the second case portion 42 in the vertical direction.

The first frame portion 32 has a first side wall 32A, a cover portion 32B, a first guide 32C, a first gear support portion 32D, a second gear support portion 32E, and a third gear support portion 32F. The first side wall 32A constitutes a side surface parallel to the vertical direction of the printing cassette 10. As shown in FIG.

The cover portion 32B is a portion having a surface perpendicular to the vertical direction. The cover portion 32B is arranged at a position overlapping the output gear 18 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the cover portion 32B is arranged at the right front corner portion of the first frame portion 32 . The output gear 18, the cover portion 32B, and the first roll 11 are arranged in the order of the output gear 18, the cover portion 32B, and the first roll 11 in the vertical direction.

The first guide 32C is a portion around which the printing tape 11A pulled out from the first roll 11 is wound, as shown in FIG. The first guide 32</b>C has a plurality of plate-like ribs spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the first roll 11 . The plurality of ribs protrude in the radial direction of the first roll 11, and the amount of protrusion (that is, the plate width) increases downward.

The first gear support portion 32D shown in FIG. 3 rotatably supports the output gear 18. As shown in FIG. The second gear support portion 32E rotatably supports the input gear 19. As shown in FIG. The third gear support portion 32F rotatably supports the idle gear 20. As shown in FIG.

The second frame portion 33 includes a second side wall 33A, a head opening 33B, a discharge port 33C, a second guide 33D, a passing portion 33E, a first projecting portion 33F, a second projecting portion 33G, a third and a projecting portion 33H. The second side wall 33A constitutes a side surface parallel to the vertical direction of the printing cassette 10. As shown in FIG.

The head opening 33B is a part of the second side wall 33A cut out. The head opening 33B is a space in which the print head 102 is arranged by inserting the print head 102 from below while the print cassette 10 is mounted in the printer main body 100 . The head opening 33B opens below the printing cassette 10 .

The discharge port 33C discharges the printing tape 11A after printing to the outside of the printing cassette 10. FIG. The discharge port 33C has a bottom surface 33K intersecting the front-rear direction. The first roll 11, the output gear 18, and the discharge port 33C are arranged in the order of the first roll 11, the output gear 18, and the discharge port 33C in the vertical direction.

The second guide 33D is a portion around which the printing tape 11A that has passed the first guide 32C is wound. The second guide 33D has a plurality of plate-like ribs spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the second roll 14, similar to the first guide 32C. The plurality of ribs protrude in the radial direction of the second roll 14, and the amount of protrusion (that is, the plate width) decreases toward the bottom.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the passing portion 33E is a portion through which the printing tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A pass toward the head opening 33B. The passing portion 33E defines a part of the head opening 33B together with the discharge port 33C, and constitutes a conveying portion 35A (see FIG. 2B) through which the printing tape 11A is conveyed.

The passing portion 33E includes an opening outlet 33I through which the printing tape 11A is discharged to the head opening 33B, and a facing wall facing the printing tape 11A in the thickness direction (that is, the front-rear direction) of the printing tape 11A in the passing portion 33E. 33J.

The facing wall 33J extends in the left-right direction. The opening outlet 33I is provided at the right end of the passage portion 33E and communicates with the head opening 33B. The printing tape 11A is conveyed from left to right inside the passing portion 33E along the opposing wall 33J during printing.

The first projecting portion 33F and the second projecting portion 33G are arranged in the passing portion 33E so as to face each other in the vertical direction. The first projecting portion 33F and the second projecting portion 33G respectively project forward from the facing wall 33J and are arranged so as to sandwich the printing tape 11A in the width direction.

The first projecting portion 33F, the second projecting portion 33G, and the opposing wall 33J constitute a first restricting portion 35B (see FIG. 7D) that restricts the movement of the printing tape 11A in the width direction.

The third projecting portion 33H defines a portion of the discharge port 33C. The third protruding portion 33H has a first base portion 33L that protrudes upward from a bottom surface 33K that defines the discharge port 33C, and a first arm portion 33M that extends downward from the first base portion 33L. The first arm portion 33M is arranged forwardly away from the bottom surface 33K.

The second lid portion 34 shown in FIG. 3 has a fourth projecting portion 34A. The fourth projecting portion 34A is arranged at a position facing the third projecting portion 33H in the vertical direction. The fourth projecting portion 34A is arranged on the conveying portion 35A together with the third projecting portion 33H.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the fourth projecting portion 34A has a second base portion 34B extending in the front-rear direction and a second arm portion 34C extending upward from the second base portion 34B. The second arm portion 34</b>C is arranged forwardly away from the bottom surface 33</b>K of the second frame portion 33 . The second arm portion 34C overlaps the first arm portion 33M of the third projecting portion 33H in the vertical direction. A gap is provided between the second arm portion 34C and the first arm portion 33M.

The third projecting portion 33H and the fourth projecting portion 34A constitute a second restricting portion 35C (see FIG. 7D) that restricts the movement of the printing tape 11A in the width direction. That is, the widthwise movement of the printing tape 11A is restricted by the first base portion 33L and the second base portion 34B. Also, the printing tape 11A is ejected through gaps provided between the bottom surface 33K and the first arm portion 33M and between the bottom surface 33K and the second arm portion 34C.

The ejection direction (that is, the right direction) of the printing tape 11A at the opening outlet 33I of the passage portion 33E is along the positive direction of the X axis, and along the direction that is perpendicular to both the X axis (that is, the horizontal direction) and the vertical direction (that is, the front-back direction). In a right-handed orthogonal coordinate system in which the positive direction of the Y-axis is the direction from the rotational axis L7 of the output gear 18 toward the opening outlet 33I (that is, the forward direction), the output gear 18 and the input gear 19 are each arranged in the first regulation position. It is positioned in the Z-axis positive direction (that is, above) relative to the portion 35B and the second restricting portion 35C.

In addition, the output gear 18 and the input gear 19 are arranged at positions different from those of the first restricting portion 35B and the second restricting portion 35C in the directions perpendicular to the vertical direction (that is, the front-rear direction and the left-right direction). That is, the output gear 18 and the input gear 19 do not overlap the first restricting portion 35B and the second restricting portion 35C in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D, the first guide 32C and the second guide 33D are passageways for feeding the printing tape 11A constituting the first roll 11 from the first case portion 41 to the second case portion 42. constitutes

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7A, the printing tape 11A pulled out from the first roll 11 contacts the first guide 32C from the outside in the radial direction of the first roll 11 so as to draw a spiral, while being in contact with the first guide 32C. It is conveyed downward and rearward within the case portion 41 . Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the printing tape 11A is conveyed downward to the left while straddling the third case portion 43 in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 7C, the printing tape 11A that has reached the second case portion 42 is conveyed downward and forward while coming into contact with the second guide 33D from the outside in the radial direction. The printing tape 11A that has reached the lower end of the printing cassette 10 passes through the head opening 33B and is ejected from the ejection port 33C, as shown in FIG. 7D. The widthwise movement of the printing tape 11A is restricted by the first restricting portion 35B and the second restricting portion 35C.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the output gear 18 is provided in a first area A1 of the case 35 in a first direction (that is, the front-rear direction) perpendicular to the vertical direction. On the other hand, the printing tape 11A is oriented in a direction that intersects the vertical direction and the second direction (i.e., the horizontal direction) perpendicular to the first direction in the second region A2 of the case 35 that is different from the first region A1 in the first direction. It is slanted and bridged. The first area A1 in this embodiment is an area ahead of the second area A2.

Further, the printing tape 11A is conveyed along the second direction toward the discharge port 33C in a region of the first region A1 on the side opposite to the first roll 11 across the output gear 18 in the vertical direction. be.

As shown in FIG. 8, the printing tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A are stretched horizontally in the head opening 33B. After printing, the printing tape 11A is ejected to the outside of the printer 1 from the ejection port 33C.

<Tape transport and printing by the main body of the printer>
The print head 102 prints on the print tape 11A held by the print cassette 10 .
The print head 102 is arranged at a position overlapping the print tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A in the front-rear direction in the head opening 33B with the print cassette 10 mounted in the printer main body 100 .

The printing tape 11A transported to the head opening 33B by the platen roller 103 is pressed through the ink ribbon 14A against the print head 102 whose heating elements generate heat. As a result, part of the ink arranged on the surface of the ink ribbon 14A is transferred to the printing tape 11A, and characters, symbols, etc. are printed on the printing tape 11A.

The platen roller 103 conveys the printing tape 11A from inside the printing cassette 10 toward the outside. The platen roller 103 contacts the printing tape 11A at the head opening 33B and presses the printing tape 11A against the print head 102 .

A platen gear 104 is coupled to the platen roller 103 and engages the output gear 18 . The platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 can swing between a position shown in FIG. 9 separated from the printing cassette 10 and a position shown in FIG.

The drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input spool 16 and engages the input gear 19 to rotate the input spool 16 and the input gear 19 .

As shown in FIG. 10, the drive shaft 105 is engaged with the input gear 19 and the platen gear 104 is engaged with the output gear 18 when the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing apparatus main body 100 . Specifically, the drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input spool 16 and input gear 19 of the printing cassette 10 . After that, the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 are swung toward the head opening 33B of the printing cassette 10 .

When the input gear 19 is rotated by the drive shaft 105 while the printing cassette 10 is mounted, the output gear 18 is rotated, and the platen gear 104 is rotated by the rotation of the output gear 18. rotates.

[1-2. effect]
According to the embodiment detailed above, the following effects are obtained.
(1a) Since the output gear 18 is positioned above the first restricting portion 35B and the second restricting portion 35C, interference between the output gear 18 and the print head 102 when the printing cassette 10 is mounted in the head opening 33B is avoided. can be done. As a result, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the printing cassette 10 due to the enlargement of the head opening 33B.

(1b) By arranging the first roll 11, the output gear 18, and the discharge port 33C in the order of the first roll 11, the output gear 18, and the discharge port 33C in the vertical direction, the output gear 18 and the print head 102 The output gear 18 can be arranged between other parts in the vertical direction while avoiding interference. As a result, damage to the output gear 18 when the printing cassette 10 falls is suppressed.

(1c) By arranging the output gear 18 at a position different from that of the first restricting portion 35B and the second restricting portion 35C in the direction orthogonal to the vertical direction, interference between the platen gear 104 and the print head 102 in the printer main body 100 is prevented. is easier to avoid.

[2. Second Embodiment]
[2-1. composition]
A printing apparatus 1A shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B includes a printing cassette 10A and a printing apparatus main body 100A.

<Cassette for printing>
The printing cassette 10A adds a third roll 21, a winding spool 22, a winding gear 23, and a pinch roller 24 shown in FIG. 12 to the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment. The input spool 16, the first lid portion 31, the first frame portion 32, the second frame portion 33 and the second lid portion 34 of the embodiment are replaced with the input spool 25, the first lid portion 36, the first frame portion 37 and the second lid portion. It replaces the frame portion 38 and the second lid portion 39 .

Input spool 25 is the same as input spool 16 except that it does not have spline teeth 16B. The first lid portion 36, the first frame portion 37, the second frame portion 38 and the second lid portion 39 are the first lid portion 31, the first frame portion 32, the second frame portion 33 and the second lid portion 34, respectively. is stretched in the left-right direction. The rest of the configuration of the printing cassette 10A is the same as that of the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment, except for the points described below, so the description is omitted.

The third roll 21 is obtained by winding a laminate tape around the input spool 25 to protect the printing tape 11A. The laminate tape has an adhesive surface that is adhered to the printing tape 11A printed by the print head 102 .

The take-up spool 22 is rotatable around a rotation axis L9. The rotation axis L9 of the take-up spool 22 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15 (that is, in the vertical direction). The take-up spool 22 takes up the ink ribbon 14A as the take-up gear 23 rotates.

The winding gear 23 is connected to the winding spool 22 and engaged with the idle gear 20 . The winding gear 23 is rotated by the driving force input to the input gear 19 to rotate the winding spool 22 .

The pinch roller 24, together with the pressure roller 107, presses the laminated tape against the printed printing tape 11A. The pinch roller 24 is arranged downstream of the head opening 33B in the transport direction of the printing tape 11A.

<Printer body>
The printing apparatus main body 100A is obtained by adding a pressure roller 107 shown in FIG. 13 to the printing apparatus main body 100 of the first embodiment. Other configurations of the printing apparatus main body 100A are the same as those of the printing apparatus main body 100 of the first embodiment, except for the points described below, so the explanation is omitted.

The pressing roller 107 is configured to be swingable together with the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 . That is, the pressing roller 107 can swing between a position separated from the printing cassette 10A shown in FIG. 13 and a position pressing the printing tape 11A and the laminate tape together with the pinch roller 24 shown in FIG.

[2-2. effect]
According to the embodiment detailed above, the following effects are obtained.
(2a) The printed contents of the printing tape 11A can be protected by the laminate tape while maintaining the same advantages as in the first embodiment.

[3. Other embodiments]
Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it is needless to say that the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and can take various forms.

(3a) The printing apparatus of the above embodiments is not limited to printing using an ink ribbon. The printing apparatus may use strip-shaped thermal paper as the printing tape in the first embodiment, and may use laminated tape (that is, protective tape) instead of the ink ribbon.

In addition, the printing apparatus may use a stencil tape, which is perforated with a print pattern by a thermal head, as the printing tape, and may use strip-shaped interleaving paper for protecting and supporting the stencil tape instead of the ink ribbon. In this case, at the head opening, the printing tape may be superimposed on the stencil tape at a position closer to the printhead than the stencil tape (that is, as an upper layer), or the printing tape may be further from the printhead than the stencil tape. It may be superimposed on the stencil tape in position (ie, as an underlayer).

(3b) The printing cassette of the above embodiment may have two or more idle gears. For example, a printing cassette may have a first idler gear that engages the output gear and a second idler gear that engages the first idler gear and the input gear. Also, in the printing cassette, the output gear may directly engage the input gear.

(3c) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, the first roll does not necessarily have to be vertically aligned with the output gear, the input gear, and the discharge port. In the printing cassette, the first roll may be arranged to overlap at least one of the output gear, the input gear, and the discharge port in the front-rear direction or the left-right direction.

(3d) The printing cassette of the second embodiment may include a third supply spool around which a laminate tape is wound instead of the take-up spool. Further, in the printing cassette of the second embodiment, the input spool may be used as a take-up spool for the ink ribbon.

(3e) The function of one component in the above embodiments may be distributed as multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiment may be omitted. Also, at least a part of the configuration of the above embodiment may be added, replaced, etc. with respect to the configuration of the other above embodiment. It should be noted that all aspects included in the technical idea specified by the wording in the claims are embodiments of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Printing apparatus, 10... Cassette for printing, 11... 1st roll, 11A... Tape for printing,
12... First supply spool, 14... Second roll, 14A... Ink ribbon,
15... Second supply spool, 16... Input spool, 18... Output gear, 19... Input gear,
20... idle gear, 21... third roll, 22... winding spool, 23... winding gear,
31... First lid portion, 32... First frame portion, 33... Second frame portion, 33B... Head opening,
33C... discharge port, 33E... passing portion, 33F, 33G, 33H... projecting portion,
33I... Exit for opening, 33J... Opposed wall, 33K... Bottom surface, 34... Second cover part,
34A... Protruding part, 35... Case, 35A... Conveying part, 35B, 35C... Regulating part,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100... Printer main body 101... Cassette insertion part 102... Print head,
103... Platen roller, 104... Platen gear, 105... Drive shaft.

Claims (7)

a printer main body;
a printing cassette detachable from the main body of the printing apparatus;
with
The printing cassette,
printing tape;
an output gear that is rotatable around a rotation axis and outputs driving force to the outside;
a case accommodating at least part of the printing tape and at least part of the output gear;
with
The main body of the printing device,
a print head for printing on the printing tape;
a platen roller facing the print head for transporting the printing tape;
a platen gear coupled to the platen roller and engaged with the output gear when the printing cassette is attached to the main body of the printing apparatus;
with
Said case is
a transport unit that defines a part of a head opening in which the print head is arranged and transports the printing tape;
a regulating portion arranged in the conveying portion and regulating movement of the printing tape in the width direction;
has
The conveying unit has an opening outlet through which the printing tape is discharged to the head opening,
The ejection direction of the printing tape at the opening outlet of the conveying unit is the positive direction of the X axis, and the rotation axis of the output gear is along a direction perpendicular to both the X axis and the rotation axis of the output gear. a right-handed orthogonal coordinate system in which the positive direction of the Y-axis is the direction toward the opening outlet, and the output gear is located in the positive direction of the Z-axis relative to the regulating portion. printing tape;
a gear that is rotatable about a rotation axis and that transmits a driving force for conveying the printing tape;
a case accommodating at least part of the printing tape and at least part of the gear;
with
Said case is
a transport unit that defines a part of a head opening where printing of the printing tape is performed, and transports the printing tape;
a regulating portion arranged in the conveying portion and regulating movement of the printing tape in the width direction;
has
The conveying unit has an opening outlet through which the printing tape is discharged to the head opening,
The ejection direction of the printing tape at the opening outlet of the conveying unit is the positive direction of the X-axis, and the direction perpendicular to both the X-axis and the rotation axis of the gear is from the rotation axis of the gear. A right-handed orthogonal coordinate system in which the positive direction of the Y-axis is the direction toward the opening outlet, and the gear is positioned in the positive direction of the Z-axis relative to the regulating portion. further comprising a roll of said printing tape;
The case has a discharge port through which the printing tape is discharged,
3. The printing cassette according to claim 2, wherein said roll, said gear and said outlet are arranged in the order of said roll, said gear and said outlet in the axial direction of said rotation axis of said gear. The regulation unit
a facing wall facing the printing tape in the thickness direction of the printing tape;
a pair of projections projecting from the opposing wall and arranged to sandwich the printing tape in the width direction;
4. A printing cassette according to claim 2 or 3, comprising a 5. The printing cassette according to claim 2, wherein said gear is an output gear for outputting said driving force to the outside. It is detachable from a printing device main body including a platen roller for conveying the printing tape and a platen gear connected to the platen roller,
6. The printing cassette according to claim 5, wherein said output gear is configured to engage said platen gear when mounted in said printing apparatus main body. 7. The printing cassette according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein said gear is arranged at a position different from said restricting portion in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of said rotation axis of said gear.