JP7512819B2 - Printing cassette, printing device, and printing device main body - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a printing cassette, a printing device, and a printing device body.

In a printing device that prints on printing tape, the printing tape is replaced and supplied by attaching and detaching a cassette that contains the printing tape to the main body of the printing device. One such cassette known in the art is one in which a tape cartridge containing a roll of printing tape and a ribbon cartridge containing a roll of ink ribbon are stacked in the axial direction of the rolls (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 63-156762

Cassettes with different specifications, such as the width of the printing tape they contain, may be installed in a common printing device body. One method for identifying the type of cassette installed in the printing device body is to read identification information from a detectable portion provided on the cassette.

From the viewpoint of making the cassette smaller, it is preferable to provide the detectable portion on a side surface parallel to the direction in which the cassette is inserted into and removed from the printer body. However, if the detectable portion is provided on the side surface of the cassette, it may come into contact with the printer body when the cassette is inserted or removed, which may prevent the cassette from being inserted or removed smoothly. There is also a risk that the detectable portion may be damaged when the cassette is inserted or removed.

One aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a printing cassette that has a detectable portion and can be smoothly inserted and removed from the printing device body.

One aspect of the present disclosure is a printing cassette that can be inserted into and removed from a printing device body that has a sensor holder that can move in a first direction, in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

The printing cassette includes a roll of printing tape, a head opening through which the printing tape is exposed and which is positioned away from the roll in the second direction, a detectable portion that causes a detector disposed in the sensor holder to detect cassette identification information by contacting the detector, and a step portion that faces the sensor holder.

The step portion has a first region that presses the sensor holder in the first direction when the detected portion is in a different position from the detection portion in the second direction, and a second region that is aligned with the first region in the second direction and is recessed in a direction away from the sensor holder relative to the first region.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a printing cassette that can be inserted into and removed from a printing device body that has a sensor holder that can move in a first direction in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

The printing cassette comprises a roll of printing tape, a head opening through which the printing tape is exposed and which is positioned at a distance from the roll in a second direction, a detectable portion which causes a detection portion arranged in a sensor holder to detect cassette identification information upon contact with the detection portion, and a step portion which faces the sensor holder.

The step portion has a first region and a second region that is aligned with the first region in the second direction and is recessed from the first region in a direction away from the sensor holder.

The detected portion has a pressing region that presses at least one of the multiple protrusions of the detection portion in a first direction, and at least one non-pressing region that does not press the multiple protrusions. The length of the second region in the second direction is greater than the maximum length of the at least one non-pressing region in the second direction.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a printing device that includes a printing cassette and a printing device main body into which the printing cassette is attached.

With this configuration, when the printing cassette is inserted into the printing device body, the first region of the step portion presses the sensor holder in the first direction and moves it to the retracted position. Then, the second region releases the pressure on the sensor holder in the first direction, and the sensor holder moves to the mounting position where the detection portion and the detected portion can come into contact.

This allows the cassette identification information to be read from the installed printing cassette, while avoiding interference between the sensor holder and the detected part when inserting or removing the printing cassette. As a result, the printing cassette can be smoothly inserted or removed from the printing device body.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a printing device body into which a printing cassette can be inserted and removed, the printing cassette having a roll of printing tape, a head opening through which the printing tape is exposed and which is positioned away from the roll in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a detectable portion.

The printing device body includes a sensor holder that is movable in a first direction. The sensor holder has a detection section that detects the cassette identification information from the detection section by contacting the detection section, and a retraction section that faces the printing cassette.

The retraction section has a third region that moves the sensor holder in the first direction while the detected part is in a different position from the detection part in the second direction, and a fourth region that is arranged alongside the third region in the second direction and is recessed from the third region in a direction away from the printing cassette.

With this configuration, when the printing cassette is inserted into the printing device body, the sensor holder is pressed in the first direction by the reaction force of the third region of the retraction section, and moves to the retracted position. After that, the fourth region releases the pressure on the sensor holder in the first direction, and the sensor holder moves to the mounting position where the detection section and the detected section can come into contact.

This allows the cassette identification information to be read from the installed printing cassette, while avoiding interference between the sensor holder and the detected part when inserting or removing the printing cassette. As a result, the printing cassette can be smoothly inserted or removed from the printing device body.

FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view showing a printing apparatus according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a schematic perspective view showing a main body of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1A. FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IIA-IIA in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the printing device when the roller holder is in the retracted position. 3A is a schematic perspective view of the roller holder of FIG. 1B, and FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IIIB-IIIB of FIG. 3A. FIG. 4 is a schematic enlarged partial view of the vicinity of the detection unit in FIG. 2A. 5A and 5B are schematic perspective views of the printing cassette of FIG. 1A, and FIG. 5C is a schematic bottom view of the printing cassette of FIG. 1A. FIG. 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the printing cassette of FIG. 5A. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the paths of the printing tape and the ink ribbon in the printing cassette of FIG. 5A. 8A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIA-VIIIA in FIG. 5C, FIG. 8B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIB-VIIIB in FIG. 5C, FIG. 8C is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIC-VIIIC in FIG. 5C, and FIG. 8D is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIIID-VIIID in FIG. 5C. FIG. 9 is a schematic rear view of the printing cassette of FIG. 5A. 10A and 10B are schematic perspective views of a printing cassette in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 5B, and FIG. 10C is a schematic rear view of a printing cassette in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 11A to 11F are schematic diagrams showing the relationship between the sensor holder and the case. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an engagement state between the output gear and the platen gear in the printing device of FIG. 1A. 13A and 13B are schematic perspective views of a printing cassette in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 5A. 14A and 14B are schematic perspective views of a roller holder in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 3A. 15A to 15F are schematic diagrams showing the relationship between the sensor holder and the case. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a sensor holder in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 1B.

[1. First embodiment]
[1-1. Configuration]
1A includes a printing cassette 10 and a printing device main body 100. The printing device 1 is a device that prints on a tape-like printing medium.

In this embodiment, the axial direction of the output gear 21 is the up-down direction, the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction in which the output gear 21 and the input spool 16 are aligned is the front-rear direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the front-rear direction is the left-right direction.

<Printing device body>
As shown in FIG. 1B, the printing apparatus main body 100 includes a cassette storage section 101, a print head 102, a platen roller 103, a platen gear 104, a drive shaft 105, a drive source 107, a control unit 109, a housing 110, and a roller holder 111.

(Cassette storage section)
The cassette storage unit 101 is a recess into which the printing cassette 10 is inserted and removed. The cassette storage unit 101 has a function of positioning the printing cassette 10. The cassette storage unit 101 is provided in a housing 110.

(Print head)
The print head 102 is disposed inside the cassette storage unit 101. The print head 102 has a plurality of heat generating elements whose heat generation is individually controlled.

(Platen roller)
The platen roller 103 is disposed inside the cassette storage unit 101 near the print head 102 so as to face the print head 102 .

The platen roller 103 is held by a roller holder 111 and can swing toward or away from the print head 102. The rotation axis L1 of the platen roller 103 is parallel to the vertical direction.

(Platen gear)
The platen gear 104 is connected to the platen roller 103. In this embodiment, a rotation axis L2 of the platen gear 104 is disposed on the same line as a rotation axis L1 of the platen roller 103. The platen gear 104 is held by a roller holder 111, and can swing together with the platen roller 103.

(Drive shaft)
The drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input spool 16 and the input gear 22 of the printing cassette 10. The drive shaft 105 rotates the input spool 16 and the input gear 22.

The drive shaft 105 is disposed inside the cassette storage section 101. The rotation axis L3 of the drive shaft 105 is parallel to the vertical direction. The drive shaft 105 rotates about the rotation axis L3 by the drive source 107.

(Drive source)
The driving source 107 rotates the driving shaft 105. As the driving source 107, for example, a mechanism combining a motor and a gear can be used.

(Controller unit)
The control unit 109 controls printing on the print tape 11A based on the cassette identification information detected by the detection unit 115.

The control unit 109 is configured, for example, by a computer having a processor, storage media such as RAM and ROM, and an input/output unit. The control unit 109 controls printing on the printing tape 11A by executing a pre-stored program.

(Roller holder)
The roller holder 111 can be moved in the front-rear direction with respect to the housing 110 by a user's operation between an attached position shown in FIG. 2A and a retracted position shown in FIG. 2B.

The mounting position is a position where the platen gear 104 engages with the output gear 21 of the printing cassette 10 and the platen roller 103 nips the printing tape 11A. Also, in the mounting position, the detection portion 115 contacts the detection target portion 51 of the printing cassette 10.

In the retracted position, the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 are in a position where they do not overlap vertically with the printing cassette 10. Also, in the retracted position, at least a portion of the detection portion 115 is separated from the detection target portion 51 of the printing cassette 10.

As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the roller holder 111 has a holder body 112, a roller support part 113, and a sensor holder 114.

The holder body 112 has a bearing 112A into which a shaft portion 118 (see FIG. 2A) provided on the housing 110 is inserted. The holder body 112 is capable of swinging relative to the housing 110 about a swing center axis that is parallel to the up-down direction.

The roller support part 113 protrudes rearward from the right end part of the holder body 112. The roller support part 113 supports the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 so that they can rotate about their axes.

The sensor holder 114 is attached to the left of the roller support portion 113 of the holder body 112 and swings back and forth together with the holder body 112. The sensor holder 114 has a detection portion 115 and a retraction portion 116.

The sensor holder 114 is movable in the front-rear direction relative to the housing 110 and the holder body 112. The sensor holder 114 is also biased rearward (i.e., toward the printing cassette 10) by an elastic body 117 (see FIG. 3B) attached to the sensor holder 114. The elastic body 117 may be, for example, a coil spring.

The detection unit 115 is a mechanical reading sensor that detects the cassette identification information from the detection target portion 51 by contacting the detection target portion 51 of the printing cassette 10. The detection unit 115 is exposed inside the cassette storage unit 101.

As shown in FIG. 4, the detection unit 115 has a main body 115A including an electric circuit and the like, and a number of protrusions 115B, 115C, 115D, 115E, and 115F that can be inserted into the printing cassette 10.

The protrusions 115B-115F each protrude rearward (i.e., toward the printing cassette 10) from the main body 115A of the detection unit 115. The protrusions 115B-115F are attached to the main body 115A so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.

Of the protrusions 115B-115F, the protrusion that comes into contact with the pressing area 51A of the detected part 51 (in FIG. 4, protrusion 115C) is pushed further into the main body 115A (i.e., forward) than the protrusions that pass through the non-pressing area 51B of the detected part 51 (in FIG. 4, protrusions other than protrusion 115C).

The detection unit 115 reads the cassette identification information corresponding to the arrangement pattern of the pressed area 51A and the non-pressed area 51B in the detection target 51 based on the front-rear position of each of the protrusions 115B-115F (i.e., whether or not they are pressed into the main body 115A).

The retraction section 116 shown in FIG. 3A is provided in a portion of the sensor holder 114 to the left of the detection section 115 (specifically, a portion closer to the central axis of the swing of the holder body 112). The retraction section 116 is exposed inside the cassette storage section 101. The retraction section 116 faces the step section 52 of the printing cassette 10.

The evacuation section 116 has a third region 116A and a fourth region 116B. The third region 116A and the fourth region 116B are arranged next to each other in the vertical direction. Specifically, the fourth region 116B is arranged below the third region 116A.

The third region 116A is a rib that protrudes rearward in the cassette storage section 101. The rib that constitutes the third region 116A extends in the vertical direction. In addition, this rib has two tapered sections whose protrusion amount in the front-rear direction changes along the vertical direction.

Specifically, the third region 116A has an upper tapered portion 116C whose protruding amount increases continuously downward, a lower tapered portion 116D whose protruding amount decreases continuously downward, and a straight portion 116E connecting the upper tapered portion 116C and the lower tapered portion 116D. The protruding amount of the straight portion 116E in the front-to-rear direction is constant along the up-down direction.

The fourth region 116B is recessed in a direction away from the printing cassette 10 (i.e., forward) relative to the third region 116A. Specifically, the fourth region 116B is configured by the rear surface of the sensor holder 114 that is located forward of the third region 116A. The fourth region 116B is a plane that is perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction when the roller holder 111 is in the mounting position.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the roller holder 111 is in the mounting position, the third region 116A protrudes rearward beyond the multiple protrusions 115B-115F of the detection unit 115. In other words, the rear end of the third region 116A is located rearward beyond the rear ends of the multiple protrusions 115B-115F.

<Printing cassette>
5A, 5B, and 5C stores a printing medium (i.e., printing tape 11A). The printing cassette 10 can be attached to and detached from the printing device main body 100. By replacing the printing cassette 10, it is possible to replenish printing media and change the type of printing media (e.g., size, color, material, etc.).

The printing cassette 10 includes a case 35 that houses at least a portion of the printing tape 11A and at least a portion of the ink ribbon 14A. The outer shape of the printing cassette 10 (i.e., the shape of the case 35) is a rectangular parallelepiped with sides parallel to the top-bottom direction, sides parallel to the front-back direction, and sides parallel to the left-right direction. The case 35 is inserted downward into the cassette storage section 101 and is removed upward from the cassette storage section 101.

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 case 35 also has a bottom surface 36 that faces the cassette storage portion 101 in the up-down direction when the case 35 is inserted into the cassette storage portion 101, and a front side surface 37 that is located forward of the first roll 11. The bottom surface 36 is a plane that is perpendicular to the up-down direction. The front side surface 37 is a plane that is perpendicular to the bottom surface 36.

As shown in FIG. 6, 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, an input spool 16, a clutch spring holder 17, a transmission mechanism 20, a detection portion 51, and a step portion 52 (see FIG. 5A).

(First roll)
The first roll 11 is a printing tape 11A on which printing is to be performed, wound around a first supply spool 12. Printing is performed on the surface of the printing tape 11A by a print head 102 of the printing device main body 100 and an ink ribbon 14A.

The first roll 11 is positioned so that the center of gravity of the printing cassette 10 is located inside the inner circumferential surface of the first roll 11 when viewed from the top-bottom direction.

Two spacer films 13A and 13B are arranged on the outer side of the first roll 11 in the vertical direction, sandwiching the first roll 11. 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 about a rotation axis L4. The first supply spool 12 rotates in association with the transport of the printing tape 11A by the platen roller 103 of the printing device main body 100, thereby supplying the printing tape 11A to the print head 102. The rotation axis L4 of the first supply spool 12 is parallel to the up-down direction.

(Second roll)
The second roll 14 is formed by winding an ink ribbon 14A used for printing on the printing tape 11A around a second supply spool 15.

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. After printing, the ink ribbon 14A is wound onto the input spool 16.

The second roll 14 is provided with rotational resistance by a clutch spring held by a clutch spring holder 17. At least a portion of the second roll 14 is positioned so as to overlap the first roll 11 in the vertical direction.

(Second supply spool)
The second supply spool 15 is rotatable about a 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, i.e., parallel to the up-down direction. The second supply spool 15 rotates in association with the winding of the ink ribbon 14A by the input spool 16, thereby supplying the ink ribbon 14A to the print head 102.

(Input spool)
The input spool 16 is rotatable about a rotation axis L6 which is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15.

The input spool 16 is cylindrical and has a hollow portion defined by an inner circumferential surface 16A. The inner circumferential surface 16A of the input spool 16 is provided with spline teeth 16B. The drive shaft 105 of the printing device main body 100 is connected to the spline teeth 16B. The input spool 16 is rotated by the drive shaft 105 and winds up the ink ribbon 14A.

(Transmission mechanism)
When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100, the transmission mechanism 20 transmits the driving force of the drive source 107, which is transmitted from the drive shaft 105, to the platen roller 103, and rotates the platen roller 103 at a rotational speed set for each printing cassette 10. The transmission mechanism 20 has an output gear 21, an input gear 22, and an idle gear 23.

The first roll 11, the transmission mechanism 20, and the second roll 14 are arranged in the vertical direction in the following order: first roll 11, transmission mechanism 20, and second roll 14. In other words, the transmission mechanism 20 is located between the first roll 11 and the second roll 14 in the vertical direction.

(Output gear)
The output gear 21 is an externally toothed gear for outputting the driving force used to transport the printing tape 11 A to the outside. Specifically, the output gear 21 outputs the driving force to a platen gear 104 of the printing apparatus main body 100.

The rotation axis L7 of the output gear 21 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15. The entire output gear 21 overlaps with the cover portion 32B of the case 35 in the vertical direction.
Further, a portion of the output gear 21 is exposed to a space communicating with the head opening 33B.

When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100 (i.e., when the case 35 is stored in the cassette storage section 101), the output gear 21 engages with the platen gear 104 in a space communicating with the head opening 33B.

(Input gear)
The input gear 22 indirectly engages with the output gear 21 via an idle gear 23 to transmit driving force to the output gear 21 .

The input gear 22 has an external gear 22A and a spool 22B, which is a cylindrical internal gear that is fixed to one side of the external gear 22A and has spline teeth on its inner circumferential surface. The external gear 22A rotates together with the spool 22B due to the driving force of the drive source 107 input to the spool 22B.

The rotation axis L8 of the input gear 22 (i.e., the rotation axis of the external gear 22A and the rotation axis of the spool 22B) is arranged on the same line as the rotation axis L6 of the input spool 16. At least a portion of the input gear 22 is arranged in a position overlapping with the first roll 11 in the vertical direction.

The rotation axis L8 of the input gear 22 overlaps with the hollow portion of the input spool 16 in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100, the drive shaft 105 is inserted through the input spool 16 and the input gear 22 at the same time. As a result, the input gear 22 is not directly connected to the input spool 16, but is rotated by the drive shaft 105 together with the input spool 16.

(Idol Gear)
The idle gear 23 is drivingly connected (i.e. engaged) with the input gear 22 and the output gear 21 , and transmits the driving force input to the input gear 22 to the output gear 21 .

The idle gear 23 is a stepped gear in which an upstream gear 23A engaged with the input gear 22 and a downstream gear 23B engaged with the output gear 21 are arranged side by side on the same axis. The downstream gear 23B has a smaller diameter than the upstream gear 23A. In addition, the downstream gear 23B is arranged closer to the first roll 11 (i.e., higher) in the vertical direction than the upstream gear 23A.

The idle gear 23 reduces the rotational speed of the driving force input to the input gear 22 and transmits it to the output gear 21. In other words, the transmission mechanism 20 includes a reduction mechanism whose transmission ratio is the rotational speed of the input gear 22 divided by the rotational speed of the output gear 21.

(Case)
The first lid portion 31 constitutes the upper end portion of the printing cassette 10. The first frame portion 32 is disposed below the first lid portion 31 and is connected to the first lid portion 31 in the up-down direction. The second frame portion 33 is disposed below the first frame portion 32 and is connected to the first frame portion 32 in the up-down 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 up-down direction.

The first lid portion 31 and the first frame portion 32 form a first storage portion 41 that stores the first roll 11. In other words, the first roll 11 is disposed 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 form a second storage portion 42 that stores 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 disposed in a space surrounded by the second lid portion 34 and the second frame portion 33.

The second storage section 42 is arranged so as to overlap the first storage section 41 in the vertical direction. The second storage section 42 is also arranged closer to the bottom surface 36 of the case 35 than the first storage section 41 (i.e., below the first storage section 41). The second storage section 42 has a head opening 33B.

The first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33 form a third housing portion 43 that houses a part of the output gear 21, the input gear 22, and the idle gear 23. In other words, the part of the output gear 21, the input gear 22, and the idle gear 23 are arranged in a space surrounded by the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33. The third housing portion 43 is arranged between the first housing portion 41 and the second housing 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 claw 32D, a second claw 32E, a first groove 32F, and a second groove 32G.
The first side wall 32A constitutes a side surface of the printing cassette 10 that is parallel to the up-down direction.

The cover portion 32B is a portion having a surface perpendicular to the vertical direction. The cover portion 32B is disposed at a position overlapping the output gear 21 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the cover portion 32B is provided continuous with the lower end portion of the first side wall 32A, and is disposed at the right front corner of the first frame portion 32.

The first guide 32C is the portion around which the printing tape 11A pulled out from the first roll 11 is wound. The first guide 32C has multiple plate-shaped ribs spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the first roll 11. The multiple ribs protrude in the radial direction of the first roll 11, and the amount of protrusion (i.e., plate width) increases the further downward they go.

The first claw 32D and the second claw 32E protrude downward from the first side wall 32A. The first claw 32D and the second claw 32E each constitute an engagement portion that engages with the second frame portion 33 that is disposed below the first frame portion 32.

The first groove 32F and the second groove 32G are provided in the first side wall 32A. The first groove 32F and the second groove 32G respectively constitute engagement portions with which the third claw 31A and the fourth claw 31B of the first lid portion 31 arranged above the first frame portion 32 engage.

The second frame portion 33 has a second side wall 33A, a head opening 33B, a discharge port 33C, and a second guide 33D.
The second side wall 33A constitutes a side surface parallel to the up-down direction of the printing cassette 10 .

The head opening 33B is a portion of the second side wall 33A that has been cut out. The head opening 33B is disposed at a position spaced apart from the first roll 11 in the up-down direction. Specifically, the head opening 33B is disposed below the first roll 11.

The head opening 33B is a space in which the print head 102 is placed when the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100. In the head opening 33B, printing is performed on the printing tape 11A by the print head 102. The head opening 33B opens below the printing cassette 10 so that the print head 102 can be inserted from below.

As shown in FIG. 7, the printing tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A are stretched across the head opening 33B in the left-right direction. The printing tape 11A is exposed by the head opening 33B upstream of the discharge outlet 33C in the discharge direction of the printing tape 11A. After printing, the printing tape 11A is discharged from the discharge outlet 33C to the outside of the printing device 1.

The second guide 33D is the portion around which the printing tape 11A that has passed through the first guide 32C is wound. Like the first guide 32C, the second guide 33D has multiple plate-shaped ribs spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the second roll 14. The multiple ribs protrude in the radial direction of the second roll 14, and the amount of protrusion (i.e., plate width) decreases the further downward they are.

As shown in Figures 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D, the first guide 32C and the second guide 33D form a passage that feeds the printing tape 11A that constitutes the first roll 11 from the first storage section 41 to the second storage section 42.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8A, the printing tape 11A pulled out from the first roll 11 is transported downward and rearward in the first storage section 41 while contacting the first guide 32C from the radially outer side of the first roll 11 in a spiral manner. The printing tape 11A is then transported downward and leftward while vertically straddling the third storage section 43 as shown in FIG. 8B.

The printing tape 11A that has reached the second storage section 42 is transported downward and forward while contacting the second guide 33D from the radially outer side, as shown in FIG. 8C. The printing tape 11A that has reached the lower end of the printing cassette 10 passes through the head opening 33B and is discharged to the right from the discharge opening 33C, as shown in FIG. 8D.

(Detection target part)
The detection target portion 51 shown in FIG. 9 allows an external device (that is, the printing device main body 100) to detect cassette identification information for identifying the printing cassette 10.

The detected part 51 is disposed on the front side surface 37 that intersects with the bottom surface 36 of the case 35. In this embodiment, the detected part 51 is a three-dimensional marker having a hole, recess, or notch provided in the second side wall 33A of the second frame part 33. In other words, the detected part 51 is disposed on the second side wall 33A in which the head opening 33B is provided in the second storage part 42 that stores the second roll 14.

The detected part 51 is disposed closer to the bottom surface 36 than the transmission mechanism 20 in the up-down direction. Also, the detected part 51 is disposed farther from the discharge outlet 33C than the output gear 21 (i.e., to the left of the output gear 21) in a direction parallel to the discharge direction of the printing tape 11A at the discharge outlet 33C (i.e., the left-right direction).

The detected portion 51 allows the detection portion 115 of the printing device main body 100 to detect the cassette identification information of the printing cassette 10 by contact-type reading by the detection portion 115. Specifically, the detected portion 51 has at least one pressed area 51A and at least one non-pressed area 51B.

The pressing area 51A is an area that comes into contact with the detection unit 115 when the case 35 is inserted into the cassette storage unit 101. The pressing area 51A presses at least one of the multiple protrusions 115B-115F of the detection unit 115 forward (protrusion 115C in FIG. 4).

The non-pressing region 51B is a region that does not press the multiple protrusions of the detection unit 115 in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the non-pressing region 51B is configured with a hole provided at a position corresponding to one of the multiple protrusions of the detection unit 115 (i.e., overlapping with one protrusion in the front-rear direction). One protrusion is inserted into the hole that configures the non-pressing region 51B. The protrusion inserted into the non-pressing region 51B penetrates the second side wall 33A and enters the case 35.

The non-pressed area 51B of the detection target 51 may be configured as an opening of a recess having a bottom. Also, as shown in FIG. 10A, the non-pressed area 51B may be configured as a hole through which multiple protrusions pass simultaneously. The lower non-pressed area 51B in FIG. 10A includes the two lower non-pressed areas 51B in FIG. 9.

Furthermore, like the two non-pressing regions 51B on the left side of FIG. 10B, the non-pressing regions 51B may be formed by cutouts provided in the front side surface 37 of the case 35. The cutouts extend to the lower end or upper end of the second frame portion 33.

The cassette identification information that the detected portion 51 causes the detector 115 to detect can be changed by the number and arrangement of the pressed areas 51A and non-pressed areas 51B. In other words, a code indicating the cassette identification information is set in the detected portion 51 by setting the area that overlaps in the front-to-rear direction with the multiple protrusions of the detector 115 to either the pressed area 51A or the non-pressed area 51B.

For example, if the detection unit 115 has five protrusions 115B-115F as shown in FIG. 3A, the size of the cassette identification information is 5 bits. In other words, if the number of protrusions is N, the detected unit 51 can have N bits of cassette identification information.

The cassette identification information includes, for example, information about the transmission mechanism 20, information about the printing tape 11A, etc. The information about the transmission mechanism 20 includes, for example, information related to the transmission ratio obtained by dividing the rotational speed of the input gear 22 by the rotational speed of the output gear 21, information related to the number of rotating bodies (i.e., gears) included in the transmission mechanism 20, etc. The information about the printing tape 11A includes, for example, information indicating the width, thickness, material, color, layer structure, etc. of the printing tape 11A.

The detected portion 51 also has the function of notifying the printing device main body 100 that the printing cassette 10 has been stored in the cassette storage portion 101. In other words, the detection portion 115 recognizes that the printing cassette 10 has been installed in the printing device main body 100 by reading the cassette identification information from the detected portion 51.

(Stepped part)
9 is disposed at least partially at the same position as the detected portion 51 in the up-down direction (i.e., at a position overlapping with the detected portion 51 in the left-right direction). Specifically, the stepped portion 52 is disposed in a region of the front side surface 37 to the left of the detected portion 51.

The step portion 52 has a first region 52A and a second region 52B. The first region 52A and the second region 52B are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. Specifically, the second region 52B is arranged below the first region 52A.

The second region 52B is a recess provided in the second side wall 33A of the second frame portion 33 that constitutes the case 35. Specifically, the second region 52B is configured as a groove (i.e., an opening) provided in the second side wall 33A. Note that the second region 52B may also be configured as a notch provided in the second side wall 33A, as shown in FIG. 10C.

As shown in FIG. 9, the vertical length D1 of the second region 52B is greater than the maximum vertical length D2 of at least one non-pressed region 51B of the detected portion 51 (i.e., the vertical length of the non-pressed region 51B with the longest vertical length).

The upper end of the second region 52B is located above the upper ends of at least one pressed region 51A and at least one non-pressed region 51B, and the lower end of the second region 52B is located below the lower ends of at least one pressed region 51A and at least one non-pressed region 51B. In other words, the detected portion 51 is disposed between the upper and lower ends of the second region 52B in the vertical direction.

The first region 52A is formed by the outer surface of the side wall of the second frame portion 33 that constitutes the case 35 (i.e., part of the front side surface 37). The first region 52A is a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. The second region 52B is recessed relative to the first region 52A in a direction away from the sensor holder 114 (i.e., rearward).

As shown in FIG. 4, the step portion 52 faces the retraction portion 116 of the sensor holder 114 when the printing cassette 10 is stored in the cassette storage portion 101. In this state, the third region 116A of the retraction portion 116 penetrates the second region 52B and protrudes into the inside of the case 35.

<Installing the print cassette>
11A, 11C, and 11E, the printing cassette 10 is inserted downward into the cassette storage section 101 while making contact with the sensor holder 114. Also, the printing cassette 10 is removed upward from the cassette storage section 101 while making contact with the sensor holder 114, as shown in the order of FIG. 11E, 11C, and 11A.

Figures 11B, 11D, and 11F show the positional relationship between the detected part 51 and the detection part 115 when the case 35 is at the same height as in Figures 11A, 11C, and 11E, respectively.

When the printing cassette 10 is being inserted or removed as shown in Figures 11B and 11D, the detected part 51 is in a different position in the up-down direction from the detection part 115 (i.e., it does not overlap in the front-rear direction).

In this state, as shown in Figures 11A and 11C, the first region 52A of the step portion 52 abuts against the third region 116A of the retraction portion 116 from behind, thereby pressing the sensor holder 114 forward. In other words, the third region 116A of the retraction portion 116 moves the sensor holder 114 forward in a state in which the detected portion 51 is in a different position from the detection portion 115 in the up-down direction.

Specifically, when the case 35 is inserted into or removed from the cassette storage section 101, the first region 52A presses the sensor holder 114 forward with the bottom surface 36 of the case 35 and the first part 115G of the detection section 115 overlapping in the front-to-rear direction as shown in FIG. 11B.

The first portion 115G is the portion (i.e., the top) of the detection portion 115 that protrudes toward the detection target portion 51 (i.e., protruding portions 115B-115F) that is the furthest from the bottom surface 36 in the vertical direction when the case 35 is inserted into the cassette storage portion 101.

When the case 35 is inserted into or removed from the cassette storage section 101, the first region 52A presses the sensor holder 114 forward with the bottom surface 36 of the case 35 and the second part 115H of the detection section 115 overlapping in the front-to-rear direction as shown in FIG. 11D.

The second portion 115H is the portion (i.e., the bottom portion) of the protrusions 115B-115F of the detection portion 115 that is closest to the bottom surface 36 in the up-down direction when the case 35 is inserted into the cassette storage portion 101.

The first region 52A continues to press the sensor holder 114 forward from the state where the bottom surface 36 of the case 35 overlaps with the first part 115G (see FIG. 11B) to the state where the bottom surface 36 overlaps with the second part 115H (see FIG. 11D). During this time, the detected part 51 and the detection part 115 are maintained separated in the front-rear direction.

As shown in FIG. 11E, when the case 35 moves to the mounting position for the printing cassette 10 (i.e., the position where the detected portion 51 and the detecting portion 115 overlap in the front-to-rear direction), the third region 116A is inserted into the second region 52B, and the forward pressure on the sensor holder 114 by the stepped portion 52 is released. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11F, the protruding portion of the detecting portion 115 enters or comes into contact with the detected portion 51.

<Tape transport and printing by the printing device body>
When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100, the print head 102 is disposed in a position in the head opening 33B so as to overlap the printing tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A in the front-rear direction.

The printing tape 11A is transported to the head opening 33B by the platen roller 103, and is pressed against the print head 102, whose heating elements have generated heat, via the ink ribbon 14A by the platen roller 103. As a result, some of the ink placed on the surface of the ink ribbon 14A is transferred to the printing tape 11A, and letters, symbols, etc. are printed on the printing tape 11A.

The platen roller 103 transports the printing tape 11A after printing from inside the printing cassette 10 to the outside. The platen roller 103 is rotated by the platen gear 104 engaged with the output gear 21.

When the case 35 of the printing cassette 10 is inserted into the cassette storage section 101, the drive shaft 105 engages with the input gear 22. Furthermore, when the roller holder 111 swings to the mounting position, the platen gear 104 engages with the output gear 21, as shown in FIG. 12.

When the printing cassette 10 is installed, the input gear 22 is rotated by the drive shaft 105, which rotates the output gear 21. Furthermore, the rotation of the output gear 21 rotates the platen gear 104, which in turn rotates the platen roller 103.

The detection unit 115 detects cassette identification information from the detection target 51 of the printing cassette 10 mounted in the cassette storage unit 101. The cassette identification information detected by the detection unit 115 is sent to the control unit 109. The control unit 109 controls the printing cycle of the print head 102 (i.e., the cycle of switching the heating on and off), the rotation direction of the drive source 107, etc. based on the cassette identification information.

[1-2. Effects]
According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained.
(1a) When the printing cassette 10 is inserted into the printing apparatus main body 100, the sensor holder 114 is pressed in the front-rear direction by contact between the first area 52A and the third area 116A of the stepped portion 52, and moves to the retracted position.

Then, the pressure on the sensor holder 114 in the forward and backward directions is released by the second region 52B and the fourth region 116B, and the sensor holder 114 moves to an attachment position where the detection part 115 and the detected part 51 can come into contact with each other.

This allows the cassette identification information from the installed printing cassette 10 to be read, while avoiding interference between the sensor holder 114 and the detection target 51 when inserting or removing the printing cassette 10. As a result, the printing cassette 10 can be smoothly inserted or removed from the printing device main body 100.

(1b) The first region 52A continues to press the sensor holder 114 forward between the state where the bottom surface 36 of the case 35 overlaps with the first part 115G of the detection part 115 and the state where the bottom surface 36 overlaps with the second part 115H of the detection part 115, thereby improving the effect of suppressing interference between the sensor holder 114 and the detected part 51.

(1c) By making the second region 52B of the step portion 52 a recess provided in the side wall of the case 35, the step portion 52 can be formed relatively easily while suppressing an increase in the external dimensions of the printing cassette 10.

(1d) The ribs that make up the third region 116A have tapered portions, which allows the third region 116A to be smoothly inserted into and removed from the second region 52B. This reduces resistance when inserting and removing the printing cassette 10.

[2. Second embodiment]
[2-1. Configuration]
The printing apparatus of the second embodiment includes a printing apparatus main body that is a partially modified version of the printing apparatus main body 100 of FIG. 1B, and a printing cassette 210 shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B.

<Printing cassette>
The printing cassette 210 has the same configuration as the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment, except for the step portion 252. The step portion 252 of the printing cassette 210 has a first region 252A and a second region 252B. The second region 252B is disposed above the first region 252A.

The first region 252A is a rib that protrudes forward from the side wall of the case 35. The rib that constitutes the first region 252A extends in the up-down direction. In addition, this rib has two tapered sections whose protrusion amount in the front-rear direction changes continuously along the up-down direction.

The second region 252B is recessed from the first region 252A in a direction away from the sensor holder 314 (i.e., rearward). Specifically, the second region 252B is formed by the outer surface of the side wall of the case 35 (i.e., part of the front side surface 37).

<Printing device body>
The printer body of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the printer body 100 of Fig. 1B, except for the sensor holder 314 shown in Fig. 14A. The sensor holder 314 has a detection unit 115 and a retraction unit 316. The detection unit 115 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The retraction section 316 has a third region 316A and a fourth region 316B. The fourth region 316B is disposed below the third region 316A. The fourth region 316B is recessed in a direction away from the printing cassette 210 (i.e., forward) relative to the third region 316A.

The fourth region 316B is a recessed portion provided in the sensor holder 314. Specifically, the fourth region 316B is configured as a notch provided in the sensor holder 314. Note that the fourth region 316B may be configured as a groove (i.e., an opening) provided in the sensor holder 314, as shown in FIG. 14B .

<Installing the print cassette>
As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15C, when the printing cassette 210 is inserted or removed, the first area 252A of the stepped portion 252 abuts against the third area 316A of the retracted portion 316 from behind, thereby pressing the sensor holder 314 forward.

In other words, the third region 316A of the retraction section 316 moves the sensor holder 314 forward in a state in which the detected part 51 shown in Figures 15B and 15D is in a different position from the detection part 115 in the up-down direction.

As shown in FIG. 15E, when the case 35 moves to the mounting position of the printing cassette 210, the first region 252A is inserted into the fourth region 316B, and the forward pressure on the sensor holder 314 by the stepped portion 252 is released. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15F, the protruding portion of the detection portion 115 enters or comes into contact with the detected portion 51.

[2-2. Effects]
According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained.
(2a) By forming the first region 252A of the step portion 252 as a rib, the degree of freedom in the shape of the sensor holder 314 is increased.

3. Other embodiments
Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can take various forms.

(3a) The printing device of the above embodiment is not limited to one that prints using an ink ribbon. The printing device may use a strip of thermal paper instead of printing tape. In other words, the printing cassette does not necessarily have to be equipped with an ink ribbon.

(3b) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, the first region of the step portion and the third region of the retreat portion may both be formed of ribs.

(3c) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, the sensor holder does not necessarily have to be able to move in parallel in the front-rear direction when the roller holder is in the mounting position. The sensor holder may be able to swing around a swing center axis that is parallel to the up-down direction with respect to the housing, independent of the roller holder.

Furthermore, the sensor holder does not necessarily have to be attached to the roller holder. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the sensor holder 114 may be attached to the housing 110 by a support 119 so that it can move in the front-rear direction relative to the housing 110.

(3d) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, the detection portion does not necessarily have to have multiple protrusions. The detection portion may detect the cassette identification information from contact with the detected portion via an electrical contact, a link mechanism, etc.

(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. In addition, a part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. In addition, at least a part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to, replaced with, or the like for the configuration of another of the above embodiments. Note that any aspect included in the technical idea specified by the wording described in the claims is an embodiment of the present disclosure.

1...printing device, 10, 210...printing cassette, 11...first roll,
11A...printing tape, 14...second roll, 14A...ink ribbon, 20...transmission mechanism,
33B: head opening, 33C: discharge port, 35: case, 36: bottom surface, 37: front side surface,
51: detection target portion; 51A: pressing region; 51B: non-pressing region; 52, 252: step portion;
52A, 252A...first region, 52B, 252B...second region, 100...printing device main body,
101: cassette storage section; 102: print head; 103: platen roller;
110: Housing; 111: Roller holder; 114, 314: Sensor holder;
115: detection portion, 115A: main body, 115B-115F: protrusions, 115G: first portion,
115H: second section; 116, 316: evacuation section; 116A, 316A: third region;
116B, 316B...fourth region, 117...elastic body, 118...shaft portion, 119...support body.

Claims (20)

A printing cassette that can be inserted into and removed from a printing device body having a sensor holder that can move in a first direction in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction,
A roll of printing tape;
a head opening through which the printing tape is exposed and which is disposed at a position spaced apart from the roll in the second direction;
a detection target portion that causes a detection portion disposed in the sensor holder to detect cassette identification information by contacting the detection portion;
a step portion facing the sensor holder;
Equipped with
The step portion is
a first region that presses the sensor holder in the first direction while the detected portion is in a position different from the detection portion in the second direction;
a second region that is arranged next to the first region in the second direction and is recessed in a direction away from the sensor holder with respect to the first region;
A printing cassette having the following features: a case that houses the roll and is insertable and removable in the second direction into a cassette storage section of the printing device body,
the case has a bottom surface that faces the cassette storage portion in the second direction when the case is inserted into the cassette storage portion,
the detection portion has a first portion, among portions protruding toward the detection target portion, that is furthest from the bottom surface in the second direction when the case is inserted into the cassette storage portion,
A printing cassette as described in claim 1, wherein the first region presses the sensor holder in the first direction when the case is inserted into or removed from the cassette storage section, with the bottom surface of the case and the first portion overlapping in a direction perpendicular to the second direction. a case that houses the roll and is insertable and removable in the second direction into a cassette storage section of the printing device body,
the case has a bottom surface that faces the cassette storage portion in the second direction when the case is inserted into the cassette storage portion,
the detection portion has a second portion that is closest to the bottom surface in the second direction when the case is inserted into the cassette storage portion, among portions that protrude toward the detection portion;
A printing cassette as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first region presses the sensor holder in the first direction when the case is inserted into or removed from the cassette storage section, with the bottom surface of the case and the second portion overlapping in a direction perpendicular to the second direction. a case that houses the roll and is insertable and removable in the second direction into a cassette storage section of the printing device body,
the case has a bottom surface that faces the cassette storage portion in the second direction when the case is inserted into the cassette storage portion,
The detection unit is
a first portion that is a portion of the case that protrudes toward the detection portion and is furthest from the bottom surface in the second direction when the case is inserted into the cassette storage portion;
a second portion that is closest to the bottom surface in the second direction when the case is inserted into the cassette storage portion, among portions that protrude toward the detection portion;
having
A printing cassette as described in claim 1, wherein the first region continues to press the sensor holder in the first direction between a state where the bottom surface of the case and the first part overlap in a direction perpendicular to the second direction to a state where the bottom surface of the case and the second part overlap when the case is inserted into or removed from the cassette storage section. a case that houses the roll and is insertable and removable in the second direction into a cassette storage section of the printing device body,
5. The printing cassette according to claim 1, wherein the second area is a recess provided in a side wall of the case. The printing cassette according to claim 5, wherein the second region is a groove provided in the side wall of the case. The printing cassette according to claim 5, wherein the second area is a notch provided in the side wall of the case. a case that houses the roll and is insertable and removable in the second direction into a cassette storage section of the printing device body,
The printing cassette according to claim 1 , wherein the first region is a rib that protrudes in the first direction from a side wall of the case. The printing cassette according to claim 8, wherein the rib has a tapered portion whose protrusion in the first direction changes along the second direction. The printing cassette according to claim 9, wherein the amount of protrusion of the tapered portion changes continuously along the second direction. The detection target portion is
a pressing region that presses at least one of a plurality of protrusions of the detection unit in the first direction;
At least one non-pressing region that does not press the plurality of protrusions;
having
The printing cassette according to claim 1 , wherein a length of the second region in the second direction is greater than a maximum length of the at least one non-pressed region in the second direction. A printing cassette that can be inserted into and removed from a printing device body having a sensor holder that can move in a first direction in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction,
A roll of printing tape;
a head opening through which the printing tape is exposed and which is disposed at a position spaced apart from the roll in the second direction;
a detection target portion that causes a detection portion disposed in the sensor holder to detect cassette identification information by contacting the detection portion;
a step portion facing the sensor holder;
Equipped with
The step portion is
A first region; and
a second region that is arranged next to the first region in the second direction and is recessed in a direction away from the sensor holder with respect to the first region;
having
The detection target portion is
a pressing region that presses at least one of a plurality of protrusions of the detection unit in the first direction;
At least one non-pressing region that does not press the plurality of protrusions;
having
A printing cassette, wherein a length of the second region in the second direction is greater than a maximum value of a length of the at least one non-pressed region in the second direction. A printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 12;
a printing device body in which the printing cassette is mounted;
A printing device comprising: A printer body into which a printing cassette can be inserted and removed, the printing cassette including a roll of printing tape, a head opening through which the printing tape is exposed and which is disposed at a position spaced apart from the roll in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a detection part,
a sensor holder movable in the first direction;
The sensor holder includes:
a detection unit that detects cassette identification information from the detection target portion by contacting the detection target portion;
a retraction section facing the printing cassette;
having
The retreat section is
a third region in which the sensor holder is moved in the first direction while the detection portion is located at a position different from the detection portion in the second direction;
a fourth region that is arranged side by side with the third region in the second direction and is recessed in a direction away from the printing cassette with respect to the third region;
A printing device body having the above structure. a cassette storage section into which the printing cassette is inserted and removed,
The printing apparatus body according to claim 14 , wherein the third region is a rib that protrudes in the first direction in the cassette storage portion. The printer body according to claim 15, wherein the rib has a tapered portion whose protrusion in the first direction changes along the second direction. The printer body according to claim 16, wherein the amount of protrusion of the tapered portion changes continuously along the second direction. The printer body according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the fourth region is a recess provided in the sensor holder. The printer body according to claim 18, wherein the fourth region is a groove provided in the sensor holder. The printer body according to claim 18, wherein the fourth region is a notch provided in the sensor holder.

Images