Printing device

Abstract

The printing device includes: a print head; a platen roller positioned to face the print head; a motor configured to generate a driving force to rotate the platen roller; a cartridge receiving portion; and a power transmission portion configured to transmit the driving force of the motor to the platen roller. A cartridge incorporating a printing tape to be printed by the print head can be detachably attached to the cartridge receiving portion in a first direction. The power transmission portion includes a plurality of gears, the plurality of gears including a first gear that can move from a first position to a second position downstream of the first position in the first direction. The power transmission portion is configured to switch a ratio of the number of rotations of the platen roller to the number of rotations of the motor depending on whether the first gear is in the first position or the second position, so as to transmit the driving force to the platen roller.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing device. Background Art

[0002] A printing device is known that is configured to print on a printing tape housed in a cartridge that is detachably attached to the printing device. For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-370411 discloses such a conventional printing device, which includes: a platen roller; a motor; a transmission mechanism configured to transmit the driving force of the motor to the platen roller; and a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism is configured to switch the power transmission path of the transmission mechanism according to the rotation direction of the motor (forward or reverse) to thereby change the rotation speed of the platen roller. In this printing device, the rotation direction of the motor is controlled so that the rotation speed of the platen roller for two-color printing is lower than the rotation speed for single-color printing.

[0003] However, in the above conventional printing apparatus, the motor's rotation speed is switched each time before starting printing, and an operation for confirming the origin of the motor is required. Therefore, the timing of starting printing is delayed by a period for performing the operation for confirming the origin. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the foregoing, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a printing apparatus capable of starting printing in a shorter period of time when switching of the rotation speed of the platen roller is performed.

[0005] (1) To achieve the above and other purposes, according to one aspect, the present disclosure provides a printing device, comprising: a print head; a platen roller; a motor; a cartridge receiving portion; and a power transmission portion. The platen roller is positioned to face the print head. The motor is configured to generate a driving force to rotate the platen roller. The cartridge receiving portion is configured to detachably receive a cartridge incorporating a printing tape to be printed by the print head. The cartridge is attachable to the cartridge receiving portion in a first direction. The power transmission portion is configured to transmit the driving force of the motor to the platen roller. The power transmission portion includes a plurality of gears, the plurality of gears including a first gear, the first gear being movable from a first position to a second position, the second position being downstream of the first position in the first direction. The power transmission portion is configured to switch the ratio of the number of rotations of the platen roller to the number of rotations of the motor depending on whether the first gear is at the first position or the second position, so as to transmit the driving force to the platen roller.

[0006] With this structure, the rotational speed of the platen roller can be switched by moving the first gear from the first position to the second position. Therefore, the printing device does not need to perform an operation for origin confirmation in order to switch the rotational speed of the motor. The printing device can start printing in a shorter period of time when switching the rotational speed of the platen roller.

[0007] (2) Preferably, the printing device according to one aspect further includes a movable member provided at the cartridge receiving portion and movable in the first direction. The first gear is moved from the first position to the second position in association with movement of the movable member in the first direction.

[0008] (3) In the printing device according to aspect (2), preferably, the cartridge may include a pressure portion configured to contact the movable member. When the cartridge including the pressure portion is attached to the cartridge receiving portion, the pressure portion contacts the movable member and moves the movable member in the first direction to move the first gear from the first position to the second position. When the cartridge without the pressure portion is attached to the cartridge receiving portion, the first gear is maintained at the first position.

[0009] (4) Preferably, the printing device according to aspect (3) further includes a drive shaft, which is connected to the first gear and is configured to rotate when receiving the driving force from the motor. The movable part is arranged on the drive shaft, and the movable part can move in the first direction relative to the drive shaft. The box includes a reel having a hollow cylindrical shape. When the box is attached to the box receiving portion, the drive shaft and the movable part are inserted into the hollow space of the reel to rotate the reel. In the case where the box includes the pressure portion, the pressure portion is arranged at the inner peripheral surface of the reel, and the inner peripheral surface defines the hollow space of the reel.

[0010] (5) Preferably, the printing device according to any one of aspects (2) to (4) further includes a movable lever. In association with movement of the lever, the movable member is movable in the first direction to move the first gear from the first position to the second position.

[0011] (6) Preferably, the printing device according to any one of aspects (2) to (4) further includes: a housing including the cartridge receiving portion; a cover movable relative to the housing to cover and expose the cartridge receiving portion; and a pressure member movably provided on a lower surface of the cover and connected to the lever. In a closed state of the cover, the pressure member causes the movable member to move in the first direction in association with movement of the lever.

[0012] (7) Preferably, the printing device according to any one of aspects (1) to (6) further includes an urging member that urges the first gear in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0013] (8) In the printing device according to any one of aspects (1) to (7), preferably, the plurality of gears of the power transmission portion further include a second gear and a third gear, positions of the second gear and the third gear being different from each other in the first direction. When the first gear is at the first position, the first gear meshingly engages the second gear, and when the first gear is at the second position, the first gear meshingly engages the third gear.

[0014] (9) In the printing device according to any one of aspects (1) to (7), preferably, the plurality of gears of the power transmission portion further include: an input gear; a sun gear capable of rotating integrally with the input gear; planetary gears meshingly engaged with the sun gear and capable of orbiting around the sun gear; and an output gear capable of rotating in association with the orbital movement of the planetary gears. When the first gear is at the first position, the first gear meshingly engages one of the input gear and the output gear, and when the first gear is at the second position, the first gear meshingly engages the remaining one of the input gear and the output gear. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The specific features and advantages of the embodiments as well as other objects will become clear from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1A is a perspective view of the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure in a state where its cover 3 is closed;

[0017] Figure 1B is a perspective view of the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment with the cover 3 opened;

[0018] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the cartridge receiving portion 8, the motor 36, and the power transmission portion 20 in the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, in which depiction of the bottom surface of the cartridge receiving portion 8 is omitted;

[0019] Figure 3 is a plan view showing the cartridge receiving portion 8, the motor 36, and the power transmission portion 20 in the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment;

[0020] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a cartridge 6 to be used with the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment;

[0021] Figure 5 is a plan view showing the cartridge receiving portion 8 on which the cartridge 6 is mounted, with depiction of the bottom surface of the cartridge receiving portion 8 omitted;

[0022] Figure 6 is a schematic plan view showing the internal structure of the box 6 mounted on the box receiving portion 8;

[0023] Figure 7 It is along Figure 5 A sectional view of the cartridge 6 mounted on the cartridge receiving portion 8, taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 1 , and particularly illustrating the cartridge 6 including the pressure portion 78;

[0024] Figure 8 It is along Figure 5 A sectional view of the cartridge 6 mounted on the cartridge receiving portion 8, taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 1 , and particularly illustrating the cartridge 6 without the pressure portion 78;

[0025] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the cartridge receiver 8 , the motor 36 , and the power transmission portion 120 in the printing apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, in which depiction of the bottom surface of the cartridge receiver 8 is omitted;

[0026] Figure 10 is a plan view showing the cartridge receiving portion 8, the motor 36, and the power transmission portion 120 in the printing apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment;

[0027] Figure 11A is a perspective view of a printing apparatus 101 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure in a state where its cover 103 is closed;

[0028] Figure 11B is a perspective view of the printing apparatus 101 according to the third embodiment in a state where the cover 103 is opened;

[0029] Figure 12Ais a plan view of the cartridge receiving portion 8 on which the cartridge 6 is mounted in the printing apparatus 101 according to the third embodiment, and particularly shows a state in which the lever 110 is located at the left end portion of the groove portion 111 of the cover 103;

[0030] Figure 12B is a plan view of the cartridge receiving portion 8 on which the cartridge 6 is mounted in the printing apparatus 101 according to the third embodiment, and particularly shows a state in which the lever 110 is located at the right end portion of the groove portion 111 of the cover 103;

[0031] Figure 13A is a rear view showing the sleeve portion 113, the second rod portion 132, the pressure member 112, and the movable member 85 in a state where the lever 110 is located at the left end portion of the groove portion 111 in the printing apparatus 101 according to the third embodiment;

[0032] Figure 13B is a rear view showing the sleeve portion 113, the second rod portion 132, the pressure member 112, and the movable member 85 in a state where the lever 110 is located at the right end portion of the groove portion 111 in the printing apparatus 101 according to the third embodiment;

[0033] Figure 14A is a cross-sectional view showing the lever 110 , the sleeve portion 113 , the second rod portion 132 , and the pressure member 112 when viewed from the left side thereof in a state where the lever 110 is located at the left end portion of the groove portion 111 in the printing apparatus 101 according to the third embodiment;

[0034] Figure 14B is a cross-sectional view showing the lever 110 , the sleeve portion 113 , the second rod portion 132 , and the pressure member 112 when viewed from the left side thereof in a state where the lever 110 is located at the right end portion of the groove portion 111 in the printing apparatus 101 according to the third embodiment;

[0035] Figure 15A It is along Figure 12A A sectional view of the cartridge 6 mounted on the cartridge receiving portion 8 in the printing apparatus 101 according to the third embodiment, taken along line XVA-XVA in FIG.

[0036] Figure 15B It is along Figure 12B A sectional view of the cartridge 6 mounted on the cartridge receiving portion 8 in the printing apparatus 101 according to the third embodiment, taken along line XVB-XVB in FIG.

[0037] Figure 16 is a perspective view of a cartridge 160 according to a variation of the first embodiment; and

[0038] Figure 17 is along with Figure 5The line VII-VII corresponds to a cross-sectional view of the box receiving portion 8 and the box 160 mounted thereon, taken along the line. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] 1. First embodiment

[0040] Will refer to Figures 1A to 8 A printing apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is described.

[0041] Throughout this specification, the Figure 1A The orientation of the printing device 1 shown in FIG is used throughout this specification using terms such as “front”, “rear”, “right”, “left”, “upper”, and “lower”. That is, Figure 1A The lower left corner in FIG will be referred to as the “left side” of the printing device 1. Figure 1A The diagonally upper right side of will be referred to as its "right side". Figure 1A The diagonally lower right side of will be called its "front side", and Figure 1A The diagonally upper left side in FIG will be referred to as its “rear side” (see also the arrow shown in each drawing). In addition, each component in the drawings is not to scale and is shown as an example to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure.

[0042] The printing device 1 according to the first embodiment is a universal tape printer, to which various types of cartridges such as a thermal cartridge, a receptor cartridge (receptor type cassette) and a laminate cartridge (laminate type cassette) are selectively attached. The thermal cartridge includes a heat-sensitive tape. The receptor cartridge includes a printing tape and an ink ribbon. The laminate cartridge includes a double-sided adhesive tape, a film tape and an ink ribbon.

[0043] The printing device 1 includes a printing head 15 ( Figure 3 ) to print on the print medium. Hereinafter, the print medium to be printed by the print head 15 of the printing device 1 will be collectively referred to as a "print tape." Specifically, the print tape may include: a thermal tape for a thermal cartridge; a print tape for a receiver cartridge; and a film tape for a laminate cartridge. To simplify the description, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the thermal cartridge 6 is attached to the printing device 1.

[0044] <Printing Device 1>

[0045] As in Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown in FIG, the printing apparatus 1 includes a housing 2 , a cover 3 , a display 4 , and an operation portion 5 .

[0046] The housing 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 2 has a left side surface at which a discharge slit 10 is formed. The discharge slit 10 is an opening extending in an upward / downward direction. The discharge slit 10 is configured to discharge the tape M therethrough from the cartridge receiving portion 8 on which the cartridge 6 is mounted (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 6 ).

[0047] The cover 3 is pivotally movably supported by the rear end portion of the housing 2 so as to be pivotable about an axis extending in the leftward / rightward direction. Figure 1A The cover 3 is shown in a closed state relative to the housing 2, and Figure 1B The state in which the cover 3 is opened relative to the housing 2 is shown. For example, when the cartridge 6 is to be replaced with a new cartridge, the cover 3 is opened and closed. In the following description, it will be assumed that the cover 3 is closed relative to the housing 2, that is, based on the Figure 1A The posture of the printing apparatus 1 shown in FIG will be described.

[0048] The cover 3 has a lower surface where the pressure member 88, the support rod 95, the push member 96 and the sleeve portion 97 are provided (see FIG. Figure 1B and Figure 7 ). The pressure member 88 is a hollow cylindrical shape with a closed bottom and extends in the upward / downward direction. The pressure member 88 is configured to press the cartridge 6 downward in a state where the cartridge 6 is attached to the cartridge receiving portion 8. The pressure member 88 has an upper end connected to the support rod 95.

[0049] A pressing member 96 (such as a coil spring) is provided on the support rod 95 and within the hollow space of the pressure member 88. Specifically, the pressing member 96 has an upper end connected to the upper end of the support rod 95. The pressing member 96 (more specifically, the lower end of the pressing member 96) abuts against the pressure member 88 to push the pressure member 88 downward. The sleeve portion 97 has a hollow cylindrical shape and extends in the upward / downward direction. The upper end of the pressure member 88 is inserted into the hollow space of the sleeve portion 97, so that the sleeve portion 97 guides the movement of the pressure member 88 in the upward / downward direction.

[0050] Although not shown in the drawings, the pressure member 88 has an upper rear peripheral portion provided with a protrusion, and the sleeve portion 97 is formed with a groove (not shown) extending in the upward / downward direction. The protrusion of the pressure member 88 engages with the groove of the sleeve portion 97, thereby adjusting the movable range of the pressure member 88 in the upward / downward direction.

[0051] As in Figure 1A As shown in FIG, a display 4 is provided on the upper surface of the cover 3. The display 4 is, for example, a liquid crystal display configured to display various information. An operation unit 5 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 2 and is located in front of the cover 3. The operation unit 5 is configured to be operated by a user to input various instructions.

[0052] As in Figure 1B 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in FIG, the printing device 1 includes a cartridge receiving portion 8, drive shafts 83 and 84, a movable member 85, a head holder 16, a print head 15, a platen holder 13, a platen roller 11, a movable conveying roller 12, a motor 36, a power transmission portion 20, an urging member 89, and a cutter mechanism 17. All of these parts are arranged in a space surrounded by the housing 2 and the closed cover 3.

[0053] The cartridge receiving portion 8 has a recessed form recessed downward to detachably receive the cartridge 6 thereon. The cartridge 6 is a thermal type and therefore accommodates therein a thermal tape 51 ( Figure 6 ). Driving shafts 83, 84 and a movable member 85 are provided at the box receiving portion 8.

[0054] The drive shafts 83 and 84 extend in the upward / downward directions, respectively. The drive shaft 83 is located behind the right end of the head holder 16, and the drive shaft 84 is located to the left of the head holder 16. The first gear 28 (described later) of the power transmission unit 20 is coaxially coupled to the drive shaft 83 so that the drive shaft 83 can rotate according to the rotation of the first gear 28.

[0055] The movable member 85 is provided at the cartridge receiving portion 8 and is movable in the upward / downward direction relative to the drive shaft 83. Specifically, the movable member 85 is provided on the drive shaft 83 so as to be movable in the upward / downward direction relative to the drive shaft 83. The movable member 85 is provided on the drive shaft 83 at a position above the first gear 28 provided adjacent to the lower end of the drive shaft 83. The movable member 85 has a lower end that abuts against the upper surface of the first gear 28.

[0056] A plurality of ribs 82 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the movable member 85. The ribs 82 are radially arranged around the axis of the movable member 85 extending in the upward / downward direction with equal intervals between adjacent ribs. The plurality of ribs 82 protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the movable member 85 and extend downward from a position adjacent to the upper end of the movable member 85. The movable member 85 is configured to rotate by the rotation of the drive shaft 83.

[0057] The urging member 89 is provided on the driving shaft 83 at a position below the first gear 28. The urging member 89 urges the first gear 28 upward. The movable member 85 is urged upward by the urging member 89 via the first gear 28.

[0058] As in Figure 7As shown in FIG, the upper end portion of the drive shaft 83 is formed with an annular groove 831 that is recessed toward the axis of the drive shaft 83, and the ring 86 is fitted into the annular groove 831. The ring 86 has an outer peripheral surface that is positioned further radially outward relative to the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 83. The movable member 85 has an upper end 851 formed with an annular recessed portion 852 that is recessed downward. The ring 86, which protrudes radially outward from the drive shaft 83, is configured to come into contact with the annular recessed portion 852, thereby restricting further upward movement of the movable member 85.

[0059] The drive shaft 84 is connected to the gear 32 (described later) of the power transmission unit 20. Figure 3 ) is coaxial and can be rotated by the rotation of the gear 32. When the box 6 is attached to the box receiving portion 8, the drive shaft 83 is inserted into the reel 75 (described later, Figure 6 ) to rotate the reel 75 according to the rotation of the motor 36; and the drive shaft 84 is inserted into the tape conveying roller 71 of the cassette 6 (described later, Figure 6 ) in which the belt conveying roller 71 rotates according to the rotation of the motor 36.

[0060] The first gear 28, movable component 85 and pushing component 89 are arranged on the drive shaft 83.The first gear 28 and pushing component 89 are arranged below the dike (not shown) of the box receiving portion 8.In plan view, the dike is formed with two circular holes.The drive shaft 83 and the movable component 85 that is arranged thereon insert through one in the circular hole.The drive shaft 84 inserts through another in the circular hole.

[0061] The head holder 16 is located at the front of the cartridge receiving portion 8. The head holder 16 is plate-shaped and made of metal. The head holder 16 has a front surface equipped with a print head 15. The print head 15 includes a plurality of heat generating elements configured to heat the heat-sensitive tape 51 set in the cartridge 6 to print. When the cartridge 6 is attached to the cartridge receiving portion 8, the head holder 16 is inserted into the head opening 58 (described later) of the cartridge 6. Figure 6 )middle.

[0062] Incidentally, in the case where the cartridge 6 is of either a receiver type or a laminate type, the plurality of heat generating elements of the print head 15 are configured to heat the ink ribbon set in the cartridge 6 to perform printing. The rotation of the drive shaft 83 is used to wind up the ink ribbon after printing by the print head 15.

[0063] The motor 36 is located on the right side of the cartridge receiving portion 8. The motor 36 includes a motor body and an output shaft extending downward from the motor body. A stepping motor is an example of the motor 36.

[0064] The power transmission portion 20 includes a plurality of gears 21 to 35 including the first gear 28 and the gears 31 and 32 described above. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The power transmission part 20 shown in FIG is hidden from sight by the bottom wall of the box receiving part 8. Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 7 , the depiction of the gear teeth of the gear 21-35 is omitted.

[0065] The first gear 28 is movable from a first position to a second position lower than the first position. Specifically, the first gear 28 is movable from the first position to the second position in an interlocking relationship with the downward movement of the movable member 85. The power transmission portion 20 is configured to convert the ratio of the number of rotations of the platen roller 11 to the number of rotations of the motor 36 when transmitting the driving force of the motor 36 to the platen roller 11, depending on whether the first gear 28 is in the first position or the second position.

[0066] More specifically, in the power transmission unit 20, a gear 21 is fixed to the lower end of the output shaft of the motor 36. Gear 21 meshes with a gear 22 located to the left of gear 21. Gear 22 is coaxial with a gear 23, which, together with gear 22, forms a cluster gear. Gear 23 has a smaller diameter than gear 22, and has fewer teeth than gear 22. Gear 23 is located above gear 22.

[0067] Gear 23 meshes with a second gear 24 located to the left of gear 23. Second gear 24 is coaxial with gear 25, where gear 25 and second gear 24 together form a gear set. The diameter of gear 25 is smaller than that of second gear 24, and the number of gear teeth on gear 22 is smaller than that of second gear 24. Gear 25 is located below second gear 24. Gear 25 meshes with gear 26 located diagonally to the left and behind gear 25. The diameter of gear 26 is slightly larger than that of gear 25.

[0068] The gear 26 is meshed with a third gear 27 located behind the gear 26. The diameter of the third gear 27 is larger than that of the gear 26. The third gear 27 has a front end located below the rear end of the second gear 24. That is, the front end of the third gear 27 and the rear end of the second gear 24 overlap with each other in the upward / downward direction.

[0069] The first gear 28 is configured to mesh with the second gear 24 when the first gear 28 is in the first position, and is configured to mesh with the third gear 27 when the first gear 28 is in the second position. The first gear 28 meshes with the gear 29 located to the left of the first gear 28, regardless of whether the first gear 28 is in the first position or the second position. As an example, the rotation ratio of the first gear 28 in the second position is one-fifth of the rotation ratio of the first gear 28 in the first position. Incidentally, the rotation ratio of the motor 36 to the platen roller 11 when the first gear 28 is in the first position and the second position can be appropriately changed.

[0070] Gear 29 is coaxial with gear 30, wherein gear 30 and gear 29 together constitute a gear set. The diameter of gear 30 is smaller than that of gear 29, and the number of gear teeth of gear 30 is smaller than the number of gear teeth of gear 29. Gear 30 is located below gear 29. Gear 30 meshes with gear 31 located diagonally to the left and in front of gear 30. Gear 31 meshes with gear 32 located diagonally to the left and in front of gear 31.

[0071] The gear 32 is configured to meshingly engage with a gear 34 located in front of the gear 32 when the platen holder 13 is in a printing position described later. The gear 31 is also meshingly engaged with a gear 33 located diagonally to the right and in front of the gear 31. The gear 33 is configured to meshingly engage with a gear 35 located in front of the gear 33 when the platen holder 13 is in the printing position.

[0072] In a state where the cassette 6 is attached to the cassette receiving portion 8, in a plan view, the rotation of the motor 36 in the counterclockwise direction causes the rotation of the drive shaft 83 in the counterclockwise direction. The rotation of the drive shaft 83 rotates the reel 75 attached to the drive shaft 83. The rotation of the motor 36 is transmitted to the drive shaft 84 to rotate the tape conveying roller 71 attached to the drive shaft 84 in the clockwise direction in a plan view. The rotation of the motor 36 is also transmitted to the gears 34 and 35 to rotate the movable conveying roller 12 and the platen roller 11 in the counterclockwise direction in a plan view, respectively.

[0073] The platen holder 13 has an arm-like shape and is located in front of the head holder 16. The platen holder 13 is pivotally movable around the axis of a shaft 14 extending in the upward / downward direction and provided at the right end portion of the platen holder 13. The platen roller 11 and the movable conveying roller 12 are supported at the left end portion of the platen holder 13 so that the platen roller 11 and the movable conveying roller 12 are rotatable around the axis extending in the upward / downward direction.

[0074] Specifically, the platen holder 13 can be in a standby position (at the Figure 6 ) and the print position (shown by a dotted line in Figure 6 The platen holder 13 pivotally moves between the two positions (shown by solid lines in FIG). In the printing position, the platen holder 13 is positioned adjacent to the cartridge receiving portion 8. In the standby position, the platen holder 13 is positioned spaced apart from the cartridge receiving portion 8. The platen holder 13 moves from the printing position to the standby position in conjunction with the opening movement of the cover 3. When the platen holder 13 is in the standby position, the cartridge 6 can be attached to and detached from the cartridge receiving portion 8 by a user.

[0075] In the printing position of the platen holder 13, the platen roller 11 faces the print head 15 and is in contact therewith. The platen roller 11 is thus configured to come into contact with and separate from the print head 15 according to the pivotal movement of the platen holder 13. Similarly, when the platen holder 13 is in the printing position, the movable conveying roller 12 faces the tape conveying roller 71 attached to the drive shaft 84. The movable conveying roller 12 is configured to come into contact with and separate from the tape conveying roller 71 attached to the drive shaft 84 according to the pivotal movement of the platen holder 13.

[0076] The platen holder 13 moves from the standby position to the printing position in association with the closing movement of the cover 3. In the state where the cartridge 6 is attached to the cartridge receiving portion 8 (and therefore when the platen holder 13 is in the printing position), the platen roller 11 is pressed toward the print head 15 via the printing tape (thermal tape 51), and the movable conveying roller 12 is pressed toward the tape conveying roller 71 via the printing tape (thermal tape 51) and the adhesive tape 52 (described later) of the cartridge 6.

[0077] Furthermore, when the platen holder 13 is in the printing position, the gear 32 is meshingly engaged with the gear 34, and the gear 33 is meshingly engaged with the gear 35. Thus, the platen roller 11 and the movable conveying roller 12 are rotated by the rotation of the motor 36, respectively. The rotation speed of the platen roller 11 can be switched depending on the upward / downward position (first position or second position) of the first gear 28 of the power transmission portion 20. When the platen holder 13 is in the printing position, the printing apparatus 1 can perform printing using the cartridge 6 attached to the cartridge receiving portion 8.

[0078] The cutter mechanism 17 is located to the left of the cartridge receiving portion 8 and to the right of the discharge slit 10. The cutter mechanism 17 is configured to cut the tape M released from the cartridge 6 attached to the cartridge receiving portion 8 at a predetermined position (see FIG. Figure 6 The cutter mechanism 17 includes a fixed blade 18 and a movable blade 19 made of metal. The movable blade 19 is positioned to face the fixed blade 18 and is movable relative to the fixed blade 18.

[0079] <Box 6>

[0080] Next, refer to Figures 4 to 8Description Box 6.

[0081] The box 6 includes a housing 60. Depending on the type of the printing tape accommodated in the housing 60, the box 6 can be one of the following types: a thermal type box, a laminated type box, and a receptor type box. In other words, the box 6 is a universal type. In the first embodiment, the thermal type box 6 is described as an example of the box of the present disclosure.

[0082] In addition to the housing 60, the cartridge 6 further includes support portions 61-65, a tape delivery roller 71, reels 71-75, a heat-sensitive tape 51, and an adhesive tape 52. In the case where the heat-sensitive tape 51 is a color heat-sensitive type to be used for color printing, the cartridge 6 further includes a pressure portion 78 ( Figure 7 ) On the other hand, in the case where the heat-sensitive tape 51 is a monochrome thermal type to be used for monochrome printing, the pressure portion 78 is not provided.

[0083] The housing 60 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape (or a box-like shape) with rounded corners in a plan view and includes an arm portion 69 , a discharge opening 70 , a head peripheral wall 59 , and a guide portion 56 .

[0084] The arm portion 69 extends leftward from the right front portion of the housing 60. The arm portion 69 is defined by an arm front wall 67 and an arm rear wall 68. The arm front wall 67 forms a portion of the front wall of the housing 60. The arm front wall 67 extends upward / downward and leftward / rightward across the left and right centers of the front wall of the housing 60. The arm rear wall 68 is located behind the arm front wall 67 so as to be spaced therefrom. The arm rear wall 68 extends leftward / rightward and upward / downward.

[0085] A discharge opening 70 is formed at the left end portion of the arm portion 69. The discharge opening 70 is a slit extending in the upward / downward direction and located between the arm front wall 67 and the arm rear wall 68 in the forward / rearward direction.

[0086] The head peripheral wall 59 extends rearward from the right end of the arm rear wall 68 and then extends leftward parallel to the arm rear wall 68. The head peripheral wall 59 and the arm rear wall 68 define the head opening 58 therebetween. That is, the head opening 58 is located behind and adjacent to the arm portion 69. The head opening 58 has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view and extends upward / downward through the thickness of the housing 60. The head opening 58 also extends leftward / rightward beyond the left and right centers of the housing 60.

[0087] When the cartridge 6 is attached to the cartridge receiving portion 8 of the printing apparatus 1, the head holder 16 of the cartridge receiving portion 8 is inserted into the head opening 58. The head opening 58 is opened by an opening portion 57 (see FIG. Figure 4) communicates at its front side with the outside of the cartridge 6. The thermal tape 51 accommodated in the housing 60 is discharged from the arm portion 69 through the discharge opening 70 and is exposed to the outside at the opening portion 57 where the print head 15 performs printing on the thermal tape 51.

[0088] The guide portion 56 is located at a left front corner of the housing 60. The guide portion 56 is configured to guide the tape M (the printed heat-sensitive tape 51 on which the adhesive tape 52 is superimposed) toward the cutter mechanism 17 when the tape M passes through the guide portion 56.

[0089] The support portion 61 is located at the left front end portion of the housing 60 and rotatably supports the belt conveying roller 71. The support portion 62 is located at the left rear end portion of the housing 60 and rotatably supports the reel 72. The support portion 63 is located at the right rear end portion of the housing 60 and rotatably supports the reel 73. The support portion 64 is located at the right front end portion of the housing 60 and rotatably supports the reel 74. The support portion 65 is located between the support portion 61 and the support portion 64 in the left / right direction. The support portion 65 is located in front of the support portions 63 and 64 and behind the support portions 61 and 64. The support portion 65 rotatably supports the reel 75.

[0090] The reel 75 is rotatably supported by a support portion 65 extending in the upward / downward direction through the thickness of the housing 60. The reel 75 has an inner peripheral surface defining a hollow space of the reel 75, which is aligned with an opening 79 formed in the lower wall of the housing 60 (see FIG. Figure 4 ). refer to Figure 6 The inner peripheral surface of the reel 75 is provided with an engaging portion 76 protruding radially inward therefrom. The engaging portion 76 extends in the upward / downward direction to occupy at least an area below the center K of the inner peripheral surface of the reel 75 in the upward / downward direction (see FIG. Figure 7 The engaging portion 76 is engageable with the rib 82 of the movable member 85 that is rotatable (together with the drive shaft 83) by the rotation of the motor 36. Therefore, the reel 75 is rotatable in conjunction with the rotation of the movable member 85.

[0091] As in Figure 6 As shown in FIG, the thermal tape 51 is an elongated printing medium (printing tape).

[0092] In the case where the heat-sensitive tape 51 is a color heat-sensitive type printing tape, the heat-sensitive tape 51 is configured by laminating a plurality of layers to enable color printing using a combination of three primary colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow.

[0093] Specifically, the color thermal tape 51 includes, for example, a base layer, multiple thermal layers, multiple heat-insulating layers, and a cover layer. According to this embodiment, the multiple thermal layers include a first thermal layer, a second thermal layer, and a third thermal layer. The multiple heat-insulating layers include a first heat-insulating layer and a second heat-insulating layer. The base layer, the first thermal layer, the first heat-insulating layer, the second thermal layer, the second heat-insulating layer, the third thermal layer, and the cover layer are stacked in a given order across the thickness of the thermal tape 51.

[0094] The base layer is a resin film, specifically a non-foamed resin film. Each of the first heat-sensitive layer, the second heat-sensitive layer, and the third heat-sensitive layer is configured to produce a color corresponding to one of the three primary colors (cyan, magenta, and yellow) when heated to a color development temperature specific to the layer. The first heat-insulating layer and the second heat-insulating layer are sheet-like layers, each of which is made of a material with a relatively low thermal conductivity. Each of the heat-insulating layers generates a desired temperature difference between adjacent heat-sensitive layers according to the thermal conductivity of each heat-insulating layer. The coating layer is positioned relative to the base layer to protect the multiple heat-sensitive layers.

[0095] In the case where the thermal tape 51 is a monochrome thermal printing tape, the thermal tape 51 is constructed by laminating a plurality of layers to enable monochrome printing. Specifically, the thermal tape 51 includes, for example, a base layer, a heat-sensitive layer, and a cover layer. The base layer, the heat-sensitive layer, and the cover layer are laminated in a given order in the thickness direction of the thermal tape 51.

[0096] The thermal tape 51 of either a color thermal type or a monochrome thermal type is wound on a reel 73 in a roll form, unwound forward from the front end of the roll, and then turned left at the right front end portion of the cartridge 6. The thermal tape 51 passes through the inside of the arm portion 69 and is exposed to the outside of the cartridge 6 through the discharge opening 70.

[0097] When the cartridge 6 is attached to the cartridge receiving portion 8, in the head opening 58, the base layer of the heat-sensitive tape 51 faces the platen roller 11, and the cover layer opposite to the base layer faces the print head 15. After passing through the head opening 58, the heat-sensitive tape 51 passes through the portion between the tape conveying roller 71 and the movable conveying roller 12. At this time, the cover layer of the heat-sensitive tape 51 faces the tape conveying roller 71, while the base layer of the heat-sensitive tape 51 faces the movable conveying roller 12.

[0098] The adhesive tape 52 is an elongated medium and is constructed by laminating a plurality of layers. Specifically, the adhesive tape 52 includes a double-sided adhesive tape and a release paper. The double-sided adhesive tape includes a white sheet and is constructed by applying an adhesive to each surface of the white sheet.

[0099] The adhesive tape 52 is wound in a roll form on the reel 72 and unwound forward from the left end of the roll. The adhesive tape 52 then turns leftward while coming into contact with the right front periphery of the tape conveyor roller 71. At this time, the peelable paper of the adhesive tape 52 faces the tape conveyor roller 71, and the double-sided tape of the adhesive tape 52 faces the movable conveyor roller 12. The heat-sensitive tape 51 is superimposed on the adhesive tape 52 so that the cover layer contacts the adhesive tape 52.

[0100] Furthermore, in the case where the cartridge 6 accommodates the heat-sensitive tape 51 of a color thermal type, the cartridge 6 further includes a pressure portion 78 .

[0101] The pressure portion 78 is a cylindrical protrusion that protrudes radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the reel 75 toward the central axis J of the reel 75 (see FIG. Figure 6 The pressure portion 78 is located above the center K of the inner peripheral surface of the reel 75 in the upward / downward direction (see FIG. Figure 7 ). That is, the pressure portion 78 is positioned closer to the upper wall of the housing 60 than the bottom wall of the housing 60 in the upward / downward direction. Figure 6 , the protruding length of the pressure portion 78 is greater than the protruding length of the engagement portion 76 on the inner peripheral surface of the reel 75. In any other portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the reel 75, the pressure portion 78 protrudes radially inward to a position closest to the central axis J. The pressure portion 78 may or may not be formed integrally with the reel 75.

[0102] The pressure portion 78 is configured to contact the first gear 28 indirectly (via the movable member 85) when the cartridge 6 (housing 60) is attached to the cartridge receiving portion 8. In this embodiment, the pressure portion 78 is configured to contact the movable member 85 from above when the cartridge 6 is attached to the cartridge receiving portion 8, thereby pushing the movable member 85 downward, thereby moving the first gear 28 downward from the first position to the second position. Therefore, when the driving force of the motor 36 is transmitted to the platen roller 11, the ratio of the number of rotations of the platen roller 11 to the number of rotations of the motor 36 is switched.

[0103] <Attachment and Detachment of Cartridge 6 with Respect to Cartridge Receiving Portion 8>

[0104] Next, we will refer to Figure 1A 、 Figure 1B 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 7 and Figure 8 The following describes the attachment of the cartridge 6 including the pressure portion 78 to the cartridge receiving portion 8 and the attachment of the cartridge 6 without the pressure portion 78 to the cartridge receiving portion 8. As described above, the cartridge 6 with the pressure portion 78 includes the heat-sensitive tape 51 of the color thermal type, while the cartridge 6 without the pressure portion 78 includes the heat-sensitive tape 51 of the monochrome thermal type.

[0105] As in Figure 1BAs shown in FIG, to attach the cartridge 6 (with and without the pressure portion 78) to the cartridge receiving portion 8, the user grasps the cartridge 6 above the cartridge receiving portion 8 while the lid 3 remains open relative to the housing 2. The user then moves the cartridge 6 downward toward the cartridge receiving portion 8. In doing so, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown in , the drive shaft 83 is inserted into the reel 75 of the cassette 6, and the drive shaft 84 is inserted into the tape conveying roller 71 of the cassette 6, and the head holder 16 is inserted into the head opening 58. The cassette 6 (with and without the pressure portion 78) is thus attached to the cassette receiving portion 8. In this embodiment, the downward direction is the attachment direction of the cassette 6 in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1A As shown in , the user then closes the cover 3 relative to the housing 2 .

[0106] As in Figure 7 , in a case where the cartridge 6 including the pressure portion 78 is attached to the cartridge receiving portion 8, a drive shaft 83 that can be rotated by the rotation of the motor 36 is inserted in the reel 75 to extend through the reel 75. By the downward movement of the cartridge 6, the pressure portion 78 pushes the first gear 28 downward through the movable member 85 provided on the drive shaft 83.

[0107] Specifically, the pressure portion 78 has an upper end surface 781 and a lower end surface 782. The pressure member 88 provided on the lower surface of the cover 3 has a lower end 881 configured to face the upper end surface 781 of the pressure portion 78. The lower end 881 of the pressure member 88 is formed with an upwardly recessed recess 882. The upper end of the drive shaft 83 is configured to abut against the recess 882. The lower end surface 782 of the pressure portion 78 is configured to contact the upper end 851 of the movable member 85.

[0108] By inserting the cartridge 6 into the cartridge receiving portion 8, the lower end surface 782 of the pressure portion 78 comes into contact with the upper end 851 of the movable member 85 to push the movable member 85 and the first gear 28 downward against the biasing force of the pushing member 89. As a result, the first gear 28 is moved downward from the first position to the second position, thereby disengaging the first gear 28 from the second gear 24 and meshing with the third gear 27. At this time, the upper end surface 781 of the pressure portion 78 is slightly spaced from the lower end 881 of the pressure member 88. In addition, the upper end of the drive shaft 83 comes into contact with the recessed portion 882 of the pressure member 88 and is pressed downward by the pressure member 88 when the lid 3 is closed. With this structure, even if the attached cartridge 6 is lifted upward by the pushing force of the pushing member 89, the pressure portion 78 is brought into contact with the pressure member 88, thereby restricting the attached cartridge 6 from moving further upward.

[0109] In order to remove the cartridge 6 provided with the pressure portion 78 from the cartridge receiving portion 8, the user removes the cartridge 6 by moving the cartridge 6 upward (in the cartridge removal direction) while the cover 3 is open. As the pressure portion 78 separates from the movable member 85 in accordance with the removal of the cartridge 6, the first gear 28 moves upward from the second position to the first position by the urging force of the urging member 89. Accordingly, the first gear 28 disengages from the third gear 27 and comes into meshing engagement with the second gear 24.

[0110] As in Figure 8 As shown in FIG, in a case where the cartridge 6 without the pressure portion 78 is attached to the cartridge receiving portion 8, the driving shaft 83 is inserted in the hollow space of the reel 75 to extend therethrough.

[0111] Specifically, the recessed portion 852 of the movable member 85 abuts against the lower surface of the ring 86 provided at the upper end portion of the drive shaft 83. Since the movable member 85 abuts against the ring 86 of the drive shaft 83, the movable member 85 is restricted from further upward movement by the urging force of the urging member 89. Accordingly, the first gear 28 is maintained at the first position to engage the second gear 24. In addition, the upper end of the drive shaft 83 abuts against the recessed portion 882 of the pressure member 88. With this structure, even if the attached cartridge 6 without the pressure portion 78 is lifted upward due to the urging force of the urging member 89, the cartridge 6 is restricted from being lifted upward due to the urging force of the urging member 89.

[0112] In order to remove the cartridge 6 without the pressure portion 78 from the cartridge receiving portion 8, the user removes the cartridge 6 by moving the cartridge 6 upward when the cover 3 is opened. At this time, the first gear 28 maintains the first position to maintain meshing engagement with the second gear 24 and remains disengaged from the third gear 27.

[0113] <Print Operation>

[0114] Next, how the printing apparatus 1 performs printing with the cartridge 6 (with or without the pressure portion 78 ) based on print data will be described.

[0115] In the printing device 1, the motor 36 is controlled to rotate the tape conveyor roller 71, the movable conveyor roller 12, and the platen roller 11. When the cassette 6 is attached to the cassette receiving portion 8, the heat-sensitive tape 51 and the adhesive tape 52 are respectively unwound by the cooperation of the tape conveyor roller 71, the movable conveyor roller 12, and the platen roller 11. In accordance with the rotation of the motor 36, the drive shaft 83 rotates, thereby rotating the reel 75.

[0116] When the motor 36 is controlled, the print head 15 is also controlled. Specifically, while the thermal tape 51 is being transported, the multiple heat-generating elements of the print head 15 are selectively heated based on the print data. At this time, the thermal tape 51 is heated by the print head 15 from the side of the cover layer, which is positioned opposite the base layer in the thickness direction of the thermal tape 51. An image based on the image data is thus formed (printed) on the thermal tape 51. The printed thermal tape 51 and adhesive tape 52 are then transported by the rotation of the drive shaft 84 (tape transport roller 71) caused by the rotation of the motor 36.

[0117] The conveying speed of the heat-sensitive tape 51 and the adhesive tape 52 caused by the rotation of the movable conveying roller 12 is switched in response to the change in the upward / downward position of the first gear 28. In the present embodiment, in a case where the cassette 6 including the single-color heat-sensitive tape 51 (without the pressure portion 78) is attached to the cassette receiving portion 8 and the first gear 28 is in the first position, the conveying speed is set to the first conveying speed, whereas in a case where the cassette 6 including the color heat-sensitive tape 51 (including the pressure portion 78) is attached to the cassette receiving portion 8 and the first gear 28 is in the second position, the conveying speed is set to the second conveying speed lower than the first conveying speed.

[0118] With this construction, in the printing device 1, the thermal tape 51 can be conveyed more slowly and accurately during color printing (using the color thermal tape 51) than during monochrome printing (using the monochrome thermal tape 51), thereby ensuring the time slot for heat transfer to each of the thermal layers corresponding to the three primary colors.

[0119] With the printed heat-sensitive tape 51 and the adhesive tape 52 superimposed, the printed heat-sensitive tape 51 and the adhesive tape 52 are joined to each other to create the tape M while being sandwiched between the movable conveying roller 12 and the tape conveying roller 71. Figure 6 As shown in FIG, the tape M is then conveyed by the guide portion 56 to be discharged from the cassette 6 (housing 60). The tape M is then conveyed to the cutter mechanism 17 and cut by the cutter mechanism 17. The cut tape M is discharged to the outside of the printing apparatus 1 through the discharge slit 10.

[0120] 2. Second embodiment

[0121] Next, refer to Figure 9 and Figure 10 A printing apparatus 1A according to a second embodiment is described, wherein the same parts and components as those in FIG. 1 to FIG. Figure 8 The same reference numerals as those shown are designated to avoid duplication of description.

[0122] The printing apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment is the same as the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, except that the printing apparatus 1A includes a power transmission portion 120 instead of the power transmission portion 20 of the first embodiment.

[0123] As in Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown in , the power transmission part 120 of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the power transmission part 20 of the first embodiment, except that the power transmission part 120 includes a planetary gear mechanism instead of the gears 24 to 27 of the first embodiment. Specifically, in the power transmission part 120, the planetary gear mechanism is composed of an input gear 121, an output gear 122, a ring gear 123, a sun gear 125, three planetary gears 126, and three output gear transmission parts 127. Incidentally, in Figure 9 and Figure 10 , the depiction of the gear teeth of the gears 21 - 23 , 28 - 35 , 121 - 123 , 125 and 126 is omitted.

[0124] Specifically, the gear 22 is meshed with the input gear 121 located diagonally rearward and to the left of the gear 22. The sun gear 125 is coaxial with the input gear 121 and rotates as the input gear 121 rotates. The diameter of each of the three planetary gears 126 is smaller than that of the input gear 121. The three planetary gears 126 are arranged around the sun gear 125 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the sun gear 125. Each of the planetary gears 126 is meshed with the sun gear 125.

[0125] Ring gear 123 has internal teeth that mesh with each of the three planetary gears 126. Ring gear 123 and sun gear 125 are aligned with each other in the upward / downward direction and are coaxial with each other. Output gear 122 is provided coaxially with input gear 121 and is located between input gear 121 and sun gear 125. The diameter of output gear 122 is equal to the diameter of input gear 121. Output gear 122 is rotatable about its axis independently of the rotation of input gear 121 and sun gear 125.

[0126] The three output gear transmissions 127 extend downward from the output gear 122. The output gear transmissions 127 are positioned at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the sun gear 125. Each of the output gear transmissions 127 rotatably supports a corresponding one of the three planetary gears 126. The planetary gears 126 are able to orbit around the sun gear 125 through the rotation of the sun gear 125 and through meshing engagement with the ring gear 123. Therefore, the orbital motion of the planetary gears 126 causes the output gear 122 to rotate at a reduced speed about its axis.

[0127] When the first gear 28 is in the first position, the first gear 28 is meshingly engaged with the input gear 121, and when the first gear 28 is in the second position, the first gear 28 is meshingly engaged with the output gear 122. When the first gear 28 is in the first position and in the second position, the first gear 28 is meshingly engaged with the gear 29 located to the left of the first gear 28. As an example, the number of rotations of the first gear 28 in the second position is one-fifth of the number of rotations of the first gear 28 in the first position.

[0128] In the printing apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment, as in the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the ratio of the number of rotations of the platen roller 11 to the number of rotations of the motor 36 can be switched between when the first gear 28 is in the first position and when the first gear 28 is in the second position. As a modification of the second embodiment, the first gear 28 in its first position can be engaged with the output gear 122, and the first gear 28 in its second position can be engaged with the input gear 121.

[0129] 3. Third embodiment

[0130] Next, refer to Figures 11A to 15B A printing apparatus 101 according to a third embodiment is described, wherein the same parts and components as those in FIG. 1 to FIG. Figure 8 The same reference numerals as those shown are designated to avoid duplication of description. Figure 12A and Figure 12B The cassette 6 is shown in a state where the cassette receiving portion 8 is attached and the lever 110 is in its leftward position ( Figure 12A ) and in its rightward position ( Figure 12B ) is a part of the internal structure of the printing device 101.

[0131] The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a pressure portion 112 (corresponding to the pressure portion 78 of the first embodiment) for moving the movable member 85 in the upward / downward direction is provided on the cover 3, not on the cartridge 6. That is, in the third embodiment, the cartridge 6 does not include the pressure portion 78, regardless of whether the heat-sensitive tape 51 in the cartridge 6 is a color thermal type or a monochrome thermal type.

[0132] Specifically, the printing apparatus 101 according to the third embodiment includes a lever 110 , a sleeve portion 113 , a guide member 130 , a pressure member 112 , and an urging member 119 for moving the first gear 28 from the first position to the second position via the movable member 85 .

[0133] As in Figure 11AAs best shown in FIG, the lever 110 is supported in a groove portion 111 formed on the upper surface of the cover 3. The groove portion 111 is formed on the left rear portion of the upper surface of the cover 3 and has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The lever 110 can move in the left / right direction within the groove portion 111.

[0134] The lever 110 includes a plate portion 116, a clamped portion 114, and a guide portion 108 ( Figures 12A-12B ,and Figures 14A-14B ). Plate portion 116 is plate-shaped and extends generally parallel to the bottom surface of groove portion 111. Clamped portion 114 has a plate-like shape extending upward from the right end of plate portion 116. Guide portion 108 extends forward from the right region of the front end of plate portion 116. When cover 3 is closed relative to housing 2, guide portion 108 is located in the internal space defined between cover 3 and housing 2. Guide portion 108 has a front end portion formed with a notch 109 recessed rearward to have an inverted U-shape.

[0135] As in Figure 13A and Figure 13B As shown in FIG, sleeve portion 113 has a hollow cylindrical shape and protrudes downward from the lower surface of cover 3 at a position facing drive shaft 83 when cover 3 is closed. Sleeve portion 113 is formed with a guide hole 115 extending through the thickness of the peripheral wall of sleeve portion 113. Guide hole 115 has a curved lower edge that includes a first linear edge line 152 extending in the left / right direction, an inclined edge line 153 extending diagonally upward and leftward from the left end of first linear edge line 152, and a second linear edge line 151 extending leftward from the left end of inclined edge line 153. First linear edge line 152 is located to the right of inclined edge line 153, and second linear edge line 151 is located to the left of inclined edge line 153. Second linear edge line 151 extends in the left / right direction at a position diagonally above first linear edge line 152.

[0136] The guide member 130 is configured to switch the position of the pressure member 112 in the upward / downward direction in association with the leftward / rightward position of the lever 110. Specifically, the guide member 130 includes a first rod portion 131 and a second rod portion 132 connected to the first rod portion 131. The first rod portion 131 has a solid cylindrical shape extending in the upward / downward direction. The first rod portion 131 is located in the recess 109 of the guide portion 108, so that the first rod portion 131 can move in the leftward / rightward direction according to the leftward / rightward movement of the lever 110.

[0137] The second rod portion 132 extends from the first rod portion 131 in a direction perpendicular to the upward / downward direction. Specifically, the second rod portion 132 has a rear end fixed to the first rod portion 131. The second rod portion 132 has a front end portion located in the guide hole 115 of the sleeve portion 113 and seated on the lower edge of the guide hole 115. The front end portion of the second rod portion 132 is connected to the pressure member 112 located in the hollow space of the sleeve portion 113.

[0138] According to the leftward / rightward movement of the first rod portion 131 caused by the leftward / rightward movement of the lever 110, the second rod portion 132 is also moved along the lower edge of the guide hole 115. Therefore, the vertical position of the second rod portion 132 can be changed according to the leftward / rightward movement of the lever 110, thereby changing the vertical position of the pressure member 112.

[0139] The pressure member 112 is in the shape of a solid column and extends in the upward / downward direction. The pressure member 112 has a lower end 117 formed with a recess 118 recessed upward therefrom (see FIG. Figure 15A and Figure 15B The pressure member 112 is configured to abut on the movable member 85 in the attached state of the cartridge 6 to the cartridge receiving portion 8 to push the movable member 85 downward according to the leftward / rightward position of the lever 110 .

[0140] As described above, the pressure member 112 is connected to the front end portion of the second rod portion 132 and has an upper end portion located in the hollow space of the sleeve portion 113. The pressing member 119 ( Figure 14B ) is located in the hollow space of the sleeve portion 113 and has a lower end portion seated on the pressure member 112 to elastically push the pressure member 112 downward. The inner peripheral surface defining the hollow space of the sleeve portion 113 guides the vertical movement of the pressure member 112.

[0141] As in Figure 12A In the case where the lever 110 is located at the left end portion of the groove portion 111, as shown in Figure 13A and Figure 14A As shown in , the front end portion of the second rod portion 132 of the guide member 130 is located on the second linear edge line 151. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 12B In the case where the lever 110 is located at the right end portion of the groove portion 111, as shown in Figure 13B and Figure 14B As shown in FIG, the front end portion of the second rod portion 132 of the guide member 130 is located on the first linear edge line 152 .

[0142] Here, as in Figure 13A and Figure 13BAs shown in , the downward protruding length of the pressure member 112 from the sleeve portion 113 is greater when the front end portion of the second rod portion 132 is located on the first linear edge line 152 than when the front end portion of the second rod portion 132 is located on the second linear edge line 151.

[0143] When the cassette 6 incorporating the monochrome heat-sensitive tape 51 is attached to the cassette receiving portion 8, as in Figure 12A As shown in FIG, the user pinches the plate portion 116 of the lever 110 and moves the plate portion 116 to the left. Because the downward protrusion amount of the pressure member 112 is small ( Figure 13A and Figure 14A ), so as in Figure 13A and Figure 15A As shown in FIG, the lower end 117 of the pressure member 112 is separated from the upper end 851 of the movable member 85. Alternatively, the lower end 117 of the pressure member 112 may contact the upper end 851 of the movable member 85.

[0144] Furthermore, the upper end of the drive shaft 83 is spaced apart from the recess 118 formed in the lower end 117 of the pressure member 112. Since the pressure member 112 is separated from the movable member 85, the first gear 28 is urged upward by the urging member 89 to be in the first position. As a result, the first gear 28 engages with the second gear 24.

[0145] When the cartridge 6 incorporating the color heat-sensitive tape 51 (without the pressure portion 78) is attached to the cartridge receiving portion 8, as in Figure 12B As shown in FIG, the user pinches the plate portion 116 of the lever 110 and moves the plate portion 116 to the right. Figure 13B ), the lower end 117 of the pressure member 112 abuts against the upper end 851 of the movable member 85 to overcome the urging force of the urging member 89 and move the movable member 85 downward. As a result, the first gear 28 moves from the first position to the second position. The first gear 28 is meshed with the third gear 27. At this time, the upper end of the movable member 85 is separated from the recessed portion 118 of the pressure member 112. Because the upper end 851 of the movable member 85 abuts against the lower end 117 of the pressure member 112 and the movable member 85 is pushed downward, it is possible to prevent the cartridge 6 from rising due to the urging force of the urging member 89.

[0146] 4. Technical advantages of the first to third embodiments

[0147] The printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment and the printing apparatus 101 according to the third embodiment include a print head 15, a motor 36, a cartridge receiver 8, and a power transmission unit 20. The printing apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment includes the print head 15, the motor 36, the cartridge receiver 8, and a power transmission unit 120. The motor 36 is configured to drive the platen roller 11 facing the print head 15. The cartridge receiver 8 is configured to receive the cartridge 6, wherein the cartridge 6 incorporates a printing tape (such as a thermal tape 51) to be printed by the print head 15.

[0148] The power transmission unit 20, 120 includes a plurality of gears, including a first gear 28 that is movable downward from a first position to a second position lower than the first position. Specifically, the first gear 28 moves from the first position to the second position downstream of the first position in the direction in which the cartridge 6 is attached. In transmitting power from the motor 36 to the platen roller 11, the power transmission unit 20 switches the ratio of the number of rotations of the platen roller 11 to the number of rotations of the motor 36 between when the first gear 28 is in the first position and when the first gear 28 is in the second position. Thus, in the printing apparatuses 1, 1A, and 101, the rotational speed of the platen roller 11 can be changed by shifting the position of the first gear 28 from the first position to the second position, and vice versa.

[0149] For example, the rotation speed of the platen roller 11 can be switched to an appropriate speed depending on or in response to the type of printing tape in the cassette 6 in an attempt to balance the considerations of print quality and printing efficiency with respect to each type of printing tape. There is no need to perform an operation for confirming the origin of the motor 36. As a result, each time the rotation speed of the platen roller 11 is switched, printing can be started quickly in a shorter time.

[0150] Furthermore, the printing apparatuses 1, 1A, and 101 according to the first to third embodiments include a movable member 85 disposed in the cartridge receiving portion 8. By downward movement of the movable member 85, the first gear 28 of the power transmission unit 20, 120 can be moved from a first position to a second position. That is, in the printing apparatuses 1, 1A, and 101, the first gear 28 can be moved from a first position to a second position via the movable member 85. Employing the movable member 85 to move the first gear 28 from the first position to the second position provides a greater degree of freedom in the design of the printing apparatuses 1, 1A, and 101, compared to conceivable structures in which downward pressure is applied directly to the first gear 28 to move the first gear 28 to the second position.

[0151] In the printing apparatuses 1 and 1A according to the first and second embodiments, the movable member 85 is pressed downward by the pressure portion 78 of the cartridge 6 attached to the cartridge receptacle 8, thereby moving the first gear 28 from the first position to the second position. On the other hand, when the cartridge 6 without the pressure portion 78 is attached to the cartridge receptacle 8, the movable member 85 is maintained in the first position. In the printing apparatuses 1 and 1A, no specific user operation is required to switch the rotation speed of the platen roller 11. That is, in the first and second embodiments, the rotation speed of the platen roller 11 can be automatically and mechanically switched in response to the presence or absence of the pressure portion 78 in the cartridge 6.

[0152] In the printing apparatuses 1 and 1A according to the first and second embodiments, the drive shaft 83 is connected to the first gear 28 and is rotated by the rotation of the motor 36; and the movable member 85 is provided on the drive shaft 83 so that the movable member 85 can move downward relative to the drive shaft 83. When the cartridge 6 is attached to the cartridge receiving portion 8, the drive shaft 83 and the movable member 85 are inserted into the reel 75 of the cartridge 6, and the movable member 85 is pressed by the pressure portion 78 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the reel 75 to move the first gear 28 from the first position to the second position. In the printing apparatuses 1 and 1A, the movable member 85 can have a relatively simplified structure. In addition, the movable member 85 can move downward according to the attachment of the cartridge 6 to the cartridge receiving portion 8.

[0153] The printing device 101 according to the third embodiment includes a lever 110 for moving the first gear 28 from the first position to the second position via the movable member 85. That is, the rotational speed of the platen roller 11 can be switched by the user's operation of the lever 110. Compared to a conventional printing device without the lever 110, this configuration can achieve enhanced user convenience when switching the rotational speed of the platen roller 11.

[0154] The printing apparatus 1, 1A, 101 according to the first to third embodiments includes the urging member 89 that urges upward the first gear 28. With this structure, the first gear 28 in the second position can be easily moved back to the first position.

[0155] The printing apparatuses 1 and 1A according to the first and second embodiments include the pressure members 88 and 112 configured to come into contact with the upper end portion of the drive shaft 83 in the state in which the cartridge 6 is attached to the cartridge receiving portion 8. With this structure, even if the attached cartridge 6 is lifted upward by the urging force of the urging member 89, the pressure portion 78 is brought into contact with the pressure member 88, thereby restricting further upward movement of the attached cartridge 6.

[0156] The power transmission unit 20 in the printing device 1 according to the first embodiment includes the plurality of gears 21 to 35, including the second gear 24 and the third gear 27, whose upward / downward positions are different from each other. When the first gear 28 is in the first position, the first gear 28 engages with the second gear 24, and when in the second position, the first gear 28 engages with the third gear 27. In the printing device 1, the gear to be engaged with the first gear 28 can be mechanically switched depending on the position (first position and second position) of the first gear 28. The structure of the movable member 85 can be made relatively simpler than otherwise.

[0157] The power transmission unit 120 in the printing apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment includes a plurality of gears, including an input gear 121, a sun gear 125 capable of rotating integrally with the input gear 121, planetary gears 126 meshingly engaged with the sun gear 125, and an output gear 122 capable of rotating in an interlocking relationship with the planetary gears 126 about the orbital movement of the sun gear 125. When the first gear 28 is in the first position, the first gear 28 engages with the input gear 121, and when the first gear 28 is in the second position, the first gear 28 engages with the output gear 122. Similarly, in the printing apparatus 1A, the gear with which the first gear 28 engages can be mechanically switched depending on the position of the first gear 28 (the first position and the second position). Furthermore, the input gear 121 and the output gear 122 can be arranged coaxially with each other.

[0158] 5. Variants and variants

[0159] Various modifications are conceivable.

[0160] For example, the type, shape, and size of the cartridge 6 that can be attached to the printing apparatus 1, 1A, or 101 according to the first to third embodiments may be appropriately modified. Furthermore, the printing apparatus of the present disclosure may not include the platen roller 11, or the platen roller 11 may be removably attached to the printing apparatus. Alternatively, the platen roller 11 may be disposed in the cartridge 6 rather than in the printing apparatus. Instead of the pressing member 89, a leaf spring may be employed as long as the leaf spring is capable of pressing the first gear 28 upward (toward the cartridge 6).

[0161] The printing device 1 can be used exclusively for thermal cartridges. In this case, the drive shaft 83 for winding the ink ribbon can be omitted. The pressure member 88 may not be provided in the printing device 1, or the structure of the pressure member 88 may be appropriately modified. For example, the pressure member 88 may be configured to press downwardly against the upper surface of the housing 60 of the cartridge 6. The pressure member 88 may not be pushed by the pushing member 96. The pressure member 88 may be made of an elastic material such as a resin.

[0162] Furthermore, the number, size, and layout of the gears in the power transmission unit 20, 120 may be modified as appropriate. The first gear 28 of the power transmission unit 20, 120 may be movable in no fewer than three different positions in the direction in which the cartridge 6 is attached, and the first gear 28 may engage with different gears, each at no fewer than three different positions. The attachment direction of the cartridge 6 is the direction in which the cartridge 6 moves when attached to the cartridge receiving unit 8, and may be modified as appropriate depending on the structure of the printing device 1 and the cartridge 6. For example, the attachment direction may be the thickness direction of the cartridge.

[0163] The power transmission portion 20, 120 may be configured to move gears other than the first gear 28 that rotates the drive shaft 83 between the first position and the second position, thereby switching the rotation speed of the platen roller 11. Furthermore, the power transmission portion 20, 120 may be configured such that: the first gear 28 can engage with the same gear located on the upstream side of the first gear 28 in the power transmission direction, regardless of the first position and the second position of the first gear 28; and the first gear 28 in its first position can engage with a gear located on the downstream side of the first gear 28, but the first gear 28 in its second position can engage with another gear located on the downstream side of the first gear 28.

[0164] Unlike the printing apparatus 1, 1A, 101, the first gear 28 can be moved from the first position to the second position without the intervention of the movable part 85. For example, the first gear 28 can be moved from the first position to the second position by direct contact with a protrusion provided on the outer surface of the cartridge.

[0165] More specifically, Figure 16 and Figure 17 A modification of the first embodiment in which the first gear 28 is directly moved downward by a pressure portion 161 provided on the lower surface of the box 160 is shown. Figure 16 and Figure 17 In the figure, the same parts and components are shown in Figure 1 to Figure 8 The same reference numerals as those shown in FIG.

[0166] This variation is the same as the first embodiment except that: instead of the pressure portion 78 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the reel 75 of the box 6, the box 160 according to this variation includes a pressure portion 161; and the reel 175 of the box 160 is located above the pressure portion 161 so that the hollow space of the reel 175 is aligned with the opening 179 formed in the bottom wall of the shell 60.

[0167] The pressure portion 161 is shaped like a hollow cylinder and extends downward from the lower surface of the housing 60 of the cartridge 160. Although not shown, a through hole having a circular shape in a plan view is formed in the bottom wall of the cartridge receiving portion 8. When the cartridge 160 is attached to the cartridge receiving portion 8, the drive shaft 83, the movable member 85 provided on the drive shaft 83, and the pressure portion 161 provided on the movable member 85 can extend through the through hole.

[0168] As in Figure 17 As shown in FIG, in the state where the cartridge 160 is attached to the cartridge receiving portion 8, the lower end of the pressure portion 161 abuts on the upper end of the first gear 28 to move the first gear 28 downward against the urging force of the urging member 89. Thus, the first gear 28 moves from the first position to the second position to meshingly engage the third gear 27.

[0169] Although not shown, the upper end of the drive shaft 83 may abut against a recess 882 ( Figure 8 With this structure, even if the attached cartridge 160 is lifted upward due to the urging force of the urging member 89, the attached cartridge 160 is restricted from further upward movement due to the urging force of the urging member 89.

[0170] According to the removal of the cartridge 160 from the cartridge receiving portion 8, the lower end of the pressure portion 161 is separated from the upper end of the first gear 28. Therefore, the first gear 28 is moved upward from the second position to the first position by the urging force of the urging member 89 to meshingly engage the second gear 24.

[0171] In the printing device according to this modification, a cassette 160 provided with a pressure portion 161 (i.e., in combination with the color thermal tape 51) and a cassette not provided with the pressure portion 161 (i.e., the cassette 6 in combination with the monochrome thermal tape 51 of the first embodiment) can be selectively attached to the cassette receiving portion 8. In the power transmission from the motor 36 to the platen roller 11, the ratio of the number of rotations of the platen roller 11 to the number of rotations of the motor 36 can be switched between a state in which the cassette 6 without the pressure portion 161 is attached to the cassette receiving portion 8 (so that the first gear 28 is maintained at the first position) and a state in which the cassette 160 including the pressure portion 161 is attached to the cassette receiving portion 8 (so that the first gear 28 is moved to the second position). In this modification, the movable member 85 may not be movable in the upward / downward direction relative to the drive shaft 83.

[0172] Although described in detail with reference to specific embodiment, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the different technologies disclosed in the respective embodiments will be appropriately combined.

[0173] <Remarks>

[0174] The printing devices 1, 1A, and 101 are examples of printing devices. The cartridge receiving portion 8 is an example of a cartridge receiving portion. The print head 15 is an example of a print head. The platen roller 11 is an example of a platen roller. The motor 36 is an example of a motor. The power transmission portion 20, 120 is an example of a power transmission portion. The first gear 28 is an example of a first gear. The second gear 24 is an example of a second gear, and the third gear 27 is an example of a third gear. The movable member 85 is an example of a movable member. The cartridge 6, 160 is an example of a cartridge. The pressure portion 78 is an example of a pressure portion of the cartridge. The direction in which the cartridge 6, 160 is attached to the cartridge receiving portion 8 is an example of a first direction.

Claims

1. A printing device, comprising: Print head; a platen roller positioned to face the print head; a motor configured to generate a driving force to rotate the platen roller; a cassette receiving portion configured to detachably receive a cassette incorporating a print ribbon to be printed by the print head, the cassette being attachable to the cassette receiving portion in a first direction; and a power transmission portion configured to transmit the driving force of the motor to the platen roller, the power transmission portion comprising a plurality of gears, the plurality of gears including a first gear, the first gear being movable from a first position to a second position, the second position being downstream of the first position in the first direction, the power transmission portion being configured to switch a ratio of the number of rotations of the platen roller to the number of rotations of the motor depending on whether the first gear is at the first position or the second position, so as to transmit the driving force to the platen roller, The printing device further includes a movable member provided at the cartridge receiving portion and movable in the first direction, wherein the first gear is moved from the first position to the second position in association with the movement of the movable member in the first direction, wherein the cartridge includes a pressure portion configured to contact the movable member, and in, In a case where the cartridge including the pressure portion is attached to the cartridge receiving portion, the pressure portion contacts the movable member and moves the movable member in the first direction to move the first gear from the first position to the second position, and In a case where the cartridge without the pressure portion is attached to the cartridge receiving portion, the first gear is maintained at the first position, The printing device further includes a drive shaft connected to the first gear and configured to rotate upon receiving the driving force from the motor, the movable member being provided on the drive shaft and movable in the first direction relative to the drive shaft, wherein the cartridge includes a reel having a hollow cylindrical shape, and when the cartridge is attached to the cartridge receiving portion, the drive shaft and the movable member are inserted into the hollow space of the reel to rotate the reel, and Wherein, in the case where the cartridge includes the pressure portion, The pressure portion is provided at an inner peripheral surface of the reel, and the inner peripheral surface defines the hollow space of the reel. 2 . The printing device according to claim 1 , further comprising an urging member that urges the first gear in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

3. A printing device comprising: Print head; a platen roller positioned to face the print head, the platen roller being configured to come into contact with and separate from the print head; a motor configured to generate a driving force to rotate the platen roller; a cassette receiving portion configured to detachably receive a cassette incorporating a print ribbon to be printed by the print head, the cassette being attachable to the cassette receiving portion in a first direction; and a power transmission portion configured to transmit the driving force of the motor to the platen roller, the power transmission portion comprising a plurality of gears, the plurality of gears including a first gear, the first gear being movable from a first position to a second position, the second position being downstream of the first position in the first direction, the power transmission portion being configured to switch a ratio of the number of rotations of the platen roller to the number of rotations of the motor depending on whether the first gear is at the first position or the second position, so as to transmit the driving force to the platen roller, wherein the plurality of gears of the power transmission portion further include a second gear and a third gear, positions of the second gear and the third gear being different from each other in the first direction, and Wherein when the first gear is at the first position, the first gear meshingly engages the second gear, and when the first gear is at the second position, the first gear meshingly engages the third gear.

4. A printing device comprising: Print head; a platen roller positioned to face the print head; a motor configured to generate a driving force to rotate the platen roller; a cassette receiving portion configured to detachably receive a cassette incorporating a print ribbon to be printed by the print head, the cassette being attachable to the cassette receiving portion in a first direction; and a power transmission portion configured to transmit the driving force of the motor to the platen roller, the power transmission portion comprising a plurality of gears, the plurality of gears including a first gear, the first gear being movable from a first position to a second position, the second position being downstream of the first position in the first direction, the power transmission portion being configured to switch a ratio of the number of rotations of the platen roller to the number of rotations of the motor depending on whether the first gear is at the first position or the second position, so as to transmit the driving force to the platen roller, wherein the plurality of gears of the power transmission unit further comprises: Input gear; a sun gear rotatable integrally with the input gear; planetary gears meshingly engaged with the sun gear and capable of orbiting about the sun gear; and an output gear rotatable in conjunction with the orbital movement of the planetary gears, and Wherein when the first gear is at the first position, the first gear meshingly engages one of the input gear and the output gear, and when the first gear is at the second position, the first gear meshingly engages the input gear and the remaining one of the output gear.

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