box

Abstract

A cartridge is detachably attachable to a printing device in a first direction. The printing device includes: a print head; a platen roller; a motor for generating a driving force to rotate the platen roller; and a power transmission unit for transmitting the driving force to the platen roller. The cartridge includes: a printing ribbon; a housing for accommodating the printing ribbon; and a pressure unit. When the cartridge is attached to a cartridge receiving portion of the printing device, the pressure unit is configured to move a specific gear of the power transmission unit in the first direction, allowing the power transmission unit to mechanically switch the ratio of the number of rotations of the platen roller to the number of rotations of the motor based on the position of the specific gear in the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cassette that accommodates a printing tape as a printing medium. 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 cartridge that enables a printing apparatus to start printing in a shorter period of time when the printing apparatus performs switching of the rotation speed of the platen roller.

[0005] (1) To achieve the above and other purposes, according to one aspect, the present disclosure provides a box that can be detachably attached to a printing device, the printing device comprising: a print head; a platen roller; a motor for generating a driving force to rotate the platen roller; a box receiving portion; and a power transmission portion for transmitting the driving force to the platen roller, and the power transmission portion includes a specific gear. The box is attached to the box receiving portion in a first direction. The box comprises: a printing ribbon; a housing; and a pressure portion. The printing ribbon is to be printed by the print head and conveyed by the platen roller. The housing accommodates the printing ribbon. When the box is attached to the box receiving portion, the pressure portion is configured to move the specific gear in the first direction to allow the power transmission portion to mechanically switch the ratio of the number of rotations of the platen roller to the number of rotations of the motor according to the position of the specific gear in the first direction. The box further includes a reel having a hollow cylindrical shape and being rotatably supported by the housing, the reel having an inner circumferential surface, the inner circumferential surface defining a hollow space in the reel, and the hollow space being aligned with an opening formed in a first wall of the housing, the first wall facing the first direction. The pressure portion is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the reel, and the pressure portion protrudes from the inner circumferential surface toward the central axis of the reel. The box receiving portion of the printing device includes: a drive shaft capable of rotating when receiving the driving force of the motor; and a movable part, the movable part being provided on the drive shaft and capable of moving in the first direction relative to the drive shaft. When the box is attached to the box receiving portion, the drive shaft is inserted into the hollow space of the reel, and the pressure portion contacts the movable part to move the specific gear in the first direction.

[0006] With this cartridge structure, when the cartridge is attached to the printing device, the pressure portion can move the first gear of the printing device in the first direction from the first position to the second position to switch the rotation speed of the platen roller. Therefore, for the printing device to which the cartridge can be attached, it is not necessary to perform an operation for origin confirmation in order to switch the rotation speed of the motor. When the rotation speed of the platen roller is switched, the cartridge can allow the printing device to start printing in a shorter period of time.

[0007] (2) In the cartridge according to aspect (1), preferably, the housing has a second wall opposed to the first wall in the first direction, the second wall being farther from the specific gear than the first wall in the first direction. The spool is located between the first wall and the second wall in the first direction. The pressure portion is positioned on the inner circumferential surface closer to the second wall than to the first wall in the first direction.

[0008] (3) In the cartridge according to aspect (2), preferably, the pressure portion has a protruding end positioned closer to the center axis of the reel than any other portion on the inner peripheral surface.

[0009] (4) Preferably, the box according to aspect (2) further includes a coupling portion, which is arranged on the inner circumferential surface of the reel to occupy an area that is closer to the first wall than to the second wall in at least the first direction. The coupling portion is capable of engaging with the movable part in the circumferential direction of the reel. The pressure portion has a protruding end that is positioned closer to the center axis of the reel than the protruding end of the coupling portion is to the center axis of the reel. When the box is attached to the box receiving portion, the movable part and the reel can rotate together with the drive shaft.

[0010] (5) In the cartridge according to any one of aspects (1) to (4), preferably, the printing tape is a color thermal tape.

[0011] (6) According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides a cartridge that can be detachably attached to a printing device, the printing device comprising: a print head; a platen roller; a motor for generating a driving force to rotate the platen roller; a cartridge receiving portion; and a power transmission portion for transmitting the driving force to the platen roller, the power transmission portion including a specific gear. The cartridge is attached to the cartridge receiving portion in a first direction. The cartridge comprises: a printing ribbon; a housing; and a pressure portion. The printing ribbon is to be printed by the print head and conveyed by the platen roller. The housing accommodates the printing ribbon. When the cartridge is attached to the cartridge receiving portion, the pressure portion is configured to move the specific gear in the first direction to allow the power transmission portion to mechanically switch the ratio of the number of rotations of the platen roller to the number of rotations of the motor according to the position of the specific gear in the first direction. The housing has one surface facing the first direction, and the pressure portion protrudes from the one surface of the housing in the first direction. When the box is attached to the box receiving portion, the pressure portion abuts against the specific gear to move the specific gear in the first direction. The box further includes a reel having a hollow cylindrical shape and rotatably supported by the housing so that the reel can rotate around an axis extending in an axial direction. The reel has an inner circumferential surface, which defines a hollow space in the reel, and the hollow space is aligned with the opening formed in the one surface of the housing. At least a portion of the pressure portion is positioned adjacent to the opening. The pressure portion is positioned aligned with the opening of the one surface in the axial direction.

[0012] (7) In the cartridge according to aspect (6), preferably, the printing tape is a color thermal tape. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] 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:

[0014] 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;

[0015] Figure 1B is a perspective view of the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment with the cover 3 opened;

[0016] 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;

[0017] Figure 3is 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;

[0018] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a cartridge 6 to be used with the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment;

[0019] 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;

[0020] Figure 6 is a schematic plan view showing the internal structure of the box 6 mounted on the box receiving portion 8;

[0021] 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;

[0022] 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;

[0023] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a cartridge 160 according to a second embodiment; and

[0024] Figure 10 is along with Figure 5 The 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

[0025] 1. First embodiment

[0026] Will refer to Figures 1A to 8 The printing apparatus 1 to which the cartridge 6 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is detachably attachable is described.

[0027] 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 1AThe 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.

[0028] The printing device 1 is a general-purpose tape printer to which various types of cassettes, such as a thermal cassette, a receptor cassette, and a laminate cassette, are selectively attached. The thermal cassette includes a thermal tape. The receptor cassette includes a printing tape and an ink ribbon. The laminate cassette includes a double-sided adhesive tape, a film tape, and an ink ribbon.

[0029] 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.

[0030] <Printing Device 1>

[0031] 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 .

[0032] 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 ).

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] As in Figure 7 As 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] <Box 6>

[0066] Next, refer to Figures 4 to 8 Description Box 6.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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 .

[0070] 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 constitutes 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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 bottom 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 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.

[0077] As in Figure 6 As shown in FIG, the thermal tape 51 is an elongated printing medium (printing tape).

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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 .

[0087] 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. The pressure portion 78 has a protruding end that is positioned closer to the central axis J than any other portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the reel 75. The pressure portion 78 may or may not be formed integrally with the reel 75.

[0088] 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.

[0089] <Attachment and Detachment of Cartridge 6 with Respect to Cartridge Receiving Portion 8>

[0090] 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.

[0091] As in Figure 1B As 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 .

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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.

[0095] 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.

[0096] 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.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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.

[0099] <Print Operation>

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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.

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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.

[0104] 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.

[0105] 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.

[0106] 2. Second embodiment

[0107] Next, refer to Figure 9 and Figure 10 The cartridge 160 according to the second embodiment is described. In the second embodiment, the first gear 28 is directly moved downward by the pressure portion 161 provided on the lower surface of the cartridge 160. Figure 9 and Figure 10 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.

[0108] The second embodiment 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 the second embodiment 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.

[0109] The pressure portion 161 is shaped like a hollow cylinder and extends downward from the lower surface of the bottom wall 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.

[0110] As in Figure 10 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 against the upper end of the first gear 28 to move the first gear 28 downward against the urging force of the urging member 89. As a result, the first gear 28 moves from the first position to the second position. The first gear 28 is thus disengaged from the second gear 24 and meshes with the third gear 27.

[0111] Although not shown, the upper end of the drive shaft 83 may abut against a recess 882 ( Figure 8), so that the pressure member 88 of the closed cover 3 pushes the drive shaft 83 downward to prevent the box 160 from moving upward due to the urging force of the urging member 89.

[0112] According to the removal of the cartridge 160 from the cartridge receiving portion 8, the lower end of the pressing portion 161 separates 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. The first gear 28 is thus disengaged from the third gear 27 and meshes with the second gear 24.

[0113] In the second embodiment, a cassette 160 provided with a pressure portion 161 (i.e., incorporating a color thermal tape 51) and a cassette 6 not provided with a pressure portion 161 (i.e., incorporating a 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 not having 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 the second embodiment, the movable member 85 may not be movable in the upward / downward direction relative to the drive shaft 83.

[0114] 3. Technical advantages of the first and second embodiments

[0115] The cartridge 6 according to the first embodiment includes a thermal tape 51 as a printing medium, a housing 60 that accommodates the thermal tape 51 therein, and a pressure portion 78 (if the thermal tape 51 is a color thermal type). The housing 60 of the cartridge 6 is detachably attached to the cartridge receiving portion 8 of the printing device 1. The printing device 1 also includes: a print head 15 configured to print an image on the thermal tape 51; a motor 36 configured to drive the platen roller 11 to convey the thermal tape 51; and a power transmission portion 20. The power transmission portion 20 includes a plurality of gears 21 to 35 including a first gear 28, and is configured to switch the ratio of the number of rotations of the platen roller 11 to the number of rotations of the motor 36 depending on the position of the first gear 28 in the upward / downward direction.

[0116] When the cartridge 6 (in combination with the color thermal tape 51) is attached to the cartridge receiving portion 8 of the printing device 1, the pressure portion 78 abuts against the movable member 85 to move the first gear 28 downward (i.e., in the direction of attachment of the cartridge 6 (housing 60) to the cartridge receiving portion 8). Therefore, in the power transmission from the motor 36 to the platen roller 11, the pressure portion 78 can allow the power transmission portion 20 of the printing device 1 to switch the rotation ratio.

[0117] Thus, when the rotation speed of the platen roller 11 is switched, there is no need to perform origin confirmation of the motor 36 in the printing apparatus 1. Accordingly, when the switching of the rotation speed of the platen roller 11 is performed in the printing apparatus 1 to which the cartridge 6 is attached, the cartridge 6 according to the first embodiment can shorten the time period required before the printing apparatus 1 starts printing.

[0118] The cartridge 160 according to the second embodiment (incorporating the color thermal tape 51) includes a pressure portion 161 instead of the pressure portion 78. The cartridge 160 according to the second embodiment can exhibit similar advantageous effects as the cartridge 6 of the first embodiment.

[0119] The cartridge 6 according to the first embodiment includes a reel 75 whose hollow space is aligned with an opening 79 formed in the bottom wall of the housing 60. A pressure portion 78 protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the reel 75 toward the central axis J of the reel 75. In a state where the housing 60 (cartridge 6) is detachably attached to the cartridge receiving portion 8 of the printing device 1, a drive shaft 83 is inserted into the hollow space of the reel 75 so as to extend therethrough. The drive shaft 83 is located in the cartridge receiving portion 8 and is configured to be rotated by the rotation of the motor 36.

[0120] The pressure portion 78 pushes the first gear 28 downward via a movable member 85 provided on the drive shaft 83 so as to be movable in the upward / downward direction relative to the drive shaft 83. With this structure, the power transmission unit 20 can switch the rotation ratio of the platen roller 11 to the motor 36 during the power transmission from the motor 36 to the platen roller 11. Because the pressure portion 78 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the spool 75 of the cartridge 6, the pressure portion 78 can more reliably abut against the movable member 85 of the printing device 1 compared to a hypothetical cartridge in which the pressure portion 78 is not provided on the inner peripheral surface of the spool 75.

[0121] The pressure portion 78 of the cartridge 6 according to the first embodiment is located above the center K in the upward / downward direction on the inner peripheral surface of the spool 75. In other words, the pressure portion 78 is located closer to the upper wall of the housing 60 in the upward / downward direction than to the bottom wall of the housing 60. Compared with a conceivable structure in which the pressure portion 78 is located at or below the center K in the upward / downward direction on the inner peripheral surface, this structure can reduce the possibility that the movable member 85 is moved downward by a member other than the pressure portion 78.

[0122] In the cartridge 6 according to the first embodiment, the pressure portion 78 has the protruding end located closer to the center axis J than any other portion on the inner peripheral surface of the spool 75 . Therefore, the pressure portion 78 can reliably abut on the movable member 85 .

[0123] The box 6 according to the first embodiment includes an engagement portion 76 that protrudes radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the reel 75. On the inner peripheral surface of the reel 75, the engagement portion 76 extends in the upward / downward direction to occupy at least an area downward from the center K (an area closer to the bottom wall than to the upper wall of the housing 60), while the pressure portion 78 is located above the center K of the reel 75 in the upward / downward direction. The engagement portion 76 is capable of engaging with the movable part 85 in the circumferential direction of the reel 75. The pressure portion 78 has a protruding end that is positioned closer to the center axis J to the center axis J of the reel 75 than the protruding end of the engagement portion 76. As the movable part 85 is rotated by the rotation of the motor 36, the reel 75 is rotated by the engagement between the movable part 85 (rib 82) and the engagement portion 76.

[0124] In the case where the cartridge 6 includes an ink ribbon (i.e., the cartridge 6 is either a receptor type cartridge or a laminate type), the ink ribbon can be wound around the reel 75 by rotating the reel 75 at a take-up speed corresponding to the rotation speed of the platen roller 11. That is, the reel 75 can be utilized not only in a thermal type cartridge 6 (without an ink ribbon) but also in a receptor type cartridge or a laminate type cartridge 6 that includes an ink ribbon. Therefore, the cartridge 6 can include the reel 75 as a common part regardless of the type of cartridge 6.

[0125] In the cartridge 160 according to the second embodiment, the pressure portion 161 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the housing 60. When the cartridge 160 (housing 60) is attached to the cartridge receiving portion 8 of the printing apparatus 1, the pressure portion 161 directly contacts the first gear 28 to push the first gear 28 downward, thereby switching the rotation ratio of the platen roller 11 to the motor 36 in the power transmission from the motor 36 to the platen roller 11. In the cartridge 160, the power transmission portion 20 can be made simple.

[0126] The cartridge 160 according to the second embodiment includes: a hollow-shaped reel 175 whose hollow space is aligned with an opening 179 formed in the bottom wall of the housing 60; and a pressure portion 161 located adjacent to the opening 179. Because the pressure portion 161 is located adjacent to the opening 179 aligned with the hollow space of the reel 175, positioning of the pressure portion 161 relative to the first gear 28 can be easily performed and the pressure portion 161 can reliably abut on the first gear 28, compared to a conceivable structure in which the pressure portion 161 is located away from the opening 179. Furthermore, because the pressure portion 161 has a ring shape in a plan view, the pressure portion 161 can reliably and uniformly press the first gear 28 downward at the area around the rotation axis of the first gear 28.

[0127] The cartridge 6, 160 according to the first and second embodiments may include a color thermal tape 51. Attachment of the cartridge 6, 160 to the cartridge receptacle 8 enables mechanical switching of the rotational speed of the platen roller 11 to the motor 36. Specifically, the rotational speed of the platen roller 11 relative to the motor 36 for color printing using the cartridge 6, 106 attached to the cartridge receptacle 8 incorporating the color thermal tape 51 can be made different from the rotational speed of the platen roller 11 for printing using a cartridge attached to the cartridge receptacle 8 incorporating a different kind of tape (such as a monochrome thermal tape 51 in addition to the color thermal tape 51).

[0128] According to the first and second embodiments, in the power transmission portion 20, the rotation ratio of the pressure plate roller 11 to the motor 36 is set to be lower when the box 6, 160 including the color thermal tape 51 (combined with the pressure portion 78, 161) is attached to the box receiving portion 8 than when the box 6 including the monochrome thermal tape 51 (without the pressure portion 78, 161) is attached to the box receiving portion 8.

[0129] With this configuration, the color thermal tape 51 can be conveyed more slowly and accurately in the power transmission unit 20 than the monochrome thermal tape 51, thereby ensuring a time gap for heat transfer for each of the three primary color thermal layers. Accordingly, compared to a case where color printing is performed at the same printing speed as monochrome printing (at the same speed as the monochrome thermal tape 51), improved color printing quality can be achieved. Furthermore, the cartridges 6 and 160 according to the first and second embodiments can save the user the labor of manually switching the rotation speed of the platen roller 11 depending on the type of printing tape housed in the housing 60.

[0130] 4. Variants and variants

[0131] While the present invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0132] For example, the platen roller 11 may be provided in the cassette 6 instead of the printing device 1. Furthermore, the kind of the printing tape accommodated in the cassette 6, 160 may be appropriately selected.

[0133] Furthermore, as described above, the cartridge 6 may include an ink ribbon. In this case, the ink ribbon wound on the spool 74 can be pulled out of the housing 60 through the opening portion 57 to perform printing on the printing ribbon, and then the used ink ribbon can be taken up by the spool 75. Since the spool 75 is rotated by the rotation of the drive shaft 83, the conveying speed of the ink ribbon can be determined by the winding speed of the ink ribbon.

[0134] Of the reels 72 to 75 described above, unused reels may be omitted from the cartridge 6 as appropriate. For example, if the cartridge 6 does not include an ink ribbon, the reels 74 and 75 may be omitted. Furthermore, if the cartridge 6 does not include an ink ribbon, the reel 75 may be omitted, and the support portion 65 may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape to allow the drive shaft 83 to extend therethrough, and the pressure portion 78 may be provided on the inner circumferential surface of the support portion 65.

[0135] The configuration of the pressure portion 78, 161 can be modified as appropriate. In the first embodiment, the pressure portion 78 has a ring shape in plan view and is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the reel 75. However, the shape and position of the pressure portion 78 can be modified as appropriate. For example, the pressure portion 78 can have any shape in plan view, such as a rectangular shape, as long as the pressure portion 78 protrudes radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the reel 75 toward the center axis J of the reel 75 and is capable of coming into contact with the movable member 85.

[0136] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the reel 75 is supported by the support portion 65 extending upward / downward (in the thickness direction of the cartridge 6) through the housing 60. However, the support portion 65 may not extend upward / downward through the housing 60.

[0137] The attachment direction of the cartridge 6, 160 may be changed depending on the structure of the printing apparatus 1 and the cartridge 6, 160, as long as the attachment direction coincides with the moving direction of the cartridge 6, 160 to attach the cartridge 6, 160 to the cartridge receiving portion 8. For example, the attachment direction may coincide with the thickness direction of the cartridge 6, that is, in the direction from the upper surface to the lower surface of the housing 60 and vice versa.

[0138] Furthermore, the pressure portion 78 according to the first embodiment may be located in an area below or at the center K in the upward / downward direction on the inner circumferential surface of the reel 75. Furthermore, the protruding end of the pressure portion 78 may not be located closest to the central axis J of the reel 75 on the inner circumferential surface of the reel 75.

[0139] The pressure portion 161 of the second embodiment may not directly contact the first gear 28, but may move the first gear 28 downward via an intervening member. The shape, position, and size of the pressure portion 161 protruding from one surface (e.g., the lower surface) of the case 160 may be appropriately modified according to the position, size, etc. of the gear to be moved by the pressure portion 161. For example, instead of a hollow cylindrical shape in a plan view, the pressure portion 161 may be shaped so that a portion of the pressure portion 161 is located adjacent to the opening 179, or the pressure portion 161 may not be located adjacent to the opening 179.

[0140] Furthermore, the features of the cartridges 6, 160 disclosed in the respective embodiments will be combined as appropriate.

[0141] <Remarks>

[0142] The cartridge 6 or 160 is an example of a cartridge. The housing 60 is an example of a housing of the cartridge. The thermal tape 51 is an example of a printing tape. The pressure portion 78 or 161 is an example of a pressure portion. The printing device 1 is an example of a printing device. 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 is an example of a power transmission portion. The first gear 28 is an example of a specific gear. The movable component 85 is an example of a movable component. The reels 75 or 175 are examples of reels. The coupling portion 76 is an example of a coupling portion. The opening 79 in the bottom wall of the housing 60 is an example of an opening in the first wall of the housing. The opening 179 is an example of an opening formed in one surface of the housing. The direction in which the cartridge 6 or 160 is attached to the cartridge receiving portion 8 is an example of a first direction.

Claims

1. A cartridge capable of being detachably attached to a printing device, the printing device comprising: Print head; Platen roller; a motor for generating a driving force to rotate the platen roller; a box receiving portion; and a power transmission portion for transmitting the driving force to the platen roller, wherein the power transmission portion includes a specific gear, the cartridge being attached to the cartridge receiving portion in a first direction, The box includes: a printing tape to be printed by the print head and conveyed by the platen roller; a housing that accommodates the printing ribbon; and a pressure portion configured to move the specific gear in the first direction when the cartridge is attached to the cartridge receiving portion to allow the power transmission portion to mechanically switch the ratio of the number of rotations of the platen roller to the number of rotations of the motor according to the position of the specific gear in the first direction, The cartridge further includes a reel having a hollow cylindrical shape and rotatably supported by the housing, the reel having an inner circumferential surface defining a hollow space therein, and the hollow space being aligned with an opening formed in a first wall of the housing, the first wall facing the first direction, wherein the pressure portion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the reel, and the pressure portion protrudes from the inner peripheral surface toward the central axis of the reel; The cartridge receiving portion of the printing device comprises: a drive shaft capable of rotating upon receiving the driving force of the motor; and a movable member disposed on the drive shaft and movable in the first direction relative to the drive shaft, and wherein, when the cartridge is attached to the cartridge receiving portion, The drive shaft is inserted into the hollow space of the reel, and The pressure portion contacts the movable member to move the specific gear in the first direction.

2. The box according to claim 1, The housing has a second wall opposite to the first wall in the first direction, the second wall is farther from the specific gear than the first wall in the first direction, and the reel is located between the first wall and the second wall in the first direction, and The pressure portion is positioned on the inner peripheral surface closer to the second wall than to the first wall in the first direction.

3. The box according to claim 2, The pressure portion has a protruding end that is positioned closer to the central axis of the reel than any other portion on the inner peripheral surface.

4. The cartridge according to claim 2 , further comprising an engaging portion provided on the inner circumferential surface of the reel so as to occupy a region closer to the first wall than to the second wall at least in the first direction, the engaging portion being engageable with the movable member in the circumferential direction of the reel, wherein the pressure portion has a protruding end positioned closer to the central axis of the reel than a protruding end of the engaging portion is to the central axis of the reel, and wherein the movable member and the spool are rotatable together with the drive shaft when the cassette is attached to the cassette receiving portion.

5. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The printing tape is a color thermal tape.

6. A cartridge detachably attachable to a printing device, the printing device comprising: Print head; Platen roller; a motor for generating a driving force to rotate the platen roller; a box receiving portion; and a power transmission portion for transmitting the driving force to the platen roller, wherein the power transmission portion includes a specific gear, the cartridge being attached to the cartridge receiving portion in a first direction, The box includes: a printing tape to be printed by the print head and conveyed by the platen roller; a housing that accommodates the printing ribbon; and a pressure portion configured to move the specific gear in the first direction when the cartridge is attached to the cartridge receiving portion to allow the power transmission portion to mechanically switch the ratio of the number of rotations of the platen roller to the number of rotations of the motor according to the position of the specific gear in the first direction, wherein the housing has one surface facing the first direction, the pressure portion protrudes from the one surface of the housing in the first direction, and wherein, when the cartridge is attached to the cartridge receiving portion, the pressure portion abuts against the specific gear to move the specific gear in the first direction, The cartridge further includes a reel having a hollow cylindrical shape and being rotatably supported by the housing so that the reel can rotate about an axis extending in the axial direction, the reel having an inner circumferential surface defining a hollow space therein, and the hollow space being aligned with the opening formed in the one surface of the housing, wherein at least a portion of the pressure portion is positioned adjacent to the opening, and The pressure portion is positioned in alignment with the opening of the one surface in the axial direction.

7. The box according to claim 6, The printing tape is a color thermal tape.

Images