Printing equipment
By setting an adjacent area of the cassette mounting port in the shell part of the printing equipment, the cassette part protrudes from the outside of the cassette part, the problem of increasing the cassette parts and interference is solved, and cost control and operation are achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202080067983.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2019-09-30
- Filing Date
- 2020-09-15
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-10
- Estimated Expiration
- 2040-09-15
AI Technical Summary
When existing printing equipment replaces and supplies print tapes, the increase in the number of parts in the tape cartridge leads to an increase in costs and is prone to interference with the print head when taken out.
A printing device is designed, wherein the shell portion has a tape box mounting port, and the adjacent areas of the tape box mounting port are arranged on the first and second sides of the shell portion, so that the tape box partially protrudes from the shell portion during installation. Outside, allowing handleless grip and reducing interference with the printhead.
Effectively suppresses the increase in the cost of the tape box, reduces the interference between the tape box and the print head, and simplifies the installation and removal process of the tape box.
Smart Images
Figure CN114514123B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The invention relates to a printing device. Background Art
[0002] In the device that prints the printing tape, the replacement and supply of the printing tape are carried out by installing the tape cassette that accommodates the printing tape to the shell and unloading from the shell. In this device, for example, the tape cassette is installed in a recessed portion that is arranged on the shell.
[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-182319 Summary of the invention
[0004] In the above device, the tape cassette is mounted in the housing by being inserted into the recessed portion, and the tape cassette is provided with a handle for taking the tape cassette out of the recessed portion, which increases the number of parts of the tape cassette and increases the cost.
[0005] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of suppressing an increase in the cost of a tape cassette that can be mounted on and removed from a casing.
[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides a printing device, comprising: a shell portion having a first surface, the first surface being provided with a tape box installation port; a print head disposed in the shell portion and extending from the interior of the shell portion toward the tape box installation port; a platen roller disposed in the shell portion opposite to the print head; and a printing tape box capable of being installed to the shell portion by inserting the tape box installation port in a first direction.
[0007] The first surface has: a first area adjacent to the tape cassette installation port; and a second area adjacent to the tape cassette installation port and located on the opposite side of the first area relative to the tape cassette installation port in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first area and the second area are located on the upstream side of the print head in the installation direction in which the printing tape cassette is installed in the housing.
[0008] When the printing tape cassette is installed in the shell, a portion of the printing tape cassette adjacent to the first area is located outside the shell relative to the first area in the first direction, and a portion of the printing tape cassette adjacent to the second area is located outside the shell relative to the second area in the first direction.
[0009] Another aspect of the present invention provides a printing device, comprising: a shell portion having a first surface, the first surface being provided with a tape box installation port; a print head disposed in the shell portion and extending from the interior of the shell portion to the tape box installation port; a platen roller disposed in the shell portion opposite to the print head; and a printing tape box capable of being installed to the shell portion by inserting the tape box installation port in a first direction.
[0010] The first surface has: a first area adjacent to the tape cassette installation port; and a second area adjacent to the tape cassette installation port and located on the opposite side of the first area relative to the tape cassette installation port in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first area and the second area are located on the upstream side of the print head in the installation direction of the printing tape cassette to the shell. When the printing tape cassette is installed in the shell, the printing tape cassette protrudes to the outside of the shell in the first direction relative to the first area and the second area.
[0011] According to the above structure, when the printing tape cassette is installed in the shell, a part of the printing tape cassette is arranged outside the first surface. Therefore, even if the printing tape cassette does not have a handle, the printing tape cassette can be held and taken out of the shell. As a result, the cost increase of the printing tape cassette can be suppressed.
[0012] In addition, since the first area and the second area are located on the upstream side of the print head in the direction in which the print tape cassette is installed on the housing, the print tape cassette can be held from the upstream side of the print head. As a result, when the print tape cassette is removed, interference between the print tape cassette and the print head can be suppressed.
[0013] Another aspect of the present invention provides a printing device, comprising: a shell portion having a first surface, the first surface being provided with a tape box installation port; a print head disposed in the shell portion and extending from the interior of the shell portion to the tape box installation port; a platen roller disposed in the shell portion opposite to the print head; and a printing tape box capable of being installed to the shell portion by inserting the tape box installation port in a first direction.
[0014] The printing tape cassette has a first side surface and a second side surface, and the first side surface and the second side surface are configured to overlap each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. When the printing tape cassette is installed in the shell, at least a portion of the first side surface and at least a portion of the second side surface do not overlap with the shell in the second direction.
[0015] According to the above structure, when the printing tape cassette is installed in the shell, a part of the printing tape cassette is arranged outside the first surface. Therefore, even if the printing tape cassette does not have a handle, the printing tape cassette can be held and taken out of the shell. As a result, the cost increase of the printing tape cassette can be suppressed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Figure 1A is a schematic perspective view showing a cover-open state of a printing apparatus body of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment, Figure 1B is a schematic perspective view showing a cover-closed state of a printing apparatus body of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment.
[0017] Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the printing tape cassette is removed from the printing apparatus body in the printing apparatus according to the embodiment.
[0018] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C yes Figure 1A A schematic stereoscopic diagram of a printing tape cassette in a printing device.
[0019] Figure 4A yes Figure 3A A schematic rear view of a printing tape cassette, Figure 4B yes Figure 3A Schematic side view of a printing tape cassette.
[0020] Figure 5 yes Figure 3A A schematic exploded perspective view of a printing tape cassette.
[0021] Fig. 6A yes Figure 3A A schematic perspective view of a first frame portion of a printing tape cassette, Figure 6B yes Figure 3A Schematic three-dimensional view of the second frame portion of the printing tape box.
[0022] Figure 7 is a schematic three-dimensional diagram showing Figure 3C The first housing portion of the printing tape cassette is removed.
[0023] Fig. 8A yes Figure 4A A schematic cross-sectional view of line VIIIA-VIIIA of FIG. Figure 8B yes Figure 4B Schematic cross-sectional view of line VIIIB-VIII B.
[0024] Fig. 9 Yes Description Figure 3ASchematic diagram of the path of the print tape and ink ribbon in the print tape cassette.
[0025] Fig. 10A yes Figure 3C A schematic cross-sectional view of the XA-XA line, Fig. 10B yes Figure 3C A schematic cross-sectional view of the XB-XB line, Fig. 10C yes Figure 3C Schematic cross-sectional view of the XC-XC line, Fig. 10D yes Figure 3C Schematic cross-sectional view of line XD-XD.
[0026] Fig.11 yes Figure 1A A schematic top view of a printing device body in a printing device.
[0027] Fig.12 It is shown Figure 1A Schematic diagram of the matching state of the output gear and the pressure plate gear in the printing device.
[0028] Fig.13A It is shown Figure 1A A schematic front view of a state in which a printing tape cassette in a printing device is installed in a housing portion, Fig. 13B It is shown Figure 1A A schematic left side view of a state in which a printing tape cassette in a printing device is installed in a housing portion, Fig. 13C It is shown Figure 1A A schematic top view of a state in which a printing tape cassette in a printing device is installed in a housing portion, Fig.13D It is shown Figure 1A A schematic right side view of a state in which a printing tape cassette in a printing device is installed in a housing portion, Fig.13E It is shown Figure 1A A schematic rear view of a state in which a printing tape cassette in a printing apparatus is installed in a housing portion.
[0029] Fig.14A and Fig. 14B is a schematic perspective view showing Figure 1A A state in which the printing tape cassette is removed from the printing apparatus body in the printing apparatus according to various embodiments.
[0030] Fig.15 yes Fig.14A A schematic exploded perspective view of a printing tape box in a printing device.
[0031] Fig.16 yes Fig.14A A schematic top view of a printing device body in a printing device.
[0032] Fig.17 It is shown Fig.14ASchematic diagram of the matching state of the output gear and the pressure plate gear in the printing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] [1. First embodiment]
[0034] [1-1. Structure]
[0035] Figure 1A and 1B The printing apparatus 1 shown includes a printing tape cassette 10 and a printing apparatus body 100. The printing apparatus 1 is an apparatus for performing printing on a tape-shaped printing medium.
[0036] In this embodiment, the axial direction of the output gear 18 of the printing tape box 10 and the axial direction of the pressure plate gear 104 of the printing device body 100 are the up and down directions. In the direction perpendicular to the up and down directions, the direction in which the output gear 18 and the input shaft 16 are arranged (that is, the direction in which the pressure plate gear 104 and the drive shaft 105 are arranged) is the front-to-back direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the up and down directions and the front-to-back directions is the left-to-right direction.
[0037] <Printing device>
[0038] The printing apparatus body 100 includes a casing 110 , a cover 120 , and a pressing member 121 provided at the cover 120 .
[0039] The housing 110 has a first surface 111, and the first surface 111 is provided with a tape cartridge installation port 110A. The first surface 111 constitutes the upper surface of the housing 110. The printing tape cartridge 10 is configured as follows: Figure 1A The cover 120 is shown to be disposed within the housing 110 in an open state.
[0040] The cover 120 is mounted to the housing 110 in a swingable manner relative to the housing 110. The cover 120 is configured to be openable and closable relative to the housing 110, and covers the printing tape cassette 10 from the opposite side (i.e., above) of the housing 110. The cover 120 contacts the first surface 111 in a closed state.
[0041] When the printing tape cassette 10 is arranged in the case 110 , the upper end of the printing tape cassette 10 , that is, the upper end of the pressed portion 50 described later in this embodiment, is located above the first surface 111 .
[0042] In such Figure 1B When the cover 120 is closed, the pressure member 121 presses the printing tape cassette 10 downward in the housing 110. Figure 1B As shown, the state in which the printing tape cassette 10 is arranged in the case portion 110 and the cover 120 is closed is referred to as a state in which the printing tape cassette 10 is mounted in the printing apparatus body 100 .
[0043] In addition, if Figure 2A , 2B As shown in FIG. 2C , the printing apparatus body 100 includes a cassette insertion portion 101 , a print head 102 , a platen roller 103 , a platen gear 104 , and a drive shaft 105 .
[0044] (Cassette insertion section)
[0045] The cassette insertion portion 101 is a recessed portion in which the print tape cassette 10 is disposed, and the cassette insertion portion 101 has a function of positioning the print tape cassette 10 .
[0046] The cassette insertion portion 101 is provided in the housing 110. Specifically, the cassette insertion portion 101 and the cassette installation opening 110A together constitute a space into which a portion of the printing tape cassette 10 is inserted. The cassette insertion portion 101 is formed by making a portion of the first surface 111 that overlaps the cassette installation opening 110A concave downward.
[0047] (Print Head)
[0048] The print head 102 is disposed inside the cassette insertion portion 101. The print head 102 has a plurality of heating elements whose heating can be individually controlled.
[0049] The print head 102 is a plate-like member arranged with its thickness direction parallel to the front-rear direction and extends vertically from the inside of the case 110 (ie, the cassette insertion portion 101) to the vicinity of the cassette installation port 110A.
[0050] (Pressing roller)
[0051] The rotation axis L1 of the platen roller 103 is parallel to the vertical direction. The platen roller 103 is arranged to face the print head 102 in the front-rear direction inside the cassette insertion portion 101. The platen roller 103 can swing in a direction to approach and move away from the print head 102.
[0052] (Pressure plate gear)
[0053] The platen gear 104 is connected to the platen roller 103. In the present embodiment, the rotation axis L2 of the platen gear 104 is arranged on the same line as the rotation axis L1 of the platen roller 103. The platen gear 104 can swing together with the platen roller 103.
[0054] (Drive shaft)
[0055] The drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input shaft 16. The drive shaft 105 causes the input shaft 16 to rotate.
[0056] The drive shaft 105 is disposed inside the cassette insertion portion 101. The rotation axis L3 of the drive shaft 105 is parallel to the vertical direction. The drive shaft 105 is rotated around the rotation axis L3 by a driving source (eg, a motor) not shown in the figure.
[0057] <Printing tape cassette>
[0058] The printing tape cassette 10 accommodates a printing medium and can be attached to and detached from the printing apparatus body 100 .
[0059] The printing tape cassette 10 can be installed in the housing 110 by inserting it into the cassette installation port 110A in the vertical direction. By replacing the printing tape cassette 10, the printing medium can be replenished or the type of the printing medium (for example, color, material, etc.) can be changed.
[0060] like Figure 3A , 3B and 3C and Figure 4A and 4B As shown, the printing tape cassette 10 includes a housing 35 for accommodating the printing tape 11A, the ink ribbon 14A, etc., and a pressed portion 50. The outer shape of the printing tape cassette 10 (i.e., the shape of the housing 35) is a rectangular parallelepiped having sides parallel to the up-down direction, sides parallel to the front-back direction, and sides parallel to the left-right direction.
[0061] The shell 35 has: a first side surface 35A, which constitutes the front surface of the printing tape box 10; a second side surface 35B, which constitutes the rear surface of the printing tape box 10; a third side surface 35C, which constitutes the right surface of the printing tape box 10; and a fourth side surface 35D, which constitutes the left surface of the printing tape box 10.
[0062] The first side surface 35A and the second side surface 35B are perpendicular to the front-rear direction and overlap each other in the front-rear direction. The third side surface 35C and the fourth side surface 35D are perpendicular to the left-right direction and overlap each other in the left-right direction.
[0063] Furthermore, the housing 35 includes a first housing portion 31 , a first frame portion 32 , a second frame portion 33 , and a second housing portion 34 .
[0064] The pressed portion 50 is a portion that receives pressure from the pressing member 121 of the printing apparatus body 100 when the portion is mounted in the printing apparatus body 100. The pressed portion 50 is exposed from an opening 31B provided in the upper surface of the housing 35.
[0065] like Figure 5As shown, the printing tape cassette 10 includes a first tape roll 11, a first supply shaft 12, spacers 13A and 13B, a second tape roll 14, a second supply shaft 15, an input shaft 16, a clutch spring retaining portion 17, an output gear 18, an input gear 19 and an idler gear 20.
[0066] (First volume)
[0067] The first tape roll 11 winds a printing tape 11A to be printed on the first supply shaft 12. The first tape roll 11 is cylindrical and winds the printing tape 11A around an axis parallel to the vertical direction, and the inner circumference of the wound printing tape 11A defines a hollow portion. Printing is performed on the surface of the printing tape 11A by the print head 102 of the printing device body 100 and the ink ribbon 14A.
[0068] Two spacers 13A and 13B are arranged on the outer side of the first roll 11 in the vertical direction to sandwich the first roll 11. The spacers 13A and 13B are arranged between the first roll 11 and the first housing portion 31 and between the first roll 11 and the first frame portion 32.
[0069] (First supply axis)
[0070] The first supply shaft 12 is rotatable around a rotation axis L4 . The first supply shaft 12 rotates as the printing tape 11A is conveyed by the platen roller 103 of the printing apparatus body 100 , thereby supplying the printing tape 11A to the print head 102 .
[0071] (Second volume)
[0072] The second tape roll 14 winds an ink ribbon 14A for printing the printing tape 11A around the second supply shaft 15 .
[0073] The ink ribbon 14A overlaps with the printing tape 11A at the print head opening 33B, and is used for printing by the print head 102. The ink ribbon 14A used for printing is taken up by the input shaft 16. In addition, the clutch spring held by the clutch spring holding portion 17 applies rotation resistance to the second tape roll 14. At least a portion of the second tape roll 14 is arranged at a position overlapping with the first tape roll 11 in the up-down direction.
[0074] (Second supply shaft)
[0075] The second supply shaft 15 is rotatable around a rotation axis L5. The rotation axis L5 of the second supply shaft 15 is parallel to the rotation axis L4 of the first supply shaft 12, that is, parallel to the up-down direction.
[0076] The second supply shaft 15 rotates by taking up the ink ribbon 14A along with the input shaft 16 , and does not supply the ink ribbon 14A to the print head 102 .
[0077] (Input shaft)
[0078] The input shaft 16 is rotatable around a rotation axis L6 . The rotation axis L6 of the input shaft 16 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply shaft 15 .
[0079] The input shaft 16 is cylindrical and has a hollow portion defined by an inner circumferential surface 16A. Spline teeth 16B are provided on the inner circumferential surface 16A of the input shaft 16. The spline teeth 16B are matched with the drive shaft 105 of the printing apparatus body 100. The input shaft 16 is rotated by the drive shaft 105.
[0080] (Output gear)
[0081] The output gear 18 is a single-stage gear for outputting a driving force for conveying the printing tape 11A to the outside.
[0082] Specifically, the output gear 18 outputs the driving force to the platen gear 104 of the printing apparatus body 100. The rotation axis L7 of the output gear 18 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply shaft 15. The output gear 18 overlaps the cover portion 32B in the up-down direction.
[0083] A portion of the output gear 18 is exposed at the print head opening 33B. When the printing tape cartridge 10 is mounted on the printing apparatus body 100, the output gear 18 is engaged with the platen gear 104 at the print head opening 33B.
[0084] The second supply shaft 15, the output gear 18 and the first tape roll 11 are arranged in the order of the second supply shaft 15, the output gear 18 and the first tape roll 11 in the vertical direction. That is, the output gear 18 is located between the second supply shaft 15 and the first tape roll 11 in the vertical direction.
[0085] (Input gear)
[0086] The input gear 19 indirectly cooperates with the output gear 18 via the idler gear 20 , and transmits the driving force input from the printing apparatus body 100 to the output gear 18 .
[0087] The input gear 19 includes a gear 19A and a cylindrical shaft 19B fixed to a surface of the gear 19A perpendicular to the rotation axis and having spline teeth on the inner circumference of the shaft 19B. The gear 19A rotates integrally with the shaft 19B due to the driving force input to the shaft 19B.
[0088] The rotation axis LB of the input gear 19 (i.e., the rotation axis of the gear 19A and the rotation axis of the shaft 19B) is arranged on the same line as the rotation axis L6 of the input shaft 16. A portion of the shaft 19B is inserted into the input shaft 16. The input shaft 16, a portion of the input gear 19 (i.e., the gear 19A), and the first belt roll 11 are arranged in this order in the up-down direction.
[0089] The rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19 overlaps with the hollow portion of the input shaft 16 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input shaft 16 and the shaft 19B of the input gear 19 at the same time. As a result, the input gear 19 is not directly connected to the input shaft 16, but is rotated by the common drive source (i.e., the drive shaft 105) with the input shaft 16.
[0090] (Idler)
[0091] The idler gear 20 cooperates with the input gear 19 and the output gear 18. The idler gear 20 transmits the driving force input to the input gear 19 to the output gear 18.
[0092] The idler gear 20 is a segmented gear formed by coaxially arranging a large gear 20A matched with the input gear 19 and a small gear 20B matched with the output gear 18. The diameter of the small gear 20B is smaller than the diameter of the large gear 20A.
[0093] The pinion gear 20B is disposed closer to the first reel 11 than the large gear 20A in the vertical direction (ie, above). The idler gear 20 constitutes a speed reduction mechanism for reducing the rotation speed of the driving force input to the input gear 19.
[0094] (case)
[0095] The first housing portion 31 constitutes the upper end portion of the printing tape cartridge 10. The first frame portion 32 is disposed at the lower side of the first housing portion 31 and is connected to the first housing portion 31 in the vertical direction. The second frame portion 33 is disposed at the lower side of the first frame portion 32 and is connected to the first frame portion 32 in the vertical direction. The second housing portion 34 constitutes the lower end portion of the printing tape cartridge 10. The second housing portion 34 is connected to the second frame portion 33 in the vertical direction.
[0096] The first case portion 31 and the first frame portion 32 accommodate the first tape roll 11. That is, the first tape roll 11 is arranged in a space surrounded by the first case portion 31 and the first frame portion 32.
[0097] The second case portion 34 and the second frame portion 33 accommodate the second tape reel 14, the second supply shaft 15, and the input shaft 16. That is, the second tape reel 14, the second supply shaft 15, and the input shaft 16 are arranged in a space surrounded by the second case portion 34 and the second frame portion 33.
[0098] A part of the output gear 18 , the input gear 19 , and the idler gear 20 are arranged in a space surrounded by the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33 .
[0099] like Figure 3C As shown, the first housing portion 31 has a surface 31A and an opening 31B. The surface 31A is perpendicular to the up-down direction. The opening 31B is provided on the surface 31A. The pressed portion 50 penetrates the first housing portion 31 in the up-down direction.
[0100] like Figure 5 and Fig. 6A As shown, the first frame portion 32 includes a first side wall 32A, a cover portion 32B, a first guide portion 32C, a first gear shaft 32D, a second gear shaft 32E, a third gear shaft 32F, a connecting portion 32G, and a second support wall 32H.
[0101] The first side wall 32A constitutes a side surface of the printing tape cassette 10 parallel to the vertical direction. The cover portion 32B is a portion having a surface perpendicular to the vertical direction. The cover portion 32B is arranged at a position overlapping with the output gear 18 in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the cover portion 32B is arranged at a right front corner of the first frame portion 32.
[0102] The first gear shaft 32D rotatably supports the output gear 18. The second gear shaft 32E rotatably supports the input gear 19. The third gear shaft 32F rotatably supports the idler gear 20. The first gear shaft 32D, the second gear shaft 32E, and the third gear shaft 32F respectively protrude downward from the lower surface of the second support wall 32H.
[0103] The connection portion 32G connects the third gear shaft 32F and the pressed portion 50 in the up-down direction. In the present embodiment, the connection portion 32G, the third gear shaft 32F, and the pressed portion 50 are integrally formed.
[0104] The second support wall 32H is disposed vertically between the first case portion 31 and the first support wall 33E of the second case portion 33. The second support wall 32H has a support surface 32I that supports the first reel 11 vertically from the idler 20 side (ie, downward).
[0105] like Figure 7 As shown, the first guide portion 32C is a portion where the printing tape 11A pulled out from the first tape roll 11 is wound. The first guide portion 32C has a plurality of plate-like ribs arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the first tape roll 11. The plurality of ribs protrude in the radial direction of the first tape roll 11, and the protrusion amount (i.e., the plate width) increases as it goes downward.
[0106] like Figure 5 and Figure 6B As shown, the second frame portion 33 has a second side wall 33A, a print head opening 33B, a discharge port 33C, a second guide portion 33D, a first support wall 33E, and a restriction portion 33F.
[0107] The second side wall 33A constitutes a side surface of the printing tape cartridge 10 parallel to the vertical direction. The print head opening 33B is a portion of the second side wall 33A cut away. The print head opening 33B is a space in which the print head 102 is inserted from below when the printing tape cartridge 10 is installed in the printing device body 100, so that the print head 102 is arranged inside. The print head opening 33B opens at the bottom of the printing tape cartridge 10.
[0108] The second guide portion 33D is a portion where the printing tape 11A that has passed through the first guide portion 32C is wound. The second guide portion 33D, like the first guide portion 32C, has a plurality of plate-like ribs that are spaced apart and arranged along the circumferential direction of the second tape roll 14. The plurality of ribs protrude in the radial direction of the second tape roll 14, and the protrusion amount (i.e., the plate width) decreases as it goes downward.
[0109] The first support wall 33E is disposed on the side of the idler 20 opposite to the pressed portion 50 in the vertical direction (ie, the lower side). The second case portion 34 is disposed on the side of the first support wall 33E opposite to the idler 20 in the vertical direction.
[0110] The first support wall 33E restricts the third gear shaft 32F from moving downward. Figure 6B As shown in FIG. 1 , the first support wall 33E has a convex portion 33G. The convex portion 33G is a cross-shaped protrusion protruding upward.
[0111] Although the lower end of the third gear shaft 32F is arranged to be slightly spaced from the convex portion 33G, when a downward force is applied to the third gear shaft 32F, the third gear shaft 32F abuts against the convex portion 33G. That is, when a downward force is applied to the third gear shaft 32F, the first support wall 33E supports the third gear shaft 32F from below, restricting the third gear shaft 32F from moving downward.
[0112] like Figure 5 As shown, the restriction portion 33F is disposed in the vertical direction between the first support wall 33E and the second case portion 34. The restriction portion 33F is provided at a position overlapping with the third gear shaft 32F in the vertical direction.
[0113] When a downward force is applied to the first support wall 33E, the lower end of the limiting portion 33F abuts against the second housing portion 34, thereby limiting the first support wall 33E from bending in a direction (i.e., downward) close to the second housing portion 34. The limiting portion 33F of this embodiment is a cylinder that protrudes downward from the first support wall 33E and has a central axis parallel to the up-down direction.
[0114] <Positional Relationship of the Third Gear Shaft>
[0115] The third gear shaft 32F is inserted into the idler gear 20 , and extends in the up-down direction parallel to the rotation axis L9 of the idler gear 20 .
[0116] like Fig. 8A and 8B As shown, the idler gear 20 has a sliding portion 20C on which the inserted third gear shaft 32F slides, and a first surface 20D and a second surface 20E that are perpendicular to the up and down directions, respectively. The first surface 20D is the lower surface of the large gear 20A. The second surface 20E is the upper surface of the small gear 20B, and is a surface that is farther away from the first support wall 33E than the first surface 20D.
[0117] The length D1 of the third gear shaft 32F in the vertical direction is greater than the length D2 of the sliding portion 20C of the idler gear 20 in the vertical direction. The length of the third gear shaft 32F in the vertical direction refers to the distance from the root of the third gear shaft 32F (i.e., the portion connected to the second support wall 32H) to the tip end of the third gear shaft 32F.
[0118] Furthermore, the third gear shaft 32F penetrates the first surface 20D and the second surface 20E of the idler gear 20. That is, the third gear shaft 32F protrudes below the second surface 20E of the idler gear 20.
[0119] The first belt roll 11 is disposed on the side of the pressed portion 50 relative to the idler wheel 20 in the vertical direction and at a position spaced apart from the first support wall 33E (i.e., a position closer to the pressed portion 50 than the idler wheel 20). In addition, at least a portion of the third gear shaft 32F overlaps with the hollow portion of the first belt roll 11 in the vertical direction.
[0120] At least a portion of the connection portion 32G overlaps the hollow portion of the first tape roll 11 in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. The first tape roll 11 and the first supply shaft 12 are arranged around the connection portion 32G. That is, the connection portion 32G constitutes the axis of the first supply shaft 12.
[0121] The pressed portion 50 is disposed closer to the surface 31A of the first case portion 31 than the support surface 32I in the vertical direction. The pressed portion 50 overlaps the opening 31B in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the pressed portion 50 slightly protrudes upward from the surface 31A.
[0122] like Fig. 9 As shown, the third gear shaft 32F overlaps at least a portion of the pressed portion 50 in the up-down direction. In addition, the rotation axis L9 of the idler gear 20 passes through the pressed portion 50.
[0123] At least a portion of the contact area A of the pressed portion 50 that contacts the pressing member 121 (i.e., the area that contacts the external member that transmits the pressure to the pressed portion 50) overlaps the third gear shaft 32F in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, since the pressing member 121 is cylindrical, the contact area A is annular.
[0124] Moreover, at least a part of the pressed portion 50 overlaps with the restriction portion 33F in the up-down direction. Moreover, at least a part of the restriction portion 33F overlaps with the third gear shaft 32F in the up-down direction.
[0125] <Belt Conveying>
[0126] like Fig. 9 As shown, at the print head opening 33B, the print tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A are laid out in the left-right direction. The printed print tape 11A is discharged from the discharge port 33C to the outside of the printing apparatus 1. A portion of the output gear 18 is located in the print head opening 33B. In addition, the cover portion 32B is exposed in the print head opening 33B.
[0127] like Fig. 10A , 10B As shown in FIGS. 10C and 10D, the first guide portion 32C and the second guide portion 33D constitute a path for conveying the printing tape 11A constituting the first tape roll 11 from the first frame portion 32 to the second frame portion 33.
[0128] Specifically, Fig. 10A As shown, the printing tape 11A pulled out from the first tape roll 11 is conveyed downward and rearward in the first frame portion 32 while abutting against the first guide portion 32C from the radially outer side of the first tape roll 11 in a spiral manner. Fig. 10B As shown, the printing tape 11A is conveyed toward the lower left while straddling the connecting portion of the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33 in the vertical direction.
[0129] like Fig. 10C As shown in FIG. 1 , the printing tape 11A that has reached the second frame portion 33 is conveyed to the front and bottom while contacting the second guide portion 33D from the radially outer side. Fig. 10D As shown, the printing tape 11A reaching the lower end of the printing tape cassette 10 passes through the print head opening 33B and is discharged from the discharge port 33C.
[0130] <Printing Equipment Body to Belt Transport and Printing>
[0131] The print head 102 prints on the printing tape 11A held by the printing tape cassette 10. The print head 102 is arranged at a position where the printing tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A overlap in the front-rear direction at the print head opening 33B when the printing tape cassette 10 is mounted in the printing apparatus body 100.
[0132] The platen roller 103 presses the printing tape 11A conveyed to the printing head opening 33B against the printing head 102 whose heating element is heated via the ink ribbon 14A. Thus, part of the ink disposed on the surface of the ink ribbon 14A is transferred to the printing tape 11A, thereby printing characters, symbols, etc. on the printing tape 11A.
[0133] The platen roller 103 conveys the printing tape 11A from the inside to the outside of the printing tape cassette 10. The platen roller 103 contacts the printing tape 11A located at the print head opening 33B and presses the printing tape 11A toward the print head 102.
[0134] The platen gear 104 is connected to the platen roller 103 and cooperates with the output gear 18. The platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 can be Fig.11 The position shown is separated from the printing tape cassette 10 and Fig.12 The pressure plate gear 104 is shown oscillating between positions where it cooperates with the output gear 18 .
[0135] The driving shaft 105 is inserted into the input shaft 16 and cooperates with the input gear 19 to rotate the input shaft 16 and the input gear 19 .
[0136] like Fig.12 As shown in FIG. 1 , in a state where the printing tape cartridge 10 is mounted in the printing apparatus body 100, the drive shaft 105 is engaged with the input gear 19, and the platen gear 104 is engaged with the output gear 18. Specifically, the drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input shaft 16 and the input gear 19 of the printing tape cartridge 10. Then, the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 are swung toward the print head opening 33B of the printing tape cartridge 10.
[0137] When the printing tape cartridge 10 is installed, the input gear 19 is rotated by the drive shaft 105 , thereby rotating the output gear 18 , rotating the platen gear 104 , and rotating the platen roller 103 .
[0138] <Positional Relationship Between Printing Tape Cassette and Case>
[0139] like Fig.13A , 13B As shown in FIGS. 13C, 13D and 13E, the first surface 111 of the shell 110 has a first area 112, a second area 113, a third area 114 and a fourth area 115 which are respectively adjacent to the box installation port 110A.
[0140] The first area 112 is located in front of the cassette installation port 110A. The second area 113 is located behind the cassette installation port 110A. That is, the second area 113 is located on the opposite side of the first area 112 across the cassette installation port 110A in the front-rear direction.
[0141] The third area 114 is located on the right side of the cassette installation port 110A. The fourth area 115 is located on the left side of the cassette installation port 110A. That is, the fourth area 115 is located on the opposite side of the third area 114 sandwiching the cassette installation port 110A in the left-right direction. The third area 114 and the fourth area 115 are located between the first area 112 and the second area 113 in the front-back direction.
[0142] The first area 112, the second area 113, the third area 114 and the fourth area 115 of the first surface 111 constitute a peripheral area around the tape cartridge installation port 110A, around a central axis parallel to the up-down direction. The first area 112, the second area 113, the third area 114 and the fourth area 115 are located on the upstream side (i.e., above) of the print head 102 in the installation direction in which the printing tape cartridge 10 is installed in the housing 110.
[0143] like Fig. 13C As shown, the first area 112 and the second area 113 are arranged at the location of the virtual plane S, the virtual plane S is parallel to the up-down direction, and passes through the first area 112 , the second area 113 and the print head 102 .
[0144] like Fig.13A As shown, when the printing tape box 10 is installed in the shell 110, the portion of the printing tape box 10 adjacent to the first area 112 (i.e., the first side surface 35A of the shell 35) is located on the outside (i.e., above) of the shell 110 relative to the first area 112 in the up and down direction.
[0145] like Fig.13E As shown, when the print tape cassette 10 is mounted in the case 110 , a portion of the print tape cassette 10 adjacent to the second region 113 (ie, the second side surface 35B of the housing 35 ) is located above the second region 113 .
[0146] like Fig.13D As shown, when the print tape cassette 10 is mounted in the case 110 , a portion of the print tape cassette 10 adjacent to the third region 114 (ie, the third side surface 35C of the housing 35 ) is located above the third region 114 .
[0147] like Fig. 13B As shown, when the print tape cassette 10 is mounted in the case 110 , a portion of the print tape cassette 10 adjacent to the fourth region 115 (ie, the fourth side surface 35D of the housing 35 ) is located above the fourth region 115 .
[0148] When the printing tape cassette 10 is mounted in the housing 110 , the printing tape cassette 10 protrudes outside (ie, upward) the housing 110 in the vertical direction relative to the first, second, third, and fourth regions 112 , 113 , 114 , and 115 .
[0149] In addition, when the printing tape box 10 is installed in the shell 110, at least a portion of the first side surface 35A (i.e., the upper portion) and at least a portion of the second side surface 35B (i.e., the upper portion) of the shell 35 do not overlap with the shell 110 in the front-to-back direction, respectively.
[0150] When the printing tape cartridge 10 is mounted on the housing 110, the entire first housing 31 and the upper portion of the first frame 32 are located above the first and second regions 112 and 113. That is, at least a portion of the first tape roll 11 is located above the first and second regions 112 and 113.
[0151] The discharge port 33C of the printing tape 11A is arranged inside the housing 110. Therefore, when the printing tape cartridge 10 is mounted in the housing 110, the printing tape 11A is conveyed to the inside (i.e., below) of the housing 110 in the vertical direction relative to the first area 112 and the second area 113 in the housing 35.
[0152] When the printing tape cartridge 10 is mounted on the housing 110, the entire second frame portion 33 and the entire second housing portion 34 are located below the first area 112 and the second area 113. That is, the second tape roll 14 is located below the first area 112 and the second area 113. In addition, the output gear 18 is also located below the first area 112 and the second area 113.
[0153] [1-2. Effect]
[0154] According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
[0155] (1a) When the printing tape cassette 10 is mounted in the housing 110, a portion of the printing tape cassette 10 is disposed outside the first surface 111. Therefore, even if the printing tape cassette 10 does not have a handle, the printing tape cassette 10 can be grasped and taken out of the housing 110. As a result, the cost increase of the printing tape cassette 10 can be suppressed.
[0156] (1b) When the printing tape cassette 10 is installed in the shell 110, the output gear 18 is located below the first area 112 and the second area 113. Therefore, while the driving force is transmitted from the output gear 18 to the pressure plate gear 104, a portion of the printing tape cassette 10 can be arranged on the outside of the first surface 111.
[0157] [2. Second Embodiment]
[0158] [2-1. Structure]
[0159] Fig.14A and 14B The printing apparatus 1A shown includes a printing tape cassette 10A and a printing apparatus body 100A.
[0160] exist Fig.14A and 14B In the figure, the cover and the pressure member of the printing apparatus body 100A are omitted. Figure 1A The pressure applying member 121 of the printing apparatus body 100 is the same.
[0161] <Printing tape cassette>
[0162] The printing tape cassette 10A is a component of the printing tape cassette 10 of the first embodiment. Fig.15 The third belt roll 21, winding shaft 22, winding gear 23, clamping roller 24 are shown, and the input shaft 16, first shell part 31, first frame part 32, second frame part 33 and second shell part 34 of the first embodiment are replaced by input shaft 25, first shell part 36, first frame part 37, second frame part 38 and second shell part 39.
[0163] The input shaft 25 is the same as the input shaft 16 except that it does not have the spline teeth 16B. The first housing portion 36, the first frame portion 37, the second frame portion 38, and the second housing portion 39 extend the first housing portion 31, the first frame portion 32, the second frame portion 33, and the second housing portion 34 in the left-right direction, respectively. Since the other structures of the printing tape cartridge 10A are the same as those of the printing tape cartridge 10 of the first embodiment except for the points described below, the description thereof is omitted.
[0164] The third tape roll 21 winds a laminated tape for protecting the printing tape 11A around the input shaft 25. The laminated tape has an adhesive surface and is bonded to the printing tape 11A printed by the print head 102.
[0165] The take-up shaft 22 is rotatable about a rotation axis L10. The rotation axis L10 of the take-up shaft 22 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply shaft 15 (ie, in the vertical direction). The take-up shaft 22 takes up the ink ribbon 14A by the rotation of the take-up gear 23.
[0166] The take-up gear 23 is coupled to the take-up shaft 22, and cooperates with the idler gear 20. The take-up gear 23 is rotated by the driving force input to the input gear 19, thereby rotating the take-up shaft 22.
[0167] The pinch roller 24 presses the laminated tape onto the printed printing tape 11A together with the pressure roller 106. The pinch roller 24 is arranged downstream of the printing head opening 33B in the conveying direction of the printing tape 11A.
[0168] <Printing device>
[0169] The printing apparatus body 100A is formed by adding the following components to the printing apparatus body 100 of the first embodiment: Fig.16 The pressure roller 106 is shown. A The other structures of the printing apparatus body 100 are the same as those of the printing apparatus body 100 of the first embodiment except for the points described below, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
[0170] The pressure roller 106 is configured to be able to swing together with the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104. That is, the pressure roller 106 can swing in the following manner: Fig.16 The printing tape box 10 shown A Departure location and Fig.17 The illustrated embodiment swings between positions where the pinch roller 24 presses the printing tape 11A and the third tape.
[0171] [2-2. Effect]
[0172] According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
[0173] (2a) The printed content of the print tape 11A can be protected by the laminated tape while having the same advantages as the first embodiment.
[0174] [3. Other embodiments]
[0175] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various forms can be adopted.
[0176] (3a) The printing apparatus of the above embodiment is not limited to printing using an ink ribbon. The printing apparatus may use tape-shaped thermal paper instead of the printing ribbon in the first embodiment, and use a laminated tape (ie, protective tape) instead of the ink ribbon.
[0177] In addition, the printing device may use a perforated stencil tape on which a pattern is printed by a thermal head as the printing tape, and use a tape-shaped backing paper for protecting and supporting the stencil tape as the second tape. In this case, at the printing head opening, the printing tape may overlap the second tape at a position closer to the printing head than the second tape (i.e., as an upper layer), or may overlap the second tape at a position farther from the printing head than the second tape (i.e., as a lower layer).
[0178] (3b) In the printing tape cassette of the above embodiment, the first tape roll, the output gear, and the tape roll of the auxiliary tape for printing or protecting the printing tape (i.e., the second tape roll or the third tape roll) are not limited to being arranged in the vertical direction. In the printing tape cassette, the first tape roll may be arranged to overlap the second tape roll or the third tape roll in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.
[0179] (3c) The printing tape cassette of the above embodiment may have more than two idler gears. In addition, the idler gear does not necessarily have to be a segmented gear, but may also be a single-stage gear. In addition, the printing tape cassette may not have an idler gear, and the output gear may directly cooperate with the input gear.
[0180] (3d) The printing tape cassette of the second embodiment may include a third supply shaft for winding the laminated tape instead of the take-up shaft. Furthermore, in the printing tape cassette of the second embodiment, the input shaft may be used as a take-up shaft for the ink ribbon.
[0181] (3e) The functions of a single component in the above-mentioned embodiment may be dispersed into multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into a single component. In addition, part of the structure of the above-mentioned embodiment may be omitted. In addition, at least part of the structure of the above-mentioned embodiment may be added to or replaced by the structure of other embodiments. All embodiments included in the technical concept of the claims are embodiments of the present invention.
[0182] Description of Reference Numerals
[0183] 1.1A: Printing equipment
[0184] 10, 10A: Printing tape box
[0185] 11: The first volume
[0186] 11A: Printing tape
[0187] 12: First supply axis
[0188] 14: Second volume
[0189] 14A: Ink ribbon
[0190] 15: Second supply axis
[0191] 16: Input shaft
[0192] 18: Output gear
[0193] 19: Input gear
[0194] 20: Idler
[0195] 21: The third volume
[0196] 22: Take-up shaft
[0197] 23: Winding gear
[0198] 31: First housing part
[0199] 32: First frame portion
[0200] 34: Second housing part
[0201] 35: Shell
[0202] 35A: first side surface
[0203] 35B: Second side surface
[0204] 100: Printing device body
[0205] 101: Cassette insertion section
[0206] 102: Print head
[0207] 103: Platen roller
[0208] 104: Pressure plate gear
[0209] 105: Drive shaft
[0210] 110: Shell
[0211] 110A: With box mounting port
[0212] 111: Side 1
[0213] 112: First Area
[0214] 113: Second Area
[0215] 114: The Third Area
[0216] 115: The Fourth Area
Claims
1. A printing device, comprising: The shell has a first surface, wherein the first surface is provided with a cassette installation opening; A print head is disposed in the shell and extends from the interior of the shell toward the cassette installation port; A platen roller, disposed in the shell portion and opposite to the print head; as well as A printing tape cassette can be installed in the housing portion by inserting the tape cassette installation opening in a first direction, The first side has: A first area, adjacent to the cassette installation opening; as well as a second area adjacent to the cassette installation port and located on the opposite side of the first area relative to the cassette installation port in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; The first area and the second area are located on the upstream side of the print head in the mounting direction of the printing tape cassette to the housing portion. When the printing tape cassette is installed in the shell, a portion of the printing tape cassette adjacent to the first area is located outside the shell relative to the first area in the first direction, and a portion of the printing tape cassette adjacent to the second area is located outside the shell relative to the second area in the first direction.
2. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The printing tape cassette comprises a first tape roll on which a printing tape is wound. When the print tape cassette is mounted in the case, at least a portion of the first tape roll is located outside the case relative to the first region and the second region in the first direction.
3. The printing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The printing tape cassette has a housing for accommodating the first tape roll. When the printing tape cassette is mounted in the case, the printing tape is fed in the first direction within the housing to the inside of the case relative to the first region and the second region.
4. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The printing tape cassette has a second tape roll on which an ink ribbon is wound. When the print tape cassette is mounted in the case, the second tape roll is located inside the case with respect to the first region and the second region in the first direction.
5. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The printing tape cassette has a gear for transmitting a driving force. When the print tape cassette is mounted in the case, the gear is located inside the case with respect to the first region and the second region in the first direction.
6. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first surface has a third area and a fourth area, the third area and the fourth area are adjacent to the cassette installation port and are located between the first area and the second area in the second direction, The fourth area is located on the opposite side of the third area relative to the cassette installation port in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. When the printing tape cassette is installed in the shell, a portion of the printing tape cassette adjacent to the third area is located on the outside of the shell relative to the third area in the first direction, and a portion of the printing tape cassette adjacent to the fourth area is located on the outside of the shell relative to the fourth area in the first direction.
7. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: further comprising a cover that can be opened and closed relative to the housing portion and covers the printing tape cassette from a side opposite to the housing portion, The cover is in contact with the first surface in a closed state.
8. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The print head and the platen roller are opposite to each other in the second direction.
9. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first area, the second area, and the print head are arranged on a virtual plane that is parallel to the first direction and passes through the first area, the second area, and the print head.
10. A printing device comprising: The shell has a first surface, wherein the first surface is provided with a cassette installation opening; A print head is disposed in the shell and extends from the interior of the shell toward the cassette installation port; A platen roller, disposed in the shell portion and opposite to the print head; as well as A printing tape cassette can be installed in the housing portion by inserting the tape cassette installation opening in a first direction, The first side has: A first area, adjacent to the cassette installation opening; as well as a second area adjacent to the cassette installation port and located on the opposite side of the first area relative to the cassette installation port in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The first area and the second area are located on the upstream side of the print head in the mounting direction of the printing tape cassette to the housing portion. In a state where the print tape cassette is mounted in the case, the print tape cassette protrudes to the outside of the case relative to the first region and the second region in the first direction.
11. A printing device comprising: The shell has a first surface, wherein the first surface is provided with a cassette installation opening; A print head is disposed in the shell and extends from the interior of the shell toward the cassette installation port; A platen roller, disposed in the shell portion and opposite to the print head; as well as A printing tape cassette can be installed in the housing portion by inserting the tape cassette installation opening in a first direction, The printing tape cassette has a first side surface and a second side surface, the first side surface and the second side surface are arranged to overlap each other when viewed from a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. When the print tape cassette is mounted on the case, at least a portion of the first side surface and at least a portion of the second side surface do not overlap with the case as viewed from the second direction.