Printing device

Abstract

A printing device capable of mounting a plurality of tape cartridges of different shapes and types is provided. The printing device includes a tape cartridge housing portion capable of selectively housing at least a first tape cartridge that stores a print medium and at least a second tape cartridge that stores a print medium and is different in type from the first tape cartridge, and a first member capable of moving from a first position, which is a position when the first tape cartridge is not housed, to a second position, which does not interfere with housing of the first tape cartridge, by action of at least a portion of the first tape cartridge indirectly in a case where the first tape cartridge is housed in the tape cartridge housing portion, and on the other hand, the first member does not move due to the second tape cartridge in a case where the second tape cartridge is housed in the tape cartridge housing portion.

Description

[0001] REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-155675 filed on September 24, 2021, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-112745 filed on July 13, 2022. The specification of this application incorporates by reference the specification, claims, drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-155675 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-112745 in their entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to a printing device. BACKGROUND

[0004] In Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-144250, a tape printing device is described that includes a cassette mounting portion for mounting a tape cassette having a first housing with a peripheral wall portion having a first hook protruding from a front end surface, and a second housing having a first hook receiving portion that engages with the first hook, and a first base end side portion detection sensor that outputs a change in accordance with a depth of a recess of a first base end side portion that is a portion on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion on a base end side of the first hook, among a plurality of tape cassettes (cassettes). SUMMARY

[0005] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0006] As described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem with a printing device (label printer) that prints by mounting a cassette or cassette that stores a tape, in that even if it is desired to mount a plurality of types of cassettes of different shapes, the components for mounting a cassette of a certain type interfere with a cassette of another type and cannot be mounted, and only a cassette of a shape that is suitable for the main body of the printing device that avoids interference can be mounted.

[0007] In view of the above, an object of the present application is to provide a printing device that can mount a plurality of tape cassettes of different shapes or types.

[0008] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0009] To achieve the above object, one embodiment of the printing device of the present application is characterized by including:

[0010] a tape cassette housing portion that can selectively house a first tape cassette that at least stores a print medium, and a second tape cassette that at least stores a print medium and is different in type from the first tape cassette; and

[0011] A first member, which is indirectly acted on by at least a portion of the first tape cartridge when the first tape cartridge is housed in the tape cartridge housing portion, is movable from a first position, which is a position when the first tape cartridge is not housed, to a second position, which does not interfere with the housing of the first tape cartridge, on the other hand, the first member is not moved by the second tape cartridge when the second tape cartridge is housed in the tape cartridge housing portion.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present application, it is possible to provide a printing device capable of mounting a plurality of tape cartridges of different shapes or kinds. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of the printing device of Embodiment 1.

[0015] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the main part of Embodiment 1.

[0016] Figure 3 is a plan view showing the structure of the main part of Embodiment 1.

[0017] Figure 4 is a plan view showing the structure of the main part of Embodiment 1 after housing a narrow-width tape cartridge or a wide-width tape cartridge.

[0018] Figure 5 is a plan view showing the structure of the main part of Embodiment 1 after housing an ink-attached wide-width tape cartridge.

[0019] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the structure of the housing mechanism of Embodiment 1.

[0020] Figure 7 is a side view showing the structure of the housing mechanism of Embodiment 1 before housing a narrow-width tape cartridge.

[0021] Figure 8 is a side view showing the structure of the housing mechanism of Embodiment 1 midway through housing a narrow-width tape cartridge.

[0022] Figure 9 is a side view showing the structure of the housing mechanism of Embodiment 1 after housing a narrow-width tape cartridge.

[0023] Figure 10 is a side view showing the structure of the housing mechanism of Embodiment 1 before housing a wide-width tape cartridge.

[0024] Figure 11 is a side view showing the structure of the housing mechanism of Embodiment 1 midway through housing a wide-width tape cartridge.

[0025] Figure 12 is a side view showing the structure of the housing mechanism after housing the wide-width tape cassette.

[0026] Figure 13 is a side view showing the structure of the housing mechanism before housing the inked tape wide-width tape cassette.

[0027] Figure 14 is a side view showing the structure of the housing mechanism after housing the inked tape wide-width tape cassette.

[0028] Figure 15 is a side view showing the structure of the housing mechanism of Embodiment 2.

[0029] Figure 16 is a perspective view focusing on the cassette base supporting the mounted tape cassette and the release guide in the housing mechanism of Embodiment 2.

[0030] Figure 17A is a cross-sectional view of the housing mechanism in the initial state, taken along the cross-sectional line XVII-XVII of Figure 15

[0031] Figure 17B is a cross-sectional view of the housing mechanism in the state after the cassette base and the release guide are moved, taken along the cross-sectional line XVII-XVII of Figure 15

[0032] Figure 18 is a plan view showing the relationship between the housing mechanism of Embodiment 2 in the initial state and the narrow-width tape cassette or the wide-width tape cassette.

[0033] Figure 19 is a view showing the state of the housing mechanism of Embodiment 2 before housing the narrow-width tape cassette, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the cross-sectional line XIX-XIX of Figure 18

[0034] Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the housing mechanism of Embodiment 2 after housing the narrow-width tape cassette.

[0035] Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the housing mechanism of Embodiment 2 after housing the wide-width tape cassette.

[0036] Figure 22 is a plan view showing the relationship between the housing mechanism of Embodiment 2 in the initial state and the inked tape wide-width tape cassette.

[0037] Figure 23 ​​​is a sectional view taken along the section line XXIII-XXIII in Figure 22 .

[0038] Figure 24 is a sectional view showing the state of the housing mechanism of Embodiment 2 before housing the tape cartridge of the wide width of the attached ink tape. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] (Embodiment 1)

[0040] Hereinafter, a printing device 1 of Embodiment 1 of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same reference numerals are attached to the same or equivalent portions in the drawings, and, for the three axes (X axis, Y axis, Z axis) orthogonal to each other indicated in each drawing, the direction toward which an arrowhead is directed is defined as a positive direction, and the direction opposite to the positive direction is defined as a negative direction. The printing device 1 of Embodiment 1 is a label printer that prints characters, marks, patterns, or images on a label (tape member M) in a label (tape) shape conveyed by a conveyance section.

[0041] As shown in Figure 1 , a frame 2 of the printing device 1 has a columnar shape having an elliptical shape of a bottom surface. A portion of a surface of the frame 2 corresponding to a side surface of the columnar shape has two planes 2a orthogonal to the bottom surface and two curved surfaces 2b connecting the two planes 2a. Further, a recessed portion 2c is formed in one of the two curved surfaces 2b.

[0042] An ejection port 2d is formed in the recessed portion 2c. The tape member M on which printing has been performed in the printing device 1 is ejected to the outside of the device from the ejection port 2d. The ejection port 2d is a slit-shaped opening extending in a direction parallel to the bottom surface. The frame 2 can include a connection terminal connected to an information processing device (external device) including a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like not shown, a slot into which a storage medium including a memory card is inserted, and a power supply terminal to which a power supply cord is connected, and the illustrations thereof are omitted. In addition, as described above, the printing device 1 can perform printing based on printing data received by using a wired cable or the like for wired connection to the information processing device such as a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like not shown, or can perform printing based on printing data received by wireless connection based on a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or the like.

[0043] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a main portion 8 of an internal structure of the frame 2 in which the printing device 1 in Embodiment 1 is housed. As Figure 2As shown, a main portion 8 of an internal structure composed of various components is housed inside the frame body 2. The main portion 8 has a base portion 11 having a flat plate portion 11a on which various components are mounted, and a cartridge holding portion 12 provided to the base portion 11.

[0044] The cartridge holding portion 12 has a holding portion main body 12a capable of holding (housing) a tape cartridge described later, and a plurality of leg portions 12b erected to the flat plate portion 11a to separate the interval between the flat plate portion 11a and the holding portion main body 12a. The leg portions 12b are, for example, four, of which one is illustrated in the drawing. A cartridge housing portion 12c (cartridge housing portion 12c) that divides a housing space for housing a tape cartridge is formed in the holding portion main body 12a, and the tape cartridge is housed in the cartridge housing portion 12c with the ability to be attached and detached. Figure 2

[0045] In the present embodiment 1, the cartridge housing portion 12c is capable of selectively housing one of a narrow width tape cartridge 100, a wide width tape cartridge 200, and an ink ribbon wide width tape cartridge 300, and is capable of performing printing on a printed medium (tape member M) in the form of a tape drawn out from each of the tape cartridges. In addition, narrow width, wide width, and the like are expressions for convenience, and in fact, tape cartridges corresponding to various widths of tape members M of 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, 18 mm, 24 mm, 36 mm, 46 mm, and the like can be housed. In the present embodiment 1, the tape widths of the narrow width tape cartridge 100, the wide width tape cartridge 200, and the ink ribbon wide width tape cartridge 300 (hereinafter, these tape cartridges are sometimes simply referred to as tape cartridges) housed (housed) therein are set to 12 mm, 46 mm, and 24 mm, respectively, for explanation. In addition, with regard to the housing of the ink ribbon narrow width tape cartridge into the cartridge housing portion 12c, the housing is the same as that of the ink ribbon wide width tape cartridge 300, and therefore, the explanation is omitted in the present embodiment 1.

[0046] In addition, the narrow width tape cartridge 100 and the wide width tape cartridge 200 are tape cartridges that are different in thickness in the Y-axis direction from each other according to the width of the tape member M housed therein, but are the same in shape except for the thickness and a pressing protrusion portion (described later). On the other hand, in the ink ribbon wide width tape cartridge 300, not only the tape member M but also at least an ink ribbon R for printing (thermal transfer) on the tape member M and a ribbon winding core 3005 (described later) for recovering the used ink ribbon R' after printing are housed inside, and therefore, the shape is different from that of the narrow width tape cartridge 100 and the wide width tape cartridge 200.

[0047] ​The tape member housed in the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and the wide-width tape cartridge 200 is different in printing method from the tape member housed in the ink-attached tape wide-width tape cartridge 300. In the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and the wide-width tape cartridge 200, a heat-sensitive tape that changes color by heating is used as a printed medium, and printing is performed by heating the heat-sensitive tape by energizing the thermal head 10. On the other hand, in the ink-attached tape wide-width tape cartridge 300, printing is performed by thermally transferring an ink tape R onto the tape member by energizing the thermal head. In the present embodiment 1, for simplicity, the tape member in both printing methods is expressed as a tape member M.

[0048] Figure 3 is a plan view of the main part 8 of the internal structure, Figure 4 is a plan view in a case where either one of the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and the wide-width tape cartridge 200 is housed in the cartridge housing portion 12c, Figure 5 is a plan view in a case where the ink-attached tape wide-width tape cartridge 300 is housed in the cartridge housing portion 12c.

[0049] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, Figure 4 and Figure 5 a thermal head-inserted portion 1006 (thermal head-inserted portion 2006) and a thermal head-inserted portion 3006 as recessed portions into which the thermal head 10 (printing portion 10) is inserted are formed in each of the tape cartridges. The narrow-width tape cartridge 100 (wide-width tape cartridge 200) has at least a cartridge case 1001 (cartridge case 2001) that houses (houses) the tape member M. A tape core 1002 (tape core 2002) is provided in the cartridge case 1001 (cartridge case 2001). Further, the ink-attached tape wide-width tape cartridge 300 has at least a cartridge case 3001 that houses (houses) the tape member M and an ink tape R (used ink tape R'). A tape core 3002, a tape supply core 3004, and a tape winding core 3005 are provided in the cartridge case 3001.

[0050] The tape member M is wound in a roll shape on each of the tape cores 1002 (tape core 2002), 3002 inside the cartridge case 1001 (cartridge case 2001), 3001. The tape member M is, for example, a tape having a base material having an adhesive layer and a release paper that is peelably attached to the base material so as to cover the adhesive layer. The ink tape R for printing (thermal transfer) is wound in a roll shape on the tape supply core 3004 inside the cartridge case 3001 in a state where the leading end thereof is wound on the tape winding core 3005. The tape member M and the ink tape R are disposed so as to overlap and straddle the concave-shaped thermal head-inserted portion 3006.

[0051] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the main part 8 includes: a thermal head 10 with multiple heating elements for printing on the tape member M; a pressure roller 21 for conveying the tape member M and the ink ribbon R; and a tape winding drive shaft 23 for winding the used ink ribbon R'. The thermal head 10 and the pressure roller 21 are positioned to clamp the tape member M that crosses the thermal head insertion part 1006 (thermal head insertion part 2006), or to clamp the tape member M and the ink ribbon R that cross the thermal head insertion part 3006. The tape winding drive shaft 23 is configured to pass through (insert through) the holding part body 12a in the Y-axis direction and protrude into the box storage part 12c.

[0052] Although the diagram is omitted, the main part 8 is still at the outlet 2d ( Figure 1 Near the label (as shown), there is a full cutter 17 and a half cutter 16. The full cutter 17 is a cutter that cuts the (printed) tape member M to make a tape sheet (label sheet). On the other hand, the half cutter 16 is a cutter used to form a slit at the front end of the tape member M, so that the release layer can be easily peeled off from the substrate with the adhesive layer.

[0053] like Figure 4 As shown, the retaining body 12a is provided with a claw (locking part 12d), which locks against a locking part 1009 (locking part 2009) located on the side of the housing 1001 (housing housing 2001) of the narrow-width strap box 100 (wide-width strap box 200). The narrow-width strap box 100 (wide-width strap box 200) is positioned in the Y-axis direction by being locked by the claw (locking part 12d) when housed in the box storage part 12c. Figure 2 As shown, the claw (locking portion 12d) has a protrusion 12f that extends from the retaining body 12a in the +Y direction, and its cross-section protruding into the inner side of the box storage portion 12c is mountain-shaped. Additionally, as... Figure 7 as well as Figure 9 As shown, the locking portion 1009 (locking portion 2009) is a convex portion formed on the side of the box housing 1001 (box housing 2001). When the narrow-width strap box 100 (wide-width strap box 200) is stored in the box storage portion 12c, the protrusion 12f of the claw (locking portion 12d) can be engaged with the locking portion 1009 (locking portion 2009) by making the locking portion 1009 (locking portion 2009) pass over the protrusion 12f of the claw (locking portion 12d).

[0054] like Figure 4 and 5As shown, the holding body 12a is provided with a base 12e, which is used to arrange the support cutouts 1001a (support cutouts 2001a) and 3001a of the housing 1001 (housing 2001a) of the narrow-width tape cassette 100 (wide-width tape cassette 200) and the housing 3001 of the ink-filled wide-width tape cassette 300, respectively. The base 12e protrudes from the holding body 12a in the positive direction of the Y-axis and has a flat upper portion, which is set to approximately the same height (same position in the Y-axis direction) as the cassette base fixing portion 5111 described later. At least a portion of the narrow-width tape cassette 100 (wide-width tape cassette 200) and the ink-filled wide-width tape cassette 300 are supported by the base 12e.

[0055] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, when the case is stored in the case storage section 12c, the thermal head 10 is inserted into the thermal head insertion section 1006 (thermal head insertion section 2006) and the thermal head insertion section 3006 respectively formed in the case housing 1001 (case housing 2001), the case housing 3001, and the case housing 3001. Furthermore, as... Figure 5 As shown, a tape winding core 3005 is engaged with the tape winding drive shaft 23. Furthermore, as... Figure 4 As shown, a through hole 1005 (2005) for the tape winding drive shaft is provided in the housing 1001 (housing 2001) that is not engaged with the tape winding drive shaft 23 but is inserted through it.

[0056] The pressure roller 21 has a cylindrical shape extending along the Y-axis and rotates about the pressure roller shaft 21a. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the pressure roller 21 forward-feeds the belt member M, or the belt member M and ink ribbon R, by pressing it against the thermal head 10 while rotating counterclockwise. This forward-feeding period is called the forward feeding period, during which the belt member M is fed in the positive direction of the X-axis (towards discharge port 2d). Conversely, by rotating the pressure roller 21 clockwise, the belt member M, or the belt member M and ink ribbon R, is fed in the reverse direction. This reverse feeding period is called the reverse feeding period, during which the belt member M is fed in the negative direction of the X-axis (opposite to the direction of discharge port 2d).

[0057] The tape winding drive shaft 23 can be Figure 5The shaft portion 25 is shown to rotate (turn) clockwise or counterclockwise about the center. The tape winding drive shaft 23 rotates clockwise when the tape is fed in the forward direction. Thus, the ink ribbon R fed in the forward direction by the platen roller 21 is wound around the tape winding core 3005. On the other hand, the ink ribbon R (used ink ribbon R') fed in the reverse direction by the platen roller 21 is pulled out from the tape winding core 3005 when the tape is fed in the reverse direction, whereby the tape winding drive shaft 23 rotates counterclockwise.

[0058] A control portion that controls the feeding portion (platen roller 21) and the printing portion (thermal head 10) is also provided inside the frame 2. The control portion is configured to include, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). In addition, the feeding portion is driven by a stepping motor or the like, not shown.

[0059] The narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and the wide-width tape cartridge 200 are housed in the cartridge housing portion 12c by moving the cartridge base 511 and the release guide 521 described later. The narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and the wide-width tape cartridge 200 are also collectively referred to as a first tape cartridge. The first tape cartridge houses (houses) at least a print medium (tape member M). On the other hand, the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 does not move the cartridge base 511 and the release guide 521 when housed in the cartridge housing portion 12c. The ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 is also referred to as a second tape cartridge. The second tape cartridge houses (houses) at least a print medium (tape member M) and is a tape cartridge of a different kind from the first tape cartridge, and in the present embodiment 1, houses (houses) a tape member M and an ink ribbon R.

[0060] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the structure of the housing mechanism of the present embodiment 1 including the cartridge housing portion 12c. Furthermore, the structures such as the thermal head 10, the platen roller 21, and the like are omitted for simplicity, and other structures other than the housing mechanism are shown in solid lines. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6 the housing mechanism is provided with the base portion 11, the cartridge base 511, the cartridge base button 512, the cartridge base spring 513 as a first elastic member, the release guide 521, and the release spring 522 as a second elastic member.

[0061] The holding portion main body 12a has a size and a shape (depth in the Y-axis direction and the like) that can house each tape cartridge. The material of the holding portion main body 12a is not particularly limited and is composed of, for example, resin or metal or the like.

[0062] The cartridge base 511 has: a cartridge base fixing portion 5111 that abuts against a portion (first cutout portion 3007) of the ink ribbon width attachment ribbon cartridge 300; a button guide portion 5112 (guide portion) that is provided in a recessed manner in the positive direction of the Z-axis direction in order to guide a guided protrusion portion 512a provided in a protruding manner in the positive direction of the Z-axis direction to the side of the cartridge base button 512; and a ribbon cartridge detection switch 5113. As shown in Figure 7 The button guide portion 5112 extends in a direction parallel to the XY plane. In addition, the button guide portion 5112 has a shape in which at least a portion thereof extends in the Y-axis direction and one end (upper end) thereof is bent at a prescribed angle in the negative direction of the X-axis direction (a shape in which at least a portion thereof extends at an angle with respect to the Y-axis direction). That is, the button guide portion 5112 has a first extension provided portion 5112a that extends in the Y-axis direction and a second extension provided portion 5112b that extends at an angle with respect to the Y-axis direction and is connected to the +Y direction side end portion of the first extension provided portion 5112a. In addition, as shown in Figure 6 The cartridge base 511 is movably installed in the base portion 11 in the X-axis direction. The material of the cartridge base 511 is not particularly limited and is composed of, for example, resin or metal, etc. In addition, the ribbon cartridge detection switch 5113 is, for example, a switch that abuts against a portion (first cutout portion 3007) of the ink ribbon width attachment ribbon cartridge 300 and is depressed, and the depressed switch differs depending on the difference in the shape of the ink ribbon width attachment ribbon cartridge 300 (the shape of the first cutout portion 3007). Thereby, for example, the ribbon width can be detected. In addition, the ribbon cartridge detection switch 5113 is not limited to the ribbon cartridge of the ink ribbon and can be depressed by a ribbon cartridge of a kind that does not house an ink ribbon. In this case, the ribbon cartridge detection switch 5113 can also detect the kind of the ribbon cartridge. In addition, the number of the ribbon cartridge detection switch 5113 is not limited to the number shown in the drawing.

[0063] In a case in which the ink ribbon width attachment ribbon cartridge 300 is intended to be housed in the cartridge housing portion 12c (a case in which the ink ribbon width attachment ribbon cartridge 300 is moved in the negative direction of the Y-axis direction), the cartridge base 511 abuts against the first cutout portion 3007 of the ink ribbon width attachment ribbon cartridge 300. The cartridge base 511 is a member (first member) that is used in a case in which each ribbon cartridge is housed in the cartridge housing portion 12c, is moved when abutting against the narrow width ribbon cartridge 100 or the wide width ribbon cartridge 200, and is not moved in a case in which it abuts against the ink ribbon width attachment ribbon cartridge 300. In addition, in a case in which the narrow width ribbon cartridge 100 or the wide width ribbon cartridge 200 is intended to be housed in the cartridge housing portion 12c, a portion (pressing protrusion portion described later) of the narrow width ribbon cartridge 100 or the wide width ribbon cartridge 200 abuts against the cartridge base button 512 that protrudes in the positive direction of the Y-axis direction from the cartridge base 511.

[0064] The cartridge base button 512 is a member (pressed portion) having a rod-shaped main body portion extending in the Y-axis direction and a guided protrusion portion 512a guided by the button guide portion 5112, the main body portion abutting against the press protrusion portion 1008 (press protrusion portion 2008) provided below the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and the wide-width tape cartridge 200, respectively, extending in the direction in which the cartridge is housed in the cartridge housing portion 12c. Further, one end of a cartridge base spring 513 serving as a biasing member extending in the Y-axis direction is fixed below the cartridge base button 512, and the other end of the cartridge base spring 513 is fixed to the flat plate portion 11a of the base portion 11. Thus, the cartridge base button 512 is mounted so as to be movable (biased) in the Y-axis direction with respect to the base portion 11. The material of the cartridge base button 512 is not particularly limited, and is composed of, for example, resin or metal. Further, the cartridge base spring 513 is, for example, a metal coil spring, but the material and structure are not limited thereto. One end of the cartridge base button 512 is located in the +Y direction from the end portion of the cartridge base fixing portion 5111.

[0065] When the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 or the wide-width tape cartridge 200 is housed in the cartridge housing portion 12c, the cartridge base button 512 abuts against the press protrusion portion 1008 (press protrusion portion 2008) provided below the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and the wide-width tape cartridge 200, and as the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 or the wide-width tape cartridge 200 is pressed, the cartridge base button 512 is pressed in the negative direction of the Y-axis direction.

[0066] The release guide 521 is a member (second member) that abuts against the looseness preventing portion provided at the second cutout portion 3008 of the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 in a case where the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 is intended to be housed in the cartridge housing portion 12c (in a case where the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 is moved in the negative direction of the Y-axis direction). One end of a release spring 522 serving as a biasing member extending in the Y-axis direction is fixed inside the release guide 521, and the other end of the release spring 522 is fixed to the flat plate portion 11a of the base portion 11. Thus, the release guide 521 is mounted so as to be movable (biased) in the Y-axis direction with respect to the base portion 11. The material of the release guide 521 is not particularly limited, and is composed of, for example, resin or metal. Further, the release spring 522 is, for example, a metal coil spring, but the material and structure are not limited thereto.

[0067] Furthermore, the release guide 521 is a component that abuts against the ink-coated belt width cartridge 300. It serves to release the loosening prevention function of a loosening prevention portion (not shown) located below the second cutout 3008 to prevent the belt member M housed in the ink-coated belt width cartridge 300 from loosening (unfolding). When the loosening prevention portion does not abut against the release guide 521, it restricts the movement of the roller-shaped belt member M in the outer circumferential direction within the ink-coated belt width cartridge 300. On the other hand, when the loosening prevention portion abuts against the release guide 521 and is pushed upwards in the positive direction of the Y-axis, the restriction on the movement of the roller-shaped belt member M in the outer circumferential direction within the ink-coated belt width cartridge 300 is released. Thus, the belt member M can be transported normally. Furthermore, the loosening (unfolding) phenomenon of the belt member M is particularly significant in belt members M with relatively wide widths (36mm, 46mm, etc.), such as the ink-coated belt width cartridge 300.

[0068] On the other hand, when the narrow-width tape box 100 or the wide-width tape box 200 is housed in the box storage section 12c, the release guide 521 moves in the negative direction of the Y-axis while abutting against a part (lower surface) of the wide-width tape box 200.

[0069] The following uses Figures 7 to 14 This describes the operation of the storage mechanism when the narrow-width tape cassette 100, the wide-width tape cassette 200, and the ink-filled wide-width tape cassette 300 are stored in the cassette storage section 12c.

[0070] Figures 7 to 9 This is a side view showing the operation of the storage mechanism of Embodiment 1 when the narrow-width box 100 is stored in the box storage section 12c. (Refer to...) Figures 7 to 9 The operation of the box base 511, box base button 512, box base spring 513, release guide 521 and release spring 522 when the narrow-width box 100 is stored in the box storage section 12c is explained. Figure 7 This is a side view showing the structure of the storage mechanism before the narrow-width box 100 is housed in the box storage section 12c. (See attached image.) Figure 7 As shown, the position of the narrow-width strap box 100 on the box base 511 before the box storage section 12c is set as the initial position (first position). Furthermore, the position of the narrow-width strap box 100 on the release guide 521 before the box storage section 12c is set as the initial position (third position).

[0071] like Figure 7 As shown, when the narrow-width tape box 100 is pressed toward the box storage section 12c (towards the negative direction of the Y-axis), the pressing protrusion 1008 located on the lower part of the narrow-width tape box 100 first abuts against the box base button 512.

[0072] Figure 8 is a side view showing the structure of the housing mechanism in which the narrow-width tape cassette 100 is housed halfway in the cassette housing portion 12c. As shown in Figure 8 , when the cassette base button 512 is further pressed from the state of Figure 7 , the cassette base button 512 is pressed in the negative direction of the Y-axis direction. At this time, as the guided protrusion portion 512a of the cassette base button 512 is guided by the second extension portion 5112b of the button guide portion 5112, the cassette base 511 moves in the negative direction of the X-axis direction. That is, the cassette base 511 moves to a retreat position (second position) that does not interfere with the housing of the narrow-width tape cassette 100. In other words, the cassette base 511 is moved from the initial position (first position) to the retreat position (second position) by the indirect action of at least a part (pressing protrusion portion 1008) of the narrow-width tape cassette 100. Further, by moving the cassette base button 512 in the negative direction of the Y-axis direction, the cassette base spring 513 is compressed.

[0073] Figure 9 is a side view showing the structure of the housing mechanism after the narrow-width tape cassette 100 is housed in the cassette housing portion 12c. As shown in Figure 9 , when the cassette base button 512 is further pressed from the state of Figure 8 , the cassette base button 512 is further moved in the negative direction of the Y-axis direction. On the other hand, as the narrow-width tape cassette 100 is pressed in the negative direction of the Y-axis direction, the release guide 521 abuts against the lower surface of the narrow-width tape cassette 100 and moves in the negative direction of the Y-axis direction together with the narrow-width tape cassette 100. That is, the release guide 521 moves to a retreat position (fourth position) that does not interfere with the housing of the narrow-width tape cassette 100. In addition, by moving the release guide 521 in the negative direction of the Y-axis direction, the release spring 522 is compressed.

[0074] At this time, the caught portion 1009 provided on the side of the cassette housing 1001 is caught by the claw (caught portion 12d) provided to the holding portion main body 12a, and thus the movement of the narrow-width tape cassette 100 in the Y-axis direction is restricted. Thus, the housing (fixing) of the narrow-width tape cassette 100 into the cassette housing portion 12c is completed.

[0075] Hereinafter, the actions of the cassette base 511, the cassette base button 512, the cassette base spring 513, the release guide 521, and the release spring 522 in the case where the narrow-width tape cassette 100 is taken out of the cassette housing portion 12c will be described.

[0076] When the claw (the locking portion 12d) provided to the holding portion main body 12a is disengaged from the locked portion 1009 provided to the side of the cartridge case 1001 and the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 is pulled up and taken out from the cartridge housing portion 12c, the compressed cartridge base spring 513 expands and the cartridge base button 512 moves in the positive direction of the Y-axis direction.

[0077] When the cartridge base button 512 moves in the positive direction of the Y-axis direction, the cartridge base 511 moves in the positive direction of the X-axis direction as the guided protrusion portion 512a of the cartridge base button 512 is guided by the second extension provided portion 5112b of the button guide portion 5112, and the cartridge base 511 and the cartridge base button 512 respectively move to the initial positions.

[0078] On the other hand, when the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 is pulled up and taken out from the cartridge housing portion 12c, the release spring 522, which has been compressed, expands and the release guide 521 moves to the initial position.

[0079] Figures 10 to 12 is a side view showing the operation of the cartridge housing mechanism of Embodiment 1 when the wide-width tape cartridge 200 is housed in the cartridge housing portion 12c. Referring to Figures 10 to 12 , the operation of the cartridge base 511, the cartridge base button 512, the cartridge base spring 513, the release guide 521, and the release spring 522 in the case where the wide-width tape cartridge 200 is housed in the cartridge housing portion 12c will be described. Figure 10 is a side view showing the structure of the cartridge housing mechanism before the wide-width tape cartridge 200 is housed in the cartridge housing portion 12c. As Figure 10 shown, the position of the cartridge base 511 before the wide-width tape cartridge 200 is installed in the cartridge housing portion 12c is set to the initial position (the first position). In addition, the position of the release guide 521 before the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 is installed in the cartridge housing portion 12c is set to the initial position (the third position).

[0080] As Figure 10 shown, when the wide-width tape cartridge 200 is pressed toward the cartridge housing portion 12c (toward the negative direction of the Y-axis direction), the pressing protrusion portion 2008 provided to a part of the lower surface of the wide-width tape cartridge 200 first abuts against the cartridge base button 512.

[0081] The pressing protrusion portion 2008 of the wide-width tape cartridge 200 is configured to be longer than the pressing protrusion portion 1008 of the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 in the Y-axis direction. In other words, the pressing protrusion portion 2008 of the wide-width tape cartridge 200 is configured to be longer than the pressing protrusion portion 1008 of the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 in the width direction of the tape member M.

[0082] Figure 11is a side view showing the structure of the housing mechanism when the wide-width tape cartridge 200 is housed halfway in the cartridge housing portion 12c. As shown in Figure 11 Figure 10 When the cartridge base button 512 is further pressed from the state shown in , the cartridge base button 512 is pressed in the negative direction of the Y-axis direction. At this time, as the guide protrusion portion 512a of the cartridge base button 512 is guided by the second extension portion 5112b of the button guide portion 5112, the cartridge base 511 moves in the negative direction of the X-axis direction. That is, the cartridge base 511 moves to a retreat position (second position) where the housing of the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 is not obstructed. In other words, the cartridge base 511 moves from the initial position (first position) to the retreat position (second position) by the indirect action of at least a portion (pressing protrusion portion 1008) of the narrow-width tape cartridge 100. Further, by moving the cartridge base button 512 in the negative direction of the Y-axis direction, the cartridge base spring 513 is compressed.

[0083] Figure 12 is a side view showing the structure of the housing mechanism after the wide-width tape cartridge 200 is housed in the cartridge housing portion 12c. As shown in Figure 12 Figure 11 When the cartridge base button 512 is further pressed from the state shown in , the cartridge base button 512 is further moved in the negative direction of the Y-axis direction. On the other hand, as the wide-width tape cartridge 200 is pressed in the negative direction of the Y-axis direction, the release guide 521 abuts against the lower surface of the wide-width tape cartridge 200 and moves in the negative direction of the Y-axis direction together with the wide-width tape cartridge 200. That is, the release guide 521 moves to a retreat position (fourth position) where the housing of the wide-width tape cartridge 200 is not obstructed. In addition, by moving the release guide 521 in the negative direction of the Y-axis direction, the release spring 522 is compressed.

[0084] At this time, the engaged portion 2009 provided on the side of the cartridge case 2001 is engaged by the claw (engaged portion 12d) provided to the holding portion main body 12a, and thus the movement of the wide-width tape cartridge 200 in the Y-axis direction is restricted. Thus, the housing (fixing) of the wide-width tape cartridge 200 into the cartridge housing portion 12c is completed.

[0085] Hereinafter, the actions of the cartridge base 511, the cartridge base button 512, the cartridge base spring 513, the release guide 521, and the release spring 522 in the case where the wide-width tape cartridge 200 is taken out of the cartridge housing portion 12c will be described.

[0086] When the claw (engaged portion 12d) provided to the holding portion main body 12a is disengaged from the engaged portion 2009 provided on the side of the cartridge case 2001 and the wide-width tape cartridge 200 is pulled up to be taken out of the cartridge housing portion 12c, the cartridge base spring 513 that has been compressed is stretched and the cartridge base button 512 moves in the positive direction of the Y-axis direction.

[0087] When the base button 512 moves in the positive direction of the Y-axis, the guided protrusion 512a of the base button 512 is guided by the second extension setting part 5112b of the button guide part 5112, causing the base 511 to move in the positive direction of the X-axis, and the base 511 and the base button 512 move to their initial positions respectively.

[0088] On the other hand, when the narrow-width tape box 100 is pulled up and removed from the box storage section 12c, the compressed release spring 522 extends and the release guide 521 moves to the initial position.

[0089] like Figures 10 to 12 As shown, during the process of storing or removing the wide strap box 200 into or from the box storage section 12c, the box base 511, box base button 512, box base spring 513, release guide 521, and release spring 522 operate (move) in the same way as when storing and removing the narrow strap box 100. However, because the wide strap box 200 has a greater thickness than the narrow strap box 100, the box base button 512 and release guide 521 move more in the negative Y-axis direction than when the narrow strap box 100 is stored.

[0090] Figure 13 and Figure 14 This is a side view showing the operation of the storage mechanism of Embodiment 1 when the ink-coated tape cassette 300 is housed in the cassette storage section 12c. (Refer to...) Figure 13 and Figure 14 This describes the situation where the ink-attached bandwidth tape 300 is stored in the tape storage section 12c.

[0091] Figure 13 This is a side view showing the structure of the storage mechanism before the ink-attached bandwidth tape 300 is housed in the cartridge storage section 12c. Figure 14 This is a side view showing the structure of the storage mechanism where the ink-attached bandwidth tape 300 is housed after the tape storage section 12c. (As shown) Figure 13 As shown, when the ink-attached bandwidth tape 300 is pressed towards the cartridge storage section 12c (towards the negative direction of the Y-axis), as... Figure 14As shown, the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 is in abutment with the cartridge base 511 and the release guide 521. At this time, since no pressing protrusion portion for pressing the cartridge base button 512 is provided below the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300, the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 does not press and move the cartridge base button 512, and the first cutout portion 3007 provided below is in abutment with the cartridge base fixing portion 5111. Further, since the cartridge base 511 is movable only in the X-axis direction, even if the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 is pressed in the negative direction of the Y-axis direction, the cartridge base 511 is not moved in the negative direction of the Y-axis direction. Thus, the movement of the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 in the negative direction of the Y-axis direction is restricted by the cartridge base 511, and thus the cartridge base 511, the cartridge base button 512, and the release guide 521 are not moved from their initial positions. Thus, the accommodation (fixing) into the cartridge accommodation portion 12c is completed.

[0092] On the other hand, in the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300, an unillustrated looseness preventing portion provided below the second cutout portion 3008 is in abutment with the release guide 521, and since the force applied by the release spring 522 in the positive direction of the Y-axis direction is stronger than the force with which the looseness preventing portion presses the release guide 521 back, the release guide 521 is not moved in the negative direction of the Y-axis direction.

[0093] Further, the accommodation of the ink ribbon narrow-width tape cartridge (for example, a tape width of 12 mm) into the cartridge accommodation portion 12c is the same as the accommodation of the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300, and the accommodation (fixing) into the cartridge accommodation portion 12c is completed by restricting the further movement of the ink ribbon narrow-width tape cartridge in the negative direction of the Y-axis direction by bringing the cutout portion provided below the ink ribbon narrow-width tape cartridge into abutment with the cartridge base fixing portion 5111.

[0094] With the above structure, the printing device 1 of Embodiment 1 is able to mount a plurality of tape cartridges of different shapes and kinds even within the same cartridge accommodation portion.

[0095] In order to realize a printing device capable of mounting a plurality of tape cartridges of different shapes and kinds, the mounting site of the tape cartridge is enlarged to avoid interference between the components and the tape cartridge, or a plurality of cartridge accommodation portions are provided, and the entire printing device is upsized. According to the printing device 1 of Embodiment 1, a small-sized printing device capable of mounting a plurality of tape cartridges of different shapes and kinds is realized.

[0096] To enable a printing apparatus capable of mounting multiple tape boxes of different shapes and types, sometimes, in cases where the mounting area for the tape boxes is enlarged to avoid interference between components and tape boxes, or multiple tape storage sections are provided, other components, i.e., accessories, are sometimes used that allow tape boxes to be mounted at the mounting area, even if they were not originally mounted there. This increases the workload for the user in installing the accessories and may result in misalignment or forgetting to install them. The printing apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 enables a printing apparatus capable of mounting multiple tape boxes of different shapes without using accessories.

[0097] (Implementation Method 2)

[0098] Next, Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In Embodiment 1, the guided protrusion 512a is guided by a second extension portion 5112b that extends at an angle relative to the Y-axis, causing the box base 511, which is the first member, to move along the X-axis direction. In contrast, in Embodiment 2, a sliding surface (sliding portion) is formed on the first member and the second member. By moving the second member along the Y-axis direction, the first member slides on the contacting sliding surface, causing it to move along the X-axis direction. Furthermore, the sliding surface is an inclined surface that is inclined relative to a plane orthogonal to the direction of the storage box. The structure of Embodiment 2 differs from that of Embodiment 1 in that the first member, the second member, and the structure around these members are different, but otherwise they are common. Therefore, in the following description, the focus will be on the structure that differs from that of Embodiment 1, and the common structures will be labeled with the same reference numerals, omitting detailed descriptions.

[0099] like Figure 18 As shown, the main part 108 has a box base 50 as a first component and a release guide 60 as a second component. Furthermore, as... Figure 16 As shown, the main part 108 has a sliding support 70, which supports the box base 50 so that the box base 50 can be positioned between the main part 108 and the retaining body 12a. Figure 15 They slide along the X-axis between each other.

[0100] The base 50 and the protrusions 100b of the narrow-width tape cassette 100, the wide-width tape cassette 200 and the ink-coated wide-width tape cassette 300 ( Figure 20 ), 200b Figure 21 ) and 300b ( Figure 24 It contacts and supports each belt box. For example... Figure 16As shown, the box base 50 has a sliding base portion 51, a main body portion (first member main body portion) 52 erected on the sliding base portion 51, and an extension portion 53 extending from the sliding base portion 51 toward the release guide 60 in the +X direction. The sliding base portion 51, the main body portion 52, and the extension portion 53 are integrally formed, and the box base 50 moves integrally along the X-axis.

[0101] The sliding base portion 51 is supported on the bottom plate portion 12g of the box holding portion 12. Figure 18 The sliding base 51 and the sliding support 70 can slide in the X-axis direction. The sliding surface 51a on the +Y direction side of the sliding base 51 and the base plate 12g ( Figure 18 (Outer surface contact)

[0102] The main body 52 is a columnar member erected from the sliding base 51 in the +Y direction. For example... Figure 18 As shown, the main body 52 protrudes from the box base formed in the holding body 12a through the opening 31 into the inner side of the holding body 12a, defining a portion of the storage space for storing the box. Figure 16 As shown, a protruding contact portion 52a supporting each of the boxes is formed at the upper end (the end on the +Y direction side) of the main body 52.

[0103] The extension 53 is a plate-shaped member that extends from the sliding base 51 in the +X direction. An inclined surface 53a, which is parallel to the Z-axis and whose normal vector has +X and +Y components, is formed at the corner of the front end of the extension 53 on the +Y direction side. The inclined surface 53a functions as a sliding part that allows the release guide 60 to slide.

[0104] Additionally, a plate 54 is installed at the intersection of the extension 53 and the sliding base 51. A hole 54a for hooking the tension spring 75, which serves as a third elastic member, is formed in the center of the plate 54. The plate 54 reinforces the base of the extension 53.

[0105] like Figure 15 As shown, the sliding support 70 is threaded onto a protrusion 13 that protrudes from the retaining body 12a in the -Y direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG17, the sliding support 70 is mounted on the outside of the retaining body 12a via four screws 71 passing through the four corners. Figure 16 As shown, a recess 70a is formed in the sliding support portion 70, which opens toward the +Y direction. A sliding base portion 51 is housed in this recess 70a. The recess 70a is provided with sufficient length in the X-axis direction to allow the sliding base portion 51 to move.

[0106] As shown in Fig. 17, the tension spring 75 is arranged outside the holding portion main body 12a in a state of being stretched along the X axis. A hook 75a on the one end side of the tension spring 75 is hooked to the plate 54 provided to the cartridge base 50. On the other hand, a hook 75b on the other end side is hooked to a hooking portion 12h formed in the bottom plate portion 12g. The tension spring 75 connects the holding portion main body 12a and the cartridge base 50, and exerts a force in the +X direction to the cartridge base 50.

[0107] As shown in Fig. 17, the tension spring 75 is arranged outside the holding portion main body 12a in a state of being stretched along the X axis. A hook 75a on the one end side of the tension spring 75 is hooked to the plate 54 provided to the cartridge base 50. On the other hand, a hook 75b on the other end side is hooked to a hooking portion 12h formed in the bottom plate portion 12g. The tension spring 75 connects the holding portion main body 12a and the cartridge base 50, and exerts a force in the +X direction to the cartridge base 50. Figure 16 Figure 19 As shown in Fig. 17, the tension spring 75 is arranged outside the holding portion main body 12a in a state of being stretched along the X axis. A hook 75a on the one end side of the tension spring 75 is hooked to the plate 54 provided to the cartridge base 50. On the other hand, a hook 75b on the other end side is hooked to a hooking portion 12h formed in the bottom plate portion 12g. The tension spring 75 connects the holding portion main body 12a and the cartridge base 50, and exerts a force in the +X direction to the cartridge base 50.

[0108] The flange 61 is formed in the end portion of the main body portion 62 on the -Y direction side. A cutout 61a is formed in the flange 61. In the cutout 61a, a guide rail 14 (described later) for guiding the release guide 60 along the Y axis passes through. The flange 61 abuts against the face on the -Y direction side of the bottom plate portion 12g (described later) through the surface on the +Y direction side, thereby positioning the main body portion 62 which is pressed by the compression spring 65 in the +Y direction. Figure 15 Figure 18 The main body portion 62 contacts and supports the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and the wide-width tape cartridge 200 through a contact portion 62a which is the end portion on the +Y direction side. As shown in Fig. 17, when the housing mechanism is in the initial state, the contact portion 62a is positioned on the +Y direction side from the contact portion 52a of the cartridge base 50. Thus, the release guide 60 contacts the housed narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and wide-width tape cartridge 200 before the cartridge base 50. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 18, the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 is formed with a second cutout portion 3008 which avoids the main body portion 62. Thus, the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 does not contact the contact portion 62a, and a part of the main body portion 62 is housed in the second cutout portion 3008.

[0109] The main body portion 62 contacts and supports the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and the wide-width tape cartridge 200 through a contact portion 62a which is the end portion on the +Y direction side. As shown in Fig. 17, when the housing mechanism is in the initial state, the contact portion 62a is positioned on the +Y direction side from the contact portion 52a of the cartridge base 50. Thus, the release guide 60 contacts the housed narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and wide-width tape cartridge 200 before the cartridge base 50. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 18, the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 is formed with a second cutout portion 3008 which avoids the main body portion 62. Thus, the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 does not contact the contact portion 62a, and a part of the main body portion 62 is housed in the second cutout portion 3008. Figure 19 Figure 22 The main body portion 62 contacts and supports the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and the wide-width tape cartridge 200 through a contact portion 62a which is the end portion on the +Y direction side. As shown in Fig. 17, when the housing mechanism is in the initial state, the contact portion 62a is positioned on the +Y direction side from the contact portion 52a of the cartridge base 50. Thus, the release guide 60 contacts the housed narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and wide-width tape cartridge 200 before the cartridge base 50. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 18, the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 is formed with a second cutout portion 3008 which avoids the main body portion 62. Thus, the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 does not contact the contact portion 62a, and a part of the main body portion 62 is housed in the second cutout portion 3008.

[0110] The main body portion 62 contacts and supports the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and the wide-width tape cartridge 200 through a contact portion 62a which is the end portion on the +Y direction side. As shown in Fig. 17, when the housing mechanism is in the initial state, the contact portion 62a is positioned on the +Y direction side from the contact portion 52a of the cartridge base 50. Thus, the release guide 60 contacts the housed narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and wide-width tape cartridge 200 before the cartridge base 50. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 18, the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 is formed with a second cutout portion 3008 which avoids the main body portion 62. Thus, the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 does not contact the contact portion 62a, and a part of the main body portion 62 is housed in the second cutout portion 3008. Figure 16 Figure 18 The main body portion 62 contacts and supports the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and the wide-width tape cartridge 200 through a contact portion 62a which is the end portion on the +Y direction side. As shown in Fig. 17, when the housing mechanism is in the initial state, the contact portion 62a is positioned on the +Y direction side from the contact portion 52a of the cartridge base 50. Thus, the release guide 60 contacts the housed narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and wide-width tape cartridge 200 before the cartridge base 50. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 18, the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 is formed with a second cutout portion 3008 which avoids the main body portion 62. Thus, the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 does not contact the contact portion 62a, and a part of the main body portion 62 is housed in the second cutout portion 3008.

[0111] The main body portion 62 contacts and supports the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and the wide-width tape cartridge 200 through a contact portion 62a which is the end portion on the +Y direction side. As shown in Fig. 17, when the housing mechanism is in the initial state, the contact portion 62a is positioned on the +Y direction side from the contact portion 52a of the cartridge base 50. Thus, the release guide 60 contacts the housed narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and wide-width tape cartridge 200 before the cartridge base 50. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 18, the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 is formed with a second cutout portion 3008 which avoids the main body portion 62. Thus, the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 does not contact the contact portion 62a, and a part of the main body portion 62 is housed in the second cutout portion 3008. Figure 18 Figure 15 ​​​​​As shown, two linear protrusions 63a extending in the Y-axis direction are formed on the outer surface 63b. These two protrusions 63a are inserted into a slit 12i extending in the Y-axis direction formed in the holding body 12a. As a result, the release guide 60 can be moved stably in the Y-axis direction.

[0112] like Figure 16 As shown, the protrusion 64 is a portion that protrudes from the +Z direction of the columnar portion 63, and like the columnar portion 63, it is an upright portion in the Y-axis direction. An inclined surface 64a, which is parallel to the Z-axis direction and whose normal vector has -X and -Y components, is formed at the corner of the protrusion 64 on the -Y direction side. This inclined surface 64a functions as a sliding portion for sliding the box base 50. When the release guide 60 is not pressed and is in its initial position, the inclined surface 64a is in partial contact with the inclined surface 53a formed in the extension 53. The inclined surfaces 53a and 64a are inclined in the same direction and come into surface contact with each other when the release guide 60 moves in the -Y direction. Furthermore, the contact state between the inclined surfaces 53a and 64a when the release guide 60 is in its initial position can be arbitrarily set, and they can also be in full surface contact.

[0113] Compression spring 65 is located between the main body 62 and the base 11 of release guide 60. Figure 15 Between ), the compression spring 65 moves in the -Y direction as the release guide 60 moves, exerting a large restoring force to return the release guide 60 to its original position.

[0114] In addition, such as Figure 15 As shown in Figure 17, a guide rail 14 is formed on the surface of the retaining body 12a facing the -Y direction. The guide rail 14 guides the pressed release guide 60 in the -Y direction. The guide rail 14 extends from the release guide opening 32 formed in the retaining body 12a. Figure 18 The periphery of the base portion 11 extends to the base portion 11. For example... Figure 17A , Figure 17B As shown, the cross-section of the guide rail 14 when cut with a plane orthogonal to the Y-axis is approximately "Π". Furthermore, a slit 14a extending in the Y-axis direction is formed in the guide rail 14 for the insertion of the extension 53. The protrusion 64 of the release guide 60 is housed inside the guide rail 14. Thus, the pressed release guide 60 is guided along the extension direction of the guide rail 14, i.e., the Y-axis.

[0115] Next, the operation of the housing mechanism in the case where the narrow-width tape cartridge 100, the wide-width tape cartridge 200, and the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 are housed in the cartridge housing portion 12c will be described. Further, in Embodiment 1, the tape width of the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 housed (housed) therein was 24 mm and was described, but in the present embodiment, the tape width is 46 mm.

[0116] In Figure 18 , the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and the wide-width tape cartridge 200 are indicated by double-dot chain lines, and the range of the tape cartridges is filled with hatching. That is, the hatching is for easy understanding of the range of the tape cartridges, and is not indicative of the cross section of the tape cartridges. The narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and the wide-width tape cartridge 200 each have a protruding portion 100b, 200b protruding from the side portion, as shown in Figure 19 and Figure 21 . In the case where the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and the wide-width tape cartridge 200 are housed in the cartridge housing portion 12c, the protruding portion 100b, 200b contacts the cartridge base 50. Further, as shown in Figure 19 and Figure 21 , the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and the wide-width tape cartridge 200 have a thick wall portion 100a, 200a which is inserted deeper than the protruding portion 100b, 200b in the -Y direction. The wider the width of the housed tape member M, the thicker the thickness of the thick wall portion 100a, 200a. In Figure 20 , the range of the thick wall portion 100a, 200a of the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and the wide-width tape cartridge 200 is drawn with hatching in a darker color.

[0117] As shown in Figure 18 , when the tape cartridge 100, 200 arranged in a prescribed planar position (position in the XZ plane) is viewed from the +Y direction, the thick wall portion 100a, 200a overlaps the contact portion 52a of the cartridge base 50 and the contact portion 62a of the release guide 60. Therefore, the tape cartridge 100, 200 moved in the -Y direction for housing interferes with the cartridge base 50 and the release guide 60 in the initial state. That is, in a part of the housing space delimited by the cartridge base 50 and the release guide 60 in the initial state, there is no space secured for housing the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and the wide-width tape cartridge 200. In the printing device of the present embodiment, the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and the wide-width tape cartridge 200 press the release guide 60, thereby securing the housing space of the tape cartridges.

[0118] In the case of housing the narrow-width tape cartridge 100, first, as shown in Figure 18 , the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 is arranged in a prescribed planar position with respect to the holding portion main body 12a.

[0119] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 19As shown, the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 is moved in the -Y direction (in the direction of accommodation) to approach the holding portion main body 12a. Further, a pressing protrusion portion 101 protruding in the -Y direction is formed on a face of the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 in the -Y direction. The pressing protrusion portion 101 is provided at a position abutting against the contact portion 62a of the release guide 60. As described above, the contact portion 62a is located at a position further in the +Y direction than the contact portion 52a of the cartridge base 50, and approaches the tape cartridge 100, 200. Therefore, the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 moved in the -Y direction initially brings the pressing protrusion portion 101 into contact with the contact portion 62a of the release guide 60.

[0120] From the state in which the pressing protrusion portion 101 is in contact with the contact portion 62a, the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 is further moved in the -Y direction. Then, the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 moves the release guide 60 in the -Y direction (presses down) while resisting the restoring force exerted by the compression spring 65 ( Figure 16 ). ) The release guide 60 thus pressed down is guided by the guide rail 14 to move in the -Y direction. At this time, the inclined face 53a formed on the extension portion 53 slides on the inclined face 64a moved in the -Y direction. Therefore, the cartridge base 50 having the extension portion 53 is moved in the -X direction while resisting the restoring force of the extension spring 75 ( Figure 16 ). Thus, by moving the release guide 60 in the -Y direction and moving the cartridge base 50 in the -X direction, the accommodation space of the tape cartridge is expanded. The cartridge base 50 is moved in the -X direction while abutting against the release guide 60, by the indirect action of the pressing protrusion portion 101, which is a part of the narrow-width tape cartridge 100, pressing the release guide 60.

[0121] By further moving the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 in the -Y direction, as shown in Figure 20 , the inclined face 53a and the inclined face 64a become out of contact, and the leading end portion 53b of the extension portion 53 slides on the side portion 64b of the protrusion portion 64. By becoming in this state, the cartridge base 50 stops moving in the -X direction. At this time, the cartridge base 50 is in a second position not interfering with the accommodation of the narrow-width tape cartridge 100. Then, by further moving the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 in the -Y direction, the protrusion portion 100b of the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 comes into contact with the contact portion 52a of the cartridge base 50. At this time, the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 is caught by the catch portion 12d ( Figure 18 ). Thus, the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 can be accommodated and held in the holding portion main body 12a.

[0122] In the case of taking out the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 thus accommodated, it is only necessary to take out the catch portion 12d provided to the holding portion main body 12a from the narrow-width tape cartridge 100. Thus, the release guide 60 is released from the cartridge base 50, and the cartridge base 50 is moved in the +X direction by the restoring force of the extension spring 75 ( Figure 16The restoring force of the compression spring 65 moves the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 in the +Y direction to be taken out of the housing space.

[0123] Further, by disengaging the locking portion 12d from the narrow-width tape cartridge 100, the release guide 60 is moved in the +Y direction by the restoring force of the compression spring 65. Figure 16 ) acting thereon. Then, as shown in Figure 19 , by the wall body 51b formed on the +X direction side of the sliding base portion 51 abutting against the wall surface 72 demarcating the recessed portion 70a, the release guide 60 is returned to the initial position (second position). Further, the cartridge base 50 is moved in the +X direction by the restoring force of the tension spring 75. Figure 16 ) acting thereon. Then, as shown in Figure 17A , by the flange 61 abutting against the bottom plate portion 12g, the cartridge base 50 is returned to the initial position (first position).

[0124] Next, the operation of the housing mechanism in the case of housing the wide-width tape cartridge 200 will be described. First, as shown in Figure 18 , the wide-width tape cartridge 200 is disposed in a prescribed planar position with respect to the holding portion main body 12a.

[0125] Then, the wide-width tape cartridge 200 is moved in the -Y direction to approach the holding portion main body 12a. Further, on the face of the wide-width tape cartridge 200 facing the -Y direction, a pressing protrusion portion 201 protruding in the -Y direction is formed. The pressing protrusion portion 201 is disposed at a position abutting against the contact portion 62a of the release guide 60.

[0126] From the state in which the pressing protrusion portion 201 is in contact with the contact portion 62a, the wide-width tape cartridge 200 is further moved in the -Y direction. Then, the wide-width tape cartridge 200 moves (presses down) the release guide 60 in the -Y direction while resisting the restoring force of the compression spring 65. Figure 16 acting thereon. Thus, the cartridge base 50 having the extension portion 53 is moved in the -X direction while resisting the restoring force of the tension spring 75. Figure 16 acting thereon. Thus, the cartridge base 50 having the extension portion 53 is moved in the -X direction while resisting the restoring force of the tension spring 75.

[0127] By further moving the wide-width tape cartridge 200 in the -Y direction, as shown in Figure 21 , the protrusion portion 200b of the wide-width tape cartridge 200 comes into contact with the contact portion 52a of the cartridge base 50. At this time, the wide-width tape cartridge 200 is locked by the locking portion 12d.Figure 18 ) and locked. Thus, the wide-width tape cartridge 200 can be housed and held in the holding portion main body 12a. Further, the wide-width tape cartridge 200 is thicker than the narrow-width tape cartridge 100, so as to be compared with the Figure 20 and Figure 21 As can be understood, the wide-width tape cartridge 200 presses the release guide 60 more greatly in the -Y direction.

[0128] The method of taking out the wide-width tape cartridge 200 from the holding portion main body 12a is the same as that of the narrow-width tape cartridge 100, and thus the description is omitted.

[0129] Next, the operation of the housing mechanism in the case where the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 is housed in the cartridge housing portion 12c is described. In Figure 22 , the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 is indicated by a double-dotted line, and the range of the tape cartridge is filled with hatching. That is, the hatching is to make the range of the tape cartridge easy to understand, and is not to indicate a cross section of the tape cartridge. The ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 has a protruding portion 300b protruding from a side portion, as shown in Figure 24 . In the case where the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 is housed in the cartridge housing portion 12c, this protruding portion 300b comes into contact with the cartridge base 50. Further, as shown in Figure 24 , the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 has a thick wall portion 300a which is inserted to a position deeper than the protruding portion 300b in the -Y direction. In Figure 22 , the range of the thick wall portion 300a of the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 is drawn with hatching in a darker color.

[0130] As shown in Figure 22 , when the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 arranged in a prescribed planar position is viewed from the +Y direction, the thick wall portion 300a does not overlap the contact portion 52a of the cartridge base 50 and the contact portion 62a of the release guide 60. Thus, by moving the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 in the -Y direction, the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 can be directly housed in the cartridge housing portion 12c. That is, as shown by an arrow in Figure 23 , the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 is moved in the -Y direction to approach the holding portion main body 12a. Then, the thick wall portion 300a of the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 is directly inserted into a housing space partially formed by the cartridge base 50 and the release guide 60 in the initial position. At this time, a portion of the protruding portion 64 of the release guide 60 is inserted into the second cutout portion 3008 of the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300, and the ink ribbon wide-width tape cartridge 300 is moved in the -Y direction while sliding the side surface on the protruding portion 64. Further, the release guide 60 is pressed by the compression spring 65 Figure 16) force is applied to the +Y direction. Therefore, the release guide 60 does not move in the -Y direction, but is stationary. Therefore, the cartridge base 50 also does not move in the -X direction, but is stationary. Finally, as shown in Figure 24 the protrusion 300b of the ink ribbon width tape cartridge 300 abuts against the contact portion 52a of the cartridge base, and movement of the ink ribbon width tape cartridge 300 in the -Y direction is restricted. Thereby, the ink ribbon width tape cartridge 300 can be housed in the holding portion main body 12a.

[0131] According to Embodiment 2, the cartridge base 50, which demarcates a part of the housing space of the tape cartridge, and the release guide 60, which is the second member, can be moved via the housed tape cartridge. Thereby, the size of the housing space of the tape cartridge can be changed, and a plurality of kinds of tape cartridges having different shapes and sizes can be mounted to the printing device without performing a job of attaching and detaching accessories or the like.

[0132] In addition, the moving direction of the release guide 60 is set to the thickness direction (Y direction) of the tape cartridge, and the moving direction of the cartridge base 50 is set to the in-plane direction (X direction) of the tape cartridge. In this way, since the size of the housing space can be changed in two directions orthogonal to each other, the housing space corresponding to the tape cartridge having different shapes and sizes can be easily demarcated.

[0133] Further, in the cartridge base 50 and the release guide 60, which demarcate a part of the housing space of the tape cartridge, the cartridge base 50, which is the other member, can be moved in conjunction with moving the release guide 60, which is one member, via the tape cartridge. In this way, by moving only one member, the size of the housing space in two directions can be changed, and the housing space corresponding to the tape cartridge having different shapes and sizes can be easily demarcated.

[0134] Further, by providing the compression spring 65 and the extension spring 75, the cartridge base 50 and the release guide 60 are forced to the initial position, and the housing mechanism can be automatically returned to the initial state when the tape cartridge is taken out. Thereby, the tape cartridge housed in the printing device can be easily changed.

[0135] In addition, by the simple structure in which the opposing inclined surfaces are formed in the release guide 60 and the cartridge base 50, the cartridge base 50 can be moved in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the release guide 60. Thereby, the structure of the printing device can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

[0136] (Modified Example)

[0137] The above describes the embodiments of the present application, but the embodiments are one example, and the scope of application of the present application is not limited thereto. That is, the embodiments of the present application can be variously applied, and all the embodiments are included in the scope of the present application.

[0138] The printing device 1 has a thermal head, but is not limited thereto. It can be any form of printing device including an inkjet printer, a laser printer.

[0139] The printing device 1 can also have an input unit that inputs various information and a display unit that displays various information input by the input unit. Furthermore, it can be connected to an external input device or display device, and use these devices to accept information input from a user or to give information to the user.

[0140] In the above-described embodiment 1, the pressing protrusion portions 1008, 2008 for pressing the cartridge base button 512 protrude from the surfaces of the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and the wide-width tape cartridge 200. However, by further extending the cartridge base button 512 in the +Y direction, the protrusion portions for pressing can be omitted. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment 2, by further increasing the height of the ejection guide 60 in the Y-axis direction, the pressing protrusion portions 101, 201 formed to protrude from the surfaces of the narrow-width tape cartridge 100 and the wide-width tape cartridge 200 can also be omitted.

[0141] In addition, in the above-described embodiment 2, inclined surfaces are formed on both the cartridge base 50 as the first member and the ejection guide 60 as the second member, but it can also be a configuration in which an inclined surface is provided on only one of the members and a curved surface that slides on the inclined surface is provided on the other member.

[0142] In addition, the sliding surfaces formed on the first member and the second member are not limited to inclined surfaces, and can be, for example, curved surfaces that contact each other and slide.

[0143] In addition, in the embodiment 1, the angle of the second extension portion 5112b with respect to the Y-axis can be arbitrarily set according to the amount of movement of the cartridge base button 512. In addition, in the embodiment 2, the angle of the inclined surface 64a provided to the protruding portion 64 and the angle of the inclined surface 53a provided to the extension portion 53 can also be arbitrarily set according to the amount of movement of the cartridge base 50.

[0144] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the moving directions of the first member (cartridge base 511, 50) and the second member (ejection guide 521, 60) that define a portion of the accommodation space of the tape cartridge are orthogonal to each other. However, as long as the size of the accommodation space of the tape cartridge can be appropriately changed, the moving directions of the first member and the second member can also be non-orthogonal to each other. That is, the moving direction of the second member can also be set to a direction that is angled with respect to the in-plane direction of the tape cartridge.

[0145] The preferred embodiments of the present application have been described above, but the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments, and encompasses the application recited in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Claims

1. A printing device characterized by comprising: Possessing: a cassette housing portion capable of selectively housing a first cassette and a second cassette, the first cassette at least housing a printed medium, the second cassette at least housing a printed medium and being different in kind from the first cassette; and a first member capable of moving from a first position, which is a position when the first cassette is not housed, to a second position, which does not interfere with housing of the first cassette, by the first cassette indirectly acting on at least a portion of the first member in a case where the first cassette is housed in the cassette housing portion, and on the other hand, the first member does not move due to the second cassette in a case where the second cassette is housed in the cassette housing portion, the first cassette has a pressing protrusion portion provided so as to extend in a direction in which the first cassette is housed in the cassette housing portion, the printing device further possesses a pressed portion that moves the first member from the first position to the second position as the pressed portion is pressed by the pressing protrusion portion in a case where the first cassette is housed in the cassette housing portion.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the first member has a guide portion for guiding a guided protrusion portion provided on a side of the pressed portion, the guide portion has a shape in which at least a portion of the guide portion extends in a direction in which the first cassette is housed in the cassette housing portion, and at least another portion of the guide portion extends at an angle with respect to the direction of the housing.

3. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein the pressed portion contacts the housed first cassette before the first member, the pressed portion pressed by the pressing protrusion portion in the direction of the housing moves, so that the first member moves in a direction that intersects the direction of the housing.

4. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a stop portion that engages with a stopped portion provided on a side of the first cassette and stops the first cassette housed in the cassette housing portion is further possessed.

5. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a second member that moves while abutting against at least a portion of the first cassette in a case where the first cassette is housed in the cassette housing portion, so as to be capable of moving from a third position, which is a position when the first cassette is not housed, to a fourth position, which does not interfere with housing of the first cassette, and on the other hand, the second member does not move due to the second cassette in a case where the second cassette is housed in the cassette housing portion is further possessed.

6. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a second member that moves while abutting against at least a portion of the first cassette in a case where the first cassette is housed in the cassette housing portion, so as to move the first member from the first position to the second position is possessed.

7. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The first tape cartridge does not house an ink tape for printing the printed medium, and the second tape cartridge houses an ink tape for printing the printed medium.

8. A printing device, wherein, Possessing: a tape cartridge housing portion that selectively houses a first tape cartridge and a second tape cartridge, the first tape cartridge housing at least a printed medium, and the second tape cartridge housing at least a printed medium and being different in kind from the first tape cartridge; a first member that, when the first tape cartridge is housed in the tape cartridge housing portion, is indirectly acted upon by at least a portion of the first tape cartridge, and is movable from a first position, which is a position when the first tape cartridge is not housed, to a second position, which does not interfere with the housing of the first tape cartridge, and, on the other hand, when the second tape cartridge is housed in the tape cartridge housing portion, is not moved by the second tape cartridge; and a second member that, when the first tape cartridge is housed in the tape cartridge housing portion, is moved while abutting against at least a portion of the first tape cartridge, thereby moving the first member from the first position to the second position.

9. The printing device according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the first member and the second member has a sliding portion that slides the other member, when the first tape cartridge is moved in a direction in which it is housed in the tape cartridge housing portion, the other member moves the first member from the first position to the second position by sliding in the sliding portion.

10. The printing device according to claim 9, wherein the first member has a first inclined surface inclined with respect to a plane that intersects the direction in which it is housed, as the sliding portion, the second member has a second inclined surface opposite the first inclined surface, as the sliding portion, when the first tape cartridge is not housed, the first member and the second member are configured in a state in which at least a portion of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are in contact.

11. The printing device according to claim 10, wherein the first member has: a first member main portion that supports any one of the first tape cartridge and the second tape cartridge that is selectively housed; and an extension portion that extends from the first member main portion toward the second member and has the first inclined surface formed at a front end. Further possessing:

12. The printing apparatus of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein, a holding portion main body that includes the tape cartridge housing portion; and a sliding support portion that is installed to the holding portion main body and supports the first member so as to be slidable between the first position and the second position between the sliding support portion and the holding portion main body. ​

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