Printing box and printing device

Abstract

A printing box capable of suppressing looseness of a housing is provided. The present invention discloses a printing box, comprising: a housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion connected to each other; a tape, at least a portion of which is accommodated in the housing and provided for printing; and a tag, which is provided with an RFID tag having an antenna. The tag is attached across the first housing portion and the second housing portion.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In a printing device that prints on a printing tape, the printing tape is replaced and supplied by attaching and detaching a cassette containing the printing tape to a main body of the printing device. The housing of the cassette containing the printing tape is generally constructed by combining a plurality of parts.

[0003] In addition, an RFID tag for identifying the cartridge is disposed on the housing (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-25889 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] In the housing of the above-mentioned cassette, if there is looseness between the connected parts, it may affect the pulling out of the printing tape. As a result, the printing quality in the printing device may be reduced.

[0009] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a printing cartridge capable of suppressing looseness of a housing.

[0010] Means for solving problems

[0011] One aspect of the present disclosure is a printing cartridge, comprising: a housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion connected to each other; a tape, at least a portion of which is accommodated in the housing and is used for printing; and a label having an RFID tag having an antenna. The label is attached across the first housing portion and the second housing portion.

[0012] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a printing device including a printing cartridge and a printing device body, wherein the printing cartridge is mounted on the printing device body.

[0013] According to such a structure, the RFID tag can be arranged to suppress the looseness between the first housing part and the second housing part. In addition, the tag for attaching the RFID tag to the housing also serves as a component for suppressing the looseness, thereby suppressing the increase in the number of components of the printing box.

[0014] Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a printing cartridge, comprising: a housing; a belt, at least a portion of which is accommodated in the housing and is used for printing; an output gear, at least a portion of which is accommodated in the housing and outputs a driving force for conveying the belt; and a tag, which is provided with an RFID tag having an antenna and is attached to the housing. The tag overlaps the output gear in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the output gear.

[0015] According to such a structure, the surface on which the label having the RFID tag arranged thereon is attached can be reduced in size. As a result, the printing cartridge can be miniaturized. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1A is a schematic perspective view showing a printing device in an embodiment, Figure 1B It is shown Figure 1A A schematic three-dimensional diagram of a printing device body.

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1A Schematic cross-sectional view taken along line II-II.

[0018] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C yes Figure 1A A schematic three-dimensional diagram of a printing box.

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 3A A schematic exploded perspective view of a printing cartridge.

[0020] Figure 5 yes Figure 3C Schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VV.

[0021] Figure 6 It shows dismantled Figure 3C A schematic perspective view of a state of a first cover portion of a printing cartridge.

[0022] Figure 7 Yes Description Figure 3A Schematic diagram of the path of the printing tape and ink ribbon in the printing box.

[0023] Figure 8 yes Figure 4 A schematic three-dimensional diagram of the second frame portion.

[0024] Fig.9A yes Figure 3C A schematic cross-sectional view of the IXA-IXA line. Fig. 9B yes Figure 3C A schematic cross-sectional view of the IXB-IXB line, Fig. 9C yes Figure 3CA schematic cross-sectional view of the IXC-IXC line. Fig.9D yes Figure 3C Schematic cross-sectional view at line IXD-IXD.

[0025] Fig. 10A , Fig. 10B and Fig. 10C It is shown Figure 3A Schematic diagram of the location of the label in the printing box.

[0026] Fig.11A , Fig. 11B and Fig. 11C It is shown Fig. 10A Schematic diagram of the label.

[0027] Fig.12 It is shown Figure 1A Schematic diagram of the engagement state of the output gear and the imprinting gear in the printing device.

[0028] Fig.13A and Fig. 13B is shown in Figure 1A A schematic perspective view of a printing apparatus according to a different embodiment in which a print cartridge is removed from a printing apparatus body.

[0029] Fig.14 yes Fig.13A A schematic exploded perspective view of a printing cartridge.

[0030] Fig.15 yes Fig.13A A schematic top view of the main body of the printing device.

[0031] Fig.16 It is shown Fig.13A Schematic diagram of the engagement state of the output gear and the imprinting gear in the printing device.

[0032] Fig.17A and Fig. 17B is shown with Fig. 10A Schematic diagram of the location of tags in different embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] [1. First embodiment]

[0034] [1-1. Structure]

[0035] Figure 1A The printing device 1 shown includes a printing cartridge 10 and a printing device main body 100. The printing device 1 is a device that prints on a tape-shaped printing medium.

[0036] In this embodiment, the axial direction of the output gear 21 is set as the up-down direction, the direction in which the output gear 21 and the input reel 16 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction is set as the front-to-back direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the front-to-back direction is set as the left-to-right direction.

[0037] <Printing Device Main Body>

[0038] like Figure 1B As shown, the printing apparatus body 100 includes a cartridge housing 101 , a print head 102 , a platen roller 103 , a platen gear 104 , a drive shaft 105 , a drive source 107 , a detection unit 108 , a control unit 109 , and a housing 110 .

[0039] (Box storage area)

[0040] The cartridge storage section 101 is a recessed portion in which the print cartridge 10 is mounted. The cartridge storage section 101 has a positioning function for the print cartridge 10. The cartridge storage section 101 is provided in the housing 110.

[0041] (Print Head)

[0042] The print head 102 is arranged inside the cartridge housing 101. The print head 102 has a plurality of heating elements whose heat generation is independently controlled.

[0043] (Impression Roller)

[0044] The platen roller 103 is disposed near the print head 102 in the cartridge housing 101 so as to face the print head 102. The platen roller 103 can swing toward or away from the print head 102. The rotation axis L1 of the platen roller 103 is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0045] (Embossed gear)

[0046] The platen gear 104 is connected to the platen roller 103. In the present embodiment, the rotation axis L2 of the platen gear 104 and the rotation axis L1 of the platen roller 103 are arranged on the same line. The platen gear 104 can swing together with the platen roller 103.

[0047] (Drive shaft)

[0048] The drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input spool 16 and the input gear 22 of the print cartridge 10. The drive shaft 105 causes the input spool 16 and the input gear 22 to rotate.

[0049] The drive shaft 105 is disposed inside the cartridge storage unit 101. The rotation axis L3 of the drive shaft 105 is parallel to the vertical direction. The drive shaft 105 is rotated by the drive source 107 around the rotation axis L3.

[0050] (Drive source)

[0051] The driving source 107 rotationally drives the driving shaft 105. As the driving source 107, for example, a mechanism combining a motor and a gear can be used.

[0052] (Detection Department)

[0053] The detection unit 108 detects the identification information provided to the print cartridge 10 from the print cartridge 10 .

[0054] Specifically, the detection unit 108 is a reader that reads identification information from an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag of the print cartridge 10 by wireless communication. Figure 2 As shown, the detection unit 108 is arranged at a position close to the print cartridge 10 mounted in the printing apparatus body 100 .

[0055] (Control Unit)

[0056] The control unit 109 controls printing on the printing tape 11A based on the identification information detected by the detection unit 108 .

[0057] The control unit 109 is constituted by, for example, a computer including a processor, a storage medium such as a RAM and a ROM, and an input / output unit. The control unit 109 controls the print head 102 and the driving source 107 by executing a pre-stored program.

[0058] <Printing box>

[0059] The print cartridge 10 stores print media (ie, the print tape 11A). The print cartridge 10 is attachable to and detachable from the printing device body 100. By replacing the print cartridge 10, the print media can be replenished or the type of print media (eg, size, color, material, etc.) can be changed.

[0060] like Figure 3A , 3B As shown in FIG. 3C , the print cartridge 10 includes a housing 35 that accommodates at least a portion of the print tape 11A and at least a portion of the ink ribbon 14A used for printing, and a label 51 attached to the housing 35 .

[0061] The outer shape of the print cartridge 10 (that is, the shape of the housing 35) is a rectangular parallelepiped having sides parallel to the vertical direction, sides parallel to the front-rear direction, and sides parallel to the left-right direction. The housing 35 is inserted into the cartridge storage portion 101 facing downward. The housing 35 has a first cover portion 31 (an example of a third housing portion), a first frame portion 32 (an example of a first housing portion), a second frame portion 33 (an example of a second housing portion), and a second cover portion 34.

[0062] like Figure 4As shown, the print cartridge 10 includes a first roll 11 , a first supply reel 12 , spacer films 13A and 13B, a second roll 14 , a second supply reel 15 , an input reel 16 , a clutch spring holder 17 , and a transmission mechanism 20 .

[0063] (Volume 1)

[0064] The first roll 11 is obtained by winding a printing tape 11A to be printed on around a first supply reel 12. The printing head 102 of the printing device body 100 and the ink ribbon 14A print on the surface of the printing tape 11A.

[0065] Two spacers 13A and 13B are arranged on the outer side of the first roll 11 in the vertical direction so as to sandwich the first roll 11. The spacers 13A and 13B are arranged between the first roll 11 and the first cover portion 31 and between the first roll 11 and the first frame portion 32.

[0066] (First supply reel)

[0067] The first supply spool 12 is rotatable about a rotation axis L4. The first supply spool 12 rotates as the printing tape 11A is conveyed by the platen roller 103 of the printing apparatus body 100, and supplies the printing tape 11A to the print head 102. The rotation axis L4 of the first supply spool 12 is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0068] (Volume 2)

[0069] The second roll 14 is obtained by winding an ink ribbon 14A used for printing with the printing tape 11A around the second supply reel 15 .

[0070] The ink ribbon 14A is overlapped with the printing tape 11A at the head opening 33B and is supplied to the printing by the print head 102. The ink ribbon 14A used for printing is wound around the input spool 16.

[0071] The second wrap 14 is subjected to rotation resistance by a clutch spring held by a clutch spring holder 17. At least a portion of the second wrap 14 is disposed at a position overlapping the first wrap 11 in the up-down direction.

[0072] (Second supply reel)

[0073] The second supply reel 15 is rotatable about a rotation axis L5. The rotation axis L5 of the second supply reel 15 is parallel to the rotation axis L4 of the first supply reel 12, that is, parallel to the vertical direction. The second supply reel 15 rotates as the input reel 16 takes up the ink ribbon 14A, thereby supplying the ink ribbon 14A to the print head 102.

[0074] (Input Scroll)

[0075] The input reel 16 is rotatable around a rotation axis L6 . The rotation axis L6 of the input reel 16 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply reel 15 .

[0076] The input reel 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 reel 16. The spline teeth 16B are connected to the drive shaft 105 of the printing device body 100. The input reel 16 is rotated by the drive shaft 105 to wind up the ink ribbon 14A.

[0077] (Transfer Agency)

[0078] When the print cartridge 10 is mounted in the printing apparatus body 100, the transmission mechanism 20 transmits the driving force of the driving source 107 transmitted from the driving shaft 105 to the platen roller 103, and rotates the platen roller 103 at a rotation speed set for each print cartridge 10. The transmission mechanism 20 includes an output gear 21, an input gear 22, and an intermediate gear 23.

[0079] like Figure 5 As shown, the first roll 11, the transfer mechanism 20 and the second roll 14 are arranged in the order of the first roll 11, the transfer mechanism 20 and the second roll 14 in the vertical direction. That is, the transfer mechanism 20 is located between the first roll 11 and the second roll 14 in the vertical direction.

[0080] (Output gear)

[0081] Figure 4 The output gear 21 shown is an external gear for outputting the driving force for conveying the printing tape 11A to the outside. Specifically, the output gear 21 outputs the driving force to the platen gear 104 of the printing device body 100.

[0082] The output gear 21 is a single gear having a first side surface and a second side surface perpendicular to the rotation axis L7. The rotation axis L7 of the output gear 21 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply reel 15. In addition, in the direction parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply reel 15 (that is, the vertical direction), the first side surface is arranged closer to the first roll 11 than the second side surface. The entire area of ​​the first side surface overlaps with the cover portion 32B in the vertical direction.

[0083] The output gear 21 is partially housed in the housing 35 and partially exposed at the head opening 33B. When the print cartridge 10 is mounted in the printer body 100 (that is, when the housing 35 is stored in the cartridge storage portion 101), the output gear 21 engages with the platen gear 104 at the head opening 33B.

[0084] (Input gear)

[0085] The input gear 22 is a gear that indirectly engages with the output gear 21 via the intermediate gear 23 and transmits the driving force to the output gear 21 .

[0086] The input gear 22 includes an external gear 22A and a spool 22B. The spool 22B is a cylindrical internal gear fixed to one side of the external gear 22A and having spline teeth on the inner circumference. The external gear 22A rotates integrally with the spool 22B by the driving force of the driving source 107 input to the spool 22B.

[0087] The rotation axis L8 of the input gear 22 (that is, the rotation axis of the external gear 22A and the rotation axis of the spool 22B) and the rotation axis L6 of the input spool 16 are arranged on the same line. Figure 5 As shown, the input reel 16 , the input gear 22 , and the first roll 11 are arranged in this order in the up-down direction.

[0088] That is, the input gear 22 is located between the input reel 16 and the first roll 11 in the vertical direction. In addition, at least a portion of the input gear 22 is arranged at a position overlapping with the first roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0089] The rotation axis L8 of the input gear 22 vertically overlaps the hollow portion of the input spool 16. Therefore, the drive shaft 105 simultaneously passes through the input spool 16 and the input gear 22. As a result, the input gear 22 is not directly connected to the input spool 16, but is rotated by the drive shaft 105 together with the input spool 16.

[0090] (Intermediate gear)

[0091] The intermediate gear 23 is drivingly coupled (ie, engaged) to the input gear 22 and the output gear 21, and transmits the driving force input to the input gear 22 to the output gear 21. The intermediate gear 23 is a rotation transmission unit that rotates about the rotation axis and receives the driving force from the input gear 22.

[0092] The intermediate gear 23 is a stepped gear in which an upstream gear 23A engaged with the input gear 22 and a downstream gear 23B engaged with the output gear 21 are arranged coaxially. The diameter of the downstream gear 23B is smaller than that of the upstream gear 23A. In addition, the downstream gear 23B is arranged at a position closer to the first roll 11 than the upstream gear 23A in the vertical direction (that is, above).

[0093] The intermediate gear 23 reduces the rotation speed of the driving force input to the input gear 22 and transmits it to the output gear 21. That is, the transmission mechanism 20 includes a speed reduction mechanism having a transmission ratio obtained by dividing the rotation speed of the input gear 22 by the rotation speed of the output gear 21 as a speed reduction ratio.

[0094] (case)

[0095] like Figure 4 As shown, the first cover portion 31 constitutes the upper end portion of the print cartridge 10. The first frame portion 32 is disposed on the lower side of the first cover portion 31 and is connected to the first cover portion 31 in the vertical direction. The second frame portion 33 is disposed on the lower side of the first frame portion 32 and is connected to the first frame portion 32 in the vertical direction. The second cover portion 34 constitutes the lower end portion of the print cartridge 10. The second cover portion 34 is connected to the second frame portion 33 in the vertical direction.

[0096] The first cover 31 and the first frame 32 constitute a first storage portion 41 for storing the first roll 11. That is, the first roll 11 is arranged in the space between the first cover 31 and the first frame 32.

[0097] The second cover 34 and the second frame 33 form a second storage portion 42 for storing the second roll 14, the second supply reel 15 and the input reel 16. That is, the second roll 14, the second supply reel 15 and the input reel 16 are arranged in the space between the second cover 34 and the second frame 33.

[0098] The first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33 constitute a third housing portion 43 in which a portion of the output gear 21, the input gear 22, and the intermediate gear 23 are disposed. In other words, a portion of the output gear 21, the input gear 22, and the intermediate gear 23 are disposed in the space between the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33. The third housing portion 43 is disposed between the first housing portion 41 and the second housing portion 42 in the up-down direction.

[0099] The first frame portion 32 includes a first side wall 32A, a cover portion 32B, a first guide 32C, a first gear support portion 32D, a second gear support portion 32E, and a third gear support portion 32F. The first side wall 32A constitutes a side surface parallel to the vertical direction of the print cartridge 10 .

[0100] The cover portion 32B is a portion having a surface perpendicular to the up-down direction. The cover portion 32B is arranged at a position overlapping with the output gear 21 in the up-down direction. In the present embodiment, the cover portion 32B is provided continuously with the lower end portion of the first side wall 32A and is arranged at the right front corner of the first frame portion 32. The surface of the cover portion 32B (an example of the first limiting surface) faces the output gear 21, and limits the movement of the output gear 21 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis L7 (that is, in the up-down direction).

[0101] The output gear 21, the cover portion 32B and the first roll 11 are arranged in the order of the output gear 21, the cover portion 32B and the first roll 11 in the vertical direction. In addition, as described above, the entire area of ​​the first side surface (that is, the upper side surface) of the output gear 21 overlaps with the cover portion 32B in the vertical direction.

[0102] like Figure 6 As shown, the first guide 32C is a portion where the printing tape 11A pulled out from the first roll 11 is wound. The first guide 32C has a plurality of plate-like ribs spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the first roll 11. The plurality of ribs protrude in the radial direction of the first roll 11, and the protrusion amount (that is, the plate width) increases as it goes downward.

[0103] Figure 4 The first gear support portion 32D shown is a gear shaft through which the output gear 21 is inserted, and rotatably supports the output gear 21. The second gear support portion 32E is a gear shaft through which the input gear 22 is inserted, and rotatably supports the input gear 22. The third gear support portion 32F is a gear shaft through which the intermediate gear 23 is inserted, and rotatably supports the intermediate gear 23.

[0104] The second frame portion 33 includes a second side wall 33A, a head opening 33B, a discharge port 33C, a second guide 33D, and an engagement portion 33E (see Figure 8 ).

[0105] The second side wall 33A constitutes a side surface parallel to the up-down direction of the print cartridge 10 .

[0106] The head opening 33B is a portion obtained by cutting out a portion of the second side wall 33A. The head opening 33B is a space in which the print head 102 is disposed when the print cartridge 10 is mounted in the printing apparatus body 100 .

[0107] The print head 102 prints on the print tape 11A at the head opening 33B. The head opening 33B opens toward the bottom of the print cartridge 10 so that the print head 102 can be inserted from below.

[0108] like Figure 7 As shown, the printing tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A are laid out in the left-right direction at the head opening 33B. The printed printing tape 11A is discharged from the discharge port 33C to the outside of the printing device 1. A part of the output gear 21 is located in the head opening 33B. In addition, the cover 32B is exposed in the head opening 33B.

[0109] The second guide 33D is a portion where the printing tape 11A that has passed through the first guide 32C is wound. The second guide 33D, like the first guide 32C, has a plurality of plate-like ribs spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the second roll 14. The plurality of ribs protrude in the radial direction of the second roll 14, and the protrusion amount (that is, the plate width) decreases as it goes downward.

[0110] Figure 8 The engaging portion 33E shown is a concave portion configured to fit the first gear support portion 32D of the first frame portion 32. Specifically, the engaging portion 33E is a cylindrical body having a peripheral surface parallel to the vertical direction and an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the first gear support portion 32D.

[0111] The upper surface 33F of the engaging portion 33E (an example of a second limiting surface) clamps the output gear 21 together with the surface of the cover portion 32B in a direction parallel to the rotation axis L7 of the output gear 21 (that is, in the up-down direction), thereby limiting the up-down movement of the output gear 21.

[0112] The first gear support portion 32D through which the output gear 21 is inserted protrudes from the surface of the cover portion 32B toward the upper surface 33F of the engagement portion 33E. The tip of the first gear support portion 32D is inserted into the hollow portion of the engagement portion 33E from above.

[0113] like Fig.9A , 9B As shown in FIGS. 9C and 9D, the first guide 32C and the second guide 33D form a passage for conveying the printing tape 11A constituting the first roll 11 from the first storage section 41 to the second storage section 42 .

[0114] Specifically, if Fig.9A As shown, the printing tape 11A pulled out from the first roll 11 is conveyed downward and rearward in the first storage portion 41 while contacting the first guide 32C from the radially outer side of the first roll 11 in a spiral manner. Fig. 9B As shown, the printing tape 11A is conveyed toward the lower left while crossing the third storage portion 43 in the vertical direction.

[0115] like Fig. 9C As shown, the printing tape 11A that has reached the second storage portion 42 is conveyed downward and forward while abutting against the second guide 33D from the radially outer side. Fig.9D As shown, the printing tape 11A that has reached the lower end of the printing cartridge 10 passes through the head opening 33B and is discharged from the discharge port 33C.

[0116] (Label)

[0117] Fig. 10AThe illustrated label 51 allows an external device (that is, the printing device main body 100 ) to detect identification information for identifying the printing cartridge 10 .

[0118] like Fig.11A As shown, the tag 51 is a circular sheet having an antenna 51A and an IC chip 51B disposed on an adhesive layer. The tag 51 is read by the detection unit 108 of the printing device body 100 in a non-contact manner, and the detection unit 108 detects the identification information stored in the IC chip 51B.

[0119] The identification information includes, for example, information related to the transmission mechanism 20, information related to the printing tape 11A, etc. The information related to the transmission mechanism 20 includes, for example, information related to the transmission ratio obtained by dividing the rotation speed of the input gear 22 by the rotation speed of the output gear 21, information related to the number of rotating bodies (that is, gears) included in the transmission mechanism 20, etc. The information related to the printing tape 11A includes, for example, information indicating the width, thickness, material, color, layer structure, etc. of the printing tape 11A.

[0120] In this embodiment, the label 51 is attached across the outer surface of the first frame portion 32, the outer surface of the second frame portion 33, and the outer surface of the first cover portion 31. In addition, the antenna 51A and the IC chip 51B of the label 51 are arranged across the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33. Thus, the looseness between the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33 can be suppressed.

[0121] like Figure 3A As shown, the label 51 is adhered to the left side surface 35A of the side surface of the housing 35 which is parallel to the insertion direction of the housing 35 into the cassette storage portion 101 (that is, the up-down direction) and the winding axis of the first roll 11 .

[0122] In addition, if Figure 5 As shown, the label 51 is arranged at a position overlapping the output gear 21 in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis L7 of the output gear 21 (that is, in the left-right direction) (specifically, on the left side of the output gear 21 ).

[0123] It should be noted that if Fig. 10B As shown in FIG. 5 , the label 51 may be affixed only across the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33. Fig. 10C As shown, the label 51 may be affixed across the first frame portion 32 , the second frame portion 33 , the first cover portion 31 , and the second cover portion 34 .

[0124] Moreover, if Fig. 11B As shown in FIG. 5 , the antenna 51A and the IC chip 51B may be arranged without crossing the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33. Fig. 11CAs shown, the shape of the label 51 is not limited to a circle, but may be a quadrilateral.

[0125] <Tape Transport and Printing of Printing Device>

[0126] like Figure 7 As shown, when the print cartridge 10 is mounted in the printing apparatus body 100 , the print head 102 is arranged at a position overlapping the print tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A in the front-rear direction at the head opening 33B.

[0127] The printing tape 11A is conveyed toward the head opening 33B by the platen roller 103, and is pressed against the print head 102 after the heating element is heated via the ink ribbon 14A by the platen roller 103. As a result, part of the ink disposed on the surface of the ink ribbon 14A is transferred to the printing tape 11A, and characters, symbols, etc. are printed on the printing tape 11A.

[0128] The platen roller 103 conveys the printed printing tape 11A from the inside of the printing cartridge 10 to the outside. The platen roller 103 is rotated by the platen gear 104 engaged with the output gear 21. The platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 can be moved away from the printing cartridge 10. Fig.12 The stamping gear 104 shown swings between positions where it engages with the output gear 21 .

[0129] When the housing 35 of the print cartridge 10 is inserted into the cartridge housing 101 , the drive shaft 105 is engaged with the input gear 22 , and the platen gear 104 is engaged with the output gear 21 .

[0130] Specifically, with the drive shaft 105 inserted into the input spool 16 and the input gear 22 of the print cartridge 10 , the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 swing toward the head opening 33B of the print cartridge 10 , and the platen gear 104 engages with the output gear 21 .

[0131] When the print cartridge 10 is installed, the output gear 21 rotates by rotating the input gear 22 by the drive shaft 105. The output gear 21 rotates the platen gear 104, and the platen roller 103 rotates by the rotation of the platen gear 104.

[0132] That is, the driving source 107 inputs driving force to the input gear 22 via the driving shaft 105. In addition, the platen roller 103 uses the driving force output from the output gear 21 to transport the printing tape 11A.

[0133] The detection unit 108 detects identification information from the label 51 of the printing cartridge 10 loaded in the cartridge housing unit 101. The identification information detected by the detection unit 108 is sent to the control unit 109.

[0134] The control unit 109 controls the printing cycle (that is, the switching cycle of heating on and off) of the print head 102 based on the identification information. Specifically, the larger the transfer ratio, the longer the printing cycle is (that is, the smaller the transfer ratio, the shorter the printing cycle is).

[0135] Furthermore, the control unit 109 controls the rotation direction of the driving source 107 based on the identification information. Specifically, the control unit 109 determines the rotation direction of the driving source 107 based on the rotating body number information so that the rotation direction of the platen roller 103 becomes the conveyance direction of the printing tape 11A.

[0136] [1-2. Effect]

[0137] According to the above-described detailed embodiments, the following effects can be obtained.

[0138] (1a) The label 51 having the RFID tag can suppress looseness between the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33. Also, the label 51 for attaching the RFID tag to the housing 35 also serves as a member for suppressing looseness, thereby suppressing an increase in the number of components of the print cartridge 10.

[0139] (1b) By attaching the label 51 to the outer surface of the housing 35 , the detection accuracy of the identification information by the detection unit 108 can be improved.

[0140] (1c) By suppressing the play between the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33 that accommodate and support the output gear 21, vibration of the output gear 21 can be reduced. As a result, the engagement between the output gear 21 and the platen gear 104 can be stabilized.

[0141] (1d) By arranging the label 51 at a position overlapping the output gear 21 in the left-right direction, the area of ​​the left side surface 35A to which the label 51 is attached in the housing 35 can be reduced. As a result, the print cartridge 10 can be miniaturized.

[0142] (1e) By attaching the label 51 to the left side surface 35A of the housing 35, interference between the detection unit 108 and other components in the printing device body 100 can be suppressed. As a result, the printing device body 100 can be miniaturized.

[0143] [2. Second Embodiment]

[0144] [2-1. Structure]

[0145] Fig.13A , 13B The illustrated printing apparatus 1A includes a printing cartridge 10A and a printing apparatus main body 100A.

[0146] <Printing box>

[0147] The print cartridge 10A is a print cartridge 10 of the first embodiment with an additional Fig.14 The third roll 24, winding reel 25, winding gear 26 and clamping roller 27 shown are obtained by replacing the input reel 16, first cover portion 31, first frame portion 32, second frame portion 33 and second cover portion 34 of the first embodiment with an input reel 28, first cover portion 36, first frame portion 37, second frame portion 38 and second cover portion 39.

[0148] The input spool 28 is the same as the input spool 16 except that it does not have the spline teeth 16B. The first cover 36, the first frame 37, the second frame 38, and the second cover 39 are respectively obtained by extending the first cover 31, the first frame 32, the second frame 33, and the second cover 34 in the left-right direction. The other structures of the print cartridge 10A are the same as those of the print cartridge 10 of the first embodiment except for the points described below, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

[0149] In this embodiment, if Fig.13A , 13B As shown, the label 51 is attached to the front side surface 35B of the housing 35. The label 51 is attached across at least the outer surface of the first frame portion 37 and the outer surface of the second frame portion 38.

[0150] Fig.14 The third roll 24 shown is obtained by winding a laminated tape for protecting the printing tape 11A around a feed reel 28. The laminated tape has an adhesive surface to be bonded to the printing tape 11A after printing by the print head 102.

[0151] The take-up reel 25 is rotatable around a rotation axis L9. The rotation axis L9 of the take-up reel 25 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 (that is, in the vertical direction) of the second supply reel 15. The take-up reel 25 takes up the ink ribbon 14A by the rotation of the take-up gear 26.

[0152] The take-up gear 26 is connected to the take-up reel 25 and is engaged with the intermediate gear 23. The take-up gear 26 is rotated by the driving force input to the input gear 22, and the take-up reel 25 is rotated.

[0153] The pinch roller 27 presses the laminated tape against the printed printing tape 11A together with the pressing roller 106. The pinch roller 27 is arranged downstream of the head opening 33B in the conveying direction of the printing tape 11A.

[0154] <Printing Device Main Body>

[0155] like Fig.13AAs shown, the printing device body 100A includes a cartridge storage unit 101, a print head 102, a platen roller 103, a platen gear 104, a drive shaft 105, and a pressing roller 106 (see Fig.15 ), a driving source 107, a detection unit 108, a control unit 109 and a housing 110.

[0156] The printer body 100A has the same structure as the printer body 100 of the first embodiment, except that the shape of the housing 110 is different from that of the printer body 100 of the first embodiment and that a pressing roller 106 is provided.

[0157] The pressing roller 106 is configured to be able to swing together with the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104. Fig.15 The position shown with the print cartridge 10A separated and Fig.16 The position shown swings between the positions where the printing tape 11A and the laminating tape are pressed together with the pinch roller 27.

[0158] [2-2. Effect]

[0159] According to the above-described detailed embodiments, the following effects can be obtained.

[0160] (2a) While having the same advantages as the first embodiment, the printed content of the printing tape 11A can be protected by the laminated tape.

[0161] [3. Other embodiments]

[0162] As mentioned above, although embodiment of this disclosure was described, this disclosure is not limited to the said embodiment, It is a matter of course that various forms can be adopted.

[0163] (3a) In the printing box of the above embodiment, the label having the RFID tag may not be attached across the first frame portion and the second frame portion. Fig.17A , 17B As shown, the label 51 may be affixed across the first frame portion 32 and the first cover portion 31 of the housing 35 .

[0164] In these embodiments, the first frame portion 32 corresponds to the first housing portion, and the first cover portion 31 corresponds to the second housing portion. Fig. 17B In the embodiment, the first frame portion 32 has a convex portion 32G that protrudes toward the second frame portion 33 (that is, downward), and the label 51 is attached across the convex portion 32G and the first cover portion 31 .

[0165] (3b) In the print cartridge of the above embodiment, the label does not necessarily need to be affixed to the outer surface of the housing. For example, the label may be affixed across the inner surface of the first housing portion and the inner surface of the second housing portion.

[0166] (3c) The printing device of the above embodiment is not limited to a printing device that uses an ink ribbon for printing. The printing device may use a tape-shaped thermal paper instead of the printing ribbon in the first embodiment, and a laminated tape (that is, a protective tape) instead of the ink ribbon.

[0167] In addition, the printing device may use a perforated template tape on which a pattern is printed by a thermal head instead of an ink ribbon. In this case, at the head opening, the printing tape may overlap the template tape at a position closer to the print head than the template tape (that is, as an upper layer), and the printing tape may overlap the template tape at a position farther from the print head than the template tape (that is, as a lower layer).

[0168] (3d) In the printing cartridge of the above embodiment, the transmission mechanism may have two or more intermediate gears. Alternatively, the transmission mechanism may not have an intermediate gear. Furthermore, the transmission mechanism may have a rotating body other than a gear (such as a roller or a belt).

[0169] (3e) The print cassette of the second embodiment may include a third supply spool around which the laminated tape is wound, instead of the take-up spool. In the print cassette of the second embodiment, the input spool may be used as a take-up spool for the ink ribbon.

[0170] (3f) The function of one constituent element in the above-mentioned embodiment may be split into multiple constituent elements, or the functions of multiple constituent elements may be combined into one constituent element. In addition, a part of the structure of the above-mentioned embodiment may be omitted. In addition, at least a part of the structure of the above-mentioned embodiment may be added to or replaced with respect to the structure of other above-mentioned embodiments. It should be noted that all schemes included in the technical ideas determined according to the statements recorded in the scope of protection claimed are embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0171] Description of Reference Numerals

[0172] 1…printing device, 10…printing cassette, 11…first roll, 11A…printing tape, 12…first supply reel, 14…second roll, 14A…ink ribbon, 15…second supply reel, 16…input reel, 20…transmission mechanism, 21…output gear, 22…input gear, 23…intermediate gear, 31…first cover portion, 32…first frame portion, 32B…cover portion, 32D…first gear support portion, 32G…convex portion, 33…second frame portion , 33B…head opening, 33E…engaging portion, 33F…upper surface, 34…second cover portion, 35…housing, 35A…left side, 35B…front side, 51…label, 51A…antenna, 51B…IC chip, 100…printing device body, 101…box storage portion, 102…print head, 103…platen roller, 104…platen gear, 105…drive shaft, 107…drive source, 108…detection portion, 109…control unit.

Claims

1. A printing box, characterized in that: have: A housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion connected to each other; a tape, at least a portion of which is received in the housing and provided for printing; A tag is configured with an RFID tag having an antenna; a coil of said tape; and A gear, at least a portion of which is accommodated in the housing, The housing further comprises a third housing portion connected to the first housing portion, The first housing portion is located between the second housing portion and the third housing portion, The gear is disposed between the first housing portion and the second housing portion. The roll is arranged between the first shell portion and the third shell portion, The label is affixed across the first housing portion and the second housing portion.

2. The printing cartridge according to claim 1, The antenna is arranged across the first housing portion and the second housing portion.

3. The printing cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, The label is affixed across an outer surface of the first shell portion and an outer surface of the second shell portion.

4. The printing cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, The label is attached across the first housing portion, the second housing portion, and the third housing portion.

5. The printing cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, The first housing portion has a first limiting surface for limiting movement of the gear in a direction parallel to the rotation axis. The second housing portion has a second restriction surface that sandwiches the gear in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the gear together with the first restriction surface to restrict movement of the gear in the direction parallel to the rotation axis.

6. The printing cartridge according to claim 5, The first housing portion includes a gear shaft that protrudes from the first restriction surface toward the second restriction surface and is inserted through the gear.

7. The printing cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, The gear is an output gear that outputs a driving force for conveying the belt.

8. The printing cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, The label overlaps the gear in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the gear.

9. The printing cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, The printing cartridge can be mounted on a printing device body having a cartridge storage portion. The housing has a side surface parallel to the insertion direction of the housing into the box storage portion, The label is attached to the side surface.

10. The printing cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, The shell has a side surface parallel to the winding axis of the roll, The label is attached to the side surface.

11. A printing device, characterized in that: have: The printing box according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and A printing device body, in which the printing cartridge is mounted.

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