Ribbon cartridge and printing device

Abstract

This invention provides a ribbon cartridge and printing apparatus that improve the positioning accuracy of the ribbon cartridge within a printing apparatus without increasing the number of components. A first housing (31) covering a first reel (370) has a first rib (313). A second housing (32) covering a second reel (380) has a second rib (323). The ribbon (39) is sequentially mounted on the first reel (370), the first rib (313), the second rib (323), and the second reel (380). A first protrusion (317) protrudes along the first direction and engages with a first hole in the opposite surface of a first frame (7) inside the housing, located at a first end (314) in a first direction. A second protrusion (327) protrudes along the second direction and engages with a second hole in the opposite surface of the second housing (32) in a second direction, located at a second end (324).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a ribbon box and a printing apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, printing apparatuses that transfer ink from a ribbon to a printing medium by heating it with a thermal head, and ribbon cassettes that hold the ribbon used in the printing apparatus, are known. Patent Document 1 discloses a cassette body that houses a supply spool and a take-up spool. The supply spool is wound with a ribbon, and the take-up spool takes up the ribbon after it has been withdrawn from the supply spool and used. The insertion surface of the cassette body faces the respective drive holes of the supply spool and the take-up spool. When the cassette body is mounted on a cassette mounting portion on the main body of the printing apparatus, each drive hole engages with the drive shaft of the printing apparatus. Positioning holes are formed on a positioning surface on a side of the cassette body opposite the insertion surface. Positioning protrusions corresponding to the positioning holes of the cassette body are formed in the frame constituting the main body of the apparatus. When the cassette body is inserted into the cassette mounting portion, the positioning protrusions engage with the positioning holes from the inside of the cassette body.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-253846

[0006] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] In the aforementioned techniques, additional positioning protrusions need to be provided for the frame. Furthermore, since these additional positioning protrusions are used to position the frame relative to the box body, it is difficult to ensure the positioning accuracy of the box body relative to the frame. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a ribbon cartridge and printing apparatus that can improve the positioning accuracy of the ribbon cartridge within the printing apparatus without increasing the number of components in the printing apparatus.

[0009] Technical means for solving technical problems

[0010] A ribbon cartridge of the first aspect of the present invention is mounted on a printing apparatus. The ribbon cartridge comprises: a first spool; a first housing covering the first spool; a second spool; a second housing covering the second spool; a first rib disposed on the first housing; a second rib disposed on the second housing; a ribbon, one end of which is wound around the first spool and the other end of which is wound around the second spool, and is sequentially mounted on the first spool, the first rib, the second rib, and the second spool from the one end to the other end; a first protrusion protruding from a first end in the first housing on one side of a first direction extending from the first spool along the first direction, and engaging with a first hole in a first frame disposed inside the printing apparatus; and a second protrusion protruding from a second end in the second housing on one side of a second direction extending from the second spool along the second direction, and engaging with a second hole in the first frame.

[0011] The first protrusion on the first housing and the second protrusion on the second housing respectively engage with the first and second holes in the first frame inside the printing apparatus, thereby positioning the ribbon cartridge relative to the first and second holes. Therefore, the positioning accuracy of the ribbon cartridge within the printing apparatus can be improved without increasing the number of components in the printing apparatus.

[0012] The printing apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention is capable of mounting the ribbon cartridge of the first aspect. The printing apparatus includes: a first frame; a first support shaft supporting an impression roller; a second support shaft supporting a print head; a second frame disposed opposite to the first frame; and a connecting member connecting the first frame and the second frame. Each of the first frame and the second frame has a third hole for engaging an end of the first support shaft and a fourth hole for engaging an end of the second support shaft. The first support shaft engages with the third hole of each of the first and second frames, and the second support shaft engages with the fourth hole of each of the first and second frames. Thus, the first support shaft and the second support shaft are disposed parallel to each other. The rigidity of the connecting member is lower than that of the first frame and the second frame.

[0013] The first and second support shafts are arranged parallel to each other by engaging with the third and fourth holes of the first and second frames, respectively. When the first and second frames are arranged opposite each other, the positions of the third and fourth holes relative to the first frame may be offset from their facing positions relative to the second frame. Even in this case, because the rigidity of the connecting member is lower than that of the first and second frames, the parallel arrangement of the first and second support shafts is maintained by the elastic deformation of the connecting member. Therefore, the printing apparatus can maintain the positional relationship between the impression roller and the print head with high precision. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional view of printing device 1.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the printing apparatus 1 with the opening 28 open and the ribbon cartridge 3 detached.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a right-side view of the printing apparatus 1 after the ribbon cartridge 3 has been detached.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional view of the printing mechanism section 10.

[0018] Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of the printing mechanism section 10.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a 3D view of ribbon box 3.

[0020] Figure 7 This is an exploded stereoscopic view of the ribbon box 3 as viewed from the left rear.

[0021] Figure 8 This is an exploded stereoscopic view of the ribbon box 3 as seen from the lower right.

[0022] Figure 9 yes Figure 6 The cross-sectional view shown is along the direction of the arrow in line II.

[0023] Figure 10 This is a left side view of ribbon box 3. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Referring to the accompanying drawings, one embodiment of the printing apparatus 1 and ribbon cartridge 3 of the present invention will be described. The accompanying drawings are used to illustrate the technical features that can be employed in the present invention; the structure of the apparatus described is not intended to be limited thereto, but is merely illustrative. Figure 1 The top, bottom, upper left, lower right, lower left, and upper right are respectively the top, bottom, left, right, front, and rear of the printing device 1 and the ribbon box 3.

[0025] Reference Figures 1-3 The general outline of printing apparatus 1 will be described below. Printing apparatus 1 is a heat transfer type printing apparatus. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the printing apparatus 1 includes a housing 2. The housing 2 is made of synthetic resin and is a box-shaped container of a size that can be placed on a table. The housing 2 has an upper wall 2U, a lower wall 2S, a left wall 2L, a right wall 2R, a front wall 2F, a rear wall 2B, and a cover 2C. A plurality of switches 21 are provided at the front end of the upper surface 20U of the upper wall 2U. A discharge section 22 is provided in the upper surface 20U, behind the switches 21. The discharge section 22 is a through hole formed in the upper wall 2U. The shape of the discharge section 22 is a rectangle that is longer in the left-right direction.

[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, each of the following near the rear end of the upper wall 2U, the upper end of the rear wall 2B, and the upper ends of the left wall 2L and the right wall 2R forms an opening 28 at the rear end of the housing 2. The cover 2C is rotatably supported on the upper end of the rear wall 2B and can open and close the opening 28. Figure 1 and Figure 3 This indicates that the opening 28 is closed by the cover 2C. Figure 2 Indicates from Figure 1 and Figure 3 The shown state is achieved by rotating the cover 2C, thus opening the opening 28. The opening 28 communicates with the media mounting section 29, which is an internal area of ​​the housing 2. A media roll R, which is formed by winding printing media M onto a cylindrical core, is detachably mounted on the media mounting section 29. The user can replace the media roll R by keeping the opening 28 open.

[0027] The ribbon cartridge 3 is made of synthetic resin and includes a housing 30 and a housing cover 33. The housing 30 is then used... Figure 6 The first housing 31 and the second housing 32 are described. The first housing 31 and the second housing 32 are both cylindrical shapes extending in the left-right direction, housing the ribbon 39 internally. The housing cover 33, viewed from the side, is approximately parallelogram-shaped and is the component that closes the right side of the housing 30. The ribbon 39 is extracted from the ribbon cassette 3 and conveyed inside the housing 2.

[0028] An opening 24 is provided on the right surface 20R of the right wall 2R. The opening 24 is a rectangular tube extending to the left from the right surface 20R of the right wall 2R. Viewed from the right side, the shape of the opening 24 is approximately the same as the shape of the housing cover 33. The depth of the opening 24 in the left-right direction and the thickness of the housing cover 33 in the left-right direction are approximately the same length. A side plate portion 25 is provided inside the opening 24. The side plate portion 25 is a plate-shaped portion that rises from the lower part of the left end of the opening 24 and is parallel to the right wall 2R. A box insertion port 26 is formed in the side plate portion 25, penetrating the side plate portion 25. The box insertion port 26 communicates with the box mounting portion 27, which is the internal area of ​​the outer casing 2. The ribbon box 3 is detachably mounted to the box mounting portion 27 via the box insertion port 26. Figure 1 This indicates that the ribbon cartridge 3 is installed in the cartridge mounting section 27. Figure 2 and Figure 3 This indicates the state of the ribbon cartridge 3 after it has detached from the cartridge mounting section 27.

[0029] The printing medium M is drawn from the media roll R, which is mounted on the media mounting section 29, by the driving force of a drive unit (not shown) located inside the housing 2, and is conveyed forward toward the discharge section 22 inside the housing 2. During a portion of the conveying process, the printing medium M travels parallel to the ribbon 39 drawn from the ribbon cassette 3. Hereinafter, the portion in which the printing medium M and the ribbon 39 travel parallel to each other will be referred to as the "parallel travel portion." In the parallel travel portion, the ribbon 39 is subsequently used... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The print head 50 is heated, thereby transferring the ink from the ribbon 39 to the printing medium M. Hereinafter, the operation performed by the printing apparatus 1, in which the ink from the ribbon 39 is transferred to the printing medium M by heating the ribbon 39 with the print head 50, will be referred to as the "printing operation." The printed medium M, with the transferred ink, is discharged to the outside of the housing 2 via the discharge section 22. The cutting section 23, located at the front end of the discharge section 22, is a blade capable of cutting off the printed portion of the printing medium M.

[0030] like Figure 3 As shown, the cartridge insertion port 26 includes a first opening 261, a second opening 262, and an opening connecting portion 263. The first opening 261 is a generally circular opening when viewed from the side, forming the lower rear portion of the cartridge insertion port 26. The second opening 262 is a generally circular opening when viewed from the side, forming the upper front portion of the cartridge insertion port 26. The opening connecting portion 263 is a generally rectangular opening extending obliquely upward from the upper part of the first opening 261 toward the upper rear part of the second opening 262. The inner diameter of the circular portion of the first opening 261 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the first housing 31 of the ribbon cartridge 3. The inner diameter of the circular portion of the second opening 262 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the second housing 32 of the ribbon cartridge 3.

[0031] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 The printing mechanism 10 will now be described. The printing mechanism 10 is located inside the housing 2, positioned at the front compared to the media mounting section 29. The printing mechanism 10 includes: a first frame 7, a second frame 8, a connecting member 9, an impression roller 4, a printing unit 5, and a rod member 6.

[0032] The first frame 7 and the second frame 8 are plate-shaped components that are approximately rectangular when viewed from the side. The first frame 7 and the second frame 8 are arranged opposite each other in the left-right direction inside the outer casing 2. The first frame 7 and the second frame 8 are configured to fix the impression roller 4, the printing unit 5, the rod component 6, and the ribbon cartridge 3 installed in the cartridge mounting part 27 to the inside of the outer casing 2.

[0033] The first frame 7 is disposed inside the outer casing 2 on the right side of the left wall 2L. The first frame 7 includes a facing surface 7A and fixing portions 7B and 7C. The facing surface 7A is the surface opposite to the second frame 8. The fixing portions 7B and 7C are portions that protrude to the left from the front and rear ends of the upper portion of the facing surface 7A, respectively. Each of the fixing portions 7B and 7C is provided with a threaded hole for screw engagement; by threading the screws relative to the outer casing 2 through these threaded holes, the first frame 7 is fixed to the outer casing 2. Therefore, the first frame 7 is disposed opposite to the side plate portion 25 of the right wall 2R in the left-right direction. Therefore, as... Figure 3 As shown, when viewing the outer casing 2 from the right side after the ribbon cartridge 3 has detached from the cartridge mounting portion 27, the opposite side 7A of the first frame 7 is visible through the cartridge insertion port 26 of the side panel portion 25.

[0034] The opposing surface 7A includes: a first shaft hole 71, a second shaft hole 72, a first hole portion 73, a second hole portion 74, a first gear 75, a second gear 76, a first shaft portion 77, a second shaft portion 78, and a motor 79. The first shaft hole 71, the second shaft hole 72, the first hole portion 73, and the second hole portion 74 are circular holes that penetrate the opposing surface 7A in the left-right direction. The first shaft hole 71 is located in the upper part of the opposing surface 7A in front of the fixing part 7C. The second shaft hole 72 is located in the opposing surface 7A below and behind the first shaft hole 71. The first hole portion 73 is located below and behind the second shaft hole 72. The second hole portion 74 is located in the center of the opposing surface 7A in the front-rear direction and is positioned approximately at the same vertical direction as the second shaft hole 72. The first gear 75 and the second gear 76 are small gears. The first gear 75 is located below and in front of the first hole portion 73. The second gear 76 is located in front of the second hole portion 74. The first shaft portion 77 and the second shaft portion 78 are short shaft portions protruding to the right from the opposing surface 7A. The first shaft portion 77 is located below the first hole portion 73 and below and behind the first gear 75. The second shaft portion 78 is located in front of the second hole portion 74 and behind the second gear 76. The motor 79 is located at the lower front part of the opposing surface 7A. The motor 79 transmits driving force to a plurality of gears (not shown) located on a surface opposite to the opposing surface 7A of the first frame 7. The first gear 75 and the second gear 76 rotate according to the driving force transmitted to the plurality of gears.

[0035] The second frame 8 is disposed inside the outer casing 2 on the left side of the right wall 2R. The second frame 8 includes fixing parts 8A, 8B, and 8C, a first shaft hole 81, a second shaft hole 82, an opening 83, and a fixing hole 84. Fixing parts 8A and 8B are portions of the upper end of the second frame 8 that protrude to the right from the front and rear ends, respectively. Fixing part 8C is a portion that protrudes to the right from the lower end of the second frame 8. Threaded holes for screw engagement are provided in fixing parts 8A, 8B, and 8C, and the second frame 8 is fixed to the outer casing 2 by threading these holes relative to the outer casing 2.

[0036] The first shaft hole 81 and the second shaft hole 82 are circular holes that penetrate the second frame 8 in the left-right direction. The first shaft hole 81 is located in the upper part of the second frame 8 in front of the fixing part 8B. The second shaft hole 82 is located in the second frame 8 below and behind the first shaft hole 81. The first shaft hole 81 and the second shaft hole 82 are respectively configured to face the first shaft hole 71 and the second shaft hole 72 of the first frame 7 when the first frame 7 and the second frame 8 are arranged opposite each other in the left-right direction. The opening 83 is an opening that penetrates the second frame 8 in the left-right direction. The shape of the opening 83 is approximately the same as the box insertion opening 26 provided in the side plate part 25 on the right wall 2R, but the size of the opening 83 is slightly larger than the box insertion opening 26. The fixing hole 84 is a circular hole that penetrates the second frame 8 in the left-right direction. The upper front part of the side plate part 25 and the fixing hole 84 are... Figure 3 The screw 8D shown is used for threaded fastening. The second frame 8 is fixed to the inside of the outer casing 2 by means of an opening 83 located on the left side of the box insertion port 26 provided on the side plate portion 25. Therefore, as shown Figure 3 As shown, when viewing the outer casing 2 from the right side after the ribbon cartridge 3 has detached from the cartridge mounting part 27, the second frame 8 is obscured by the side panel part 25 and cannot be seen.

[0037] In order to properly position the first shaft hole 71, the second shaft hole 72, the first hole portion 73, and the second hole portion 74 of the first frame 7, and the first shaft hole 81, the second shaft hole 82, the opening 83, and the fixing hole 84 of the second frame 8, the first frame 7 and the second frame 8 are preferably made of metal. In this embodiment, the first frame 7 and the second frame 8 are made of galvanized steel sheet.

[0038] The impression roller 4 holds the parallel-traveling portions of the printing medium M and the ribbon 39 between itself and the print head 50, described later. The impression roller 4 is cylindrical. The impression roller 4 is positioned on the upper side relative to the parallel-traveling portions of the printing medium M. A through hole 40 extending in the left-right direction is provided in the impression roller 4. A first support shaft 41 is inserted into the through hole 40. The first support shaft 41 is made of a high-rigidity metal. In this embodiment, the first support shaft 41 is made of free-cutting steel. The first support shaft 41 extends in the left-right direction. The left end of the first support shaft 41 is inserted into the first shaft hole 71 of the first frame 7 and fixed to the first frame 7 by a fastener 4A. The right end of the first support shaft 41 is inserted into the first shaft hole 81 of the second frame 8 and fixed to the second frame 8 by a fastener 4B. The impression roller 4 is supported by the first support shaft 41 and is rotatable. The rotation center of the impression roller 4 is... Figure 5 The center 4C of the first support shaft 41 shown is aligned with the center. The center 4C extends parallel to the left and right directions.

[0039] The printing unit 5 heats the parallel-traveling portion of the ink ribbon 39 via the print head 50 (described later), thereby transferring ink to the printing medium M. The printing unit 5 is positioned below the parallel-traveling portion of the ink ribbon 39. Figure 5 As shown, the printing unit 5 includes a support portion 51, a spring seat portion 56, and a pair of springs 57.

[0040] The support portion 51 includes a base 51A and a pair of protrusions 51B. The base 51A is plate-shaped and intersects in the vertical direction. The protrusions 51B protrude rearward from the rear end of the base 51A. The protrusions 51B have through holes extending in the horizontal direction. A second support shaft 52 is inserted through the through holes of the protrusions 51B. The second support shaft 52 extends in the horizontal direction. The left end of the second support shaft 52 is inserted through the second shaft hole 72 of the first frame 7 and fixed to the first frame 7 by a fastener 5A. The right end of the second support shaft 52 is inserted through the second shaft hole 82 of the second frame 8 and fixed to the second frame 8 by a fastener 5B. The support portion 51 is supported by the second support shaft 52 and is rotatable. The rotation center of the support portion 51 coincides with the center 5C of the second support shaft 52. The center 5C is positioned below and behind the center 4C of the first support shaft 41 that supports the impression roller 4. The center 5C is arranged parallel to the center 4C of the first support shaft 41.

[0041] The base 53 is fixed to the upper surface of the base 51A. A substrate 54 is fixed to the upper surface of the base 53. A printing head 50 is provided on the upper surface of the substrate 54. The printing head 50 is a line thermal head composed of multiple heating elements and extends parallel to the center 5C of the second support shaft 52.

[0042] like Figure 5 As shown, the spring seat 56 is disposed below the base 51A of the support portion 51. The spring seat 56 receives a pair of springs 57 via its upper surface. The pair of springs 57 are disposed above the spring seat 56 and near its left and right ends. The pair of springs 57 are compression coil springs. The pair of springs 57 intersect between the base 51A of the support portion 51 and the spring seat 56.

[0043] The lever component 6 includes a pressing part 6A and an operating part 6B. The pressing part 6A is cylindrical and extends in the left-right direction. The pressing part 6A has a through hole extending in the left-right direction. A lever rotation shaft (not shown) is inserted through the through hole. The lever rotation shaft extends in the left-right direction. The left and right ends of the lever rotation shaft are fixed relative to the first frame 7 and the second frame 8. The lever component 6 is supported by the lever rotation shaft and is rotatable. The rotation center of the lever component 6 coincides with the center 6C of the lever rotation shaft. The operating part 6B extends downward and forward from the left end of the pressing part 6A. According to the user's operation of the operating part 6B, the pressing part 6A presses the spring seat part 56 from below, thereby compressing a pair of springs 57. The pair of springs 57 press the support part 51 by the elastic force generated by the compression, thereby pressing the printing head 50 of the printing unit 5 toward the impression roller 4.

[0044] The connecting member 9 is a component that connects the lower part of the first frame 7 and the lower part of the second frame 8 in the left-right direction. The connecting member 9 is plate-shaped and includes a first curved portion 91, a second curved portion 92, a right side plate portion 93, and a left side plate portion 94. The first curved portion 91 extends in the left-right direction and is a semi-cylindrical recessed portion that curves downward when viewed from the side; this first curved portion 91 forms the rear part of the connecting member 9. The second curved portion 92 is located in front of and above the first curved portion 91, extends in the left-right direction like the first curved portion 91, and is also a semi-cylindrical recessed portion that curves downward when viewed from the side. The shape of the first curved portion 91 is slightly larger than the shape of the lower part of the first housing 31 in the housing 30 of the ribbon cartridge 3. The shape of the second curved portion 92 is slightly larger than the shape of the lower part of the second housing 32 in the housing 30 of the ribbon cartridge 3. The right side plate portion 93 extends slightly downward from the right end of the first curved portion 91 and the second curved portion 92, forming the right side face of the connecting member 9. The left side plate 94 extends slightly downward from the left ends of the first bend 91 and the second bend 92, forming the left side face of the connecting member 9. A threaded hole 93A for engaging a screw 9A is provided approximately at the center of the right side plate 93. By threading the threaded hole 93A relative to the second frame 8, the second frame 8 is connected to the connecting member 9. Similarly, the left side plate 94 and the first frame 7 are connected to the connecting member 9. Furthermore, the box mounting portion 27 is a region defined by the first frame 7, the second frame 8, and the connecting member 9.

[0045] The rigidity of the connecting component 9 is lower than that of the stainless steel first frame 7 and second frame 8. In this embodiment, the connecting component 9 is made of synthetic resin. With the first support shaft 41 fixed to the first frame 7 and second frame 8 in the first shaft holes 71 and 81, and the second support shaft 52 fixed to the first frame 7 and second frame 8 in the second shaft holes 72 and 82, the centers 4C and 5C are arranged parallel to each other. As a result, the direction of the parallel traveling portion of the printing medium M conveyed by the impression roller 4 is orthogonal to the extension direction of the print head 50, ensuring the printing accuracy of the printing medium M. Assuming that the first shaft hole 81 and the second shaft hole 82 of the second frame 8 are not directly opposite the first shaft hole 71 and the second shaft hole 72 of the first frame 7, but are arranged in a staggered position, even in this case, the center 4C of the first support shaft 41 and the center 5C of the second support shaft 52 remain parallel to each other due to elastic deformation of the connecting component 9, which has a lower rigidity than the first frame 7 and the second frame 8.

[0046] Reference Figures 6-8 The structure of ribbon cartridge 3 will be explained. Furthermore, in... Figure 7 and Figure 8 The illustration of color band 39 is omitted in the text.

[0047] like Figure 6As shown, the housing 30 includes a first housing 31 and a second housing 32. The first housing 31 is a cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction and constitutes the rear part of the housing 30. After the first housing 31 covers... Figure 7 and Figure 8 The first spool 370 is described and houses the ribbon 39 used before the printing operation. The first housing 31 includes a first body 311, a first end portion 314, a first opening 312, a first rib 313, a first gear 316, a first gear cover 315, and a first protrusion 317. The first body 311 forms the side portion of the cylindrical first housing 31. The rear upper portion of the first body 311 has a cut extending in the left-right direction. The first end portion 314 is the portion corresponding to the bottom portion on the left side of the cylindrical first housing 31, forming the left end portion of the first housing 31. The first rib 313 is a plate-like portion extending in the left-right direction, protruding from the front upper portion of the first body 311 towards the rear upper portion. The first opening 312 is an opening formed in the rear upper portion of the first housing 31, surrounded by the upper end portion of the cut of the first body 311, the rear upper portion of the first end portion 314, and the upper end portion of the first rib 313. The first opening 312 communicates with the first receiving portion 31A. The first receiving section 31A is the internal region of the first housing 31, which is divided into a generally cylindrical shape by the inner wall of the first main body 311. The ribbon 39 received in the first receiving section 31A is pulled out from the first opening 312 and placed on the first rib 313. The upper end of the first rib 313 that the ribbon 39 abuts against is rounded.

[0048] The first gear 316 is a gear located at the center of the first end portion 314. The first gear cover 315 is a cover component that covers the first gear 316 from the left side. A cutout 315A is provided at the upper front slope of the first gear cover 315, through which a portion of the gear of the first gear 316 is exposed. A through hole 315B is provided at the center of the first gear cover 315, penetrating the left surface of the first gear cover 315. The first protrusion 317 is a shaft-shaped protrusion that protrudes to the left from the upper part of the first end portion 314.

[0049] A hole 318 is provided at the center of the first end 314, serving as a circular hole passing through the first end 314. The first gear 316 has a shaft 316A extending to the right from the right surface of the gear. The diameter of the hole 318 is larger than the outer diameter of the shaft 316A. A torsion spring 316B is inserted into the right end of the shaft 316A.

[0050] The first spool 370 is housed in the first housing portion 31A. The first spool 370 includes a shaft portion 360, a gear connecting portion 340, and a flange portion 350. The shaft portion 360 is a shaft-shaped portion extending along the extending direction of the first body 311 of the first housing 31. A through hole 361 extending along the axis 37C of the shaft portion 360 is provided in the shaft portion 360. Hereinafter, the extending direction of the axis 37C when the first spool 370 is housed in the first housing portion 31A is referred to as the first direction. In this embodiment, the first direction is consistent with the left-right direction. One end of the ribbon 39 used for printing is fixed to the shaft portion 360, and the ribbon 39 is wound around the fixed end. Furthermore, the first end portion 314 is an end portion covering one side of the first body 311 of the first spool 370 in the first direction. A first protrusion 317 protrudes from the first end portion 314 along the first direction.

[0051] The gear connecting portion 340 is located at one end of the first housing 31 facing the first end 314 of the first housing 31, with the first spool 370 housed in the first receiving portion 31A. The gear connecting portion 340 is a component externally fitted to the shaft portion 316A and torsion spring 316B of the first gear 316, transmitting the rotation of the first gear 316 to the shaft portion 360. The gear connecting portion 340 includes an insertion shaft portion 341, a circular flange 342, and a first spool rib 343. The insertion shaft portion 341 is a shaft-like portion extending in a first direction. The circular flange 342 is a plate-like portion that forms the left end of the gear connecting portion 340 and extends radially outward from the left end of the insertion shaft portion 341, and is circular in side view. The outer diameter of the circular flange 342 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the shaft portion 360. The outer diameter of the insertion shaft portion 341 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the through hole 361 of the shaft portion 360. A stepped portion 344 protrudes outward from the outer surface of the insertion shaft portion 341 with a predetermined width at its left end. The shaft portion 360 has a cutout 362 at its left end, with a width approximately the same as the stepped portion 344, facing the right side. The insertion shaft portion 341 is inserted into the inner side of the through hole 361 from the left end of the shaft portion 360. By fitting the stepped portion 344 into the cutout 362, the gear connecting portion 340 is fixed in a state where rotation is prevented relative to the shaft portion 360. The first spool rib 343 is a cylindrical rib protruding in a first direction from the circular flange 342, centered on the axis 37C. The outer diameter of the first spool rib 343 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the insertion shaft portion 341.

[0052] The inner edge of the first spool rib 343 communicates with the inner edge of the insertion shaft portion 341, forming a recess 346 that extends from the left end of the first spool rib 343 to the right. The recess 346 is sized to accommodate the shaft portion 316A of the first gear 316 to which the torsion spring 316B is externally mounted. At the right end of the recess 346, a mechanism is provided for engaging the right arm of the torsion spring 316B. Figure 9The engaging portion 349 is shown. The shaft portion 316A of the first gear 316 has an engaging portion (not shown) for engaging the left arm of the torsion spring 316B. A recess 316C, recessed to the right, is provided in the center of the first gear 316.

[0053] The end of the first housing 31 that is opposite to the first end 314 in the first direction and connected to the plate-shaped portion 301 is referred to as the first other end of the first housing 31. A flange portion 350 is formed at one end of the first housing 31 facing the first other end of the first housing 31 when the first spool 370 is housed in the first receiving portion 31A. The flange portion 350 includes an insertion shaft portion 351, a first flange portion 352, and a cylindrical portion 353. The insertion shaft portion 351 is a shaft-shaped portion extending in the first direction. The outer diameter of the insertion shaft portion 351 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the through hole 361 of the shaft portion 360. The insertion shaft portion 351 is inserted into the inside of the through hole 361 from the right end of the shaft portion 360. The first flange portion 352 is a plate-shaped portion that is circular in side view and extends radially outward from the right end of the insertion shaft portion 351. The outer diameter of the first flange portion 352 corresponds to the inner diameter of the first body 311, i.e., the diameter of the cylindrical first receiving portion 31A. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the first flange portion 352 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the first body 311, with the difference between the outer diameter of the first flange portion 352 and the inner diameter of the first body 311 being approximately 0.1 mm. Therefore, the first housing 31 is positioned relative to the first reel 370 such that the axis 37C of the first reel 370 housed in the first receiving portion 31A is positioned at the center of the first body 311. Furthermore, in the first receiving portion 31A, the first reel 370 is arranged in a state where it can rotate around the axis 37C. The cylindrical portion 353 is a cylindrical component that protrudes to the right from the right surface of the first flange portion 352.

[0054] The second housing 32 has a substantially the same shape as the first housing 31 and forms the front portion of the housing 30. The second housing 32 covers the... Figure 7 and Figure 8The described second spool 380 houses the ribbon 39 used after the printing process. The second housing 32 includes a second body 321, a second end portion 324, a second opening 322, a second rib 323, a second gear 326, a second gear cover 325, and a second protrusion 327. The second body 321 forms the side portion of the cylindrical second housing 32. The rear-sloping upper portion of the second body 321 has a cut extending in the left-right direction. The second end portion 324 is the portion corresponding to the bottom left side of the cylindrical second housing 32, forming the left end portion of the second housing 32. The second rib 323 is a plate-like portion protruding upward from the rear-sloping upper portion of the second body 321 and extending in the left-right direction. The second opening 322 is an opening formed in the rear-sloping upper portion of the second housing 322, surrounded by the upper end portion of the cut of the second body 321, the rear-sloping upper portion of the second end portion 324, and the upper end portion of the second rib 323. The second opening 322 communicates with the second receiving portion 32A. The second receiving section 32A is the internal region of the second housing 32, which is divided into a generally cylindrical shape by the inner wall of the second main body 321. After the printing operation, the ribbon 39, which is used to print, comes into contact with the second rib 323 and is received inside the second receiving section 32A through the second opening 322. The upper end of the second rib 323, which the ribbon 39 contacts, is rounded.

[0055] The second gear 326 is a gear located at the center of the second end portion 324. The second gear cover 325 is a cover component that covers the second gear 326 from the left side. A cutout 325A is provided at the front of the second gear cover 325, through which a portion of the gear of the second gear 326 protrudes. A through hole 325B is provided at the center of the second gear cover 325, penetrating the left surface of the second gear cover 325. The second protrusion 327 is a shaft-shaped protrusion that protrudes to the left from the rear of the second end portion 324.

[0056] A hole 328 is provided at the center of the second end 324, serving as a circular hole passing through the second end 324. The second gear 326 has a shaft 326A extending to the right from the right surface of the gear. The diameter of the hole 328 is larger than the outer diameter of the shaft 326A. A torsion spring 326B is inserted into the right end of the shaft 326A.

[0057] A second spool 380 is housed in the second receiving portion 32A. The second spool 380 includes a shaft portion 381, a second flange portion 382, ​​and a gear connecting portion 383. The shaft portion 381 is a shaft-shaped portion extending along the extending direction of the second body 321 of the second housing 32. Hereinafter, the extending direction of the axis 38C of the shaft portion 381 when the second spool 380 is housed in the second receiving portion 32A is referred to as the second direction. In this embodiment, the second direction is consistent with the left-right direction, and the first direction is parallel to the second direction. One end of the ribbon 39 used after the printing operation is fixed to the shaft portion 381, and a continuous ribbon 39 is wound around the fixed end. Furthermore, the second end portion 324 is an end portion covering one side of the second body 321 in the second direction of the second spool 380. A second protrusion 327 protrudes from the second end portion 324 along the second direction.

[0058] The gear connecting portion 383 is one end of the second housing 32 disposed towards the second end 324 of the second housing 32 with the second spool 380 housed in the second housing portion 32A. The gear connecting portion 383 is a plate-shaped portion that extends radially outward from the left end of the shaft portion 381 and is circular when viewed from the side. The outer diameter of the gear connecting portion 383 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the second flange portion 382, ​​which will be described later, and corresponds to the inner diameter of the second body 321. The second spool rib 385 is a cylindrical rib that protrudes to the left from the gear connecting portion 383 along a second direction and is centered on the axis 38C. The inner edge of the second spool rib 385 communicates with the inner side of the shaft portion 381 and forms a recess 386 that is recessed to the right from the left end of the second spool rib 385. The recess 386 is sized to accommodate the shaft portion 326A of which the second gear 326 with the torsion spring 326B is externally mounted. At the right end of the recess 386, there is a mechanism for engaging with the right arm of the torsion spring 326B. Figure 9 The engaging portion 389 is shown. The shaft portion 326A of the second gear 326 has an engaging portion (not shown) for engaging the left arm of the torsion spring 326B. A recess 326C, recessed to the right, is provided in the center of the second gear 326.

[0059] The end of the second housing 32 that is opposite to the second end 324 in the second direction and connected to the plate-shaped portion 301 is referred to as the second other end of the second housing 32. The second flange portion 382 is the end of the second housing 32 that is disposed toward the second other end of the second housing 32 when the second spool 380 is housed in the second housing portion 32A. The second flange portion 382 is a plate-shaped portion that extends radially outward from the right end of the shaft portion 381 and is circular when viewed from the side. The outer diameter of the second flange portion 382 corresponds to the inner diameter of the second body 321, that is, the diameter of the cylindrical second housing portion 32A. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the second flange portion 382 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the second body 321, and the difference between the outer diameter of the second flange portion 382 and the inner diameter of the second body 321 is about 0.1 mm. Thus, the second spool 380 is positioned relative to the second housing 32 with the axis 38C of the second spool 380 housed in the second housing portion 32A disposed at the center of the second body 321. Furthermore, in the second receiving section 32A, the second spool 380 is configured to rotate around the axis 38C. The cylindrical section 388 is a cylindrical component that protrudes to the right from the right surface of the second flange section 382.

[0060] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, a plate-shaped portion 301, which is approximately parallelogram-shaped when viewed from the side and extends vertically, is provided at the right end of the housing 30. The right end of the first main body 311 is connected to the lower rear portion of the plate-shaped portion 301, and the right end of the second main body 321 is connected to the upper front portion of the plate-shaped portion 301. The plate-shaped portion 301 has openings 303 and 304, which correspond to the positions where the first main body 311 and the second main body 321 are connected, and penetrate the plate-shaped portion 301 in the left-right direction with the same shape as the first main body 311 and the second main body 321. Opening 303 communicates with the first receiving portion 31A. Opening 304 communicates with the second receiving portion 32A.

[0061] A first cap 331 and a second cap 332 are provided on the left surface of the housing cover 33. The first cap 331 is a cylindrical shape that protrudes to the left along the axis 37C from the rear part of the left surface of the housing cover 33 and is open on the left side. The outer diameter of the first cap 331 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the opening 303 and the first receiving portion 31A. A first support shaft 335 and a cylindrical portion 333 are provided inside the first cap 331. The first support shaft 335 protrudes to the left along the axis 37C from the center of the bottom inside the first cap 331. The cylindrical portion 333 is a cylindrical component that protrudes to the left along the axis 37C from the outside of the first support shaft 335. The second cap 332 is a generally cylindrical shape that protrudes to the left along the axis 38C from the front part of the left surface of the housing cover 33 and is open on the left side. The outer diameter of the second cap 332 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the opening 304 and the second receiving portion 32A. A second support shaft 336 and a cylindrical portion 334 are provided inside the second cap 332. The second support shaft 336 protrudes to the left from the center of the bottom inside the second cap 332 along the axis 38C. The cylindrical part 334 is a cylindrical component that protrudes to the left from the outside of the second support shaft 336 along the axis 38C. Helical springs 33A and 33B are inserted into the first support shaft 335 and the second support shaft 336, respectively.

[0062] A housing cover 33 is installed on the housing 30, which houses the first spool 370 in the first housing portion 31A and the second spool 380 in the second housing portion 32A. A first cap 331 is inserted into the opening 303 of the first main body 311 that houses the first spool 370 in the first housing portion 31A. The cylindrical portion 353 of the first flange portion 352 is inserted between the cylindrical portion 333 of the first cap 331 and the first support shaft 335, and a coil spring 33A is disposed inside the cylindrical portion 353 in a slightly compressed state. The coil spring 33A, whose right end abuts against the inside of the cylindrical portion 333, presses the inside of the cylindrical portion 353 to the left. The rotational load acting on the first spool 370 due to the coil spring 33A pressing the inside of the cylindrical portion 353 to the left is smaller than the torque acting on the first spool 370 due to the rotation of the first gear 316. Therefore, the first flange 352 is supported by a helical spring 33A so that it can rotate relative to the first cap 331.

[0063] The second cap 332 is inserted into the opening 304 of the second main body 321, which houses the second spool 380 within the second receiving portion 32A. The cylindrical portion 388 of the second flange 382 is inserted between the cylindrical portion 334 of the second cap 332 and the second support shaft 336. A coil spring 33B is positioned inside the cylindrical portion 388 in a slightly compressed state. The coil spring 33B, with its right end abutting against the inside of the cylindrical portion 334, presses the inside of the cylindrical portion 388 to the left. The rotational load acting on the second spool 380 due to the coil spring 33B pressing the inside of the cylindrical portion 388 to the left is smaller than the torque acting on the second spool 380 due to the rotation of the second gear 326. Therefore, the second flange 382 is supported by the coil spring 33B to allow it to rotate relative to the second cap 332.

[0064] Reference Figure 9 The structure of the first end 314 of the first housing 31 and the second end 324 of the second housing 32 will be described in detail. For example... Figure 9 As shown in region W1, the first end 314 has a cylindrical first housing rib 319 protruding from the right surface of the first end 314 toward the inner side of the first body 311 along a first direction. The inner edge of the first housing rib 319 communicates with the inner edge of the hole 318. The outer diameter of the first housing rib 319 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the first spool rib 343. Therefore, when the first spool 370 is housed in the first receiving portion 31A and the housing cover 33 is mounted on the housing 30, the first spool rib 343 engages with the outer side of the first housing rib 319. Thus, the first spool 370 is positioned relative to the first housing 31 with the axis 37C of the first spool 370 housed in the first receiving portion 31A positioned at the center of the first body 311. Since the first spool rib 343 can slidably engage with the first housing rib 319, even when the first spool 370 rotates around the axis 37C, the axis 37C remains positioned at the center of the first body 311.

[0065] like Figure 9As shown in region W2, the second end 324 has a cylindrical second housing rib 329 protruding in a second direction from the right surface of the second end 324 toward the inner side of the second body 321. The inner edge of the second housing rib 329 communicates with the inner edge of the hole 328. The outer diameter of the second housing rib 329 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the second spool rib 385. Therefore, when the second spool 380 is housed in the second housing portion 32A and the housing cover 33 is mounted on the housing 30, the second spool rib 385 engages with the outer side of the second housing rib 329. Thus, the second spool 380 is positioned relative to the second housing 32 with the axis 38C of the second spool 380 housed in the second housing portion 32A positioned at the center of the second body 321. Since the second spool rib 385 can slidably engage with the second housing rib 329, even when the second spool 380 rotates around the axis 38C, the axis 38C remains positioned at the center of the second body 321.

[0066] Reference Figure 10 The configuration of the first protrusion 317 in the first end 314 of the first housing 31 and the configuration of the second protrusion 327 in the second end 324 of the second housing 32 will be explained using a left side view of the ribbon cartridge 3 viewed from a direction parallel to the first and second directions. When the ribbon cartridge 3 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 27 of the housing 2, the first protrusion 317 and... Figures 3-5 The first hole 73 in the opposite face 7A of the first frame 7 shown is fitted. The roughness of the first protrusion 317 is approximately the same as the diameter of the first hole 73 in the opposite face 7A of the first frame 7. When viewed from the left side, the length M1 between the top end of the first rib 313 and the first protrusion 317 is shorter than the length L1 between the top end of the first rib 313 and the axis 37C.

[0067] When the ribbon cartridge 3 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 27 of the housing 2, the second protrusion 327 engages with the second hole 74 in the opposing surface 7A of the first frame 7. The thickness of the second protrusion 327 is approximately the same as the diameter of the second hole 74 in the opposing surface 7A of the first frame 7. When viewed from the same left side, the length M2 between the top end of the second rib 323 and the second protrusion 327 is shorter than the length L2 between the top end of the second rib 323 and the axis 38C.

[0068] The installation method of the ribbon cartridge 3 relative to the cartridge mounting part 27 and the printing operation of the printing apparatus 1 will be explained. To ensure the printing quality of the printing apparatus 1, the ribbon cartridge 3 needs to be positioned during the printing operation so as not to misalign with the housing 2, and the conveyed ribbon 39 is stably disposed inside the housing 2. The user inserts the first end 314 of the first housing 31 and the second end 324 of the second housing 32 into the cartridge insertion port 26 on the right wall 2R of the housing 2, thus installing the ribbon cartridge 3 onto the cartridge mounting part 27. In the ribbon cartridge 3, the ribbon 39, with one end fixed to the first spool 370 and the other end fixed to the second spool 380, is sequentially mounted on the first spool 370, the first rib 313, the second rib 323, and the second spool 380. By setting the first rib 313 and the second rib 323, tension is applied to the ribbon 39 mounted between the first spool 370 and the first rib 313, between the first rib 313 and the second rib 323, and between the second rib 323 and the second spool 380. Thus, the ribbon 39 is smoothly conveyed. The ribbon 39 positioned between the first rib 313 and the second rib 323 is a parallel-traveling portion of the ribbon 39, which is received inside the housing 2 from the opening connection 263 of the cartridge insertion port 26 and positioned between the impression roller 4 and the printing head 50.

[0069] When the first end 314 of the first housing 31 approaches the first frame 7, the first shaft portion 77 of the opposing surface 7A is inserted into the recess 316C of the first gear 316 from the left through the through hole 315B of the first gear cover 315. When the second end 324 of the second housing 32 approaches the first frame 7, the second shaft portion 78 of the opposing surface 7A is inserted into the recess 326C of the second gear 326 from the left through the through hole 325B of the second gear cover 325. Thus, the first end 314 of the first housing 31 and the second end 324 of the second housing 32 are guided in a manner that is substantially perpendicular to the opposing surface 7A. When the user presses the ribbon cartridge 3 further to the left, the first protrusion 317 of the first end 314 and the second protrusion 327 of the second end 324 engage with the first hole 73 and the second hole 74 of the opposing surface 7A, respectively. Therefore, with the first end 314 of the first housing 31 and the second end 324 of the second housing 32 positioned relative to the positions of the first hole 73 and the second hole 74, the first end 314 of the first housing 31 and the second end 324 of the second housing 32 are fixed to the first frame 7. Furthermore, the opening 83 of the second frame 8 is larger than the box insertion opening 26. Therefore, when the ribbon box 3 is attached to or detached from the box mounting portion 27 via the box insertion opening 26, the ribbon box 3 does not contact the opening 83, thus preventing damage to the ribbon box 3.

[0070] The length of the first body 311 in the first direction and the length of the second body 321 in the second direction are approximately the same as the length between the first frame 7 and the second frame 8, respectively. Therefore, the portion of the first body 311 near the plate-like portion 301 engages with the first opening 261 of the box insertion port 26, and the portion of the second body 321 near the plate-like portion 301 engages with the second opening 262 of the box insertion port 26. That is, the first other end of the first housing 31 is supported while being positioned by the first opening 261, and the second other end of the second housing 32 is supported while being positioned by the second opening 262. In this state, the first gear 75 disposed on the opposing surface 7A meshes with the first gear 316 exposed from the cutout 315A of the first gear cover 315. The second gear 76 disposed on the opposing surface 7A meshes with the second gear 326 exposed from the cutout 325A of the second gear cover 325. The ribbon 39, which travels in parallel between the first rib 313 and the second rib 323, is positioned between the impression roller 4 and the printing head 50.

[0071] The user operating lever component 6 operates via the operating section 6B, while the ink ribbon 39 and the printing medium M are held side-by-side by the impression roller 4 and the support section 51. At this time, the impression roller 4 contacts the printing medium M from above, and the print head 50 contacts the ink ribbon 39 from below. In addition, the print head 50, supported by the support section 51, is pressed against the impression roller 4 by the elastic force of a pair of springs 57. As described above, the center 4C of the first support shaft 41 supporting the impression roller 4 and the center 5C of the second support shaft 52 supporting the printing unit 5 are kept in a parallel alignment.

[0072] The user inputs a command to switch 21 to start the printing operation. The printing apparatus 1 begins the printing operation. The control unit (not shown) of the printing apparatus 1 controls the drive unit to transport the printing medium M. Additionally, the control unit drives the motor 79. The first gear 75 and the second gear 76 rotate in response to the drive of the motor 79. In this embodiment, when the impression roller 4 rotates forward, the control unit causes the motor 79 to rotate forward, and correspondingly, the second gear 76 rotates. Corresponding to the rotation of the second gear 76, the second gear 326 rotates. Through the force of the torsion spring 326B generated by the rotation of the second gear 326, the second spool 380 rotates with a constant torque. As a result, the ribbon 39 is drawn from the first spool 370, transported between the first rib 313 and the second rib 323, and then wound onto the second spool 380. Furthermore, when the impression roller 4 rotates in reverse, the control unit causes the motor 79 to rotate in reverse, and correspondingly, the first gear 75 rotates. Corresponding to the rotation of the first gear 75, the first gear 316 rotates. The first spool 370 rotates with a constant torque due to the force of the torsion spring 316B generated by the rotation of the first gear 316. As a result, the ribbon 39 is drawn from the second spool 380 and, after being conveyed between the second rib 323 and the first rib 313, is wound onto the first spool 370.

[0073] When the ribbon 39 is being conveyed, a load is intermittently applied to the first rib 313 toward the axis 37C of the first spool 370, corresponding to the tension generated in the ribbon 39. A load is also intermittently applied to the second rib 323 toward the axis 38C of the second spool 380, corresponding to the tension generated in the ribbon 39. As described above, the length M1 is shorter than the length L1. Furthermore, the length M2 is shorter than the length L2. That is, viewed from the first direction, the first protrusion 317 is supported at the first hole 73 of the first frame 7 at a position closer to the axis 37C relative to the first rib 313. Viewed from the second direction, the second protrusion 327 is supported at the second hole 74 of the first frame 7 at a position closer to the axis 38C relative to the second rib 323. Therefore, even when a load is intermittently applied to the first rib 313 and the second rib 323 due to the conveying of the ribbon 39, the first end 314 of the first housing 31 and the second end 324 of the second housing 32 are stably supported relative to the first frame 7.

[0074] At the first end 314 of the first housing 31, the first spool rib 343 of the first spool 370 engages with the outer side of the first housing rib 319. At the second end 324 of the second housing 32, the second spool rib 385 of the second spool 380 engages with the outer side of the second housing rib 329. Furthermore, at the first other end of the first housing 31, the outer diameter of the first flange portion 352 of the first spool 370 corresponds to the diameter of the first receiving portion 31A. At the second other end of the second housing 32, the outer diameter of the second flange portion 382 of the second spool 380 corresponds to the diameter of the second receiving portion 32A. Therefore, the position of the first spool 370, rotating around the axis 37C, inside the first receiving portion 31A is stable. Similarly, the position of the second spool 380, rotating around the axis 38C, inside the second receiving portion 32A is stable. The control unit heats the print head 50 in conjunction with the transport of the printing medium M and the ribbon 39. As a result, the ribbon 39 is heated, and ink is transferred to the printing medium M. The printing medium M, which has been transferred with ink, is discharged from the discharge section 22.

[0075] As explained above, when the ribbon cartridge 3 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 27 of the housing 2, the first protrusion 317 provided on the first end 314 of the first housing 31 of the ribbon cartridge 3 engages with the first hole 73 on the opposite surface 7A of the first frame 7. Furthermore, the second protrusion 327 provided on the second end 324 of the second housing 32 engages with the second hole 74 on the opposite surface 7A. Thus, the first end 314 of the first housing 31 and the second end 324 of the second housing 32 are fixed to the first frame 7 in a position based on the positions of the first hole 73 and the second hole 74. Therefore, the ribbon cartridge 3 does not increase the number of components in the printing apparatus 1, but improves the positioning accuracy of the ribbon cartridge 3 inside the cartridge mounting portion 27 of the housing 2.

[0076] Viewed from the first direction, the length M1 between the top end of the first rib 313 and the first protrusion 317 is shorter than the length L1 between the top end of the first rib 313 and the axis 37C. Viewed from the second direction, the length M2 between the top end of the second rib 323 and the second protrusion 327 is shorter than the length L2 between the top end of the second rib 323 and the axis 38C. That is, viewed from the first direction, at a position closer to the axis 37C relative to the first rib 313, the first protrusion 317 positions the first end 314 into the first hole 73 of the first frame 7. Viewed from the second direction, at a position closer to the axis 38C relative to the second rib 323, the second protrusion 327 positions the second end 324 into the second hole 74 of the first frame 7. Therefore, even if the first rib 313 and the second rib 323 are intermittently loaded due to the conveying of the ribbon 39, the first end 314 and the second end 324 can be stably supported relative to the first frame 7.

[0077] With the first protrusion 317 engaged with the first hole 73 and the first end 314 of the first housing 31 positioned relative to the first hole 73 of the first frame 7, the other end of the first housing 31 engages with the first opening 261 in the box insertion slot 26 of the side plate portion 25. With the second protrusion 327 engaged with the second hole 74 and the second end 324 of the second housing 32 positioned relative to the second hole 74 of the first frame 7, the other end of the second housing 32 engages with the second opening 262 in the box insertion slot 26. That is, in the ribbon cassette 3 mounted on the box mounting portion 27, both the ends of the first housing 31 and the second housing 32 facing the first frame 7 and the ends facing the side plate portion 25 are positioned relative to the printing apparatus 1. Therefore, for example, even if the width of the ribbon 39 is large, the ribbon cassette 3 can stabilize the position of the ribbon 39 relative to the printing apparatus 1.

[0078] Since the outer diameter of the first flange portion 352 of the first reel 370 corresponds to the inner diameter of the first body 311 of the first housing 31, the alignment of the axis 37C of the first reel 370 relative to the first housing 31 is stable. Similarly, for the second reel 380, since the outer diameter of the second flange portion 382 corresponds to the inner diameter of the second body 321 of the second housing 32, the alignment of the axis 38C of the second reel 380 relative to the second housing 32 is stable. Therefore, even when the first reel 370 and the second reel 380 are engaged in winding the ribbon 39, misalignment of the first reel 370 and the second reel 380 relative to the ribbon cartridge 3 can be prevented.

[0079] The first spool rib 343 protrudes in a first direction from a circular flange 342 located at one end of the first spool 370 facing the first end 314 of the first housing 31. The first housing rib 319 protrudes in a first direction from the right surface of the first end 314 toward the inside of the first body 311. The first spool 370 is positioned relative to the first housing 31 by engaging the outer sides of the first spool rib 343 and the first housing rib 319, such that the axis 37C of the first spool 370, which is housed in the first receiving portion 31A, is positioned at the center of the first body 311. The second spool rib 385 protrudes in a second direction from a gear connecting portion 383 located at one end of the second spool 380 facing the second end 324 of the second housing 32. The second housing rib 329 protrudes in a second direction from the right surface of the second end 324 toward the inside of the second body 321. By engaging the second spool rib 385 with the outer side of the second housing rib 329, the axis 38C of the second spool 380 housed in the second housing portion 32A is positioned relative to the second housing 32. Therefore, even during printing, the positions of the first spool 370 and the second spool 380 inside the ribbon cartridge 3 remain stable.

[0080] Since the first frame 7 is made of metal, the first hole 73 and the second hole 74 are precisely positioned relative to the opposing surface 7A of the first frame 7. Therefore, the ribbon cartridge 3 is precisely positioned relative to the cartridge mounting portion 27.

[0081] The first support shaft 41 supporting the impression roller 4 and the second support shaft 52 supporting the printing unit 5 are arranged parallel to each other by fitting into the first shaft holes 71, 81 and the second shaft holes 72, 82 respectively provided in the first frame 7 and the second frame 8. The rigidity of the connecting member 9 connecting the lower part of the first frame 7 and the lower part of the second frame 8 is lower than that of the first frame 7 and the second frame 8. Even if the first shaft holes 81 and 82 of the second frame 8 are not directly opposite to the first shaft holes 71 and 72 of the first frame 7, but are arranged in a staggered position, the first support shaft 41 and the second support shaft 52 can still be kept in a parallel arrangement by the elastic deformation of the connecting member 9. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 can maintain the positional relationship between the impression roller 4 and the printing head 50 with good precision inside the housing 2, ensuring printing quality.

[0082] In the above embodiments, the ribbon cartridge 3 is an example of the "ribbon cartridge" of the present invention. The ribbon 39 is an example of the "ribbon" of the present invention. The first housing 31 is an example of the "first housing" of the present invention. The first rib 313 is an example of the "first rib" of the present invention. The first end portion 314 is an example of the "first end portion" of the present invention. The first protrusion 317 is an example of the "first protrusion" of the present invention. The first housing rib 319 is an example of the "first housing rib" of the present invention. The second housing 32 is an example of the "second housing" of the present invention. The second rib 323 is an example of the "second rib" of the present invention. The second end portion 324 is an example of the "second end portion" of the present invention. The second protrusion 327 is an example of the "second protrusion" of the present invention. The second housing rib 329 is an example of the "second housing rib" of the present invention. The first spool 370 is an example of the "first spool" of the present invention. The first flange portion 352 is an example of the "first flange portion" of the present invention. The first spool rib 343 is an example of the "first spool rib" of the present invention. The second spool 380 is an example of the "second spool" of the present invention. The second flange portion 382 is an example of the "second flange portion" of the present invention. The second roll rib 385 is an example of the "second roll rib" of the present invention. The printing device 1 is an example of the "printing device" of the present invention. The side plate portion 25 is an example of the "side plate portion" of the present invention. The first opening portion 261 is an example of the "first opening portion" of the present invention. The second opening portion 262 is an example of the "second opening portion" of the present invention. The first frame 7 is an example of the "first frame" of the present invention. The first hole portion 73 is an example of the "first hole portion" of the present invention. The second hole portion 74 is an example of the "second hole portion" of the present invention. The second frame 8 is an example of the "second frame" of the present invention. The connecting member 9 is an example of the "connecting member" of the present invention. The impression roller 4 is an example of the "impression roller" of the present invention. The first support shaft 41 is an example of the "first support shaft" of the present invention. The printing head 50 is an example of the "printing head" of the present invention. The second support shaft 52 is an example of the "second support shaft" of the present invention. The first shaft holes 71 and 81 are examples of the "third hole portion" of the present invention. The second shaft holes 72 and 82 are examples of the "fourth hole" of the present invention.

[0083] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the first direction and the second direction may not be parallel. Therefore, the axis 37C and the axis 38C may also extend in directions that intersect each other.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the first spool 370 is integrally composed of three parts: a shaft portion 360, a flange portion 350, and a gear connecting portion 340. The first spool 370 can be composed of two or four or more parts, or it can be composed of a single part. Similarly, the second spool 380 can also be composed of multiple parts, just like the first spool 370.

[0085] In the end of the first spool 370, the outer diameter of the first flange portion 352, located at least at the end of the first receiving portion 31A facing the first other end of the first housing 31, can correspond to the inner diameter of the first body 311. In the end of the second spool 380, the outer diameter of the second flange portion 382, ​​located at least at the end of the second receiving portion 32A facing the second other end of the second housing 32, can correspond to the inner diameter of the second body 321. Therefore, in the first spool 370, the outer diameter of the circular flange 342, located at the end of the first receiving portion 31A facing the first end 314, can also correspond to the inner diameter of the first body 311, just like the first flange portion 352. In the second spool 380, the outer diameter of the gear connecting portion 383, located at the end of the second receiving portion 32A facing the second end 324, can also be smaller than the inner diameter of the second body 321, rather than corresponding to it.

[0086] The outer diameter of the first flange 352 only needs to be a size corresponding to the inner diameter of the first body 311, and a size that allows for smooth rotation about the axis 37C when the first spool 370 is housed in the first receiving portion 31A. Therefore, it is also possible for the outer diameter of the first flange 352 to be approximately the same as the inner diameter of the first body 311, and for the first spool 370 to rotate about the axis 37C, for the outer edge of the first flange 352 to slide on the inner wall of the first body 311. Similarly, the outer diameter of the second flange 382, ​​and the inner diameter of the second body 321, only need to be a size that allows for smooth rotation about the axis 38C when the second spool 380 is housed in the second receiving portion 32A. Therefore, it is also possible for the outer diameter of the second flange 382 to be approximately the same as the inner diameter of the second body 321, and for the second spool 380 to rotate about the axis 38C, for the outer edge of the second flange 382 to slide on the inner wall of the second body 321.

[0087] The first flange portion 352 may not be perfectly circular when viewed from the first direction. For example, the first flange portion 352 may be a shape with a partial cutout of a circle when viewed from the first direction. As long as the outer diameter of the first flange portion 352, defined by the uncut portion, corresponds to the inner diameter of the first body 311, the axis 37C of the first spool 370 is stably positioned relative to the first housing 31. The same applies to the second flange portion 382. The first receiving portion 31A, divided by the inner wall of the first body 311, may also not be perfectly circular when viewed from the first direction. For example, it may be a partial cutout of the first body 311. Alternatively, three or more ribs may be provided along the first direction on the inner wall of the first body 311, and the inner diameter of the first body 311 may be determined by these three or more ribs. As long as the outer diameter of the first flange portion 352 corresponds to the inner diameter of the first body 311 defined by the three or more ribs, the axis 37C of the first spool 370 is stably positioned relative to the first housing 31. In this case, the inner diameter of the first main body 311 is easily managed. The same applies to the second housing section 32A and the second main body 321.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 uses different materials to construct the first frame 7, the second frame 8, and the connecting member 9, thereby making the rigidity of the connecting member 9 lower than that of the first frame 7 and the second frame 8. For example, the first frame 7 and the second frame 8 and the connecting member 9 can also be constructed of the same material, and the rigidity of the connecting member 9 can be made lower than that of the first frame 7 and the second frame 8 by manipulating the thickness of the construct, the shape of the construct, the composition of the material, the processing of the material, etc.

[0089] Symbol Explanation

[0090] 1 Printing apparatus

[0091] 3-color ribbon box

[0092] 4 Impression Rollers

[0093] 7 First Framework

[0094] 8 Second Frame

[0095] 9 connecting parts

[0096] 25 Side Panel Section

[0097] 31 First Shell

[0098] 32 Second shell

[0099] 39-color ribbon

[0100] 41 First support shaft

[0101] 50 printing heads

[0102] 52 Second Support Shaft

[0103] 71, 81 First shaft hole

[0104] 72, 82 Second shaft holes

[0105] 261 First opening

[0106] 262 Second opening

[0107] 313 First Rib

[0108] 314 First end

[0109] 317 first convex part

[0110] 319 First Shell Rib

[0111] 323 Second Rib

[0112] 324 Second end

[0113] 327 second convex part

[0114] 329 Second shell rib

[0115] 343 First scroll rib

[0116] 352 First flange

[0117] 370 First Scroll

[0118] 380 Second Scroll

[0119] 382 Second flange

[0120] 385 Second Roll Rib

Claims

1. A printing apparatus, characterized in that, have: The outer casing has an opening; A box mounting portion, which communicates with the opening and is disposed inside the housing; A first frame, located inside the housing, having a first opening and a second opening; as well as A ribbon cartridge, which is mounted on the cartridge mounting section. The ribbon cartridge has: First scroll; A first housing that covers the first reel; Second scroll; A second housing that covers the second reel; The first rib is disposed on the first housing; The second rib is disposed on the second housing. A ribbon, one end of which is wound around the first spool and the other end of which is wound around the second spool, and is sequentially mounted on the first spool, the first rib, the second rib, and the second spool from the one end to the other end; A first protrusion protrudes from a first end of the first housing on one side of a first direction extending from the first reel, and in the state where the ribbon cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, the first protrusion engages with the first hole. The second protrusion protrudes from a second end of the second housing on one side of the second direction extending from the second reel, and in the state where the ribbon cartridge is mounted on the printing device, the second protrusion engages with the second hole. as well as A housing cover, the shape of which is the same as that of the opening, and the thickness of the housing cover in the first direction is the same as the depth of the opening in the first direction. When the ribbon cartridge is installed in the cartridge mounting part, the housing cover blocks the opening.

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, Viewed from the first direction, the length between the first rib and the first protrusion is shorter than the length between the axis of the first roll and the first rib. Viewed from the second direction, the length between the second rib and the second protrusion is shorter than the length between the axis of the second roll and the second rib.

3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The outer diameter of the first housing corresponds to the inner diameter of the first opening, which is located inside the printing device in a side plate portion opposite to the first frame. The outer diameter of the second housing corresponds to the inner diameter of the second opening provided in the side plate portion. With the first protrusion engaged with the first hole, the end of the first housing opposite to the first end engages with the first opening. When the second protrusion engages with the second hole, the end of the second housing opposite to the second end engages with the second opening.

4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first reel has a first flange portion, which is formed at least at one end of the first reel facing the end opposite to the first end of the first housing, and protrudes radially outward from the first reel. The second spool has a second flange portion, which is formed at least at one end of the second spool facing the end opposite to the second end of the second housing, and protrudes radially outward from the second spool. The outer diameter of the first flange corresponds to the inner diameter of the first housing. The outer diameter of the second flange corresponds to the inner diameter of the second housing.

5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first reel has a cylindrical first reel rib that protrudes along the first direction from one end of the first reel facing the first end, and is centered on the axis of the first reel. The second reel has a cylindrical second reel rib that protrudes along the second direction from one end of the second reel facing the second end, and is centered on the axis of the second reel. The first housing has a first housing rib that protrudes cylindrically from the first end toward the inside of the first housing along the first direction. The second housing has a second housing rib that protrudes cylindrically from the second end toward the inside of the second housing along the second direction. The first scroll is positioned relative to the first housing by engaging with the outer side of the first housing rib. The second reel is positioned relative to the second housing by engaging with the outer side of the second housing rib.

6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, When the ribbon cartridge is installed in the printing apparatus, the first protrusion and the second protrusion respectively engage with the first hole and the second hole provided in the first metal frame.

7. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, It also has: A first support shaft supports the impression roller. The second support shaft supports the printing head; A second frame, configured relative to the first frame; as well as A connecting component that connects the first frame to the second frame. Each of the first frame and the second frame has a third hole for engaging the end of the first support shaft and a fourth hole for engaging the end of the second support shaft. The first support shaft engages with the third hole of each of the first and second frames, and the second support shaft engages with the fourth hole of each of the first and second frames, such that the first support shaft and the second support shaft are arranged parallel to each other. The rigidity of the connecting component is lower than that of the first frame and the second frame.

Images