Printing tape cartridge

Abstract

Provided is a printing tape cartridge capable of inputting a driving force from a drive shaft to both an internal shaft and a gear while suppressing an increase in size. A printing tape cartridge is attachable to and detachable from a printing apparatus body having a drive shaft that rotates about an axis. The printing tape cartridge includes: a first tape; a shaft capable of rotating about a rotation axis parallel to the first direction, the shaft winding or winding the first tape; a first engagement portion provided on the shaft and configured to transmit a driving force of the driving shaft to the shaft; and an input gear disposed at a different position from the shaft in the first direction and cooperating with another gear for transmitting the driving force of the driving shaft to the other gear. In the state of being installed on the printing equipment body, the first matching part and the input gear are matched with the driving shaft at different positions in the first direction.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the application with application number 202080068255.5, application date September 15, 2020, and invention name “Printing tape box”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a printing tape cassette. Background Art

[0003] In an apparatus that prints on a tape, the tape is replaced and supplied by attaching and detaching a tape cassette containing the tape to and from a main body (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-56263 Summary of the Invention

[0005] The tape cassette winds up the tape by rotating a take-up shaft. The take-up shaft rotates when driving force is transmitted from the main body of the printing device to the take-up shaft via the drive shaft. In the tape cassette, a gear may be required inside the cassette to, for example, transmit the driving force for conveying the tape. It may also be necessary to transmit the driving force from the main body of the printing device to the gear via the drive shaft.

[0006] Therefore, the space for inserting the drive shaft for driving the take-up shaft and the space for inserting the drive shaft for driving the gear are required inside the tape cassette. As a result, the size of the tape cassette becomes larger in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction (i.e., the insertion direction) of these drive shafts.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a printing tape cartridge capable of inputting driving force from a driving shaft to both an internal shaft and a gear while suppressing an increase in size.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention provides a printing tape cartridge capable of being attached to and detached from a printing device body having a drive shaft rotatable about an axis. The printing tape cartridge includes: a first tape; a shaft rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to a first direction and wound around or to be wound around the first tape; a first mating portion provided on the shaft for transmitting a driving force of the drive shaft to the shaft; and an input gear disposed at a position different from the shaft in the first direction and mating with other gears for transmitting the driving force of the drive shaft to the other gears.

[0009] In a state of being mounted on the printing apparatus body, the first engaging portion and the input gear engage with the drive shaft at positions different from each other in the first direction.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention provides a printing tape box, comprising: a first tape; a cylindrical shaft, a hollow portion defined by an inner circumferential surface; shaft-side spline teeth protruding from the inner circumferential surface toward the hollow portion, to which a driving force is input from the outside; an input gear, arranged at a position different from the shaft in the first direction, and mating with other gears; and a mating portion, provided on the input gear, to which the driving force from the outside is input.

[0011] The shaft is rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the first direction, and is wound around the first belt or is about to be wound around the first belt. At least a portion of the fitting portion overlaps with the hollow portion in the first direction.

[0012] The above structure allows driving force to be transmitted from a single drive shaft to the shaft and input gear located at different positions in the axial direction relative to the shaft's rotational axis (i.e., in the direction in which the drive shaft is inserted). Therefore, while suppressing an increase in the size of the printing tape cartridge in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the drive shaft is inserted, driving force can be input to both the shaft and the input gear. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1A 、 Figure 1B and Figure 1C is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the printing tape cassette is removed from the printing apparatus body in the printing apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B and Figure 2C yes Figure 1A A schematic three-dimensional diagram of a printing tape box in a printing device.

[0015] Figure 3 yes Figure 2A A schematic exploded perspective view of a printing tape cassette.

[0016] Figure 4 yes Figure 2A Schematic bottom view of the printing tape box.

[0017] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Schematic cross-sectional view of line VV.

[0018] Figure 6A yes Figure 2A A schematic perspective view of a first frame portion of a printing tape cassette, Figure 6B yes Figure 2A A schematic three-dimensional view of the second frame portion in the printing tape box.

[0019] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view showing Figure 2CThe first housing portion of the printing tape cassette is removed.

[0020] Figure 8 It is an explanation Figure 2A Schematic diagram of the paths of the printing tape and ink ribbon in the printing tape cassette.

[0021] Figure 9A yes Figure 2C A schematic cross-sectional view of the IXA-IXA line, Figure 9B yes Figure 2C A schematic cross-sectional view of line IXB-IXB, Figure 9C yes Figure 2C A schematic cross-sectional view of the IXC-IXC line, Figure 9D yes Figure 2C Schematic cross-sectional view of the IXD-IXD line.

[0022] Figure 10 yes Figure 1A A schematic top view of a printing device body in a printing device.

[0023] Figure 11 It shows Figure 1A Schematic diagram of the matching state of the output gear and the pressure plate gear in the printing device.

[0024] Figure 12A 、 Figure 12B 、 Figure 12C and Figure 12D They are shown and Figure 1A Schematic diagrams of the positional relationship between the drive shaft and the mating part of the printing device according to different embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] [1. First embodiment]

[0026] [1-1. Structure]

[0027] Figure 1A 、 Figure 1B and Figure 1C The printing apparatus 1 shown includes a printing tape cassette 10 and a printing apparatus body 100. The printing apparatus 1 is an apparatus for performing printing on a tape-shaped printing medium.

[0028] In this embodiment, the axial direction of the output gear 18 of the printing tape box 10 and the axial direction of the pressure plate gear 104 of the printing device body 100 are the up and down directions. In the direction perpendicular to the up and down directions, the direction in which the output gear 18 and the input shaft 16 are arranged (that is, the direction in which the pressure plate gear 104 and the drive shaft 105 are arranged) is the front-to-back direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the up and down directions and the front-to-back directions is the left-to-right direction.

[0029] <Printing device>

[0030] The printing apparatus body 100 includes a cassette insertion portion 101 , a print head 102 , a platen roller 103 , a platen gear 104 , a drive shaft 105 , and a housing 110 .

[0031] (Cassette insertion area)

[0032] The cassette insertion portion 101 is a recessed portion for mounting the printing tape cassette 10. The cassette insertion portion 101 has a function of positioning the printing tape cassette 10. The cassette insertion portion 101 is provided in the housing 110.

[0033] (Print Head)

[0034] The print head 102 is arranged inside the cassette insertion portion 101. The print head 102 has a plurality of heating elements whose heating can be individually controlled.

[0035] (Pressing roller)

[0036] The platen roller 103 has a rotation axis L1 parallel to the vertical direction. The platen roller 103 is arranged near the print head 102 inside the cassette insertion portion 101. The platen roller 103 can swing in a direction toward or away from the print head 102.

[0037] (Pressure plate gear)

[0038] The platen gear 104 is connected to the platen roller 103. In this embodiment, the rotation axis L2 of the platen gear 104 is arranged on the same line as the rotation axis L1 of the platen roller 103. The platen gear 104 can swing together with the platen roller 103.

[0039] (Drive shaft)

[0040] The drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input shaft 16. The drive shaft 105 rotates the input shaft 16.

[0041] The drive shaft 105 is disposed inside the cassette insertion portion 101. The rotation axis L3 of the drive shaft 105 is parallel to the vertical direction. The drive shaft 105 is rotated about the rotation axis L3 by a driving source (eg, a motor) not shown.

[0042] <Printing tape cassette>

[0043] The printing tape cassette 10 stores printing media and can be attached to and detached from the printing apparatus body 100. By replacing the printing tape cassette 10, the printing media can be replenished or the type of printing media (eg, color, material, etc.) can be changed.

[0044] like Figure 2A 、 2BAs shown in FIG2C , the printing tape cartridge 10 includes a housing 35 for accommodating the printing tape 11A, the ink ribbon 14A (an example of a first tape), and the like. The outer shape of the printing tape cartridge 10 (i.e., the shape of the housing 35) is a rectangular parallelepiped having sides parallel to the vertical direction, sides parallel to the front-to-back direction, and sides parallel to the left-to-right direction. The housing 35 includes a first housing portion 31, a first frame portion 32, a second frame portion 33, and a second housing portion 34.

[0045] like Figure 3 As shown, the printing tape cassette 10 includes a printing tape roll 11, a first supply shaft 12, spacers 13A and 13B, an ink ribbon roll 14, a second supply shaft 15, an input shaft 16, shaft-side spline teeth 16B (an example of a first mating portion), a clutch spring retaining portion 17, an output gear 18, an input gear 19 and an idler gear 20.

[0046] (Printing tape roll)

[0047] The printing tape roll 11 winds a printing tape 11A to be printed on around a first supply shaft 12 .

[0048] The printing tape roll 11 is cylindrical and has a printing tape 11A wound around a winding center axis parallel to the vertical direction. The hollow portion is defined by the inner circumference of the wound printing tape 11A.

[0049] The printing tape roll 11 is provided with a first supply shaft 12 in a hollow portion defined by the printing tape 11A. Printing is performed on the surface of the printing tape 11A by the print head 102 of the printing apparatus body 100 and the ink ribbon 14A.

[0050] Two spacers 13A and 13B are disposed on the outer sides of the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction, sandwiching the printing tape roll 11. The spacers 13A and 13B are disposed between the printing tape roll 11 and the first housing portion 31, and between the printing tape roll 11 and the first frame portion 32.

[0051] (First supply shaft)

[0052] The first supply shaft 12 is rotatable about a rotation axis L4 and rotates as the platen roller 103 of the printing apparatus body 100 conveys the printing tape 11A, thereby supplying the printing tape 11A to the print head 102 .

[0053] (Ink Ribbon Roll)

[0054] The ink ribbon roll 14 winds an ink ribbon 14A for printing on the printing tape 11A around the second supply shaft 15 .

[0055] The ink ribbon 14A overlaps the printing tape 11A at the print head opening 33B and is used for printing by the print head 102. The ink ribbon 14A used for printing is taken up by the input shaft 16.

[0056] The clutch spring held by the clutch spring holding portion 17 applies rotational resistance to the ink ribbon roll 14. At least a portion of the ink ribbon roll 14 is disposed at a position overlapping the printing ribbon roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0057] (Second supply shaft)

[0058] The second supply shaft 15 is rotatable about a rotation axis L5. The rotation axis L5 of the second supply shaft 15 is parallel to the rotation axis L4 of the first supply shaft 12, that is, parallel to the vertical direction.

[0059] The second supply shaft 15 rotates as the input shaft 16 takes up the ink ribbon 14A, thereby supplying the ink ribbon 14A to the print head 102 .

[0060] (Input shaft)

[0061] The input shaft 16 is rotatable about a rotation axis L6 . The rotation axis L6 of the input shaft 16 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply shaft 15 .

[0062] The input shaft 16 is cylindrical, with a hollow portion defined by an inner circumferential surface 16A. The input shaft 16 serves as a take-up shaft for the ink ribbon 14A. Specifically, the input shaft 16 takes up the ink ribbon 14A supplied from the ribbon reel 14 to form a take-up reel 14B. The input shaft 16 is rotated by the drive shaft 105 via shaft-side spline teeth 16B.

[0063] The take-up reel 14B winds the ink ribbon 14A around the input shaft 16 about a winding center axis parallel to the vertical direction. The take-up reel 14B has a cylindrical shape, and a hollow portion is defined by an inner peripheral surface.

[0064] (Shaft side spline teeth)

[0065] The shaft-side spline teeth 16B are provided on the inner peripheral surface 16A of the input shaft 16. The shaft-side spline teeth 16B transmit the driving force of the driving shaft 105 of the printing apparatus body 100 to the input shaft 16.

[0066] The shaft-side spline teeth 16B protrude from the inner circumferential surface 16A of the input shaft 16 toward the hollow portion of the input shaft 16. When the printing tape cartridge 10 is mounted in the printing apparatus body 100, the drive shaft 105 is inserted into the hollow portion of the input shaft 16 (i.e., the take-up tape spool 14B), and the shaft-side spline teeth 16B engage with the drive shaft 105. Thus, driving force is input from the drive shaft 105 to the shaft-side spline teeth 16B.

[0067] (Output gear)

[0068] The output gear 18 is a single-stage gear that outputs the driving force for conveying the printing tape 11A to the outside.

[0069] Specifically, the output gear 18 outputs driving force to the platen gear 104 of the printing apparatus body 100. The rotation axis L7 of the output gear 18 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply shaft 15. The output gear 18 overlaps the cover portion 32B in the vertical direction.

[0070] A portion of the output gear 18 is exposed in the print head opening 33B. When the printing tape cartridge 10 is mounted in the printing apparatus body 100, the output gear 18 engages with the platen gear 104 in the print head opening 33B.

[0071] The second supply shaft 15, the output gear 18 and the printing tape roll 11 are arranged in the order of the second supply shaft 15, the output gear 18 and the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction. That is, the output gear 18 is located between the second supply shaft 15 and the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0072] (Input gear)

[0073] The input gear 19 indirectly cooperates with the output gear 18 via the idler gear 20 , and transmits the driving force of the drive shaft 105 to the output gear 18 .

[0074] The input gear 19 includes a gear body 19A, a wall portion 19B, and gear-side spline teeth 19C (an example of a second fitting portion).

[0075] The gear body 19A is a single-stage gear that cooperates with the idler gear 20 .

[0076] Wall portion 19B is a cylindrical shaft extending downward from a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of gear body 19A and having a hollow portion defined by an inner peripheral surface. Wall portion 19B is arranged radially inward of input gear 19 relative to its pitch circle.

[0077] The gear-side spline teeth 19C are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the wall portion 19B. That is, the gear-side spline teeth 19C are arranged radially inward of the pitch circle of the input gear 19. The gear-side spline teeth 19C protrude toward the rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19.

[0078] The gear-side spline teeth 19C engage with the drive shaft 105 when the printing tape cartridge 10 is mounted in the printing apparatus body 100. Thus, driving force is input from the drive shaft 105 to the gear-side spline teeth 19C. The driving force input to the gear-side spline teeth 19C causes the gear body 19A and the wall portion 19B to rotate integrally.

[0079] The rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19 (i.e., the rotation axis of the gear body 19A and the rotation axis of the wall portion 19B) vertically overlaps with the hollow portion of the input shaft 16 (i.e., the take-up reel 14B). Furthermore, the input gear 19 is arranged so that the rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19 and the rotation axis L6 of the input shaft 16 are aligned. Furthermore, the gear body 19A of the input gear 19 is arranged at a different position in the vertical direction than the input shaft 16 and the take-up reel 14B.

[0080] Specifically, the input shaft 16 , a portion of the input gear 19 (i.e., the gear body 19A), and the printing tape roll 11 are arranged in this order in the vertical direction.

[0081] like Figure 4 As shown, in a projection of the input shaft 16 and input gear 19 onto a virtual plane perpendicular to the vertical direction (i.e., viewing the printing tape cartridge 10 from below), the diameter of the inscribed circle C1 of the shaft-side spline teeth 16B is larger than the diameter of the inscribed circle C2 of the gear-side spline teeth 19C. Furthermore, at least a portion of the gear-side spline teeth 19C overlaps with the hollow portion of the input shaft 16 in the vertical direction.

[0082] like Figure 5 As shown, the wall portion 19B is inserted into the hollow portion of the input shaft 16 (i.e., the take-up reel 14B). Specifically, the lower end of the wall portion 19B is inserted into the input shaft 16 to a position where it does not overlap with the shaft-side spline teeth 16B in the radial direction of the input shaft 16.

[0083] Since the rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19 vertically overlaps the hollow portion of the input shaft 16 , the drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input shaft 16 (ie, the take-up reel 14B) and the input gear 19 simultaneously.

[0084] Thus, when the printing tape cartridge 10 is mounted on the printing apparatus body 100, the shaft-side spline teeth 16B and the input gear 19 (i.e., the gear-side spline teeth 19C) engage with the drive shaft 105 at different positions in the vertical direction. As a result, the input gear 19 is not directly coupled to the input shaft 16, but is rotated by the same drive source (i.e., the drive shaft 105) as the input shaft 16.

[0085] (Idler)

[0086] The idler gear 20 is engaged with the input gear 19 and the output gear 18. The idler gear 20 transmits the driving force input to the input gear 19 to the output gear 18. The rotation axis L9 of the idler gear 20 is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0087] The idler gear 20 is a segmented gear formed by coaxially arranging a large gear 20A that matches the input gear 19 and a small gear 20B that matches the output gear 18. The diameter of the small gear 20B is smaller than the diameter of the large gear 20A.

[0088] The pinion gear 20B is located closer to the printing tape roll 11 than the large gear 20A in the vertical direction (ie, above the large gear 20A). The idler gear 20 constitutes a speed reduction mechanism for reducing the rotational speed of the driving force input to the input gear 19 .

[0089] (case)

[0090] like Figure 3 As shown, the first housing portion 31 forms the upper end portion of the printing tape cartridge 10. The first frame portion 32 is arranged below the first housing portion 31 and is vertically connected to the first housing portion 31. The second frame portion 33 is arranged below the first frame portion 32 and is vertically connected to the first frame portion 32. The second housing portion 34 forms the lower end portion of the printing tape cartridge 10. The second housing portion 34 is vertically connected to the second frame portion 33.

[0091] The first housing portion 31 and the first frame portion 32 accommodate the printing tape roll 11. That is, the printing tape roll 11 is arranged in a space surrounded by the first housing portion 31 and the first frame portion 32.

[0092] The second case portion 34 and the second frame portion 33 accommodate the ink ribbon roll 14 , the second supply shaft 15 , and the input shaft 16 .

[0093] A portion of the output gear 18 , the input gear 19 , and the idler gear 20 are arranged in a space surrounded by the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33 .

[0094] like Figure 6A As shown, the first frame portion 32 includes a first side wall 32A, a cover portion 32B, a first guide portion 32C, and a second partition wall 32G.

[0095] The first side wall 32A constitutes a side surface of the printing tape cassette 10 that is parallel to the up-down direction.

[0096] The cover portion 32B has a surface perpendicular to the vertical direction. The cover portion 32B is arranged at a position that overlaps with the output gear 18 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the cover portion 32B is arranged at the right front corner of the first frame portion 32.

[0097] The second partition wall 32G is disposed on the opposite side of the input gear 19 from the input shaft 16 in the vertical direction (ie, above the input gear 19). The second partition wall 32G vertically separates the input gear 19 and the print tape roll 11.

[0098] The second partition wall 32G includes a first gear shaft 32D, a second gear shaft 32E, a third gear shaft 32F, a gear facing surface 32H, and a support surface 32J (see Figure 5 ).

[0099] The first gear shaft 32D is inserted into the output gear 18 to rotatably support the output gear 18. The second gear shaft 32E is inserted into the input gear 19 to rotatably support the input gear 19. The third gear shaft 32F is inserted into the idler gear 20 to rotatably support the idler gear 20.

[0100] The gear facing surface 32H is a surface perpendicular to the vertical direction and is arranged above the output gear 18, the input gear 19, and the idler gear 20. The first gear shaft 32D, the second gear shaft 32E, and the third gear shaft 32F respectively protrude downward from the gear facing surface 32H.

[0101] The support surface 32J is arranged on the opposite side of the gear facing surface 32H in the up-down direction, and supports the printing tape roll 11 from the input gear 19 side (ie, from below).

[0102] like Figure 7 As shown, the first guide portion 32C is where the printing tape 11A pulled from the printing tape roll 11 is wound. The first guide portion 32C includes a plurality of plate-like ribs spaced apart along the circumference of the printing tape roll 11. The ribs protrude radially from the printing tape roll 11, and the amount of protrusion (i.e., the width of the ribs) increases downward.

[0103] like Figure 3 and Figure 6B As shown, the second frame portion 33 includes a second side wall 33A, a print head opening N33B, a discharge opening N33C, a second guide portion 33D, a first partition wall 33E, and a hole 33F. The second side wall 33A constitutes a side surface of the printing tape cartridge 10 parallel to the vertical direction.

[0104] The print head opening 33B is a portion of the second side wall 33A that has been cut away. When the printing tape cartridge 10 is installed in the printing apparatus body 100, the print head 102 is inserted from below into the print head opening 33B, thereby positioning the print head 102 within the opening. The print head opening 33B opens at the bottom of the printing tape cartridge 10.

[0105] The second guide portion 33D is where the printing ribbon 11A, which has passed through the first guide portion 32C, is wound. Similar to the first guide portion 32C, the second guide portion 33D has a plurality of plate-like ribs spaced apart along the circumference of the ribbon roll 14. The ribs protrude radially from the ribbon roll 14, and the amount of protrusion (i.e., the width of the ribs) decreases downward.

[0106] The first partition wall 33E vertically separates the gear body 19A of the input gear 19 from the input shaft 16 and supports the input gear 19 from the input shaft 16 side (i.e., from below). The first partition wall 33E is located vertically between the gear body 19A of the input gear 19 and the input shaft 16 (i.e., the take-up reel 14B) and extends in the front-to-rear direction and the left-to-right direction.

[0107] The hole 33F is provided in the first partition wall 33E, penetrating the first partition wall 33E in the vertical direction. The hole 33F is provided at a position overlapping with the gear body 19A of the input gear 19 and the second gear shaft 32E in the vertical direction.

[0108] like Figure 5 As shown, the wall portion 19B of the input gear 19 is inserted through the hole 33F into the hollow portion of the input shaft 16 (i.e., the take-up reel 14B). Furthermore, the gear body 19A of the input gear 19 is disposed vertically between the gear-facing surface 32H of the first partition wall 33E and the second partition wall 32G.

[0109] The tip end (i.e., the lower end) of the second gear shaft 32E is located closer to the gear facing surface 32H in the vertical direction than the end 19D (i.e., the lower end) of the wall portion 19B, which is farthest from the gear facing surface 32H. In other words, the tip end of the second gear shaft 32E is located above the wall portion 19B, and the second gear shaft 32E does not penetrate the wall portion 19B.

[0110] The second gear shaft 32E has a recess 321 whose tip is recessed toward the gear facing surface 32H. When the printing tape cartridge 10 is mounted in the printing apparatus body 100, the end 105A of the driving shaft 105 is inserted into the recess 321.

[0111] The diameter of the second gear shaft 32E is smaller than the inner diameter of the wall portion 19B (ie, the diameter of the hollow portion). In addition, the diameter of the end portion 105A of the drive shaft 105 is smaller than the diameter of the other portion of the drive shaft 105 .

[0112] like Figure 5 As shown, the housing 35 has a first surface 35A defining an upper outer contour of the housing 35 and a second surface 35B defining a lower outer contour of the housing 35 at a position spaced apart from the first surface 35A in the up-down direction.

[0113] The first surface 35A and the second surface 35B intersect with the vertical direction. In addition, the input shaft 16 and the input gear 19 are arranged between the first surface 35A and the second surface 35B in the vertical direction.

[0114] In the vertical direction, a first distance D1 between the end portion of the input gear 19 on the first surface 35A side (i.e., the upper end) and the first surface 35A is greater than a second distance D2 between the end portion of the input gear 19 on the second surface 35B side (i.e., the lower end) and the second surface 35B. Furthermore, in the vertical direction, the first distance D1 is greater than a third distance D3 between the end portion of the ink ribbon 14A (i.e., the take-up spool 14B) on the second surface 35B side (i.e., the lower end) and the second surface 35B of the ink ribbon 14A wound around the input shaft 16.

[0115] <Belt Conveying>

[0116] like Figure 8 As shown, the print ribbon 11A and ink ribbon 14A are stretched horizontally at the print head opening 33B. The printed print ribbon 11A is discharged from the discharge port 33C to the outside of the printing apparatus 1. A portion of the output gear 18 is located within the print head opening 33B. Furthermore, the cover portion 32B is exposed within the print head opening 33B.

[0117] like Figure 9A 、 9B As shown in FIGS. 9C and 9D , the first guide portion 32C and the second guide portion 33D constitute a path for conveying the printing tape 11A constituting the printing tape roll 11 from the first frame portion 32 to the second frame portion 33 .

[0118] Specifically, if Figure 9A As shown, the printing tape 11A pulled out from the printing tape roll 11 abuts the first guide portion 32C from the radially outer side of the printing tape roll 11 in a spiral manner while being transported downward and rearward within the first frame portion 32. Figure 9B As shown, the printing tape 11A is conveyed toward the lower left while straddling the connecting portion between the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33 in the vertical direction.

[0119] like Figure 9C As shown in FIG. 1 , the printing tape 11A that has reached the second frame portion 33 is conveyed downward and forward while contacting the second guide portion 33D from the radially outer side. Figure 9D As shown, the printing tape 11A that has reached the lower end of the printing tape cassette 10 passes through the print head opening 33B and is discharged from the discharge port 33C.

[0120] <Tape Feeding and Printing by Printing Device Body>

[0121] The print head 102 prints on the printing tape 11A held by the printing tape cassette 10. The print head 102 is arranged in a position overlapping the printing tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A in the front-rear direction in the print head opening 33B when the printing tape cassette 10 is mounted in the printing apparatus body 100.

[0122] The platen roller 103 presses the printing tape 11A fed to the print head opening 33B against the heating element of the print head 102 via the ink ribbon 14A. This transfers part of the ink on the surface of the ink ribbon 14A to the printing tape 11A, printing characters and symbols on the printing tape 11A.

[0123] The platen roller 103 conveys the printing tape 11A from the inside to the outside of the printing tape cassette 10 . The platen roller 103 abuts against the printing tape 11A at the print head opening 33B, pressing the printing tape 11A against the print head 102 .

[0124] The platen gear 104 is connected to the platen roller 103 and cooperates with the output gear 18. The platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 can be Figure 10 The position shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is separated from the printing tape cassette 10. Figure 11 The pressure plate gear 104 is shown oscillating between positions where it cooperates with the output gear 18 .

[0125] The drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input shaft 16 and the input gear 19 and engages with the shaft-side spline teeth 16B and the gear-side spline teeth 19C, thereby rotating the input shaft 16 and the input gear 19 .

[0126] like Figure 11 As shown, when the printing tape cartridge 10 is installed in the printing apparatus body 100, the drive shaft 105 engages with the input gear 19, and the platen gear 104 engages with the output gear 18. Specifically, the drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input shaft 16 and input gear 19 of the printing tape cartridge 10. Then, the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 swing toward the print head opening 33B of the printing tape cartridge 10.

[0127] When the printing tape cartridge 10 is installed, the input gear 19 is rotated by the drive shaft 105 , thereby rotating the output gear 18 . The rotation of the output gear 18 rotates the platen gear 104 , and the rotation of the platen gear 104 rotates the platen roller 103 .

[0128] [1-2. Effect]

[0129] According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.

[0130] (1a) It is possible to transmit driving force from the single drive shaft 105 to the input shaft 16 and the input gear 19, which are located at different positions in the axial direction of the rotation axis L6 of the input shaft 16 (i.e., the insertion direction of the drive shaft 105). Therefore, it is possible to input driving force to both the input shaft 16 and the input gear 19 while suppressing an increase in the size of the printing tape cartridge 10 in the directions perpendicular to the insertion direction of the drive shaft 105 (i.e., the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction).

[0131] (1b) By using the shaft-side spline teeth 16B as a fitting portion for transmitting driving force from the drive shaft 105 to the input shaft 16, the input shaft 16 can be rotated while the drive shaft 105 penetrates the input shaft 16. As a result, the layout space of the drive system can be reduced.

[0132] (1c) By using the gear-side spline teeth 19C as a mating portion for transmitting driving force from the drive shaft 105 to the input gear 19, the input shaft 16 and the input gear 19 can be arranged so as to overlap in the radial direction of the drive shaft 105. As a result, the layout space of the drive system can be reduced.

[0133] (1d) The first partition wall 33E can appropriately maintain the vertical positional relationship between the input gear 19 and the input shaft 16. As a result, the efficiency of transmitting the driving force to the shaft-side spline teeth 16B and the gear-side spline teeth 19C can be improved.

[0134] (1e) Since the second gear shaft 32E has the recess 321, positional deviation between the drive shaft 105 and the printing tape cartridge 10 in the radial direction of the drive shaft 105 can be suppressed. As a result, the efficiency of transmitting driving force to the shaft-side spline teeth 16B and the gear-side spline teeth 19C can be improved.

[0135] (1f) Since the first distance D1 is larger than the second distance D2 and the third distance D3, it is possible to suppress damage to the input gear 19 when the printing tape cartridge 10 is dropped.

[0136] [2. Other Implementation Methods]

[0137] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be implemented in various forms.

[0138] (2a) In the printing apparatus of the above embodiment, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion may each be a form other than spline teeth (e.g., external teeth disposed on the outer circumference of the shaft). Furthermore, when the printing tape cartridge is mounted in the printing apparatus body, the drive shaft does not necessarily need to be inserted into the input shaft.

[0139] Furthermore, the second mating portion of the input gear can be positioned so as not to overlap vertically with the hollow portion of the input shaft (i.e., the take-up reel). Furthermore, the wall portion is not limited to a cylindrical shape. For example, the wall portion can be formed from multiple plate members spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the input gear. Furthermore, the input gear does not necessarily need to have a wall portion; it can be a single-stage gear that directly mates with the drive shaft.

[0140] For example, Figure 12A As shown, when the printing tape cassette is installed in the printing device body, the drive shaft 221 can be inserted at a position offset relative to the input shaft 211, the first mating portion 212 and the input gear 201 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the drive shaft 221 (i.e., radially).

[0141] exist Figure 12A In the embodiment, the first engaging portion 212 is a single-stage gear connected to the input shaft 211 and engages with the first teeth 222 provided on the outer circumference of the drive shaft 221. In addition, the input gear 201 directly engages with the second teeth 223 provided on the outer circumference of the drive shaft 221.

[0142] In addition, for example, Figure 12B As shown, as input gear 201A, a single-stage gear having a through hole in the center for inserting drive shaft 221 can be used. Input gear 201A is engaged with second teeth 223 of drive shaft 221 via spline teeth provided on the inner circumference defining the through hole.

[0143] Figure 12B The input shaft 211A and the first engaging portion 212A correspond to the input shaft 16 and the shaft-side spline teeth 16B of the first embodiment, respectively. The first engaging portion 212A engages with the first teeth 222 of the drive shaft 221 .

[0144] In addition, for example, Figure 12C As shown, the input shaft 211 into which the drive shaft 221 is not inserted and the input gear 201A into which the drive shaft 221 is inserted can be used. Figure 12C The input gear 201A and Figure 12B The same, Figure 12C The input shaft 211 and the first matching portion 212 are Figure 12A The same.

[0145] In addition, for example, Figure 12D As shown, the input shaft 211A into which the drive shaft 221 is inserted and the input gear 201 into which the drive shaft 221 is not inserted can be used. Figure 12D The input gear 201 and Figure 12A The same, Figure 12D The input shaft 211A and the first mating portion 212A are Figure 12B The same.

[0146] (2b) The printing apparatus of the above embodiment is not limited to printing using an ink ribbon. The printing apparatus may use tape-shaped thermal paper instead of the printing ribbon in the first embodiment, and a laminated tape (ie, protective tape) instead of the ink ribbon.

[0147] Alternatively, the printing apparatus may use a perforated stencil tape on which a pattern is printed by a thermal head as the printing tape, and a tape-like backing paper to protect and support the stencil tape. In this case, the printing tape may be superimposed on the backing paper at a position closer to the print head than the backing paper (i.e., as an upper layer) or further away from the print head than the backing paper (i.e., as a lower layer) at the print head opening.

[0148] Furthermore, in addition to the printing tape and the ink ribbon, the printing apparatus may also use a laminated tape. That is, the printing tape cassette may be provided with a third supply shaft for supplying the laminated tape.

[0149] (2c) In the printing tape cassette of the above embodiment, the input shaft may be used as a supply shaft for winding a printing tape, an ink ribbon, or other tape and supplying the tape to the print head opening.

[0150] (2d) The printing tape cartridge of the above embodiment may have two or more idler gears. Furthermore, the idler gears are not necessarily segmented gears; they may also be single-stage gears. Furthermore, the printing tape cartridge does not necessarily need to have idler gears; the output gear may directly mate with the input gear.

[0151] (2e) The functions of a single component in the above-described embodiment may be dispersed across multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into a single component. Furthermore, some of the structures of the above-described embodiment may be omitted. Furthermore, at least a portion of the structures of the above-described embodiment may be supplemented by, replaced by, or otherwise adapted from structures of other embodiments. All embodiments encompassed by the technical concepts in the claims are embodiments of the present invention.

[0152] Description of Reference Numerals

[0153] 1: Printing device

[0154] 10: Printing tape cassette

[0155] 11: Printing tape roll

[0156] 11A: Printing tape

[0157] 12: First supply shaft

[0158] 14: Ink Ribbon Roll

[0159] 14A: Ink ribbon

[0160] 14B: Take-up coil

[0161] 15: Second supply shaft

[0162] 16: Input shaft

[0163] 16B: Shaft side spline teeth

[0164] 18: Output gear

[0165] 19: Input gear

[0166] 19A: Gear body

[0167] 19B: Wall

[0168] 19C: Gear side spline teeth

[0169] 20: Idler

[0170] 31: First housing part

[0171] 32: First frame portion

[0172] 32E: Second gear shaft

[0173] 32G: Second isolation wall

[0174] 32H: Gear opposite surface

[0175] 321: concave part

[0176] 33: Second frame part

[0177] 33E: First bulkhead

[0178] 33F: Hole

[0179] 34: Second housing part

[0180] 35: Shell

[0181] 100: Printing device body

[0182] 101: Cassette insertion section

[0183] 102: Print head

[0184] 103: Platen roller

[0185] 104: Pressure plate gear

[0186] 105: Drive shaft

Claims

1. A printing tape cartridge capable of being mounted on and removed from a printing device body having a drive shaft rotating about an axis, the printing tape cartridge comprising: First Zone; A shaft, rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the first direction, wound around the first belt or to be wound around the first belt; A first matching portion, disposed on the shaft, for transmitting the driving force of the driving shaft to the shaft; and an input gear, which is arranged at a position different from the shaft in the first direction and cooperates with other gears to transmit the driving force of the driving shaft to the other gears, In a state of being mounted in the printing apparatus body, the first engaging portion and the input gear engage with the driving shaft at positions different from each other in the first direction.

2. The printing tape cassette according to claim 1, wherein: The shaft is in the shape of a cylinder with a hollow portion defined by an inner circumferential surface. The first mating portion is a shaft-side spline tooth provided on the inner circumferential surface. When the drive shaft is installed in the printing device body, the drive shaft is inserted into the hollow portion of the shaft, and the shaft-side spline tooth is mated with the drive shaft.

3. The printing tape cassette according to claim 2, characterized in that: The input gear has a second mating portion arranged radially inward of the pitch circle of the input gear. The rotation axis of the input gear overlaps with the hollow portion of the shaft in the first direction. When installed on the printing device body, the second matching portion matches with the driving shaft.

4. The printing tape cassette according to claim 3, wherein: The input gear has a wall portion, the wall portion is arranged radially inside the pitch circle of the input gear, extends in the first direction, and is inserted into the hollow portion of the shaft. The second mating portion is a gear-side spline tooth provided on the wall portion and protruding toward the rotation axis of the input gear.

5. A printing tape box, comprising: First Zone; A cylindrical shaft, rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the first direction, wound around the first belt or to be wound around the first belt, with a hollow portion defined by an inner peripheral surface; A shaft-side spline tooth protrudes from the inner circumferential surface into the hollow portion and receives a driving force from the outside; an input gear, arranged at a position different from the shaft in the first direction and cooperating with other gears; as well as A mating portion, provided on the input gear, to which the driving force from the outside is input, At least a portion of the fitting portion overlaps the hollow portion in the first direction.

6. The printing tape cassette according to claim 5, characterized in that: The rotation axis of the input gear overlaps with the hollow portion of the shaft in the first direction. The input gear has a wall portion, the wall portion is arranged radially inside the pitch circle of the input gear, extends in the first direction, and is inserted into the hollow portion of the shaft. The mating portion is a gear-side spline tooth provided on the wall portion and protruding toward the rotation axis of the input gear.

7. The printing tape cassette according to claim 4 or 6, characterized in that: Also includes: a first partition wall located between a portion of the input gear and the shaft in the first direction and extending in a direction intersecting the first direction; as well as a hole penetrating the first partition wall in the first direction, The wall portion is inserted into the hollow portion of the shaft through the hole.

8. The printing tape cassette according to claim 7, characterized in that: further comprising a second partition wall, the second partition wall being arranged on the opposite side of the input gear and the shaft in the first direction, The second partition wall has: A gear shaft, inserted into the input gear; as well as a gear-opposing surface, the gear shaft protruding from the gear-opposing surface, In the first direction, a portion of the input gear is disposed between the first partition wall and the gear opposing surface. The tip end of the gear shaft is arranged at a position closer to the gear opposing surface than an end of the wall portion farthest from the gear opposing surface in the first direction.

9. The printing tape cassette according to claim 8, characterized in that: The head end of the gear shaft has a recessed portion that is recessed toward the opposite surface of the gear.

10. The printing tape cassette according to any one of claims 4, 6 to 9, characterized in that: In a projection diagram of the shaft and the input gear onto a virtual plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the input gear, a diameter of an inscribed circle of the shaft-side spline teeth is larger than a diameter of an inscribed circle of the gear-side spline teeth.

11. The printing tape cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: Also includes: Printing tape; as well as a supply shaft, on which the first tape is wound, The first tape is an ink ribbon for printing the print tape, and the shaft is a winding shaft for winding the ink ribbon.

12. The printing tape cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The invention also includes a housing, wherein at least a portion of the shaft and at least a portion of the input gear are disposed inside the housing, The housing has: a first surface defining an outer contour of the housing and intersecting the first direction; as well as A second surface defines an outer contour of the housing at a position away from the first surface in the first direction and intersects the first direction. The shaft and the input gear are arranged between the first surface and the second surface in the first direction, A first distance between an end of the input gear on the side where the first surface is located and the first surface in the first direction is greater than a second distance between an end of the input gear on the side where the second surface is located and the second surface, and the first distance in the first direction is greater than a third distance between an end of the first belt wound on the shaft on the side where the second surface is located and the second surface.

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