Printing apparatus and printing tape cartridge
By designing the tape box mounting part and gear system in the printing equipment, the driving force is transmitted to the platen roller only when the tape box is installed, the problem of unexpected rotation of the platen roller caused by uninstalling the tape box is solved, ensuring the stability of the printing process.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411281109.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2019-09-30
- Filing Date
- 2020-09-15
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-20
AI Technical Summary
In the printing device, the uninstalled tape cartridge causes the platen roller to rotate unexpectedly, which may cause the printing tape to get stuck.
By designing the tape cassette mounting part in the printing device and setting the input gear and output gear in the tape cassette, the driving force is transmitted to the pressing roller only when the tape cassette is installed, and accidental rotation when not installed is avoided.
It effectively suppresses the unexpected rotation of the pressing roller under the uninstalled box state, ensuring the stability and safety of the printing process.
Smart Images
Figure CN119159918A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional application of the application with application number 202080067936.X, application date September 15, 2020, and invention name “Printing device and printing tape box”. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to a printing device and a printing tape box. Background Art
[0003] In a printing device that prints using a printing tape, the printing tape is replaced and supplied by attaching and detaching a tape cassette that accommodates the printing tape to and from the printing device (see Patent Document 1).
[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-234772 Summary of the invention
[0005] In the above-mentioned printing device, the printing tape in the tape cassette is conveyed out of the tape cassette by the platen roller. The platen roller is rotationally driven by a driving source such as a motor.
[0006] However, if the platen roller rotates when the tape cassette is not installed in the printing device, unexpected problems may occur. For example, if the platen roller rotates in the middle of the tape cassette installation, the printing tape may get stuck.
[0007] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a printing tape cassette capable of suppressing unintended rotation of a platen roller.
[0008] One aspect of the present invention provides a printing device, comprising: a print head; a platen roller opposite to the print head; a driving source; a driving shaft drivingly connected to the driving source and capable of rotating around a rotation axis; a platen gear drivingly connected to the platen roller; and a tape box mounting portion, wherein the print head and the driving shaft are arranged on the tape box mounting portion.
[0009] The cassette mounting portion can mount a printing cassette having a printed tape, an input portion, and an output portion drivingly connected to the input portion along the axial direction of the rotation axis of the drive shaft. When the printing cassette is mounted on the cassette mounting portion, the drive shaft cooperates with the input portion, and the pressure plate gear cooperates with the output portion.
[0010] Another aspect of the present invention provides a printing tape cassette that can be installed on the printing device along the axial direction of the rotation axis of the driving shaft of the printing device. The printing device includes a print head, a platen roller opposite to the print head, a driving source, the driving shaft that is drivably connected to the driving source and can rotate around the rotation axis, a platen gear drivably connected to the platen roller, and a tape cassette mounting portion on which the print head and the driving shaft are arranged.
[0011] The printing tape cassette comprises: a printed tape, an input portion, and an output portion, which is drivingly connected to the input portion. When installed in the tape cassette installation portion, the input portion cooperates with the driving shaft, and the output portion cooperates with the pressure plate gear.
[0012] According to the above structure, the driving force from the driving source of the printing device is transmitted to the platen roller via the input part and the output part in the printing tape cassette. That is, the driving force is transmitted to the platen roller only when the printing tape cassette is installed in the printing device. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the platen roller from rotating accidentally when the printing tape cassette is not installed.
[0013] Another aspect of the present invention provides a printing tape cartridge, comprising: a housing; a printed tape, at least a portion of which is accommodated in the housing; a first gear having a first internal gear and a first external gear; a transmission gear or a transmission gear train, which cooperates with the first external gear; and a second gear having a second external gear which cooperates with the transmission gear or the transmission gear train. The first internal gear is entirely accommodated in the housing. A portion of the second external gear is located outside the housing.
[0014] According to the above structure, the driving force from the driving source of the printing device is transmitted to the platen roller via the first gear, the transmission gear or the transmission gear train, and the second gear in the printing tape cartridge. That is, the driving force is transmitted to the platen roller only when the printing tape cartridge is installed in the printing device. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the platen roller from rotating accidentally when the printing tape cartridge is not installed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] 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 in the printing system according to the embodiment.
[0016] Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C yes Figure 1A A schematic three-dimensional diagram of a printing tape box in a printing system.
[0017] Figure 3 yes Figure 2A A schematic exploded perspective view of a printing tape cassette.
[0018] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Schematic stereoscopic view of a clutch in a printing tape cassette.
[0019] Figure 5A yes Figure 2AA schematic cross-sectional view of line VV of FIG. Figure 5B yes Figure 5A A partial enlarged view of .
[0020] Figure 6 is a schematic three-dimensional diagram showing Figure 2A The first cover portion of the printing tape cassette is removed.
[0021] Figure 7 Yes Description Figure 2A Schematic diagram of the path of the printed tape and the ink ribbon in the printing tape cassette.
[0022] Fig. 8A yes Figure 2C A schematic cross-sectional view of line VIIIA-VIIIA of FIG. Figure 8B yes Figure 2C A schematic cross-sectional view of line VIIIB-VIIIB of FIG. Figure 8C yes Figure 2C A schematic cross-sectional view of the VIIIC-VIIIC line, Fig.8D yes Figure 2C Schematic cross-sectional view of the VIIΩD-VIIID line.
[0023] Fig. 9 yes Figure 1A Schematic top view of a printing device in a printing system.
[0024] Fig. 10A It is shown Figure 1A Schematic diagram of the disengagement state of the output gear and the platen gear in the printing system. Fig. 10B It is shown Figure 1A Schematic diagram of the matching state of the output gear and the pressure plate gear in the printing system.
[0025] Fig.11A and Fig. 11B is a schematic perspective view showing Figure 1A A state in which a printing tape cassette is removed from a printing device in a printing system according to various embodiments.
[0026] Fig.12 yes Fig.11A A schematic exploded perspective view of a printing tape cassette in a printing system.
[0027] Fig.13A yes Fig. 11B A schematic cross-sectional view of line XIIIA-XIIIA of FIG. Fig. 13B yes Fig.13A A partial enlarged view of .
[0028] Fig.14 yes Fig.11A Schematic top view of a printing device in a printing system.
[0029] Fig.15A It is shown Fig.11A Schematic diagram of the disengagement state of the output gear and the platen gear in the printing system. Fig. 15B It is shown Fig.11A Schematic diagram of the matching state of the output gear and the pressure plate gear in the printing system
[0030] Fig.16 is with Figure 1A and Fig.11A Schematic exploded perspective view of a printing tape cassette for a printing system according to various embodiments.
[0031] Fig.17 is with Figure 1A , Fig.11A and Fig.16 Schematic exploded perspective view of a printing tape cassette for a printing system according to various embodiments.
[0032] Fig.18 is with Figure 1A , Fig.11A , Fig.16 and Fig.17 Schematic exploded perspective view of a printing tape cassette for a printing system according to various embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] [1. First embodiment]
[0034] [1-1. Structure]
[0035] Figure 1A , 1B The printing system 1 shown in FIG1C includes a printing tape cassette 10 and a printing apparatus 100. The printing system 1 is an apparatus for performing printing on a tape-shaped printing medium.
[0036] In this embodiment, the axial direction of the output gear 18 is the up-down direction. In the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, the direction in which the output gear 18 and the input shaft 16 are arranged is the front-back direction. The direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the front-back direction is the left-right direction.
[0037] <Printing tape cassette>
[0038] The printing tape cassette 10 accommodates the printing medium. The printing tape cassette 10 can be attached to and detached from the printing apparatus 100. By replacing the printing tape cassette 10, the printing medium can be replenished or the type of the printing medium (for example, color, material, etc.) can be changed.
[0039] like Figure 2A , 2BAs shown in FIG. 2C , the printing tape cartridge 10 includes a housing 35 for accommodating a printed tape, an ink ribbon, etc. 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 up-down direction, sides parallel to the front-back direction, and sides parallel to the left-right direction.
[0040] The housing 35 is configured to be installed downward with respect to the printing apparatus 100. The housing 35 has a first cover portion 31, a first housing portion 32, a second housing portion 33, and a second cover portion 34.
[0041] like Figure 3 As shown, the printing tape cassette 10 includes a printed 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 (an example of a rotating shaft), a clutch 17, an output gear 18, an input gear 19 and an idler gear 20.
[0042] (Printed tape roll)
[0043] The printed tape roll 11 winds the printed tape to be printed on the first supply shaft 12. Printing is performed on the surface of the printed tape by a print head 102 and an ink ribbon of a printing apparatus 100 described later.
[0044] Two spacers 13A and 13B are arranged on the outer side of the printed tape roll 11 in the vertical direction to sandwich the printed tape roll 11. The spacers 13A and 13B are arranged between the printed tape roll 11 and the first cover part 31, and between the printed tape roll 11 and the first housing part 32.
[0045] (First supply axis)
[0046] The first supply shaft 12 is rotatable around a rotation axis, and rotates as a platen roller 103 of a printing apparatus 100 described later conveys a tape to be printed, thereby supplying the tape to be printed to a print head 102 .
[0047] (Ink Ribbon Roll)
[0048] The ink ribbon roll 14 winds an ink ribbon for printing on the tape to be printed around the second supply shaft 15 .
[0049] The ink ribbon is overlapped with the tape to be printed at a print head opening 33B described later, and is used for printing by the print head 102. The ink ribbon used for printing is taken up by an input shaft 16 described later.
[0050] (Second supply shaft)
[0051] The second supply shaft 15 is rotatable about a rotation axis. The rotation axis of the second supply shaft 15 is parallel to the rotation axis of the first supply shaft 12 , that is, parallel to the up-down direction. The second supply shaft 15 rotates along the first rotation direction to feed the ink ribbon from the ink ribbon roll 14 .
[0052] The second supply shaft 15 rotates as the input shaft 16 winds up the ink ribbon, thereby supplying the ink ribbon to the print head 102. At least a portion of the second supply shaft 15 is disposed at a position overlapping the to-be-printed tape roll 11 in the vertical direction.
[0053] (Input shaft)
[0054] The input shaft 16 is rotatable around a rotation axis, and the rotation axis of the input shaft 16 is parallel to the rotation axis of the second supply shaft 15 .
[0055] The input shaft 16 is cylindrical and has a hollow portion defined by an inner circumferential surface 16A. A spline tooth 16B is provided on the inner circumferential surface 16A of the input shaft 16. That is, the input shaft 16 is an internal gear. The drive shaft 105 of the printing device 100 described later is connected to the spline tooth 16B. The input shaft 16 is rotated by the drive shaft 105 to wind up the ink ribbon.
[0056] (clutch)
[0057] like Figure 4 As shown, the clutch 17 includes a spring holding portion 71 and a clutch spring 72. The spring holding portion 71 is rotatable around a rotation axis.
[0058] The spring holding portion 71 includes a first cylindrical portion 71A, a second cylindrical portion 71B, and a protrusion 71C. The outer diameter of the second cylindrical portion 71B is smaller than the outer diameter of the first cylindrical portion 71A. In addition, the central axis of the second cylindrical portion 71B is arranged on the same straight line as the central axis of the first cylindrical portion 71A. The protrusion 71C protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 71A to the radial outer side of the first cylindrical portion 71A.
[0059] The clutch spring 72 has a coil portion 72A, a first matching portion 72B and a second matching portion 72C. The coil portion 72A is composed of a linear body spirally wound on the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 71B. Each of the first matching portion 72B and the second matching portion 72C is configured so that the end of the linear body forming the coil portion 72A protrudes radially outward from the second cylindrical portion 71B.
[0060] like Figure 5A and 5B As shown, the clutch 17 is disposed in the hollow portion of the second supply shaft 15. The rotation axis of the clutch 17 and the rotation axis of the second supply shaft 15 are disposed on the same straight line.
[0061] The second cylindrical portion 71B of the spring holding portion 71 and the coil portion 72A of the clutch spring 72 are arranged inside a plurality of protrusions 33F of the second housing portion 33. The first engaging portion 72B and the second engaging portion 72C of the clutch spring 72 engage with the protrusions 33F.
[0062] The protrusion 71C of the spring holding portion 71 (see Figure 4 ) cooperates with a groove formed on the inner circumferential surface of the second supply shaft 15. Therefore, the spring holding portion 71 rotates together with the second supply shaft 15 around the rotation axis of the second supply shaft 15.
[0063] The rotation of the second supply shaft 15 is resisted by the sliding friction between the second cylindrical portion 71B of the spring holding portion 71 and the coil portion 72A of the clutch spring 72. That is, the clutch 17 applies rotational resistance to the ink ribbon roll 14. The torque for feeding (i.e., winding up) the ink ribbon can be set by the rotational resistance of the clutch 17.
[0064] The coil portion 72A of the clutch spring 72 is wound around the spring holding portion 71 so that the diameter increases when the spring holding portion 71 rotates in a first rotation direction and decreases when the spring holding portion 71 rotates in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction.
[0065] Therefore, when the second supply shaft 15 rotates in the first rotation direction by pulling out the ink ribbon, the diameter of the coil portion 72A increases, and the sliding friction between the coil portion 72A and the second cylindrical portion 71B decreases. As a result, the rotation resistance of the second supply shaft 15 decreases.
[0066] On the other hand, when the rotation of the second supply shaft 15 decreases, the diameter of the coil portion 72A decreases, thereby increasing the rotation resistance of the second supply shaft 15. When the rotation of the second supply shaft 15 stops, the sliding friction between the coil portion 72A and the second cylindrical portion 71B returns to the initial state.
[0067] (Output gear)
[0068] like Figure 3 The output gear 18 shown is an output unit for outputting the driving force for conveying the printed tape to the outside. The output gear 18 is drivingly coupled to an input gear 19 described later. The output gear 18 transmits the driving force to the platen roller 103 via the platen gear 104 of the printing device 100 .
[0069] The output gear 18 is an external gear having a disk that rotates around a rotation axis and teeth provided on a surface of the disk that is parallel to the vertical direction. One surface (i.e., the upper surface) of the disk of the output gear 19 that is perpendicular to the vertical direction is opposed to the cover portion 32B of the housing 35 described later in the vertical direction. A portion of the other surface (i.e., the lower surface) of the disk that is perpendicular to the vertical direction is not opposed to the housing 35 in the vertical direction.
[0070] The output gear 18 is partially exposed in the print head opening 33B and partially located outside the housing 35. When the printing tape cassette 10 is mounted in the cassette mounting portion 101 of the printing apparatus 100, the output gear 18 engages with the platen gear 104 at the print head opening 33B.
[0071] The printed tape roll 11, the output gear 18 and the ink ribbon roll 14 (i.e., the second supply shaft 15) are arranged in the order of the printed tape roll 11, the output gear 18 and the ink ribbon roll 14 in the up-down direction. That is, the output gear 18 is located between the printed tape roll 11 and the ink ribbon roll 14 in the up-down direction.
[0072] (Input gear)
[0073] like Figure 3 As shown, the input gear 19 is indirectly engaged with the output gear 18 via an idler gear 20 to be described later, and transmits the driving force to the input portion of the output gear 18 .
[0074] When the printing tape cassette 10 is mounted in a cassette mounting portion 101 of a printing apparatus 100 described later, the input gear 19 is engaged with a drive shaft 105. A driving force from a driving source of the printing apparatus 100 is input to the input gear 19 via the drive shaft 105.
[0075] The input gear 19 has an external gear 19A and a cylindrical internal gear 19B. The entire external gear 19A and the entire internal gear 19B are accommodated in the housing 35. That is, the entire input gear 19 is accommodated in the housing 35.
[0076] The external gear 19A rotates integrally with the internal gear 19B by the driving force input to the internal gear 19B. The internal gear 19B is fixed to the lower surface of the external gear 19A, and the inner peripheral surface of the internal gear 19B has spline teeth.
[0077] The rotation axis of the input gear 19 (i.e., the rotation axis of the external gear 19A and the rotation axis of the internal gear 19B) is arranged on the same line as the rotation axis of the input shaft 16. The input shaft 16, the input gear 19, and the printed tape roll 11 are arranged in this order in the vertical direction.
[0078] That is, the input gear 19 is located between the input shaft 16 and the to-be-printed tape roll 11 in the vertical direction. In addition, at least a portion of the input gear 19 is disposed at a position overlapping with the to-be-printed tape roll 11 in the vertical direction.
[0079] The rotation axis of the input gear 19 passes through the hollow portion of the input shaft 16. That is, the drive shaft 105 is inserted into both the input shaft 16 and the input gear 19. As a result, the input gear 19 is not directly connected to the input shaft 16, but is rotated by the same driving source as the input shaft 16 (that is, the drive shaft 105).
[0080] (Idler)
[0081] The idler gear 20 is a transmission gear that is drivingly coupled (ie, engaged) with the input gear 19 and the output gear 18 and transmits the driving force input to the input gear 19 to the output gear 18 .
[0082] The idler gear 20 is a segmented gear formed by coaxially arranging a first gear 20A matched with the input gear 19 and a second gear 20B matched with the output gear 18. The diameter of the second gear 20B is smaller than the diameter of the first gear 20A.
[0083] The second gear 20B is disposed at a position closer to the to-be-printed tape roll 11 than the first gear 20A in the vertical direction (ie, above). The idler gear 20 constitutes a speed reduction mechanism for reducing the speed of the driving force input to the input gear 19.
[0084] (case)
[0085] The first cover portion 31 constitutes the upper end portion of the printing tape cartridge 10. The first housing portion 32 is disposed on the lower side of the first cover portion 31 and is connected to the first cover portion 31 in the vertical direction. The second housing portion 33 is disposed on the lower side of the first housing portion 32 and is connected to the first housing portion 32 in the vertical direction. The second cover portion 34 constitutes the lower end portion of the printing tape cartridge 10. The second cover portion 34 is connected to the second housing portion 33 in the vertical direction.
[0086] The first cover portion 31 and the first housing portion 32 accommodate the to-be-printed tape roll 11. That is, the to-be-printed tape roll 11 is arranged in a space surrounded by the first cover portion 31 and the first housing portion 32.
[0087] The second cover 34 and the second case 33 accommodate the ink ribbon roll 14 , the second supply shaft 15 , and the input shaft 16 . That is, the ink ribbon roll 14 , the second supply shaft 15 , and the input shaft 16 are arranged in a space surrounded by the second cover 34 and the second case 33 .
[0088] The first housing portion 32 and the second housing portion 33 are connected to each other. A part of the output gear 18 , the input gear 19 , and the idler gear 20 are arranged in a space surrounded by the first housing portion 32 and the second housing portion 33 .
[0089] The first case portion 32 has a first side wall 32A, a cover portion 32B, a first guide portion 32C, a first shaft portion 32D, a second shaft portion 32E, a third shaft portion 32F, and an inner wall 32G. The first side wall 32A constitutes a side surface of the print tape cassette 10 parallel to the vertical direction.
[0090] The cover portion 32B is a portion having a surface perpendicular to the up-down direction. The cover portion 32B is disposed at a position overlapping the output gear 18 in the up-down direction. In the present embodiment, the cover portion 32B is continuous with the lower end of the first side wall 32A and is disposed at the right front corner of the first housing portion 32.
[0091] The output gear 18, the cover 32B and the printed tape roll 11 are arranged in this order in the vertical direction. As described above, the entire upper surface of the output gear 18 is covered by the cover 32B.
[0092] like Figure 6 As shown, the first guide portion 32C is a portion where the printed tape 11A pulled out from the printed tape roll 11 is wound. The first guide portion 32C has a plurality of plate-like ribs arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the printed tape roll 11. The plurality of ribs protrude in the radial direction of the printed tape roll 11, and the protrusion amount (i.e., the plate width) increases as it goes downward.
[0093] like Figure 3 As shown, the first shaft portion 32D supports the output gear 18 in a manner that can rotate around a rotation axis parallel to the up-down direction. The second shaft portion 32E supports the input gear 19 in a manner that can rotate around a rotation axis parallel to the up-down direction. The third shaft portion 33F supports the idler gear 20 in a manner that can rotate around a rotation axis parallel to the up-down direction. The first shaft portion 32D, the second shaft portion 32E, and the third shaft portion 32F protrude from the inner wall 32G.
[0094] The second housing portion 33 has a second side wall 33A, a head opening 33B, a discharge port 33C, a second guide portion 33D, a protrusion 33E, and a plurality of convex portions 33F. The second side wall 33A constitutes a side surface of the print tape cassette 10 parallel to the vertical direction.
[0095] The print head opening 33B is a portion of the second side wall 33A cut away. The print head opening 33B is a space into which the print head 102 is inserted from below when the print tape cartridge 10 is installed in the printing device 100, so that the print head 102 is arranged inside. The print head opening 33B opens at the bottom of the print tape cartridge 10.
[0096] The second guide portion 33D is a portion where the to-be-printed tape 11A that has passed through the first guide portion 32C is wound. The second guide portion 33D, like the first guide portion 32C, has a plurality of plate-like ribs that are spaced apart and arranged along the circumferential direction of the ink ribbon roll 14. The plurality of ribs protrude in the radial direction of the ink ribbon roll 14, and the protrusion amount (i.e., the plate width) decreases as it goes downward.
[0097] The protrusion 33E is arranged at a position overlapping with the output gear 18 in the up-down direction. The protrusion 33E is arranged on the lower side of the output gear 18 (that is, on the opposite side to the cover 32B with the output gear 18 interposed therebetween).
[0098] The print head 102 of the printing device 100 is inserted into the area below the protruding portion 33E. Therefore, when the printing tape cassette 10 is installed in the cassette mounting portion 101 of the printing device 100, the output gear 18 is arranged on the upstream side (i.e., above) of the print head 102 in the installation direction of the printing tape cassette 10 to the cassette mounting portion 101.
[0099] like Figure 5A As shown, the plurality of projections 33F are arranged along the circumferential direction of the second cylindrical portion 71B of the clutch 17 so as to surround the second cylindrical portion 71B and the coil portion 72A of the clutch 17. The first engaging portion 72B and the second engaging portion 72C of the clutch spring 72 are respectively inserted between the plurality of projections 33F.
[0100] The fourth shaft portion 34A provided in the second cover portion 34 is inserted into the first cylindrical portion 71A of the clutch 17. The second supply shaft 15 is supported by the fourth shaft portion 34A via the first cylindrical portion 71A so as to be rotatable about the axis.
[0101] like Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the printed tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A are stretched in the left-right direction at the print head opening 33B. The printed tape 11A after printing is discharged to the outside of the printing system 1 from the discharge port 33C.
[0102] like Fig. 8A , 8B As shown in FIGS. 8C and 8D, the first guide portion 32C and the second guide portion 33D constitute a passage for conveying the to-be-printed tape 11A constituting the to-be-printed tape roll 11 from the first housing portion 32 to the second housing portion 33.
[0103] Specifically, Fig. 8A As shown, the printed tape 11A pulled out from the printed tape roll 11 is conveyed downward and rearward in the first housing portion 32 while abutting the first guide portion 32C from the radially outer side of the printed tape roll 11 in a spiral manner. Figure 8B As shown, the to-be-printed tape 11A is conveyed toward the lower left while straddling the connecting portion of the first housing portion 32 and the second housing portion 33 in the vertical direction.
[0104] like Figure 8C As shown in FIG. 1 , the printed tape 11A that has reached the second housing portion 33 is conveyed downward and forward while abutting against the second guide portion 33D from the radially outer side. Fig.8D As shown, the to-be-printed 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.
[0105] <Printing Device>
[0106] like Figure 1B As shown, the printing apparatus 100 includes a cassette mounting portion 101 , a print head 102 , a platen roller 103 , a platen gear 104 , a driving source (not shown), a driving shaft 105 , and a movable portion 107 .
[0107] (Cassette installation section)
[0108] The cassette mounting portion 101 is a recessed portion in which the printing tape cassette 10 can be mounted. The printing tape cassette 10 is mounted in the axial direction (ie, vertical direction) of the rotation axis of the drive shaft 105. The cassette mounting portion 101 has a function of positioning the printing tape cassette 10.
[0109] (Print Head)
[0110] The print head 102 is a device for printing on the print tape held in the print tape cassette 10 .
[0111] The print head 102 is arranged inside the cassette mounting portion 101. The print head 102 is arranged at a position where the print head opening 33B overlaps the print tape and the ink ribbon in the front-rear direction when the print tape cassette 10 is mounted in the printing apparatus 100.
[0112] The print head 102 has a plurality of heating elements that can control heating respectively. The platen roller 103 described later presses the printed tape conveyed to the print head opening 33B onto the print head 102 heated by the heating elements via the ink ribbon. As a result, a portion of the ink disposed on the surface of the ink ribbon is transferred to the printed tape, thereby printing characters, symbols, etc. on the printed tape.
[0113] (Pressing roller)
[0114] The platen roller 103 is a roller for conveying the printing tape from the inside to the outside of the printing tape cassette 10 by the driving force transmitted from the output gear 18. The rotation axis of the platen roller 103 is parallel to the up-down direction.
[0115] The platen roller 103 is disposed inside the cassette mounting portion 101 so as to face the print head 102. The platen roller 103 abuts against the tape to be printed located in the print head opening 33B, and presses the tape to be printed toward the print head 102.
[0116] (Pressure plate gear)
[0117] The platen gear 104 is drivingly connected to the platen roller 103 and is an externally toothed gear that cooperates with the output gear 18 .
[0118] In this embodiment, the rotation axis of the platen gear 104 is arranged on the same line as the rotation axis of the platen roller 103. In addition, the platen gear 104 is arranged upstream (i.e., above) of the platen roller 103 in the installation direction of the printing tape cassette 10 to the cassette installation portion 101.
[0119] (Movable part)
[0120] The movable portion 107 is attached to the housing 110 and is capable of swinging in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. The platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 are supported by the movable portion 107 so as to be capable of swinging relative to the housing 110 .
[0121] By swinging the movable part 107, the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 can be Fig. 10A The position shown is separated from the printing tape cassette 10 and Fig. 10B The pressure plate gear 104 is shown to oscillate between positions where it cooperates with the output gear 18 .
[0122] (Drive shaft)
[0123] like Figure 1B The drive shaft 105 shown is a shaft for inserting the input shaft 16 and cooperating with the input gear 19 to rotate the input shaft 16 and the input gear 19. The drive shaft 105 has external teeth that cooperate with the spline teeth 16B of the input shaft 16 and the internal gear 19B of the input gear 19.
[0124] The drive shaft 105 is disposed inside the tape cartridge installation portion 101. The rotation axis of the drive shaft 105 is parallel to the vertical direction. The drive shaft 105 can be rotated around the rotation axis by a drive source (eg, a motor). The drive source generates a driving force input to the printing tape cartridge 10.
[0125] When the printing tape cassette 10 is mounted in the cassette mounting portion 101, at least a portion of the drive shaft 105 is disposed inside the input shaft 16. In this state, the drive shaft 105 is engaged with the input gear 19, and the platen gear 104 is engaged with the output gear 18.
[0126] Specifically, the drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input shaft 16 and input gear 19 of the printing tape cassette 10, and the platen roller 103 and platen gear 104 are swung toward the print head opening 33B of the printing tape cassette 10, thereby installing the printing tape cassette 10 on the printing device 100.
[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 , rotating the platen gear 104 , and rotating the platen roller 103 .
[0128] like Fig. 10B As shown, when the printing tape cassette 10 is installed in the cassette installation portion 101 , the direction M1 of the moment around the drive shaft 105 generated in the printing tape cassette 10 by the platen roller 103 conveying the printing tape is the same as the driving rotation direction S of the drive shaft 105 .
[0129] On the other hand, when the printing tape cassette 10 is installed in the cassette installation portion 101 , the direction M2 of the torque around the drive shaft 105 generated in the printing tape cassette 10 by the reaction force received by the output gear 18 from the pressure plate gear 104 is opposite to the driving rotation direction S of the drive shaft 105 .
[0130] [1-2. Effect]
[0131] According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
[0132] (1a) The driving force from the driving source of the printing apparatus 100 is transmitted to the platen roller 103 via the input gear 19 and the output gear 18 in the printing tape cassette 10 .
[0133] That is, the driving force is transmitted to the platen roller 103 only when the print tape cassette 10 is mounted in the printing apparatus 100. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the platen roller 103 from rotating unexpectedly when the print tape cassette 10 is not mounted.
[0134] (1b) The input gear 19 has an internal gear 19B that cooperates with the external teeth of the drive shaft 105, and the output gear 18 and the platen gear 104 are external gears that cooperate with each other. Therefore, the degree of freedom in configuring the gear system in the printing tape cassette 10 and the printing device 100 is high.
[0135] (1c) It is possible to transmit the driving force from the single driving shaft 105 to the input shaft 16 and the input gear 19 which are located at different positions from each other in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the input shaft 16 (i.e., the insertion direction of the driving shaft 105). Therefore, it is possible to input the driving force to both the input shaft 16 and the input gear 19 while suppressing the increase in the size of the printing tape cartridge 10 in the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the input shaft 105 (i.e., the front-rear direction and the left-right direction).
[0136] (1d) The platen gear 104 is arranged on the upstream side of the platen roller 103 in the installation direction of the printing tape cassette 10 in the cassette installation portion 101, thereby avoiding interference between the output gear 18 and the print head 102. As a result, it is possible to suppress the increase in size of the tape cassette due to the expansion of the print head opening 33B.
[0137] (1e) The direction M1 of the torque around the drive shaft 105 generated by the platen roller 103 conveying the printed tape is opposite to the direction M2 of the torque around the drive shaft 105 generated by the reaction force received by the output gear 18 from the platen gear 104, thereby suppressing the rotation of the printing tape box 10 in the printing device 100.
[0138] (1f) The torque for winding the ink ribbon can be adjusted by the clutch 17. Therefore, ink ribbons having different widths, thicknesses, materials, etc. can be arranged in the printing tape cassette 10 having the same shape.
[0139] [2. Second Embodiment]
[0140] [2-1. Structure]
[0141] Fig.11A and 11B The printing system 1A shown includes a printing tape cassette 10A and a printing apparatus 100A.
[0142] <Printing tape cassette>
[0143] The printing tape cassette 10A is a component of the printing tape cassette 10 of the first embodiment. Fig.12 The laminated tape roll 21, the additional shaft 22, the additional gear 23, the clamping roller 24 and the second clutch 17A are shown.
[0144] In addition, the printing tape box 10A replaces the input shaft 16, the first cover part 31, the first shell part 32, the second shell part 33 and the second cover part 34 in the printing tape box 10 of the first embodiment with the third supply shaft 25, the first cover part 36, the first shell part 37, the second shell part 38 and the second cover part 39.
[0145] The third supply shaft 25 is the same as the input shaft 16 except that it does not have the spline teeth 16B. The first cover portion 36, the first housing portion 37, the second housing portion 38, and the second cover portion 39 extend the first cover portion 31, the first housing portion 32, the second housing portion 33, and the second cover portion 34 in the left-right direction, respectively. Since the other structures of the printing tape cartridge 10A are the same as those of the printing tape cartridge 10 of the first embodiment except for the points described below, the description thereof is omitted.
[0146] The laminated tape roll 21 winds a laminated tape for protecting the tape to be printed on the third supply shaft 25. The laminated tape has an adhesive surface and is bonded to the tape to be printed by the print head 102.
[0147] The additional shaft 22 is rotatable about a rotation axis. The rotation axis of the additional shaft 22 is parallel to the rotation axis (ie, in the vertical direction) of the second supply shaft 15. The additional shaft 22 is a winding shaft for winding up the ink ribbon by the rotation of an additional gear 23 described later.
[0148] The additional gear 23 is connected to the additional shaft 22 and cooperates with the idler gear 20. The additional gear 23 is rotated by the driving force input to the input gear 19, thereby rotating the additional shaft 22.
[0149] The additional gear 23 includes an external gear 23A, a plurality of protrusions 23B, and a shaft 23C. The external gear 23A has a rotation axis parallel to the up-down direction. The plurality of protrusions 23B are arranged along the circumference of the shaft 23C so as to surround the shaft 23C. The plurality of protrusions 23B and the shaft 23C protrude downward from the external gear 23A.
[0150] The pinch roller 24 presses the laminated tape onto the printed tape together with the pressure roller 106 described later. The pinch roller 24 is arranged downstream of the print head opening 33B in the conveying direction of the printed tape.
[0151] The second clutch 17A drivingly couples the input gear 19 and the additional shaft 22. Specifically, the second clutch 17A drivingly couples the additional gear 23 drivingly coupled to the input gear 19 and the additional shaft 22. A The clutch 17 has a spring holding portion 71 and a clutch spring 72 similar to those of the clutch 17 .
[0152] like Fig.13A and 13B As shown, the second cylindrical portion 71B and the coil portion 72A of the second clutch 17A are arranged inside the plurality of protrusions 23B of the additional gear 23. Furthermore, the shaft portion 23C of the additional gear 23 is inserted into the second cylindrical portion 71B.
[0153] The first cylindrical portion 71A of the second clutch 17A is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the additional shaft 22. The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion (not shown) of the second clutch 17A are engaged with the plurality of convex portions 23B of the additional gear 23.
[0154] The fifth shaft portion 34A provided in the second cover portion 39 is inserted into the first cylindrical portion 71A of the second clutch 17A. The additional shaft 22 is supported by the fifth shaft portion 39A via the first cylindrical portion 71A so as to be rotatable about the axis.
[0155] The additional shaft 22 is subjected to resistance by the sliding friction between the second cylindrical portion 71B of the spring holding portion 71 of the second clutch 17A and the coil portion 72A of the clutch spring 72. That is, the second clutch 17A applies rotational resistance to the ink ribbon winding shaft. The torque for winding the ink ribbon can be set by the rotational resistance of the second clutch 17A.
[0156] In the present embodiment, the rotation resistance is applied to the laminated tape roll 21 by the clutch 17 similar to the first embodiment.
[0157] <Printing Device>
[0158] The printing apparatus 100A is configured by adding the following components to the printing apparatus 100 of the first embodiment: Fig.14 The pressure roller 106 is shown. Since the other structures of the printing apparatus 100A are the same as those of the printing apparatus 100 of the first embodiment except for the points described below, the description thereof will be omitted.
[0159] like Fig.14 As shown in FIG. 15A , the pressure roller 106 is mounted on the movable portion 107 and is configured to be able to swing together with the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104. That is, the pressure roller 106 can be moved between a position away from the printing tape cassette 10A as shown in FIG. 15A and a position away from the printing tape cassette 10A as shown in FIG. Fig. 15B The illustrated embodiment swings between positions where the printed tape and the laminated tape are pressed together with the pinch roller 24 .
[0160] [2-2. Effect]
[0161] According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
[0162] (2a) The printed content of the printed tape can be protected by the laminated tape, while having the same advantages as the first embodiment.
[0163] [3. Other embodiments]
[0164] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various forms can be adopted.
[0165] (3a) The printing device of the above embodiment is not limited to printing using an ink ribbon. The printing device may use a tape-shaped thermal paper as a printed tape for printing. In addition, the printing tape cassette does not necessarily have an ink ribbon roll and a second supply shaft.
[0166] For example, in Fig.16 In the illustrated printing tape cassette 10B, the printed tape roll 11 in the printing tape cassette 10 of the first embodiment is replaced by a printed tape roll 51 of thermal paper, and the ink ribbon roll 14 is replaced by a laminated tape roll 52 of laminated tape.
[0167] In the printing tape cassette 10B, the laminated tape roll 52 is wound around the third supply shaft 25 of the second embodiment. In addition, the printing tape cassette 10B includes the pinch roller 24 of the second embodiment, but does not include the second supply shaft 15.
[0168] (3b) In the printing tape cassette of the above embodiment, the output portion that transmits the driving force to the platen roller is not limited to the gear. For example, a roller or a spool can be used as the output portion. In addition, the input portion to which the driving force from the driving source is input is not limited to the gear. For example, a roller or a spool can be used as the input portion.
[0169] (3c) In the printing tape cassette of the second embodiment, the laminated tape may be wound around an additional shaft.
[0170] For example, in Fig.17 In the printing tape cassette 10C shown, a laminated tape roll 21 of laminated tape is wound around the additional shaft 22 in the printing tape cassette 10A of the second embodiment. The printing tape cassette 10C includes the input shaft 16 of the first embodiment instead of the third supply shaft 25 of the second embodiment. The input shaft 16 is used as a winding shaft for the ink ribbon.
[0171] (3d) In the printing tape cassette of the above embodiment, the printed tape roll, the output gear, and the auxiliary tape roll (i.e., the ink ribbon roll or the laminated tape roll) for printing or protecting the printed tape are not limited to being arranged in the vertical direction. In the printing tape cassette, the printed tape may be arranged to overlap the auxiliary tape roll in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.
[0172] For example, Fig.18 The print tape cassette 10D shown uses a first case portion 41 , a second case portion 42 , and a cover portion 43 instead of the first cover portion 36 , the first case portion 37 , the second case portion 38 , and the second cover portion 39 in the print tape cassette 10A of the second embodiment.
[0173] The first housing portion 41 is obtained by adjusting the length of the first housing portion 37 in the left-right direction of FIG. 12 and removing the lower portion of the inner wall 32G. The second housing portion 42 is obtained by adjusting Fig.12 The cover 43 is obtained by adjusting the length of the second housing portion 38 in the left-right direction. Fig.12 The length of the second cover portion 39 in the left-right direction is obtained.
[0174] The printed tape roll 11 is wound around the third supply shaft 25 of the printing tape cassette 10D instead of the laminated tape roll 21. The ink ribbon is wound around the additional shaft 22 in the same manner as in the second embodiment.
[0175] In addition, in the printing tape box 10D, thermal paper can be used as the printed tape. In this case, the ink ribbon roll 14, the second supply shaft 15, the additional shaft 22 and the additional gear 23 are not required, and the printing tape box 10D only has the printed tape roll 11 as the tape roll.
[0176] (3e) The printing tape cassette of the above embodiment may have two or more idler gears. That is, the printing tape cassette may have a transmission gear train that cooperates with the input gear. In addition, the input gear and the output gear may cooperate directly without the idler gear.
[0177] (3f) The functions of a single component in the above-mentioned embodiment may be dispersed into multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into a single component. In addition, part of the structure of the above-mentioned embodiment may be omitted. In addition, at least part of the structure of the above-mentioned embodiment may be added to or replaced by the structure of other embodiments. All embodiments included in the technical concept of the claims are embodiments of the present invention.
[0178] Description of Reference Numerals
[0179] 1: Printing system
[0180] 10: Printing tape box
[0181] 11: Printed tape roll
[0182] 12: First supply axis
[0183] 14: Ink Ribbon Roll
[0184] 15: Second supply axis
[0185] 16: Input shaft
[0186] 17, 17A: Clutch
[0187] 18: Output gear
[0188] 19: Input gear
[0189] 19A: External gear
[0190] 19B: Internal gear
[0191] 20: Idler
[0192] 21: Cascading tape rolls
[0193] 22: Additional axis
[0194] 23: Additional gear
[0195] 24: Clamping roller
[0196] 25: The third supply axis
[0197] 31: First cover
[0198] 32: First housing part
[0199] 33: Second housing part
[0200] 33B: Print head opening
[0201] 34: Second cover
[0202] 35: Shell
[0203] 71: Spring retaining part
[0204] 72: Clutch spring
[0205] 100: Printing device
[0206] 101: Belt box installation part
[0207] 102: Print head
[0208] 103: Platen roller
[0209] 104: Pressure plate gear
[0210] 105: Drive shaft
[0211] 107: Movable part
Claims
1. A printing device, comprising: Print head; A platen roller, opposite to the print head; Driving source; A drive shaft, drivingly connected to the drive source and rotatable around a rotation axis; A pressure plate gear, drivingly connected to the pressure plate roller; as well as a tape cassette mounting portion, wherein the print head and the drive shaft are arranged on the tape cassette mounting portion, The tape cassette mounting portion is capable of mounting a printing tape cassette having a printed tape, an input portion, and an output portion drivingly connected to the input portion along the axial direction of the rotation axis of the drive shaft. When the printing tape cassette is mounted on the cassette mounting portion, the drive shaft cooperates with the input portion, and the pressure plate gear cooperates with the output portion.
2. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drive shaft, the pressure plate gear, and the output portion each have external teeth, and the input portion has internal teeth.
3. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The platen gear is arranged on the upstream side of the platen roller in the mounting direction of the print tape cassette to the cassette mounting portion.
4. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The rotation axis of the platen gear and the rotation axis of the platen roller are located on the same straight line.
5. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: When the print tape cassette is mounted in the cassette mounting portion, at least a portion of the drive shaft is disposed inside a rotation shaft included in the print tape cassette.
6. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: When the printing tape cassette is installed in the cassette installation portion, the direction of the moment around the drive shaft generated in the printing tape cassette by the platen roller conveying the printed tape is the same as the rotation direction of the drive shaft. When the print tape cassette is mounted in the cassette mounting portion, a reaction force received by the output portion from the platen gear generates a moment about the drive shaft in the print tape cassette in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the drive shaft.
7. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: When the printing tape cassette is mounted in the cassette mounting portion, the pressure plate gear can swing between a position separated from the output portion and a position engaged with the output portion.
8. A printing tape cartridge, which can be installed in the printing device along the axial direction of the rotation axis of the driving shaft of the printing device, the printing device comprising a print head, a platen roller opposite to the print head, a driving source, the driving shaft drivingly connected to the driving source and rotatable around the rotation axis, a platen gear drivingly connected to the platen roller, and a tape cartridge installation portion where the print head and the driving shaft are arranged, the printing tape cartridge comprising: Printed tape; Input section; as well as an output portion, drivingly connected to the input portion, When installed in the cassette installation portion, the input portion cooperates with the drive shaft, and the output portion cooperates with the pressure plate gear.
9. The printing tape cassette according to claim 8, characterized in that: The output portion includes an externally toothed gear, and the input portion includes a first internally toothed gear.
10. The printing tape cassette according to claim 9, characterized in that: Also includes the rotation axis, The rotation axis of the rotation shaft and the rotation axis of the first internal gear are located on the same line.
11. The printing tape cassette according to claim 10, characterized in that: The rotating shaft has a second internally toothed gear.
12. The printing tape cassette according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that: It also includes a housing, in which at least a portion of the printed tape, the entire input portion, and at least a portion of the output portion are accommodated. A portion of the output portion is located outside the housing.
13. The printing tape cassette according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that: Also includes: Ink ribbon; as well as A take-up shaft, used for taking up the ink ribbon, The input portion is drivingly coupled to the take-up shaft.
14. The printing tape cassette according to claim 13, wherein: A clutch is also included, the clutch being used to drivingly couple the input portion to the take-up shaft.
15. The printing tape cassette according to any one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that: In a state where the cassette is mounted in the cassette mounting portion, the output portion is arranged on an upstream side of the print head in a mounting direction in which the print tape cassette is mounted in the cassette mounting portion.
16. A printing tape box, comprising: case; a printed tape, at least a portion of which is accommodated in the housing; A first gear having a first internal gear and a first external gear; a transmission gear or a transmission gear train, cooperating with the first external gear; as well as The second gear has a second external gear matched with the transmission gear or the transmission gear train, The first internal gear is entirely contained in the housing. A portion of the second externally-toothed gear is located outside the housing.
17. The printing tape cassette according to claim 16, wherein: The first external gear is entirely accommodated in the housing.
18. The printing tape cassette according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that: Also includes the rotation axis, The rotation axis of the rotation shaft and the rotation axis of the first internal gear are located on the same line.
19. The printing tape cassette according to claim 18, characterized in that: The rotating shaft has a second internally toothed gear.
20. The printing tape cassette according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that: Also includes: Ink ribbon; as well as A take-up shaft, used for taking up the ink ribbon, The first gear is drivingly coupled to the take-up shaft.
21. The printing tape cassette according to claim 20, characterized in that: A clutch is also included for drivingly coupling the first gear to the take-up shaft.