Printing tape cartridge

Abstract

Provided is a printing tape cartridge capable of being miniaturized in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of a gear while the gear for transmitting a driving force is disposed. The printing tape cartridge includes: a printing tape roll around which a printing tape is wound about a winding center axis parallel to a first direction; an input gear to which a driving force from the outside is input; an output gear for outputting the driving force to the outside; and an idle gear which directly or indirectly cooperates with the input gear and the output gear and transmits the driving force input to the input gear to the output gear. At least a portion of the input gear, at least a portion of the output gear, and at least a portion of the idle gear overlap the print tape roll in the first direction, respectively.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the application with application number 202080068302.6, application date September 15, 2020, and invention name “Printing tape box”. Technical Field

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

[0003] In a printing device for printing a tape, a tape cartridge containing a tape is installed in a main body and removed from the main body to replace and supply the tape. In such a tape cartridge, for example, a plurality of gears for transmitting a driving force for conveying the tape are provided inside the tape cartridge (refer to patent document 1).

[0004] Patent Document 1: U.S. Patent No. 5,435,657 Summary of the invention

[0005] In the above-mentioned tape cassette, a plurality of gears are arranged together with a shaft for supplying the tape in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of these gears, so that the tape cassette is enlarged in this direction.

[0006] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a printing tape cartridge capable of providing a gear for transmitting a driving force and making the tape cartridge compact in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the gear.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides a printing tape box, comprising: a printing tape roll, on which the printing tape is wound around a winding center axis parallel to a first direction; an input gear, into which a driving force from the outside is input; an output gear, for outputting the driving force to the outside; and an idler gear, which directly or indirectly cooperates with the input gear and the output gear to transmit the driving force input to the input gear to the output gear.

[0008] At least a portion of the input gear, at least a portion of the output gear, and at least a portion of the idler gear overlap the printing tape roll in the first direction, respectively.

[0009] According to the above configuration, since the input gear, output gear, and idler gear for transmitting driving force are arranged to overlap the print tape roll in the first direction, the print tape cassette can be miniaturized in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] 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.

[0011] Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C yes Figure 1A A schematic stereoscopic diagram of a printing tape cassette in a printing device.

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 2A A schematic exploded perspective view of a printing tape cassette.

[0013] Figure 4 yes Figure 2C Schematic cross-sectional view of line IV-IV.

[0014] Figure 5 is a schematic three-dimensional diagram showing Figure 2C The first housing portion of the printing tape cassette is removed.

[0015] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B is a schematic bottom view showing Figure 2A The second frame portion and the second housing portion of the printing tape cassette are removed.

[0016] Figure 7 Yes Description Figure 2A Schematic diagram of the path of the print tape and ink ribbon in the print tape cassette.

[0017] 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 VIIID-VIIID line.

[0018] Fig. 9 yes Figure 1A A schematic top view of a printing device body in a printing device.

[0019] Fig.10 It is shown Figure 1A Schematic diagram of the matching state of the output gear and the paper pressing gear in the printing device.

[0020] Fig.11A and Fig. 11B is a schematic perspective view showing Figure 1A A state in which the printing tape cassette is removed from the printing apparatus body in the printing apparatus according to various embodiments.

[0021] Fig.12 yes Fig.11A A schematic exploded perspective view of a printing tape box in a printing device.

[0022] Fig.13A and Fig. 13B is a schematic bottom view showing Fig.11A The second frame portion and the second housing portion of the printing tape cassette are removed.

[0023] Fig.14 yes Fig.11A A schematic top view of a printing device body in a printing device.

[0024] Fig.15 It is shown Fig.11A Schematic diagram of the matching state of the output gear and the paper pressing gear in the printing device. 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 paper pressing 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 paper pressing gear 104 and the driving 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] In this specification, "parallel" is not limited to strictly parallel, but also means "substantially parallel." That is, as long as the function of the printing device 1 is effective (for example, within the range that the printing tape 11A, the ink ribbon 14A, etc. can be conveyed), each rotation axis can be configured to be slightly inclined relative to the vertical direction.

[0030] <Printing device>

[0031] 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 .

[0032] (Cassette insertion section)

[0033] The cassette insertion portion 101 is a recessed portion for mounting the print tape cassette 10. The cassette insertion portion 101 has a function of positioning the print tape cassette 10. The cassette insertion portion 101 is provided in the housing 110.

[0034] (Print Head)

[0035] The print head 102 is disposed inside the cassette insertion portion 101. The print head 102 has a plurality of heating elements whose heating can be individually controlled.

[0036] (Paper pressing roller)

[0037] The rotation axis L1 of the platen roller 103 is 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 to approach or away from the print head 102.

[0038] (Paper pressing gear)

[0039] The platen gear 104 is connected to the platen roller 103. In the present 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.

[0040] (Drive shaft)

[0041] The drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input shaft 16. The drive shaft 105 causes the input shaft 16 to rotate.

[0042] 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 around the rotation axis L3 by a driving source (eg, a motor) not shown.

[0043] <Printing tape cassette>

[0044] The printing tape cassette 10 accommodates the printing medium. The printing tape cassette 10 can be attached to and detached from the printing apparatus body 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.

[0045] like Figure 2A , 2B As shown in Figures 2 and 2C, the printing tape cassette 10 includes a housing 35 for accommodating the printing tape 11A, the ink ribbon 14A, etc. The outer shape of the printing tape cassette 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. 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.

[0046] like Figure 3 As shown, the printing tape cassette 10 includes a printing tape roll 11, a first tape shaft 12, spacers 13A and 13B, an ink ribbon roll 14, a second tape shaft 15, an input shaft 16, a clutch spring retaining portion 17, an output gear 18, an input gear 19 and an idler gear 2O.

[0047] (Printing tape roll)

[0048] The printing tape roll 11 is formed by winding a printing tape 11A for printing around a first tape spool 12 .

[0049] The printing tape roll 11 winds a printing tape 11A around a winding center axis parallel to the vertical direction. 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 to sandwich 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 tape axis)

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

[0053] (Ink Ribbon Roll)

[0054] The ink ribbon roll 14 is formed by winding an ink ribbon 14A for printing on the printing tape 11A around the second tape shaft 15. The ink ribbon roll 14 winds the ink ribbon 14A around a winding central axis parallel to the up-down direction.

[0055] The ink ribbon 14A overlaps with the printing tape 11A at the printing head opening 33B, and is used for printing by the printing 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 rotation 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 up-down direction.

[0057] (Second belt axis)

[0058] The second spool 15 is rotatable around a rotation axis L5. The rotation axis L5 of the second spool 15 is parallel to the rotation axis L4 of the first spool 12, that is, parallel to the up-down direction.

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

[0060] (Input shaft)

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

[0062] The input shaft 16 is cylindrical, and a hollow portion is defined by an inner circumferential surface 16A. Spline teeth 16B are provided on the inner circumferential surface 16A of the input shaft 16. The spline teeth 16B are matched with the driving shaft 105 of the printing device body 100.

[0063] The input shaft 16 is rotated by the driving shaft 105. The input shaft 16 of the present embodiment is a rotatable take-up shaft, and takes up the ink ribbon 14A supplied from the ink ribbon roll 14.

[0064] (Output gear)

[0065] The output gear 18 is a single-stage gear that outputs the driving force for conveying the printing tape 11A to the outside.

[0066] Specifically, the output gear 18 outputs the driving force to the paper pressing 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 tape shaft 15. The output gear 18 overlaps the cover portion 32B in the up-down direction.

[0067] A portion of the output gear 18 is exposed at the print head opening 33B. When the printing tape cartridge 10 is mounted on the printing apparatus body 100, the output gear 18 is engaged with the paper pressing gear 104 at the print head opening 33B.

[0068] like Figure 4 As shown, the second tape shaft 15, the output gear 18 and the printing tape roll 11 are arranged in the order of the second tape shaft 15, the output gear 18 and the printing tape roll 11 in the up-down direction. That is, the output gear 18 is located between the second tape shaft 15 and the printing tape roll 11 in the up-down direction.

[0069] (Input gear)

[0070] like Figure 3 As shown, the input gear 19 indirectly cooperates with the output gear 18 via the idler gear 20 , and transmits the driving force input from the printing apparatus body 100 to the output gear 18 .

[0071] The input gear 19 includes a gear 19A and a cylindrical shaft 19B. The shaft 19B is fixed to a surface perpendicular to the rotation axis of the gear 19A and has spline teeth on its inner circumference. The gear 19A rotates integrally with the shaft 19B due to the driving force input to the shaft 19B.

[0072] The input gear 19 is arranged so that the rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19 (ie, the rotation axis of the gear 19A and the rotation axis of the shaft 19B) is arranged on the same line as the rotation axis L6 of the input shaft 16. A portion of the shaft 19B is inserted into the input shaft 16.

[0073] like Figure 4 As shown, the input shaft 16, a part of the input gear 19 (ie, the gear 19A) and the print tape roll 11 are arranged in this order in the up and down direction.

[0074] The rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19 overlaps with the hollow portion of the input shaft 16 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input shaft 16 and the shaft 19B of the input gear 19 at the same time. As a result, the input gear 19 is not directly connected to the input shaft 16, but is rotated by the common drive source (i.e., the drive shaft 105) with the input shaft 16.

[0075] (Idler)

[0076] The idler gear 20 directly cooperates 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 up-down direction.

[0077] The idler gear 20 is a segmented gear formed by coaxially arranging a first gear 20A matched with the output gear 18 and a second gear 20B matched with the input gear 19. The diameter of the second gear 20B is greater than the diameter of the first gear 20A.

[0078] The first gear 20A is disposed closer to the printing tape roll 11 than the second gear 20B in the vertical direction (ie, above). The idler gear 20 constitutes a speed reduction mechanism for reducing the rotation speed of the driving force input to the input gear 19.

[0079] (case)

[0080] like Figure 3 As shown, the first case portion 31 constitutes the upper end portion of the printing tape cassette 10. The first frame portion 32 is arranged on the lower side of the first case portion 31, and is connected to the first case portion 31 in the up-down direction.

[0081] The second housing portion 33 is disposed below the first housing portion 32 and vertically connected to the first housing portion 32. The second housing portion 34 constitutes the lower end portion of the printing tape cassette 10. The second housing portion 34 is vertically connected to the second housing portion 33.

[0082] The first case 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 case portion 31 and the first frame portion 32.

[0083] The second case portion 34 and the second frame portion 33 accommodate the ink ribbon roll 14 , the second spool 15 , and the input shaft 16 . That is, the ink ribbon roll 14 , the second spool 15 , and the input shaft 16 are arranged in a space surrounded by the second case portion 34 and the second frame portion 33 .

[0084] Part 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. That is, part of the output gear 18, the input gear 19 and the idler gear 20 are accommodated in the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33.

[0085] The first frame body portion 32 includes a first side wall 32A, a cover portion 32B, a first guide portion 32C, a first gear shaft 32D, a second gear shaft 32E, and a third gear shaft 32F.

[0086] The first side wall 32A constitutes a side surface of the print tape cassette 10 parallel to the up-down direction.

[0087] 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 disposed at a right front corner of the first frame portion 32 .

[0088] 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.

[0089] like Figure 5 As shown, the first guide portion 32C is a portion around which the printing tape 11A pulled out from the printing 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 printing tape roll 11. The plurality of ribs protrude in the radial direction of the printing tape roll 11, and the protrusion amount (i.e., the plate width) increases as it goes downward.

[0090] like Figure 3 As shown, the second frame portion 33 has a second side wall 33A, a print head opening 33B, a discharge port 33C, and a second guide portion 33D.

[0091] The second side wall 33A constitutes a side surface of the print tape cassette 10 that is parallel to the up-down direction.

[0092] The print head opening 33B is a concave portion that is concave in the vertical direction and extends in the horizontal direction toward the first frame portion 32. The print head opening 33B is a portion obtained by cutting out a portion of the second side wall 33A, and opens below the printing tape cassette 10.

[0093] When the printing tape cartridge 10 is installed in the printing apparatus body 100, the print head 102 is inserted into the print head opening 33B from below. When the printing tape cartridge 10 is installed in the printing apparatus body 100, the print head 102 is arranged inside the print head opening 33B.

[0094] The second guide portion 33D is a portion around which the printing tape 11A that 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 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.

[0095] <Positional Relationship of Belt Reels, Shafts, and Gears>

[0096] like Fig. 6A As shown, a portion of the input gear 19, a portion of the output gear 18, and a portion of the idler gear 20 overlap with the printing tape roll 11 in the up-down direction, respectively.

[0097] Furthermore, the rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19, the rotation axis L7 of the output gear 18, and the rotation axis L9 of the idler gear 20 are located inside the outer peripheral surface 11B of the printing tape roll 11 in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, respectively.

[0098] Furthermore, in the projection diagram of the first tape shaft 12, the input gear 19, the output gear 18, and the idler gear 20 onto a virtual plane perpendicular to the up-down direction, the rotation axis L4 of the first tape shaft 12 overlaps with the convex envelope P defined by the input gear 19, the output gear 18, and the idler gear 20. In addition, the convex envelope P also overlaps with a portion of the first tape shaft 12 and a portion of the print tape roll 11.

[0099] The second gear 20B of the idler gear 20 has an overlapping portion 20C that vertically overlaps the output gear 18. A portion of the overlapping portion 20C of the second gear 20B vertically overlaps the print tape roll 11. In addition, a portion of the overlapping portion 20C of the second gear 20B also vertically overlaps the first tape shaft 12.

[0100] like Figure 6BAs shown, a portion of the ink ribbon roll 14 and a portion of the second tape shaft 15 overlap the idler wheel 20 in the vertical direction. In addition, a portion of the input shaft 16 also overlaps the idler wheel 20 in the vertical direction. Figure 6B The outer edge of the input shaft 16 shown includes flanges provided at both end portions in the axial direction of the rotation axis L6 of the input shaft 16 .

[0101] like Figure 7 As shown, the rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19, the rotation axis L7 of the output gear 18 and the rotation axis L9 of the idler gear 20 are respectively located between the two ends of the print head opening 33B in the left-right direction (i.e., area A overlapping with the print head opening N33B in the front-back direction).

[0102] The rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19 and the rotation axis L9 of the idler gear 20 are respectively located behind the print head opening 33B. In addition, the rotation axis L7 of the output gear 18 passes through the print head opening 33B.

[0103] <Tape Conveying in the Cassette>

[0104] like Figure 5 As shown, at the print head opening 33B, the print tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A are laid out in the left-right direction. The printed print tape 11A is discharged from the discharge N33C to the outside of the printing apparatus 1. A portion of the output gear 18 is located in the print head opening 33B. In addition, the cover portion 32B is exposed in the print head opening 33B.

[0105] 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 printing tape 11A constituting the printing tape roll 11 from the first frame portion 32 to the second frame portion 33.

[0106] Specifically, Fig. 8A As shown, the printing tape 11A pulled out from the printing tape roll 11 is conveyed downward and rearward in the first frame portion 32 while abutting the first guide portion 32C from the radially outer side of the printing tape roll 11 in a spiral manner. Figure 8B 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.

[0107] like Figure 8C As shown in FIG. 1 , the printing tape 11A that has reached the second frame portion 33 is conveyed to the front and bottom while contacting the second guide portion 33D from the radially outer side. Fig.8D 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.

[0108] <Tape feeding and printing by the printing device body>

[0109] The print head 102 prints on the printing tape 11A held by the printing tape cassette 10 .

[0110] The print head 102 is arranged at a position overlapping the print tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A in the front-rear direction in the print head opening 33B in a state where the print tape cassette 10 is mounted in the printing apparatus body 100 .

[0111] The platen roller 103 presses the printing tape 11A conveyed to the print head opening 33B against the printing head 102 whose heating element is heated via the ink ribbon 14A. Thus, part of the ink disposed on the surface of the ink ribbon 14A is transferred to the printing tape 11A, and characters, symbols, etc. are printed on the printing tape 11A.

[0112] The platen roller 103 feeds the printing tape 11A from the inside to the outside of the printing tape cassette 10. The platen roller 103 comes into contact with the printing tape 11A at the print head opening 33B, and presses the printing tape 11A against the print head 102.

[0113] The paper pressing gear 104 is connected to the paper pressing roller 103 and cooperates with the output gear 18. The paper pressing roller 103 and the paper pressing gear 104 can be connected to the paper pressing roller 103 and the output gear 18. Fig. 9 The position shown in FIG. 10 and the position shown in FIG. 10 separated from the printing tape cassette 10 and the position shown in FIG. Fig.10 The paper pressing gear 104 swings between the positions where it cooperates with the output gear 18 as shown.

[0114] The drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input shaft 16 and the input gear 19 , and is matched with the spline teeth 16B and the shaft 19B of the input gear 19 , thereby rotating the input shaft 16 and the input gear 19 .

[0115] In a state where the printing tape cartridge 10 is mounted in the printing apparatus body 100, the drive shaft 105 is engaged with the input gear 19, and the platen gear 104 is engaged with the output gear 18. Specifically, the drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input shaft 16 and the input gear 19 of the printing tape cartridge 10. Then, the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 are swung toward the print head opening 33B of the printing tape cartridge 10.

[0116] When the printing tape cartridge 10 is installed, the input gear 19 is rotated by the driving shaft 105 , thereby rotating the output gear 18 , rotating the platen gear 104 , and rotating the platen roller 103 .

[0117] [1-2. Effect]

[0118] According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0119] (1a) Since the input gear 19, the output gear 18, and the idler gear 20 for transmitting driving force are arranged to overlap the print tape roll 11 in the vertical direction, the print tape cassette 10 can be miniaturized in the left-right direction and the front-back direction.

[0120] (1b) Since the rotation axis L4 of the first tape shaft 12 overlaps with the convex envelope P defined by the input gear 19, the output gear 18, and the idler gear 20, the printing tape cartridge 10 can be miniaturized in the left-right direction and the front-back direction, compared with a case where the rotation axis L4 of the first tape shaft 12 does not overlap with the convex envelope P. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress the thrust load of the first tape shaft 12 from being unevenly transmitted to one gear shaft.

[0121] (1c) Since a portion of the ink ribbon roll 14 and a portion of the input shaft 16 overlap with the idler gear 20 in the vertical direction, and the overlapping portion 20C of the second gear 20B overlaps with the print tape roll 11 in the vertical direction, the print tape cassette 10 can be further miniaturized in the left-right direction and the front-back direction.

[0122] (1d) Since the rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19, the rotation axis L7 of the output gear 18 and the rotation axis L9 of the idler gear 20 are located between the two ends of the print head opening 33B in the left-right direction, the printing tape cartridge 10 can be further miniaturized in the left-right direction.

[0123] [2. Second Embodiment]

[0124] [2-1. Structure]

[0125] Fig.11A and 11B The printing apparatus 1A shown includes a printing tape cassette 10A and a printing apparatus body 100A.

[0126] <Printing tape cassette>

[0127] The printing tape cassette 10A is a component of the printing tape cassette 10 of the first embodiment. Fig.12 The adhesive tape roll 21, winding shaft 22, winding gear 23 and clamping roller 24 are shown, and the input shaft 16, first shell part 31, first frame part 32, second frame part 33 and second shell part 34 of the first embodiment are replaced by a third tape shaft 25, first shell part 36, first frame part 37, second frame part 38 and second shell part 39.

[0128] The third tape shaft 25 is the same as the input shaft 16 except that it does not have the spline teeth 16B. The first housing portion 36, the first frame portion 37, the second frame portion 38, and the second housing portion 39 extend the first housing portion 31, the first frame portion 32, the second frame portion 33, and the second housing 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.

[0129] The adhesive tape roll 21 is formed by winding the adhesive tape around the third tape shaft 25. The adhesive tape roll 21 winds the adhesive tape around a winding center axis parallel to the vertical direction. The adhesive tape has an adhesive surface and is bonded to the printing tape 11A printed by the printing head 102.

[0130] The take-up shaft 22 is rotatable about a rotation axis L10 . The rotation axis L10 of the take-up shaft 22 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 (ie, vertical direction) of the second tape shaft 15 . The take-up shaft 22 takes up the ink ribbon 14A fed from the ink ribbon roll 14 by the rotation of the take-up gear 23 .

[0131] The take-up gear 23 is connected to the take-up shaft 22 and directly engaged with the idler gear 20. The rotation axis L11 of the take-up gear 23 and the rotation axis L10 of the take-up shaft 22 are arranged on the same straight line.

[0132] The take-up gear 23 is rotated by the driving force input to the input gear 19 , thereby rotating the take-up shaft 22 . The idler gear 20 transmits the driving force input to the input gear 19 to the take-up gear 23 .

[0133] The pinch roller 24 presses the adhesive tape against the printed printing tape 11A together with the pressure roller 106. The pinch roller 24 is arranged downstream of the printing head opening 33B in the conveying direction of the printing tape 11A.

[0134] like Fig.13A As shown, a portion of the take-up gear 23 overlaps with the print tape roll 11 in the vertical direction. In addition, the rotation axis L11 of the take-up gear 23 overlaps with the print tape roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0135] like Fig. 13B As shown, a portion of the take-up shaft 22 overlaps with the idler gear 20 in the up-down direction. In addition, the take-up gear 23 overlaps with the take-up shaft 22 in the up-down direction. Fig. 13B The outer edge of the take-up shaft 22 shown in FIG. 2 includes flanges provided at both end portions in the axial direction of the rotation axis L10 of the take-up shaft 22 .

[0136] A portion of the output gear 18 and a portion of the idler gear 20 overlap with the adhesive tape roll 21 in the vertical direction. In particular, a portion of the overlapping portion 20C of the second gear 20B of the idler gear 20 overlaps with the adhesive tape roll 21 in the vertical direction.

[0137] <Printing device>

[0138] The printing apparatus body 100A is formed by adding the following components to the printing apparatus body 100 of the first embodiment: Fig.14 The pressure roller 106 is shown. Since the other structures of the printing apparatus body 100A are the same as those of the printing apparatus body 100 of the first embodiment except for the points described below, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0139] The pressure roller 106 is configured to be able to swing together with the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104. Fig.14 The position shown in FIG. 10A away from the printing tape cassette 10A and the Fig.15 The illustrated embodiment swings between positions where the pinch roller 24 presses the printing tape 11A and the third tape.

[0140] In this embodiment, when the print tape cartridge 10A is mounted in the printing apparatus body 100A, the drive shaft 105 is inserted into the hollow portion of the third tape shaft 25 (ie, the adhesive tape roll 21 ), and the input gear 19 is engaged with the drive shaft 105 .

[0141] [2-2. Effect]

[0142] According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0143] (2a) Since a portion of the take-up gear 23 and the rotation axis L11 of the take-up gear 23 overlap with the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction, the same advantages as the first embodiment are achieved and the printed content of the printing tape 11A can be protected by the adhesive tape.

[0144] (2b) Since a portion of the winding shaft 22 overlaps with the idler wheel 20 in the vertical direction, and the overlapping portion 20C of the second gear 20B of the idler wheel 20 overlaps with the adhesive tape roll 21 in the vertical direction, the printing tape box 10A can be further miniaturized in the left-right direction and the front-back direction.

[0145] [3. Other embodiments]

[0146] 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.

[0147] (3a) In the printing device of the above embodiment, the printing tape roll, the ink ribbon roll, and the adhesive tape roll do not necessarily need to be wound around a rotatable shaft. These tape rolls may be wound around a non-rotating member fixed to the housing, for example. In addition, these tape rolls do not necessarily need to be wound around other members.

[0148] (3b) 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 use an adhesive tape (ie, protective tape) instead of the ink ribbon.

[0149] Furthermore, the printing apparatus may use a perforated stencil tape on which a pattern is printed by a thermal head as the printing tape, and use a tape-shaped backing paper for protecting and supporting the stencil tape instead of the adhesive tape. In this case, at the opening of the printing head, the printing tape may be overlapped on the backing paper at a position closer to the printing head than the backing paper (i.e., as an upper layer), or may be overlapped on the backing paper at a position farther from the printing head than the backing paper (i.e., as a lower layer).

[0150] (3c) In the printing tape cassette of the second embodiment, the arrangement of the take-up shaft and the third tape shaft can be interchanged. That is, the drive shaft can be inserted into the take-up shaft, and the third tape shaft can be rotated by the take-up gear.

[0151] (3d) In the printing tape cartridge of the above embodiment, the output gear, input gear and take-up gear may cooperate with the idler gear indirectly (ie, via other gears). In addition, the idler gear does not necessarily have to be a segmented gear, but may be a single-stage gear.

[0152] (3e) 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 idea in the claims are embodiments of the present invention.

[0153] Description of Reference Numerals

[0154] 1.1A: Printing equipment

[0155] 10, 10A: Printing tape box

[0156] 11: Printing tape roll

[0157] 11A: Printing tape

[0158] 11B: Outer surface

[0159] 12: First belt axis

[0160] 14: Ink Ribbon Roll

[0161] 14A: Ink ribbon

[0162] 15: Second belt axis

[0163] 16: Input shaft

[0164] 18: Output gear

[0165] 19: Input gear

[0166] 20: Idler

[0167] 20A: First gear

[0168] 20B: Second gear

[0169] 20C: Overlap

[0170] 21: Adhesive tape roll

[0171] 22: Take-up shaft

[0172] 23: Winding gear

[0173] 25: The third belt axis

[0174] 31: First housing part

[0175] 32: First frame portion

[0176] 33: Second frame part

[0177] 33B: Print head opening

[0178] 34: Second housing part

[0179] 35: Shell

[0180] 100, 100A: Printing device body

[0181] 101: Cassette insertion section

[0182] 102: Print head

[0183] 103: Paper pressing roller

[0184] 105: Drive shaft

[0185] 106: Pressure roller

Claims

1. A printing tape box, comprising: A printing tape roll, on which the printing tape is wound around a winding central axis parallel to the first direction; an input gear into which a driving force from an outside is input; An output gear, used for outputting the driving force to the outside; as well as an idler gear, which cooperates directly or indirectly with the input gear and the output gear, and transmits the driving force input to the input gear to the output gear, At least a portion of the input gear, at least a portion of the output gear, and at least a portion of the idler gear overlap the printing tape roll in the first direction, respectively.

2. The printing tape cassette according to claim 1, wherein: The rotation axis of the input gear, the rotation axis of the output gear, and the rotation axis of the idler gear are respectively located inside the outer peripheral surface of the printing tape roll in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

3. The printing tape cassette according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Also includes a belt shaft capable of rotating around a rotation axis, The printing tape roll is formed by winding the printing tape around the tape shaft. In a projection diagram of the belt shaft, the input gear, the output gear and the idler gear onto a virtual plane perpendicular to the first direction, the rotation axis of the belt shaft overlaps with a convex envelope defined by the input gear, the output gear and the idler gear.

4. The printing tape cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The ink ribbon roll is also included, wherein the ink ribbon roll is wound with an ink ribbon for printing the printing ribbon around a winding central axis parallel to the first direction. At least a portion of the ink ribbon roll overlaps the idler wheel in the first direction.

5. The printing tape cassette according to claim 4, characterized in that: further comprising a take-up shaft that is rotatable to take up the ink ribbon supplied from the ink ribbon roll, At least a portion of the take-up shaft overlaps the idler wheel in the first direction.

6. The printing tape cassette according to claim 5, characterized in that: It also includes a take-up gear, which cooperates directly or indirectly with the idler wheel to rotate the take-up shaft. At least a portion of the take-up gear overlaps the printing tape roll in the first direction.

7. The printing tape cassette according to claim 6, wherein: The rotation axis of the take-up gear overlaps with the printing tape roll in the first direction.

8. The printing tape cassette according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The take-up gear overlaps the take-up shaft in the first direction.

9. The printing tape cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The idler gear is a segmented gear in which a first gear matched with the output gear and a second gear having a diameter larger than the first gear are arranged side by side. The second gear has an overlapping portion overlapping with the output gear in the first direction, and at least a part of the overlapping portion of the second gear overlaps with the print tape roll in the first direction.

10. The printing tape cassette according to claim 9, characterized in that: The adhesive tape roll is wound around a winding central axis parallel to the first direction and is used to adhere to the printing tape. At least a portion of the overlapping portion of the second gear overlaps the adhesive tape roll in the first direction.

11. The printing tape cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: Also comprising a housing that houses at least a portion of the input gear, at least a portion of the output gear, and at least a portion of the idler gear, The housing has a recessed portion, the recessed portion is concave in the first direction and extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The rotation axis center of the input gear, the rotation axis center of the output gear, and the rotation axis center of the idler gear are respectively located between both ends of the recessed portion in the second direction.

12. The printing tape cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The adhesive tape roll is wound around a winding central axis parallel to the first direction and is used to adhere to the printing tape. At least a portion of the output gear and at least a portion of the idler gear overlap the adhesive tape roll in the first direction, respectively.

Images