Printing box

Abstract

Provided is a printing cartridge capable of increasing the capacity of a printing tape. A printing cartridge includes a printing tape roll and a first case disposed at a position different from that of the printing tape roll in a first direction. The first housing has: a discharge port for discharging the printing tape to the outside; a conveyance path for conveying the printing tape toward the discharge port; a first outer surface and a second outer surface constituting the outermost surface of the first housing in the second direction; and a third outer surface and a fourth outer surface constituting the outermost surface of the first housing in the third direction. The printing tape roll has an overlapping portion that overlaps the first housing in the first direction. The distance between at least one of the first outer surface, the second outer surface, the third outer surface and the fourth outer surface and the central axis of the printing tape roll is smaller than the outer radius of the printing tape roll.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing box. Background Art

[0002] In a printing device that prints a printing tape, the printing tape is replaced and supplied by attaching and detaching a cassette containing the printing tape to a main body of the printing device. In such a cassette for a printing device, the capacity of the printing tape can be increased by increasing the diameter of the printing tape roll (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-131690

[0006] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0007] If the diameter of the printing tape roll is increased as described above, the radial dimension of the printing tape roll of the cassette becomes larger. Therefore, the capacity of the printing tape roll is limited due to the shape of the cassette housing portion in the printing device body. Summary of the invention

[0008] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a printing cassette capable of increasing the capacity of a printing tape.

[0009] Technical means for solving technical problems

[0010] One embodiment of the present invention is a printing cassette including a printing tape roll and a first housing, the printing tape being composed of a printing tape, the first housing being arranged at a position different from the printing tape roll in a first direction parallel to a central axis of the printing tape roll.

[0011] The first shell has: a discharge port for discharging the printing tape to the outside; a conveying path for conveying the printing tape pulled out from the printing tape toward the discharge port; a first outer surface and a second outer surface, which constitute the outermost surface of the first shell in a second direction parallel to the discharge direction of the printing tape at the discharge port; and a third outer surface and a fourth outer surface, which constitute the outermost surface of the first shell in a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction.

[0012] The printing tape roll has an overlapping portion overlapping the first housing in the first direction. The distance between at least one of the first outer surface, the second outer surface, the third outer surface, and the fourth outer surface and the central axis of the printing tape roll is smaller than the outer radius of the printing tape roll.

[0013] According to such a structure, the printing tape roll and the first housing are arranged at different positions in the axial direction of the printing tape roll, thereby maintaining the size of the first housing inserted into the printing device body and increasing the diameter of the printing tape roll. As a result, the restriction caused by the shape of the cassette storage portion in the printing device body can be reduced and the capacity of the printing tape can be increased. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a schematic perspective view showing a printing device in the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2A Yes means Figure 1 A schematic top view of a printing device body in a printing device of Figure 2B Yes means Figure 2A A schematic three-dimensional diagram of a printing device body.

[0016] Figure 3A and Figure 3B yes Figure 1 A schematic three-dimensional diagram of a printing box in a printing device.

[0017] Figure 4 yes Figure 3A A schematic exploded perspective view of a printing box.

[0018] Figure 5 Yes means Figure 3A A schematic top view of the internal structure of the first frame portion in the printing box.

[0019] Figure 6 Yes means Figure 3A A schematic three-dimensional diagram of the internal structure of the second frame portion in the printing box.

[0020] Figure 7 yes Figure 3A Schematic top view of a printing box.

[0021] Figure 8 yes Figure 3A A schematic top view of the second frame portion and the drive transmission mechanism in the printing box. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] [1. First embodiment]

[0023] [1-1. Structure]

[0024] Figure 1 The printing device 1 shown includes a printing cartridge 10 and a printing device main body 100. The printing device 1 is a device that prints on a printing tape 11A.

[0025] In this embodiment, the direction parallel to the central axis of the printing tape roll 11 is set as the up-down direction (first direction), the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and parallel to the discharge direction of the printing tape 11A at the discharge port 32C is set as the left-right direction (second direction), and the direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the left-right direction is set as the front-back direction (third direction).

[0026] <Printing Device Main Body>

[0027] like Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown, the printing device main body 100 includes a cartridge housing portion 101 , a printing head 102 , a platen roller 103 , a roller holder 104 , a driving shaft 105 , a detection portion 107 , and a housing 110 .

[0028] (Box storage unit)

[0029] The cartridge housing portion 101 is a recessed portion in which the printing cartridge 10 is mounted. The cartridge housing portion 101 has a function of positioning the printing cartridge 10 .

[0030] The cartridge housing 101 has an opening 101A provided in the housing 110. The printing cartridge 10 is inserted through the opening 101A and is housed in the cartridge housing 101. The housing 110 is provided with a slit-shaped discharge portion 110B communicating with the cartridge housing 101. The printing tape 11A is discharged from the discharge portion 110B.

[0031] (Printing head)

[0032] The print head 102 is disposed inside the cartridge housing portion 101. The print head 102 has a plurality of heating elements whose heat generation is individually controlled.

[0033] (Paper pressing roller)

[0034] The platen roller 103 is disposed near the print head 102 in the cartridge housing 101 so as to face the print head 102. The platen roller 103 can swing toward or away from the print head 102. The rotation axis of the platen roller 103 is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0035] (Paper Press Gear)

[0036] A platen gear (not shown) that engages with the output gear 21 of the printing cartridge 10 is coupled to the platen roller 103 . The platen gear swings together with the platen roller 103 .

[0037] (Roller Cage)

[0038] The roller holder 104 holds the platen roller 103. The roller holder 104 is attached to the frame 110 so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction.

[0039] (Drive shaft)

[0040] The drive shaft 105 is inserted through the take-up reel 16 and the input gear 22 of the printing cartridge 10. The drive shaft 105 inputs a driving force to rotate the take-up reel 16 and the input gear 22 to the printing cartridge 10.

[0041] The drive shaft 105 is disposed inside the cartridge housing portion 101. The rotation axis of the drive shaft 105 is parallel to the vertical direction. The drive shaft 105 is rotated around the rotation axis by a drive source (not shown) such as a combination of a motor and a gear.

[0042] (Detection Department)

[0043] The detection unit 107 detects the cartridge identification information provided to the printing cartridge 10 from the printing cartridge 10. The detection unit 107 detects the cartridge identification information from the detected portion 32E of the printing cartridge 10 by a mechanical, optical, or electromagnetic reading sensor.

[0044] <Printing Box>

[0045] The printing cartridge 10 stores the printing tape 11A. The printing cartridge 10 can be attached to and detached from the printing device body 100. By replacing the printing cartridge 10, the printing tape 11A can be replenished or the type (e.g., size, color, material, etc.) of the printing tape 11A can be changed.

[0046] like Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, the printing cartridge 10 includes a main case 35 that accommodates at least a portion of the printing tape 11A and at least a portion of the ink ribbon 14A (ie, auxiliary tape).

[0047] The main housing 35 includes a first housing 41 and a second housing 42. The first housing 41 and the second housing 42 are each in the shape of 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.

[0048] The first housing 41 is connected to the second housing 42 in a manner of protruding downward from the lower surface of the second housing 42. When the printing cartridge 10 is mounted in the cartridge accommodating portion 101, the first housing 41 is disposed in the cartridge accommodating portion 101. The main housing 35 is inserted into the cartridge accommodating portion 101 in a direction in which the first housing 41 and the bottom surface of the cartridge accommodating portion 101 face each other.

[0049] The area of ​​the second housing 42 when viewed from the top and bottom direction is larger than the area of ​​the opening 101A of the cartridge housing portion 101. Therefore, the second housing 42 is not inserted into the cartridge housing portion 101 but is arranged outside the cartridge housing portion 101.

[0050] like Figure 4As shown, the printing cassette 10 includes a printing tape roll 11 , a first supply reel 12 , an auxiliary tape reel 14 , a second supply reel 15 , a winding reel 16 , and a drive transmission mechanism 20 .

[0051] (Printing tape roll)

[0052] The printing tape roll 11 is formed by winding a strip-shaped printing tape 11A for printing around a core around a first supply reel 12. Printing is performed on the surface of the printing tape 11A by the printing head 102 of the printing device main body 100 and the ink ribbon 14A.

[0053] Two spacers 13A and 13B are arranged on the outer side of the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction so as to sandwich the printing tape roll 11. The spacers 13A and 13B are arranged between the printing tape roll 11 and the second cover portion 34 and between the printing tape roll 11 and the second frame portion 33. The printing tape 11A pulled out from the printing tape roll 11 is guided by the first roller 17A and the second roller 17C.

[0054] (First supply roll)

[0055] The first supply drum 12 is rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the vertical direction. The first supply drum 12 rotates as the printing tape 11A is conveyed by the platen roller 103 of the printing device body 100 , thereby supplying the printing tape 11A to the print head 102 .

[0056] The rotation axis of the first supply drum 12 coincides with the central axis of the printing tape roll 11. A rotation resistance is applied to the first supply drum 12 by a clutch spring held by a first clutch spring holder 17B.

[0057] (Auxiliary tape roll)

[0058] The auxiliary tape roll 14 is formed by winding a belt-shaped ink ribbon 14A used for printing with the printing tape 11A around a second supply reel 15 .

[0059] The ink ribbon 14A is overlapped with the printing tape 11A at the head opening 32B and is used for printing by the print head 102. The ink ribbon 14A used for printing is wound around the winding drum 16.

[0060] The auxiliary tape roll 14 is arranged at a different position (specifically, below) in the vertical direction from the printing tape roll 11. In addition, at least a portion of the auxiliary tape roll 14 is arranged at a position overlapping with the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0061] (Second supply roll)

[0062] The second supply drum 15 is rotatable around a rotation axis. The rotation axis of the second supply drum 15 is parallel to the up-down direction.

[0063] The second supply reel 15 rotates as the ink ribbon 14A is wound up by the winding reel 16, thereby supplying the ink ribbon 14A to the print head 102. The second supply reel 15 is subjected to rotational resistance by a clutch spring held by a second clutch spring holder 17D.

[0064] (Winding drum)

[0065] The winding drum 16 is rotatable around a rotation axis. The rotation axis of the winding drum 16 is parallel to the rotation axis of the second supply drum 15 .

[0066] The winding drum 16 is cylindrical and has a hollow portion defined by an inner peripheral surface 16A. Spline teeth 16B are provided on the inner peripheral surface 16A of the winding drum 16. The spline teeth 16B are connected to the drive shaft 105 of the printing device body 100. The winding drum 16 is rotated by the drive shaft 105 and winds up the ink ribbon 14A.

[0067] (Drive transmission mechanism)

[0068] When the printing cartridge 10 is mounted in the printing apparatus main body 100, the drive transmission mechanism 20 transmits the driving force transmitted from the drive shaft 105 to the platen roller 103. The drive transmission mechanism 20 includes an output gear 21, an input gear 22, and an idle gear 23.

[0069] The printing tape roll 11 , the drive transmission mechanism 20 , and the take-up drum 16 are arranged in this order in the up-down direction.

[0070] (Output gear)

[0071] The output gear 21 is an external gear for outputting the driving force for conveying the printing tape 11A to the outside. Specifically, the output gear 21 transmits the driving force to the platen gear of the printing device main body 100.

[0072] The rotation axis of the output gear 21 is parallel to the rotation axis of the second supply roller 15. A portion of the output gear 21 is exposed in the space communicating with the head opening 32B. When the printing cartridge 10 is mounted on the printing device body 100 (i.e., the main housing 35 is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion 101), the output gear 21 engages with the paper pressing gear in the space communicating with the head opening 32B.

[0073] (Input gear)

[0074] The input gear 22 is indirectly engaged with the output gear 21 via the idle gear 23 , and transmits the driving force to the output gear 21 .

[0075] The input gear 22 includes an external gear 22A and a drum 22B, which is a cylindrical internal gear having spline teeth on the inner circumferential surface and fixed to one side of the external gear 22A. The external gear 22A rotates integrally with the drum 22B by the driving force input to the drum 22B. The rotation axis of the input gear 22 (i.e., the rotation axis of the external gear 22A and the rotation axis of the drum 22B) is arranged on the same line as the rotation axis of the winding drum 16.

[0076] The rotation axis of the input gear 22 overlaps with the hollow portion of the winding drum 16 in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the printing cartridge 10 is mounted on the printing device body 100, the drive shaft 105 is inserted through both the winding drum 16 and the input gear 22. As a result, although the input gear 22 is not directly connected to the winding drum 16, it rotates together with the winding drum 16 through the drive shaft 105.

[0077] (Idle gear)

[0078] The idle gear 23 is drivingly coupled (ie, engaged) to the input gear 22 and the output gear 21 , and transmits the driving force input to the input gear 22 to the output gear 21 .

[0079] The idle gear 23 is a stepped gear in which an upstream gear 23A engaged with the input gear 22 and a downstream gear 23B engaged with the output gear 21 are arranged coaxially. The diameter of the downstream gear 23B is smaller than that of the upstream gear 23A. In addition, the downstream gear 23B is arranged at a position closer to the printing tape roll 11 than the upstream gear 23A in the vertical direction (i.e., above).

[0080] The idle gear 23 reduces the rotation speed of the driving force input to the input gear 22 and transmits it to the output gear 21. That is, the drive transmission mechanism 20 includes a speed reduction mechanism having a transmission ratio obtained by dividing the rotation speed of the input gear 22 by the rotation speed of the output gear 21 as a speed reduction ratio.

[0081] (case)

[0082] The main housing 35 includes a first cover portion 31 , a first frame portion 32 , a second frame portion 33 , and a second cover portion 34 .

[0083] The first cover portion 31 constitutes the lower end portion of the printing cassette 10. The first frame portion 32 is disposed above the first cover portion 31 and is connected to the first cover portion 31 in the vertical direction. The second frame portion 33 is disposed above the first frame portion 32 and is connected to the first frame portion 32 in the vertical direction. The second cover portion 34 constitutes the upper end portion of the printing cassette 10. The second cover portion 34 is connected to the second frame portion 33 in the vertical direction.

[0084] The first cover 31, the first frame 32, and a portion of the second frame 33 constitute a first housing 41 that accommodates the auxiliary tape roll 14, the second supply reel 15, the winding reel 16, and the drive transmission mechanism 20. The first housing 41 is disposed at a different position (specifically, below) than the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0085] The auxiliary tape roll 14, the second supply roll 15, and the winding roll 16 are arranged in a space surrounded by the first cover portion 31 and the first frame portion 32. The drive transmission mechanism 20 is arranged in a space surrounded by the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33. That is, the drive transmission mechanism 20 is arranged between the printing tape roll 11 and the auxiliary tape roll 14 in the up-down direction.

[0086] The second cover 34 and the second frame 33 constitute a second housing 42 that accommodates the printing tape roll 11. That is, the printing tape roll 11 is arranged in a space surrounded by the second cover 34 and the second frame 33.

[0087] The first frame portion 32 includes a first side wall 32A, a head opening 32B, a discharge port 32C, a conveyance path 32D, a detection portion 32E, a first claw 32F, and a second claw 32G (see Figure 3A ).

[0088] The first side wall 32A constitutes an outer side surface parallel to the up-down direction of the main housing 35 .

[0089] The head opening 32B is a portion where a portion of the first side wall 32A is cut away. The head opening 32B is a space in which the print head 102 and the holding member 102A holding the print head 102 are arranged when the print cartridge 10 is mounted on the printing device body 100. That is, the head opening 32B is composed of a printing space for printing and a recessed portion communicating with the printing space in the left-right direction.

[0090] The printing head 102 performs printing on the printing tape 11A at the head opening 32B. The head opening 32B opens downward of the printing cartridge 10 so that the printing head 102 can be inserted from below.

[0091] like Figure 5 As shown, in the left region of the head opening 32B, the printing tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A are stretched in the left-right direction. The printing tape 11A is exposed to the outside of the main case 35 at the head opening 32B and overlaps with the ink ribbon 14A.

[0092] The printed printing tape 11A is discharged to the outside of the printing device 1 through the discharge port 32C.

[0093] The printing tape 11A is discharged in the left direction at the discharge port 32C.

[0094] The conveyance path 32D is a space for conveying the printing tape 11A pulled out from the printing tape roll 11 toward the discharge port 32C. Specifically, the conveyance path 32D conveys the printing tape 11A from an opening communicating with the interior of the second housing 42 to the head opening 32B.

[0095] Figure 4 The detected portion 32E shown causes the printing device body 100 to detect identification information for identifying the printing cartridge 10. The detected portion 32E has a recess, a hole, or a protrusion provided on the first side wall 32A. The detected portion 32E causes the detection portion 107 of the printing device body 100 to detect the identification information of the printing cartridge 10 by contacting or non-contact reading of a three-dimensional mark composed of a combination of recesses, holes, or protrusions by the detection portion 107 of the printing device body 100.

[0096] In addition, the detection portion 32E may be changed to a three-dimensional marker, or may include an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag together with the three-dimensional marker.

[0097] That is, the detected unit 32E may cause the detecting unit 107 to detect the identification information through wireless communication.

[0098] The first claw 32F protrudes rightward from the right surface of the first side wall 32A. Figure 3A The second claw 32G shown in the figure protrudes leftward from the left side surface of the first side wall 32A. The first claw 32F and the second claw 32G engage with the printing device main body 100 (specifically, the cartridge storage unit 101) into which the first housing 41 is inserted.

[0099] Figure 4 The second frame portion 33 shown includes a second side wall 33A, an auxiliary wall 33B, a partition wall 33C, and a roll frame portion 33D. The second side wall 33A constitutes an outer side surface parallel to the vertical direction of the main housing 35. The auxiliary wall 33B protrudes downward from the partition wall 33C and is connected to the first side wall 32A of the first frame portion 32.

[0100] The partition wall 33C has a surface perpendicular to the vertical direction and extends in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The partition wall 33C is disposed vertically between the printing tape roll 11 and the drive transmission mechanism 20, that is, between the first supply drum 12 and the conveying path 32D.

[0101] The region of the partition wall 33C that vertically overlaps with the first frame portion 32 constitutes a partition wall between the first housing 41 and the second housing 42. That is, the partition wall 33C constitutes an upper wall of the first housing 41 and a lower wall of the second housing 42.

[0102] like Figure 6As shown, the reel frame portion 33D protrudes upward from the partition wall 33C. The reel frame portion 33D surrounds the printing tape reel 11 from the radially outer side. The printing tape 11A is pulled out from the printing tape reel 11 at the opening 33E of the reel frame portion 33D.

[0103] The printing tape 11A pulled out from the printing tape roll 11 is guided downward by a guide 33F provided in the reel frame portion 33D, and is fed to the transport path 32D of the first housing 41 .

[0104] <Casing Position and Shape>

[0105] like Figure 7 As shown, the first shell 41 has a first outer surface 41A and a second outer surface 41B constituting the outermost surface of the first shell 41 in the left-right direction, and a third outer surface 41C and a fourth outer surface 41D constituting the outermost surface of the first shell 41 in the front-rear direction.

[0106] The first outer surface 41A is the outermost surface on the left side of the first housing 41. The second outer surface 41B is the outermost surface on the right side of the first housing 41. The discharge port 32C discharges the printing tape 11A from the inner side of the first outer surface 41A toward the outer side of the first outer surface 41A when viewed from the top and bottom. That is, the first outer surface 41A is located on the left side of the discharge port 32C.

[0107] The third outer surface 41C is the outermost surface at the rear in the first housing 41. The fourth outer surface 41D is the outermost surface at the front in the first housing 41. The third outer surface 41C is arranged farther from the head opening 32B than the fourth outer surface 41D in the front-rear direction.

[0108] The printing tape roll 11 has an overlapping portion 11B vertically overlapping the first housing 41. The overlapping portion 11B does not include a pull-out portion 11C of the printing tape 11A in the printing tape roll 11. That is, the pull-out portion 11C does not vertically overlap the first housing 41.

[0109] The length of the outer circumference of the printing tape roll 11 included in the overlapping portion 11B is less than 1 / 2 of the full circumference of the printing tape roll 11. In other words, the length of the portion of the outer circumference of the printing tape roll 11 that does not overlap with the first housing 41 in the vertical direction is greater than 1 / 2 of the full circumference of the printing tape roll 11.

[0110] The distance between the second outer surface 41B and the fourth outer surface 41D and the central axis L1 of the printing tape roll 11 is smaller than the outer radius of the printing tape roll 11. That is, when viewed from the top and bottom, the printing tape roll 11 protrudes rightward from the second outer surface 41B and protrudes forward from the fourth outer surface 41D.

[0111] On the other hand, the distance between the first outer surface 41A and the third outer surface 41C and the central axis L1 of the printing tape roll 11 is greater than the outer radius of the printing tape roll 11. That is, the first outer surface 41A is located to the left of the outer peripheral surface of the printing tape roll 11, and the third outer surface 41C is located behind the outer peripheral surface of the printing tape roll 11.

[0112] Printing tape roll 11 in such Figure 1 The first housing 41 is inserted into the cartridge housing 101 of the printing apparatus body 100 and vertically overlaps with the second housing 42 on the surface 110A around the opening 101A of the cartridge housing 101. That is, the printing tape roll 11 does not enter the cartridge housing 101.

[0113] like Figure 7 As shown, the first claw 32F is provided on the second outer surface 41B (i.e., the outer surface whose distance from the center axis L1 of the printing tape roll 11 is smaller than the outer radius of the printing tape roll 11). In addition, the first claw 32F overlaps the printing tape roll 11 in the up-down direction. In addition, the second claw 32G is provided on the first outer surface 41A and does not overlap the printing tape roll 11.

[0114] like Figure 3B As shown, the detected portion 32E is provided on the fourth outer surface 41D (i.e., the outer surface whose distance from the central axis L1 of the printing tape roll 11 is smaller than the outer radius of the printing tape roll 11). In addition, when the first housing 41 is inserted into the printing device body 100, the fourth outer surface 41D faces the roller holder 104 of the printing device body 100.

[0115] like Figure 7 As shown, the second housing 42 has fifth and sixth outer surfaces 42A and 42B sandwiching the printing tape roll 11 in the left-right direction, and seventh and eighth outer surfaces 42C and 42D sandwiching the printing tape roll 11 in the front-rear direction.

[0116] The fifth outer surface 42A is the left outermost surface of the second housing 42. The sixth outer surface 42B is the right outermost surface of the second housing 42. In the left-right direction, the fifth outer surface 42A is arranged closer to the first outer surface 41A than the sixth outer surface 42B.

[0117] Specifically, the fifth outer surface 42A is continuous with the first outer surface 41A in the vertical direction without any step. That is, when viewed from the vertical direction, the fifth outer surface 42A overlaps with the first outer surface 41A so that a part of the fifth outer surface 42A coincides with the first outer surface 41A.

[0118] The sixth outer surface 42B is arranged to the right of the second outer surface 41B. That is, the second housing 42 extends to the right of the second outer surface 41B. The distance between the first outer surface 41A and the fifth outer surface 42A in the left-right direction is smaller than the distance between the second outer surface 41B and the sixth outer surface 42B in the left-right direction.

[0119] The seventh outer surface 42C is the outermost surface at the rear in the second housing 42. The eighth outer surface 42D is the outermost surface at the front in the second housing 42. The seventh outer surface 42C is arranged closer to the third outer surface 41C than the eighth outer surface 42D in the front-rear direction.

[0120] Specifically, the seventh outer surface 42C is continuous with the third outer surface 41C in the vertical direction without any step. That is, when viewed from the vertical direction, the seventh outer surface 42C overlaps with the third outer surface 41C so that a part of the seventh outer surface 42C coincides with the third outer surface 41C.

[0121] The eighth outer surface 42D is arranged forward of the fourth outer surface 41D. That is, the second housing 42 extends forward of the fourth outer surface 41D. The distance between the third outer surface 41C and the seventh outer surface 42C in the front-rear direction is smaller than the distance between the fourth outer surface 41D and the eighth outer surface 42D in the front-rear direction.

[0122] The volume of the second housing 42 is larger than that of the first housing 41. In addition, the center of gravity G of the printing tape storage unit, which combines the second housing 42 and the components stored in the second housing 42 (i.e., the printing tape roll 11, the first supply reel 12, etc.), overlaps with the first housing 41 in the vertical direction.

[0123] At least a portion of the first supply reel 12 overlaps with the head opening 32B in the vertical direction. In addition, the rotation axis of the first supply reel 12 (i.e., the central axis L1 of the printing tape roll 11) overlaps with the inner wall 32H in the vertical direction. The inner wall 32H is a wall that defines the head opening 32B when viewed from the vertical direction. The inner surface of the inner wall 32H that defines the head opening 32B intersects with a virtual surface (e.g., the lower surface of the partition wall 33C) that is orthogonal to the vertical direction.

[0124] like Figure 8 As shown, the first supply reel 12 overlaps with the partition wall 33C in the vertical direction. In addition, the rotation axis L2 of the first supply reel 12 does not overlap with the drive transmission mechanism 20 in the vertical direction. That is, the rotation axis L2 of the first supply reel 12 does not overlap with any of the output gear 21, the input gear 22, and the idle gear 23.

[0125] <Tape Transport and Printing by Printing Device Main Body>

[0126] When the printing cartridge 10 is mounted in the printing apparatus main body 100 , the print head 102 is arranged in the head opening 32B at a position overlapping the printing tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A in the front-rear direction.

[0127] The printing tape 11A is conveyed to the head opening 32B by the platen roller 103, and is pressed against the print head 102 heated by the heating element via the ink ribbon 14A by the platen roller 103. As a result, a portion of the ink disposed on the surface of the ink ribbon 14A is transferred to the printing tape 11A, and text, symbols, etc. are printed on the printing tape 11A.

[0128] The platen roller 103 conveys the printed printing tape 11A from the inside of the printing cassette 10 to the outside through the discharge port 32C. The platen roller 103 is rotated by the platen gear engaged with the output gear 21. The platen roller 103 can swing between a position separated from the printing cassette 10 and a position where the platen gear is engaged with the output gear 21 by the roller holder 104.

[0129] When the main housing 35 of the printing cartridge 10 is inserted into the cartridge accommodating portion 101 , the driving shaft 105 is engaged with the input gear 22 , and the platen gear is engaged with the output gear 21 .

[0130] Specifically, when the driving shaft 105 is inserted into the winding drum 16 and the input gear 22 of the printing cassette 10 , the platen roller 103 swings toward the head opening 32B of the printing cassette 10 , whereby the platen gear engages with the output gear 21 .

[0131] When the printing cartridge 10 is mounted, the input gear 22 is rotated by the drive shaft 105, thereby rotating the output gear 21. Furthermore, the rotation of the output gear 21 rotates the platen gear, and the platen roller 103 rotates.

[0132] [1-2. Effect]

[0133] According to the embodiments described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained.

[0134] (1a) The printing tape roll 11 and the first housing 41 are arranged at different positions in the axial direction of the printing tape roll 11, thereby maintaining the size of the first housing 41 inserted into the printing device body 100 and increasing the diameter of the printing tape roll 11. As a result, the restriction due to the shape of the cassette housing 101 in the printing device body 100 can be reduced, and the capacity of the printing tape 11A can be increased.

[0135] (1b) The second housing 42 has an outer surface that is continuous with the first outer surface 41A and the third outer surface 41C in the vertical direction, thereby increasing the volume of the second housing 42 and improving the productivity of the printing cartridge 10 .

[0136] (1c) The center of gravity of the printing tape storage unit including the second case 42 overlaps with the first case 41 in the vertical direction, thereby preventing the printing cartridge 10 from falling over when the printing cartridge 10 is placed with the second case 42 facing upward.

[0137] (1d) The first claw 32F overlaps with the printing tape roll 11, thereby making it possible to reduce the left-right dimension of the printing cassette 10.

[0138] (1e) The detected portion 32E is provided on the fourth outer surface 41D, whereby the detected portion 32E can be protected by the second housing 42 .

[0139] (1f) The first supply reel 12 overlaps with the inner wall 32H in the up-down direction, thereby improving the strength of the portion that axially supports the first supply reel 12 .

[0140] (1g) The first supply drum 12 overlaps the head opening 32B in the vertical direction, whereby the dimensions of the printing cartridge 10 in the left-right direction and the front-back direction can be reduced.

[0141] [2. Other embodiments]

[0142] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can take various forms.

[0143] (2a) The printing device of the above embodiment is not limited to a device that prints using an ink ribbon. For example, the printing device may print on a tape-shaped thermal paper. That is, the printing cassette does not necessarily need to include an ink ribbon.

[0144] In addition, the printing device can also use a perforated die-drawing tape with a printed pattern by a thermal head as a printing tape. When using the die-drawing tape as the printing tape, the paper-wrapping tape for protecting the die-drawing tape can be used as an auxiliary tape instead of the ink ribbon.

[0145] (2b) In the printing box of the above embodiment, the second housing does not necessarily have an outer surface that is continuous with the outer surface of the first housing in the vertical direction. For example, when viewed from the vertical direction, the fifth outer surface, the sixth outer surface, the seventh outer surface, and the eighth outer surface of the second housing may all be arranged outside the first housing.

[0146] (2c) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, when the first housing is inserted into the cassette accommodating portion, the printing tape roll may not overlap with the surface around the opening of the cassette accommodating portion in the vertical direction. That is, the printing tape roll may be accommodated in the cassette accommodating portion together with the second housing.

[0147] (2d) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, the drive transmission mechanism may be disposed below the conveyance path of the printing belt. In addition, the printing cassette does not necessarily need to include the drive transmission mechanism.

[0148] (2e) The functions of one component in the above-mentioned embodiment may be distributed to multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into one component. In addition, a part of the structure of the above-mentioned embodiment may be omitted. In addition, at least a part of the structure of the above-mentioned embodiment may be added to or replaced with the structure of other above-mentioned embodiments. In addition, all the methods included in the technical idea determined by the statements recorded in the scope of the request are embodiments of the present invention.

[0149] Explanation of symbols

[0150] 1 ... printing device, 10 ... printing box, 11 ... printing tape roll,

[0151] 11A ... printing tape, 11B ... overlapping portion, 11C ... pulling portion,

[0152] 12 ... a first supply reel, 20 ... a drive transmission mechanism, 32 ... a first frame portion,

[0153] 32B...head opening, 32C...discharge port, 32D...transport path, 32E...detected portion,

[0154] 32F...first claw, 32H...inner wall, 33...second frame, 33C...partition wall, 35...main housing,

[0155] 41 ... a first shell, 41A ... a first outer surface, 41B ... a second outer surface, 41C ... a third outer surface,

[0156] 41D... a fourth outer surface, 42... a second shell, 42A... a fifth outer surface, 42B... a sixth outer surface,

[0157] 42C...seventh outer surface, 42D...eighth outer surface, 100...printing device body,

[0158] 101 ... a cartridge storage portion, 101A ... an opening, 102 ... a printing head,

[0159] 103 ...paper pressing roller, 104 ...roller holder, 107 ...detection unit, 110 ...frame.

Claims

1. A printing box, characterized in that: have: a printing tape roll, the printing tape roll being composed of a printing tape; and a first housing arranged at a position different from that of the printing tape roll in a first direction parallel to a central axis of the printing tape roll; The first housing has: a discharge port for discharging the printing tape to the outside; a conveying path for conveying the printing tape pulled out from the printing tape toward the discharge port; a first outer surface and a second outer surface, the first outer surface and the second outer surface constituting the outermost surface of the first shell at the discharge port in a second direction parallel to the discharge direction of the printing tape; as well as a third outer surface and a fourth outer surface, wherein the third outer surface and the fourth outer surface constitute the outermost surface of the first shell in a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction; The printing tape roll has an overlapping portion overlapping the first housing in the first direction. At least one of the first outer surface, the second outer surface, the third outer surface, and the fourth outer surface is located at a distance from a central axis of the printing tape roll that is smaller than an outer radius of the printing tape roll.

2. The printing box according to claim 1, characterized in that: A second housing is further provided, the second housing accommodating the printing tape roll.

3. The printing box according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second housing has a fifth outer surface and a sixth outer surface, and the fifth outer surface and the sixth outer surface sandwich the printing tape roll in the second direction. When viewed from the first direction, the discharge port discharges the printing tape from the inner side of the first outer surface toward the outer side of the first outer surface, In the second direction, the fifth outer surface is arranged closer to the first outer surface than the sixth outer surface, A distance between the first outer surface and the fifth outer surface in the second direction is smaller than a distance between the second outer surface and the sixth outer surface in the second direction.

4. The printing box according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The first housing has a head opening through which the printing tape is exposed. The second housing has a seventh outer surface and an eighth outer surface, and the seventh outer surface and the eighth outer surface sandwich the printing tape roll in the third direction. In the third direction, the third outer surface is arranged farther from the head opening than the fourth outer surface, In the third direction, the seventh outer surface is arranged closer to the third outer surface than the eighth outer surface. A distance between the third outer surface and the seventh outer surface in the third direction is smaller than a distance between the fourth outer surface and the eighth outer surface in the third direction.

5. The printing box according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: The second housing has an outer surface continuous with at least one of the first outer surface, the second outer surface, the third outer surface, and the fourth outer surface in the first direction.

6. The printing box according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: The volume of the second shell is greater than that of the first shell.

7. The printing box according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that: The center of gravity of the printing tape storage portion, which combines the second housing and the components accommodated in the second housing, overlaps with the first housing in the first direction.

8. The printing box according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The first housing has a claw that engages with a printing device body into which the first housing is inserted. The claw is provided on an outer surface of the first outer surface, the second outer surface, the third outer surface, and the fourth outer surface, the distance from the central axis of the printing tape roll being smaller than the outer radius of the printing tape roll.

9. The printing box according to claim 8, characterized in that: The claw overlaps the printing tape roll in the first direction.

10. The printing box according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The first housing has a detection portion, which enables the printing device main body into which the first housing is inserted to detect the cartridge identification information. The detected portion is provided on an outer surface of the first outer surface, the second outer surface, the third outer surface, and the fourth outer surface, the distance from the central axis of the printing tape roll being smaller than the outer radius of the printing tape roll.

11. The printing box according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: When the first shell is inserted into the printing device body, the outer surface among the first outer surface, the second outer surface, the third outer surface and the fourth outer surface whose distance from the center axis of the printing tape roll is smaller than the outer radius of the printing tape roll is opposite to the roller retainer that holds the paper pressing roller of the printing device body.

12. The printing box according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The overlapping portion does not include a portion where the printing tape is pulled out of the printing tape roll.

13. The printing box according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The length of the outer peripheral surface of the printing tape roll included in the overlapping portion is less than 1 / 2 of the entire peripheral length of the printing tape roll.

14. The printing box according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: A reel is further provided on which the printing tape is wound. The first housing has a head opening through which the printing tape is exposed. At least a portion of the reel overlaps the head opening in the first direction.

15. The printing box according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that: A reel is further provided on which the printing tape is wound. The first housing has: a head opening through which the printing tape intersecting the first direction is exposed; and an inner wall which defines the head opening when viewed from the first direction, The rotation axis of the reel overlaps with the inner wall in the first direction.

16. The printing box according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that: Also available: a reel on which the printing tape is wound; and at least one gear, the at least one gear transmitting a driving force, The rotation axis of the reel does not overlap with the at least one gear in the first direction.

17. The printing box according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that: When the first housing is inserted into the cartridge housing of the printing device body, the printing tape roll overlaps with a surface around the opening of the cartridge housing in the first direction.

Images