Printing apparatus

Abstract

A printing apparatus includes: a print head that performs printing on a tape; an imprint roller that, in a state in which the tape is held between the print head and the imprint roller during printing, can be changed to any of a pressed state in which the tape is conveyed by rotation while pressing the tape and a separated state in which the tape is separated from the print head; a gear train comprising a plurality of gears for rotating the platen roller, the gear train being separated from the print head together with the platen roller when the platen roller is in the separated state; and a fixing mechanism that fixes the movement of at least one gear of the gear train when the platen roller is in the separated state.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority and the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-063906, filed on April 11, 2024. The entire specification, claims, and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-063906 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a printing device for producing labels by printing on a tape member. Background Art

[0004] As a printing device that prints ink of an ink ribbon onto a tape member to produce a label, a known printing device using a thermal transfer method is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-48198, for example.

[0005] In the printing device disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-48198, when replacing the tape cassette (cassette), if the cassette cover is opened, the platen holder will move to the standby position. By moving the platen holder to the standby position, the tape cassette is loaded and unloaded relative to the mounting portion. However, when the platen holder is in the standby position, the gear train that rotates the platen roller is not engaged with the drive gear that drives the gear train, and therefore sometimes rotates due to vibrations, etc. When the cassette cover is closed again in the rotated state, there is a problem that it is difficult to engage the gear train that rotates the platen roller with the drive gear.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing device capable of appropriately performing meshing of a gear train when replacing a cartridge.

[0007] Solutions for solving problems

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the printing device of the present invention comprises:

[0009] a print head that prints to the tape;

[0010] a platen roller capable of changing to either a pressed state in which it rotates while pressing the tape to convey the tape during printing or a separated state in which it is separated from the print head while holding the tape between the platen roller and the print head during printing;

[0011] a gear train composed of a plurality of gears for rotating the platen roller, and separated from the print head together with the platen roller when the platen roller is in the separated state; and

[0012] A fixing mechanism fixes the movement of at least one gear of the gear train when the platen roller is in the separated state.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus capable of appropriately performing meshing of a gear train when replacing a cartridge. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 It is a plan view showing a state where the tape cassette is mounted in the printing device.

[0017] Figure 3 Schematic diagram showing the movement of the driving mechanism of the platen roller and the ribbon take-up shaft.

[0018] Figure 4 It is a perspective view of a part of the drive mechanism.

[0019] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the fixing mechanism.

[0020] Figure 6 (a) is a schematic diagram showing a state where the gear train is released from being fixed by the fixing mechanism, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing a state where the gear train is fixed by the fixing mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following describes a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing the printing device, reference is made to an orthogonal coordinate system, where the X-axis represents the direction in which the printed medium is discharged, the Y-axis represents the direction perpendicular to the printed medium, and the Z-axis is defined as being orthogonal to the X and Y axes. In this orthogonal coordinate system, the +X-axis direction represents the direction in which the printed medium is discharged, and the +Y-axis direction represents the upward direction of the printing device.

[0022] A printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a tape printer (label printer) that prints characters, numbers, symbols, pictograms, graphics, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "printed patterns") on a printing tape.

[0023] like Figure 1As shown, the printing device 1 includes: a keyboard 11 for inputting a printing pattern; a display 12 for displaying the input printing pattern, etc.; an opening and closing cover 13 for accommodating a tape cassette in the printing device 1; a label generating unit 100; and a tape discharge port 14 for discharging the label generated by the label generating unit 100 from the printing device 1. Although not shown, the printing device 1 also includes input and output terminals for connecting to external devices such as a personal computer, a power supply terminal for connecting a power cord or a battery receiving unit for receiving a battery, and an insertion port for inserting a storage device such as a memory card.

[0024] like Figure 2 As shown, the label generating unit 100 includes: a base portion 110; a tape printing mechanism 120 for printing on a printing tape; a cassette receiving portion 130; and a fixing mechanism 140 (see Figure 5 、 Figure 6 ).

[0025] The base 110 includes a first flat plate 110a and a second flat plate 110b. The first flat plate 110a is equipped with a gear that rotates a platen roller 122 and a ribbon take-up shaft 126, the platen roller 122, an arm 123 that swings the platen roller 122, and a thermal head 121. The second flat plate 110b sandwiches the gear, platen roller 122, thermal head 121, and other components between its lower surface and the first flat plate 110a. A cassette receiving portion 130 is formed on its upper surface, and the cassette receiving portion 130 receives the tape cassette 200.

[0026] The tape box 200 is a box that accommodates a tape component M and an ink ribbon R as a printing tape, and includes: a tape core 201 on which the tape component M is wound; a ribbon supply core 202 that supplies the ink ribbon R; and a ribbon winding core 127 that winds up the used ink ribbon R.

[0027] The tape printing mechanism 120 includes a thermal head (printing head) 121 having a plurality of heating elements arranged in a line for heating the ink ribbon R; a platen roller 122 disposed opposite the thermal head 121 and conveying the tape member M and the ink ribbon R toward the tape outlet 14 while sandwiching the tape member M and the ink ribbon R with the thermal head 121; an arm 123 supporting the platen roller 122 and enabling it to swing (rotate); and a cutting unit 124. The tape printing mechanism 120 also includes a ribbon take-up shaft 126 for rotating a ribbon take-up core 127 that takes up the ink ribbon R.

[0028] The platen roller 122 feeds the tape member M toward the tape outlet 14 (+X direction) and presses the tape member M toward the thermal head 121 with appropriate pressure during printing. The outer periphery of the platen roller 122 is formed, for example, by a cylindrical body whose outer periphery is covered with an elastic member such as rubber. The platen roller 122 feeds the tape member M by rotating via a rotating shaft 122a protruding from both ends of the platen roller 122 in the longitudinal direction (Z direction).

[0029] The platen roller 122 rotates in the R1 direction while being pressed downward by a cam portion (not shown) via the arm 123 , thereby conveying the belt member M and the ink ribbon R while pressing them against the thermal head 121 .

[0030] The arm 123 swings (rotates) about the Z-axis of the rotation shaft 123a via the cam portion. As the arm 123 swings, the platen roller 122 mounted on the front end of the arm 123 swings in the P1 direction, which is the downward direction, and in the P2 direction, which is the opposite direction of the P1 direction. When the arm 123 swings in the P2 direction and is furthest away from the thermal head 121, the platen roller 122 moves to a position that ensures a sufficient distance from the thermal head 121. This ensured distance allows the user to easily replace or install the tape cassette 200.

[0031] The cutting unit 124 is arranged near the tape discharge port 14 and cuts the tape member M to produce a tape piece or cuts the tape member M to the adhesive surface of the tape member M.

[0032] Next, the driving mechanism of the platen roller 122 and the ribbon take-up shaft 126 will be described. Figure 3 、 Figure 4 As shown, the platen roller 122 and the ribbon take-up shaft 126 are rotated by power transmitted from a motor 50 mounted on the base 110. The motor 50 is, for example, a stepping motor and includes a rotor, a stator, an encoder, etc. The rotational motion of the motor 50 is output from an output gear G1 mounted on an output shaft. Figure 3 The gears shown are mounted on the box receiving portion 130 ( Figure 2 ) relative to the first plane plate 110a. In addition, Figure 3To facilitate understanding of the diagram, the tooth profiles of the various gears have been omitted. The rotational motion output from output gear G1 is transmitted to gears G2 through G9, thereby rotating the platen roller 122 connected to gear G9 about the rotation axis 122a. The output gears G1 through G9, which transmit power from the motor 50 to the platen roller 122, are referred to as the first gear train 51. Furthermore, the rotational motion output from output gear G1 is transmitted to gears G2, G3, G4, G5, G10, G11, and G12, rotating the ribbon take-up shaft 126 connected to gear G12. The output gears G1 through G5, G10, and G12, which transmit power from the motor 50 to the ribbon take-up shaft 126, are referred to as the second gear train 52.

[0033] The fixing mechanism 140 is a mechanism for fixing a part of the gears of the first gear train 51 whose power transmission is cut off when the cartridge is replaced. Figure 5 As shown, the fixing mechanism 140 includes an arm 123 and a fixing member 143 (see Figure 6 The arm 123 swings in the P1 direction, which is the downward direction, and the P2 direction, which is the opposite direction to the P1 direction, with the rotation axis 123a as the center. The rotation axis 123a is mounted on the first flat plate 110a. Figure 5 、 Figure 6 As shown, arm 123 includes a first frame 123b, on whose top surface gears G6 through G9 of first gear train 51 are mounted; and a second frame 123c, which faces first frame 123b and holds gears G6 through G9 between first frame 123b and second frame 123c. Gears G6 through G9 are held in the thickness direction by first frame 123b and second frame 123c, restricting their movement in the thickness direction.

[0034] like Figure 6 As shown in (a), when the arm 123 swings in the P1 direction as the downward direction, the gear G6 meshes with the gear G5, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown in (b), when arm 123 swings upward in the P2 direction, the meshing between gear G6 and gear G5 is disengaged. Through the meshing between gears G5 and G6, the rotational power of motor 50 is transmitted from gear G5 to gear G6. When arm 123 swings upward, the meshing between gears G5 and G6 is disengaged, and the rotational power of motor 50 is no longer transmitted from gear G5 to gear G6. Gear G5 functions as a drive gear, rotating gear G6.

[0035] like Figure 6 As shown, the fixing member 143 is arranged above the gear G7. In this embodiment, the fixing member 143 is a rack tooth shape. When the arm 123 swings in the P2 direction as the upward direction, as shown in FIG. Figure 6As shown in (b), the fixing member 143 is engaged with the gear G7, restricting the movement of the gear G7. When the movement of the gear G7 is restricted by the fixing member 143, the movement of the gears G6 and G8 that are engaged with the gear G7, and the movement of the gear G9 that is engaged with the gear G8 are fixed. When the arm 123 swings in the P1 direction, which is the downward direction, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown in (a), the meshing between the fixing member 143 and the gear G7 is released, and the gear G5 as the driving gear is meshed with the gear G6.

[0036] (Operation of the Printing Device)

[0037] When the execution of printing is instructed by operating the keyboard 11, Figure 3 The motor 50 shown rotates, and the belt member M and the ink ribbon R are respectively released from the belt core 201 and the ribbon supply core 202 of the belt box 200. Specifically, through the rotation of the motor 50, power is transmitted from the motor 50 to the Figure 3 The first gear train 51 of the output gear G1 to the gear G9 rotates the rotating shaft 122a in the counterclockwise direction (R1). Figure 2 As shown, the platen roller 122 rotates counterclockwise (in the direction indicated by arrow R1) about the rotation axis 122a while pressing the overlapping tape member M and ink ribbon R against the thermal head 121. This causes the tape member M to be unwound from the tape core 201, and the ink ribbon R to be unwound from the ribbon supply core 202. In this manner, the tape member M and ink ribbon R are conveyed, overlapping, between the platen roller 122 and the thermal head 121 in the direction indicated by arrow Y1. At this point, the ink ribbon R is heated by the thermal head 121, causing the ink to be thermally transferred to the tape member M. The printed tape member M is then cut by the cutting unit 124 and discharged from the tape outlet 14 to the outside of the apparatus.

[0038] On the other hand, Figure 3 As shown, the rotation of the motor 50 transmits power to the second gear train 52 including the output gear G1, the gears G2 to G5, and the gears G10 to G12, causing the gear G12 connected to the ribbon take-up shaft 126 to rotate. The gear G12 rotates clockwise around the ribbon take-up shaft 126 as shown by the arrow R2. Figure 2 As shown, the ink ribbon R is transported in the direction of arrow Y2 and is taken up by the ribbon take-up core 127.

[0039] The arm 123 is swung about the rotation axis 123a by a cam portion (not shown). That is, when printing starts, the arm 123 is swung downward in the P1 direction by the cam portion, pushing the platen roller 122 downward and pressing the belt member M against the thermal head 121.

[0040] During the printing process, Figure 6 As shown in (a) of FIG. 1 , the arm 123 swings in the P1 direction, and the gear G6 held by the arm 123 meshes with the gear G5 serving as the drive gear, thereby rotating the platen roller 122 and conveying the belt member M in the Y1 direction.

[0041] When the arm 123 is swung in the upward direction P2 by the cam portion, the arm 123 is in a state where the rotation shaft 123 a is rotated counterclockwise at a maximum angle, and the platen roller 122 is separated from the thermal head 121 by a maximum distance.

[0042] At this time, the arm 123 is Figure 6 As shown in (b), by swinging the arm 123 in the upward direction P2, the meshing between the drive gears G5 and G6 is released, and the gear G7 meshes with the rack teeth of the fixing member 143. As a result, the movements of the gears G6 to G9 are fixed.

[0043] When this state is reached, the lock of the opening and closing cover 13 is released, and the user can open and close the opening and closing cover 13. In addition, the tape cassette 200 accommodated in the cassette receiving portion 130 can be replaced. In addition, when starting printing, the tape cassette 200 can be placed in the cassette receiving portion 130.

[0044] When the user replaces or replaces the tape cassette 200 and closes the access cover 13, the cam section operates, causing the arm 123 to swing downward in the direction P1. The downward swing of the arm 123 causes the rack teeth of the securing member 143, which originally secured the gear G7, to separate from the gear G7. Since the gear G6 remains secured and meshes with the drive gear G5, the drive gear G5 aligns with the gear G6 and meshes with it.

[0045] When the tape cassette 200 is set and the access cover 13 is closed, the cam is driven again, causing the platen roller 122 to swing in the direction P1 via the arm 123, approaching the thermal head 121. The first gear train 51 is driven by the meshing of the gears G5 and G6, causing the platen roller 122 to rotate, and the tape member M is conveyed, thereby becoming ready for printing.

[0046] When printing is completed, the cutting unit 124 is operated to cut the tape member M in the width direction, thereby producing a single tape-shaped label.

[0047] According to the above embodiment, the rotation of the gear train on the arm 123 can be stopped by meshing the fixing member 143 with the gear G7 , and when printing is resumed, the gears G5 and G6 as the driving gears are properly meshed.

[0048] Since the gear G5 and the gear G6 , which are driving gears, are engaged with and released from the engagement by the arm 123 , the gears G6 to G9 can be stably moved.

[0049] Since the rack tooth profile is used as the fixing member 143 , the plurality of teeth of the rack tooth profile mesh with the plurality of teeth of the gear G7 , thereby reliably fixing the movement of the gear G7 .

[0050] The arm 123 is composed of a first frame 123b and a second frame 123c. These two frames can clamp the gears G6 to G9 in the thickness direction of the gears and swing them. Therefore, it can not only limit the movement of the gears G6 to G9 in the thickness direction, but also allow the gears G6 to G9 to swing as a whole.

[0051] By making the rack tooth profile as the fixing member 143 mesh with the gear G7 adjacent to the gear G6 instead of the gear G6 directly meshing with the gear G5 as the driving gear, the amount of backlash can be reduced.

[0052] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and is capable of various modifications and applications. In the above-described embodiment, a rack-shaped toothed member is used as the fixing member 143, but any member capable of stopping the rotation of the gear G7 may be used. Alternatively, a rod-shaped stopper or the like may be inserted between the teeth of the gear G7.

[0053] The fixing member 143 is configured to stop the gear G7 , but the fixing member 143 may stop any gear among the gears on the arm.

[0054] Although the fixing member 143 stops one gear G7 , it may also stop a plurality of gears on the arm 123 .

[0055] Although the gear G5 is described as the driving gear, the driving gear may be another gear of the first gear train 51 , such as the gear G6 or the gear G7 .

[0056] Although the fixing member 143 is disposed above the gear G7 , it may be disposed below the gear G7 .

[0057] As mentioned above, although the preferred embodiment of the present invention was described, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment described above, and the present invention includes the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A printing device, characterized in that have: a print head that prints to the tape; a platen roller capable of changing to either a pressed state in which it rotates while pressing the tape to convey the tape during printing or a separated state in which it is separated from the print head while holding the tape between the platen roller and the print head during printing; a gear train composed of a plurality of gears for rotating the platen roller, and separated from the print head together with the platen roller when the platen roller is in the separated state; as well as A fixing mechanism fixes the movement of at least one gear of the gear train when the platen roller is in the separated state.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein It also includes a drive gear for driving the gear train. The fixing mechanism fixes the movement of at least one gear of the gear train when power transmission from the drive gear to the gear train is released.

3. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein: The fixing mechanism stops a gear adjacent to a gear directly meshing with the drive gear.

4. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The fixing mechanism includes a fixing member that engages with the at least one gear to fix the movement of the gear train.

5. The printing device according to claim 4, characterized in that The fixing member is a rack-shaped member fixed to the printing device.

6. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein: The fixing mechanism includes an arm for holding the gear train. The arm moves the gear train to a position of engagement with and a position of disengagement from the drive gear.

7. The printing device according to claim 6, wherein: The arm includes a pair of frames that sandwich the gear train from a thickness direction of the gear.

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