Printer and cutter unit

Abstract

To provide a printer which contributes to inhibition of damage of a fixing part between a printer body and a cutter unit, and to provide the cutter unit.SOLUTION: A printer includes a printer housing and a unit housing 6. The unit housing 6 is provided with unit fixing parts 72, 74 fixed to the printer housing. The back plate 7A of the unit housing 6 is provided with a unit surface, which is at least one of a first unit surface 71A which faces in a second opposite direction and contacts with the first printer surface of the printer housing, second unit surfaces 76B, 78B which face in a first opposite direction and contact with the second printer surface of the printer housing, third unit surfaces 771A, 791A which face in a second axis direction and contact with the third printer surface of the printer housing, and fourth unit surfaces 772A, 792A which face in a first axis direction and contact with the fourth printer surface of the printer housing. The unit surface is provided at a position different from those of the unit fixing parts 72, 74.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer and a cutter unit. [Background technology]

[0002] The label printer described in Patent Document 1 comprises a printer body and a cutter unit. The printer body is provided with a printing section, a platen roller, and a locking mechanism. The printing section prints on the medium. The platen roller transports the medium. The locking mechanism fixes the cutter unit to the printer body when the cutter unit is attached to the printer body. The cutter unit cuts the printed medium. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-330419 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If the label printer is dropped, the fixing portion (locking mechanism) between the printer body and the cutter unit will be subjected to the impact of the fall, which may result in damage to the fixing portion between the printer body and the cutter unit.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a printer and a cutter unit that contribute to preventing damage to the fixed portion between the printer body and the cutter unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A printer according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a printer main body and a cutter unit attached to the printer main body, the printer main body comprising a printing section that prints on a medium, a platen roller that extends in an axial direction and faces the printing section in an opposing direction perpendicular to the axial direction and transports the medium in a transport direction perpendicular to the opposing direction and the axial direction, and a printer housing that houses the printing section and the platen roller, the printer housing including a discharge plate that extends intersecting the transport direction and is located at a downstream end of the printer housing in the transport direction, the discharge plate having an outlet through which the medium printed by the printing section is discharged, the cutter unit comprising a unit housing including an opposing plate that faces the discharge plate in the transport direction when the cutter unit is attached to the printer main body, and a cutter that is supported by the unit housing and cuts the medium discharged from the outlet, the printer housing and the unit housing each have the printer housing is provided with at least one printer surface among a first printer surface facing a first opposing direction that is one of the opposing directions, a second printer surface facing a second opposing direction opposite to the first opposing direction among the opposing directions, a third printer surface facing a first axial direction that is one of the axial directions, and a fourth printer surface facing a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction among the axial directions, the printer surface being provided at a position different from the printer fixing part; and the opposing plate is provided with at least one unit surface among a first unit surface facing the second opposing direction and in contact with the first printer surface, a second unit surface facing the first opposing direction and in contact with the second printer surface, a third unit surface facing the second axial direction and in contact with the third printer surface, and a fourth unit surface facing the first axial direction and in contact with the fourth printer surface, the unit surface being provided at a position different from the unit fixing part, the unit surface corresponding to the printer surface being provided at a position different from the unit fixing part.

[0007] According to the first aspect, even if the printer is dropped, the impact of the drop is received by the printer surface and the unit surface in addition to the printer fixing part and the unit fixing part, which contributes to reducing damage to the printer fixing part and the unit fixing part.

[0008] In the printer, the printer fixing part may include a printer fixing surface facing the second opposing direction, and the unit fixing part may include a unit fixing surface facing the first opposing direction and in contact with the printer fixing surface. For example, the printer may be dropped in a position in which the first opposing direction or the second opposing direction faces vertically. In this case, the impact of the drop received by the printer fixing part and the unit fixing part is likely to be distributed to the printer housing and the unit housing. Thus, the printer contributes to reducing damage to the printer fixing part and the unit fixing part.

[0009] In the printer, the opposing plate may be provided with a reinforcing rib that protrudes from the opposing plate upstream in the transport direction, extends perpendicular to the axial direction, and is connected to the unit fixing surface. In this case, the impact of a fall that the printer fixing part and the unit fixing part receive is dispersed by the reinforcing rib. Thus, the printer contributes to reducing damage to the printer fixing part and the unit fixing part.

[0010] In the printer, the printer housing is provided with the second printer surface, the third printer surface, and the fourth printer surface, and the opposing plate is provided with a connection rib that protrudes from the opposing plate upstream in the transport direction and includes the second unit surface, a first side rib that protrudes from the opposing plate upstream in the transport direction and includes the third unit surface, and a second side rib that protrudes from the opposing plate upstream in the transport direction and includes the fourth unit surface, and the first side rib and the second side rib may each extend perpendicular to the axial direction and be connected to the connection rib. In this case, the impact of a fall on the connection rib is distributed to the first side rib and the second side rib. Thus, the printer contributes to suppressing damage to the connection rib.

[0011] In the printer, the printer housing is provided with a guide rib including the third printer surface and the fourth printer surface, the opposing plate is provided with the third unit surface and the fourth unit surface, the third unit surface and the fourth unit surface are opposed to each other in the axial direction, and the guide rib may be fitted between the third unit surface and the fourth unit surface in the attached state. In this case, the guide rib fits between the third unit surface and the fourth unit surface during the process of attaching the cutter unit to the printer body. This guides the attachment of the cutter unit to the printer body. Furthermore, the printer receives a drop impact from the third printer surface and the third unit surface, and also receives a drop impact from the fourth printer surface and the fourth unit surface. Therefore, the printer does not need to be provided with a member for receiving the drop impact and a member for guiding the attachment of the cutter unit to the printer body separately. This contributes to suppressing the printer from becoming large.

[0012] In the printer, the printer housing may be provided with the second printer surface, the opposing plate may be provided with the second unit surface, one of the second printer surface and the second unit surface may be provided with a boss extending in the opposing direction, and the other of the second printer surface and the second unit surface may be provided with a hole into which the boss fits in the attached state. In this case, even if the cutter unit tries to move away from the printer body in the transport direction, the boss engages with the wall of the hole. Thus, the printer contributes to restricting movement of the cutter unit in the transport direction relative to the printer body.

[0013] A cutter unit according to a second aspect of the present invention is a cutter unit that is attached to a printer body including a printing unit that prints on a medium, a platen roller that extends in an axial direction and faces the printing unit in an opposing direction perpendicular to the axial direction and transports the medium in a transport direction perpendicular to the opposing direction and the axial direction, and a printer housing that houses the printing unit and the platen roller, the printer housing including a discharge plate that extends intersecting the transport direction and is located at a downstream end of the printer housing in the transport direction, the discharge plate having an outlet through which the medium printed by the printing unit is discharged, the cutter unit comprising: a unit housing including an opposing plate that faces the discharge plate in the transport direction when the cutter unit is attached to the printer body, and a cutter that is supported by the unit housing and cuts the medium discharged from the outlet, the opposing plate having a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the printer housing, the cutter unit being supported by the unit housing and cutting the medium discharged from the outlet, The printer housing has a unit fixing part that is fixed to a printer fixing part that is provided on the printer housing, and the opposing plate has at least one of a first unit surface that faces a second opposing direction opposite to a first opposing direction that is one of the opposing directions, the first unit surface being provided on the printer housing and in contact with a first printer surface that faces the first opposing direction, a second unit surface that faces the first opposing direction, the second unit surface being provided on the printer housing and in contact with a second printer surface that faces the second opposing direction, a third unit surface that faces a second axial direction opposite to a first axial direction that is one of the axial directions, the third unit surface being provided on the printer housing and in contact with a third printer surface that faces the first axial direction, and a fourth unit surface that faces the first axial direction, the fourth unit surface being provided on the printer housing and in contact with a fourth printer surface that faces the second axial direction.

[0014] The second aspect, like the first aspect, contributes to preventing damage to the printer fixing part and the unit fixing part. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view of a printer 100 with a cutter unit 5 attached to a printer body 1. FIG. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of the printer 100 with the cutter unit 5 removed from the printer body 1. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printer 100 with the top cover 4 in the open position. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a region W1 shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front part of the printer main body 1. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] 2 is a perspective view of the cutter unit 5 when it is attached to the printer body 1. FIG. [Figure 10] 1 is a perspective view showing a state after the cutter unit 5 is attached to the printer body 1 and before the front cover 3B is attached to the printer body 1. FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a perspective view showing a state after the cutter unit 5 is attached to the printer body 1 and before the front cover 3B is attached to the printer body 1. FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is a perspective view of the front cover 3B when it is attached to the printer body 1. FIG. [Figure 13] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the printer 100 in the attached state, taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 7. [Figure 14] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the printer 100 in the attached state, taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 7. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printer 100. [Figure 16] 13 is a flowchart of a print control process. [Figure 17] 13 is a flowchart of a disconnection control process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings are used to explain technical features that may be adopted by the present invention. The configuration of the device shown in the drawings is merely an illustrative example and is not intended to be limiting. In the following, the upper left, lower right, lower left, upper right, lower, and upper sides of FIG. 1 are respectively the left, right, front, rear, lower, and upper sides of the printer 100.

[0017] In this embodiment, the term "plate" is a concept that includes not only a single plate, but also a member in which multiple plates are arranged side by side or overlap to form a plate-like shape as a whole. In this embodiment, "two members contact each other" is a concept that includes a state in which two members are actually in contact with each other, and a state in which two members face each other in a state close enough to come into contact with each other upon impact. In other words, "two members contact each other" includes a configuration in which two members come into contact with each other when they receive an impact.

[0018] The printer 100 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The printer 100 is a thermal printer that prints on a medium 10 using a thermal head 15 (see Figure 3), and is a mobile printer that can be carried by a user. In this embodiment, the medium 10 is a linerless type thermal paper. The linerless type thermal paper is configured by laminating an adhesive layer on a thermal base material, and has no release paper on the side opposite the adhesive layer from the thermal base material.

[0019] The position of the printer 100 when the bottom plate 31 described below extends horizontally is referred to as the "upright position." When the printer 100 is in a horizontal position, the direction from top to bottom is the vertical direction. The user uses the printer 100, for example, in the upright position. In the following, unless otherwise specified, the configuration of the printer 100 will be described based on the printer 100 being in the upright position.

[0020] The printer 100 comprises a printer body 1 and a cutter unit 5. The printer body 1 comprises a thermal head 15 and a platen roller 11, and has the function of printing on a medium 10. The cutter unit 5 is disposed at the front of the printer body 1, and is attached to the printer body 1. In the following, the state in which the cutter unit 5 is attached to the printer body 1 (see FIG. 1) is referred to as the "attached state." The cutter unit 5 has the function of cutting the printed medium 10. A user may use the printer 100 in the attached state, or may use the printer body 1 without attaching the cutter unit 5 to the printer body 1. In the following, unless otherwise specified, the configuration of the printer 100 will be described based on the attached state shown in FIG. 1.

[0021] The external structure of the printer body 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The printer body 1 includes a printer housing 2. The printer housing 2 is a rectangular parallelepiped box, and houses a thermal head 15 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) and a platen roller 11 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 4). In this embodiment, the printer housing 2 is composed of a lower cover 3 and an upper cover 4. The lower cover 3 is a rectangular parallelepiped that opens upward, and includes a bottom plate 31, a left plate 32, a right plate 33, a front plate 34, and a rear plate 35. The bottom plate 31 is located at the lower end of the printer housing 2. The bottom plate 31 extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The left plate 32 is located at the left end of the printer housing 2. The left plate 32 extends upward from the left end of the bottom plate 31, and also extends in the front-rear direction from the front end to the rear end of the bottom plate 31. The right plate 33 is located at the right end of the printer housing 2. The right plate 33 extends upward from the right end of the bottom plate 31 and also extends in the front-rear direction from the front end to the rear end of the bottom plate 31.

[0022] The front plate 34 is located at the front end of the printer housing 2. The front plate 34 extends in the left-right direction from the front end of the left plate 32 to the front end of the right plate 33, and also extends in the up-down direction from the front end of the bottom plate 31 to a position lower than the upper ends of the left plate 32 and the right plate 33. The upper end of the front plate 34 is located lower than the center of the printer housing 2 in the up-down direction. Therefore, an opening 37 (see FIG. 2) is formed on the front surface of the lower cover 3. The opening 37 is an area surrounded by the upper end of the front plate 34 and the front ends of the left plate 32 and the right plate 33. When the printer body 1 is used without the cutter unit 5 attached to the printer body 1, a protective cover (not shown) is attached to the opening 37. A first printer surface 39 is formed at the upper end of the front plate 34. The first printer surface 39 extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and faces upward. The length of the first printer surface 39 in the front-rear direction means the thickness of the front plate 34. The rear plate 35 is located at the rear end of the printer housing 2. The rear plate 35 extends laterally from the rear end of the left plate 32 to the rear end of the right plate 33, and also extends vertically from the rear end of the bottom plate 31 to the upper ends of the left plate 32 and the right plate 33.

[0023] The lower cover 3 is composed of a roll cover 3A and a front cover 3B. The roll cover 3A includes an area other than the front end of the bottom plate 31, an area other than the front end of the left plate 32, an area other than the front end of the right plate 33, and a rear plate 35. The front cover 3B has a U-shape that opens upward when viewed from the front (see FIG. 12), and includes the front end of the bottom plate 31, the front end of the left plate 32, the front end of the right plate 33, and a front plate 34. The front cover 3B is attached to the front end of the roll cover 3A.

[0024] A handle 29 is provided on the lower cover 3. The handle 29 spans from the left plate 32 to the right plate 33 and is rotatably supported by the left plate 32 and the right plate 33. A user carries the printer 100 by holding the handle 29, for example.

[0025] The upper cover 4 is disposed above the lower cover 3. The upper cover 4 is connected to the lower cover 3 so as to be movable between a closed position (see FIG. 1) and an open position (see FIG. 3). In the following, unless otherwise specified, the description will be based on the state in which the upper cover 4 is located at the closed position (see FIG. 1).

[0026] The upper cover 4 is a rectangular parallelepiped that opens downward, and includes a top plate 41, a left plate 42, a right plate 43, a front plate 44, and a rear plate 45. The top plate 41 is located at the top end of the printer housing 2. The top plate 41 extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. An operation button 18 is provided on a portion of the top plate 41 that is forward of the center in the front-rear direction. A user operates the operation button 18 to input various instructions to the printer 100. A display unit 17 is provided on a portion of the top plate 41 that is rear of the center in the front-rear direction. The display unit 17 includes a touch panel display 171. A user touches the touch panel display 171 to input various instructions to the printer 100. The touch panel display 171 displays various information in response to instructions from the user.

[0027] The left plate 42 is located at the left end of the printer housing 2. The left plate 42 extends downward from the left end of the top plate 41, and also extends in the front-to-rear direction from the front end to the rear end of the top plate 41. The right plate 43 is located at the right end of the printer housing 2. The right plate 43 extends downward from the right end of the top plate 41, and also extends in the front-to-rear direction from the front end to the rear end of the top plate 41.

[0028] The front panel 44 is located at the front end of the printer housing 2. The front panel 44 extends in the left-right direction from the front end of the left panel 42 to the front end of the right panel 43, and also extends in the up-down direction from the front end of the upper panel 41 to the lower ends of the left panel 42 and right panel 43. A recess 441 is provided in the front panel 44. The recess 441 is recessed upward from the lower end of the front panel 44 and extends in the left-right direction.

[0029] The rear plate 45 is located at the rear end of the printer housing 2. The rear plate 45 extends in the left-right direction from the rear end of the left plate 42 to the rear end of the right plate 43, and also extends in the up-down direction from the rear end of the upper plate 41 to the lower ends of the left plate 42 and the right plate 43. The lower end of the rear plate 45 is rotatably connected to the upper end of the rear plate 35 via a shaft 20 (see FIG. 3). The shaft 20 extends in the left-right direction. The upper cover 4 moves between a closed position (see FIG. 1) and an open position (see FIG. 3) by rotating around the shaft 20.

[0030] The front panels 34, 44 constitute the front panel 21. The front panel 21 is located at the front end of the printer housing 2. The front panel 21 extends in the up-down and left-right directions. An outlet 211 is provided in the front panel 21. The outlet 211 is an opening surrounded by a recess 441, and is connected to the upper end of the opening 37. The outlet 211 ejects the medium 10 printed by the thermal head 15 forward from the printer housing 2.

[0031] The internal structure of the printer body 1 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the lower cover 3 includes a storage plate 36 and defines a roll storage space 30A. The storage plate 36 extends in an arc shape that bulges downward as it moves forward from near the upper end of the rear plate 35, and then extends in a straight line to near the rear of the discharge port 211. The storage plate 36 extends in the left-right direction from the left plate 32 to the right plate 33.

[0032] The roll storage space 30A is a space surrounded by the left plate 32, the right plate 33, and the storage plate 36, and opens upward. The roll storage space 30A stores the medium roll 10A. The medium roll 10A is a roll on which the medium 10 to be printed by the thermal head 15 is wound. In this embodiment, the medium 10 is wound counterclockwise from the center of the medium roll 10A to the radially outward direction when viewed from the right side, with the adhesive layer of the medium 10 facing radially inward. When the upper cover 4 is placed in the closed position (see FIG. 1), the roll storage space 30A is covered from above by the upper cover 4. When the upper cover 4 is placed in the open position (see FIG. 3), the roll storage space 30A is opened upward. When the upper cover 4 is placed in the open position (see FIG. 3), the user loads the medium roll 10A into the roll storage space 30A or removes the medium roll 10A from the roll storage space 30A, with the upper cover 4 placed in the open position (see FIG. 3). A user performs printing using the printer 100 with the top cover 4 placed in the closed position (see FIG. 1).

[0033] The printer 100 includes a roll support mechanism 13, a platen roller 11, and a thermal head 15. The roll support mechanism 13 includes a pair of adjuster guides 131, 132, and a pair of medium disks 133, 134. The adjuster guide 131 is plate-shaped and extends obliquely upward and rearward from the front lower portion of the roll accommodating space 30A. The adjuster guide 131 is supported by the accommodating plate 36 so as to be movable in the left-right direction. The medium disk 133 is disposed at the rear end of the adjuster guide 131, and is fixed to the right surface of the adjuster guide 131. The medium disk 133 is provided with a protrusion 135. The protrusion 135 protrudes rightward from the right surface of the medium disk 133.

[0034] The adjuster guide 132 has a plate shape and extends obliquely upward and rearward from the front lower part of the roll accommodating space 30A. The adjuster guide 132 is disposed to the right of the adjuster guide 131 and is supported by the accommodation plate 36 so as to be movable in the left-right direction. The medium disc 134 is disposed at the rear end of the adjuster guide 132 and is fixed to the left surface of the adjuster guide 132. The medium disc 134 is provided with a protrusion (not shown). The protrusion protrudes leftward from the left surface of the medium disc 134.

[0035] The pair of media disks 133, 134 face each other in the left-right direction. With the cardboard tube of the media roll 10A extending in the left-right direction, the media roll 10A is disposed between the pair of media disks 133, 134 in the left-right direction. The protrusion 135 fits into the cardboard tube of the media roll 10A from the left, and the protrusion of the media disk 134 fits into the cardboard tube of the media roll 10A from the right. The roll support mechanism 13 rotatably supports the media roll 10A from the left-right direction by the pair of media disks 133, 134.

[0036] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the thermal head 15 is disposed near the rear of the recess 441 and is supported by the upper cover 4. The thermal head 15 is plate-shaped and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The thermal head 15 includes a plurality of heating elements (not shown). The plurality of heating elements are disposed on the lower surface of the thermal head 15 and aligned in the left-right direction. The thermal head 15 selectively causes the plurality of heating elements to generate heat to perform printing on the medium 10.

[0037] The platen roller 11 is disposed near the rear of the discharge port 211 and has a cylindrical shape. The platen roller 11 is rotatably supported by the lower cover 3. The rotation axis of the platen roller 11 extends in the left-right direction. Therefore, the axial direction of the platen roller 11 is the left-right direction. The platen roller 11 is rotated by driving a transport motor 16 (see FIG. 15). As shown in FIG. 5, when the upper cover 4 is disposed in the closed position, the platen roller 11 is disposed below the thermal head 15 and faces the thermal head 15 in the vertical direction. In this case, the platen roller 11 sandwiches the medium 10 between the platen roller 11 and the thermal head 15. The base material of the medium 10 contacts the thermal head 15, and the adhesive layer of the medium 10 contacts the platen roller 11. In this state, the platen roller 11 rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the right side, thereby transporting the medium 10 forward. In this embodiment, the rear is the upstream side in the transport direction, and the front is the downstream side in the transport direction.

[0038] Hereinafter, the position where the platen roller 11 and the thermal head 15 contact each other in the front-rear direction is referred to as the "printing position P1." When the top cover 4 is placed in the open position, the thermal head 15 is placed at a position above and away from the platen roller 11, as shown in FIG.

[0039] A schematic structure of the cutter unit 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the cutter unit 5 includes a unit housing 6, a base 51, a cutter 59 (see FIG. 4), and a cutter motor 58 (see FIG. 4). The unit housing 6 has a rectangular box shape and includes a back plate 7A and a front plate 7B. The back plate 7A extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and is located at the rear end of the unit housing 6. The front plate 7B extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and is located at the front end of the unit housing 6. The left-right length of the unit housing 6 is approximately the same as the left-right length of the printer housing 2. The vertical length of the unit housing 6 is greater than the vertical length from the bottom plate 31 to the discharge port 211 and is less than the vertical length from the bottom plate 31 to the top plate 41. The front-rear length of the unit housing 6 is less than both the vertical length of the unit housing 6 and the left-right length of the unit housing 6.

[0040] The base 51 is attached to the front plate 7B. The base 51 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and protrudes forward from the front plate 7B. The base 51 extends in the up-down direction from near the bottom of a lower wall 611 (described below) to near the bottom end of the front plate 7B, and is disposed at the center of the front plate 7B in the left-right direction. A mounting surface 51A is formed on the upper surface of the base 51. The mounting surface 51A extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and faces upward. The mounting surface 51A is disposed slightly below the lower wall 611 and is aligned in front of the lower wall 611.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, the unit housing 6 is provided with a passage opening 61. The passage opening 61 is aligned in front of the discharge opening 211. The passage opening 61 penetrates the unit housing 6 in the front-rear direction from the back plate 7A to the front plate 7B and extends in the left-right direction (see FIG. 2). Hereinafter, the wall that defines the lower end of the passage opening 61 is referred to as the "lower wall 611", and the wall that defines the upper end of the passage opening 61 is referred to as the "upper wall 612". The lower wall 611 extends upward from the rear end of the passage opening 61 toward the front, and then extends downward toward the front. A recess 614 is formed in the lower wall 611. The recess 614 is recessed downward from the lower wall 611. The recess 614 is disposed in the center of the lower wall 611 in the left-right direction. A bottom surface 614A of the recess 614 extends upward toward the front. The color of the recess 614 is black.

[0042] The upper wall 612 faces the lower wall 611 from above. The upper wall 612 extends downward from the rear end of the passage opening 61 toward the front. A recess 613 is formed in the upper wall 612. The recess 613 is recessed upward from the upper wall 612. The recess 613 is disposed in the center of the upper wall 612 in the left-right direction and aligned above the recess 614. The media sensor 52 is fixed to the recess 613. The media sensor 52 is a reflective optical sensor. The media sensor 52 emits light downward along the optical path L. In this case, since the media sensor 52 faces downward, the influence of ambient light is suppressed compared to the case where the media sensor 52 is disposed in the recess 614. In the following, the position where the optical path L of the media sensor 52 and the transport path of the media 10 intersect with each other is referred to as the "detection position P2". The media sensor 52 detects the media 10 present at the detection position P2.

[0043] In this embodiment, when the medium 10 is not present at detection position P2, the light emitted from the media sensor 52 reaches the recess 614. Because the recess 614 is black, the reflected light by the recess 614 is suppressed. Furthermore, because the bottom surface 614A of the recess 614 extends upward as it moves forward, the light path L intersects with the bottom surface 614A of the recess 614, but is not perpendicular thereto. Therefore, the reflected light by the recess 614 is less likely to reach the media sensor 52. For this reason, when the medium 10 is not present at detection position P2, the reflected light is suppressed from reaching the media sensor 52. This suppresses erroneous detection of the medium 10 by the media sensor 52.

[0044] Cutter 59 is housed in unit housing 6 and is disposed at the rear end of unit housing 6. Cutter 59 includes a fixed blade 59A and a movable blade 59B. Fixed blade 59A is disposed above upper wall 612 and is fixed to unit housing 6. Fixed blade 59A extends in the left-right direction. A blade is formed at the lower end of fixed blade 59A. The blade of fixed blade 59A is exposed downward from an opening (not shown) provided in upper wall 612.

[0045] The movable blade 59B is disposed below the lower wall 611 and extends in the left-right direction. A blade is formed at the upper end of the movable blade 59B. The movable blade 59B is supported by the unit housing 6 and moves through an opening (not shown) provided in the lower wall 611 between a retracted position where the movable blade 59B retracts from the passage opening 61 below the lower wall 611 and an entry position where the movable blade 59B enters the passage opening 61 upward from the lower wall 611. The cutter motor 58 is housed in the unit housing 6 and moves the movable blade 59B between the retracted position and the entry position. The cutter 59 moves the movable blade 59B from the retracted position to the entry position, and cuts the medium 10 discharged from the discharge opening 211 at the passage opening 61 between the movable blade 59B and the fixed blade 59A.

[0046] 5, the printing operation and cutting operation by the printer 100 will be described. The user operates the touch panel display 171 or the operation buttons 18 to input a print instruction to the printer 100. In this case, the printer 100 performs the printing operation, and then performs the cutting operation.

[0047] In the printing operation, the printer 100 prints on the medium 10 with the thermal head 15 while transporting the medium 10 with the platen roller 11. In detail, when the printer 100 receives a print instruction via the touch panel display 171 or the operation button 18, the printer 100 drives the transport motor 16 to rotate the platen roller 11. This causes the medium 10 to be drawn out from the medium roll 10A. The printer 100 controls the thermal head 15 to selectively heat the multiple heating elements. The portions of the medium 10 that are heated by the heating elements develop color. The printer 100 repeats the transport of a predetermined amount of the medium 10 with the platen roller 11 and the selective heating with the thermal head 15. This causes printing on the medium 10. The printed medium 10 is discharged from the printer housing 2 through the discharge port 211.

[0048] The medium 10 discharged from the discharge port 211 passes through the passage port 61. In the cutting operation, the printer 100 cuts the medium 10 with the cutter 59. In detail, the printer 100 drives the cutter motor 58 to move the movable blade 59B up and down. This cuts the medium 10 at the passage port 61. The adhesive layer of the cut medium 10 adheres to the mounting surface 51A of the base 51. In other words, the cut medium 10 does not fall from the cutter unit 51. The user removes the cut medium 10 from the base 51.

[0049] The mounting mechanism between the printer body 1 and the cutter unit 5 will be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 8. As shown in Fig. 6, in the printer body 1, a mounting wall 24 is provided at the front end of the roll cover 3A. The mounting wall 24 extends in the left-right direction from near the front end of the left platen roller 32 to near the left side of the platen roller 11, and also extends in the up-down direction from the upper end of the left platen roller 32 to near the lower part of the platen roller 11. The mounting wall 24 is provided with a printer fixing part 241, a guide rib 242, and an extending wall 243. The printer fixing part 241 is disposed at the lower part of the mounting wall 24 and protrudes forward from the mounting wall 24. A printer fixing surface 241A is formed on the lower surface of the printer fixing part 241. The printer fixing surface 241A extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and faces downward. A screw hole 241B is formed in the printer fixing part 241. The screw hole 241B extends upward from the printer fixing surface 241A.

[0050] The guide rib 242 protrudes forward from the mounting wall 24 and extends in the vertical direction from near the upper part of the printer fixing part 241 to the upper end of the mounting wall 24. A third printer surface 242A is formed on the left surface of the guide rib 242. The third printer surface 242A extends in the front-rear, up-down direction and faces to the left. A fourth printer surface 242B is formed on the left surface of the guide rib 242. The fourth printer surface 242B extends in the front-rear, up-down direction and faces to the right.

[0051] The extension wall 243 extends forward from the upper end of the mounting wall 24 and extends in the left-right direction from the left end to the right end of the mounting wall 24. A second printer surface 243A is formed on the lower surface of the extension wall 243. The second printer surface 243A extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and faces downward. A mounting hole 243B is formed in the extension wall 243. The mounting hole 243B is recessed upward from the second printer surface 243A and has an elliptical shape when viewed from the bottom. The mounting hole 243B is located to the left of the guide rib 242.

[0052] A mounting wall 25 is provided at the front end of the roll cover 3A. The mounting wall 25 extends in the left-right direction from the front end of the right plate 33 to the right vicinity of the platen roller 11, and also extends in the up-down direction from the upper end of the right plate 33 to the lower vicinity of the platen roller 11. A printer fixing part 251, a guide rib 252, and an extending wall 253 are provided on the mounting wall 25. The printer fixing part 251 is disposed at the lower part of the mounting wall 25 and protrudes forward from the mounting wall 25. A printer fixing surface 251A is formed on the lower surface of the printer fixing part 251. The printer fixing surface 251A extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and faces downward. A screw hole 251B is formed in the printer fixing part 251. The screw hole 251B extends upward from the printer fixing surface 251A. A boss 251C is provided on the printer fixing part 251. The boss 251C is disposed behind the screw hole 251B and protrudes downward from the printer fixing surface 251A.

[0053] The guide rib 252 protrudes forward from the mounting wall 25 and extends vertically from near the upper part of the printer fixing part 251 to the upper end of the mounting wall 25. A third printer surface 252A is formed on the left surface of the guide rib 252. The third printer surface 252A extends in the front-rear, up-down direction and faces left. A fourth printer surface 252B is formed on the left surface of the guide rib 252. The fourth printer surface 252B extends in the front-rear, up-down direction and faces right.

[0054] The extension wall 253 extends forward from the upper end of the mounting wall 25 and extends in the left-right direction from the left end to the right end of the mounting wall 25. A second printer surface 253A is formed on the lower surface of the extension wall 253. The second printer surface 253A extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and faces downward. A mounting hole 253B is formed in the extension wall 253. The mounting hole 253B is recessed upward from the second printer surface 253A and has an elliptical shape when viewed from the bottom. The mounting hole 253B is located to the right of the guide rib 252.

[0055] A cover fixing portion 26 is provided below the mounting wall 24. A screw hole 261 is formed in the cover fixing portion 26. The screw hole 261 extends upward from the lower surface of the cover fixing portion 26. A cover fixing portion 27 is provided below the mounting wall 25. A screw hole 271 is formed in the cover fixing portion 27. The screw hole 271 extends upward from the lower surface of the cover fixing portion 27.

[0056] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, in the cutter unit 5, a protrusion 71 is provided in the center of the back plate 7A. The protrusion 71 has a rectangular shape when viewed from behind. When viewed from behind, the outer shape of the protrusion 71 is smaller than the outer shape of the back plate 7A. A first unit surface 71A is formed on the underside of the protrusion 71. The first unit surface 71A extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and faces downward. A pair of claws 71B is provided on both the left and right ends of the first unit surface 71A. The pair of claws 71B protrude downward from the first unit surface 71A.

[0057] A connector 56 is provided on the lower part of the protruding portion 71. One end of the connector 56 is connected to the cutter motor 58 inside the unit housing 6. The connector 56 passes rearward from the cutter motor 58 through the back plate 7A and extends rearward beyond the back plate 7A.

[0058] A unit fixing portion 72 and a plurality of reinforcing ribs 73 are provided on the back plate 7A to the left of the protruding portion 71. The unit fixing portion 72 and the plurality of reinforcing ribs 73 are each disposed to the left of the left end of the first unit surface 71A and disposed in the center of the back plate 7A in the vertical direction. The unit fixing portion 72 protrudes rearward from the back plate 7A. The unit fixing portion 72 has a plate shape and a rectangular shape in a plan view. A unit fixing surface 72A is formed on the upper surface of the unit fixing portion 72. The unit fixing surface 72A extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and faces upward. A through hole 72B is provided in the unit fixing portion 72. The through hole 72B penetrates the unit fixing portion 72 in the vertical direction.

[0059] The multiple reinforcing ribs 73 are disposed below the unit fixing portion 72 and are aligned in the left-right direction. Each of the multiple reinforcing ribs 73 protrudes rearward from the back plate 7A and has a rectangular shape in a side view. That is, each of the multiple reinforcing ribs 73 extends perpendicular to the left-right direction. Each of the multiple reinforcing ribs 73 is connected to the unit fixing surface 72A.

[0060] A unit fixing portion 74 and a plurality of reinforcing ribs 75 are provided on the right side of the protruding portion 71 on the back plate 7A. The unit fixing portion 74 and the plurality of reinforcing ribs 75 are respectively disposed to the right of the right end of the first unit surface 71A and disposed in the center of the back plate 7A in the vertical direction. The unit fixing portion 74 protrudes rearward from the back plate 7A and has a rectangular shape in a plan view. A unit fixing surface 74A is formed on the upper surface of the unit fixing portion 74. The unit fixing surface 74A extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and faces upward. Through holes 74B and 74C are provided in the unit fixing portion 74. The through hole 74B penetrates the unit fixing portion 74 in the vertical direction. The through hole 74C is disposed diagonally rearward and rightward of the through hole 74B and penetrates the unit fixing portion 74 in the vertical direction.

[0061] The multiple reinforcing ribs 75 are disposed below the unit fixing portion 74 and are aligned in the left-right direction. Each of the multiple reinforcing ribs 75 protrudes rearward from the back plate 7A and has a rectangular shape in a side view. That is, each of the multiple reinforcing ribs 75 extends perpendicularly to the left-right direction. Each of the multiple reinforcing ribs 75 is connected to the unit fixing surface 74A.

[0062] A connecting rib 76, a left rib 771, and a right rib 772 are provided on the back plate 7A to the left of the protruding portion 71 and above the unit fixing portion 72. The connecting rib 76 protrudes rearward from the back plate 7A and has a rectangular shape in a plan view. A recess 76A is provided in the connecting rib 76. The recess 76A extends forward from the rear end of the connecting rib 76 to near the rear of the back plate 7A. A second unit surface 76B is formed on the upper surface of the connecting rib 76. The second unit surface 76B extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and faces upward. A boss 76C is provided on the left rear portion of the second unit surface 76B. The boss 76C extends upward from the second unit surface 76B.

[0063] The left rib 771 and the right rib 772 are disposed below the connecting rib 76 and are aligned with each other in the left-right direction. The left rib 771 is disposed at the left end of the recessed portion 76A. The right rib 772 is located to the right of the left rib 771 and is disposed at the right end of the recessed portion 76A. The left rib 771 and the right rib 772 each protrude rearward from the back panel 7A and have a rectangular shape in a side view. That is, the left rib 771 and the right rib 772 each extend perpendicular to the left-right direction. The left rib 771 and the right rib 772 each connect to the connecting rib 76.

[0064] A third unit surface 771A is formed on the right surface of the left rib 771. The third unit surface 771A extends in the up-down, front-rear and rear directions and faces to the right. A fourth unit surface 772A is formed on the left surface of the right rib 772. The fourth unit surface 772A extends in the up-down, front-rear and rear directions and faces to the left. The third unit surface 771A and the fourth unit surface 772A face each other with a gap in the left-right direction. The gap between the third unit surface 771A and the fourth unit surface 772A in the left-right direction is large enough for the guide rib 242 to fit between the third unit surface 771A and the fourth unit surface 772A, and is slightly larger than the width of the guide rib 242 in the left-right direction.

[0065] A connection rib 78, a left rib 791, and a right rib 792 are provided on the back plate 7A to the right of the protruding portion 71 and above the unit fixing portion 74. The connection rib 78 protrudes rearward from the back plate 7A and has a rectangular shape in a plan view. A recess 78A is provided in the connection rib 78. The recess 78A extends forward from the rear end of the connection rib 78 to near the rear of the back plate 7A. A second unit surface 78B is formed on the upper surface of the connection rib 78. The second unit surface 78B extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and faces upward. A boss 78C is provided on the right rear portion of the second unit surface 78B. The boss 78C extends upward from the second unit surface 78B.

[0066] The left rib 791 and the right rib 792 are disposed below the connecting rib 78 and are aligned with each other in the left-right direction. The left rib 791 is disposed at the left end of the recessed portion 78A. The right rib 792 is located to the right of the left rib 791 and is disposed at the right end of the recessed portion 78A. The left rib 791 and the right rib 792 each protrude rearward from the back panel 7A and have a rectangular shape in a side view. That is, the left rib 791 and the right rib 792 each extend perpendicular to the left-right direction. The left rib 791 and the right rib 792 each connect to the connecting rib 78.

[0067] A third unit surface 791A is formed on the right surface of the left rib 791. The third unit surface 791A extends in the up-down, front-rear and rear directions and faces to the right. A fourth unit surface 792A is formed on the left surface of the right rib 792. The fourth unit surface 792A extends in the up-down, front-rear and rear directions and faces to the left. The third unit surface 791A and the fourth unit surface 792A face each other with a gap in the left-right direction. The gap between the third unit surface 791A and the fourth unit surface 792A in the left-right direction is large enough for the guide rib 252 to fit between the third unit surface 791A and the fourth unit surface 792A, and is slightly larger than the width of the guide rib 252 in the left-right direction.

[0068] A method of mounting the cutter unit 5 to the printer body 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13. As shown in FIG. 9, the user mounts the cutter unit 5 from below to the front of the printer housing 2 with the front cover 3B removed from the bottom cover 3 (see arrow Y1). In this case, the user fits the guide rib 242 between the left rib 771 and the right rib 772, and fits the guide rib 252 between the left rib 791 and the right rib 792. This guides the position of the cutter unit 5 in the left-right direction relative to the printer body 1. The user fits the boss 76C into the mounting hole 243B, and fits the boss 78C into the mounting hole 253B. This guides the position of the cutter unit 5 in the front-rear direction relative to the printer body 1. The through hole 72B is aligned below the screw hole 261, the through hole 74B is aligned below the screw hole 271, and the boss 251C penetrates the through hole 74C from above to below. The user connects the connector 56 to an input / output interface 94 (FIG. 15).

[0069] 10, the user inserts the screw 72C from below through the unit fixing part 72 via the through hole 72B and tightens the screw 72C into the screw hole 241B, thereby fixing the printer fixing part 241 and the unit fixing part 72 to each other.

[0070] 11, the user inserts the screw 74D through the unit fixing part 74 from below via the through hole 74B and tightens the screw 74D into the screw hole 251B. In this way, the user fixes the printer fixing part 251 and the unit fixing part 74 to each other.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 12, the user attaches the front cover 3B between the roll cover 3A and the unit housing 6 from below (see arrow Y2). In this case, the user places the front plate 34 between the back plate 7A and each of the pair of claws 71B. The user tightens a screw (not shown) from below into the screw hole 261 through the through hole 31A provided in the bottom plate 31 of the roll cover 3A. The user tightens a screw (not shown) from below into the screw hole 271 through the through hole 31B provided in the bottom plate 31 of the roll cover 3A. In this way, the user fixes the front cover 3B to the roll cover 3A. With the above, the installation of the cutter unit 5 to the printer body 1 is completed, and the printer 100 is in the installed state.

[0072] 13 and 14, in the mounted state, the back panel 7A faces the front panel 21 in the front-rear direction, and the unit housing 6 comes into contact with the printer housing 2 as described below. In Fig. 7, line XIII-XIII indicates a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction, and passes through the boss 76C, the through hole 72B, and the left end of the first unit surface 71A. In Fig. 7, line XIV-XIV indicates a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction, and passes through the boss 78C, the through hole 74B, and the right end of the first unit surface 71A.

[0073] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the first unit surface 71A contacts the first printer surface 39. As shown in Figure 13, the outer peripheral surface of the boss 76C contacts the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 243B. The second unit surface 76B contacts the second printer surface 243A. The unit fixing surface 72A contacts the printer fixing surface 241A. As shown in Figure 14, the outer peripheral surface of the boss 78C contacts the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 253B. The second unit surface 78B contacts the second printer surface 253A. The unit fixing surface 74A contacts the printer fixing surface 251A. The inner peripheral surface of the through hole 74C contacts the outer peripheral surface of the boss 251C.

[0074] Although not shown, the guide rib 242 fits between the left rib 771 and the right rib 772. Therefore, the third unit surface 771A contacts the third printer surface 242A, and the fourth unit surface 772A contacts the fourth printer surface 242B. The guide rib 252 fits between the left rib 791 and the right rib 792. Therefore, the third unit surface 791A contacts the third printer surface 252A, and the fourth unit surface 792A contacts the fourth printer surface 252B.

[0075] The electrical configuration of the printer 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 15. The printer 100 includes a board 90. The board 90 is housed in the bottom cover 3. The board 90 is equipped with a CPU 91, a flash memory 92, a RAM 93, and the like. The CPU 91 controls the printer 100 and functions as a processor. The CPU 91 is electrically connected to each of the flash memory 92 and the RAM 93.

[0076] The flash memory 92 is non-volatile and stores the control program for the CPU 91 to control the operation of the printer 100, information required by the CPU 91 when executing various programs, etc. The control programs include a print control program for executing a print control process (see FIG. 16) described below, a conveyance and cutting control program for executing a conveyance control process (not shown) described below, a conveyance control program for executing a conveyance control process (not shown) described below, and a cutting control program for executing a cutting control process (see FIG. 17) described below. The RAM 93 temporarily stores various data used in the control programs, etc.

[0077] The thermal head 15, the transport motor 16, the operation button 18, the touch panel display 171, the open / close sensor 19, and the input / output interface 94 are each electrically connected to the board 90 via a harness 90A. The thermal head 15 generates heat based on a control signal from the CPU 91. The transport motor 16 is housed in the lower cover 3 and rotates based on a control signal from the CPU 91. An encoder (not shown) is provided on the transport motor 16. The encoder detects the rotational position of the transport motor 16 and outputs a detection signal indicating the detected rotational position to the CPU 91. The CPU 91 determines the transport amount of the medium 10 based on the detection signal from the encoder.

[0078] The open / close sensor 19 is housed in the printer housing 2 and detects the position of the top cover 4. The open / close sensor 19 outputs a detection signal indicating the detection result to the CPU 91. The CPU 91 determines that the top cover 4 has been switched from the open position to the closed position based on the detection signal from the open / close sensor 19. The open / close sensor 19 is not limited to a specific type, but is, for example, an optical sensor or a limit switch. In the attached state, the connector 56 is connected to the input / output interface 94.

[0079] The cutter motor 58 and the media sensor 52 are electrically connected to the input / output interface 57 via the harness 5A. Therefore, the cutter motor 58 and the media sensor 52 are each electrically connected to the board 90 when in the attached state. In this case, the cutter motor 58 rotates based on a control signal from the CPU 91. The media sensor 52 detects the medium 10 present at the detection position P2 (see FIG. 5) and outputs a detection signal indicative of the detection result to the CPU 91. Based on the detection signal from the media sensor 52, the CPU 91 determines whether the medium 10 is present at the detection position P2.

[0080] In this embodiment, when the printer 100 is in a standby state, the CPU 91 periodically determines whether the medium 10 is present at the detection position P2 based on a detection signal from the medium sensor 52. In the standby state, when the CPU 91 detects that the medium 10 is present at the detection position P2, it displays, for example, on the touch panel display 171, displays by an LED (not shown) provided on the printer housing 2, or notifies an external device communicatively connected to the printer 100 that the printer 100 is in an error state. The external device is a personal computer, a smartphone, etc. The error state is a state in which printing operation by the printer 100 is prohibited. When the CPU 91 detects, for example, based on a detection signal from the opening / closing sensor 19 (see FIG. 15), that the upper cover 4 has been moved from the closed position to the open position and then moved back to the closed position, it cancels the error state. In the standby state, when the CPU 91 detects that the medium 10 is not present at the detection position P2, the CPU 91 displays on the touch panel display 171, displays via an LED (not shown) provided on the printer housing 2, or notifies an external device that is communicatively connected to the printer 100 that there is no error state, i.e., that the printing operation can be performed by the printer 100.

[0081] For example, in the case of printer 100, there are cases where a user turns off printer 100 without removing cut medium 10 from base 51, and then turns printer 100 on with medium 10 remaining on base 51. In such a case, if printer 100 performs a printing operation with medium 10 remaining on base 51, there is a possibility that medium 10 remaining on base 51 will fall off base 51. Furthermore, medium 10 remaining on base 51 may obstruct the transportation of medium 10 transported in the next printing operation, causing a jam. To reduce the possibility of medium 10 falling off base 51 and the occurrence of a jam, CPU 91 performs the printing control process, transport / cutting control process, transport control process, and cutting control process described below.

[0082] The print control process will be described with reference to Fig. 16. When a print instruction is input to the printer 100 via the touch panel display 171 or the operation buttons 18, the CPU 91 acquires the print instruction. In this case, the CPU 91 executes the print control process by reading and running a print control program from the ROM. In the print control process, the CPU 91 controls the transport of the medium 10 by the platen roller 11, controls printing on the medium 10 by the thermal head 15, and controls cutting of the medium 10 by the cutter 59.

[0083] When the print control process is started, the CPU 91 determines whether the medium 10 is present at the detection position P2 (see FIG. 5) based on the detection signal from the medium sensor 52 (see FIG. 5) (S11). If the medium 10 is not present at the detection position P2 (S11: NO), the CPU 91 proceeds to processing in S13.

[0084] If medium 10 is present at detection position P2 (S11: YES), CPU 91 determines whether at least one of the first cutting operation after power-on and the first cutting operation after top cover 4 is closed is completed based on the state of the initial operation completion flag (S12). The initial operation completion flag indicates whether the first cutting operation after power-on or the first cutting operation after the cover is closed is completed, and is stored in RAM 93. CPU 91 turns OFF the initial operation completion flag when printer 100 is powered ON. If CPU 91 detects that top cover 4 has been moved from the open position to the closed position based on a detection signal from opening / closing sensor 19 (see FIG. 15), it turns OFF the initial operation completion flag. If a cutting operation has been performed, CPU 91 turns ON the initial operation completion flag in the process of S27 described below.

[0085] If the initial operation completion flag is ON, the CPU 91 determines that at least one of the first cutting operation after power is turned on and the first cutting operation after the top cover 4 is closed has been completed (S12: YES). In this case, the printer 100 is in an error state, and the CPU 91 performs error processing (S31). In the error processing, the CPU 91 displays, for example, on the touch panel display 171, displays the error state on an LED (not shown) provided on the printer housing 2, or notifies an external device connected to the printer 100 that the printer 100 is in an error state. The CPU 91 ends the print control processing.

[0086] If the initial operation completion flag is OFF, the CPU 91 determines that neither the first cutting operation after power-on nor the first cutting operation after the top cover 4 is closed is complete (S12: NO). In this case, the CPU 91 controls the conveying motor 16 (see FIG. 15) and the thermal head 15 (see FIG. 15) to perform a printing operation (S13).

[0087] When the printing operation is completed, the CPU 91 controls the transport motor 16 (see FIG. 15) to transport the medium 10 forward a first predetermined amount (S21). The first predetermined amount indicates the distance between the printing position P1 (see FIG. 5) and the detection position P2 (see FIG. 5) in the front-to-rear direction, and is stored in advance in the flash memory 92. When transport of the first predetermined amount of the medium 10 is completed, the CPU 91 stops transport of the medium 10. Since the leading end of the medium 10 is located forward of the printing position P1 when the printing operation is completed, when the medium 10 has been transported the first predetermined amount, the leading end of the medium 10 will be located forward of the detection position P2 unless a jam has occurred.

[0088] The CPU 91 determines whether the medium 10 is present at the detection position P2 (see FIG. 5) based on the detection signal from the medium sensor 52 (see FIG. 5) (S22). If the medium 10 is not present at the detection position P2 (S22: NO), a jam may have occurred near the rear of the passage opening 61. In this case, the CPU 91 performs error processing (S31). Thus, the CPU 91 contributes to preventing the medium 10 from accumulating inside the printer housing 2. The CPU 91 ends the print control process.

[0089] If medium 10 is present at detection position P2 (S22: YES), the CPU 91 controls the transport motor 16 (see FIG. 15) to transport medium 10 forward a second predetermined amount (S23). The second predetermined amount is the amount of transport in the front-to-rear direction until the target cutting position of medium 10 coincides with the position of cutter 59, and is stored in advance in flash memory 92. When transport of the second predetermined amount of medium 10 has been completed, the CPU 91 stops transporting medium 10.

[0090] The CPU 91 determines whether the medium 10 is present at the detection position P2 (see FIG. 5) based on the detection signal from the medium sensor 52 (see FIG. 5) (S24). If the medium 10 is not present at the detection position P2 (S24: NO), a jam may have occurred near the rear of the passage opening 61. In this case, the CPU 91 performs error processing (S31). Thus, the CPU 91 contributes to preventing the medium 10 from accumulating inside the printer housing 2. The CPU 91 ends the print control process.

[0091] If the medium 10 is present at the detection position P2 (S24: YES), the CPU 91 controls the cutter motor 58 (see FIG. 15) to perform the cutting operation (S25). When the cutting operation is completed, the CPU 91 determines whether the initial operation completion flag is OFF (S26). If the initial operation completion flag is ON (S26: NO), the CPU 91 ends the print control process. If the initial operation completion flag is OFF (S26: YES), the CPU 91 sets the initial operation completion flag to ON (S27). The CPU 91 ends the print control process.

[0092] The conveyance / cutting control process will now be described. When a conveyance / cutting instruction is input to the printer 100 via the touch panel display 171 or the operation buttons 18, the CPU 91 acquires the conveyance / cutting instruction. In this case, the CPU 91 executes the conveyance / cutting control process by reading out a conveyance / cutting control program from the ROM and running it. In the conveyance / cutting control process, the CPU 91 controls the conveyance of the medium 10 by the platen roller 11 and the cutting of the medium 10 by the cutter 59. The conveyance / cutting control process differs from the print control process in that print control on the medium 10 by the thermal head 15 is not performed in the conveyance / cutting control process. That is, in the conveyance / cutting control process, the processes of S13 and S22 of the print control process are omitted.

[0093] The transport control process will now be described. When a transport instruction is input to the printer 100 via the touch panel display 171 or the operation buttons 18, the CPU 91 acquires the transport instruction. In this case, the CPU 91 executes the transport control process by reading out a transport control program from the ROM and running it. In the transport control process, the CPU 91 controls the transport of the medium 10 by the platen roller 11. The transport control process differs from the print control process in that it does not control printing on the medium 10 by the thermal head 15 or cut the medium 10 by the cutter 59. That is, in the transport control process, S13, S22, and the processes of S24 to S27 of the print control process are omitted.

[0094] The cutting control process will be described with reference to Fig. 17. When a cutting instruction is input to the printer 100 via the touch panel display 171 or the operation buttons 18, the CPU 91 acquires the cutting instruction. In this case, the CPU 91 executes the cutting control process by reading and running a cutting control program from the ROM. In the cutting control process, the CPU 91 controls the cutting of the medium 10 by the cutter 59.

[0095] When the cutting control process is started, the CPU 91 determines whether the medium 10 is present at detection position P2 (see FIG. 5) based on the detection signal from the medium sensor 52 (see FIG. 5) (S41). If the medium 10 is not present at detection position P2 (S41: NO), the CPU 91 performs error processing (S51). The error processing of S51 is the same as the error processing of S31 (see FIG. 16). The CPU 91 ends the cutting control process.

[0096] If the medium 10 is present at the detection position P2 (S41: YES), the CPU 91 determines whether at least one of the first cutting operation after power is turned on and the first cutting operation after the top cover 4 is closed is completed based on the state of the initial operation completion flag (S42). If at least one of the first cutting operation after power is turned on and the first cutting operation after the top cover 4 is closed is completed (S42: YES), the CPU 91 performs error processing (S51). The CPU 91 ends the cutting control process.

[0097] If neither the first cutting operation after power-on nor the first cutting operation after the top cover 4 is closed is completed (S42: NO), the CPU 91 controls the cutter motor 58 (see FIG. 15) to perform the cutting operation (S43). Note that the CPU 91 may display a message on the touch panel display 171 prompting the user to enter a cutting instruction again before the process of S43. In this case, the CPU 91 may perform the cutting operation when it acquires a cutting instruction again. When the cutting operation is completed, the CPU 91 determines whether the initial operation completion flag is OFF (S44). If the initial operation completion flag is ON (S44: NO), the CPU 91 ends the cutting control process. If the initial operation completion flag is OFF (S44: YES), the CPU 91 sets the initial operation completion flag to ON (S45). The CPU 91 ends the cutting control process.

[0098] The main effects of the embodiment described above will be described. If the printer 100 is dropped, the printer 100 receives the shock of the drop. The shock of the drop is transmitted to the connecting portion between the printer housing 2 and the unit housing 6. The printer 100 receives the force transmitted to the connecting portion at the printer fixing portion 241 and the unit fixing portion 72, and at the printer fixing portion 251 and the unit fixing portion 74. In addition, the printer 100 receives the vertical component of the force transmitted to the connecting portion at the first printer surface 39 and the first unit surface 71A. Furthermore, the printer 100 receives the vertical component of the force transmitted to the connecting portion at the second printer surface 243A and the second unit surface 76B, and at the second printer surface 253A and the second unit surface 78B. Furthermore, the printer 100 receives the left-right component of the force transmitted to the connecting portion at the third printer surface 242A and the third unit surface 771A, and at the third printer surface 252A and the third unit surface 791A. Furthermore, the printer 100 receives the left-right component of the force transmitted to the connecting portion at the fourth printer surface 242B and the fourth unit surface 772A, and at the fourth printer surface 252B and the fourth unit surface 792A. Therefore, even if the printer 100 is dropped with any of the up, down, left, and right directions facing vertically, this contributes to preventing damage to the printer fixing parts 241, 251 and the unit fixing parts 72, 74.

[0099] For example, the printer 100 may be dropped in a position in which the top or bottom faces vertically. In this case, the printer fixing surface 241A and the unit fixing surface 72A are in surface contact with each other, so the impact of the drop received by the printer fixing part 241 and the unit fixing part 72 is likely to be distributed to the printer housing 2 and the unit housing 6. The printer fixing surface 251A and the unit fixing surface 74A are in surface contact with each other, so the impact of the drop received by the printer fixing part 251 and the unit fixing part 74 is likely to be distributed to the printer housing 2 and the unit housing 6. Thus, the printer 100 contributes to preventing damage to the printer fixing parts 241, 251 and the unit fixing parts 72, 74.

[0100] Since the back plate 7A is provided with the reinforcing rib 73, the impact of a fall on the printer fixing part 241 and the unit fixing part 72 is dispersed to the reinforcing rib 73. Since the back plate 7A is provided with the reinforcing rib 75, the impact of a fall on the printer fixing part 251 and the unit fixing part 74 is dispersed to the reinforcing rib 75. Thus, the printer 100 contributes to preventing damage to the printer fixing parts 241, 251 and the unit fixing parts 72, 74.

[0101] Because the left rib 771 and the right rib 772 connect to the connecting rib 76, the impact of a fall that the connecting rib 76 receives is distributed between the left rib 771 and the right rib 772. Because the left rib 791 and the right rib 792 connect to the connecting rib 78, the impact of a fall that the connecting rib 78 receives is distributed between the left rib 791 and the right rib 792. Thus, the printer 100 contributes to preventing damage to the connecting ribs 76, 78.

[0102] Guide ribs 242, 252 are provided on the printer housing 2. The third unit surface 771A and the fourth unit surface 772A face each other in the left-right direction. The third unit surface 791A and the fourth unit surface 792A face each other in the left-right direction. According to this, in the process of mounting the cutter unit 5 to the printer body 1, the guide rib 242 fits between the third unit surface 771A and the fourth unit surface 772A, and the guide rib 252 fits between the third unit surface 791A and the fourth unit surface 792A. This guides the mounting of the cutter unit 5 to the printer body 1. Furthermore, the printer 100 receives a drop impact from the third printer surface 242A and the third unit surface 771A, and also receives a drop impact from the fourth printer surface 242B and the fourth unit surface 772A. Printer 100 receives the impact of a fall at third printer surface 252A and third unit surface 791A, and also receives the impact at fourth printer surface 252B and fourth unit surface 792A. Therefore, printer 100 does not need to be provided with a separate member for receiving the impact of a fall and a member for guiding the attachment of cutter unit 5 to printer body 1. Therefore, printer 100 contributes to preventing the printer housing 2 and unit housing 6 from becoming larger.

[0103] A boss 76C is provided on the second unit surface 76B, and a boss 78C is provided on the second unit surface 78B. An attachment hole 243B is provided on the second printer surface 243A, and an attachment hole 253B is provided on the second printer surface 253A. With this, even if the cutter unit 5 tries to move away from the printer body 1 in the front-to-rear direction, the boss 76C engages with the wall of the attachment hole 243B, and the boss 78C engages with the wall of the attachment hole 253B. Therefore, the printer 100 contributes to restricting movement of the cutter unit 5 in the front-to-rear direction relative to the printer body 1.

[0104] In the above embodiment, the printer 100 corresponds to the "printer" of the present invention. The printer body 1 corresponds to the "printer body" of the present invention. The cutter unit 5 corresponds to the "cutter unit" of the present invention. The medium 10 corresponds to the "medium" of the present invention. The thermal head 15 corresponds to the "printing section" of the present invention. The left-right direction of the printer 100 corresponds to the "axial direction" of the present invention. The up-down direction of the printer 100 corresponds to the "opposing direction" of the present invention. The front-rear direction of the printer 100 corresponds to the "transport direction" of the present invention. The platen roller 11 corresponds to the "platen roller" of the present invention. The front plate 21 corresponds to the "discharge plate" of the present invention. The discharge port 211 corresponds to the "discharge port" of the present invention. The printer housing 2 corresponds to the "printer housing" of the present invention. The back plate 7A corresponds to the "opposing plate" of the present invention. The unit housing 6 corresponds to the "unit housing" of the present invention. The cutter 59 corresponds to the "cutter" of the present invention.

[0105] The printer fixing parts 241 and 251 correspond to the "printer fixing part" of the present invention. The unit fixing parts 72 and 74 correspond to the "unit fixing part" of the present invention. The upper side of the printer 100 corresponds to the "first opposing direction" of the present invention. The first printer surface 39 corresponds to the "first printer surface" of the present invention. The lower side of the printer 100 corresponds to the "second opposing direction" of the present invention. The second printer surfaces 243A and 253A correspond to the "second printer surface" of the present invention. The left side of the printer 100 corresponds to the "first axial direction" of the present invention. The third printer surfaces 242A and 252A correspond to the "third printer surface" of the present invention. The right side of the printer 100 corresponds to the "second axial direction" of the present invention. The fourth printer surfaces 242B and 252B correspond to the "fourth printer surface" of the present invention. The first unit surface 71A corresponds to the "first unit surface" of the present invention. The second unit surfaces 76B and 78B correspond to the "second unit surface" of the present invention. The third unit surfaces 771A and 791A correspond to the "third unit surface" of the present invention. The fourth unit surfaces 772A and 792A correspond to the "fourth unit surface" of the present invention.

[0106] The printer fixing surfaces 241A, 251A correspond to the "printer fixing surface" of the present invention. The unit fixing surfaces 72A, 74A correspond to the "unit fixing surface" of the present invention. The reinforcing ribs 73, 75 correspond to the "reinforcing rib" of the present invention. The connecting ribs 76, 78 correspond to the "connecting rib" of the present invention. The left ribs 771, 791 correspond to the "first side rib" of the present invention. The right ribs 772, 792 correspond to the "second side rib" of the present invention. The guide ribs 242, 252 correspond to the "guide rib" of the present invention. The bosses 76C, 78C correspond to the "boss" of the present invention. The mounting holes 243B, 253B correspond to the "holes" of the present invention.

[0107] The present invention may be modified in various ways from the above embodiment. In the following, when the first printer surface 39, the second printer surface 243A, 253A, the third printer surface 242A, 252A, and the fourth printer surface 242B, 252B are collectively referred to as "printer surfaces" or when none of them is specified. When the first unit surface 71A, the second unit surface 76B, 78B, the third unit surface 771A, 791A, and the fourth unit surface 772A, 792A are collectively referred to as "unit surfaces" or when none of them is specified. When the two surfaces are not arranged on the same plane, or when the two surfaces are arranged on the same plane but are not continuous, they are said to be "located at different positions."

[0108] The printer surface may be provided at a position different from the printer fixing surfaces 241A, 251A. That is, the printer surface may be provided at a position separated from the printer fixing surfaces 241A, 251A to the left, right, below, above, forward, or rearward. The unit surface may be provided at a position different from the unit fixing surfaces 72A, 74A. That is, the unit surface may be provided at a position separated from the unit fixing surfaces 72A, 74A to the left, right, below, above, forward, or rearward.

[0109] The printer housing 2 may be provided with at least one of the first printer surface 39, the second printer surface 243A, 253A, the third printer surface 242A, 252A, and the fourth printer surface 242B, 252B. That is, a part of the printer surface may be omitted. The back plate 7A may be provided with at least one of the first unit surface 71A, the second unit surface 76B, 78B, the third unit surface 771A, 791A, and the fourth unit surface 772A, 792A. That is, a part of the unit surface may be omitted. The back plate 7A may be provided with a surface that contacts the surface provided on the printer housing 2 in addition to the unit surface of the above embodiment.

[0110] The printer surface and the unit surface are not limited to surfaces formed by protrusions such as ribs, and may be formed by recesses.

[0111] The fixing directions of the printer fixing surfaces 241A, 251A and the unit fixing surfaces 72A, 74A are not limited to the above embodiment. For example, one of the printer fixing part 241 and the unit fixing part 72 may be a hook and the other may be an engagement wall. One of the printer fixing part 251 and the unit fixing part 74 may be a hook and the other may be an engagement wall. One of the printer fixing surfaces 241A, 251A and the corresponding one of the unit fixing surfaces 72A, 74A may be omitted. The facing directions of the printer fixing surfaces 241A, 251A and the unit fixing surfaces 72A, 74A are not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the printer fixing surfaces 241A, 251A and the unit fixing surfaces 72A, 74A may face the left-right direction or the front-back direction.

[0112] In the above embodiment, the third unit surface 771A and the fourth unit surface 772A may not face each other in the left-right direction, but may be spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction, for example. The third unit surface 791A and the fourth unit surface 792A may not face each other in the left-right direction, but may be spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction, for example.

[0113] One or both of the left rib 771 and the right rib 772 may extend to intersect the connecting rib 76 without being perpendicular to it, and may not be connected to the connecting rib 76. One or both of the left rib 791 and the right rib 792 may extend to intersect the connecting rib 76 without being perpendicular to it, and may not be connected to the connecting rib 78.

[0114] One or both of the reinforcing ribs 73, 75 may extend so as to intersect the unit fixing surfaces 72A, 74A without being perpendicular thereto, or may be omitted.

[0115] In the above embodiment, bosses 76C and 78C are provided on the second unit surfaces 76B and 78B, respectively, and mounting holes 243B and 253B are provided on the second printer surfaces 243A and 253A, respectively. Alternatively, the mounting hole 243B may be provided on the second unit surface 76B, and the boss 76C may be provided on the second printer surface 243A. The mounting hole 253B may be provided on the second unit surface 78B, and the boss 78C may be provided on the second printer surface 253A.

[0116] The medium 10 is not limited to linerless type thermal paper, and may be thermal paper with release paper, thermal paper without an adhesive layer, a tube, etc. If the medium 10 is thermal paper with release paper, the cutter unit 5 may be equipped with a peeler for peeling the release paper from the thermal paper. Fanfold paper may be used instead of the medium roll 10A. The printer 100 may print on the medium 10 using an ink ribbon. The positional relationship between the platen roller 11 and the thermal head 15 in the vertical direction may be reversed. For example, the platen roller 11 may be provided on the upper cover 4, and the thermal head 15 may be provided on the lower cover 3. Both the platen roller 11 and the thermal head 15 may be provided on the lower cover 3.

[0117] The method of mounting the cutter unit 5 to the printer body 1 is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the cutter unit 5 may be mounted to the printer body 1 from the front. The printer 100 may be configured so that the cutter unit 5 is mounted to the printer body 1 with the front cover 3B attached to the roll cover 3A. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 1: Printer body 2: Printer case 5: Cutter unit 6: Unit housing 7A: Back plate 10: Medium 11: Platen roller 15: Thermal head 21: Front panel 39: First printer side 59: Cutter 71A: First unit surface 72, 74: Unit fixing part 72A, 74A: Unit fixing surface 73, 75: Reinforcement ribs 76, 78: Connection rib 76B, 78B: Second unit surface 76C, 78C: Boss 100: Printer 211: Outlet 241, 251: Printer fixing part 241A, 251A: Printer fixing surface 242, 252: Guide rib 242A, 252A: Third printer surface 242B, 252B: 4th printer surface 243A, 253A: Second printer surface 243B, 253B: Mounting holes 771, 791: Left rib 771A, 791A: Third unit surface 772, 792: Right rib 772A, 792A: Fourth unit surface

Claims

1. The printer body, a cutter unit attached to the printer body; Equipped with The printer body includes: A printing unit that prints on the medium; a platen roller that extends in an axial direction, faces the printing unit in a facing direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and transports the medium in a transport direction perpendicular to the facing direction and the axial direction; a printer housing that houses the printing unit and the platen roller, the printer housing including a discharge plate that extends intersecting the transport direction and is located at a downstream end of the printer housing in the transport direction, the discharge plate being provided with a discharge port through which the medium printed by the printing unit is discharged; Equipped with The cutter unit includes: a unit housing including an opposing plate that faces the discharge plate in the conveying direction when the cutter unit is attached to the printer body; a cutter supported by the unit housing and configured to cut the medium discharged from the discharge port; Equipped with the printer housing and the unit housing are provided with a printer fixing part and a unit fixing part, respectively, which are fixed to each other in the attached state; The printer housing includes: a first printer surface facing a first opposing direction, the first opposing direction being one of the opposing directions; a second printer surface facing a second opposing direction opposite to the first opposing direction; a third printer surface facing a first axis direction, which is one of the axial directions; a fourth printer surface facing a second axis direction opposite to the first axis direction among the axial directions; a printer surface provided at a position different from the printer fixing part; The opposing plate has: a first unit surface facing the second opposing direction and in contact with the first printer surface; a second unit surface facing the first opposing direction and in contact with the second printer surface; a third unit surface oriented in the second axial direction and in contact with the third printer surface; a fourth unit surface that faces the first axis direction and contacts the fourth printer surface; At least one of the unit surfaces corresponds to the printer surface, and is provided at a position different from the unit fixing portion. A printer characterized by:

2. the printer fixing portion includes a printer fixing surface facing the second opposing direction, The unit fixing portion includes a unit fixing surface that faces the first opposing direction and is in contact with the printer fixing surface.

2. The printer according to claim 1.

3. The opposing plate is provided with a reinforcing rib that protrudes from the opposing plate toward the upstream side in the conveying direction, extends perpendicular to the axial direction, and is connected to the unit fixing surface.

3. The printer according to claim 2.

4. The printer housing includes: the second printer surface; the third printer surface; the fourth printer surface; The opposing plate has: a connecting rib that protrudes from the opposing plate toward the upstream side in the conveying direction and includes the second unit surface; a first side rib that protrudes from the opposing plate toward the upstream side in the conveying direction and includes the third unit surface; a second side rib that protrudes from the opposing plate toward the upstream side in the conveying direction and includes the fourth unit surface; The first side rib and the second side rib each extend perpendicular to the axial direction and connect to the connecting rib.

2. The printer according to claim 1.

5. a guide rib including the third printer surface and the fourth printer surface is provided on the printer housing; The opposing plate has: The third unit surface; the fourth unit surface is provided, the third unit surface and the fourth unit surface face each other in the axial direction, The guide rib is fitted between the third unit surface and the fourth unit surface in the attached state.

3. The printer according to claim 1 or 2.

6. the printer housing is provided with the second printer surface; The opposing plate is provided with the second unit surface, a boss extending in the opposing direction is provided on one of the second printer surface and the second unit surface; The other of the second printer surface and the second unit surface is provided with a hole into which the boss fits in the attached state.

2. The printer according to claim 1.

7. a platen roller which is an axially extending roller facing the printing unit in an opposing direction perpendicular to the axial direction and which transports the medium in a transport direction perpendicular to the opposing direction and the axial direction; and a printer housing which houses the printing unit and the platen roller, the printer housing including a discharge plate which extends so as to intersect with the transport direction and is located at a downstream end of the printer housing in the transport direction, the discharge plate having a discharge port for discharging the medium printed by the printing unit, a unit housing including an opposing plate that faces the discharge plate in the conveying direction when the cutter unit is attached to the printer body; a cutter supported by the unit housing and configured to cut the medium discharged from the discharge port; Equipped with the opposing plate is provided with a unit fixing portion that is fixed to a printer fixing portion provided on the printer housing in the attached state, The opposing plate has: a first unit surface that faces a second opposing direction opposite to a first opposing direction, the first unit surface being provided on the printer housing and in contact with a first printer surface that faces the first opposing direction; a second unit surface that faces the first opposing direction and is provided on the printer housing and that contacts a second printer surface that faces the second opposing direction; a third unit surface that is provided on the printer housing and that faces a second axial direction opposite to a first axial direction that is one of the axial directions, the third unit surface being in contact with a third printer surface that faces the first axial direction; a fourth unit surface facing the first axis direction, the fourth unit surface being provided on the printer housing and in contact with a fourth printer surface facing the second axis direction; and a unit surface is provided at a position different from the unit fixing portion. A cutter unit characterized by:

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