Printing cassette and printer

Abstract

To provide a printing cassette capable of restricting damage to a gear for transmitting driving force.SOLUTION: The present disclosure is a printing cassette including: a case having a first case part, a second case part, and a third case part; a first tape which is at least partially housed in the third case part; and a gear which is partially housed in the second case part whereas the other part is positioned outside of the case, and which is rotatable about a rotational axis parallel to a first direction. The first case part is provided with a discharge port for discharging the first tape. The first case part, the second case part, and the third case part are arranged in the first direction in the order of the first case part, the second case part, and the third case part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing cassette and a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] In a printing device that prints on a printing tape, a cassette that contains the printing tape is attached to and detached from the main body of the printing device, thereby replacing and supplying the printing tape (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-234772 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned cassette, it is possible to provide a gear for transmitting a driving force into the cassette or for transmitting a driving force from the cassette to the outside. If a part of such a gear is disposed outside the case of the cassette, the gear is likely to be damaged when the cassette is dropped and hits the floor or the like.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a printing cassette that can suppress damage to gears that transmit driving force. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a printing cassette comprising: a case having a first case portion, a second case portion and a third case portion; a first tape at least a portion of which is housed in the third case portion; and a gear, a portion of which is housed in the second case portion and another portion of which is located outside the case, and which is rotatable around a rotation axis parallel to a first direction.

[0007] The first case portion is provided with an outlet through which the first tape is discharged. The first case portion, the second case portion, and the third case portion are arranged in the first direction in this order.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a printing device including a printing cassette and a printing device body into which the printing cassette is attached. The printing device body has a drive force transmission part that engages with a gear.

[0009] According to these configurations, the gear is disposed in the second case part sandwiched between the first case part and the third case part, so that when the printing cassette falls and a surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis of the gear hits the floor or the like, the gear is protected by the first case part and the third case part, and damage to the gear is suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1A, 1B, and 1C are schematic perspective views showing a state in which a printing cassette is removed from a printing apparatus main body in a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2A, 2B, and 2C are schematic perspective views of a printing cassette in the printing apparatus of FIG. 1A. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the printing cassette of FIG. 2A. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2C. [Diagram 5] 5A and 5B are schematic perspective views of a first frame portion of the printing cassette in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 5C is a schematic perspective view of a second frame portion of the printing cassette in FIG. 2A. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the printing cassette of FIG. 2A with a first lid portion removed. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the paths of the printable tape and the ink ribbon in the printing cassette of FIG. 2A. [Figure 8]8A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIA-VIIIA in FIG. 2C, FIG. 8B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIB-VIIIB in FIG. 2C, FIG. 8C is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIC-VIIIC in FIG. 2C, and FIG. 8D is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIIID-VIIID in FIG. 2C. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of the printer body of the printer of FIG. 1A. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an engagement state between the output gear and the platen gear in the printing device of FIG. 1A. [Figure 11] 11A and 11B are schematic perspective views showing a state in which a printing cassette is removed from a printing device main body in a printing device in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 1A. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a printing cassette in the printing apparatus of FIG. 11A. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of the printer body of the printer of FIG. 11A. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an engagement state between the output gear and the platen gear in the printing device of FIG. 11A. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a printing cassette of a printing device in an embodiment different from those in FIGS. 1A and 11A. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a printing cassette of a printing device in an embodiment different from those in FIGS. 1A, 11A, and 15. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] [1. First embodiment] [1-1. Configuration] 1A, 1B, and 1C includes a printing cassette 10 and a printing device main body 100. The printing device 1 is a device that prints on a tape-like printing medium.

[0012] In this embodiment, the axial direction of the output gear 18 is defined as the up-down direction, the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction in which the output gear 18 and the input spool 16 are aligned is defined as the front-to-rear direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the front-to-rear direction is defined as the left-to-right direction.

[0013] <Printing cassette> The printing cassette 10 stores printing media. The printing cassette 10 is detachable from the printing device main body 100. By replacing the printing cassette 10, it is possible to replenish printing media and change the type of printing media (e.g., color, material, etc.).

[0014] 2A, 2B, and 2C, the printing cassette 10 includes a case 35 that stores a printable tape (an example of a first tape), an ink ribbon, and the like, which will be described later. The outer shape of the printing cassette 10 (i.e., the shape of the case 35) is a rectangular parallelepiped with sides parallel to the up-down direction, sides parallel to the front-rear direction, and sides parallel to the left-right direction. The case 35 includes a first lid portion 31, a first frame portion 32, a second frame portion 33, and a second lid portion 34.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, the printing cassette 10 includes a first roll 11, a first supply spool 12, spacer films 13A and 13B, a second roll 14, a second supply spool 15, an input spool 16, a clutch spring holder 17, an output gear 18, an input gear 19, and an actuator. and an idle gear 20.

[0016] (1st roll) The first roll 11 is a print-receiving tape on which printing is to be performed that is wound around a first supply spool 12. Printing is performed on the surface of the print-receiving tape by a print head 102 and an ink ribbon of a printer main body 100, which will be described later.

[0017] Two spacer films 13A and 13B are disposed on the outer sides of the first roll 11 in the vertical direction so as to sandwich the first roll 11. The spacer films 13A and 13B are disposed between the first roll 11 and the second lid portion 34, and between the first roll 11 and the second frame portion 33, respectively.

[0018] (1st supply spool) The first supply spool 12 is rotatable about its axis of rotation. The first supply spool 12 rotates in association with the transport of the print tape by a platen roller 103 of the printer body 100, which will be described later, to supply the print tape to the print head 102.

[0019] (2nd roll) The second roll 14 is formed by winding an ink ribbon used for printing on the print-receiving tape around a second supply spool 15.

[0020] The ink ribbon is superimposed on the print-receiving tape in a head opening 32B, which will be described later, and is used for printing by the print head 102. The ink ribbon used for printing is taken up on an input spool 16, which will be described later. In addition, a rotational resistance is applied to the second roll 14 by a clutch spring held by a clutch spring holder 17.

[0021] (2nd supply spool) Second supply spool 15 is rotatable about its axis of rotation. The axis of rotation of second supply spool 15 is parallel to the axis of rotation of first supply spool 12, that is, parallel to the up-down direction.

[0022] The second supply spool 15 rotates as the ink ribbon is taken up by the input spool 16, thereby supplying the ink ribbon to the print head 102. In addition, at least a portion of the second supply spool 15 is disposed in a position overlapping with the first roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0023] (Input spool) The input spool 16 is rotatable about its axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the second supply spool 15.

[0024] The input spool 16 is cylindrical and has a hollow portion defined by an inner circumferential surface 16A. The inner circumferential surface 16A of the input spool 16 is provided with spline teeth 16B. A drive shaft 105 of the printing device main body 100, which will be described later, is connected to the spline teeth 16B. The input spool 16 is rotated by the drive shaft 105 and takes up the ink ribbon.

[0025] (Output gear) The output gear 18 is a single gear for outputting the driving force for transporting the print tape to the outside. The output gear 18 transmits the driving force to a platen roller 103 via a platen gear 104 of the printing apparatus main body 100, which will be described later.

[0026] The output gear 18 is a disk that rotates around a rotation axis parallel to the vertical direction, and The disk has teeth provided on parallel surfaces. One surface perpendicular to the up-down direction of the disk (i.e., the upper surface) faces a cover part 33B of the case 35 (described later) in the up-down direction. A part of the other surface perpendicular to the up-down direction of the disk (i.e., the lower surface) does not face the case 35 in the up-down direction.

[0027] A portion of the output gear 18 is exposed to the head opening 32B, and a portion of the output gear 18 is located outside the case 35. When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100, the output gear 18 engages with the platen gear 104 in the head opening 32B.

[0028] 4, the first roll 11, the output gear 18, and the second roll 14 (i.e., the second supply spool 15) are arranged in the vertical direction in the order of the first roll 11, the output gear 18, and the second roll 14. In other words, the output gear 18 is located between the first roll 11 and the second roll 14 in the vertical direction.

[0029] (Input gear) 3, the input gear 19 indirectly engages with the output gear 18 via an idle gear 20 described below, and transmits driving force to the output gear 18. Driving force from a driving source of the printing apparatus main body 100 is input to the input gear 19.

[0030] The input gear 19 has an external gear 19A and a cylindrical spool 19B that is fixed to the lower surface of the external gear 19A and has spline teeth on its inner peripheral surface. The external gear 19A rotates integrally with the spool 19B by a driving force input to the spool 19B.

[0031] The rotation axis of the input gear 19 (i.e., the rotation axis of the external gear 19A and the rotation axis of the spool 19B) is disposed on the same line as the rotation axis of the input spool 16. As shown in Fig. 4, the input spool 16, the input gear 19, and the first roll 11 are disposed in the vertical direction in the order of the input spool 16, the input gear 19, and the first roll 11.

[0032] That is, the input gear 19 is located between the input spool 16 and the first roll 11 in the up-down direction. In addition, at least a portion of the input gear 19 is disposed at a position overlapping with the first roll 11 in the up-down direction.

[0033] The rotation axis of the input gear 19 passes through the hollow portion of the input spool 16. That is, the drive shaft 105 is inserted through the input spool 16 and the input gear 19 at the same time. As a result, the input gear 19 is not directly connected to the input spool 16, but is rotated by a drive source (i.e., the drive shaft 105) common to the input spool 16.

[0034] (Idol Gear) The idler gear 20 is drivingly connected (i.e. engaged) with the input gear 19 and the output gear 18 and transmits the driving force input to the input gear 19 to the output gear 18 .

[0035] The idle gear 20 is a stepped gear in which a first gear 20A engaged with the input gear 19 and a second gear 20B engaged with the output gear 18 are arranged side by side on the same axis. The second gear 20B has a smaller diameter than the first gear 20A. The second gear 20B is arranged closer to the first roll 11 (i.e., higher) in the vertical direction than the first gear 20A. The idle gear 20 constitutes a speed reduction mechanism that reduces the speed of the driving force input to the input gear 19.

[0036] (case) As shown in FIG. 3, the first cover 31 constitutes the lower end of the printing cassette 10. The first frame 32 is disposed above the first cover 31 and is connected to the first cover 31 in the up-down direction. The second frame portion 33 is disposed above the first frame portion 32 and is connected to the first frame portion 32 in the vertical direction. The second lid portion 34 constitutes the upper end portion of the printing cassette 10. The second lid portion 34 is connected to the second frame portion 33 in the vertical direction.

[0037] The first lid portion 31 and a first portion below the first frame portion 32 constitute a first case portion 41 that houses the second roll 14 (i.e., at least a part of the ink ribbon), the second supply spool 15, and the input spool 16. In other words, the second roll 14, the second supply spool 15, and the input spool 16 are disposed in a space surrounded by the first lid portion 31 and the first frame portion 32. The first case portion 41 is also provided with an outlet 32C through which the printable tape is discharged.

[0038] A second portion on the opposite side (i.e., the upper side) of the first frame portion 32 from the first portion in the up-down direction, and a third portion on the lower side of the second frame portion 33 constitute a second case portion 42 that houses a part of the output gear 18, the input gear 19, and the idle gear 20. In other words, the part of the output gear 18, the input gear 19, and the idle gear 20 are disposed in a space surrounded by the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33.

[0039] The fourth portion on the opposite side (i.e., the upper side) of the third portion in the vertical direction of the second frame portion 33 and the second lid portion 34 constitute a third case portion 43 in which the first roll 11 (i.e., at least a part of the printable tape) is housed. In other words, the first roll 11 is disposed in a space surrounded by the second frame portion 33 and the second lid portion 34.

[0040] 4, the first case part 41, the second case part 42, and the third case part 43 are arranged in the up-down direction in this order: first case part 41, second case part 42, and third case part 43. In other words, the second case part 42 is arranged between the first case part 41 and the third case part 43 in the up-down direction.

[0041] The vertical length of the first case portion 41 and the vertical length of the third case portion 43 are each greater than the vertical length of the second case portion 42. Furthermore, the vertical length of the first case portion 41 is equal to or greater than the vertical length of the third case portion 43. Moreover, the vertical length of the second frame portion 33 is greater than the vertical length of the first frame portion 32.

[0042] 5A and 5B, the first frame 32 has a first side wall 32A, a head opening 32B, a discharge port 32C, a first guide 32D, a protruding portion 32E, an opposing portion 32F, a first isolation wall 32G, an opening outlet 32K, a first restricting portion 32L, and a first partition wall 32M. The first side wall 32A constitutes a side surface parallel to the up-down direction of the printing cassette 10.

[0043] The head opening 32B is a portion formed by cutting out a part of the first side wall 32A. The head opening 32B is a space into which the print head 102 is disposed by inserting the print head 102 from below when the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100. The head opening 32B opens below the printing cassette 10.

[0044] The first guide 32D is a portion around which the print-receiving tape 11A fed from the third case portion 43 is wound. The first guide 32D has a plurality of plate-shaped ribs spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the second roll 14. The multiple ribs protrude in the radial direction of the second roll 14, and the amount of protrusion (i.e., plate width) decreases downward.

[0045] The protruding portion 32E is a portion where the print tape and the ink ribbon are transported in parallel upstream of the head opening 32B in the transport direction of the print tape. The print-receiving tape and the ink ribbon are transported from left to right inside the protruding portion 32E during printing.

[0046] The protruding portion 32E has a first surface 32H that defines the head opening 32B. The first surface 32H constitutes the rear surface of the protruding portion 32E and is perpendicular to the front-rear direction. When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100, the first surface 32H faces the print head 102 in the front-rear direction.

[0047] The facing portion 32F is a plate-shaped portion facing the protruding portion 32E in the front-rear direction. The facing portion 32F separates the head opening 32B from a space in which the second roll 14, the second supply spool 15, and the input spool 16 are disposed in the front-rear direction. The facing portion 32F defines the head opening 32B and has a second surface 32I (see FIG. 3) facing the first surface 32H in the front-rear direction.

[0048] The second surface 32I constitutes the front surface of the facing portion 32F and is perpendicular to the front-rear direction. When the printing cassette 10 is installed in the printing device main body 100, the second surface 32I is disposed on the opposite side of the print head 102 from the first surface 32H.

[0049] The first partition wall 32G vertically separates the first case portion 41 and the second case portion 42. The first partition wall 32G is a part of the second case portion 42. That is, the first portion of the first frame portion 32 constituting the first case portion 41 is a portion below the first partition wall 32G. On the other hand, the protruding portion 32E and the facing portion 32F protrude downward from the first partition wall 32G. Therefore, the protruding portion 32E and the facing portion 32F are a part of the first case portion 41.

[0050] The first partition wall 32G is disposed at the top end of the head opening 32B in the up-down direction, and has a third surface 32J that connects the protruding portion 32E and the facing portion 32F. The third surface 32J forms the lower surface of the first partition wall 32G, and is perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0051] The opening outlet 32K is a portion where the print tape in the protruding portion 32E is discharged to the head opening 32B. The opening outlet 32K is provided at the right end of the protruding portion 32E. The ink ribbon pulled out from the second roll 14 is overlapped with the print tape discharged from the opening outlet 32K to the head opening 32B.

[0052] The first restricting portion 32L restricts movement of the printable tape in the width direction. The first restricting portion 32L is disposed between both ends (i.e., the upper end and the lower end) of the discharge port 32C in the width direction (i.e., the up-down direction) of the printable tape in the first case portion 41 (see FIG. 8B). Specifically, the first restricting portion 32L protrudes further upward from the support portion 32N that protrudes leftward from the first side wall 32A at the right rear of the first frame portion 32.

[0053] The first partition wall 32M separates the space in which the output gear 18, the input gear 19, and the idle gear 20 are disposed from the space through which the print tape passes. Specifically, the first partition wall 32M separates the second frame portion 33 into an inner region facing the output gear 18, the input gear 19, and the idle gear 20, and an outer region that is located outside the inner region.

[0054] 5C, the second frame 33 includes a second side wall 33A, a cover 33B, a second guide 33C, a first gear support 33D, a second gear support 33E, a third gear support 33F, a second partition wall 33G, a second isolation wall 33H, a first claw 33I, a second claw 33J, a third claw 33K, a fourth claw 33L, and a second regulating portion 33M (see FIG. 8B). The second side wall 33A constitutes a side surface parallel to the up-down direction of the printing cassette 10.

[0055] The cover portion 33B is a portion having a surface perpendicular to the up-down direction. The cover portion 33B is disposed at a position overlapping with the output gear 18 in the downward direction. In this embodiment, the cover portion 33B is provided continuous with the lower end portion of the second side wall 33A and is disposed at the right front corner of the second frame portion 33.

[0056] The output gear 18, the cover portion 33B, and the first roll 11 are arranged in the up-down direction in the order of the output gear 18, the cover portion 33B, and the first roll 11. As described above, the entire area of ​​the upper surface of the output gear 18 is covered by the cover portion 33B.

[0057] 6, the second guide 33C is a portion around which the printable tape 11A pulled out from the first roll 11 is wound. The second guide 33C has a plurality of plate-shaped ribs spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the first roll 11. The multiple ribs protrude in the radial direction of the first roll 11, and the amount of protrusion (i.e., plate width) increases downward.

[0058] 5C rotatably supports the output gear 18. The second gear support portion 33E rotatably supports the input gear 19. The third gear support portion 33F rotatably supports the idle gear 20.

[0059] The second partition wall 33G separates the space in which the output gear 18, the input gear 19, and the idle gear 20 are disposed from the space through which the print tape passes. Specifically, the second partition wall 33G separates the second frame 33 into an inner region in which the first gear support portion 33D, the second gear support portion 33E, and the third gear support portion 33F are disposed, and an outer region in which the second guide 33C is disposed. The second guide 33C protrudes from the second partition wall 33G.

[0060] The second partition wall 33H vertically separates the second case portion 42 and the third case portion 43. The second partition wall 33H is also a part of the third case portion 43. In other words, the third portion of the second frame portion 33 constituting the second case portion 42 is a portion below the second partition wall 33H.

[0061] On the other hand, the first gear support portion 33D, the second gear support portion 33E, the third gear support portion 33F, and the second partition wall 33G protrude downward from the second isolation wall 33H. Therefore, the first gear support portion 33D, the second gear support portion 33E, the third gear support portion 33F, and the second partition wall 33G are part of the second case portion 42.

[0062] The first claw 33I is provided on the front end of the second frame portion 33. The second claw 33J is provided on the left end of the second frame portion 33. The third claw 33K is provided on the rear end of the second frame portion 33. The fourth claw 33L is provided on the right end of the second frame portion 33.

[0063] The claws 33I, 33J, 33K, and 33L each protrude downward and engage with an opening or a groove provided in the first side wall 32A of the first frame portion 32. In other words, the claws 33I, 33J, 33K, and 33L connect the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33 in the up-down direction.

[0064] The output gear 18, the input gear 19 and the idle gear 20 are disposed between the first claw 33I and the third claw 33K in the front-rear direction and between the second claw 33J and the fourth claw 33L in the left-right direction.

[0065] 8B, the second regulating portion 33M regulates the movement of the print-receiving tape in the width direction. The second regulating portion 33M protrudes to the right from the second side wall 33A at the left rear of the second frame portion 33.

[0066] The second cover portion 34 shown in FIG. 3 includes a third restricting portion 34A that restricts the movement of the print tape in the width direction. The third regulating portion 34A is disposed between both ends (i.e., the upper end and the lower end) of the first roll 11 in the width direction (i.e., the up-down direction) of the printable tape in the third case portion 43 (see FIG. 8B). Specifically, the third regulating portion 34A is a plate member disposed at the right rear of the second lid portion 34 such that its thickness direction is parallel to the left-right direction.

[0067] The volume of the internal space of the third case part 43 is larger than the volume of the internal space of the first case part 41. In addition, the total weight of the third case part 43 and the weight of the components housed in the third case part 43 (i.e., first roll 11, first supply spool 12, etc.) is larger than the total weight of the first case part 41 and the weight of the components housed in the first case part 41 (i.e., second roll 14, second supply spool 15, input spool 16, etc.).

[0068] 7, the print-receiving tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A are hung in the left-right direction in the head opening 32B. After printing, the print-receiving tape 11A is discharged to the outside of the printer 1 from the discharge opening 32C.

[0069] In a projection diagram in which the output gear 18 and the case 35 are projected onto an imaginary plane perpendicular to the up-down direction, the output gear 18 is located inside the outer edge of the case 35. Moreover, the entire output gear 18 overlaps with the case 35 in the up-down direction.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D, the first guide 32D and the second guide 33C form a passage for feeding the print-receiving tape 11A constituting the first roll 11 from the third case portion 43 to the first case portion 41.

[0071] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8A, the printable tape 11A pulled out from the first roll 11 is transported downward and rearward within the third case portion 43 while contacting the second guide 33C from the radially outer side of the first roll 11 in a spiral manner. The printable tape 11A is further transported downward and leftward while vertically straddling the second case portion 42 as shown in Fig. 8B.

[0072] The printable tape 11A that has passed through the second case portion 42 and reached the first case portion 41 is transported downward and forward while contacting the first guide 32D from the radially outer side, as shown in Fig. 8C. The printable tape 11A that has passed through the first case portion 41 and reached the lower end portion of the printing cassette 10 passes through the head opening 32B and is discharged from the discharge port 32C, as shown in Fig. 8D.

[0073] <Printing device body> As shown in FIG. 1B, the printing apparatus main body 100 includes a cassette insertion section 101, a print head 102, a platen roller 103, a platen gear 104, and a drive shaft 105.

[0074] (Cassette insertion part) The cassette insertion portion 101 is a recess into which the printing cassette 10 is inserted. The cassette insertion portion 101 has a function of positioning the printing cassette 10.

[0075] (Print head) The print head 102 is a device for printing on the print tape held by the printing cassette 10 .

[0076] The print head 102 is disposed inside the cassette insertion portion 101. When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100, the print head 102 is inserted through the head opening 32B. The ink ribbon is disposed in a position overlapping the print tape and the ink ribbon in the front-rear direction.

[0077] The print head 102 has multiple heating elements whose heat generation is individually controlled. The print tape transported to the head opening 32B by a platen roller 103 (described later) is pressed against the print head 102, whose heating elements have generated heat, via the ink ribbon. As a result, part of the ink arranged on the surface of the ink ribbon is transferred to the print tape, and characters, symbols, etc. are printed on the print tape.

[0078] (Platen roller) The platen roller 103 is a roller for transporting the print-receiving tape from inside to outside the printing cassette 10. The rotation axis of the platen roller 103 is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0079] The platen roller 103 is disposed inside the cassette insertion portion 101 and adjacent to the print head 102. The platen roller 103 comes into contact with the print tape in the head opening 32B, and presses the print tape against the print head 102.

[0080] (Platen gear) The platen gear 104 is a driving force transmission part that is drivingly connected to the platen roller 103 and engages with the output gear 18. In this embodiment, the rotation axis of the platen gear 104 and the rotation axis of the platen roller 103 are arranged on the same line.

[0081] The platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 are capable of swinging between a position shown in FIG. 9 in which they are spaced apart from the printing cassette 10 and a position shown in FIG. 10 in which the platen gear 104 is engaged with the output gear 18.

[0082] (Drive shaft) The drive shaft 105 is a shaft that is inserted into the input spool 16 and engaged with the input gear 19 to rotate the input spool 16 and the input gear 19 .

[0083] The drive shaft 105 is disposed inside the cassette insertion portion 101. The rotation axis of the drive shaft 105 is parallel to the vertical direction. The drive shaft 105 rotates about the rotation axis by a drive source (for example, a motor) not shown.

[0084] 10, with the printing cassette 10 attached to the printing device main body 100, the drive shaft 105 engages with the input gear 19 and the platen gear 104 engages with the output gear 18. Specifically, the drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input spool 16 and input gear 19 of the printing cassette 10, and the platen roller 103 and platen gear 104 are swung toward the head opening 32B of the printing cassette 10, whereby the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100.

[0085] With the printing cassette 10 attached, the input gear 19 is rotated by the drive shaft 105, thereby rotating the output gear 18, which in turn rotates the platen gear 104, which in turn rotates the platen roller 103.

[0086] [1-2. Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) The output gear 18 is disposed in the second case part 42 sandwiched between the first case part 41 and the third case part 43. Therefore, when the printing cassette 10 falls and a surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis of the output gear 18 hits the floor surface or the like, the output gear 18 is protected by the first case part 41 and the third case part 43, and damage to the output gear 18 is suppressed.

[0087] (1b) Since the protruding portion 32E and the facing portion 32F are connected by the third surface 32J, the strength of the protruding portion 32E is increased, which reduces damage to the protruding portion 32E when the printing cassette 10 is dropped.

[0088] (1c) Since the volume and total weight of the third case part 43 are larger than the volume and total weight of the first case part 41, when the printing cassette 10 is dropped, the third case part 43 is on the lower side and is likely to collide with the floor surface, etc. Therefore, damage to the output gear 18 exposed to the head opening 32B provided in the first case part 41 is suppressed.

[0089] (1d) Since each case portion is separated from the others by a partition wall, collision between components arranged in different case portions can be prevented when the printing cassette 10 is dropped. Therefore, damage to the components is prevented.

[0090] (1e) The first regulating portion 32L, the second regulating portion 33M and the third regulating portion 34A enable the printable tape wound around the first supply spool 12 to be smoothly fed from the third case portion 43 to the first case portion 41.

[0091] (1f) In the second case portion 42, the first partition wall 32M and the second partition wall 33G prevent the print tape transported toward the discharge port 32C from interfering with the output gear 18, the input gear 19, and the idle gear 20.

[0092] [2. Second embodiment] [2-1. Configuration] A printing apparatus 1A shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B includes a printing cassette 10A and a printing apparatus main body 100A.

[0093] <Printing cassette> The printing cassette 10A is obtained by adding a third roll 21, an additional spool 22, an additional gear 23, and a pinch roller 24 shown in Figure 11 to the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment, and by replacing the input spool 16, first lid portion 31, first frame portion 32, second frame portion 33, and second lid portion 34 of the first embodiment with a third supply spool 25, first lid portion 36, first frame portion 37, second frame portion 38, and second lid portion 39.

[0094] The first lid portion 36 and the first frame portion 37 form a first case portion 41A. The first frame portion 37 and the second frame portion 38 form a second case portion 42A. The second frame portion 38 and the second lid portion 39 form a third case portion 43A.

[0095] The third supply spool 25 is the same as the input spool 16 except that it does not have spline teeth 16B. The first lid portion 36, the first frame portion 37, the second frame portion 38 and the second lid portion 39 are respectively extensions in the left-right direction of the first lid portion 31, the first frame portion 32, the second frame portion 33 and the second lid portion 34. The other configurations of the printing cassette 10A are the same as those of the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment except for the points described below, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0096] The third roll 21 is a laminate tape used to protect the print-receiving tape wound around a third supply spool 25. The laminate tape has an adhesive surface that is bonded to the print-receiving tape on which printing has been performed by the print head 102.

[0097] The additional spool 22 is rotatable around a rotation axis. The rotation axis of the additional spool 22 is parallel to the rotation axis of the second supply spool 15 (i.e., the vertical direction). is a take-up spool that winds up the ink ribbon by the rotation of the additional gear 23, which will be described later.

[0098] The additional gear 23 is connected to the additional spool 22 and is engaged with the idle gear 20. The additional gear 23 is rotated by the driving force input to the input gear 19, causing the additional spool 22 to rotate.

[0099] The pinch roller 24 presses the laminate tape onto the printed tape together with a pressure roller 106 described later. The pinch roller 24 is disposed downstream of the head opening 32B in the transport direction of the printed tape.

[0100] At least a portion of the printed tape (i.e., the portion pulled out from the first roll 11), at least a portion of the laminate tape, and at least a portion of the pinch roller 24 are housed in the first case portion 41A and aligned in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction (i.e., the front-to-back and left-to-right directions).

[0101] Furthermore, the pinch roller 24 is supported by the second case portion 42A so that at least a portion of the pinch roller 24 overlaps with the second case portion 42A in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction (that is, in the front-rear and left-right directions).

[0102] Specifically, the upper end of the shaft portion 24A of the pinch roller 24 is inserted into a recess 371 provided in the first partition wall 32G of the first frame portion 37. The recess 371 is a part of the second case portion 42A.

[0103] <Printing device body> The printing device main body 100A is obtained by adding a pressure roller 106 shown in Fig. 12 to the printing device main body 100 of the first embodiment. Since the other configuration of the printing device main body 100A is the same as that of the printing device main body 100 of the first embodiment except for the points described below, the description will be omitted.

[0104] The pressure roller 106 is configured to be able to swing together with the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104. That is, the pressure roller 106 is able to swing between a position spaced apart from the printing cassette 10A shown in Fig. 13 and a position in which the pressure roller 106 presses the print tape and the laminate tape together with the pinch roller 24 shown in Fig. 14.

[0105] [2-2. Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (2a) While retaining the same advantages as the first embodiment, the printed content on the print-receiving tape can be protected by the laminate tape.

[0106] (2b) A portion of the pinch roller 24 overlaps with the second case portion 42A in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, which facilitates assembly of the pinch roller 24 into the case 35. As a result, the productivity of the printing cassette 10 is improved.

[0107] 3. Other embodiments Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can take various forms.

[0108] (3a) The printing device of the above embodiment is not limited to one that uses an ink ribbon for printing. The printing device may use a strip of thermal paper as the printable tape. Also, the printing cassette does not necessarily have to have a roll of ink ribbon and a second supply spool. good.

[0109] For example, a printing cassette 10B shown in FIG. 15 is the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment, with the first roll 11 replaced with a roll 51 of thermal paper and the second roll 14 replaced with a third roll 52 of laminate tape.

[0110] In the printing cassette 10B, the third roll 52 is wound around the third supply spool 25 of the second embodiment. Also, the printing cassette 10B includes the pinch roller 24 of the second embodiment, but does not include the second supply spool 15.

[0111] (3b) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, the volume, total weight, and vertical length relationship of the first case part, the second case part, and the third case part are not limited to those described above. In addition, the first case part, the second case part, and the third case part may be composed of parts other than the above-mentioned first lid part, first frame part, second frame part, and second lid part.

[0112] (3c) In the printing cassette of the second embodiment, the laminate tape may be wound around an additional spool.

[0113] For example, a printing cassette 10C shown in Fig. 16 is the printing cassette 10A of the second embodiment, with a third roll 21 of laminate tape wound around the additional spool 22. The printing cassette 10C includes the input spool 16 of the first embodiment, instead of the third supply spool 25 of the second embodiment. The input spool 16 is used as a take-up spool for the ink ribbon.

[0114] (3d) The function of one component in the above embodiments may be distributed among multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into one component. In addition, a part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. In addition, at least a part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments. Note that all aspects included in the technical idea identified from the wording of the claims are embodiments of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 1...printing device, 10...printing cassette, 11...first roll, 12...first supply spool, 14: second roll; 15: second supply spool; 16: input spool; 18: output gear; 19...input gear, 20...idle gear, 21...third roll, 22...additional spool, 23: additional gear, 24: pinch roller, 25: third supply spool, 31: first cover portion, 32...First frame part, 32B...Head opening, 32C...Ejection port, 32E...Protrusion part, 32F...Opposing part, 32G...First separation wall, 32L...First regulation part, 32M...First partition wall, 33... second frame portion, 33G... second partition wall, 33H... second isolation wall, 33M... second restriction portion, 34: second cover portion, 34A: third restriction portion, 35: case, 41: first case portion, 42: second case portion, 43: third case portion, 100: printing device main body, 102: print head, 103: platen roller, 104: platen gear.

Claims

1. a case having a first case portion, a second case portion, and a third case portion; A first tape, at least a portion of which is accommodated in the third case portion; a gear, a portion of which is housed in the second case portion and another portion of which is located outside the case, the gear being rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the first direction; Equipped with the first case portion is provided with an outlet through which the first tape is discharged, The printing cassette, wherein the first case portion, the second case portion, and the third case portion are arranged in the first direction in the following order: the first case portion, the second case portion, and the third case portion.

2. The first case portion is a protrusion having a first surface defining a head opening; an opposing portion that defines the head opening and has a second surface that faces the first surface in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; having The printing cassette according to claim 1 , wherein the second case portion is disposed at an end of the head opening in the first direction, and has a third surface that connects the protruding portion and the opposing portion.

3. 3. The printing cassette according to claim 1, wherein a volume of the internal space of the third case portion is larger than a volume of the internal space of the first case portion.

4. A printing cassette as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a total weight obtained by combining the weight of the third case portion and the weight of the parts housed in the third case portion is greater than a total weight obtained by combining the weight of the first case portion and the weight of the parts housed in the first case portion.

5. The first case portion and the second case portion are separated by a first partition wall, The printing cassette according to claim 1 , wherein the second case portion and the third case portion are separated by a second partition wall.

6. A first lid portion; A first frame portion connected to the first cover portion in the first direction; A second frame portion connected to the first frame portion in the first direction; A second cover portion connected to the second frame portion in the first direction; Equipped with the first case portion is configured by the first lid portion and a first portion of the first frame portion in the first direction, the second case portion is configured by a second portion of the first frame portion opposite to the first portion in the first direction, and a third portion of the second frame portion in the first direction, A printing cassette as described in claim 1 , wherein the third case portion is constituted by a fourth portion on the opposite side of the third portion of the second frame portion in the first direction, and the second lid portion.

7. 7. The printing cassette according to claim 6, wherein the length of the second frame portion in the first direction is greater than the length of the first frame portion in the first direction.

8. 8. The printing cassette according to claim 6, wherein the gear is disposed between a plurality of claws that connect the first frame and the second frame.

9. A printing cassette as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the length of the first case portion in the first direction and the length of the third case portion in the first direction are each greater than the length of the second case portion in the first direction.

10. The printing cassette according to claim 9 , wherein the length of the first case portion in the first direction is equal to or greater than the length of the third case portion in the first direction.

11. A second tape; a roller for overlapping the second tape on the first tape; Further equipped with at least a portion of the first tape, at least a portion of the second tape, and at least a portion of the roller are accommodated in the first case portion and aligned in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, The printing cassette according to claim 1 , wherein the roller is supported by the second case portion such that at least a portion of the roller overlaps with the second case portion in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

12. A restricting portion restricts movement of the first tape in a width direction, The printing cassette according to claim 1 , wherein the regulating portion is disposed between both ends of the discharge opening in the width direction of the first tape.

13. a roll of the first tape; a restricting portion that restricts movement of the first tape in a width direction; Further equipped with The roll is housed in the third case portion, The printing cassette according to claim 1 , wherein the regulating portion is disposed between both ends of the roll in the width direction of the first tape.

14. further comprising a roll of the first tape; The roll is housed in the third case portion, The printing cassette according to claim 1 , wherein the first tape pulled out from the roll passes through the second case portion and the first case portion and is discharged from the discharge port.

15. The printing cassette according to claim 14 , wherein the second case portion has a partition wall that separates a space in which the gear is disposed from a space through which the first tape passes.

16. Further comprising an ink ribbon; At least a portion of the ink ribbon is accommodated in the first case portion, the first case portion has an outlet for discharging the first tape to a head opening, 16. The printing cassette according to claim 1, wherein the ink ribbon is superimposed on the first tape discharged from the opening outlet.

17. A printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 16, a printing device main body in which the printing cassette is mounted; Equipped with The printing device body has a drive force transmission part that engages with the gear.

Images