Cassette

Abstract

To provide a printer which enables improvement of flexibility of arrangement of an input position of a drive force to a cassette and an output position of the drive force to the outside of the cassette.SOLUTION: The disclosure relates to a printer including a cassette for printing, a platen roller, and a driving source. The cassette for printing has: an input part to which a drive force is input; an output part which rotates around a rotation axis parallel to a first direction and transmits the drive force to the platen roller; a transmission mechanism which transmits the drive force input to the input part to the output part; and a case in which at least a part of a printed tape, at least a part of the input part, at least a part of the output part, and at least a part of the transmission mechanism are disposed. The part of the output part is located outside the case. In a projection view projected on a virtual surface perpendicular to the first direction, the output part is located at the inner side relative to an outer edge of the case.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In a device that performs processes such as printing on tape, a cassette containing the tape is attached to and detached from the main body to replace and supply the tape. A known cassette used in such a device has a gear attached to a reel around which the tape is wound (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 58-141479 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the above-mentioned cassette uses the gear to output driving force from the cassette, since the output part (i.e., the gear) and the input part (i.e., the hole in the reel) are both formed on the reel, there are restrictions on the arrangement of the input position into the cassette and the output position outside the cassette.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a printing device and a printing cassette that allow for greater freedom in the arrangement of the position where the driving force is input to the cassette and the position where the driving force is output to the outside of the cassette. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a printing device including a printing cassette having a printable tape, a platen roller that transports the printable tape, and a drive source.

[0007] The printing cassette has an input section to which a driving force from a driving source is input, an output section that rotates around a rotation axis parallel to the first direction and transmits the driving force to the platen roller, a transmission mechanism that is drivingly connected to the input section and the output section and transmits the driving force input to the input section to the output section, and a case in which at least a portion of the printable tape, at least a portion of the input section, at least a portion of the output section, and at least a portion of the transmission mechanism are arranged.

[0008] A part of the output unit is located outside the case. In a projection view of the output unit and the case projected onto an imaginary plane perpendicular to the first direction, the output unit is located inside the outer edge of the case.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a printing cassette comprising: a printable tape; an input section to which a driving force is input; an output section that rotates around a rotation axis parallel to a first direction and outputs to the outside the driving force for transporting the printable tape; a transmission mechanism that is drivingly connected to the input section and the output section and transmits the driving force input to the input section to the output section; and a case in which at least a portion of the printable tape, at least a portion of the input section, at least a portion of the output section, and at least a portion of the transmission mechanism are disposed.

[0010] A part of the output unit is located outside the case. In a projection view of the output unit and the case projected onto an imaginary plane perpendicular to the first direction, the output unit is located inside the outer edge of the case.

[0011] With this configuration, the drive force can be transmitted from the input unit to the output unit by the transmission mechanism, so the input unit and the output unit can be positioned at any desired location. As a result, the position at which the drive force is input to the printing cassette and the position at which the drive force is output to the outside of the printing cassette can be freely positioned. Furthermore, since the output section is located inside the outer edge of the case in the projection view, the output section is also protected.

[0012] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a printing cassette comprising: a printable tape; an input section to which a driving force is input; an output section that rotates around a rotation axis parallel to the first direction and outputs to the outside the driving force for transporting the printable tape; a transmission mechanism that is drivingly connected to the input section and the output section and transmits the driving force input to the input section to the output section; and a case in which at least a portion of the printable tape, at least a portion of the input section, at least a portion of the output section, and at least a portion of the transmission mechanism are disposed.

[0013] A part of the output section is located outside the case, and the entire output section overlaps with the case in the first direction.

[0014] With this configuration, the drive force can be transmitted from the input unit to the output unit by the transmission mechanism, so the input unit and the output unit can be positioned anywhere. In addition, the output unit is protected because the entire output unit overlaps with the case in the first direction.

[0015] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a printing cassette comprising: a printable tape; an input section to which a driving force is input; an output section that rotates around a rotation axis parallel to the first direction and outputs to the outside the driving force for transporting the printable tape; a transmission mechanism that is drivingly connected to the input section and the output section and transmits the driving force input to the input section to the output section; and a case in which at least a portion of the printable tape, at least a portion of the input section, at least a portion of the output section, and at least a portion of the transmission mechanism are disposed.

[0016] The case has a first surface and a second surface that respectively constitute end surfaces of the case in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a third surface and a fourth surface that respectively constitute end surfaces of the case in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions. The output unit is located between the first and second surfaces and between the third and fourth surfaces.

[0017] With this configuration, the drive force can be transmitted from the input section to the output section by the transmission mechanism, allowing the input section and the output section to be positioned at any desired location. In addition, since the output section is located between the first and second surfaces and between the third and fourth surfaces, the output section is also protected. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [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. [Figure 2] 2A, 2B, and 2C are schematic perspective views of a printing cassette in the printing apparatus of FIG. 1A. [Figure 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. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the printing cassette of FIG. 2A with the first lid removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic enlarged plan view of the vicinity of the head opening in the printing cassette of FIG. 2A. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an engagement state between the output gear and the platen gear in the printing device of FIG. 1A. [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] 10A and 10B are schematic perspective views showing a printing apparatus in an embodiment different from that shown in FIG. 1A, in which a printing cassette is removed from the printing apparatus main body. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a printing cassette in the printing apparatus of FIG. 10A. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view of the printer body of the printer of FIG. 10A. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an engagement state between the output gear and the platen gear in the printing device of FIG. 10A. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a printing cassette of a printing device in an embodiment different from those in FIGS. 1A and 10A. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a printing cassette of a printing device in an embodiment different from those shown in FIGS. 1A, 10A, and 14. FIG. [Figure 16] Figure 16A is a right side view of a printing cassette of a printing device in an embodiment different from Figures 1A, 10A, 14 and 15, Figure 16B is a bottom view of the printing cassette of Figure 16A, Figure 16C is a left side view of the printing cassette of Figure 16A, and Figure 16D is a front view of the printing cassette of Figure 16A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] [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.

[0020] In this embodiment, the axial direction of the output gear 18 is 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 the front-to-rear direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the front-to-rear direction is the left-to-right direction.

[0021] <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, printing media can be replenished and the type of printing media (e.g., color, material, etc.) can be changed.

[0022] 2A, 2B, and 2C, the printing cassette 10 includes a case 35 that stores the printable tape, ink ribbon, and other items described below. The printing cassette 10 has an outer shape (i.e., the shape of the case 35) that 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 31, a first frame 32, a second frame 33, and a second lid 34.

[0023] As shown in Figure 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 idle gear 20.

[0024] (1st roll) The first roll 11 is a print-receiving tape on which printing is to be performed, 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 the printing device main body 100, which will be described later.

[0025] Two spacer foils are provided on the outer sides of the first roll 11 in the vertical direction so as to sandwich the first roll 11 therebetween. Spacer films 13A and 13B are arranged between first roll 11 and first lid portion 31 and between first roll 11 and first frame portion 32.

[0026] (1st supply spool) The first supply spool 12 is rotatable about its rotation axis. The first supply spool 12 rotates in accordance with the transport of the print tape by a platen roller 103 of the printing device main body 100 (described later), thereby supplying the print tape to the print head 102.

[0027] (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.

[0028] The ink ribbon is superimposed on the print-receiving tape in a head opening 33B (described later) and is used for printing by the print head 102. The ink ribbon used for printing is taken up onto an input spool 16 (described later). A clutch spring held by a clutch spring holder 17 applies rotational resistance to the second roll 14.

[0029] (Second supply spool) Second supply spool 15 is rotatable about its axis of rotation, which is parallel to the axis of rotation of first supply spool 12, that is, parallel to the up-down direction.

[0030] 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 positioned so as to overlap the first roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0031] (input spool) The input spool 16 is rotatable about a rotation axis that is parallel to the rotation axis of the second supply spool 15.

[0032] The input spool 16 is cylindrical and has a hollow portion defined by an inner peripheral surface 16A. Spline teeth 16B are provided on the inner peripheral surface 16A of the input spool 16. A drive shaft 105 of the printing apparatus 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.

[0033] (output gear) The output gear 18 is a gear for outputting the driving force for feeding the print-receiving tape to the outside. The output gear 18 is an output part that transmits the driving force to the platen roller 103 via a platen gear 104 of the printing device main body 100, which will be described later.

[0034] The output gear 18 has a disk that rotates around a rotation axis and teeth provided on a surface of the disk that is parallel to the vertical direction. One surface of the disk that is perpendicular to the vertical direction (i.e., the upper surface) faces a cover part 32B (described later) of the case 35 in the vertical direction. A part of the other surface of the disk that is perpendicular to the vertical direction (i.e., the lower surface) does not face the case 35 in the vertical direction.

[0035] A portion of the output gear 18 is exposed to the head opening 33B, 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 33B.

[0036] 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 order of the first roll 11, the output gear 18, and the second roll 14 in the vertical direction. In other words, the output gear 18 is located between the first roll 11 and the second roll 14 in the vertical direction.

[0037] (input gear) 3, the input gear 19 is a gear that indirectly engages with the output gear 18 via an idle gear 20 (described later) and transmits driving force to the output gear 18. Driving force from the driving source of the printing apparatus main body 100 is input to the input gear 19.

[0038] The input gear 19 has a gear 19A and a cylindrical spool 19B that is fixed to the lower surface of the gear 19A and has spline teeth on its inner peripheral surface. The gear 19A rotates integrally with the spool 19B by a driving force input to the spool 19B.

[0039] The rotation axis of the input gear 19 (i.e., the rotation axis of the gear 19A and the rotation axis of the spool 19B) is aligned 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 aligned in the order of input spool 16, input gear 19, and first roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0040] That is, the input gear 19 is positioned between the input spool 16 and the first roll 11 in the vertical direction. At least a portion of the input gear 19 is disposed at a position overlapping the first roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0041] The rotation axis of the input gear 19 passes through the hollow portion of the input spool 16. In other words, 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 the same drive source (i.e., the drive shaft 105) as the input spool 16.

[0042] (Idol Gear) The idle gear 20 is drivingly connected to (that is, engaged with) the input gear 19 and the output gear 18, and constitutes a transmission mechanism for transmitting the driving force input to the input gear 19 to the output gear 18.

[0043] 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 in the vertical direction (i.e., higher) 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.

[0044] (case) As shown in Figure 3, the first lid 31 constitutes the upper end of the printing cassette 10. The first frame 32 is disposed below the first lid 31 and is connected to the first lid 31 in the vertical direction. The second frame 33 is disposed below the first frame 32 and is connected to the first frame 32 in the vertical direction. The second lid 34 constitutes the lower end of the printing cassette 10. The second lid 34 is connected to the second frame 33 in the vertical direction.

[0045] The first lid portion 31 and the first frame portion 32 constitute a first case portion 41 (see FIG. 4) that houses the first roll 11. In other words, the first roll 11 is disposed in a space surrounded by the first lid portion 31 and the first frame portion 32.

[0046] The second lid portion 34 and the second frame portion 33 constitute a second case portion 42 (see FIG. 4) that houses the second roll 14, 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 second lid portion 34 and the second frame portion 33.

[0047] The first frame 32 and the second frame 33 form a third case 43 (see FIG. 4) in which a part of the output gear 18, the input gear 19, and the idle gear 20 are disposed. That is, 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 32 and the second frame 33. The third case 43 is disposed between the first case 41 and the second case 42 in the up-down direction.

[0048] The first frame 32 has a first side wall 32A, a cover 32B, a first guide 32C, a first gear support 32D, a second gear support 32E, and a third gear support 32F. The first side wall 32A forms a side surface parallel to the vertical direction of the printing cassette 10. The cover 32B is a portion having a surface perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0049] The cover portion 32B is disposed at a position overlapping with the output gear 18 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the cover portion 32B is provided contiguous with the lower end portion of the first side wall 32A, and is disposed at the right front corner of the first frame portion 32.

[0050] The output gear 18, the cover portion 32B, and the first roll 11 are arranged in the up-down direction in the order of the output gear 18, the cover portion 32B, 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 32B.

[0051] 5, the first guide 32C is a portion around which the print-receiving tape 11A pulled out from the first roll 11 is wound. The first guide 32C has a plurality of plate-shaped ribs spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the first roll 11. The plurality of ribs protrude in the radial direction of the first roll 11, with the amount of protrusion (i.e., plate width) increasing downward.

[0052] 3 rotatably supports the output gear 18. The second gear support portion 32E rotatably supports the input gear 19. The third gear support portion 32F rotatably supports the idle gear 20.

[0053] The second frame 33 has a second side wall 33A, a head opening 33B, a discharge port 33C, a second guide 33D, a protrusion 33E, and a transport path 33G. The second side wall 33A forms a side surface that is parallel to the up-down direction of the printing cassette 10.

[0054] The head opening 33B is a portion formed by cutting out a part of the second side wall 33A. The head opening 33B is a space into which the print head 102 is placed 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 33B opens below the printing cassette 10.

[0055] The second guide 33D is a section around which the print-receiving tape 11A that has passed through the first guide 32C is wound. Similar to the first guide 32C, the second guide 33D has a plurality of plate-shaped ribs that are spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the second roll 14. The plurality of ribs protrude in the radial direction of the second roll 14, and the amount of protrusion (i.e., plate width) decreases as they extend downward.

[0056] The protrusion 33E is disposed at a position overlapping with the output gear 18 in the vertical direction, and has an end face 33F parallel to the vertical direction. The protrusion 33E is disposed below the output gear 18 (i.e., on the opposite side of the output gear 18 from the cover part 32B).

[0057] The transport path 33G is a section where the print-receiving tape and the ink ribbon are transported in parallel, upstream of the head opening 33B in the transport direction of the print-receiving tape. In this embodiment, the transport direction of the print-receiving tape in the transport path 33G is from left to right, and is parallel to a straight line connecting multiple support points within the transport path 33G where the surface of the print-receiving tape opposite to the surface to be printed abuts.

[0058] A part of the input gear 19 overlaps with the output gear 18 in a direction (ie, front-rear direction) perpendicular to both the transport direction (ie, left-right direction) and the up-down direction of the print-receiving tape 11A in the transport path 33G.

[0059] 6, the print-receiving tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A are hung in the left-right direction in the head opening 33B. After printing, the print-receiving tape 11A is discharged to the outside of the printer 1 from the discharge opening 33C.

[0060] In a projection view of the output gear 18 and the case 35 onto an imaginary plane perpendicular to the up-down direction, the output gear 18 is located inside the outer edge of the case 35. In addition, the entire output gear 18 overlaps with the case 35 in the up-down direction.

[0061] A portion of the output gear 18 overlaps with the head opening 33B in the vertical direction. In particular, the rotation axis O1 of the output gear 18 passes through the head opening 33B. In addition, the end face 33F of the protrusion 33E is located between the root circle of the output gear 18 and the rotation axis O1 of the output gear 18.

[0062] The circumferential length L of the root circle of the portion of the output gear 18 located outside the case 35 (i.e., the portion that does not overlap with the protrusion 33E in the vertical direction) is greater than or equal to 1 / 8 and less than or equal to 1 / 3 of the circumferential length of the root circle of the output gear 18.

[0063] The case 35 further has a first upstream support portion 331 and a first downstream support portion 332 that support the print-receiving tape 11A, and a second upstream support portion 333 and a second downstream support portion 334 that support the ink ribbon 14A.

[0064] The first upstream support portion 331 is provided adjacent to the head opening 33B, upstream of the head opening 33B in the feed direction of the print-receiving tape 11A. The first downstream support portion 332 is provided adjacent to the head opening 33B, downstream of the head opening 33B in the feed direction of the print-receiving tape 11A. The first downstream support portion 332 is located to the right and rear of the first upstream support portion 331.

[0065] The second upstream support portion 333 is provided adjacent to the head opening 33B and upstream of the head opening 33B in the transport direction of the ink ribbon 14A. The second downstream support portion 334 is provided adjacent to the head opening 33B and downstream of the head opening 33B in the transport direction of the ink ribbon 14A. The second downstream support portion 334 is located to the right and rear of the second upstream support portion 333.

[0066] The imaginary line S2 connecting the second upstream support portion 333 and the second downstream support portion 334 overlaps with the output gear 18 in the vertical direction. On the other hand, the imaginary line S1 connecting the first upstream support portion 331 and the first downstream support portion 332 does not overlap with the output gear 18 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the print-receiving tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A are fed separated from each other in the front-to-rear direction at the head opening 33B. In addition, the output gear 18 overlaps with the second upstream support portion 333 in the vertical direction.

[0067] 7, a portion of the output gear 18 overlaps in the vertical direction with an imaginary triangle S3 that connects the first upstream support portion 331, the first downstream support portion 332, and the rotation axis O2 of the input gear 19. In particular, in this embodiment, the rotation axis O1 of the output gear 18 passes through the imaginary triangle S3.

[0068] As shown in Figures 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D, the first guide 32C and the second guide 33D form a passage that feeds the print-receiving tape 11A that constitutes the first roll 11 from the first case portion 41 to the second case portion 42.

[0069] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8A, the print-receiving tape 11A pulled out from the first roll 11 is transported downward and rearward within the first case part 41 while contacting the first guide 32C from the radially outer side of the first roll 11 in a spiral manner. The print-receiving tape 11A is further transported downward and leftward while vertically straddling the third case part 43, as shown in Fig. 8B.

[0070] The print-receiving tape 11A that has reached the second case portion 42 is transported downward and forward while contacting the second guide 33D from the radially outer side, as shown in Fig. 8C. The print-receiving tape 11A that has reached the lower end of the printing cassette 10 passes through the head opening 33B and is discharged from the discharge opening 33C, as shown in Fig. 8D.

[0071] 8A, the output gear 18 is located between the first surface 35A and the second surface 35B of the case 35. Furthermore, the output gear 18 is located between the third surface 35C and the fourth surface 35D of the case 35, as shown in FIG.

[0072] The first surface 35A and the second surface 35B each constitute an end surface in the front-to-rear direction of the case 35. Specifically, the first surface 35A is the frontmost surface, and the second surface 35B is the rearmost surface. Furthermore, the third surface 35C and the fourth surface 35D each constitute an end surface in the left-to-right direction of the case 35. Specifically, the third surface 35C is the leftmost surface, and the fourth surface 35D is the rightmost surface.

[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 section) The cassette insertion section 101 is a recess into which the printing cassette 10 is inserted. The cassette insertion section 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-receiving tape held by the printing cassette 10 .

[0076] The print head 102 is disposed inside the cassette insertion section 101. When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printer body 100, the print head 102 is disposed in a position in the head opening 33B where it overlaps with the print tape and the ink ribbon in the front-to-rear direction.

[0077] The print head 102 has a plurality of heating elements whose heat generation is individually controlled. The print tape is transported to the head opening 33B by a platen roller 103 (described later). The heating elements are pressed against the heated print head 102 via the ink ribbon, causing a portion of the ink arranged on the surface of the ink ribbon to be transferred to the print tape, printing characters, symbols, etc. 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 up-down direction.

[0079] The platen roller 103 is disposed inside the cassette insertion portion 101 and near the print head 102. The platen roller 103 abuts against the print tape in the head opening 33B, and presses the print tape against the print head 102.

[0080] (Platen gear) The platen gear 104 is a gear that is 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. 7 in which the platen gear 104 is engaged with the output gear 18.

[0082] (drive shaft) The drive shaft 105 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 is rotated about the rotation axis by a drive source (for example, a motor) not shown.

[0084] 7, with the printing cassette 10 attached to the printing apparatus 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 printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing apparatus main body 100 by inserting the drive shaft 105 into the input spool 16 and input gear 19 of the printing cassette 10 and swinging the platen roller 103 and platen gear 104 toward the head opening 33B of the printing cassette 10.

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

[0086] [1-2.Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) Because the driving force can be transmitted from the input gear 19 to the output gear 18 by the idle gear 20, the input gear 19 and the output gear 18 can be positioned as desired. As a result, there is increased freedom in the positioning of the input position of the driving force to the printing cassette 10 and the output position of the driving force to the outside of the printing cassette 10. Furthermore, because the output gear 18 is positioned inside the outer edge of the case 35 in a vertical projection, the output gear 18 is also protected.

[0087] (1b) The first roll 11, the output gear 18, and the second roll 14 are arranged in the order of the first roll 11, the output gear 18, and the second roll 14 in the vertical direction, so that the printing Damage to the output gear 18 is suppressed when the cassette 10 falls and a surface perpendicular to the up-down direction hits the floor or the like.

[0088] (1c) The circumferential length of the root circle of the portion of the output gear 18 located outside the case 35 is between 1 / 8 and 1 / 3 of the circumferential length of the root circle of the output gear 18, and / or the end face 33F of the protrusion 33E is located between the root circle of the output gear 18 and the rotation axis of the output gear 18, thereby ensuring engagement with the platen gear 104 while protecting the output gear 18.

[0089] (1d) The imaginary straight line S2 connecting the second upstream support portion 333 and the second downstream support portion 334 overlaps with the output gear 18 in the vertical direction, thereby preventing interference between the platen roller 103 and the ink ribbon when the printing cassette 10 is installed.

[0090] (1e) Since a gap is formed between the print-receiving tape and the ink ribbon at the head opening 33B, when either the print-receiving tape or the ink ribbon meanders, the effect on the transport of the other can be reduced.

[0091] (1f) By having a portion of the input gear 19 overlap with the output gear 18 in the front-to-rear direction, and / or by having a portion of the output portion overlap with the virtual triangle S3, it is possible to reduce the area occupied by the input gear 19 and the output gear 18 in the left-to-right direction. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the printing cassette 10 in the left-to-right direction.

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

[0093] <Printing cassette> The printing cassette 10A is the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment, to which the third roll 21, additional spool 22, additional gear 23, and pinch roller 24 shown in Figure 11 have been added, and 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 have been replaced with an input spool 25, first lid portion 36, first frame portion 37, second frame portion 38, and second lid portion 39.

[0094] The input 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 rest of the configuration of the printing cassette 10A is the same as that of the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment, except for the points described below, so description thereof will be omitted.

[0095] The third roll 21 is a laminate tape used to protect the print-receiving tape, wound around an input 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.

[0096] The additional spool 22 is rotatable around its rotation axis, which is parallel to the rotation axis (i.e., the vertical direction) of the second supply spool 15. The additional spool 22 is a take-up spool that takes up the ink ribbon by rotation of an additional gear 23, which will be described later.

[0097] 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, and the additional spool Rotate 22.

[0098] The pinch roller 24 presses the laminate tape against the print-receiving tape after printing, together with a pressure roller 106 described below. The pinch roller 24 is disposed downstream of the head opening 33B in the feeding direction of the print-receiving tape.

[0099] <Printing device body> The printing device main body 100A is the printing device main body 100 of the first embodiment with the addition of a pressure roller 106 shown in Fig. 12. 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, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0100] The pressure roller 106 is configured to be able to swing together with the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104. In other words, the pressure roller 106 is able to swing between a position spaced apart from the printing cassette 10A shown in Fig. 12 and a position where it presses the print-receiving tape and the laminate tape together with the pinch roller 24 shown in Fig. 13.

[0101] [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.

[0102] 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 on various forms.

[0103] (3a) The printing device of the above embodiment is not limited to one that prints using an ink ribbon. The printing device may also print using a strip of thermal paper as the printable tape. For example, the printing device may use laminate tape (i.e., protective tape) instead of the ink ribbon. Also, the printing cassette does not necessarily have to have a second roll and a second supply spool.

[0104] For example, the printing cassette 10B shown in Figure 14 is the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment, with the first roll 11 replaced with a first roll 51 of thermal paper and the second roll 14 replaced with a second roll 52 of laminate tape. In the printing cassette 10B, the second roll 52 is wound around the input spool 25 of the second embodiment. Furthermore, the printing cassette 10B is equipped with the pinch roller 24 of the second embodiment, but does not have the second supply spool 15.

[0105] (3b) The printing cassette of the above embodiment may have two or more idle gears. Furthermore, the transmission mechanism that engages the input gear and the output gear does not necessarily have to include a speed reduction mechanism. In other words, the idle gear does not necessarily have to be a stepped gear. Furthermore, the printing cassette may have a transmission mechanism other than gears.

[0106] (3c) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, the output part that transmits the driving force to the platen roller is not limited to a gear. For example, a roller or a spool may be used as the output part. Furthermore, the input part to which the driving force from the driving source is input is not limited to a gear. For example, a roller or a spool may be used as the input part.

[0107] (3d) The printing cassette of the second embodiment has a third supply slot around which laminate tape is wound. An additional spool may be used as the spool, and the input spool may be used as the take-up spool for the ink ribbon.

[0108] For example, the printing cassette 10C shown in Figure 15 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 input spool 25 of the second embodiment. The input spool 16 is used as a take-up spool for the ink ribbon.

[0109] (3e) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, the output section may be positioned outside the outer edge of the case in the above-mentioned projection view. Also, the entire main force section may not overlap with the case in the vertical direction.

[0110] For example, in the printing cassette 10D shown in Figures 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D, a portion of the output gear 18 does not overlap with the case 40 in the vertical direction. In other words, the case 40 has a notch that prevents a portion of the output gear 18 from overlapping with the case 40 in the vertical direction. However, in the printing cassette 10D, the output gear 18 is located between the frontmost surface 40A and the top surface 40B of the case 40, and between the leftmost surface 40C and the rightmost surface 40D.

[0111] (3f) 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. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Furthermore, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments. All aspects included in the technical idea identified by the wording of the claims are embodiments of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1, 1A...printing device; 10, 10A, 10B, 10C...printing cassette; 11...first roll, 11A...printed tape, 12...first supply spool, 14...second roll, 14A...ink ribbon, 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, 31...first lid portion, 32...first frame portion, 32B...cover portion, 33...second frame portion, 33B...head opening, 33C...discharge port, 34...second lid portion, 35...case, 41...first case portion, 42...second case portion, 43...third case portion, 100, 100A...printing device main body, 101...cassette insertion section, 102...print head, 103...platen roller, 104...platen gear, 105...drive shaft.

Claims

1. a printing cassette having a printable tape; a platen roller that transports the print-receiving tape; A driving source; Equipped with The printing cassette comprises: an input unit to which a driving force from the driving source is input; an output section that rotates about a rotation axis parallel to the first direction and transmits a driving force to the platen roller; a transmission mechanism that is drivingly connected to the input portion and the output portion and transmits a driving force input to the input portion to the output portion; a case in which at least a portion of the printable tape, at least a portion of the input section, at least a portion of the output section, and at least a portion of the transmission mechanism are disposed; and a part of the output section is located outside the case; A printing device, wherein in a projection view of the output unit and the case projected onto an imaginary plane perpendicular to the first direction, the output unit is located inside an outer edge of the case.

2. A printed tape; an input section to which a driving force is input; an output section that rotates about a rotation axis parallel to the first direction and outputs a driving force for feeding the print-receiving tape to the outside; a transmission mechanism that is drivingly connected to the input portion and the output portion and transmits a driving force input to the input portion to the output portion; a case in which at least a portion of the printable tape, at least a portion of the input section, at least a portion of the output section, and at least a portion of the transmission mechanism are disposed; Equipped with a part of the output section is located outside the case; a printing cassette, wherein in a projection view of the output unit and the case projected onto an imaginary plane perpendicular to the first direction, the output unit is located inside an outer edge of the case;

3. A printed tape; an input section to which a driving force is input; an output section that rotates about a rotation axis parallel to the first direction and outputs a driving force for feeding the print-receiving tape to the outside; a transmission mechanism that is drivingly connected to the input portion and the output portion and transmits a driving force input to the input portion to the output portion; a case in which at least a portion of the printable tape, at least a portion of the input section, at least a portion of the output section, and at least a portion of the transmission mechanism are disposed; Equipped with a part of the output section is located outside the case; A printing cassette, wherein the output section entirely overlaps the case in the first direction.

4. A printed tape; an input section to which a driving force is input; an output section that rotates about a rotation axis parallel to the first direction and outputs a driving force for feeding the print-receiving tape to the outside; a transmission mechanism that is drivingly connected to the input portion and the output portion and transmits a driving force input to the input portion to the output portion; a case in which at least a portion of the printable tape, at least a portion of the input section, at least a portion of the output section, and at least a portion of the transmission mechanism are disposed; Equipped with The case is a first surface and a second surface that respectively constitute end surfaces of the case in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a third surface and a fourth surface that respectively constitute end surfaces of the case in a third direction that is perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction; and The printing cassette, wherein the output section is located between the first surface and the second surface and between the third surface and the fourth surface.

5. Further comprising a head opening; The printing cassette according to claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the output portion overlaps with the head opening in the first direction.

6. 6. The printing cassette according to claim 5, wherein the rotation axis of the output portion passes through the head opening.

7. the output portion is an output gear including a disk that rotates around the rotation axis and teeth provided on a surface of the disk that is parallel to the first direction, one surface of the disk perpendicular to the first direction faces the case in the first direction, The printing cassette according to claim 2 , wherein at least a part of the other surface of the disk perpendicular to the first direction does not face the case in the first direction.

8. the output portion is an output gear including a disk that rotates around the rotation axis and teeth provided on a surface of the disk that is parallel to the first direction, A printing cassette as described in any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the circumferential length of the root circle of the portion of the output gear located outside the case is greater than or equal to 1 / 8 and less than or equal to 1 / 3 of the circumferential length of the root circle of the output gear.

9. the output portion is an output gear including a disk that rotates around the rotation axis and teeth provided on a surface of the disk that is parallel to the first direction, the case is disposed at a position overlapping with the output gear in the first direction and has a protruding portion having an end surface parallel to the first direction, The printing cassette according to claim 2 , wherein the end face of the protrusion is located between a root circle of the output gear and the rotation axis of the output gear.

10. It also includes an ink ribbon. The case is a second upstream support portion provided adjacent to the head opening upstream of the head opening in the ink ribbon transport direction, the second upstream support portion supporting the ink ribbon; a second downstream support portion provided adjacent to the head opening downstream of the head opening in the ink ribbon transport direction, the second downstream support portion supporting the ink ribbon; and The printing cassette according to claim 5 , wherein an imaginary line connecting the second upstream support portion and the second downstream support portion overlaps with or is in contact with the output portion in the first direction.

11. The case is a first upstream support portion that is provided adjacent to the head opening and upstream of the head opening in the feeding direction of the print-receiving tape, and that supports the print-receiving tape; a first downstream support portion that is provided adjacent to the head opening downstream of the head opening in the feeding direction of the print-receiving tape and that supports the print-receiving tape; and The printing cassette according to claim 10 , wherein an imaginary line connecting the first upstream support portion and the first downstream support portion does not overlap with the output portion in the first direction.

12. The printing cassette according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the output portion overlaps with the second upstream support portion in the first direction.

13. the case has a transport path along which the printable tape and the ink ribbon are transported in parallel, upstream of the head opening in the transport direction of the printable tape, 13. A printing cassette according to claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the input section overlaps with the output section in a direction perpendicular to both the transport direction of the printable tape in the transport path and the first direction.

14. Further comprising a head opening; the input unit is rotatable around a rotation axis parallel to the first direction, The case is a first upstream support portion that is provided adjacent to the head opening and upstream of the head opening in the feeding direction of the print-receiving tape, and that supports the print-receiving tape; a first downstream support portion that is provided adjacent to the head opening downstream of the head opening in the feeding direction of the print-receiving tape and that supports the print-receiving tape; and A printing cassette as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein at least a portion of the output portion overlaps, in the first direction, with an imaginary triangle connecting the first upstream support portion, the first downstream support portion, and the rotation axis of the input portion.

15. Ink ribbon and an input spool for winding the ink ribbon; Furthermore, the input unit is rotatable around a rotation axis parallel to the first direction, the input spool has an inner circumferential surface provided with spline teeth; 15. The printing cassette according to claim 2, wherein the rotation axis of the input portion passes through a hollow portion defined by the inner peripheral surface of the input spool.

16. a first roll of the printable tape; a second roll of ink ribbon; Furthermore, 16. The printing cassette according to claim 2, wherein the first roll, the output section, and the second roll are arranged in the first direction in the order of the first roll, the output section, and the second roll.

17. The case is a first case portion that houses the first roll; a second case portion that houses the second roll; a passage for feeding the print-receiving tape constituting the first roll from the first case portion to the second case portion; 17. The printing cassette of claim 16, comprising:

18. a platen roller that transports the print-receiving tape; A driving source; The printer is mounted on a main body of the printer, the input unit receives a driving force from the driving source, The printing cassette according to claim 2 , wherein the output section transmits a driving force to the platen roller.

Images