Printing apparatus

Abstract

While suppressing an increase in size, a single motor drives both the platen roller and the cutter. We provide a printing device that can do this. [Solution] This disclosure relates to a cassette storage device into which a printing cassette containing printing tape can be attached. The container, the platen roller for transporting the printing tape, and the cutter for cutting the printing tape. With the motor and the print cassette installed in the cassette housing, the motor's driving force is applied. A first drive transmission unit that transmits power to the Latin roller, and a second drive unit that transmits the motor's driving force to the cutter. A printing apparatus comprising a dynamic transmission unit. At least a portion of the motor rotates the platen roller. In a first direction parallel to the axis of rotation, it overlaps with the cassette housing.

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing apparatus. [[Background Art]]

[0002] In a printing apparatus that performs printing on a tape, a cassette containing the tape is attached to and detached from a main body of the printing apparatus , thereby enabling replacement and supply of the tape. In such a printing apparatus, driving force is transmitted from a single motor to a platen roller that conveys the tape and a cutter that cuts the tape transmitting mechanism is known (see Patent Document 1). [[Prior Art Documents]] [[Patent Documents]]

[0003] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-114553 [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] In the printing apparatus described above, the motor is arranged outside the cassette housing portion. Therefore, the size of the printing apparatus in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the platen roller increases.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a printing apparatus capable of driving the platen roller and the cutter with a single motor while suppressing an increase in size. [[Means for Solving the Problem]]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a cassette housing portion to which a printing cassette containing a printing tape can be attached, a platen roller that conveys the printing tape, and a cutter that cuts the printing tape, With the motor and the print cassette installed in the cassette housing, the motor's driving force is... A first drive transmission unit that transmits power to the roller, and a second drive unit that transmits the motor's driving force to the cutter. It is a printing apparatus equipped with a transmission unit.

[0007] At least a portion of the motor is cassette in a first direction parallel to the rotation axis of the platen roller. It overlaps with the storage compartment.

[0008] With this configuration, at least a part of the motor is directed in the first direction towards the cassette housing By overlapping with (that is, the print cassette), the increase in the size of the printing device is suppressed, and one unit The platen roller and cutter can be driven by the motor. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1A is a schematic perspective view showing a printing apparatus in an embodiment, and Figure 1B is a schematic perspective view showing the main body of the printing apparatus in Figure 1A. [Figure 2] Figures 2A and 2B are schematic perspective views showing the internal structure of the printing apparatus shown in Figure 1B. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of the second drive transmission unit and cutter drive cam in the printing apparatus body shown in Figure 1B. [Figure 4] Figure 4A is a schematic plan view of the drive switching section in the printing apparatus body shown in Figure 1B, and Figure 4B is a schematic side view of the drive switching section shown in Figure 4A. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of the drive switching unit in an embodiment different from Figure 4A. [Figure 6] Figures 6A and 6B are schematic side views of the drive switching section shown in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figures 7A and 7B are schematic perspective views of the printing cassette in the printing apparatus shown in Figure 1A. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the printing cassette of FIG. 7A. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the paths of the printing tape and ink ribbon in FIG. 7A. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing an engaged state of an output gear and a platen gear in the printing apparatus of FIG. 1A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [1. First Embodiment] [1-1. Configuration] The printing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a printing cassette 10 and a printing apparatus main body 100. The printing apparatus 1 is an apparatus that performs printing on a printing tape 11A.

[0011] In the present embodiment, a direction parallel to the central axis of the printing tape roll 11 is defined as the up-down direction (a first direction ), among directions perpendicular to the up-down direction, a direction parallel to the discharge direction of the printing tape 11A at the discharge port 33C is defined as the left-right direction, and a direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the left-right direction is defined as the front-back direction.

[0012] <Printing Apparatus Main Body> As shown in FIG. 1B, the printing apparatus main body 100 includes a cassette housing portion 101, a print head 1 02, a platen roller 103, a platen gear 104, a roller holder 105, a drive shaft 106, and a housing 109.

[0013] Further, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the printing apparatus main body 100 includes a cutter 107, a motor 110, a first drive transmission portion 120, a second drive transmission portion 130, a drive switching portion 140 , a frame 150, and a cutter driving cam 160.

[0014] (Cassette Housing Portion) The cassette housing section 101 shown in Figure 1B is a recess into which the printing cassette 10 is installed. The cassette housing section 101 has a positioning function for the printing cassette 10.

[0015] The cassette storage section 101 has an insertion opening 101A provided in the housing 109. Set 10 is inserted into the insertion slot 101A and then stored inside the cassette storage section 101. The housing 109 has a slit-shaped ejection section 109A that communicates with the cassette storage section 101. A feature is provided. The printing tape 11A is discharged from the discharge section 109A.

[0016] (Print head) The print head 102 is located inside the cassette housing 101. Device 2 has multiple heating elements whose heat generation is individually controlled.

[0017] (Platen roller and platen gear) The platen roller 103 is located inside the cassette housing 101 and interacts with the print head 102. It is positioned in the vicinity of the print head 102, facing the platen roller 103. The platen roller 1 is capable of swinging toward or away from the brush head 102. The rotational axis L1 of 03 is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0018] The platen roller 103 engages with the output gear 21 of the printing cassette 10. A104 is connected. The rotational axis L2 of the platen gear 104 is connected to the platen roller 10 It coincides with the rotation axis L1 of 3. The platen gear 104 oscillates together with the platen roller 103. The platen roller 103 receives the driving force of the drive shaft 106, which then drives the printing cassette 10 The input is also received via the platen gear 104.

[0019] (Roller holder) The roller holder 105 holds the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104. The roller holder 105 is mounted to the housing 109 so as to be able to swing in the front-rear direction.

[0020] (Drive shaft) The drive shaft 106 is inserted between the take-up spool 16 of the printing cassette 10 and the input gear 22. The drive shaft 106 rotates the winding spool 16 and the input gear 22. Input force into the print cassette 10.

[0021] The drive shaft 106 is located inside the cassette housing 101. The rotation axis L3 of 106 is parallel to the vertical direction. The drive shaft 106 is connected to the motor 110 It is rotated around the rotation axis L3 by the first drive transmission unit 120.

[0022] (cutter) The cutter 107 shown in Figures 2A and 2B is used to discharge printing tape from the discharge section 109A. Cut off pin 11A.

[0023] The cutter 107 is held inside the housing 109 so as to be able to swing in the front-to-back direction. The cutter 107 swings backward to cut the printing tape 11A in a certain direction. Cut in the direction. The cutter 107 is oscillating by the motor 110 and the second drive transmission unit 130. It will be done.

[0024] (motor) The motor 110 is a power source that drives the platen roller 103 and the cutter 107. The motor 110 consists of the motor body 111, the motor output shaft 112, and the motor gear 113. To possess.

[0025] The motor body 111 generates driving force by electric power. The motor output shaft 112 is a motor The motor rotates on its axis due to the main body 111. The rotation axis of the motor output shaft 112 is the drive shaft 10 It is parallel to the rotation axis L3 of 6 (i.e., parallel to the vertical direction). Motor gear 113 is motor It is connected to the output shaft 112 and rotates together with the motor output shaft 112.

[0026] At least a portion of the motor 110 overlaps with the cassette housing 101 in the vertical direction. Specifically, the motor 110 is positioned so that its entirety overlaps the cassette housing 101 from below. It is positioned in the same location. Therefore, the motor 110 is positioned vertically in the cassette. It overlaps with the printing cassette 10 housed in the cassette storage section 101.

[0027] At least a portion of the motor body 111 is the same as the second drive transmission unit 130 in the vertical direction. It is positioned in the following direction: In other words, the motor body 111 is positioned in the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. It overlaps with the second drive transmission unit 130.

[0028] In the vertical direction, the motor output shaft 112 is positioned further than the motor body 111 towards the cassette housing 1 It is located near the insertion slot 101A of the print cassette 10 in 01. The motor output shaft 112 is positioned above the motor body 111.

[0029] Furthermore, at least a portion of the motor output shaft 112 and at least a portion of the motor gear 113 In the vertical direction, it is positioned at the same location as the first drive transmission unit 120. In other words, the motor The output shaft 112 and motor gear 113 are in the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, first drive transmission It overlaps with section 120.

[0030] (First drive transmission section) The first drive transmission unit 120 is configured such that the printing cassette 10 is mounted in the cassette storage unit 101. In this configuration, the driving force of the motor 110 is transmitted to the platen roller 103.

[0031] Specifically, the first drive transmission unit 120 transmits the driving force of the motor 110 to the drive shaft 106. To transmit. As described above, the driving force transmitted to the drive shaft 106 is transmitted to the printing cassette. The power is transmitted to the platen roller 103 via the platen gear 104.

[0032] The first drive transmission unit 120 has a first gear 121 and a second gear 122. 21 is positioned to mesh with the planetary gear 142 of the drive switching unit 140. First gear The driving force of the motor 110 is input to 121 via the drive switching unit 140. First gear 1 The axis of rotation of 21 is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0033] The second gear 122 is connected to the drive shaft 106 and meshes with the first gear 121. The rotational axis of the second gear 122 coincides with the rotational axis L3 of the drive shaft 106. The second gear 122 is driven by the driving force transmitted from the first gear 121 to the drive shaft 106 Rotate it.

[0034] All gears of the first drive transmission unit 120 (i.e., the first gear 121 and the second gear 12 2) Each of them overlaps with the cassette storage section 101 in the vertical direction, at least a portion of it. Specifically, the first gear 121 and the second gear 122 are, in their entirety, part of the cassette. It is positioned so as to overlap the housing section 101 from below.

[0035] The first drive transmission unit 120 overlaps with a part of the second drive transmission unit 130 in the vertical direction. The first drive transmission unit 120 is connected to the fourth gear 132 and fifth gear 13 of the second drive transmission unit 130. It is located above 3.

[0036] (Second drive transmission section) The second drive transmission unit 130 transmits the driving force of the motor 110 to the cutter 107. The second drive transmission unit 130 transmits the driving force of the motor 110 to the cutter drive cam 160. do.

[0037] The second drive transmission unit 130 has a third gear 131, a fourth gear 132, and a fifth gear 133. It has. The third gear 131 is positioned to mesh with the planetary gear 142 of the drive switching unit 140. The third gear 131 receives the driving force from the motor 110 via the drive switching unit 140. It will be done.

[0038] The third gear 131 has an upstream gear 131A, a downstream gear 131B, and a connecting portion 131C. The upstream gear 131A is positioned in the same location as the planetary gear 142 in the vertical direction. The rotation axis of the upstream gear 131A is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0039] The downstream gear 131B is located below the upstream gear 131A. The rotation axis coincides with the rotation axis of the upstream gear 131A. The connecting portion 131C is connected to the upstream gear 13 1A and the downstream gear 131B are connected in the vertical direction. The drive input to the upstream gear 131A Power is output from the downstream gear 131B.

[0040] The connecting portion 131C is inserted through the opening 150A provided in the frame 150. Furthermore, the third gear 131 penetrates the frame 150 in the vertical direction and also drives the drive force in the vertical direction It is a rotating body that transmits power to [something].

[0041] The fourth gear 132 meshes with the downstream gear 131B of the third gear 131. The fifth gear 1 Gear 33 meshes with the fourth gear 132. The axis of rotation of the fourth gear 132 and the fifth gear 133. The mind is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0042] The fifth gear 133 is connected to the first cam 161 of the cutter drive cam 160, as shown in Figure 3. They are connected. Specifically, the fifth gear 133 is inserted into the slit 161A of the first cam 161. It has an indented protrusion 133A.

[0043] All gears of the second drive transmission unit 130 (i.e., the third gear 131, the fourth gear 132) The fifth gear 133) and the fifth gear each have at least a portion of them in the vertical direction of the cassette storage section 1 It overlaps with 01. Specifically, the 3rd gear 131, the 4th gear 132, and the 5th gear 13 Each of the three components is positioned so that its entirety overlaps the cassette storage section 101 from below. ru.

[0044] At least a portion of the second drive transmission unit 130 is connected to the first drive transmission unit 120 in the vertical direction. They are located in different positions. Specifically, the downstream gear 131B of the third gear 131, and the fourth gear 131B. Gear 132 and the fifth gear 133 are positioned below the first drive transmission unit 120. On the other hand, the upstream gear 131A of the third gear 131 is the same as the first drive transmission unit 120 in the vertical direction. It is positioned in the same location.

[0045] (Drive switching section) The drive switching unit 140 shown in Figures 4A and 4B transmits the driving force of the motor 110 to the first drive transmission unit The power is selectively transmitted between 120 and the second drive transmission unit 130.

[0046] The drive switching unit 140 has a sun gear 141 and a planetary gear 142. This is a gear that receives driving force from the motor 110. The sun gear 141 is the upstream gear 14 This is a stepped gear in which gear 1A and the downstream gear 141B are arranged side by side on the same axis.

[0047] The upstream gear 141A of the sun gear 141 meshes with the motor gear 113 of the motor 110. It is present. Note that in Figure 4A, the teeth of the motor gear 113 are omitted from the illustration. Sun gear 141 The downstream gear 141B is positioned above the upstream gear 141A and meshes with the planetary gear 142. It is.

[0048] Planetary gear 142 meshes with solar gear 141 and also oscillates around solar gear 141. This is a gear. The planetary gear 142 has an upstream gear 142A and a downstream gear 142B arranged coaxially. And these are the gears that are positioned there.

[0049] The upstream gear 142A of the planetary gear 142 meshes with the downstream gear 141B of the solar gear 141. The downstream gear 142B of the planetary gear 142 is the first gear 121 of the first drive transmission unit 120. It engages with only one of either the gear or the third gear 131 of the second drive transmission unit 130.

[0050] As the solar gear 141 rotates, the planetary gear 142 rotates around the axis of rotation of the solar gear 141. It swings from side to side. The motor 110 rotates in the first rotational direction D1 (i.e., the forward rotation direction). When rotated, the planetary gear 142 swings to the right and engages with the first gear 121. As a result, The driving force of the 110 is transmitted only to the first drive transmission unit 120.

[0051] Meanwhile, motor 110 rotates in the second rotation direction D2 (i.e., the reverse direction), which is opposite to the first rotation direction. As it rotates, the planetary gear 142 oscillates to the left and engages with the third gear 131. As a result, The driving force of the motor 110 is transmitted only to the second drive transmission unit 130.

[0052] As shown in Figure 2A, the drive switching unit 140 is configured in the vertical direction, and the second drive transmission unit 130 The insertion opening 10 of the print cassette 10 in the cassette storage section 101 is at least a portion of the It is located close to 1A. Specifically, the solar gear 141 and planetary gear 142 are It is located above the fourth gear 132 and fifth gear 133 of the second drive transmission unit 130.

[0053] (Modified example of the drive switching mechanism) The drive switching unit 140 changes the combination of the sun gear 141 and the planetary gear 142, as shown in Figure 5. It may have the one-way clutch 145 shown.

[0054] The one-way clutch 145 controls the driving force of the motor 110 (i.e., the motor gear 113) The power is transmitted to only one of either the first gear 121 or the third gear 131. As shown in Figure 6A, The one-way clutch 145 consists of a first rotating body 145A, a second rotating body 145B, and a third rotating body It has body 145C.

[0055] The first rotating body 145A is the input section to which the driving force is transmitted from the motor 110. Body 145B and the third rotating body 145C have their respective axes of rotation aligned with the rotation of the first rotating body 145A. This is the output section, positioned to align with the axis.

[0056] The first rotating body 145A is, for example, the second rotating body 145B and the third rotating body 145C, respectively. It has a shaft portion that is inserted into the interior (i.e., the bearing). The first rotating body 145A is by the shaft portion It is connected to the second rotating body 145B and the third rotating body 145C.

[0057] The second rotating body 145B is a bearing into which the shaft portion of the first rotating body 145A is inserted. Therefore, when the first rotating body 145A rotates in the first rotational direction (i.e., forward rotation), the first rotation The drive force is transmitted from the body 145A to the first drive transmission unit 120.

[0058] The third rotating body 145C is a bearing into which the shaft portion of the first rotating body 145A is inserted. Therefore, when the first rotating body 145A rotates in the second rotation direction (i.e., in reverse), the first rotation The drive force is transmitted from the body 145A to the second drive transmission unit 130.

[0059] The first rotating body 145A transmits the driving force only to the second rotating body 145B when it is rotating in the forward direction. Therefore, when the first rotating body 145A rotates in the forward direction, the third rotating body 145C does not rotate. On the other hand, the first rotating body 145A transmits driving force only to the third rotating body 145C during reverse rotation. Therefore, the first rotation When body 145A reverses direction, the second rotating body 145B does not rotate.

[0060] As shown in Figure 6B, the one-way clutch 145 consists of a first rotating body 145A and a second rotating body A first clutch spring 145D connects 145B, and a first rotating body 145A and a third rotating body 1 It may also have a second clutch spring 145E that connects to 45C.

[0061] The clutch springs 145D and 145E move the first rotating body 145A to the second rotating body 145B And when connected to the third rotating body 145C, in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the first rotating body 145A In this configuration, the second rotating body 145B and the third rotating body 145C are positioned so as to sandwich the first rotating body 145A. It will be placed.

[0062] The first rotating body 145A, the second rotating body 145B, and the third rotating body 145C are driven by rotation. Any device capable of transmitting force will suffice; gears or rollers can be used.

[0063] On the other hand, the first rotating body 145A, the second rotating body 145B, and the third rotating body 145C are gears Furthermore, the number of teeth of the first rotating body 145A is reduced by the number of teeth of the second rotating body 145B and the third rotating body 145C. By making the number of teeth on one side different from the other, the one-way clutch 145 is given the function of a reduction mechanism. It can be done.

[0064] (frame) The frame 150 shown in Figure 2A has a plate surface that intersects (specifically, is perpendicular to) the vertical direction. It is a plate-shaped member. The frame 150 is positioned below the bottom surface of the cassette storage section 101. It is being done.

[0065] The entirety of the first drive transmission unit 120 and the entirety of the drive switching unit 140 are located on the upper surface of the frame 150. They are arranged so as to overlap from above. Of the second drive transmission unit 130, the fourth gear 132 and The fifth gear 133 is positioned so as to overlap the underside of the frame 150 from below. 2 The third gear 131 of the drive transmission unit 130 and the motor output shaft 112 of the motor 110 are connected by a frame. It penetrates through the M150 in the vertical direction.

[0066] (Cutter drive cam) The cutter drive cam 160 shown in Figure 3 receives the driving force transmitted from the second drive transmission unit 130. The direction is changed to the direction that drives the cutter 107.

[0067] The cutter drive cam 160 has a first cam 161 and a second cam 162. 161 is a sliding slider in which the protrusion 133A of the fifth gear 133 of the second drive transmission unit 130 moves inside. It has a 161A. The first cam 161 is rotated by the fifth gear 133, and the shaft portion 161 It oscillates around B.

[0068] The second cam 162 is connected to the first cam 161 and moves in accordance with the oscillation of the first cam 161. Move 162A in the forward and backward direction. As shown in Figure 2B, pin 162A is connected to cutter 10 It is inserted through the slit that 7 has. As pin 162A moves in the front-back direction, the cut The Tar 107 oscillates back and forth.

[0069] <Printing Cassette> The printing cassette 10 stores the printing tape 11A. It can be attached to and detached from the printing device body 100. By replacing set 10, the printing tape 11A will be replenished, and the type of printing tape 11A will be changed. For example, you can change the size, color, material, etc.

[0070] As shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the printing cassette 10 has a minimum amount of printing tape 11A A part of the case and at least a part of the ink ribbon 14A (i.e., auxiliary tape) are housed in the case. It is equipped with -35.

[0071] The external dimensions of the printing cassette 10 (i.e., the shape of the case 35) are such that the sides are parallel in the vertical direction, It is a rectangular parallelepiped with sides parallel to the front-to-back direction and sides parallel to the left-to-right direction. Case 35 is, It can be inserted downwards into the cassette storage section 101.

[0072] As shown in Figure 8, the printing cassette 10 includes a printing tape roll 11 and a first supply spring The spool 12, the auxiliary tape roll 14, the second supply spool 15, and the winding spool 16, It includes a drive transmission mechanism 20.

[0073] (Printable tape roll) The printing tape roll 11 is a strip of printing tape 11A on which printing will be performed, supplied by the first supply spool. It is wound around the rod 12. The surface of the printing tape 11A is the printing device body 100 Printing is performed by the print head 102 and the ink ribbon 14A.

[0074] On the outer sides of the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction, there are, so as to sandwich the printing tape roll 11 Two spacer films 13A and 13B were arranged. 3B is between the printing tape roll 11 and the first lid 31, and between the printing tape roll 11 and the It is positioned between the frame section 32.

[0075] (First supply spool) The first supply spool 12 is rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the vertical direction. The spool 12 is used for printing tape 11A by the platen roller 103 of the printing device body 100. As it is transported, it rotates, supplying the printing tape 11A to the print head 102. 1. The rotational axis of the supply spool 12 coincides with the winding axis of the printing tape roll 11.

[0076] (Auxiliary tape roll) The auxiliary tape roll 14 is a strip-shaped ink ribbon used for printing on the printing tape 11A. This is 14A wound onto the second supply spool 15.

[0077] The ink ribbon 14A is superimposed on the printing tape 11A at the head opening 33B. The ink ribbon 14A used for printing is then used for printing by the print head 102. It is wound onto the winding spool 16.

[0078] The auxiliary tape roll 14 is positioned differently from the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction. Specifically, it is located at the bottom. Also, at least a portion of the auxiliary tape roll 14 is It is positioned so as to overlap with the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0079] (Second supply spool) The second supply spool 15 is rotatable around its rotation axis. The axis of rotation is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0080] The second supply spool 15 is wound by the winding spool 16 of the ink ribbon 14A. By rotating in this way, the ink ribbon 14A is supplied to the print head 102. Second supply spring The clutch spring 17A, held in the clutch spring holder 17, provides rotational resistance to the clutch spring 15. The term "resistance" is added.

[0081] (Reel spool) The winding spool 16 is rotatable around its axis of rotation. The axis of rotation of the winding spool 16 is It is parallel to the rotational axis of the second supply spool 15.

[0082] The winding spool 16 is cylindrical and has a hollow portion defined by its inner circumferential surface 16A. The inner circumferential surface 16A of the spool 16 is provided with spline teeth 16B. The drive shaft 106 of the printing device body 100 is connected to 6B. The winding spool 16 is It is rotated by the drive shaft 106 and winds up the ink ribbon 14A.

[0083] (Drive transmission mechanism) The drive transmission mechanism 20 is configured to drive the printer when the printing cassette 10 is mounted on the main body 100. The drive force transmitted from the drive shaft 106 is transmitted to the platen roller 103. Structure 20 includes an output gear 21, an input gear 22, and an idler gear 23.

[0084] The printing tape roll 11, the drive transmission mechanism 20, and the winding spool 16 are arranged in the vertical direction. The components are arranged in the following order: the printing tape roll 11, the drive transmission mechanism 20, and the take-up spool 16. It is positioned.

[0085] (Output gear) The output gear 21 is for outputting to the outside the driving force used to transport the printing tape 11A. It is an external gear. Specifically, the output gear 21 is the platen gear 10 of the printing device body 100. It transmits the driving force to 4.

[0086] The rotation axis of the output gear 21 is parallel to the rotation axis of the second supply spool 15. Part of 21 is exposed in the space that communicates with the head opening 33B. The output gear 21 is used for printing. The cassette 10 is installed in the main unit 100 of the printing device (i.e., the case 35 is the cassette storage unit). (In the state where it is stored in the container 101) in the space communicating with the head opening 33B, the platengi It engages with A104.

[0087] (Input gear) The input gear 22 indirectly engages with the output gear 21 via the idler gear 23, and the driving force It transmits power to output gear 21.

[0088] The input gear 22 is fixed to the external gear 22A and to one side of the external gear 22A. It has a spool 22B which is a cylindrical internal gear having spline teeth on its inner surface. The gear 22A rotates together with the spool 22B due to the driving force input to the spool 22B. The rotation axis of the input gear 22 (i.e., the rotation axis of the external gear 22A and the spool 22B) The rotation axis of the winding spool 16 is located on the same line as the rotation axis of the winding spool 16.

[0089] The rotational axis of the input gear 22 coincides with the hollow portion of the winding spool 16 in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the printing cassette 10 is mounted on the printing device body 100, the drive shaft The 106 is inserted simultaneously through the winding spool 16 and the input gear 22. As a result, the input gear 22 is not directly connected to the winding spool 16, but together with the winding spool 16, the drive shaft It is rotated by T106.

[0090] (Idol Gear) The idler gear 23 is driven and coupled (i.e., engaged) with the input gear 22 and the output gear 21. The driving force input to the input gear 22 is transmitted to the output gear 21.

[0091] The idler gear 23 has an upstream gear 23A that engages with the input gear 22 and an output gear 21 that engages with the input gear 21. The downstream gear 23B is a stepped gear in which the downstream gear 23B is arranged coaxially. It has a smaller diameter than the flow gear 23A. Also, the downstream gear 23B is the upstream gear in the vertical direction. It is positioned closer to the printing tape roll 11 (i.e., higher) than 23A.

[0092] The idler gear 23 reduces the rotational speed of the driving force input to the input gear 22 and outputs the output gear It transmits to 21. In other words, the drive transmission mechanism 20 transmits the rotational speed of the input gear 22 to the output gear 21. It includes a reduction mechanism whose reduction ratio is the transmission ratio divided by the rotational speed.

[0093] (case) Case 35 comprises a first lid portion 31, a first frame portion 32, a second frame portion 33, and a second lid portion 34. To possess.

[0094] The first lid portion 31 constitutes the upper end of the printing cassette 10. The first frame portion 32 is the first The second frame portion 33 is located below the lid portion 31 and is connected to the first lid portion 31 in the vertical direction. The second lid is positioned below the first frame portion 32 and is connected to the first frame portion 32 in the vertical direction. 34 constitutes the lower end of the printing cassette 10. The second lid portion 34 is connected to the second frame portion 33. They are connected vertically.

[0095] The first lid portion 31 and the first frame portion 32 constitute the first case portion 4 that houses the printing tape roll 11. It constitutes 1. In other words, the printing tape roll 11 consists of a first lid portion 31 and a first frame portion 32 and It is placed in a space enclosed by [something].

[0096] The first frame section 32, the second frame section 33, and the second lid section 34 are connected by a drive transmission mechanism 20 and an auxiliary tape row. The second case section 42 houses the spool 14, the second supply spool 15, and the winding spool 16. They have achieved it.

[0097] Specifically, the drive transmission mechanism 20 is arranged in the space enclosed by the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33. The auxiliary tape roll 14, the second supply spool 15, and the winding spool 16 are located there. It is located in the space enclosed by the second lid portion 34 and the second frame portion 33.

[0098] The first frame section 32 has a first side wall 32A, a partition wall 32B, and a first guide 32C. Side wall 32A forms the outer surface of case 35 parallel to the vertical direction. Partition wall 32B is vertical It has a surface perpendicular to the direction and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The partition wall 32B is vertical In this direction, it overlaps with the printing tape roll 11 and the drive transmission mechanism 20.

[0099] The first guide 32C is used when the printing tape 11A is unwound from the printing tape roll 11. This is the part that is wrapped around. The first guide 32C is along the circumferential direction of the printing tape roll 11. It has multiple plate-like ribs that are spaced apart. The multiple ribs are part of the printing tape roll 1 It protrudes radially in direction 1, and the amount of protrusion (i.e., the width of the plate) increases as it goes downwards.

[0100] The second frame section 33 includes a second side wall 33A, a head opening 33B, an outlet 33C, and a second guide It has the code 33D.

[0101] The second side wall 33A forms the outer surface of the case 35 parallel to the vertical direction. Head opening 33 B is a portion of the second side wall 33A that has been cut out. The head opening 33B is for the printing cassette. With the head 10 mounted on the main body 100 of the printing device, the print head 102 is positioned inside. It is a space.

[0102] At the head opening 33B, printing is performed on the printing tape 11A by the print head 102. The head opening 33B is designed so that the print head 102 can be inserted from below, and the print cassette It opens below the 10.

[0103] As shown in Figure 9, the print tape 11A and the ink ribbon are located in the head opening 33B. 14A is stretched in the left-right direction. The printing tape 11A is placed in the head opening 33B. It is exposed to the outside of -35 and is superimposed on the ink ribbon 14A. Printing after printing The tape 11A is discharged to the outside of the printing device 1 via the discharge port 33C.

[0104] The second guide 33D, like the first guide 32C, is fed from the printing tape roll 11. This is the area where the printed tape 11A is wrapped. The second guide 33D is an auxiliary tape The plow 14 has multiple plate-like ribs that are spaced apart along its circumferential direction. It protrudes radially from the auxiliary tape roll 14, and the amount of protrusion increases as it goes downwards (i.e., the plate The width becomes smaller.

[0105] <Tape transport and printing by the printing device itself> With the print cassette 10 installed in the main unit 100 of the printing device, the print head 102 is In the head opening 33B, the printing tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A overlap in the front-to-back direction. It will be placed in the following position.

[0106] The printing tape 11A is transported to the head opening 33B by the platen roller 103. At the same time, the heating element was heated via the ink ribbon 14A by the platen roller 103. It is pressed against the print head 102. This places it on the surface of the ink ribbon 14A. A portion of the ink is transferred to the printing tape 11A, and letters, symbols, etc. are printed on the printing tape 11A. It will be printed.

[0107] The platen roller 103 ejects the printed tape 11A from the print cassette 10 after printing. It is transported to the outside via the outlet 33C. The platen roller 103 engages with the output gear 21. The platen roller 103 rotates due to the combined platen gear 104. 105 provides a position away from the printing cassette 10 and the platen gear 104 shown in Figure 10. It is pivotable between a position in which it is engaged with the output gear 21.

[0108] When the case 35 of the print cassette 10 is inserted into the cassette housing 101, the drive As shaft 106 engages with input gear 22, platen gear 104 engages with output gear 21. To engage.

[0109] Specifically, the drive shaft 106 is connected to the winding spool 16 of the printing cassette 10 and the input gear With the platen roller 103 inserted into A22, the head opening 3 of the printing cassette 10 By oscillating toward 3B, the platen gear 104 engages with the output gear 21.

[0110] With the print cassette 10 installed, the input gear 22 rotates via the drive shaft 106. This causes the output gear 21 to rotate. Furthermore, the rotation of the output gear 21 causes the platen gear A104 rotates, and then the platen roller 103 rotates as well.

[0111] [1-2. Effects] According to the embodiments described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) At least a part of the motor 110 is directed in the vertical direction towards the cassette storage section 101 ( It overlaps with the printing cassette 10. Therefore, while suppressing the increase in the size of the printing device 1 The platen roller 103 and cutter 107 can be driven by a single motor 110.

[0112] (1b) At least the gears of the first drive transmission unit 120 and the second drive transmission unit 130 The fact that a portion of it overlaps with the cassette storage section 101 in the vertical direction promotes miniaturization of the printing device 1. To be advanced.

[0113] (1c) At least a portion of the second drive transmission unit 130 is the first drive transmission unit in the vertical direction By positioning it in a different location than 120, the miniaturization of the printing device 1 is promoted. (1d) Drive switching unit 140 controls the drive between platen roller 103 and cutter 107 The power source can be switched using a simple structure.

[0114] (1e) The motor output shaft 112 is positioned vertically so that the cassette is located further than the motor body 111. By positioning it close to the insertion opening 101A of the container 101, the miniaturization of the printing device 1 is promoted. It will be done.

[0115] [2. Other Embodiments] Although embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. Needless to say, it can take on a variety of forms.

[0116] (2a) The printing apparatus of the above embodiment is not limited to one that prints using an ink ribbon. For example, the printing device may print on a strip of thermal paper. In other words, a printing cassette It does not necessarily have to be equipped with an ink ribbon.

[0117] Furthermore, the printing device uses a thermal head to perforate a stencil into which the printing pattern is created. Tape may be used as printing tape. Stencil tape may be used as printing tape. If possible, replace the ink ribbon with a protective backing tape to protect the stencil tape. It is used as a loop.

[0118] (2b) In the printing apparatus of the above embodiment, the first drive transmission unit and the second drive transmission unit are It may also have a rotating body other than A (for example, a roller). Furthermore, the first drive transmission unit and the second drive transmission unit The Tatsumi does not necessarily need to have gears.

[0119] (2c) In the printing apparatus of the above embodiment, the first drive transmission unit is lower than the second drive transmission unit. It may be arranged in the direction. Also, the first drive transmission unit is not necessarily in the vertical direction relative to the second drive transmission unit. They don't need to overlap.

[0120] (2d) In the printing apparatus of the above embodiment, the motor output shaft is not necessarily in the vertical direction. Therefore, it does not need to be positioned closer to the cassette storage opening than the motor body. The rotation axis of the motor output shaft does not necessarily have to be parallel to the vertical direction.

[0121] (2e) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, the drive transmission mechanism is a printing tape roll It may be positioned above or below the transport path for the printing tape. The set does not necessarily have to have a drive transmission mechanism. In other words, the first drive transmission unit is plate The driving force may be transmitted directly to the gear.

[0122] (2f) The function of one component in the above embodiment is divided into multiple components. The components may be dispersed, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into a single component. Furthermore, some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be omitted. Some parts may be added to or replaced with the configuration of other embodiments described above. Any aspect of the technical concept identified by the wording in the scope is included in the embodiments of this disclosure. be. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0123] 1…Printing device, 10…Printing cassette, 20…Drive transmission mechanism, 21…Output gear, 22...Input gear, 35...Case, 100...Printing device body, 101...Cassette storage section 101A...Insertion slot, 102...Print head, 103...Platen roller, 104...Platen gear, 106...Drive shaft, 107...Cutter, 110...Motor 111...Motor body, 112...Motor output shaft, 113...Motor gear 120...First drive transmission unit, 121...First gear, 122...Second gear, 130...Second drive transmission unit, 131...Third gear, 132...Fourth gear, 133...Fifth gear, 140...Drive switching unit, 141...Sun gear, 142...Planetary gear, 145...One-way clutch, 145A...First rotating body, 145B...Second rotating body, 145C...Third rotating body, 150...Frame, 160...Cutter drive cam.

Claims

1. A cassette storage section into which a printing cassette containing printing tape can be installed, A platen roller for transporting the aforementioned printing tape, A cutter for cutting the aforementioned printing tape, Motor and, With the printing cassette installed in the cassette housing, the driving force of the motor A first drive transmission unit that transmits power to the platen roller, A second drive transmission unit that transmits the driving force of the motor to the cutter, Equipped with, At least a portion of the motor is directed in a first direction parallel to the rotation axis of the platen roller. A printing device that overlaps with the aforementioned cassette storage section.

2. The motor is such that its entire body overlaps with the cassette housing in the first direction, claim The printing apparatus described in 1.

3. The first drive transmission unit and the second drive transmission unit each have at least one gear death, All gears in the first drive transmission unit are, at least a portion of each, directed in the first direction In this case, it overlaps with the cassette storage section, All gears in the second drive transmission unit are, at least a portion of each, directed in the first direction The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cassette storage section overlaps with the printing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. At least a portion of the second drive transmission unit is connected to the first drive transmission unit in the first direction. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the elements are arranged in different positions.

5. The driving force of the motor is selectively transmitted between the first drive transmission unit and the second drive transmission unit. It further includes a drive switching unit, The drive switching unit is A sun gear to which driving force is transmitted from the motor, A planetary gear that meshes with the aforementioned sun gear and oscillates around the aforementioned sun gear, A printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, having the following features.

6. At least one of the solar gear and the planetary gear has two gears arranged coaxially. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the gear is a stepped gear.

7. The drive switching unit is, in the first direction, more than at least a part of the second drive transmission unit. It is also positioned in the cassette storage section near the insertion opening for the printing cassette. A printing apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6.

8. The driving force of the motor is selectively transmitted between the first drive transmission unit and the second drive transmission unit. It further includes a drive switching unit, The drive switching unit is A first rotating body to which driving force is transmitted from the motor, When the first rotating body rotates in the first rotational direction, the first drive transmission from the first rotating body A second rotating body that transmits driving force to the unit, When the first rotating body rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, A third rotating body that transmits driving force from the rotating body to the second drive transmission unit, A printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, having the following features.

9. The first rotating body, the second rotating body, and the third rotating body are each gears. The number of teeth of the first rotating body is the number of teeth of at least one of the second rotating body and the third rotating body. A printing apparatus according to claim 8, which differs from the above.

10. The frame further comprises a plate-shaped frame having a plate surface intersecting the first direction, The second drive transmission unit penetrates the frame in the first direction and transmits the driving force A printing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, having a rotating body that transmits in a first direction. Device.

11. The aforementioned motor is The motor body that generates the driving force, The motor output shaft rotates axially by the motor body, It has, In the first direction, the motor output shaft is positioned further than the motor body towards the cassette housing. The part is positioned near the insertion slot of the printing cassette in the section, as per claims 1 to 1. A printing apparatus as described in any one of item 0.

12. At least a portion of the motor body is the same as the second drive transmission unit in the first direction. The printing apparatus according to claim 11, which is positioned at the location.

13. At least a portion of the motor output shaft is the same as the first drive transmission unit in the first direction. A printing apparatus according to claim 11 or claim 12, which is positioned at the same location.

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