Printing cassette and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

To provide a cassette for printing which can inhibit positional deviation of a print medium during transportation while inhibiting increase of manufacturing costs.SOLUTION: The disclosure relates to a cassette for printing including: a first guide member integrated with a first case part; and a second guide member which is provided as a member independent from the first case part and a second case part and supported by at least one of the first case part and the second case part. In a first guide surface of the first guide member, a first length along a transport direction of a print medium in an area close to the first case part is larger than a second length along the transport direction in an area close to the second case part. In a second guide surface of the second guide member, a third length along the transport direction in an area close to the first case part is smaller than a fourth length along the transport direction in an area close to the second case part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing cassette and a method for manufacturing a printing cassette. [Background technology]

[0002] In a printing device that prints on a printing tape, a cassette that contains the printing tape is attached to and detached from the main body of the printing device to replace and supply the printing tape. A guide member is provided inside the case of such a cassette to guide the printing medium (i.e., the printing tape or ink ribbon) that is transported to the print head.

[0003] Because the guide members are molded integrally with the case, a draft angle remains after the die-cutting process. This draft angle causes misalignment in the width direction of the print medium being transported. Therefore, it is conceivable to provide a guide member on each of a pair of parts that make up the case, thereby making the draft angles of the multiple guide members different (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] By arranging guide members with different draft angles in this manner, it is possible to prevent the print medium from shifting out of position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 6-74348 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] When providing guide members for each of the parts constituting the case as described above, it is necessary to prepare a plurality of parts according to the draft angle, which is one of the factors that increase the manufacturing cost of the cassette.

[0007] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a printing cassette that can suppress misalignment of a print medium during transport while suppressing an increase in manufacturing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present disclosure is a printing cassette comprising a first case portion, a second case portion connected to the first case portion, a strip-shaped printing medium arranged in a space defined by the first case portion and the second case portion and subjected to printing, at least one first guide member integrated with the first case portion and guiding the transport of the printing medium, and at least one second guide member provided as a member independent of the first case portion and the second case portion, supported by at least one of the first case portion and the second case portion and guiding the transport of the printing medium.

[0009] At least one first guide member has a first guide surface that contacts the print medium, and a first length of the first guide surface in a width direction of the print medium in a region closer to the first case portion than a second length of the first guide surface in a width direction of the print medium in a region closer to the second case portion.

[0010] At least one second guide member has a second guide surface that contacts the print medium, and a third length of the second guide surface along the transport direction in a region closer to the first case portion in the width direction is smaller than a fourth length of the second guide surface along the transport direction in a region closer to the second case portion in the width direction.

[0011] With this configuration, by combining a first guide member having a first guide surface whose first length on the first case part side is greater than the second length on the second case part side with a second guide member having a second guide surface whose third length on the first case part side is smaller than the fourth length on the second case part side, it is possible to suppress misalignment of the printing medium during transport.

[0012] In addition, since the second guide member is composed of a member independent of the first and second case parts, the above-mentioned positional deviation can be suppressed by preparing a second guide member according to the draft gradient, instead of preparing a second case part according to the draft gradient, and therefore the increase in the manufacturing cost of the printing cassette is suppressed.

[0013] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a printing cassette, comprising the steps of integrally molding a first case portion and at least one first guide member that guides the transport of a strip-shaped printing medium to be printed, placing the printing medium in either the first case portion or the second case portion, and attaching at least one second guide member that guides the transport of the printing medium to either the first case portion or the second case portion.

[0014] The method for manufacturing a printing cassette also includes a step of connecting the first case portion and the second case portion such that the printing medium is disposed in a space defined by the first case portion and the second case portion.

[0015] According to this configuration, by attaching a second guide member that matches the draft angle of the first guide member to the first case portion or the second case portion, a printing cassette can be manufactured in which misalignment of the printing medium during transport is suppressed.

[0016] In addition, compared to when the second case portion and the second guide member are integrally molded, there is a smaller risk of the print medium being pinched by the second guide member when attaching the second case portion to the first case portion, which makes the case assembly easier and prevents the manufacturing costs of the printing cassette from increasing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view showing a printing apparatus according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a schematic perspective view showing a main body of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1A. [Diagram 2] 2A, 2B and 2C are schematic perspective views of the printing cassette of FIG. 1A. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the printing cassette of FIG. 2A. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2C. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the printing cassette of FIG. 2C with a first lid portion removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the paths of the printing tape and the ink ribbon in the printing cassette of FIG. 2A. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the transport path of the ink ribbon. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing the second guide member and the ink ribbon case. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are schematic plan views of the second guide member, and FIG. 9C is a schematic side view of the second guide member. [Figure 10] 10A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XA-XA in FIG. 2C, FIG. 10B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XB-XB in FIG. 2C, FIG. 10B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XC-XC in FIG. 2C, and FIG. 10D is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XD-XD in FIG. 2C. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an engagement state between the output gear and the platen gear in the printing device of FIG. 1A. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a printing cassette in this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] [1. First embodiment] [1-1. Configuration] 1A includes a printing cassette 10 and a printing device main body 100. The printing device 1 is a device that prints on a printing tape 11A.

[0019] In this embodiment, the axial direction of the output gear 21 is defined as the up-down direction, the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction in which the printing tape 11A is transported at the head opening 33B is defined as the left-right direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the left-right direction is defined as the front-rear direction.

[0020] <Printing device body> As shown in FIG. 1B, the printing apparatus main body 100 includes a cassette storage section 101, a print head 102, a platen roller 103, a platen gear 104, a drive shaft 105, a drive source 107, and a housing 110.

[0021] (Cassette storage section) The cassette storage section 101 is a recess in which the printing cassette 10 is attached. The cassette storage section 101 has a function of positioning the printing cassette 10. The cassette storage section 101 is provided in a housing 110.

[0022] (Print head) The print head 102 is disposed inside the cassette storage unit 101. The print head 102 has a plurality of heat generating elements whose heat generation is individually controlled.

[0023] (Platen roller) The platen roller 103 is disposed inside the cassette storage unit 101 near the print head 102 so as to face the print head 102. The platen roller 103 can swing toward or away from the print head 102. The rotation axis L1 of the platen roller 103 is parallel to the up-down direction.

[0024] (Platen gear) The platen gear 104 is connected to the platen roller 103. In this embodiment, a rotation axis L2 of the platen gear 104 is disposed on the same line as a rotation axis L1 of the platen roller 103. The platen gear 104 is capable of swinging together with the platen roller 103.

[0025] (Drive shaft) The drive shaft 105 is inserted into the take-up spool 16 and the input gear 22 of the printing cassette 10. The drive shaft 105 inputs to the printing cassette 10 a driving force for rotating the take-up spool 16 and the input gear 22.

[0026] The drive shaft 105 is disposed inside the cassette storage unit 101. The rotation axis L3 of the drive shaft 105 is parallel to the vertical direction. The drive shaft 105 is rotated by a drive source 107 about the rotation axis L3.

[0027] (Drive source) The driving source 107 rotates the drive shaft 105. As the driving source 107, for example, a mechanism combining a motor and a gear can be used.

[0028] <Printing cassette> The printing cassette 10 stores a printing tape 11A. The printing cassette 10 can be attached to and detached from the printing device main body 100. By replacing the printing cassette 10, it is possible to replenish printing media and change the type of printing media (e.g., size, color, material, etc.).

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, the printing cassette 10 includes a case 35 that accommodates at least a portion of the printing tape 11A and at least a portion of the ink ribbon 14A (an example of a band-shaped printing medium).

[0030] The outer shape of the printing cassette 10 (i.e., the shape of the case 35) is a rectangular parallelepiped with sides parallel to the up-down direction, sides parallel to the front-rear direction, and sides parallel to the left-right direction. The case 35 can be inserted downward into the cassette storage section 101.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the printing cassette 10 includes a first roll 11, a first supply spool 12, spacer films 13A, 13B, a second roll 14, a second supply spool 15, a take-up spool 16, a clutch spring holder 17, and a drive transmission mechanism 20.

[0032] (1st roll) The first roll 11 is formed by winding a printing tape 11A on which printing is to be performed around a first supply spool 12. Printing is performed on the surface of the printing tape 11A by a print head 102 of the printer main body 100 and an ink ribbon 14A.

[0033] Two spacer films 13A and 13B are disposed on the outer sides of the first roll 11 in the vertical direction so as to sandwich the first roll 11. The spacer films 13A and 13B are disposed between the first roll 11 and the first lid portion 31 and between the first roll 11 and the gear case portion 32.

[0034] (1st supply spool) The first supply spool 12 is rotatable about a rotation axis L4 that is parallel to the vertical direction. The first supply spool 12 rotates in association with the transport of the printing tape 11A by the platen roller 103 of the printing device main body 100, thereby supplying the printing tape 11A to the print head 102. The rotation axis L4 of the first supply spool 12 coincides with the winding axis of the first roll 11.

[0035] (2nd roll) The second roll 14 is formed by winding an ink ribbon 14A used for printing on the printing tape 11A around a second supply spool 15.

[0036] The ink ribbon 14A is overlapped with the printing tape 11A at the head opening 33B, and is used for printing by the print head 102. The ink ribbon 14A used for printing is taken up by the take-up spool 16.

[0037] A rotational resistance is applied to the second roll 14 by a clutch spring (not shown) held by a clutch spring holder 17. At least a portion of the second roll 14 is disposed at a position overlapping with the first roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0038] (2nd supply spool) The second supply spool 15 is rotatable around a rotation axis L5. The rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15 is parallel to the up-down direction and coincides with the rotation axis of the second roll 14. The second supply spool 15 rotates in association with the winding of the ink ribbon 14A by the take-up spool 16, thereby supplying the ink ribbon 14A to the print head 102.

[0039] (Take-up spool) The take-up spool 16 is rotatable about a rotation axis L6 which is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15.

[0040] The take-up spool 16 is cylindrical and has a hollow portion defined by an inner circumferential surface 16A. The inner circumferential surface 16A of the take-up spool 16 is provided with spline teeth 16B. A drive shaft 105 of the printing device main body 100 is connected to the spline teeth 16B. The take-up spool 16 is rotated by the drive shaft 105 and takes up the ink ribbon 14A.

[0041] (Drive transmission mechanism) When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100, the drive transmission mechanism 20 transmits the driving force of the drive source 107, which is transmitted from the drive shaft 105, to the platen roller 103. The drive transmission mechanism 20 has an output gear 21, an input gear 22, and an idle gear 23.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, the first roll 11, the drive transmission mechanism 20, and the take-up spool 16 are arranged in the vertical direction in the order of the first roll 11, the drive transmission mechanism 20, and the take-up spool 16.

[0043] (Output gear) 3 is an externally toothed gear for outputting the driving force used to transport the print tape 11A to the outside. Specifically, the output gear 21 transmits the driving force from the outside to the platen gear 104 of the printing apparatus main body 100.

[0044] The rotation axis L7 of the output gear 21 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15. The entire output gear 21 overlaps with the cover portion 32B of the case 35 in the vertical direction. In addition, a portion of the output gear 21 is exposed to the space communicating with the head opening 33B.

[0045] When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing apparatus main body 100 (that is, when the case 35 is stored in the cassette storage section 101), the output gear 21 engages with the platen gear 104 in a space communicating with the head opening 33B.

[0046] (Input gear) The input gear 22 indirectly engages with the output gear 21 via an idle gear 23 to transmit driving force to the output gear 21 .

[0047] The input gear 22 has an external gear 22A and a spool 22B which is a cylindrical internal gear having spline teeth on its inner peripheral surface and is fixed to one side of the external gear 22A. The external gear 22A rotates integrally with the spool 22B by the driving force of the driving source 107 input to the spool 22B.

[0048] A rotation axis L8 of the input gear 22 (i.e., a rotation axis of the external gear 22A and a rotation axis of the spool 22B) is disposed on the same line as a rotation axis L6 of the take-up spool 16. At least a portion of the input gear 22 is disposed at a position overlapping with the first roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0049] The rotation axis L8 of the input gear 22 overlaps with the hollow portion of the take-up spool 16 in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100, the drive shaft 105 is inserted through the take-up spool 16 and the input gear 22 at the same time. As a result, the input gear 22 is not directly connected to the take-up spool 16, but is rotated together with the take-up spool 16 by the drive shaft 105.

[0050] (Idol Gear) The idle gear 23 is drivingly connected (ie, engaged) with the input gear 22 and the output gear 21 , and transmits the driving force input to the input gear 22 to the output gear 21 .

[0051] The idle gear 23 is a stepped gear in which an upstream gear 23A engaged with the input gear 22 and a downstream gear 23B engaged with the output gear 21 are arranged side by side on the same axis. The downstream gear 23B has a smaller diameter than the upstream gear 23A. The downstream gear 23B is arranged closer to the first roll 11 (i.e., higher) than the upstream gear 23A in the up-down direction.

[0052] The idle gear 23 reduces the rotational speed of the driving force input to the input gear 22 and transmits it to the output gear 21. In other words, the drive transmission mechanism 20 includes a reduction mechanism having a transmission ratio obtained by dividing the rotational speed of the input gear 22 by the rotational speed of the output gear 21 as a reduction gear ratio.

[0053] (case) The case 35 has a first lid portion 31, a gear case portion 32, an ink ribbon case portion 33 (an example of a first case portion), a second lid portion 34 (an example of a second case portion), an upstream first guide member 36A, a downstream first guide member 36B, and a second guide member 37.

[0054] The first lid part 31 constitutes the upper end part of the printing cassette 10. The gear case part 32 is disposed below the first lid part 31 and is connected to the first lid part 31 in the vertical direction. The ink ribbon case part 33 is disposed below the gear case part 32 and is connected to the gear case part 32 in the vertical direction.

[0055] That is, the ink ribbon case part 33 is disposed so as to be vertically overlapped with the gear case part 32. The second lid part 34 constitutes the lower end part of the printing cassette 10. The second lid part 34 is connected to the ink ribbon case part 33 in the vertical direction.

[0056] The first lid portion 31 and the gear case portion 32 constitute a first housing portion 41 that houses the first roll 11. In other words, the first roll 11 is disposed in a space defined by the first lid portion 31 and the gear case portion 32.

[0057] The second lid part 34 and the ink ribbon case part 33 constitute a second housing part 42 that houses the second roll 14, the second supply spool 15, and the take-up spool 16. In other words, the second roll 14, the second supply spool 15, and the take-up spool 16 are disposed in a space defined by the second lid part 34 and the ink ribbon case part 33.

[0058] The gear case section 32 and the ink ribbon case section 33 constitute a third housing section 43 that houses a part of the output gear 21, the input gear 22, and the idle gear 23. In other words, the part of the output gear 21, the input gear 22, and the idle gear 23 are disposed in a space defined by the gear case section 32 and the ink ribbon case section 33. The third housing section 43 is disposed between the first housing section 41 and the second housing section 42 in the up-down direction.

[0059] The gear case portion 32 has a first side wall 32A, a cover portion 32B, and a first guide 32C. The first side wall 32A constitutes an outer surface of the case 35 that is parallel to the up-down direction.

[0060] The cover portion 32B is a portion having a surface perpendicular to the up-down direction. The cover portion 32B is provided continuous with the lower end portion of the first side wall 32A and is disposed at the right front corner portion of the gear case portion 32.

[0061] 5, the first guide 32C is a portion around which the printing tape 11A pulled out from the first roll 11 is wound. The first guide 32C has multiple plate-shaped ribs spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the first roll 11. The multiple ribs protrude in the radial direction of the first roll 11, and the amount of protrusion (i.e., plate width) increases downward.

[0062] 4 includes a second side wall 33A, a head opening 33B, a discharge port 33C, a second guide 33D, an arm portion 33E, and a partition wall 33F. The second side wall 33A constitutes an outer surface of the case 35 that is parallel to the up-down direction.

[0063] 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 in which the print head 102 is disposed when the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100.

[0064] In the head opening 33B, printing on the printing tape 11A is performed by the print head 102. The head opening 33B opens below the printing cassette 10 so that the print head 102 can be inserted from below. The head opening 33B is positioned below the cover part 32B. The output gear 21 entirely overlaps with the cover part 32B in the up-down direction.

[0065] 6, the printing tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A are hung in the left-right direction in the head opening 33B. The printing tape 11A is exposed to the outside of the case 35 in the head opening 33B and overlaps the ink ribbon 14A.

[0066] The printing tape 11A is printed on by the print head 102 while being sandwiched between the print head 102 and the platen roller 103. After printing, the printing tape 11A is discharged to the outside of the printer 1 from the discharge port 33C.

[0067] Similar to the first guide 32C, the second guide 33D is a portion around which the printing tape 11A pulled out from the first roll 11 is wound. The second guide 33D has a number of plate-shaped ribs spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the second roll 14. The multiple ribs protrude in the radial direction of the second roll 14, and the amount of protrusion (i.e., plate width) decreases the further downward.

[0068] The arm portion 33E is disposed on the upstream side of the head opening 33B in the transport path of the ink ribbon 14A. The arm portion 33E transports the ink ribbon 14A linearly along the left-right direction toward the head opening 33B.

[0069] The partition 33F has a surface perpendicular to the up-down direction and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The partition 33F is disposed between the drive transmission mechanism 20 and the second roll 14 in the up-down direction. In other words, the partition 33F divides the second storage section 42 and the third storage section 43 in the up-down direction.

[0070] The upstream first guide member 36A and the downstream first guide member 36B are each integrated with the ink ribbon case portion 33 and guide the transport of the ink ribbon 14A. The upstream first guide member 36A and the downstream first guide member 36B each extend downward from the partition wall 33F.

[0071] The upstream first guide member 36A is located upstream of the arm portion 33E in the transport direction of the ink ribbon 14A, and is disposed in front of the second supply spool 15. The downstream first guide member 36B is disposed at the outlet of the arm portion 33E (i.e., the entrance to the head opening 33B).

[0072] As shown in FIG. 7, the upstream first guide member 36A and the downstream first guide member 36B each have a first guide surface 361 that comes into contact with the ink ribbon 14A being transported.

[0073] The first guide surface 361 has a first length L1 along the transport direction of the ink ribbon 14A in an area (i.e., the upper end) close to the partition 33F of the ink ribbon case section 33 in the width direction (i.e., the vertical direction) of the ink ribbon 14A that is greater than a second length L2 along the transport direction in an area (i.e., the lower end) close to the second lid section 34 in the vertical direction.

[0074] Such a difference between the first length L1 and the second length L2 of the first guide surface 361 is caused by the draft angle from the mold (that is, the core or cavity) when the ink ribbon case portion 33 is molded.

[0075] The second guide member 37 is provided as a member independent of the ink ribbon case portion 33 and the second lid portion 34, and guides the transport of the ink ribbon 14A together with the first guide members 36A and 36B.

[0076] 8, the second guide member 37 is a pin-shaped member having a hole into which the support shaft 33G of the ink ribbon case part 33 can be fitted. The support shaft 33G extends downward from the partition wall 33F of the ink ribbon case part 33. The second guide member 37 is supported by the ink ribbon case part 33 by being fitted into the support shaft 33G.

[0077] The second guide member 37 is disposed between the upstream first guide member 36A and the downstream first guide member 36B in the transport direction of the ink ribbon 14A. Specifically, the second guide member 37 is disposed at the upstream entrance of the arm portion 33E in the transport path of the ink ribbon 14A.

[0078] 6, the region where the second guide member 37 is disposed is a region of the transport path of the ink ribbon 14A where the curvature of the ink ribbon 14A is maximum upstream of the head opening 33B in the transport direction. In other words, the curvature of the ink ribbon 14A at the second guide member 37 is greater than the curvature of the ink ribbon 14A at the upstream first guide member 36A and the downstream first guide member 36B.

[0079] 7, the second guide member 37 has a second guide surface 371 that comes into contact with the ink ribbon 14A being transported. The second guide surface 371 is configured as part of the circumferential surface of a truncated cone whose diameter tapers upward.

[0080] The second guide surface 371 has a third length L3 along the transport direction in the area (i.e., the upper end) close to the partition 33F of the ink ribbon case section 33 in the vertical direction, which is smaller than a fourth length L4 along the transport direction in the area (i.e., the lower end) close to the second lid section 34 in the vertical direction.

[0081] A first difference D1 obtained by subtracting the second length L2 from the first length L1 of the first guide surface 361 in the upstream first guide member 36A or the downstream first guide member 36B, and a second difference D2 obtained by subtracting the fourth length L4 from the third length L3 of the second guide surface 371 satisfy the following formula (1). D1+D2=0 (1)

[0082] The second guide member 37 may be fitted into the ink ribbon case portion 33 by having a portion thereof inserted into the ink ribbon case portion 33, instead of being inserted into the support shaft 33G. For example, as shown in Fig. 9A, the second guide member 37 may have a truncated cone-shaped main body 372 including a second guide surface 371, and a columnar or cylindrical insertion portion 373 protruding from the upper end of the main body 372. Note that Fig. 9A is a plan view of the second guide member 37 viewed from above along the axial direction.

[0083] As shown in Fig. 9A, the second guide member 37 may have a rotation stopper 374 protruding from an insertion portion 373 in a radial direction of the second guide member 37. The rotation stopper 374 regulates the rotation of the main body 372 accompanying the transport of the ink ribbon 14A. Also, as shown in Fig. 9B, the second guide member 37 may have an insertion portion 373 in the shape of a rectangular column or square tube. In this case, the insertion portion 373 itself functions as a rotation stopper.

[0084] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 9C, the second guide member 37 may be disposed rotatably relative to the ink ribbon case part 33 and the second lid part 34. In Fig. 9C, the second guide member 37 is supported on a rotation shaft 38 provided on either the ink ribbon case part 33 or the second lid part 34. The second guide member 37 rotates about the rotation shaft 38 as the ink ribbon 14A is transported.

[0085] As shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D, the first guide 32C and the second guide 33D form a passage for feeding the printing tape 11A constituting the first roll 11 from the first container 41 to the second container .

[0086] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 10A, the printing tape 11A pulled out from the first roll 11 is transported downward and rearward within the first housing section 41 while contacting the first guide 32C from the radially outer side of the first roll 11 in a spiral manner. The printing tape 11A is further transported downward and leftward while vertically straddling the third housing section 43 as shown in Fig. 10B.

[0087] The printing tape 11A that has reached the second storage section 42 is transported downward and forward while contacting the second guide 33D from the radially outer side, as shown in Fig. 10C. The printing tape 11A that has reached the lower end of the printing cassette 10 passes through the head opening 33B and is discharged to the right from the discharge opening 33C, as shown in Fig. 10D.

[0088] <Tape transport and printing by the printer body> When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100, the print head 102 is disposed in a position in the head opening 33B so as to overlap the printing tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A in the front-rear direction.

[0089] The printing tape 11A is transported to the head opening 33B by the platen roller 103, and is pressed against the print head 102, whose heating elements have generated heat, via the ink ribbon 14A by the platen roller 103. As a result, part of the ink arranged on the surface of the ink ribbon 14A is transferred to the printing tape 11A, and characters, symbols, etc. are printed on the printing tape 11A.

[0090] The platen roller 103 transports the printed printing tape 11A from inside the printing cassette 10 to the outside. The platen roller 103 is rotated by a platen gear 104 engaged with the output gear 21. The platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 can swing between a position separated from the printing cassette 10 and a position shown in Figure 11 where the platen gear 104 is engaged with the output gear 21.

[0091] When the case 35 of the printing cassette 10 is inserted into the cassette storage section 101 , the drive shaft 105 engages with the input gear 22 , and the platen gear 104 engages with the output gear 21 .

[0092] Specifically, with the drive shaft 105 inserted into the take-up spool 16 and input gear 22 of the printing cassette 10, the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 swing toward the head opening 33B of the printing cassette 10, causing the platen gear 104 to engage with the output gear 21.

[0093] With the printing cassette 10 attached, the input gear 22 is rotated by the drive shaft 105, thereby rotating the output gear 21. Furthermore, the rotation of the output gear 21 rotates the platen gear 104, and the rotation of the platen gear 104 rotates the platen roller 103.

[0094] [1-2. Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) By combining the first guide members 36A, 36B having a first guide surface 361 whose first length L1 on the ink ribbon case portion 33 side is greater than the second length L2 on the second lid portion 34 side with the second guide member 37 having a second guide surface 371 whose third length L3 on the ink ribbon case portion 33 side is smaller than the fourth length L4 on the second lid portion 34 side, it is possible to suppress misalignment of the ink ribbon 14A during transport.

[0095] (1b) Since the second guide member 37 is composed of a member independent of the ink ribbon case part 33 and the second lid part 34, it is possible to suppress misalignment of the ink ribbon 14A by preparing the second guide member 37 according to the draft gradient, instead of preparing the second lid part 34 according to the draft gradient. Therefore, an increase in the manufacturing cost of the printing cassette 10 is suppressed.

[0096] (1c) The second guide member 37 is disposed in a region where the curvature of the ink ribbon 14A is maximum, upstream of the head opening 33B in the transport direction, so that misalignment of the ink ribbon 14A can be easily adjusted.

[0097] (1d) By disposing the second guide member 37 at the upstream entrance of the arm portion 33E, it is possible to prevent the ink ribbon 14A from shifting out of position within the arm portion 33E. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent the ink ribbon 14A from shifting out of position at the head opening 33B.

[0098] (1e) By disposing the second guide member 37 between the upstream first guide member 36A and the downstream first guide member 36B in the conveying direction, positional deviation caused by the first guide members 36A and 36B can be effectively eliminated.

[0099] [2. Second embodiment] [2-1. Configuration] The method for manufacturing a printing cassette shown in Fig. 12 includes a first molding step S10, a second molding step S20, a measuring step S30, an arrangement step S40, a selection step S50, an attachment step S60, and a connection step S70. By this manufacturing method, the printing cassette 10 of Fig. 2A is obtained.

[0100] (1st molding process) In this process, the ink ribbon case portion 33, the upstream first guide member 36A, and the downstream first guide member 36B are integrally molded by injection molding of resin using a die having a core and a cavity.

[0101] (Second molding process) In this step, the second lid portion 34 is molded by injection molding of resin using a mold having a core and a cavity.

[0102] (Measurement process) In this step, the draft angles of the upstream first guide member 36A and the downstream first guide member 36B molded in the first molding step S10 (that is, the first length L1 and the second length L2 of the first guide surface 361) are measured.

[0103] (Placement process) In this process, the second roll 14, the second supply spool 15, and the take-up spool 16 are arranged in the ink ribbon case portion 33 obtained in the first molding process S10.

[0104] (Selection process) In this process, based on the draft measured in the measurement process S30, the second guide member 37 to be attached to the ink ribbon case portion 33 is selected. Specifically, the second guide member 37 having a shape that satisfies the above formula (1) is prepared.

[0105] (Installation process) In this step, the second guide member 37 selected in the selection step S50 is attached to the ink ribbon case portion 33. Specifically, the second guide member 37 is fitted into the ink ribbon case portion 33.

[0106] (Connection process) In this step, the ink ribbon case part 33 and the second lid part 34 are connected so that the ink ribbon 14A is disposed in the space defined by the ink ribbon case part 33 and the second lid part 34 (that is, the second storage part 42).

[0107] The order of the above-mentioned steps can be changed as desired. In any of the steps, the drive transmission mechanism 20 and the printing tape 11A are disposed in the gear case 32, and the ink ribbon case 33 and the gear case 32 are connected as appropriate.

[0108] [2-2. Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (2a) By attaching the second guide member 37, which matches the draft angle of the first guide members 36A, 36B, to the ink ribbon case portion 33, it is possible to manufacture a printing cassette 10 in which misalignment of the ink ribbon 14A during transport is suppressed.

[0109] (2b) Compared to the case where the second cover portion 34 and the second guide member 37 are integrally molded, there is a smaller risk of the ink ribbon 14A being pinched by the second guide member 37 when attaching the second cover portion 34 to the ink ribbon case portion 33. This makes it easier to assemble the case 35. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the printing cassette 10 is prevented from increasing.

[0110] 3. Other embodiments Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can take various forms.

[0111] (3a) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, the first guide member and the second guide member may be disposed in the print tape transport path instead of the ink ribbon transport path. In other words, the first guide member and the second guide member may guide the transport of the print tape as the print medium.

[0112] (3b) The printing device of the above embodiment is not limited to one that uses an ink ribbon for printing. For example, the printing device may print on a strip of thermal paper. In other words, the printing cassette does not necessarily have to include an ink ribbon.

[0113] In addition, the printing device may use a stencil tape in which a printing pattern is punched by a thermal head. When the stencil tape is used as the printing medium, a slip sheet tape that protects the stencil tape is used as the printing medium instead of the ink ribbon.

[0114] (3c) The printing cassette of the above embodiment may have two or more second guide members. Also, the printing cassette may have three or more first guide members.

[0115] (3d) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, the second guide member may be fitted into the second cover portion (that is, the second case portion). In other words, the second guide member may be supported by the second cover portion.

[0116] (3e) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, the shape of the second guide member is not limited to a truncated cone, so long as it has a second guide surface whose third length is smaller than the fourth length. In addition, the second guide member does not necessarily have to be pin-shaped.

[0117] (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. In addition, a part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. In addition, at least a part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments. Note that all aspects included in the technical idea identified from the wording of the claims are embodiments of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 1...printing device, 10...printing cassette, 11...first roll, 11A...printing tape, 14...second roll, 14A...ink ribbon, 16...take-up spool, 21...output gear, 22...input gear, 23...idle gear, 32...gear case portion, 33: ink ribbon case portion; 33A: second side wall; 33B: head opening; 33C...Discharge port, 33E...Arm part, 33F...Bulkhead, 33G...Support shaft, 34... second cover portion, 35... case, 36A... upstream side first guide member, 36B: downstream side first guide member, 37: second guide member, 38: rotation shaft, 100: Printing device body; 102: Print head; 103: Platen roller; 104: platen gear; 105: drive shaft; 361: first guide surface; 371...second guide surface, 372...main body, 373...insertion portion, 374...rotation stopper.

Claims

1. A first case portion; A second case portion connected to the first case portion; a band-shaped print medium that is disposed in a space defined by the first case portion and the second case portion and is subjected to printing; two first guide members that are integrated with the first case portion and guide the transport of the print medium; a second guide member that is provided as a member independent of the first case portion and the second case portion, that is supported by at least one of the first case portion and the second case portion, and that guides the transport of the print medium; and a head opening through which printing is performed using the print medium; Equipped with Each of the two first guide members has a first guide surface that contacts the print medium, a first length of the first guide surface along a transport direction of the print medium in a region close to the first case portion in a width direction of the print medium is greater than a second length of the first guide surface along the transport direction in a region close to the second case portion in the width direction; the one second guide member has a second guide surface that contacts the print medium, The second guide surface has a third length along the conveying direction in a region close to the first case portion in the width direction that is smaller than a fourth length along the conveying direction in a region close to the second case portion in the width direction. the two first guide members and the one second guide member are disposed upstream of the head opening in the transport direction, The two first guide members include a downstream first guide member and an upstream first guide member disposed upstream of the downstream first guide member in the transport direction, the one second guide member is disposed between the upstream first guide member and the downstream first guide member in the conveying direction, the print medium has a first surface on which ink is disposed and a second surface corresponding to a surface opposite to the first surface; the first guide surface of the upstream first guide member, the second guide surface of the one second guide member, and the first guide surface of the downstream first guide member contact the second surface of the print medium; the print medium is bent in the transport direction at a contact position with the first guide surface of the upstream first guide member, at a contact position with the second guide surface of the one second guide member, and at a contact position with the first guide surface of the downstream first guide member. Printing cassette.

2. The printing cassette according to claim 1 , wherein the one second guide member is fitted into at least one of the first case portion and the second case portion.

3. The one second guide member is a main body including the second guide surface; a rotation stopper that restricts rotation of the main body associated with transport of the print medium; 3. The printing cassette of claim 2, comprising:

4. The printing cassette according to claim 1 , wherein the one second guide member is rotatable relative to the first case portion and the second case portion.

5. A printing cassette as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the one second guide member is positioned in an area of ​​the transport path of the printing medium upstream of the head opening in the transport direction where the curvature of the printing medium is maximum.

6. An arm portion that conveys the printing medium in a straight line toward the head opening; Further equipped with The printing cassette according to claim 1 , wherein the one second guide member is disposed at an entrance of a transport path of the print medium on an upstream side of the arm portion.

7. A printing cassette as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a first difference D1 obtained by subtracting the second length from the first length of the first guide surface and a second difference D2 obtained by subtracting the fourth length from the third length of the second guide surface satisfy the following formula (1). D1+D2=0...(1)

8. A process of integrally molding a first case portion having a head opening formed therein through which printing using a strip-shaped printing medium is performed, and two first guide members for guiding the transportation of the printing medium; placing the print medium in either the first case portion or the second case portion; a step of attaching a second guide member that guides the transport of the print medium to either the first case portion or the second case portion; connecting the first case portion and the second case portion such that the print medium is disposed in a space defined by the first case portion and the second case portion; Equipped with the two first guide members and the one second guide member are disposed upstream of the head opening in a transport direction of the print medium, The two first guide members include a downstream first guide member and an upstream first guide member disposed upstream of the downstream first guide member in the transport direction, the one second guide member is disposed between the upstream first guide member and the downstream first guide member in the conveying direction, the print medium has a first surface on which ink is disposed and a second surface corresponding to a surface opposite to the first surface; the upstream first guide member, the one second guide member, and the downstream first guide member contact the second surface of the print medium; the print medium is bent in the transport direction at a contact position with the upstream first guide member, at a contact position with the one second guide member, and at a contact position with the downstream first guide member, A method for manufacturing a printing cassette.

9. Measuring the draft angles of the two first guide members; selecting the one second guide member to be attached to either the first case portion or the second case portion based on the measured draft angle; The method of claim 8 further comprising:

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