Auxiliary tape cassette

Abstract

To provide an auxiliary tape cassette capable of optionally combining an auxiliary tape and a printing tape.SOLUTION: An auxiliary tape cassette is equipped with an auxiliary tape provided for printing a printing tape, a gear that transmits driving force from the outside, and a case that stores at least a part of the auxiliary tape and at least a part of the gear, The case has a discharge port that discharges the printing tape to the outside, and a guiding portion that guides the printing tape supplied from the outside of the case toward the discharge port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to auxiliary tape cassettes. [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. In such a cassette, the ink ribbon and the printing tape are contained in a single case (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

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

[0004] In the above-mentioned cassette, the ink ribbon and printing tape are set, so the combination of ink color and printing tape type (e.g., color, size, material, etc.) is limited by the type of cassette prepared.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an auxiliary tape cassette that allows any combination of auxiliary tape and printing tape. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is an auxiliary tape cassette including an auxiliary tape used for printing on a printing tape, a gear that transmits a driving force from an outside, and a case that houses at least a part of the auxiliary tape and at least a part of the gear. The case has an outlet for discharging the printing tape to the outside, and a guide portion that guides the printing tape supplied from outside the case toward the outlet.

[0007] According to this configuration, the printing tape supplied from the outside can be guided to the outlet by the guide section, so any printing tape can be supplied into the case. As a result, the auxiliary tape and the printing tape can be combined in any way. In addition, by providing a case that contains the auxiliary tape and the gear, the positioning accuracy of the gear relative to the printing device body can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a printing apparatus main body according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2A and 2B are schematic perspective views of a printing cassette in an embodiment. [Diagram 3] 3A and 3B are schematic perspective views of the printing tape cassette of FIG. 2A. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the printing cassette of FIG. 2A. [Diagram 5] 5A and 5B are schematic perspective views of the auxiliary tape cassette of FIG. 2A. [Figure 6] FIG. 6A is a schematic perspective view of a printing cassette in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 6B is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the printing tape roll has been removed from the printing cassette of FIG. 6A. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the printing cassette of FIG. 6A. [Figure 8] 8A and 8B are schematic perspective views of a printing cassette in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 2A. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are schematic perspective views of the printing tape cassette of FIG. 8A. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are schematic perspective views of the auxiliary tape cassette of FIG. 8A. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the auxiliary tape cassette of FIG. 10A. [Figure 12]FIG. 12 is a schematic exploded perspective view of an auxiliary tape cassette in an embodiment different from that in FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a schematic perspective view showing the auxiliary tape cassette of FIG. 12 with the third case portion removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [1. First embodiment] [1-1. Configuration] A printing device main body 100 shown in Fig. 1 constitutes a printing device together with a printing cassette 10 shown in Fig. 2A and 2B. This printing device is a device that prints on a tape-like printing medium.

[0010] 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 output gear 21 and the take-up spool 16 are aligned is defined as the front-to-back direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the front-to-back direction is defined as the left-to-right direction.

[0011] <Printing device body> As shown in FIG. 1, 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.

[0012] (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.

[0013] (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.

[0014] (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.

[0015] (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.

[0016] (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 rotates the take-up spool 16 and the input gear 22.

[0017] 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.

[0018] (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.

[0019] <Printing cassette> 2A and 2B is equipped with a printing medium (i.e., 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 medium (e.g., size, color, material, etc.).

[0020] The printing cassette 10 includes a printing tape cassette 30 and an auxiliary tape cassette 40. The printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100 with the printing tape cassette 30 and the auxiliary tape cassette 40 connected together.

[0021] (Printing tape cassette) 3A and 3B includes a printing tape case 35 that houses at least a portion of the printing tape 11A. As shown in Fig. 4, the printing tape cassette 30 also includes a printing tape roll 11 (an example of a second roll), a first supply spool 12, and spacer films 13A and 13B.

[0022] (Printing tape roll) The printing tape 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 and an ink ribbon 14A (an example of an auxiliary tape) of the printing device main body 100.

[0023] Two spacer films 13A, 13B are arranged on the outer sides of the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction so as to sandwich the printing tape roll 11. The spacer films 13A, 13B are arranged between the printing tape roll 11 and the first case part 31, and between the printing tape roll 11 and the second case part 32.

[0024] (1st supply spool) The first supply spool 12 is rotatable about a rotation axis L4. 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 is parallel to the up-down direction and coincides with the winding axis of the printing tape roll 11.

[0025] (Printing tape case) The printing tape case 35 has a first case portion 31, a second case portion 32, a first guide surface 35A (see FIGS. 3A and 3B), and a first discharge opening 35B (see FIGS. 3A and 3B).

[0026] The first case portion 31 constitutes the upper end portion of the printing tape case 35. The second case portion 32 constitutes the lower end portion of the printing tape case 35. The second case portion 32 is disposed below the first case portion 31 and is connected to the first case portion 31 in the up-down direction. The printing tape roll 11 is disposed in a space surrounded by the first case portion 31 and the second case portion 32.

[0027] The first case portion 31 has a first side wall 31A and a first notch 31B. The second case portion 32 has a second side wall 32A, a second notch 32B, and a first positioning portion 32C.

[0028] The first side wall 31A and the second side wall 32A constitute the side surfaces that circumferentially surround the printing tape roll 11 of the outer surface of the printing tape case 35. The first notch 31B is provided in the front portion of the first side wall 31A. The second notch 32B is provided in the front portion of the second side wall 32A. The first notch 31B and the second notch 32B are connected to each other to constitute a first discharge opening 35B for the printing tape 11A.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a part of the side surface of the printing tape case constitutes a first guide surface 35A that guides the printing tape 11A discharged from a first discharge opening 35B of the printing tape case .

[0030] The first discharge opening 35B is provided on a side surface of the printing tape case 35, and discharges the printing tape 11A to the outside of the printing tape case 35. The printing tape 11A discharged from the first discharge opening 35B in the radial direction of the printing tape roll 11 is transported downward (i.e., toward the auxiliary tape cassette 40) from the first discharge opening 35B while being wound around the first guide surface 35A in a spiral shape having a central axis parallel to the up-down direction.

[0031] 3A, the first positioning portion 32C is a hole provided in the first connecting surface 35C that faces and comes into contact with the auxiliary tape cassette 40 located below when the printing tape case 35 is inserted into the cassette storage section 101. The first positioning portion 32C positions the printing tape case 35 with respect to the auxiliary tape cassette 40. The second positioning portion 41E of the auxiliary tape cassette 40 is inserted into the first positioning portion 32C.

[0032] The first connecting surface 35C is a flat surface that intersects (specifically, is perpendicular to) the up-down direction on the outer surface of the printing tape case 35. The auxiliary tape cassette 40 can be placed on the first connecting surface 35C.

[0033] (auxiliary tape cassette) 5A and 5B is detachably attached to the printing tape cassette 30. The auxiliary tape cassette 40 includes an auxiliary tape case 45 that accommodates at least a portion of the ink ribbon 14A and at least a portion of the drive transmission unit 20.

[0034] The auxiliary tape cassette 40 of this embodiment is also a gear cassette that houses gears. As shown in FIG. 4, the auxiliary tape cassette 40 includes an ink ribbon roll 14 (an example of a first roll), a second supply spool 15, a take-up spool 16, a clutch spring holder 17, and a drive transmission unit 20.

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

[0036] The ink ribbon 14A is superimposed on the conveyed printing tape 11A at a head opening 42B (an example of an exposure opening) 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 ink ribbon roll 14 by a clutch spring (not shown) held by a clutch spring holder 17. At least a part of the ink ribbon roll 14 is It is disposed at a position overlapping with the printing tape roll 11 in the downward direction.

[0038] (2nd supply spool) The second supply spool 15 is rotatable about a rotation axis L5. The rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15 is parallel to the rotation axis L4 of the first supply spool 12, i.e., parallel to the up-down direction, and coincides with the winding axis of the ink ribbon 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 head opening 42B.

[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 peripheral surface 16A. The inner peripheral 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 used for printing.

[0041] (Drive transmission part) When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100, the drive transmission unit 20 transmits the driving force of the drive source 107 transmitted from the drive shaft 105 to the platen roller 103, and rotates the platen roller 103 at a rotational speed set for each printing cassette 10.

[0042] The drive transmission unit 20 has an output gear 21, an input gear 22, and an idle gear 23. The drive transmission unit 20 is disposed above the ink ribbon roll 14 (i.e., near the printing tape cassette 30). In other words, the output gear 21 and the input gear 22 are disposed in the auxiliary tape case 45, spaced apart from the ink ribbon roll 14 in the up-down direction.

[0043] (Output gear) The output gear 21 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. The rotation axis L7 of the output gear 21 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15. A portion of the output gear 21 is exposed to the space communicating with the head opening 42B.

[0044] When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100 (i.e., when the auxiliary tape case 45 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 42B.

[0045] (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 .

[0046] 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.

[0047] The rotation axis L8 of the input gear 22 (i.e., the rotation axis of the external gear 22A and the rotation axis of the spool 22B) is disposed on the same line as the 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 printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0048] A rotation axis L8 of the input gear 22 overlaps in the vertical direction with the hollow portion of the take-up spool 16. In addition, a lower end portion of the spool 22B of the input gear 22 is inserted into the hollow portion of the take-up spool 16 from above.

[0049] 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 by the drive shaft 105 together with the take-up spool 16.

[0050] (Idol Gear) The idle gear 23 is drivingly connected (i.e. 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. In other words, the drive shaft 105 indirectly inputs the driving force to the output gear 21 via the input gear 22 and the idle gear 23.

[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 upstream gear 23A is arranged closer to the print tape cassette 30 (i.e., higher) in the up-down direction than the downstream gear 23B.

[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 unit 20 includes a speed 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 ratio.

[0053] (auxiliary tape case) The auxiliary tape case 45 has a third case portion 41, a fourth case portion 42, a fifth case portion 43, and a guide portion 46 (see FIG. 5A).

[0054] The third case part 41 constitutes an upper end part of the auxiliary tape case 45. The fifth case part 43 constitutes a lower end part of the auxiliary tape case 45. The fourth case part 42 is disposed below the third case part 41 and above the fifth case part 43, and is connected to the third case part 41 and the fifth case part 43 in the up-down direction.

[0055] The ink ribbon roll 14, the second supply spool 15, and the take-up spool 16 are disposed in a space surrounded by the fourth case portion 42 and the fifth case portion 43. A part of the output gear 21, the input gear 22, and the idle gear 23 are disposed in a space surrounded by the third case portion 41 and the fourth case portion 42.

[0056] The third case portion 41 has a third side wall 41A, a first gear support portion 41B, a second gear support portion 41C, a third gear support portion 41D, and a second positioning portion 41E (see FIG. 5B). The third side wall 41A constitutes one of the outer surfaces of the auxiliary tape case 45 that is continuous with the side surface of the printing tape case .

[0057] The first gear support portion 41B rotatably supports the output gear 21. The second gear support portion 41C rotatably supports the input gear 22. The third gear support portion 41D rotatably supports the idle gear 23. Rotatably supported.

[0058] The second positioning portion 41E shown in FIG. 5B is provided on the second connecting surface 45B which faces and comes into contact with the printing tape cassette 30 located above when the auxiliary tape case 45 is inserted into the cassette storage portion 101.

[0059] The second connecting surface 45B is a plane on the outer surface of the auxiliary tape case 45 that intersects with the up-down direction (specifically, is perpendicular to the up-down direction) and is parallel to the first connecting surface 35C of the printing tape case 35. The printing tape cassette 30 can be placed on the second connecting surface 45B.

[0060] The second positioning portion 41E is a cylindrical or columnar portion protruding upward from the second connecting surface 45B. When the auxiliary tape cassette 40 and the printing tape cassette 30 are connected, the second positioning portion 41E is inserted into the first positioning portion 32C of the printing tape case 35, thereby positioning the auxiliary tape cassette 40 relative to the printing tape cassette 30 in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0061] The fourth case portion 42 shown in FIG. 4 has a fourth side wall 42A, a head opening 42B, a second discharge port 42C, a guide inner wall 42D, a first restriction portion 42E, and a ceiling wall 42F. The fourth side wall 42A constitutes the side surface of the outer surface of the auxiliary tape case 45 that surrounds the ink ribbon roll 14 in the circumferential direction.

[0062] The head opening 42B is a portion formed by cutting out a part of the fourth side wall 42A. The head opening 42B 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.

[0063] In the head opening 42B, printing on the printing tape 11A is performed by the print head 102. The head opening 42B opens below the auxiliary tape cassette 40 so that the print head 102 can be inserted from below.

[0064] The printing tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A are hung in the left-right direction in the head opening 42B. The printing tape 11A is exposed by the head opening 42B on the upstream side of the second discharge outlet 42C in the discharge direction of the printing tape 11A.

[0065] The second discharge outlet 42C discharges the printing tape 11A after printing to the outside of the printing cassette 10. In other words, the second discharge outlet 42C discharges the printing tape 11A from the inside to the outside of the auxiliary tape case 45. After printing, the printing tape 11A is discharged from the second discharge outlet 42C to the outside of the printing device.

[0066] The guide inner wall 42D is a plate-shaped portion having a front surface that guides the printing tape 11A in the left-right direction (i.e., contacts the printing tape 11A from behind) inside the auxiliary tape case 45. The guide inner wall 42D constitutes a part of the second guide surface 45A that guides the printing tape 11A toward the second discharge opening 42C.

[0067] The inner guide wall 42D is provided continuously from the fourth side wall 42A. The inner guide wall 42D is disposed upstream of the head opening 42B in the discharge direction of the printing tape 11A and in front of the head opening 42B.

[0068] At least a portion of the guide inner wall 42D is disposed at the same position as the second discharge opening 42C in the vertical direction. In other words, at least a portion of the guide inner wall 42D overlaps with the second discharge opening 42C in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The loop 11A is transported in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction (specifically, the left-right direction).

[0069] The first restricting portion 42E restricts movement in the width direction of the print tape 11A transported along the second guide surface 45A defined by the guide inner wall 42D. Specifically, the first restricting portion 42E is disposed above the guide inner wall 42D, and has a lower surface perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0070] The ceiling wall 42F is disposed in front of and spaced apart from the guide inner wall 42D. A transport path for the printing tape 11A is formed between the ceiling wall 42F and the guide inner wall 42D. The ceiling wall 42F is connected to the first regulating portion 42E. The inner surface (i.e., the rear surface) of the ceiling wall 42F forms a regulating surface disposed to face the guide inner wall 42D.

[0071] The fifth case portion 43 has a fifth side wall 43A and a second restricting portion 43B. The fifth side wall 43A, together with the fourth side wall 42A of the fourth case portion 42, constitutes a side surface of the auxiliary tape case 45 that surrounds the ink ribbon roll 14 in the circumferential direction.

[0072] The second regulating portion 43B, together with the first regulating portion 42E, regulates the movement in the width direction of the printing tape 11A transported along the second guide surface 45A. Specifically, the second regulating portion 43B is disposed below the guide inner wall 42D of the fourth case portion 42, and has an upper surface perpendicular to the up-down direction. The second regulating portion 43B faces the first regulating portion 42E of the fourth case portion 42 in the up-down direction.

[0073] The guide inner wall 42D, the ceiling wall 42F, the first regulating portion 42E and the second regulating portion 43B constitute an arm portion 45C having a space through which the printing tape 11A transported along the second guide surface 45A of the auxiliary tape case 45 passes, as shown in FIG. 2B.

[0074] The arm portion 45C forms a tunnel portion that surrounds the printing tape 11A in the width direction and thickness direction. The entrance of the printing tape 11A in the arm portion 45C forms an insertion opening 45F through which the printing tape 11A supplied from the printing tape cassette 30 is inserted into the auxiliary tape case 45.

[0075] Within the arm portion 45C, the movement of the printing tape 11A in the front-rear direction (i.e., thickness direction) is restricted by the guide inner wall 42D and the ceiling wall 42F, and the movement of the printing tape 11A in the up-down direction (i.e., width direction) is restricted by the first restricting portion 42E and the second restricting portion 43B. The printing tape 11A that has passed through the arm portion 45C is supplied to the head opening 42B.

[0076] 2A and 2B, a part of the side surface of the auxiliary tape case 45 constitutes a second guide surface 45A that guides the printing tape 11A supplied from outside the auxiliary tape case 45 (i.e., from the printing tape cassette 30) toward the second discharge opening 42C. The second guide surface 45A further guides the printing tape 11A guided by the first guide surface 35A of the printing tape case 35 toward the second discharge opening 42C.

[0077] The guide portion 46 guides the printing tape 11A supplied from outside the auxiliary tape case 45 toward the second discharge opening 42C. The guide portion 46 includes a second guide surface 45A and an insertion opening 45F.

[0078] The insertion opening 45F is provided on an insertion side 45G of the auxiliary tape case 45. The insertion side 45G is a surface of the outer surface of the auxiliary tape case 45 that intersects with the left-right direction (specifically, is parallel to the up-down direction) and is located in a position that does not overlap with the ink ribbon roll 14 in the up-down direction (specifically, in front of the ink ribbon roll 14). At the insertion opening 45F, the printing tape 11A is inserted from the rightward direction.

[0079] <Transportation and printing of printing tape by the printing device body> When the printing cassette 10 is mounted in the printing device main body 100, the printing tape 11A is wound around the first guide surface 35A of the printing tape case 35 and the second guide surface 45A of the auxiliary tape case 45 so as to form a spiral portion 11B.

[0080] The spiral portion 11B of the printing tape 11A being fed is wound across the side surface of the printing tape case 35 and the side surface of the auxiliary tape case 45. Specifically, the spiral portion 11B extends from the first discharge opening 35B of the printing tape case 35 to the insertion opening 45F.

[0081] When the printing cassette 10 with the printing tape 11A wound around the guide surface is attached to the printing device main body 100, the print head 102 is positioned in the head opening 42B at a position overlapping the printing tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A in the front-to-rear direction.

[0082] The printing tape 11A is transported to the head opening 42B 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.

[0083] The platen roller 103 transports the printing tape 11A after printing 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 are capable of swinging between a position separated from the printing cassette 10 and a position where the platen gear 104 is engaged with the output gear 21.

[0084] When the auxiliary tape case 45 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 .

[0085] 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 42B of the printing cassette 10, causing the platen gear 104 to engage with the output gear 21.

[0086] 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.

[0087] [1-2. Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) In the auxiliary tape cassette 40, the printing tape 11A supplied from the outside can be guided to the second discharge opening 42C by the guide portion 46, so that any desired printing tape 11A can be supplied into the auxiliary tape case 45.

[0088] As a result, the ink ribbon 14A and the printing tape 11A can be combined in any desired manner. Also, by providing an auxiliary tape case 45 that houses the ink ribbon 14A and the drive transmission unit 20, the positioning accuracy of the output gear 21 relative to the printing device main body 100 can be improved.

[0089] (1b) The insertion opening 45F of the guide portion 46 allows the printing tape 11A to be inserted into the auxiliary tape case 45. As a result, the printing tape 11A can be protected while stabilizing the transport of the printing tape 11A.

[0090] (1c) By arranging the insertion opening 45F on the insertion side surface 45G of the auxiliary tape case 45, a part of the path for the printing tape 11A (i.e., the second guide surface 45A) can be provided on the outside (i.e., on the side surface) of the auxiliary tape case 45. As a result, it is relatively easy to introduce the printing tape 11A into the auxiliary tape case 45, and the size of the auxiliary tape cassette 40 can be reduced.

[0091] [2. Second embodiment] [2-1. Configuration] 6A and 6B is installed in the printing device main body 100 of Fig. 1 in place of the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment. The printing cassette 210 includes a printing tape roll 11, a first supply spool 12, and an auxiliary tape cassette 240.

[0092] (auxiliary tape cassette) The auxiliary tape cassette 240 includes an auxiliary tape case 245 that houses the ink ribbon roll 14, the drive transmission unit 20, and the like, similar to the first embodiment.

[0093] The auxiliary tape case 245 includes a third case portion 241, a fourth case portion 242, and a fifth case portion 243. The fourth case portion 242 and the fifth case portion 243 are the same as the fourth case portion 42 and the fifth case portion 43 of the first embodiment, respectively.

[0094] 7, the fourth case portion 242 and the fifth case portion 243 constitute an auxiliary tape accommodating portion 51 that accommodates the ink ribbon roll 14. The third case portion 241 and the fourth case portion 242 constitute a gear accommodating portion 52 that accommodates the drive transmission portion 20.

[0095] The third case portion 241 supports the printing tape roll 11. The third case portion 241 has a partition wall 241A, a shaft portion 241B, and a side wall 241C. The partition wall 241A covers the drive transmission unit 20 from above. The partition wall 241A extends in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

[0096] The shaft portion 241B is a columnar or cylindrical portion that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the partition wall 241 A. The shaft portion 241B is capable of supporting the printing tape roll 11 and is inserted into the hollow portions of the printing tape roll 11 and the first supply spool 12.

[0097] The side wall 241C protrudes upward from the edge of the partition wall 241A. The side wall 241C is disposed so as to surround at least a portion of the shaft portion 241B from the radially outer side. The printing tape roll 11 is inserted between the shaft portion 241B and the side wall 241C. In other words, the side wall 241C constitutes a printing tape accommodation section 53 capable of accommodating the printing tape roll 11.

[0098] The printing tape accommodating section 53 may have a lid that, together with the partition wall 241A, vertically sandwiches the printing tape roll 11. The lid is configured to be movable between an open position where the printing tape roll 11 can be placed in the printing tape accommodating section 53, and a closed position where the printing tape roll 11 is prevented from falling out.

[0099] The printing tape accommodating section 53, the gear accommodating section 52, and the auxiliary tape accommodating section 51 are arranged in the following order in the vertical direction: printing tape accommodating section 53, the gear accommodating section 52, and the auxiliary tape accommodating section 51.

[0100] [2-2. Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (2a) The printing tape roll 11 can be attached while being positioned relative to the auxiliary tape cassette 240 by the shaft portion 241B and the auxiliary tape accommodating portion 51, respectively.

[0101] (2b) By arranging the gear accommodating section 52 between the printing tape accommodating section 53 and the auxiliary tape accommodating section 51 in the vertical direction, the effect of improving the positioning accuracy of the output gear 21 relative to the printing device main body 100 can be promoted.

[0102] [3. Third embodiment] [3-1. Configuration] 8A and 8B is installed in the printing apparatus main body 100 of Fig. 1 in place of the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment. The printing cassette 410 includes a printing tape cassette 430 and an auxiliary tape cassette 440.

[0103] It should be noted that Fig. 8A shows a state in which the first case portion 431 of the printing tape cassette 430 has been removed, and Fig. 8B shows a state in which the third case portion 441 of the auxiliary tape cassette 440 has been removed.

[0104] (Printing tape cassette) 9A and 9B has a printing tape case 435 that houses the printing tape 11A. The parts housed inside the printing tape case 435 are the same as those of the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment.

[0105] The printing tape case 435 has a first case portion 431, a second case portion 432, a first guide surface 435A, and a first discharge port 435B. The first case portion 431 constitutes the upper end portion of the printing tape case 435. The second case portion 432 is connected below the first case portion 431, and constitutes the lower end portion of the printing tape case 435.

[0106] The second case portion 432 has a first positioning portion 32C provided on the first connecting surface 35C similar to the first embodiment. The second case portion 432 also has an inner wall 432A that constitutes the first guide surface 435A, and an opening that constitutes the first discharge port 435B. The inner wall 432A surrounds the printing tape roll 11 from the radial outside.

[0107] The first discharge opening 435B is provided on the first connecting surface 35C, and discharges the printing tape 11A to the outside of the printing tape case 435 in a direction intersecting the first connecting surface 35C (that is, the up-down direction).

[0108] 8A, the first guide surface 435A guides the printing tape 11A pulled out from the printing tape roll 11 toward the first discharge opening 435B. The printing tape 11A is wound around the first guide surface 435A from the radially outer side of the printing tape roll 11 while forming a spiral portion 11B.

[0109] (auxiliary tape cassette) 10A and 10B has an auxiliary tape case 445 that houses the ink ribbon 14A and the drive transmission unit 20. The parts housed inside the auxiliary tape case 445 are the same as those of the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment.

[0110] The auxiliary tape case 445 includes a third case portion 441, a fourth case portion 442, and a fifth case portion 443. The guide portion 445 has a guide portion 443, a guide portion 446, and a guide opening 445E.

[0111] 11, the fourth case part 442 and the fifth case part 443 form an auxiliary tape accommodating part 451 that accommodates the ink ribbon roll 14. The third case part 441 and the fourth case part 442 form a gear accommodating part 452 that accommodates the drive transmission part 20. The gear accommodating part 452 is disposed so as to overlap at least a part of the auxiliary tape accommodating part 451 in the vertical direction.

[0112] The third case part 441 constitutes the upper surface (i.e., the second connecting surface 445B) of the auxiliary tape case 445. The fifth case part 443 constitutes the lower end part of the auxiliary tape case 445. The fourth case part 442 is connected to the upper part of the fifth case part 443.

[0113] 10B, the third case portion 441 has a second positioning portion 41E similar to that of the first embodiment. The third case portion 441 also supports the drive transmission portion 20. The third case portion 441 is fitted inside an outer wall 442A of the fourth case portion 442 so as to close the internal space of the fourth case portion 442 from above.

[0114] 11 has a head opening 42B, a second discharge port 42C, a guide inner wall 42D, a first restricting portion 42E, and a ceiling wall 42F similar to those in the first embodiment. The fourth case portion 442 also has an outer wall 442A and an inner wall 442B.

[0115] The inner wall 442B surrounds the ink ribbon roll 14, the second supply spool 15, and the take-up spool 16 from the radial outside of the ink ribbon roll 14. A part of the outer surface of the inner wall 442B constitutes a second guide surface 445A.

[0116] 10B, at the upper end of auxiliary tape case 445, an insertion opening 445D communicating with the space between outer wall 442A and inner wall 442B is formed by third case portion 441 and fourth case portion 442.

[0117] The insertion opening 445D is provided on a second connecting surface 445B (an example of a first outer surface) that is connected to the printing tape cassette 430. The second connecting surface 445B intersects with the vertical direction (specifically, is perpendicular to the vertical direction) and is offset from the ink ribbon roll 14 in the vertical direction (specifically, is disposed above the ink ribbon roll 14).

[0118] The insertion opening 445D is positioned offset from the head opening 42B when viewed from the top-bottom direction. In other words, the insertion opening 445D does not overlap with the head opening 42B in the top-bottom direction. Furthermore, the gear accommodating section 452 is positioned offset from the insertion opening 445D when viewed from the top-bottom direction. Therefore, the printing tape 11A passes outside the gear accommodating section 452 and is inserted into the auxiliary tape accommodating section 451.

[0119] The printing tape 11A discharged from the first discharge opening 435B of the printing tape case 435 is transported from the insertion opening 445D into the auxiliary tape case 445. As shown in Fig. 8B, the printing tape 11A transported into the auxiliary tape case 445 is wound around the second guide surface 445A from the radially outer side of the ink ribbon roll 14 while forming a spiral portion 11B.

[0120] The guide portion 446 guides the printing tape 11A supplied from outside the auxiliary tape case 445 toward the second discharge opening 42C. The guide portion 446 includes a second guide surface 445A and an insertion opening 445D.

[0121] The fifth case portion 443 shown in FIG. 11 has a second restricting portion 43B similar to that of the first embodiment. The fifth case portion 443 also has an opening that constitutes a guide opening 445E. The guide opening 445E is provided in a bottom surface 445C (an example of a second outer surface) of the auxiliary tape case 445 that vertically sandwiches the ink ribbon roll 14 together with the second connecting surface 445B.

[0122] The guide opening 445E communicates with the space between the outer wall 442A and the inner wall 442B of the fourth case portion 442. At least a portion of the guide opening 445E faces the insertion opening 445D. The guide opening 445E extends along the second guide surface 445A to a position where it overlaps with the arm portion 45C (i.e., the guide inner wall 42D) so as to overlap in the up-down direction with the feed path of the printing tape 11A in the fourth case portion 442.

[0123] Therefore, the printing tape 11A inserted into the auxiliary tape case 445 from the insertion opening 445D can be placed in the transport path within the auxiliary tape case 445 while being pulled out to the lower side of the auxiliary tape case 445 from the guide opening 445E.

[0124] The guide opening 445E does not overlap the entire ink ribbon roll 14 in the vertical direction. In other words, the guide opening 445E is formed in a shape that prevents the ink ribbon roll 14 from passing downward through the fifth case part 443 and falling out of the auxiliary tape case 445.

[0125] <Modification of the third embodiment> The auxiliary tape case 445 of this embodiment may have a third case portion 541 shown in FIG.

[0126] The third case portion 541 has an outer wall 541A and an inner wall 541B. The inner wall 541B surrounds the drive transmission portion 20 in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. A part of the outer surface of the inner wall 541B constitutes a second guide surface 445A.

[0127] The outer wall 541A surrounds the inner wall 541B from the outside. A space between an upper end of the outer wall 541A and the inner wall 541B communicates with a space between the outer wall 442A and the inner wall 442B of the fourth case portion 442.

[0128] An upper end of the outer wall 541A and an upper end of the inner wall 541B form an insertion opening 445D provided in the second connecting surface 445B of the auxiliary tape case 445. That is, the gear accommodating portion 452 includes the second connecting surface 445B and the insertion opening 445D.

[0129] 13, the auxiliary tape accommodating portion 451 includes a communication opening 442C. The communication opening 442C is defined by an upper end of the outer wall 442A of the fourth case portion 442 and an upper end of the inner wall 442B.

[0130] The communication opening 442C communicates between the gear accommodating section 452 and the auxiliary tape accommodating section 451. The print tape 11A inserted into the gear accommodating section 452 from the insertion opening 445D is inserted into the auxiliary tape accommodating section 451 from the communication opening 442C.

[0131] [3-2. Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (3a) By providing the insertion opening 445D in the second connecting surface 445B, the path of the printing tape 11A (the second guide surface 445A) is disposed inside the auxiliary tape cassette 440 when viewed from above and below, so that the auxiliary tape cassette 440 can be made smaller.

[0132] (3b) The gear accommodating portion 452 is arranged offset from the auxiliary tape accommodating portion 451 when viewed in the up-down direction. Alternatively, by providing the communication opening 442C in the auxiliary tape housing portion 451, the printing tape 11A can be guided to the second discharge opening 42C while straddling the gear housing portion 452.

[0133] (3c) The guide opening 445E allows the printing tape 11A to be placed in the guide portion 446 in the auxiliary tape case 445 while the printing tape 11A is being pulled out from the printing tape cassette 430.

[0134] [4. 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.

[0135] (4a) The printing device of the above embodiment is not limited to one that uses an ink ribbon for printing. The printing device may use a strip of thermal paper instead of the printing tape. In this case, for example, a laminate tape is used as the auxiliary tape.

[0136] (4b) In the auxiliary tape cassette of the above embodiment, the guide portion does not necessarily have to have an insertion opening. In other words, the guide portion may guide the print tape only on the outer surface of the auxiliary tape case.

[0137] (4c) The auxiliary tape cassette of the third embodiment may include a shaft portion and an auxiliary tape accommodating portion similar to those of the auxiliary tape cassette of the second embodiment. Also, the auxiliary tape cassette of the second embodiment does not have to include either the shaft portion or the auxiliary tape accommodating portion.

[0138] (4d) 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]

[0139] 10...printing cassette, 11...printing tape roll, 11A...printing tape, 12...first supply spool, 14...ink ribbon roll, 14A...ink ribbon, 15... second supply spool, 16... take-up spool, 20... drive transmission section, 21... output gear, 22...input gear, 23...idle gear, 30...printing tape cassette, 40: auxiliary tape cassette; 41: third case part; 42: fourth case part; 42B...head opening, 42C...second discharge port, 43...fifth case portion, 45...auxiliary tape case, 45A...second guide surface, 45C...arm portion, 45F: insertion port, 45G: insertion side, 46: guide portion, 51: auxiliary tape storage portion, 52 ... gear housing section, 53 ... printing tape housing section, 100 ... printing device main body, 102: print head, 103: platen roller, 104: platen gear.

Claims

1. An auxiliary tape used for printing the printing tape; A gear that transmits driving force from an external source; a case that accommodates at least a portion of the auxiliary tape and at least a portion of the gear; Equipped with The case is an outlet for discharging the printing tape to the outside; a guide portion that guides the printing tape supplied from the outside of the case toward the outlet; a first outer surface that intersects with a first direction parallel to a winding axis of the first roll formed of the auxiliary tape and is disposed offset from the first roll in the first direction; having the guide portion has an insertion opening through which the printing tape is inserted into the case, The insertion port is provided on the first outer surface. Auxiliary tape cassette.

2. An auxiliary tape used for printing the printing tape; A gear that transmits driving force from an external source; a case that accommodates at least a portion of the auxiliary tape and at least a portion of the gear; Equipped with The case is an outlet for discharging the printing tape to the outside; a guide portion that guides the printing tape supplied from the outside of the case toward the outlet; an auxiliary tape storage section that stores a first roll of the auxiliary tape; a printing tape storage section capable of storing a second roll of the printing tape; A gear housing portion that houses the gear; having the printing tape accommodating section, the gear accommodating section, and the auxiliary tape accommodating section are arranged in this order in a direction parallel to a winding axis of the first roll: the printing tape accommodating section, the gear accommodating section, and the auxiliary tape accommodating section. Auxiliary tape cassette.

3. An auxiliary tape cassette as described in Claim 2, wherein the guide portion has an insertion port through which the printing tape is inserted into the inside of the case.

4. The case is an auxiliary tape storage section that stores the first roll; A gear housing portion that houses the gear; having the gear accommodating portion is disposed so as to overlap at least a portion of the auxiliary tape accommodating portion in the first direction, and includes the first outer surface on which the insertion opening is provided, The auxiliary tape cassette according to claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary tape accommodating section has a communication port that communicates between the gear accommodating section and the auxiliary tape accommodating section.

5. The case is an auxiliary tape storage section that stores the first roll; A gear housing portion that houses the gear; having The auxiliary tape cassette according to claim 1 , wherein the gear accommodating portion is arranged to overlap at least a portion of the auxiliary tape accommodating portion in the first direction and is arranged offset from the insertion opening when viewed from the first direction.

6. The case is a second outer surface that sandwiches the first roll together with the first outer surface in the first direction; a guide opening provided in the second outer surface at a position facing the insertion opening; 6. The auxiliary tape cassette according to claim 1, 4 or 5, comprising:

7. the case has an exposure opening through which the printing tape is exposed, the exposure opening being located upstream of the discharge port in a discharge direction of the printing tape, 7. The auxiliary tape cassette according to claim 1, wherein the insertion opening is positioned offset from the exposure opening when viewed from the first direction.

8. the case has a side surface that intersects with a second direction perpendicular to a winding axis of the first roll and does not overlap with the first roll in a first direction parallel to the winding axis of the first roll, 4. The auxiliary tape cassette according to claim 3, wherein the insertion opening is provided on the side surface.

9. An auxiliary tape cassette as described in any one of claims 1, 4 to 7, wherein the case has a printing tape storage section capable of accommodating a second roll composed of the printing tape.

10. An auxiliary tape cassette as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the case has an axis portion capable of supporting a second roll composed of the printing tape.

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