Printing cassette and printing device

Abstract

To provide a printing cassette capable of reducing transmission loss of driving force.SOLUTION: Provided is a printing cassette which can be attached to a printer body having a first engagement part and a second engagement part. The printing cassette comprises a driving transmission mechanism including an input rotating part and an output rotating part, and a guide case in which the driving transmission mechanism is housed. The guide case has a guide part that guides a printing tape, a first side surface and a second side surface that sandwich the driving transmission mechanism, a first engagement surface that engages with the first engagement part, and a second engagement surface that engages with the second engagement part. The first engagement surface intersects with the first side surface. The second engagement surface intersects with the second side surface. There exists a first virtual straight line that passes through the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface, and which is sandwiched by a rotation axis of the input rotating part and a rotation axis of the output rotating part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In a printing device that prints on a printing tape, a cassette that contains the printing tape is attached to and detached from the printing device main body to replace and supply the printing tape (see Patent Document 1). In such a cassette, a configuration is considered in which a drive transmission mechanism is provided that has an input section to which a driving force is input from the printing device main body and an output section to which the driving force is output to the printing device main body. [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 a cassette provided with the above-mentioned drive transmission mechanism, if the engagement between the input section and the output section and the printing device main body is incomplete, a transmission loss of drive force may occur in the drive transmission mechanism.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a printing cassette capable of reducing transmission loss of driving force. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a printing cassette that can be installed in a printing device body that includes a cassette storage section having a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. The printing cassette includes a drive transmission mechanism including an input rotation portion and an output rotation portion, and a guide case that houses at least a portion of the drive transmission mechanism.

[0007] The guide case has a guide portion that guides the printing tape, a first side and a second side arranged to sandwich at least a portion of the drive transmission mechanism, a first engagement surface that engages with the first engagement portion, and a second engagement surface that engages with the second engagement portion.

[0008] The first engagement surface extends from the first side surface and intersects with the first side surface. The second engagement surface extends from the second side surface and intersects with the second side surface. There is a first imaginary line that passes through the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface and is sandwiched between the rotation axis of the input rotating part and the rotation axis of the output rotating part.

[0009] With this configuration, the rotation axis of the input rotating part and the rotation axis of the output rotating part are arranged on either side of the first virtual line, so that the force that the guide case receives from the first engagement part and the second engagement part is less likely to be biased toward either the input rotating part or the output rotating part. This reduces problems with the engagement between the input rotating part and the printer body, and the engagement between the output rotating part and the printer body. As a result, it is possible to reduce the transmission loss of the driving force in the drive transmission mechanism.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a printing cassette that can be installed in a printing device body that includes a cassette storage section having a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. The printing cassette includes a drive transmission mechanism including an input rotation portion and an output rotation portion, and a guide case that houses at least a portion of the drive transmission mechanism.

[0011] The guide case has a guide portion that guides the printing tape, a first side and a second side arranged to sandwich at least a portion of the drive transmission mechanism, a first engagement surface that engages with the first engagement portion, and a second engagement surface that engages with the second engagement portion.

[0012] The first engagement surface extends from the first side surface and intersects with the first side surface. The second engagement surface extends from the second side surface and intersects with the second side surface. When viewed from a first direction parallel to the rotation axis of the input rotating part or a second direction parallel to the rotation axis of the output rotating part, there is a first imaginary straight line that passes through the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface and overlaps with the drive transmission mechanism.

[0013] With this configuration, the drive transmission mechanism is arranged to overlap with the first virtual line, so that the force that the guide case receives from the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion is less likely to be biased toward either the input rotation portion or the output rotation portion. This reduces problems with the engagement between the input rotation portion and the printer body, and between the output rotation portion and the printer body. As a result, it is possible to reduce the transmission loss of the drive force in the drive transmission mechanism.

[0014] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a printing device including a printing device body including a cassette storage section having a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion, and a printing cassette.

[0015] With this configuration, problems in the engagement between the input rotating part and the printer body and the engagement between the output rotating part and the printer body are suppressed, and as a result, transmission loss of the driving force in the drive transmission mechanism can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [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 and 2B are schematic perspective views of the printing cassette of FIG. 1A, and FIG. 2C is a schematic plan view of the printing cassette of FIG. 2A. [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. 2A 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 partial perspective view showing a state in which the first engagement portion is engaged with the first engagement surface. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a schematic bottom view of the printing cassette of FIG. 2A. [Figure 9] 9A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IXA-IXA in FIG. 2C, FIG. 9B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IXB-IXB in FIG. 2C, FIG. 9B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IXC-IXC in FIG. 2C, and FIG. 9D is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IXD-IXD in FIG. 2C. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an engagement state between the output gear and the platen gear in the printing device of FIG. 1A. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a printing cassette in an embodiment different from that in FIG. 2A. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the printing cassette of FIG. [Figure 13] 13A is a schematic plan view showing the printing cassette in FIG. 11 with a first frame portion removed, and FIG. 13B is a schematic bottom view of the printing cassette in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] [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.

[0018] 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 discharge outlet 33C 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.

[0019] <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.

[0020] (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.

[0021] The cassette storage unit 101 has a first engagement portion 101A, a second engagement portion 101B, and a third engagement portion 101C. The first engagement portion 101A, the second engagement portion 101B, and the third engagement portion 101C engage with the case 35 of the printing cassette 10 inserted into the cassette storage unit 101.

[0022] The first engagement portion 101A, the second engagement portion 101B, and the third engagement portion 101C are each a hook that extends in the vertical direction inside the cassette storage portion 101 and engages with the case 35 from above.

[0023] (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.

[0024] (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.

[0025] (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.

[0026] (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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] (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.

[0029] <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.).

[0030] 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 an auxiliary tape).

[0031] 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.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, the printing cassette 10 comprises a printing tape roll 11, a first supply spool 12, spacer films 13A, 13B, an auxiliary tape roll 14, a second supply spool 15, a take-up spool 16, a clutch spring holder 17, and a drive transmission mechanism 20.

[0033] (Printing tape roll) The printing tape roll 11 is formed by winding a strip-shaped 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 of the printing device main body 100.

[0034] 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 lid portion 31, and between the printing tape roll 11 and the first frame portion 32.

[0035] (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 printing tape roll 11.

[0036] (auxiliary tape roll) The auxiliary tape roll 14 is formed by winding a band-shaped ink ribbon 14A, which is used for printing on the printing tape 11A, around a second supply spool 15.

[0037] 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.

[0038] A rotational resistance is applied to the auxiliary tape roll 14 by a clutch spring 17A held by a clutch spring holder 17. At least a portion of the auxiliary tape roll 14 is disposed at a position overlapping with the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0039] (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 up-down direction. 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.

[0040] (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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] (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 transmitted from the drive shaft 105 to the platen roller 103. The drive transmission mechanism 20 has an output gear 21 (an example of an output rotating part), an input gear 22 (an example of an input rotating part), and an idle gear 23.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, the printing tape roll 11, the drive transmission mechanism 20, and the take-up spool 16 are arranged in the vertical direction in the order of the printing tape roll 11, the drive transmission mechanism 20, and the take-up spool 16.

[0044] (Output gear) 3 is an externally toothed gear for outputting the driving force used to feed the printing tape 11A to the outside. Specifically, the output gear 21 transmits the driving force to the platen gear 104 of the printing apparatus main body 100.

[0045] The rotation axis L7 of the output gear 21 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15 (i.e., parallel to the vertical direction). The entire output gear 21 overlaps with the partition wall 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] (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 .

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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 parallel to the vertical direction and 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] (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 .

[0052] 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 also arranged closer to the printing tape roll 11 (i.e., higher) in the up-down direction than the upstream gear 23A.

[0053] 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.

[0054] (case) The case 35 has a first lid portion 31, a first frame portion 32, a second frame portion 33, and a second lid portion 34.

[0055] The first lid portion 31 constitutes the upper end portion of the printing cassette 10. The first frame portion 32 is disposed below the first lid portion 31 and is connected to the first lid portion 31 in the vertical direction. The second frame portion 33 is disposed below the first frame portion 32 and is connected to the first frame portion 32 in the vertical direction. The second lid portion 34 constitutes the lower end portion of the printing cassette 10. The second lid portion 34 is connected to the second frame portion 33 in the vertical direction.

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

[0057] The first frame portion 32, the second frame portion 33, and the second cover portion 34 form a guide case 42 that houses part of the output gear 21, the input gear 22, the idle gear 23, the auxiliary tape roll 14, the second supply spool 15, and the take-up spool 16.

[0058] Specifically, a part of the output gear 21, the input gear 22, and the idle gear 23 are disposed in a space surrounded by the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33. The auxiliary tape roll 14, the second supply spool 15, and the take-up spool 16 are disposed in a space surrounded by the second lid portion 34 and the second frame portion 33.

[0059] The guide case 42 is disposed at a different position (specifically, below) from the printing tape roll 11 in the up-down direction.

[0060] The first frame 32 has a first side wall 32A, a partition wall 32B, and a first guide 32C. The first side wall 32A constitutes an outer surface parallel to the up-down direction of the case 35. The partition wall 32B has a surface perpendicular to the up-down direction and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The partition wall 32B overlaps with the printing tape roll 11 and the drive transmission mechanism 20 in the up-down direction.

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

[0062] The second frame portion 33 shown in Figure 3 has a second side wall 33A, a head opening 33B, an outlet 33C, a wall portion 33D, an arm portion 33E, an outlet portion 33F, a second guide 33G (an example of a guide portion), claw portions 33H, 33I, 33J (see Figures 2A and 2B), and contact portions 33K, 33L, 33M.

[0063] Of the second frame portion 33, at least the head opening 33B, the wall portion 33D, the arm portion 33E, the discharge portion 33F, the second guide 33G, the claw portions 33H, 33I, 33J, and the contact portions 33K, 33L, 33M are included in the guide case .

[0064] The second side wall 33A constitutes an outer surface of the case 35 that is parallel to the up-down direction. 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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 is overlapped with the ink ribbon 14A. After printing, the printing tape 11A is discharged to the outside of the printer 1 through the discharge opening 33C.

[0067] 3 has a surface perpendicular to the up-down direction and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The wall 33D has a first shaft 33O that rotatably supports the second supply spool 15 and a second shaft 33P that rotatably supports the take-up spool 16.

[0068] The arm portion 33E feeds the printing tape 11A in the left-right direction upstream of the head opening 33B and the discharge port 33C in the discharge direction of the printing tape 11A. The arm portion 33E forms a tunnel portion that surrounds the printing tape 11A in the width direction and thickness direction.

[0069] The discharge section 33F discharges the printing tape 11A that has passed through the arm section 33E to the outside (specifically, to a space communicating with the head opening 33B). The discharge section 33F constitutes the exit of the arm section 33E. The printing tape 11A discharged from the discharge section 33F is transported to the discharge outlet 33C via the head opening 33B.

[0070] Similar to the first guide 32C, the second guide 33G is a portion around which the printing tape 11A unwound from the printing tape roll 11 is wound. The second guide 33G has multiple plate-shaped ribs spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the auxiliary tape roll 14. The multiple ribs protrude in the radial direction of the auxiliary tape roll 14, and the amount of protrusion (i.e., plate width) decreases the further downward.

[0071] A first claw portion 33H, a second claw portion 33I, and a third claw portion 33J shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C protrude outward from the second side wall 33A of the second frame portion 33, respectively.

[0072] The first claw portion 33H is provided on a first side surface 42A of the guide case 42 that overlaps with the second guide 33G in a direction (specifically, the left-right direction) perpendicular to the central axis of the printing tape roll 11. The first side surface 42A is perpendicular to the left-right direction and constitutes the right side surface of the guide case 42.

[0073] The first claw portion 33H has a first engagement surface 331 that engages with the first engagement portion 101A of the printing device main body 100. The first engagement surface 331 is configured as a region of the first claw portion 33H with which the first engagement portion 101A comes into contact to restrict the upward movement of the guide case 42 (i.e., removal from the cassette storage portion 101).

[0074] The first engagement surface 331 extends so as to protrude from the first side surface 42A toward the outside (i.e., to the right) of the guide case 42. The first engagement surface 331 is a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction and intersects with the first side surface 42A.

[0075] The second claw portion 33I and the third claw portion 33J are provided on the second side surface 42B of the guide case 42 that overlaps with the second guide 33G in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the printing tape roll 11 (specifically, the left-right direction).

[0076] The second side surface 42B is perpendicular to the left-right direction and constitutes the left side surface of the guide case 42. At least a portion of the second side surface 42B (in this embodiment, the entirety) is at the same position as the first side surface 42A in the up-down direction.

[0077] The first side surface 42A faces the second side surface 42B in the discharge direction of the print tape 11A in the discharge section 33F. The first side surface 42A and the second side surface 42B are disposed so as to sandwich at least a portion of the drive transmission mechanism 20 therebetween in the left-right direction.

[0078] The second claw portion 33I has a second engagement surface 332 that engages with the second engagement portion 101B of the printing device body 100. The third claw portion 33J has a third engagement surface 333 that engages with the third engagement portion 101C of the printing device body 100. The second engagement surface 332 and the third engagement surface 333 are respectively formed by areas of the second claw portion 33I or the third claw portion 33J that come into contact with the second engagement portion 101B or the third engagement portion 101C to restrict the upward movement of the guide case 42.

[0079] The second engagement surface 332 and the third engagement surface 333 extend so as to protrude from the second side surface 42B toward the outside (i.e., to the left) of the guide case 42. The second engagement surface 332 and the third engagement surface 333 are planes perpendicular to the up-down direction and intersect with the second side surface 42B.

[0080] The first engagement surface 331, the second engagement surface 332, and the third engagement surface 333 face in the opposite direction (ie, upward) to the moving direction (ie, downward) when the guide case 42 is inserted into the cassette storage portion 101.

[0081] 7, the first engagement surface 331 is configured so that the claws of the first engagement portion 101A overlap from above. Similarly, the second engagement surface 332 and the third engagement surface 333 are configured so that the second engagement portion 101B or the third engagement portion 101C overlaps from above. The first engagement surface 331, the second engagement surface 332, and the third engagement surface 333 are perpendicular to the direction of movement of the guide case 42 when it is inserted.

[0082] The first engagement portion 101A, the second engagement portion 101B, and the third engagement portion 101C are each movable in the left-right direction. When the case 35 is inserted into the cassette storage portion 101, each engagement portion is engaged with each engagement surface to enter a locked state. The locked state is released by moving each engagement portion in a direction away from the case 35.

[0083] 4, at least a portion of the first engagement surface 331 (the entire first engagement surface 331 in this embodiment) is at the same position as the second engagement surface 332 in the up-down direction. Also, at least a portion of the second engagement surface 332 (the entire second engagement surface 332 in this embodiment) is at the same position as the third engagement surface 333.

[0084] The printing tape roll 11, the output gear 21, the first engagement surface 331 and the auxiliary tape roll 14 are arranged in the following order in the vertical direction: printing tape roll 11, output gear 21, first engagement surface 331 and auxiliary tape roll 14.

[0085] In other words, the first engagement surface 331, the second engagement surface 332, and the third engagement surface 333 are positioned relative to the output gear 21 at positions shifted in the same direction along the rotation axis L7 of the output gear 21 (specifically, below the output gear 21).

[0086] In addition, the printing tape roll 11 is disposed on the opposite side of the first engagement surface 331, the second engagement surface 332, and the third engagement surface 333 in the vertical direction, with the output gear 21 in between. The auxiliary tape roll 14 is disposed on the opposite side of the printing tape roll 11 and the output gear 21 in the vertical direction, with the first engagement surface 331, the second engagement surface 332, and the third engagement surface 333 in between.

[0087] Furthermore, at least a part of the first engagement surface 331, at least a part of the second engagement surface 332, and at least a part of the third engagement surface 333 are located at the same position as the wall portion 33D in the up-down direction. In other words, the first engagement surface 331, the second engagement surface 332, and the third engagement surface 333 overlap with the wall portion 33D in the left-right direction.

[0088] 8, in the printing cassette 10, there is a first imaginary straight line S1 that passes through the first engagement surface 331 and the second engagement surface 332 and is sandwiched between the rotation axis L8 of the input gear 22 and the rotation axis L7 of the output gear 21. In addition, the first imaginary straight line S1 overlaps with the drive transmission mechanism 20 (specifically, the input gear 22 and the idle gear 23) when viewed from the top-bottom direction.

[0089] Furthermore, in the printing cassette 10, there exists a second imaginary straight line S2 that passes through the geometric center of gravity G1 of the first engagement surface 331 and the geometric center of gravity G2 of the second engagement surface 332 and overlaps with the drive transmission mechanism 20 when viewed from the top and bottom.

[0090] When the guide case 42 is inserted into the cassette storage unit 101, the first contact portion 33K, the second contact portion 33L, and the third contact portion 33M come into contact with the printing apparatus main body 100 in the up-down direction.

[0091] The first contact portion 33K, the second contact portion 33L, and the third contact portion 33M each come into contact with a corresponding portion of the printing apparatus main body 100 from above, thereby positioning the case 35 in the cassette storage portion 101 in the up-down direction.

[0092] The first contact portion 33K, the second contact portion 33L, and the third contact portion 33M are disposed apart from one another. Also, when viewed from the top-bottom direction, the direction in which the first contact portion 33K and the second contact portion 33L are separated from each other is different from the direction in which the second contact portion 33L and the third contact portion 33M are separated from each other.

[0093] That is, the first contact portion 33K, the second contact portion 33L, and the third contact portion 33M are not aligned in a straight line when viewed from the top-bottom direction. In other words, there is no imaginary straight line that simultaneously passes through the first contact portion 33K, the second contact portion 33L, and the third contact portion 33M.

[0094] The first contact portion 33K is disposed at a position overlapping with the head opening 33B in the up-down direction. Specifically, the first contact portion 33K is disposed above the head opening 33B. The first contact portion 33K is exposed through the head opening 33B toward the bottom of the printing cassette 10. The first contact portion 33K comes into contact with the print head 102 inserted into the head opening 33B.

[0095] The second contact portion 33L is disposed at a corner of the second frame portion 33 when viewed from the up-down direction. Specifically, the second contact portion 33L is configured with the bottom surface of a bottomed cylinder disposed at the left front corner of the second frame portion 33 with its central axis parallel to the up-down direction.

[0096] The second contact portion 33L is a bottom surface of a recess formed by recessing a part of the second frame portion 33 upward. A part (e.g., a pin) extending in the vertical direction inside the cassette storage portion 101 is inserted into the cylinder constituting the second contact portion 33L.

[0097] When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the bottom surface of the recess constituting the second contact portion 33L extends in a direction perpendicular to the top-bottom direction. Specifically, the extension direction of the bottom surface of the recess intersects with both the discharge direction of the print tape 11A at the discharge port 33C (i.e., the left-right direction) and the front-rear direction. More specifically, the bottom surface of the recess extends toward the rotation axis L8 of the input gear 22, and the extension direction of the bottom surface of the recess is perpendicular to the circumferential direction of a circle centered on the rotation axis L8 of the input gear 22.

[0098] The inner peripheral surface of the cylinder constituting the second contact portion 33L (i.e., the inner side surface of the recess) allows movement of the pin inserted into the cylinder in directions intersecting both the left-right and front-rear directions, while restricting rocking about the rotation axis L8 of the input gear 22. In other words, the inner side surface of the recess restricts rotation of the case 35 around the rotation axis L3 of the drive shaft 105.

[0099] The third contact portion 33M is disposed contiguous with an outer surface (specifically, a part of the rear surface of the case 35) parallel to the up-down direction of the second frame portion 33. The third contact portion 33M is configured by a recess provided on the rear surface of the case 35.

[0100] The third contact portion 33M is disposed at a position (i.e., above) different from the bottom surface of the case 35 in the vertical direction. The third contact portion 33M comes into contact with an upper end of a portion (e.g., a rib) extending in the vertical direction inside the cassette storage portion 101.

[0101] In the printing cassette 10, when viewed from the top-bottom direction, there is an imaginary triangle T whose three vertices are included in the first contact portion 33K, the second contact portion 33L, and the third contact portion 33M, respectively, and which overlaps with any first imaginary straight line S1. Furthermore, when viewed from the top-bottom direction, the center of gravity G3 of the imaginary triangle T overlaps with any first imaginary straight line S1.

[0102] As shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D, the first guide 32C and the second guide 33G form a passage for feeding the printing tape 11A constituting the printing tape roll 11 from the roll case 41 to the guide case .

[0103] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 9A, the printing tape 11A unwound from the printing tape roll 11 is transported downward and rearward within the roll case 41 while contacting the first guide 32C from the radially outer side of the printing tape roll 11 in a spiral manner. The printing tape 11A is further transported downward and leftward within the guide case 42, as shown in Fig. 9B.

[0104] The printing tape 11A that has reached the guide case 42 is transported downward and forward while contacting the second guide 33G from the radially outer side, as shown in Fig. 9C. 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. 9D.

[0105] <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.

[0106] 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.

[0107] 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 10 where the platen gear 104 is engaged with the output gear 21.

[0108] 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 .

[0109] 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.

[0110] 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.

[0111] [1-2. Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) Since the rotational axis L8 of the input gear 22 and the rotational axis L7 of the output gear 21 are positioned on either side of the first virtual straight line S1, the force that the guide case 42 receives from the first engagement portion 101A and the second engagement portion 101B is less likely to be biased toward one side of the input gear 22 or the output gear 21.

[0112] This suppresses problems in the engagement between the input gear 22 and the printing device main body 100, and between the output gear 21 and the printing device main body 100. As a result, the transmission loss of the driving force in the drive transmission mechanism 20 can be reduced.

[0113] (1b) By arranging the drive transmission mechanism 20 so as to overlap the first virtual straight line S1, the force that the guide case 42 receives from the first engagement portion 101A and the second engagement portion 101B is less likely to be biased toward one of the input gear 22 and the output gear 21.

[0114] (1c) When viewed from the top and bottom, the existence of a second virtual straight line S2 that passes through the geometric center of gravity G1 of the first engagement surface 331 and the geometric center of gravity G2 of the second engagement surface 332 and overlaps with the drive transmission mechanism 20 promotes the effect of reducing the transmission loss of the driving force in the drive transmission mechanism 20.

[0115] (1d) Since the first engagement surface 331 and the second engagement surface 332 are both disposed below the output gear 21, the inclination of the rotation axis L7 of the output gear 21 can be suppressed. (1e) By arranging the printing tape roll 11 on the opposite side of the output gear 21 from the first engagement surface 331 and the second engagement surface 332 in the vertical direction, a decrease in the design freedom of the size of the case 35 is suppressed. As a result, an increase in the size of the printing cassette 10 can be suppressed.

[0116] (1f) By positioning the auxiliary tape roll 14 on the opposite side of the printing tape roll 11 and the output gear 21 in the vertical direction, across the first engagement surface 331 and the second engagement surface 332, the positioning accuracy of the printing tape roll 11 and the auxiliary tape roll 14 can be improved.

[0117] (1g) The first side 42A on which the first engagement surface 331 is provided faces the second side 42B on which the second engagement surface 332 is provided in the discharge direction of the printing tape 11A in the discharge section 33F, thereby improving the positional accuracy of the printing cassette 10.

[0118] (1h) At least a portion of the first engagement surface 331 is at the same position as the second engagement surface 332 in the up-down direction, so that tilting of the printing cassette 10 can be suppressed. (1i) By providing the third engagement surface 333 on the second side surface 42B, the positioning accuracy of the printing cassette 10 can be improved.

[0119] (1j) Since the first engagement surface 331 and the second engagement surface 332 protrude from the first side surface 42A or the second side surface 42B, respectively, toward the outside of the guide case 42, the configuration of the first engagement portion 101A and the second engagement portion 101B can be simplified.

[0120] (1k) Since the first engagement surface 331 and the second engagement surface 332 each face upward, the engagement structure between the guide case 42 and the first engagement portion 101A and the second engagement portion 101B can be simplified.

[0121] (1l) Since the first engagement surface 331 and the second engagement surface 332 are each flat surfaces perpendicular to the up-down direction, the engagement structure between the guide case 42 and the first engagement portion 101A and the second engagement portion 101B can be simplified.

[0122] (1m) At least a part of the first engagement surface 331 and at least a part of the second engagement surface 332 are respectively at the same position as the wall portion 33D in the up-down direction, so that tilt of the central axes of the auxiliary tape roll 14 and the take-up spool 16 can be suppressed.

[0123] [2. Second embodiment] [2-2. Configuration] A printing cassette 10A shown in FIG. 11 is mounted in the printing apparatus main body 100 of FIG. 1 in place of the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment.

[0124] The printing cassette 10A does not include the printing tape roll 11 and roll case 41 of the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment. The printing cassette 10A is attached to the cassette storage section 101 in a state where it is connected vertically to the printing tape cassette 10B.

[0125] The printing tape cassette 10B is a cassette that supplies the printing tape 11A to the printing cassette 10A. The printing tape cassette 10B includes a printing tape roll 11 and a roll case 35B that houses the printing tape roll 11. The printing tape 11A supplied from the printing tape cassette 10B is guided into a guide case 42 of the printing cassette 10A, and is transported within the guide case 42 toward the head opening 33B.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 12, the printing cassette 10A includes an auxiliary tape roll 14, a second supply spool 15, a take-up spool 16, a clutch spring holder 17, a drive transmission mechanism 20, a first frame portion 32, a second frame portion 33, and a second lid portion .

[0127] These parts are equivalent to those of the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment. That is, the guide case 42 of this embodiment is composed of a first frame portion 32, a second frame portion 33, and a second lid portion 34, similar to the first embodiment.

[0128] 13A, the second frame portion 33 has a first claw portion 33H and a second claw portion 33I similar to those in the first embodiment. The first claw portion 33H extends from the first side surface 42A and has a first engagement surface 331 that engages with the first engagement portion 101A. The second claw portion 33I extends from the second side surface 42B and has a second engagement surface 332 that engages with the second engagement portion 101B. The first side surface 42A and the second side surface 42B are disposed to sandwich the drive transmission mechanism 20 in the left-right direction.

[0129] In the printing cassette 10A, when viewed from the top and bottom, there is a first imaginary straight line S1 that passes through the first engagement surface 331 and the second engagement surface 332 and is sandwiched between the rotation axis L8 of the input gear 22 and the rotation axis L7 of the output gear 21. In addition, when viewed from the top and bottom, the first imaginary straight line S1 overlaps with the drive transmission mechanism 20 (specifically, the input gear 22 and the idle gear 23).

[0130] As shown in FIG. 13B, the second frame portion 33 has a first contact portion 33K, a second contact portion 33L, and a third contact portion 33M similar to those in the first embodiment.

[0131] When viewed from the top and bottom, the printing cassette 10 has three vertices that are included in the first contact portion 33K, the second contact portion 33L, and the third contact portion 33M, respectively, and there is an imaginary triangle T that overlaps with an arbitrary first imaginary straight line S1.

[0132] [2-2. Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (2a) By selecting the printing cassette 10A equipped with the auxiliary tape roll 14 and the printing tape cassette 10B equipped with the printing tape roll 11, the auxiliary tape (i.e., ink ribbon) and the printing tape can be combined as desired.

[0133] 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.

[0134] (3a) 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.

[0135] The printing device may use a stencil tape as the printing tape, in which holes for printing patterns are punched by a thermal head. When the stencil tape is used as the printing tape, a slip sheet tape that protects the stencil tape is used as the auxiliary tape instead of the ink ribbon.

[0136] (3b) The printing cassette of the first embodiment does not necessarily have to include a roll case. In other words, the printing tape roll does not necessarily have to be housed in a case.

[0137] (3c) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, the guide case does not necessarily have to have the second and third engagement surfaces. Also, the guide case may have four or more engagement surfaces.

[0138] (3d) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, the drive transmission mechanism may be disposed above the printing tape roll or below the first and second engagement surfaces. Also, the input and output rotating parts may be configured with rotating bodies other than gears (for example, rollers or belts).

[0139] (3e) 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]

[0140] 1...printing device, 10, 10A...printing cassette, 11...printing tape roll, 11A...printing tape, 14...auxiliary tape roll, 14A...ink ribbon, 16...take-up spool, 20...drive transmission mechanism, 21...output gear, 22...input gear, 33...Second frame part, 33B...Head opening, 33C...Ejection port, 33D...Wall part, 33F: discharge portion; 33G: second guide; 33H: first claw portion; 33I: second claw portion; 33J...Third claw part, 33K...First contact part, 33L...Second contact part, 33M...Third contact part, 35...case, 41...roll case, 42...guide case, 42A...first side surface, 42B... second side surface, 100... printer body, 101... cassette storage section, 101A...first engagement part, 101B...second engagement part, 101C...third engagement part, 331...first engagement surface, 332...second engagement surface, 333...third engagement surface.

Claims

1. A printing cassette that can be attached to a printing device body and includes a cassette storage section having a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion, a drive transmission mechanism including an input rotating part and an output rotating part; a guide case that accommodates at least a part of the drive transmission mechanism; Equipped with The guide case is A guide portion for guiding the printing tape; a first side surface and a second side surface arranged to sandwich at least a portion of the drive transmission mechanism; a first engagement surface that engages with the first engagement portion; a second engagement surface that engages with the second engagement portion; having the first engagement surface extends from and intersects the first side; the second engagement surface extends from and intersects the second side; a first imaginary straight line exists which passes through the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface and is sandwiched between a rotation axis of the input rotating part and a rotation axis of the output rotating part;

2. A printing cassette that can be attached to a printing device body and includes a cassette storage section having a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion, a drive transmission mechanism including an input rotating part and an output rotating part; a guide case that accommodates at least a part of the drive transmission mechanism; Equipped with The guide case is A guide portion for guiding the printing tape; a first side surface and a second side surface arranged to sandwich at least a portion of the drive transmission mechanism; a first engagement surface that engages with the first engagement portion; a second engagement surface that engages with the second engagement portion; having the first engagement surface extends from and intersects the first side; the second engagement surface extends from and intersects the second side; A printing cassette, wherein when viewed from a first direction parallel to the rotational axis of the input rotating part or a second direction parallel to the rotational axis of the output rotating part, there is a first virtual straight line that passes through the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface and overlaps with the drive transmission mechanism.

3. A printing cassette as described in claim 2, wherein when viewed from the first direction or the second direction, there exists a second virtual straight line that passes through the geometric center of gravity of the first engagement surface and the geometric center of gravity of the second engagement surface and overlaps with the drive transmission mechanism.

4. 4. The printing cassette according to claim 1, wherein the input rotating portion and the output rotating portion are each a gear.

5. A printing cassette as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface are positioned at positions offset in the same direction relative to the output rotating portion along the rotation axis of the output rotating portion.

6. Further provided is a printing tape roll made of the printing tape, The printing cassette according to claim 5 , wherein the printing tape roll is positioned on the opposite side of the output rotating part from the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface in a second direction parallel to the rotation axis of the output rotating part.

7. Further, an auxiliary tape roll is provided which is made of an auxiliary tape used for printing on the printing tape, The printing cassette according to claim 6 , wherein the auxiliary tape roll is disposed on the opposite side to the output rotating portion with respect to the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface in between in the second direction.

8. the guide case further has a discharge portion for discharging the printing tape to the outside, 8. The printing cassette according to claim 1, wherein the first side surface faces the second side surface in a discharge direction of the printing tape in the discharge portion.

9. A printing cassette as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least a portion of the first engagement surface is at the same position as the second engagement surface in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the input rotating part or a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the output rotating part.

10. the cassette storage portion further includes a third engagement portion, The guide case further includes a third engagement surface that engages with the third engagement portion, 10. A printing cassette according to claim 1, wherein the third engagement surface extends from and intersects the second side surface.

11. the first engagement surface protrudes from the first side surface toward an outside of the guide case, The printing cassette according to claim 1 , wherein the second engagement surface protrudes from the second side surface toward an outside of the guide case.

12. The printing cassette according to claim 1 , wherein the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface face in a direction opposite to a direction of movement of the guide case when the guide case is inserted into the cassette storage portion.

13. 13. A printing cassette according to claim 12, wherein the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface are planes perpendicular to the direction of travel.

14. an auxiliary tape roll made of an auxiliary tape used for printing the printing tape; a spool around which the auxiliary tape roll is wound; Further equipped with the auxiliary tape roll and the spool are housed in the guide case, The guide case has a wall portion that rotatably supports the spool, A printing cassette as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein at least a portion of the first engagement surface and at least a portion of the second engagement surface are at the same position as the wall portion in a direction parallel to the central axis of the auxiliary tape roll.

15. a printing device body including a cassette storage unit having a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion; A printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 14; A printing device comprising:

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