printer

Abstract

To provide a printer which can inhibit an FPC (flexible print circuit) from being assembled in a bent state.SOLUTION: In a printer, a groove part 26 is formed recessed on an upper surface 220 of an upper cover 22. A switch part 96 is disposed at the inner side of the groove part 26. A bottom surface part 963 of the switch part 96 is fixed to a bottom part 261 of the groove part 26 through an FPC 97. A hole part 27 is provided at a right end part of the bottom part 261. The FPC 97 connected to the switch part 96 is inserted into the hole part 27 to be connected to a control unit. When a cross section including the groove part 26, the hole part 27, and the switch part 96 is viewed, a position of a taper part 271 of the hole part 27 is located at the outer side relative to the groove part 26.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer. [Background technology]

[0002] The printer in Patent Document 1 is constructed by assembling a housing and a chassis assembly. The housing is a generally rectangular parallelepiped with its longitudinal direction extending left to right. The housing includes a top cover, an under cover, and a cover member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-223923 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In some printers, a membrane switch is provided on the top cover. A membrane switch is a thin sheet-like switch made by printing circuits and contacts on a film and then pasting it on. A groove is formed in the top cover to accommodate the membrane switch. The groove is formed by recessing the outer surface of the top cover. A hole is provided in the groove that penetrates the top cover. The membrane switch is connected to an FPC (Flexible Print Circuits). The membrane switch is fixed to the bottom of the groove via the FPC. One end of the FPC is connected to the membrane switch and is inserted through the hole in the groove.

[0005] When the FPC is bent 180 degrees in the groove, the membrane switch may become fixed at the bottom of the groove. If the user operates the membrane switch while the FPC is bent, the operability of the membrane switch may decrease and the FPC may break.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a printer that can prevent an FPC from being assembled in a bent state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A printer according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a housing, a groove recessed into the outer surface of the housing, a switch unit disposed within the groove, an FPC having one end connected to the bottom surface of the switch unit and the other end connected to a control unit disposed within the housing, and a hole disposed at a predetermined end of the bottom of the groove for inserting the FPC into the housing, wherein the bottom surface of the switch unit is fixed to the bottom of the groove via the FPC, and when the housing is viewed in a cross section including the groove, the hole, and the switch unit, one end of the inner wall of the hole farthest from the center of the bottom is located outside the groove or at the same position as the inner wall of the groove that stands up from the predetermined end of the bottom.

[0008] According to this aspect, in the printer, the FPC passes through the hole and enters the inside of the housing. The hole is provided on the side of the specified end. Furthermore, in a cross section passing through the center of the bottom and the specified end, the inner wall of the hole is outside the groove or is in the same position as the inner wall of the groove. This prevents the printer from assembling the FPC in a state where it is bent 180 degrees in the groove.

[0009] In the printer of this aspect, when viewed in cross section, the one end of the inner wall of the hole may have a chamfered corner on the inside of the housing. In the printer, an FPC extends inside the housing and is connected to a control unit. The one end of the inner wall of the hole is likely to come into contact with the FPC when the FPC is assembled. Because the corner is chamfered, the printer can prevent breakage of the FPC.

[0010] In the printer of this aspect, when viewed in cross section, the one end of the inner wall of the hole may be inclined in a direction away from the center of the bottom from the outer end of the housing. In the printer, an FPC extends inside the housing and is connected to a control unit. Because the one end of the inner wall of the hole is inclined in a direction away from the center of the bottom from the outer end of the housing, the FPC is prevented from being bent during assembly. This allows the printer to prevent breakage of the FPC.

[0011] In the printer of this aspect, when viewed in cross section, the one end of the inner wall of the hole may be located such that the outer end of the housing is closer to the outside of the housing than the bottom. In this case, since the one end of the inner wall of the hole is located closer to the outside of the housing than the bottom of the groove, the FPC is more likely to come into contact with the one end of the inner wall of the hole than with the other end of the inner wall of the hole when assembled. This reduces bending of the FPC when assembled compared to when it comes into contact with the other end of the inner wall of the hole. This allows the printer to prevent breakage of the FPC.

[0012] In the printer of this aspect, the housing may include a guide portion on the inside that guides the FPC to the control unit. In the printer, the FPC extends inside the housing toward the control unit. The guide portion provided on the inside of the housing guides the FPC to the control unit. By guiding the FPC with the guide portion, deformation and bending of the FPC are suppressed. This allows the printer to prevent breakage of the FPC. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer 1. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the printer 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1, viewed from the direction of the arrow. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper cover 22 as viewed from the upper left. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper cover 22 as viewed from the lower right. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 6, as viewed from the direction of the arrow. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram illustrating the assembly of the switch portion 96 into the groove portion 26. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a switch portion 96 is assembled into a groove portion 26 in a manner different from the embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram illustrating assembly of a switch portion 96 into a groove portion 26 in a manner different from the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] <Printer 1 Overview> A printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the lower left, upper right, upper left, lower right, upper, and lower in Fig. 1 will be referred to as the front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower of the printer 1, respectively.

[0015] 1 can print an image on a medium D based on print data. The medium D is not limited to a specific medium, but may be, for example, a sheet or tape, and in this embodiment is heat-sensitive cut paper.

[0016] The printer 1 includes a case 2. The case 2 is rectangular and is longer left to right than it is front to back and up to down. A battery 10 (shown in FIG. 2) is attached to the lower rear of the case 2. The battery 10 supplies power to the printer 1.

[0017] 2, the case 2 includes a lower cover 21, an upper cover 22, and an opening / closing cover 23. The lower cover 21 is plate-shaped and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The lower cover 21 forms the lower part of the case 2.

[0018] The upper cover 22 opens downward and is attached to the upper side of the lower cover 21. A groove 26 is provided near the left end of the upper surface 220 of the upper cover 22. The groove 26 is formed by recessing the upper surface 220. A switch unit 96 is disposed inside the groove 26. The switch unit 96 will be described in detail later.

[0019] An opening 221 is formed in the upper cover 22. The opening 221 extends from the center in the up-down direction to the upper end on the front surface of the upper cover 22. The opening 221 extends from the front end to the center in the front-to-rear direction on the upper surface 220 of the upper cover 22. The opening 221 extends from near the left end to near the right end on the upper cover 22. Hereinafter, the end of the upper cover 22 that defines the rear end of the opening 221 will be referred to as the "opening end 223," and the end of the upper cover 22 that defines the lower end of the opening 221 will be referred to as the "opening end 224."

[0020] The opening / closing cover 23 is plate-shaped and includes a first portion 231 and a second portion 232. The first portion 231 extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The second portion 232 extends downward from the front end of the first portion 231 and also extends in the left-right direction. The opening / closing cover 23 fits into the opening 221. A rear end 233 of the first portion 231 is rotatably supported by the upper cover 22. Therefore, the opening / closing cover 23 can open and close the opening 221 by swinging around the rear end 233 of the first portion 231 as an axis.

[0021] The following description will be based on the state in which the opening / closing cover 23 closes the opening 221, as shown in Fig. 1. In this case, the rear end 233 of the first part 231 faces the opening edge 223 of the upper cover 22 in the front-to-rear direction with a gap therebetween. Furthermore, the lower end 234 of the second part 232 faces the opening edge 224 of the upper cover 22 in the up-down direction with a gap therebetween.

[0022] An insertion slot 24 is formed in the top surface of the case 2. The insertion slot 24 is an opening defined by an opening edge 223 of the upper cover 22 and a rear edge 233 of the opening / closing cover 23. The medium D is supplied into the case 2 through the insertion slot 24.

[0023] An outlet 25 is formed in the front surface of the case 2. The outlet 25 is an opening defined by an opening edge 224 of the upper cover 22 and a lower edge 234 of the opening / closing cover 23. After printing on the medium D inside the case 2, it is discharged from the case 2 through the outlet 25.

[0024] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the printer 1 is equipped with a head unit 4. The head unit 4 is housed in the case 2 and includes a support plate 5, a platen roller 6, a thermal head 7, and a heat sink 8. The support plate 5 includes a lower plate 51, a left plate 52, and a right plate 53. The lower plate 51 is rectangular in plan view and is longer in the left-right direction than in the front-to-back direction. The lower plate 51 is fixed to the upper surface of the lower cover 21. The left plate 52 extends upward from the left end of the lower plate 51 and also extends in the front-to-back direction. The right plate 53 extends upward from the right end of the lower plate 51 and also extends in the front-to-back direction. The left plate 52 and right plate 53 face each other in the left-to-right direction.

[0025] The platen roller 6 is located diagonally above the front inside the case 2 (see Figure 3) and extends in the left-right direction. The platen roller 6 has a cylindrical portion 61 and a shaft 62. The cylindrical portion 61 is an elastic body made of rubber or the like. The shaft 62 passes through the cylindrical portion 61 and is fixed to the cylindrical portion 61. A left end 621 of the shaft 62 is supported by the left plate 52. A right end 622 of the shaft 62 is supported by the right plate 53. The platen roller 6 can rotate around the shaft 62.

[0026] The platen roller 6 is connected to a motor 69 via a gear 691 and the like. The motor 69 is fixed to the rear lower part on the right surface of the left plate 52. The gear 691 is supported by the left plate 52 on the left side of the left plate 52. When the motor 69 is driven, it rotates the platen roller 6 via the gear 691.

[0027] A control unit 9 is provided below the head unit 4, to the right of the motor 69. The control unit 9 controls the printer 1. The control unit 9 is connected to a switch unit 96 (described later) via an FPC 97. The control unit 9 is electrically connected to the motor 69 and thermal head 7.

[0028] 3, the center of rotation C of the platen roller 6 passes through the center of the shaft 62 and extends in the left-right direction. The platen roller 6 transports the medium D in the transport direction by rotating around the center of rotation C. The transport direction is the direction in which the medium D is transported by the platen roller 6, and is perpendicular to the left-right direction.

[0029] The thermal head 7 is provided below the platen roller 6. When the medium D is transported in the transport direction by the rotation of the platen roller 6, the thermal head 7 moves relative to the medium D in the transport direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the thermal head 7 includes a plurality of heating elements 73. Each of the plurality of heating elements 73 generates heat when energized. The plurality of heating elements 73 come into contact with the medium D pressed by the platen roller 6 and generate heat to print on the medium D. The control unit 9 energizes the plurality of heating elements 73 based on print data, selectively causing them to generate heat.

[0030] The heat sink 8 is in contact with the thermal head 7 and supports the thermal head 7. The heat sink 8 is plate-shaped and dissipates heat generated by the heat generation of the multiple heating elements 73. The compression coil spring 41 is provided inside the case 2. The upper end of the compression coil spring 41 is in contact with the lower surface of the heat sink 8 and urges the heat sink 8 upward. The urging force of the compression coil spring 41 presses the platen roller 6 against the thermal head 7.

[0031] 2 and 3, the regulating member 3 is provided upstream of the thermal head 7 in the transport direction, and is located below the insertion opening 24 inside the case 2. The regulating member 3 is plate-shaped and extends in the left-right direction, and also extends diagonally downward and forward from the opening edge 223 of the upper cover 22. The regulating member 3 regulates the transport path R of the medium D.

[0032] <Switch section 96> The switch unit 96 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The switch unit 96 is operated by the user to input various instructions to the control unit 9. The switch unit 96 includes a plate portion 961 and three buttons 962. The plate portion 961 is plate-shaped extending in the front-rear and left-right directions, and is rectangular in plan view. The three buttons 962 are arranged in the front-rear direction on the plate portion 961. The three buttons 962 are deformable. When the user presses the three buttons 962 from above, they are recessed downward relative to a bottom surface portion 963 of the plate portion 961.

[0033] The switch unit 96 and the control unit 9 are connected to each other via an FPC 97. The FPC 97 includes a switch connection unit 971, a cable unit 972, and a control connection unit 973. The switch connection unit 971 has the same rectangular shape as the plate unit 961 in a plan view. The switch connection unit 971 is fixed to the bottom surface unit 963. In a plan view, contacts are provided on the switch connection unit 971 at positions corresponding to the three buttons 962. When any of the three buttons 962 is depressed by pressure from the user, the contact of the corresponding switch connection unit 971 is turned ON.

[0034] The cable portion 972 extends from the right end of the switch connection portion 971. The cable portion 972 is long and flexible. The control connection portion 973 is provided at the opposite end of the cable portion 972 from the switch connection portion 971. The control connection portion 973 connects to the control unit 9. An electric circuit is provided inside each of the switch connection portion 971, the cable portion 972, and the control connection portion 973. When the contact of the switch connection portion 971 is turned ON, a signal indicating that the contact has been turned ON is input to the control unit 9 via the electric circuits of the switch connection portion 971, the cable portion 972, and the control connection portion 973.

[0035] <Structure of upper cover 22> The structure of the upper cover 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. The switch unit 96 is fixed to the bottom 261 of the groove 26 via a switch connection portion 971 (see FIG. 7). In this embodiment, the switch unit 96 is fixed to the bottom 261 with double-sided tape (not shown). The switch unit 96 may be fixed to the bottom 261 not only by double-sided tape but also by, for example, an adhesive. As shown in FIG. 5, a hole 27 is provided at the right end of the bottom 261 of the groove 26. The hole 27 is an elongated hole that is long in the front-to-rear direction in a plan view. The hole 27 allows the cable portion 972 to pass through inside the case 2. The length of the hole 27 in the front-to-rear direction is greater than the length of the cable portion 972 in the short direction.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 6, when the upper cover 22 is viewed from below, a groove lower surface 226 is provided at the left end of the lower surface 225 of the upper cover 22. The groove lower surface 226 has a generally rectangular shape that is long in the front-to-rear direction when viewed from the bottom. The groove lower surface 226 is provided at a position corresponding to the groove portion 26, and bulges downward from the lower surface 225. A lower opening of the hole portion 27 (hereinafter referred to as a lower opening 273) is provided at the right end of the groove lower surface 226.

[0037] The control unit 9 is located diagonally below and to the right of the hole 27. The cable portion 972 that passes through the lower opening 273 extends rightward inside the case 2. Two guide portions 28 are provided at the right end of the lower opening 273. The two guide portions 28 are aligned in the front-rear direction and each protrude downward from the lower surface 225 of the upper cover 22. The distance between the two guide portions 28 in the front-rear direction is smaller than the width of the left end of the lower opening 273 in the front-rear direction. In other words, the two guide portions 28 make the width of the right end of the lower opening 273 narrower than the width of the left end of the lower opening 273 in the front-rear direction. The cable portion 972 passes between the two guide portions 28 and then passes through the lower opening 273. The two guide portions 28 restrict movement of the cable portion 972 in the front-rear direction and guide the FPC 97 to the control unit 9 located to the right of the hole 27. The cable portion 972 extends rightward on the right side of the guide portion 28 , and is then routed forward and connected to the control portion 9 .

[0038] <Structure of hole 27> The structure of the hole 27 will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 8. Note that hatching indicating a cross section has been omitted in Figures 8 to 10 to make it easier to see the FPC 97. The lower opening 273 extends from slightly to the left of the right end of the groove lower surface 226 to the right end. The right end of the lower opening 273 is defined by the lower surface 225 and the two guide portions 28. As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the upper opening of the hole 27 (hereinafter referred to as the upper opening 274) extends from slightly below the center in the up-down direction on the inner wall 262 at the right end of the groove 26 to the lower end. The upper opening 274 extends from slightly to the left of the right end in the left-right direction on the bottom 261 of the groove 26 to the right end.

[0039] In the cross section shown in FIG. 7 (hereinafter referred to as the cross section taken along line BB), a tapered portion 271 is provided at the right end of the inner wall of hole 27. Tapered portion 271 is an inclined surface that slopes gently downward to the right from the upper side of hole 27. A left end 272 of the inner wall of hole 27 extends in the vertical direction. Hole 27 expands in diameter in the horizontal direction from upper opening 274 toward lower opening 273.

[0040] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the tapered portion 271 is located outside (on the right side) of the groove portion 26. A starting point 276, which is the upper end of the tapered portion 271, connects to the inner wall 262. The position of the starting point 276 is higher than the vertical position of the bottom portion 261. An end point 275, which is the lower end of the tapered portion 271, connects to the lower surface 225. The end point 275 is chamfered. Note that the upper opening 274 of the left end portion 272 is located slightly to the left of the position of the right end of the plate portion 961.

[0041] <Assembly of switch part 96> 8, an example of a method for assembling the switch unit 96 will be described. A switch connection portion 971 of the FPC 97 is connected in advance to the bottom surface portion 963 of the switch unit 96. First, double-sided tape is attached to the switch connection portion 971. The cable portion 972 is inserted through the hole 27 from the outside to the inside of the upper cover 22.

[0042] With the cable portion 972 stretched toward the control unit 9 so as not to bend, the bottom surface 963 of the switch portion 96 is brought close to the bottom 261 of the groove 26. The switch connection portion 971 is affixed to the bottom 261 with double-sided tape, and the bottom surface 963 of the switch portion 96 is fixed to the bottom 261 of the groove 26. With the switch portion 96 assembled in the groove 26, the FPC 97 is routed and the control connection portion 973 is connected to the control unit 9. The control unit 9 is positioned diagonally below and to the right of the hole 27. When the control connection portion 973 is connected to the control unit 9, the cable portion 972 is stretched with the switch portion 96 fixed in the groove 26, and therefore a force is applied to the cable portion 972 diagonally downward and to the right.

[0043] <Actions and Effects of This Embodiment> In the printer 1, a groove 26 is recessed into the upper surface 220 of the upper cover 22. A switch unit 96 is disposed inside the groove 26. A bottom surface 963 of the switch unit 96 is fixed to a bottom 261 of the groove 26 via an FPC 97. A hole 27 is provided at the right end of the bottom 261. The FPC 97 connected to the switch unit 96 is inserted through the hole 27 and connected to the control unit 9 inside the case 2. The tapered portion 271 is positioned outside (on the right side) of the groove 26 in the left-right direction. The tapered portion 271 is the end of the inner wall of the hole 27 that is farther from the center P (see FIG. 7) of the bottom 261.

[0044] For comparison with the printer 1 of the present invention, the configuration of the hole 27a in a conventional printer will be described below with reference to Fig. 9. In the conventional printer, the same components as those in the printer 1 of the present invention will be denoted by the same reference numerals as in the above embodiment.

[0045] In conventional printers, the hole 27a through which the FPC 97 is inserted is provided at a position shifted to the left of the right end of the bottom 261. A right end 271a of the hole 27a in the cross section taken along line BB is located inside the groove 26 in the left-right direction (to the left of the inner wall 262). The right end 271a and a left end 272a of the hole 27a in the cross section taken along line BB each extend in the up-down direction. A lower opening 273 is formed in the groove lower surface 226. An upper opening 274 is formed in the bottom 261.

[0046] The cable portion 972 extending from the switch connection portion 971 may bend 180 degrees to the left from the switch connection portion 971, be folded between the bottom surface portion 963 of the switch portion 96 and the bottom portion 261 of the groove portion 26, bend downward at the position of the hole 27a, and be inserted downward through the hole 27a. Furthermore, in conventional printers, the position of the hole 27a is below the button 962 in the left-right direction. When the button 962 is pressed (clicked) by the user, it recesses downward, and a portion of it enters the hole 27a. In this case, the user may feel uncomfortable operating the button 962 because they do not feel the reaction force from the bottom portion 261 from a portion of the button 962 when it is clicked.

[0047] In the printer 1 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, the hole 27 is provided at the right end of the bottom 261, and the tapered portion 271, which is the right end of the hole 27 in the cross section along line BB, is positioned outside the groove 26 in the left-right direction. This prevents the switch unit 96 from being assembled into the groove 26 with the FPC 97 bent 180 degrees, as in the conventional printer shown in FIG. 9. Furthermore, in the printer 1 of the present invention, the hole 27 is located at the right end of the bottom 261, so it is unlikely that the hole 27 will be positioned below the button 962. Therefore, the printer 1 of the present invention reduces the possibility that the user will feel uncomfortable when clicking the button 962.

[0048] The tapered portion 271 has a lower end, an end point 275, which is connected to the lower surface 225 of the upper cover 22 and is chamfered. The end point 275 is likely to come into contact with the FPC 97 when the switch unit 96 is assembled. Because the end point 275 is chamfered, the printer 1 can prevent the surface of the FPC 97 from coming into contact with the end point 275 and becoming worn and breaking.

[0049] The tapered portion 271 of the hole 27 is inclined diagonally downward to the right from the upper side of the hole 27 toward the outside of the groove 26. That is, the tapered portion 271 is inclined in a direction away from the center P of the bottom 261. This prevents the switch unit 96 from being assembled with the FPC 97 bent. Therefore, the printer 1 can prevent the surface of the FPC 97 from wearing away and breaking.

[0050] The position of the starting point 276, which is the upper end of the tapered portion 271, is above the bottom portion 261. After the switch portion 96 is assembled into the groove portion 26, when the FPC 97 is routed toward the control portion 9, the cable portion 972 is stretched with the switch portion 96 fixed in the groove portion 26.

[0051] For comparison with the printer 1 of the present invention, a case where an FPC 97 is routed in a printer having a hole 27b will be described below with reference to Fig. 10. The same components of the hole 27b as those in the printer 1 of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the above embodiment.

[0052] As shown in Figure 10, the right end of hole 27b in the cross section taken along line BB is made up of upper portion 270b and tapered portion 271b. Upper portion 270b extends downward from upper opening 274. Tapered portion 271b is provided below upper portion 270b. Tapered portion 271b curves obliquely downward to the right from starting point 276b, which is the upper end, to ending point 275b, which is the lower end. That is, unlike hole 27, starting point 276b of hole 27b is located below bottom 261.

[0053] The bottom surface 963 of the switch unit 96 is fixed to the bottom 261 of the groove 26 via the switch connection portion 971. The cable unit 972 is routed toward the control unit 9. At this time, the cable unit 972 is likely to come into contact with the upper corner 277 of the left end 272. If the cable unit 972 is stretched toward the control unit 9 while contacting the corner 277a, a force is applied to the cable unit 972 diagonally downward to the right. Therefore, in conventional printers, when the switch unit 96 is assembled, the cable unit 972 is pressed against the corner 277, which may cause the surface to wear and break, potentially resulting in a break. Furthermore, when a downward force is applied to the cable unit 972, a force is applied to the switch unit 96 in a direction that causes the left end to lift up around the corner 277 as the rotation center Q'. Therefore, the switch unit 96 may be released from its fixed position in the groove 26 using the double-sided tape.

[0054] In the printer 1 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8 , the starting point 276 is located above the bottom 261. In this case, the cable portion 972 that is inserted through the hole 27 and stretched toward the control unit 9 is subjected to a force that is more inclined to the right than the cable portion 972 that is inserted through the hole 27b. This makes the cable portion 972 that is inserted through the hole 27 less likely to bend than when it is inserted through the hole 27b. Furthermore, because a force is applied that is inclined to the right, the right end of the switch portion 96 abuts against the inner wall 262. Because the starting point 276 is located above the bottom 261, a force is applied to the switch portion 96 in a direction that presses the left end of the switch portion 96 against the bottom 261, with the point where the switch portion 96 abuts against the inner wall 262 serving as the center of rotation Q. Therefore, in the printer 1, the possibility that the switch portion 96 will be released from its fixed position in the groove 26 using the double-sided tape is reduced.

[0055] Guide portions 28 are provided on the front and rear sides of the lower opening 273 of the hole portion 27. The guide portions 28 restrict movement of the cable portion 972 in the front-to-rear direction and guide the FPC 97 to the control unit 9. By guiding the FPC 97 to the control unit 9 with the guide portions 28, deformation and bending of the FPC 97 are suppressed. This allows the printer 1 to prevent the FPC 97 from bending and breaking.

[0056] <Modification> The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and may be modified in various ways. In the above embodiment, the left-right position of the tapered portion 271 in the cross section taken along line BB is located outside (to the right) of the groove portion 26. Alternatively, the left-right position of the tapered portion 271 may be the same as the left-right position of the inner wall 262. In this case, the inner wall 262 and the tapered portion 271 extend in the vertical direction and are continuous in the front-rear direction. As in the above modification, the tapered portion 271 does not have to be inclined in a direction away from the center P of the bottom portion 261, but may extend in the vertical direction or be inclined in a direction approaching the center P of the bottom portion 261 (to the left). In the above embodiment, the left end portion 272 extends in the vertical direction, but this is not a limitation, and the hole 27 does not have to increase in diameter from the upper opening 274 to the lower opening 273; for example, the hole 27 may be inclined in a direction away from or approaching the center P of the bottom portion 261.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the hole 27 is provided at the right end of the bottom 261. However, the hole 27 may be provided at an end different from the right end of the bottom 261. In this case, when viewed in a cross section including the groove 26, the hole 27, and the switch portion 96, the one end of the inner wall of the hole 27 farther from the center P of the bottom 261 is the end of the inner wall of the hole 27 farther from the center P of the bottom 261 (see FIG. 7 ).

[0058] In the above embodiment, the position of the starting point 276 does not have to be above the bottom portion 261. For example, the position of the starting point 276 may be the same as the position of the bottom portion 261 in the up-down direction.

[0059] The tapered portion 271 does not have to be gently inclined to the right as a whole, and for example, only the vicinity of the end point 275 may be gently inclined and chamfered.

[0060] The shape of the guide portion 28 is not limited to the above embodiment as long as it guides the FPC 97 toward the control unit 9. For example, an arch-shaped member may be provided on the inside of the upper cover 22, and the FPC 97 may be guided toward the control unit 9 by inserting it into the inside of the arch.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the entire switch portion 96 is disposed inside the groove portion 26, but it is sufficient that at least the bottom surface portion 963 is disposed inside the groove portion 26. For example, the switch portion 96 may be mushroom-shaped in cross section taken along line BB, with its upper end portion extending outward above the groove portion 26.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the switch unit 96 is a so-called membrane switch, and the contact of the switch connection unit 971 is turned ON when the button 962 is depressed. The switch unit 96 may be a switch other than a membrane switch, such as a limit switch, as long as it is connected to the FPC 97. The FPC 97 may transmit signals other than ON / OFF of the contact. The FPC 97 may transmit a signal from the control unit 9 to the switch unit 96 side. For example, when the battery 10 is not sufficiently charged, the control unit 9 may transmit a signal to the switch unit 96 side to light up an LED provided inside the button 962.

[0063] <Other> In the above embodiment, the case 2 is an example of the "housing" of the present invention. The right end of the bottom 261 is an example of the "predetermined end" of the present invention. The cross section taken along line BB is an example of the "cross section" of the present invention. The tapered portion 271 is an example of the "one end" of the present invention. The inner wall 262 is an example of the "groove inner wall" of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1. Printer 2. Case 22 Upper cover 26 Groove 27 Hole 28 Information Department 96 Switch section 97 FPC 220 Top 261 Bottom 262 Inner wall 271 Tapered section 963 Bottom part

Claims

1. The housing and a groove portion formed by recessing the outer surface of the housing; a switch portion disposed in the groove; an FPC having one end connected to a bottom surface of the switch unit and the other end connected to a control unit provided in the housing; a hole portion provided on a predetermined end side of the bottom of the groove portion, through which the FPC is inserted into the housing; Equipped with the bottom surface of the switch unit is fixed to the bottom of the groove unit via the FPC; When the housing is viewed in a cross section including the groove, the hole, and the switch, one end of the inner wall of the hole that is farther from the center of the bottom is located outside the groove or in the same position as the inner wall of the groove that stands up from the specified end of the bottom.

2. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein, when viewed in cross section, the one end of the inner wall of the hole has a chamfered corner on the inside of the housing.

3. 3. The printer according to claim 1, wherein, when viewed in cross section, the one end of the inner wall of the hole is inclined in a direction away from the center of the bottom from the outer end of the housing.

4. A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, when viewed in cross section, the one end of the inner wall of the hole is located at an outer end of the housing closer to the outside of the housing than the bottom.

5. 5. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a guide portion on the inside thereof for guiding the FPC to the control portion.

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