Printing cassette

Abstract

To provide a printing cassette capable of inputting driving force from a drive shaft, while suppressing enlargement in size.SOLUTION: The present disclosure is a printing cassette which can be attached to and removed from a printer body including an axially rotating drive shaft. The printing cassette includes: a first roll to which a first tape is wound about a winding axis parallel to a first direction; and an input gear which is disposed at a position different from that of the first roll in the first direction, and engages with another gear, in order to transmit driving force of the drive shaft to the other gear. The first roll has a cylindrical shape of which an inner peripheral surface defines a hollow part. In the printing cassette in a state of being mounted to a printer body, the drive shaft is inserted to the hollow part of the first roll, and the input gear engages with the drive shaft.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In a device that prints on tape, a cassette that stores the tape is attached to and detached from the main body, whereby the tape is replaced and supplied (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-56263 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the cassette described above, for example, a gear for transmitting the driving force for feeding the tape may be required inside the cassette, and the driving force can be transmitted to this gear from a drive shaft provided in the main body of the printing device.

[0005] The drive shaft is inserted into the cassette and engages with a gear inside the cassette, so the cassette requires a space for the drive shaft to be inserted, which increases the size of the cassette in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the drive shaft (i.e., the insertion direction).

[0006] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a printing cassette that can input a driving force from a drive shaft while suppressing an increase in size. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a printing cassette detachably attached to a printing device body having an axially rotating drive shaft. The printing cassette includes a first roll having a first tape wound around a winding central axis parallel to a first direction, and an input gear that is positioned at a different position from the first roll in the first direction and engages with another gear to transmit the driving force of the drive shaft to the other gear.

[0008] The first roll is cylindrical with a hollow portion defined by its inner circumferential surface. When the printing cassette is attached to the printing device body, a drive shaft is inserted into the hollow portion of the first roll, and an input gear engages with the drive shaft.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a printing cassette including a first roll having a first tape wound around a winding central axis parallel to a first direction, and an input gear disposed at a position different from the first roll in the first direction, engaging with another gear and transmitting a driving force input from outside to the other gear. The first roll is cylindrical with a hollow portion defined by an inner circumferential surface. The rotation axis of the input gear overlaps with the hollow portion of the first roll in the first direction.

[0010] With these configurations, the drive shaft penetrates the first roll and engages with the input gear, so the first roll and the input gear can be arranged overlapping in the axial direction of the first roll (i.e., the axial direction of the drive shaft).This makes it possible to input driving force to the input gear while preventing the printing cassette from becoming larger in size in the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the drive shaft. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1A, 1B, and 1C are schematic perspective views showing a state in which a printing cassette is removed from a printing apparatus main body in a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 2A, 2B, and 2C are schematic perspective views of a printing cassette in the printing apparatus of FIG. 1A. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the printing cassette of FIG. 2A. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic bottom view of the printing cassette of FIG. 2A. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] 6A is a schematic perspective view of a first frame portion of the printing cassette of FIG. 2A, and FIG. 6B is a schematic perspective view of a second frame portion of the printing cassette of FIG. 2A. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing the printing cassette of FIG. 2C with the first case part removed. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the paths of the printing tape and ink ribbon in 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. 9C 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 plan view of the printer body of the printer of FIG. 1A. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an engagement state between the output gear and the platen gear in the printing device of FIG. 1A. [Figure 12] 12A and 12B are schematic perspective views showing a printing apparatus in an embodiment different from that shown in FIG. 1A, with a printing cassette removed from the printing apparatus main body. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a printing cassette in the printing apparatus of FIG. 12A. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of the printer body of the printer of FIG. 12A. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an engagement state between the output gear and the platen gear in the printing device of FIG. 12A. [Figure 16]16A and 16B are schematic diagrams each showing the positional relationship between the drive shaft and the engagement portion of a printing device in an embodiment different from that shown in FIG. 1A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] [1. First embodiment] [1-1.Configuration] 1A, 1B, and 1C includes a printing cassette 10 and a printing device main body 100. The printing device 1 is a device that prints on a tape-like printing medium.

[0013] In this embodiment, the axial direction of the output gear 18 of the printing cassette 10 and the axial direction of the platen gear 104 of the printing device main body 100 are defined as the up-down direction, the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction in which the output gear 18 and the input spool 16 are aligned (i.e., the direction in which the platen gear 104 and the drive shaft 105 are aligned) is defined as the front-to-back direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the front-to-back direction is defined as the left-to-right direction.

[0014] <Printing device body> The printing apparatus main body 100 includes a cassette insertion section 101 , a print head 102 , a platen roller 103 , a platen gear 104 , a drive shaft 105 , and a housing 110 .

[0015] (Cassette insertion section) The cassette insertion portion 101 is a recess into which the printing cassette 10 is inserted. The section 101 has a function of positioning the printing cassette 10. The cassette insertion section 101 is provided in the housing 110.

[0016] (print head) The print head 102 is disposed inside the cassette insertion section 101. The print head 102 has a plurality of heat generating elements whose heat generation is individually controlled.

[0017] (Platen roller) The rotation axis L1 of the platen roller 103 is parallel to the vertical direction. The platen roller 103 is disposed inside the cassette insertion section 101, near the print head 102. The platen roller 103 can swing toward or away from the print head 102.

[0018] (Platen gear) The platen gear 104 is connected to the platen roller 103. In this embodiment, the rotation axis L2 of the platen gear 104 is arranged on the same line as the rotation axis L1 of the platen roller 103. The platen gear 104 is capable of swinging together with the platen roller 103.

[0019] (drive shaft) The drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input spool 16. The drive shaft 105 rotates the input spool 16.

[0020] The drive shaft 105 is disposed inside the cassette insertion portion 101. The rotation axis L3 of the drive shaft 105 is parallel to the vertical direction. The drive shaft 105 is rotated about the rotation axis L3 by a drive source (e.g., a motor) not shown.

[0021] <Printing cassette> The printing cassette 10 stores printing media. The printing cassette 10 is detachable from the printing device main body 100. By replacing the printing cassette 10, printing media can be replenished and the type of printing media (e.g., color, material, etc.) can be changed.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, the printing cassette 10 includes a case 35 that stores a printing tape 11A (an example of the second tape), an ink ribbon 14A (an example of the first tape), and the like.

[0023] 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 has a first case portion 31, a first frame portion 32, a second frame portion 33, and a second case portion 34.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the printing cassette 10 comprises a printing tape roll 11 (an example of a second roll), a first supply spool 12, spacer films 13A, 13B, an ink ribbon roll 14, a second supply spool 15, an input spool 16, spool side spline teeth 16B, a clutch spring holder 17, an output gear 18, an input gear 19, and an idle gear 20.

[0025] (Printing tape roll) The printing tape roll 11 is formed by winding a printing tape 11A, on which printing is to be performed, around a first supply spool 12.

[0026] The printing tape roll 11 is wound around a central axis parallel to the vertical direction. The printing tape 11A is wound around the printing tape 11A, and the inner peripheral surface of the wound printing tape 11A defines a hollow portion of the printing tape 11A.

[0027] The printing tape roll 11 has a first supply spool 12 provided in a hollow portion defined by the printing tape 11A. Printing is performed on the surface of the printing tape 11A by the print head 102 and ink ribbon 14A of the printing device main body 100.

[0028] Two spacer films 13A and 13B are arranged on the outer side of the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction, sandwiching the printing tape roll 11. The spacer films 13A and 13B are arranged between the printing tape roll 11 and the first case portion 31, and between the printing tape roll 11 and the first frame portion 32.

[0029] (1st supply spool) The first supply spool 12 is rotatable around a rotation axis L4. The first supply spool 12 rotates in accordance with the transport of the printing tape 11A by the platen roller 103 of the printing apparatus main body 100, thereby supplying the printing tape 11A to the print head 102.

[0030] (ink ribbon roll) The ink ribbon roll 14 is formed by winding an ink ribbon 14A used for printing on the printing tape 11A around a second supply spool 15 with a winding central axis parallel to the up-down direction as the center.

[0031] The ink ribbon 14A is superimposed on the printing tape 11A at the head opening 33B and is used for printing by the print head 102. After being used for printing, the ink ribbon 14A is taken up onto the input spool 16.

[0032] A rotational resistance is applied to the ink ribbon roll 14 by a clutch spring held by a clutch spring holder 17. At least a portion of the ink ribbon roll 14 is disposed in a position overlapping with the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0033] (Second supply spool) Second supply spool 15 is rotatable about a rotation axis L5. Rotation axis L5 of second supply spool 15 is parallel to rotation axis L4 of first supply spool 12, that is, parallel to the up-down direction.

[0034] The second supply spool 15 rotates as the input spool 16 takes up the ink ribbon 14A, thereby supplying the ink ribbon 14A to the print head 102.

[0035] (input spool) The input spool 16 is rotatable about a rotation axis L6, which is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15.

[0036] The input spool 16 is cylindrical with a hollow portion defined by an inner peripheral surface 16A. The input spool 16 is a take-up spool that takes up the ink ribbon 14A. In other words, the input spool 16 forms a take-up roll 14B (an example of a first roll) by taking up the ink ribbon 14A supplied from the ink ribbon roll 14. The input spool 16 is rotated by the drive shaft 105 via spool-side spline teeth 16B.

[0037] The winding roll 14B is formed by winding the ink ribbon 14A around an input spool 16 with a winding central axis parallel to the vertical direction as the center. The winding roll 14B has a hollow portion formed by an inner peripheral surface. is a cylindrical shape in which

[0038] (Spool side spline teeth) The spool side spline teeth 16B are provided on the inner peripheral surface 16A of the input spool 16. The spool side spline teeth 16B transmit the driving force of the drive shaft 105 of the printing apparatus main body 100 to the input spool 16.

[0039] The spool-side spline teeth 16B protrude from the inner peripheral surface 16A of the input spool 16 toward the hollow portion of the input spool 16. When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing apparatus main body 100, the drive shaft 105 is inserted into the hollow portion of the input spool 16 (i.e., the take-up roll 14B), and the spool-side spline teeth 16B engage with the drive shaft 105. As a result, driving force is input from the drive shaft 105 to the spool-side spline teeth 16B.

[0040] (output gear) The output gear 18 is a single gear that outputs the driving force for feeding the printing tape 11A to the outside.

[0041] Specifically, the output gear 18 outputs driving force to the platen gear 104 of the printing apparatus main body 100. The rotation axis L7 of the output gear 18 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 of the second supply spool 15. The output gear 18 overlaps with the cover portion 32B in the vertical direction.

[0042] A portion of the output gear 18 is exposed in the head opening 33 B. When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing apparatus main body 100, the output gear 18 engages with the platen gear 104 in the head opening 33 B.

[0043] The second supply spool 15, the output gear 18, and the printing tape roll 11 are arranged in the vertical direction in the following order: second supply spool 15, output gear 18, and printing tape roll 11. In other words, the output gear 18 is located between the second supply spool 15 and the printing tape roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0044] (input gear) The input gear 19 is indirectly engaged with the output gear 18 via an idle gear 20 and transmits the driving force of the drive shaft 105 to the output gear 18 .

[0045] The input gear 19 has a gear body 19A, a wall portion 19B, and gear-side spline teeth 19C (an example of a second engagement portion). The gear body 19A is a single gear that engages with an idle gear 20.

[0046] The wall portion 19B is a cylindrical spool that extends downward from a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the gear body 19A and has a hollow portion defined by its inner circumferential surface. The wall portion 19B is located radially inward of the pitch circle of the input gear 19.

[0047] The gear-side spline teeth 19C are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the wall portion 19B. In other words, the gear-side spline teeth 19C are arranged radially inward of the pitch circle of the input gear 19. The gear-side spline teeth 19C protrude toward the rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19.

[0048] The gear-side spline teeth 19C engage with the drive shaft 105 when the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing apparatus main body 100. This allows a driving force to be input to the gear-side spline teeth 19C from the drive shaft 105. The driving force input to the gear-side spline teeth 19C This causes the gear body 19A to rotate integrally with the wall portion 19B.

[0049] The rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19 (i.e., the rotation axis of the gear body 19A and the rotation axis of the wall portion 19B) overlaps with the hollow portion of the input spool 16 (i.e., the take-up roll 14B) in the vertical direction. The input gear 19 is disposed so that the rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19 is on the same line as the rotation axis L6 of the input spool 16. The gear body 19A of the input gear 19 is disposed at a different position in the vertical direction from the input spool 16 and the take-up roll 14B.

[0050] Specifically, the input spool 16, a portion of the input gear 19 (i.e., the gear body 19A), and the printing tape roll 11 are arranged in the vertical direction in the order of a portion of the input spool 16 (i.e., the gear body 19A), the input gear 19, and the printing tape roll 11.

[0051] 4, in a projection view of the input spool 16 and the input gear 19 onto an imaginary plane perpendicular to the vertical direction (i.e., when the printing cassette 10 is viewed from below), the diameter of the inscribed circle C1 of the spool-side spline teeth 16B is larger than the diameter of the inscribed circle C2 of the gear-side spline teeth 19C. Furthermore, at least a portion of the gear-side spline teeth 19C overlaps with the hollow portion of the input spool 16 in the vertical direction.

[0052] 5, the wall portion 19B is inserted into the hollow portion of the input spool 16 (i.e., the take-up roll 14B). Specifically, the lower end portion of the wall portion 19B is inserted into the input spool 16 to a position in the radial direction of the input spool 16 where it does not overlap with the spool-side spline teeth 16B.

[0053] The rotation axis L8 of the input gear 19 overlaps with the hollow portion of the input spool 16 in the vertical direction, so that the drive shaft 105 is inserted through the input spool 16 (that is, the winding roll 14B) and the input gear 19 at the same time.

[0054] As a result, when the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing apparatus main body 100, the spool-side spline teeth 16B and the input gear 19 (i.e., the gear-side spline teeth 19C) engage with the drive shaft 105 at different positions in the vertical direction. As a result, although the input gear 19 is not directly connected to the input spool 16, it is rotated by the same drive source (i.e., the drive shaft 105) as the input spool 16.

[0055] (Idol Gear) The idle gear 20 engages with the input gear 19 and the output gear 18. The idle gear 20 transmits the driving force input to the input gear 19 to the output gear 18. A rotation axis L9 of the idle gear 20 is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0056] The idle gear 20 is a stepped gear in which a large gear 20A engaged with the input gear 19 and a small gear 20B engaged with the output gear 18 are arranged side by side on the same axis. The small gear 20B has a smaller diameter than the large gear 20A.

[0057] Furthermore, the small gear 20B is disposed in a position closer to (i.e., above) the printing tape roll 11 than the large gear 20A in the vertical direction. The idle gear 20 constitutes a speed reduction mechanism that reduces the rotational speed of the driving force input to the input gear 19.

[0058] (case) 3, the first case portion 31 constitutes the upper end portion of the printing cassette 10. The first frame portion 32 is disposed below the first case portion 31 and is spaced apart from the first case portion 31 in the up-down direction. The second frame 33 is disposed below the first frame 32 and is connected to the first frame 32 in the vertical direction. The second case 34 constitutes the lower end of the printing cassette 10. The second case 34 is connected to the second frame 33 in the vertical direction.

[0059] The first case portion 31 and the first frame portion 32 house the printing tape roll 11. In other words, the printing tape roll 11 is disposed in a space surrounded by the first case portion 31 and the first frame portion 32.

[0060] The second case portion 34 and the second frame portion 33 house the ink ribbon roll 14, the second supply spool 15, and the input spool 16. In other words, the ink ribbon roll 14, the second supply spool 15, and the input spool 16 are arranged in a space surrounded by the second case portion 34 and the second frame portion 33.

[0061] A part of the output gear 18 , the input gear 19 , and the idle gear 20 are arranged in a space surrounded by the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33 .

[0062] As shown in FIG. 6A, the first frame portion 32 has a first side wall 32A, a cover portion 32B, a first guide 32C, and a second separating wall 32G. The first side wall 32A constitutes a side surface of the printing cassette 10 that is parallel to the up-down direction.

[0063] The cover portion 32B is a portion having a surface perpendicular to the up-down direction. The cover portion 32B is disposed at a position overlapping with the output gear 18 in the up-down direction. In this embodiment, the cover portion 32B is disposed at the right front corner of the first frame portion 32.

[0064] The second separating wall 32G is disposed on the opposite side of the input gear 19 from the input spool 16 in the up-down direction (i.e., above the input gear 19). The second separating wall 32G separates the input gear 19 and the printing tape roll 11 in the up-down direction.

[0065] The second separating wall 32G has a first gear shaft 32D, a second gear shaft 32E, a third gear shaft 32F, a gear opposing surface 32H, and a support surface 32J (see FIG. 5).

[0066] The first gear shaft 32D is inserted through the output gear 18 and rotatably supports the output gear 18. The second gear shaft 32E is inserted through the input gear 19 and rotatably supports the input gear 19. The third gear shaft 32F is inserted through the idle gear 20 and rotatably supports the idle gear 20.

[0067] The gear opposing surface 32H is a surface perpendicular to the up-down direction and disposed above the output gear 18, the input gear 19, and the idle gear 20. The first gear shaft 32D, the second gear shaft 32E, and the third gear shaft 32F each protrude downward from the gear opposing surface 32H.

[0068] The support surface 32J is disposed on the opposite side to the gear-opposing surface 32H in the vertical direction, and supports the printing tape roll 11 from the input gear 19 side (that is, from below).

[0069] 7, the first guide 32C is a portion around which the printing tape 11A pulled out from the printing tape roll 11 is wound. The first guide 32C has a plurality of plate-shaped ribs arranged at intervals 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 the further downward they go.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6B, the second frame portion 33 includes a second side wall 33A and a head opening 33B. The container has an outlet 33C, a second guide 33D, a first partition wall 33E, and a hole 33F. The second side wall 33A constitutes a side surface of the printing cassette 10 that is parallel to the up-down direction.

[0071] 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 into which the print head 102 is placed by inserting the print head 102 from below when the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing device main body 100. The head opening 33B opens below the printing cassette 10.

[0072] The second guide 33D is a section around which the printing tape 11A that has passed through the first guide 32C is wound. Similar to the first guide 32C, the second guide 33D has a plurality of plate-like ribs that are spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the ink ribbon roll 14. The plurality of ribs protrude in the radial direction of the ink ribbon roll 14, and the amount of protrusion (i.e., plate width) decreases as they extend downward.

[0073] The first separating wall 33E separates the gear body 19A of the input gear 19 from the input spool 16 in the up-down direction, and supports the input gear 19 from the input spool 16 side (i.e., from below). The first separating wall 33E is located between the gear body 19A of the input gear 19 and the input spool 16 (i.e., the take-up roll 14B) in the up-down direction, and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0074] The hole 33F is provided in the first partition wall 33E and penetrates the first partition wall 33E in the up-down direction. The hole 33F is provided at a position overlapping with the gear body 19A of the input gear 19 and the second gear shaft 32E in the up-down direction.

[0075] 5, the wall portion 19B of the input gear 19 passes through the hole 33F and is inserted into the hollow portion of the input spool 16 (i.e., the take-up roll 14B). In addition, the gear body 19A of the input gear 19 is disposed between the first partition wall 33E and the gear-facing surface 32H of the second partition wall 32G.

[0076] The tip (i.e., the lower end) of the second gear shaft 32E is disposed at a position closer to the gear opposing surface 32H than the end (i.e., the lower end) 19D of the wall 19B that is farthest from the gear opposing surface 32H in the up-down direction. In other words, the tip of the second gear shaft 32E is located above the wall 19B, and the second gear shaft 32E does not penetrate the wall 19B.

[0077] The second gear shaft 32E has a recess 32I at its tip that is recessed toward the gear-opposing surface 32H. When the printing cassette 10 is installed in the printing apparatus main body 100, an end 105A of the drive shaft 105 is inserted into the recess 32I.

[0078] The diameter of the second gear shaft 32E is smaller than the inner diameter of the wall 19B (i.e., the diameter of the hollow portion). The diameter of the end 105A of the drive shaft 105 is smaller than the diameter of the other portions of the drive shaft 105.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 5, case 35 has a first surface 35A that defines the upper outer periphery of case 35, and a second surface 35B that defines the lower outer periphery of case 35 at a position separated from first surface 35A in the vertical direction.

[0080] The first surface 35A and the second surface 35B intersect with the vertical direction, and the input spool 16 and the input gear 19 are disposed between the first surface 35A and the second surface 35B in the vertical direction.

[0081] In the vertical direction, a first distance D1 between the first surface 35A end (i.e., the upper end) of the input gear 19 and the first surface 35A is greater than a second distance D2 between the second surface 35B end (i.e., the lower end) of the input gear 19 and the second surface 35B. Furthermore, in the vertical direction, the first distance D1 is greater than a third distance D3 between the second surface 35B end (i.e., the lower end) of the ink ribbon 14A (i.e., the take-up roll 14B) wound around the input spool 16 and the second surface 35B.

[0082] <Tape transport> As shown in Fig. 8, the printing tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A are stretched across the head opening 33B in the left-right direction. After printing, the printing tape 11A is discharged to the outside of the printing device 1 through the discharge opening 33C. A portion of the output gear 18 is located inside the head opening 33B. In addition, the cover part 32B is exposed inside the head opening 33B.

[0083] As shown in Figures 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D, the first guide 32C and the second guide 33D form a path for feeding the printing tape 11A that constitutes the printing tape roll 11 from the first frame portion 32 to the second frame portion 33.

[0084] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 9A, the printing tape 11A pulled out from the printing tape roll 11 is transported downward and rearward within the first frame 32 while contacting the first guide 32C from the radially outer side of the printing tape roll 11 in a spiral manner. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 9B, the printing tape 11A is transported downward and leftward while vertically straddling the connecting portion between the first frame 32 and the second frame 33.

[0085] The printing tape 11A that has reached the second frame portion 33 is transported downward and forward while contacting the second guide 33D 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 from the discharge opening 33C, as shown in Fig. 9D.

[0086] <Tape transport and printing by the printer body> The print head 102 prints on the print tape 11A held by the print cassette 10. When the printing cassette 10 is attached to the printing apparatus main body 100, the print head 102 is disposed in the head opening 33B at a position overlapping the printing tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A in the front-rear direction.

[0087] The printing tape 11A transported to the head opening 33B by the platen roller 103 is pressed against the print head 102, whose heating elements have generated heat, via the ink ribbon 14A. 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.

[0088] The platen roller 103 transports the printing tape 11A from inside the printing cassette 10 to the outside. The platen roller 103 comes into contact with the printing tape 11A at the head opening 33B, and presses the printing tape 11A against the print head .

[0089] The platen gear 104 is connected to the platen roller 103 and engages with the output gear 18. The platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104 are swingable between a position shown in FIG. 10 where they are separated from the printing cassette 10 and a position shown in FIG. 11 where the platen gear 104 is engaged with the output gear 18.

[0090] The drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input spool 16 and the input gear 19, and rotates the input spool 16 and the input gear 19 by engaging with the spool-side spline teeth 16B and the gear-side spline teeth 19C.

[0091] 11, with the printing cassette 10 attached to the printing apparatus main body 100, the drive shaft 105 engages with the input gear 19 and the platen gear 104 engages with the output gear 18. Specifically, the drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input spool 16 and input gear 19 of the printing cassette 10. Thereafter, the platen roller 103 and platen gear 104 are swung toward the head opening 33B of the printing cassette 10.

[0092] With the printing cassette 10 attached, the input gear 19 is rotated by the drive shaft 105, which rotates the output gear 18, which rotates the platen gear 104, which rotates the platen roller 103.

[0093] [1-2.Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) Because the drive shaft 105 penetrates the take-up roll 14B and engages with the input gear 19, the take-up roll 14B and the input gear 19 can be arranged overlapping each other in a direction parallel to the winding central axis of the take-up roll 14B (i.e., the axial direction of the drive shaft 105). Therefore, a driving force can be input to the input gear 19 while suppressing an increase in the size of the printing cassette 10 in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the drive shaft 105.

[0094] (1b) The driving force can be transmitted from one drive shaft 105 to the input spool 16 and the input gear 19 by the spool-side spline teeth 16B provided on the input spool 16.

[0095] (1c) By using the gear-side spline teeth 19C as the engagement portion that transmits the driving force from the drive shaft 105 to the input gear 19, the input spool 16 and the input gear 19 can be arranged to overlap in the radial direction of the drive shaft 105. As a result, the arrangement space for the drive system can be reduced.

[0096] (1d) The first separating wall 33E can appropriately maintain the vertical positional relationship between the input gear 19 and the input spool 16. As a result, the efficiency of transmitting the driving force to the spool-side spline teeth 16B and the gear-side spline teeth 19C can be improved.

[0097] (1e) The second separating wall 32G allows the input gear 19 and the printing tape roll 11 to be arranged so as to overlap each other in the vertical direction while suppressing interference between the input gear 19 and the printing tape roll 11.

[0098] [2. Second Embodiment] [2-1.Configuration] The printing apparatus 1A shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B includes a printing cassette 10A and a printing apparatus main body 100A.

[0099] <Printing cassette> The printing cassette 10A is the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment, to which a laminated tape roll 21 (an example of a first roll) shown in Figure 13, a take-up spool 22, a take-up gear 23, and a pinch roller 24 have been added, and the input spool 16, first case portion 31, first frame portion 32, second frame portion 33, and second case portion 34 of the first embodiment have been replaced with a third supply spool 25, first case portion 36, first frame portion 37, second frame portion 38, and second case portion 39.

[0100] The third supply spool 25 has the same structure as the input spool 16 except that it does not have spool-side spline teeth 16B. It is the same as the spool 16. The first case portion 36, the first frame portion 37, the second frame portion 38, and the second case portion 39 are formed by extending the first case portion 31, the first frame portion 32, the second frame portion 33, and the second case portion 34 in the left-right direction, respectively. The rest of the configuration of the printing cassette 10A is the same as that of the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment, except for the points described below, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0101] The bonding tape roll 21 is formed by winding a bonding tape (an example of a first tape) around a third supply spool 25 with a winding central axis parallel to the up-down direction as its center. The bonding tape has an adhesive surface that is bonded to the printing tape 11A that has been printed on by the print head 102. The bonding tape roll 21 is cylindrical, with a hollow portion defined by the inner circumferential surface of the bonding tape. The bonding tape roll 21 has the third supply spool 25 provided in the hollow portion defined by the bonding tape.

[0102] The take-up spool 22 is rotatable around a rotation axis L10. The rotation axis L10 of the take-up spool 22 is parallel to the rotation axis L5 (i.e., the vertical direction) of the second supply spool 15. The take-up spool 22 takes up the ink ribbon 14A that is unwound from the third supply spool 25 by the rotation of the take-up gear 23.

[0103] The winding gear 23 is connected to the winding spool 22 and is engaged with the idle gear 20. The winding gear 23 is rotated by the driving force input to the input gear 19, thereby rotating the winding spool 22. In other words, the idle gear 20 transmits the driving force input to the input gear 19 to the winding gear 23.

[0104] The pinch roller 24 presses the laminated tape against the printing tape 11A after printing, together with the pressure roller 106. The pinch roller 24 is disposed downstream of the head opening 33B in the feeding direction of the printing tape 11A.

[0105] <Printing device body> The printing device main body 100A is the printing device main body 100 of the first embodiment with the addition of a pressure roller 106 shown in Fig. 14. The other configuration of the printing device main body 100A is the same as that of the printing device main body 100 of the first embodiment except for the points described below, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0106] The pressure roller 106 is configured to be able to swing together with the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104. In other words, the pressure roller 106 is able to swing between a position separated from the printing cassette 10A shown in Fig. 14 and a position where it presses the printing tape 11A and the third tape together with the pinch roller 24 shown in Fig. 15.

[0107] In this embodiment, when the printing cassette 10A is attached to the printing device main body 100A, the drive shaft 105 is inserted into the hollow portion of the third supply spool 25 (i.e., the bonding tape roll 21), and the input gear 19 engages with the drive shaft 105.

[0108] [2-2. Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (2a) While retaining the same advantages as in the first embodiment, the printed content of the printing tape 11A can be protected by the laminating tape.

[0109] 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 on various forms.

[0110] (3a) In the printing device of the above embodiment, the engaging portion of the input gear may be something other than spline teeth (for example, teeth of the main gear). Also, the engaging portion of the input gear may be positioned so as not to overlap with the hollow portion of the input spool (i.e., the take-up roll) or the third supply spool (i.e., the laminated tape roll) in the vertical direction.

[0111] Furthermore, the wall is not limited to a cylindrical shape. For example, the wall may be formed of a plurality of plate members spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the input gear. Also, the input gear does not necessarily have to have a wall, and may be a single gear that directly engages with the drive shaft.

[0112] 16A, for example, a single gear having a through hole at the center through which a drive shaft 221 is inserted may be used as the input gear 201. First teeth 222 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 221 engage with spline teeth provided on the inner peripheral surface of the input spool 211. Second teeth 223 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 221 engage with spline teeth provided on the inner peripheral surface that defines the through hole of the input gear 201.

[0113] 16B, for example, a single gear that directly engages with second teeth 223 of drive shaft 221 may be used as input gear 201A. In FIG. 16B, drive shaft 221 is not inserted through input gear 201A.

[0114] (3b) In the printing device of the above embodiment, the first roll (i.e., take-up roll or laminated tape roll) through which the drive shaft is inserted does not necessarily have to be a rotatable spool on which the first tape (i.e., ink ribbon or laminated tape) is wound. For example, the first roll may be a roll in which the first tape is wound around a non-rotating member fixed to the case. Furthermore, the first roll does not necessarily have to be a roll wound around another member.

[0115] (3c) The printing device of the above embodiment is not limited to one that uses an ink ribbon for printing. The printing device may use a strip of thermal paper instead of the printing tape in the first embodiment, and may use a laminating tape (i.e., a protective tape) instead of the ink ribbon.

[0116] The printing device may also use stencil tape as the printing tape, in which holes for the printing pattern are punched by the thermal head, and may use a strip of interleaf paper to protect and support the stencil tape instead of the laminating tape. In this case, the printing tape may be superimposed on the interleaf paper at a position closer to the print head than the interleaf paper (i.e., as an upper layer) in the head opening, or the printing tape may be superimposed on the interleaf paper at a position farther from the print head than the interleaf paper (i.e., as a lower layer).

[0117] (3d) In the printing cassette of the second embodiment, the positions of the take-up spool and the third supply spool may be interchanged. That is, the drive shaft may be inserted into the take-up spool, and the third supply spool may be rotated by the take-up gear.

[0118] (3e) The printing cassette of the above embodiment may have two or more idle gears. The idle gear does not necessarily have to be a stepped gear, but may be a single gear. The printing cassette does not necessarily have to have an idle gear, and the output gear may directly engage with the input gear.

[0119] (3f) The function of one component in the above embodiment may be distributed among multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiment may be omitted. Also, at least one of the configurations of the above embodiment may be omitted. Any aspect included in the technical idea specified by the wording of the claims is an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 1, 1A...printing device, 10, 10A...printing cassette, 11...printing tape roll, 11A...printing tape, 12...first supply spool, 14...ink ribbon roll, 14A... ink ribbon, 14B... take-up roll, 15... second supply spool, 16...input spool, 16B...spool side spline teeth, 18...output gear, 19...input gear, 19A...gear body, 19B...wall portion, 19C...gear side spline teeth, 20... idle gear, 21... laminated tape roll, 22... take-up spool, 23...winding gear, 32...first frame portion, 32E...second gear shaft, 32G...second isolation wall, 32J...support surface, 33...second frame part, 33E...first isolation wall, 33F...hole, 35...case, 100, 100A...printing device main body, 101...cassette insertion part, 102...print head, 103...platen roller, 105...drive shaft.

Claims

1. A printing tape; a first roll on which a first tape is wound about a winding axis along a first direction; An input gear and Equipped with the first tape is an ink ribbon, the first roll is cylindrical and has a hollow portion defined by an inner circumferential surface; The input gear is a gear body that engages with another gear and is disposed at a position different from the first roll in the first direction; an insertion portion inserted into the hollow portion of the first roll; A printing cassette having:

2. the insertion portion is disposed radially inward of a pitch circle of the input gear, The printing cassette according to claim 1 , wherein the rotation axis of the input gear overlaps with the hollow portion of the first roll in the first direction.

3. 2. The printing cassette according to claim 1, wherein the insertion portion is positioned radially inward of the pitch circle of the input gear, extends in the first direction, and has a wall portion that is inserted into the hollow portion of the first roll.

4. a first partition wall located between a portion of the input gear and the first roll in the first direction and extending in a direction intersecting the first direction; a hole penetrating the first partition wall in the first direction; Furthermore, The printing cassette according to claim 1 , wherein the insertion portion is inserted into the hollow portion of the first roll through the hole.

5. Further comprising a rotatable spool; the first roll is configured by winding the first tape around the spool, 5. The printing cassette according to claim 1, wherein the spool is cylindrical and has a hollow portion defined by an inner peripheral surface.

6. 6. The printing cassette according to claim 5, wherein the spool has spool-side spline teeth provided on the inner peripheral surface.

7. Further comprising a supply spool on which the first tape is wound, 7. The printing cassette according to claim 5, wherein the spool is a take-up spool that takes up the ink ribbon.

8. a second roll of a second tape; a second isolation wall that isolates the input gear and the second roll in the first direction; Furthermore, The second partition wall is a gear shaft inserted into the input gear; a support surface that supports the second roll from the input gear side; 8. The printing cassette according to claim 1, further comprising:

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