Printing cassette

Abstract

To provide a printer capable of restricting unexpected rotation of a platen roller.SOLUTION: A printer comprises: a print head; a platen roller facing the print head; a driving source; a drive shaft which is connected to and driven by the driving source, and capable of rotating about a rotation axis; a platen gear connected to and driven by the platen roller; and a cassette attachment part in which the print head and the drive shaft are arranged. In the cassette attachment part, a printing cassette including a tape to be printed, an input part, and an output part connected to and driven by the input part, can be attached in an axial direction of the rotation axis of the drive shaft. In a state that the printing cassette is attached to the cassette attachment part, the drive shaft is engaged with the input part, and the platen gear is engaged with the output part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In a printing device that performs printing on a printing tape, the printing tape stored in a cassette is detached from and attached to the printing device, thereby replacing and supplying the printing tape (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above printing device, the printing tape in the cassette is conveyed out of the cassette by a platen roller. The platen roller is rotationally driven by a drive source such as a motor.

[0005] [[ID=3⑧]] However, if the platen roller rotates when the cassette is not attached to the printing device, unexpected problems may occur. For example, if the platen roller rotates during the attachment of the cassette, there is a risk of jamming of the printing tape.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a printing device and a printing cassette that can suppress unexpected rotation of the platen roller.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a printing apparatus comprising a print head, a platen roller facing the print head, a drive source, a drive shaft driven and connected to the drive source and rotatable around a rotation axis, a platen gear driven and connected to the platen roller, and a cassette mounting section on which the print head and the drive shaft are arranged.

[0008] The cassette mounting section allows a printing cassette, which has a tape to be printed, an input section, and an output section driven and connected to the input section, to be mounted in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the drive shaft. When the printing cassette is mounted in the cassette mounting section, the drive shaft engages with the input section, and the platen gear engages with the output section.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a printing cassette that can be mounted in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the drive shaft in a printing apparatus comprising a print head, a platen roller facing the print head, a drive source, a drive shaft driven and connected to the drive source and rotatable about a rotation axis, a platen gear driven and connected to the platen roller, and a cassette mounting section on which the print head and the drive shaft are arranged.

[0010] The printing cassette comprises a tape to be printed, an input unit, and an output unit driven and connected to the input unit. When the printing cassette is mounted in the cassette mounting unit, the input unit engages with the drive shaft, and the output unit engages with the platen gear.

[0011] With these configurations, the driving force from the power source of the printing device is transmitted to the platen roller via the input and output sections in the printing cassette. In other words, the printing device has a printing cassette. The platen roller is only driven when the printing cassette is installed. Therefore, unexpected rotation of the platen roller when the printing cassette is not installed can be suppressed.

[0012] A further aspect of the present disclosure is a printing cassette comprising a case, a tape to be printed, at least a portion of which is housed in the case, a first gear having a first internal gear and a first external gear, a transmission gear or transmission gear train engaging with the first external gear, and a second gear having a second external gear engaging with the transmission gear or transmission gear train. The entirety of the first internal gear is housed in the case. A portion of the second external gear is located outside the case.

[0013] With this configuration, the driving force from the power source of the printing device is transmitted to the platen roller via a first gear in the printing cassette, a transmission gear or transmission gear train, and a second gear. In other words, the driving force is transmitted to the platen roller only when the printing cassette is installed in the printing device. Therefore, unexpected rotation of the platen roller when the printing cassette is not installed can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] Figures 1A, 1B, and 1C are schematic perspective views showing the printing cassette removed from the printing device in the printing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C are schematic perspective views of the printing cassette in the printing system shown in Figure 1A. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the printing cassette shown in Figure 2A. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the clutch in the printing cassette shown in Figure 3A. [Figure 5] Figure 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view along the VV line in Figure 2A, and Figure 5B is a magnified view of a portion of Figure 5A. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the first lid of the printing cassette from Figure 2A removed. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the paths of the printable tape and ink ribbon in the printing cassette shown in Figure 2A. [Figure 8]FIG. 8A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIA-VIIIA of FIG. 2C, FIG. 8B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIB-VIIIB of FIG. 2C, FIG. 8C is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIC-VIIIC of FIG. 2C, and FIG. 8D is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIIID-VIIID of FIG. 2C. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a printing apparatus in the printing system of FIG. 1A. [Figure 10] FIG. 10A is a schematic view showing a separated state between an output gear and a platen gear in the printing system of FIG. 1A, and FIG. 10B is a schematic view showing an engaged state between the output gear and the platen gear in the printing system of FIG. 1A. [Figure 11] FIGS. 11A and 11B are schematic perspective views showing a state where a printing cassette is removed from a printing apparatus in a printing system according to an embodiment different from that of FIG. 1A. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a printing cassette in the printing system of FIG. 11A. [Figure 13] FIG. 13A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XIIIA-XIIIA of FIG. 11B, and FIG. 13B is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 13A. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of a printing apparatus in the printing system of FIG. 11A. [Figure 15] FIG. 15A is a schematic view showing a separated state between an output gear and a platen gear in the printing system of FIG. 11A, and FIG. 15B is a schematic view showing an engaged state between the output gear and the platen gear in the printing system of FIG. 11A. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a printing cassette of a printing system according to an embodiment different from those of FIG. 1A and FIG. 11A. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a printing cassette of a printing system according to an embodiment different from those of FIG. 1A, FIG. 11A, and FIG. 16. [Figure 18]FIG. 18 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a printing cassette of a printing system in an embodiment different from FIGS. 1A, 11A, 16, and 17.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0015] [1. First Embodiment] [1-1. Configuration] The printing system 1 shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C includes a printing cassette 10 and a printing device 100. The printing system 1 is a device that performs printing on a tape-shaped printing medium.

[0016] In the present embodiment, the axial direction of the output gear 18 is the vertical direction, the direction in which the output gear 18 and the input spool 16 are aligned among the directions perpendicular to the vertical direction is the front-rear direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the front-rear direction is the left-right direction.

[0017] <Printing Cassette> The printing cassette 10 stores a printing medium. The printing cassette 10 is detachable from the printing device 100. By replacing the printing cassette 10, it is possible to replenish the printing medium and change the type of the printing medium (for example, color, material, etc.).

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, the printing cassette 10 includes a case 35 that stores a printing tape, an ink ribbon, etc., which will be described later. The outer shape of the printing cassette 10 (that is, the shape of the case 35) is a rectangular parallelepiped shape having sides parallel to the vertical direction, sides parallel to the front-rear direction, and sides parallel to the left-right direction.

[0019] The case 35 is configured to be mounted downward with respect to the printing device 100. The case 35 has a first lid portion 31, a first case portion 32, a second case portion 33, and a second lid portion 34.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the printing cassette 10 includes a roll of tape to be printed 11, a first supply spool 12, spacer films 13A and 13B, an ink ribbon roll 14, a second supply spool 15, an input spool 16 (an example of a rotating spool), a clutch 17, an output gear 18, an input gear 19, and an idler gear 20.

[0021] (Printed tape roll) The tape roll 11 is formed by winding the tape to be printed onto the first supply spool 12. The surface of the tape to be printed is printed by the print head 102 and ink ribbon of the printing device 100, which will be described later.

[0022] Two spacer films 13A and 13B are positioned on the outer side of the tape roll 11 in the vertical direction, sandwiching the tape roll 11. The spacer films 13A and 13B are positioned between the tape roll 11 and the first lid 31, and between the tape roll 11 and the first case 32.

[0023] (First supply spool) The first supply spool 12 is rotatable around its rotation axis. The first supply spool 12 rotates in conjunction with the transport of the tape to be printed by the platen roller 103 of the printing device 100, which will be described later, thereby supplying the tape to be printed to the print head 102.

[0024] (Ink ribbon roll) The ink ribbon roll 14 is an ink ribbon used for printing on the tape to be printed, wound around the second supply spool 15.

[0025] The ink ribbon is placed on top of the tape to be printed at the head opening 33B, which will be described later, and is used for printing by the print head 102. The ink ribbon used for printing is wound onto the input spool 16, which will be described later.

[0026] (Second supply spool) The second supply spool 15 is rotatable around its rotation axis. The rotation axis of the second supply spool 15 is parallel to the rotation axis of the first supply spool 12, i.e., to the vertical direction. The second supply spool 15 feeds the ink ribbon from the ink ribbon roll 14 by rotating in the first rotation direction.

[0027] The second supply spool 15 rotates in conjunction with the winding of the ink ribbon by the input spool 16, thereby supplying the ink ribbon to the print head 102. In addition, at least a portion of the second supply spool 15 is positioned to overlap with the printable tape roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0028] (Input spool) The input spool 16 is rotatable around its rotation axis. The rotation axis of the input spool 16 is parallel to the rotation axis of the second supply spool 15.

[0029] The input spool 16 is cylindrical and has a hollow portion defined by its inner circumferential surface 16A. Spline teeth 16B are provided on the inner circumferential surface 16A of the input spool 16. In other words, the input spool 16 is an internal gear. The drive shaft 105 of the printing device 100, which will be described later, is connected to the spline teeth 16B. The input spool 16 is rotated by the drive shaft 105 and winds up the ink ribbon.

[0030] (clutch) As shown in Figure 4, the clutch 17 includes a spring holder 71 and a clutch spring 72. The spring holder 71 is rotatable around its axis of rotation.

[0031] The spring holder 71 has a first cylindrical portion 71A, a second cylindrical portion 71B, and a projection 71C. The second cylindrical portion 71B has a smaller outer diameter than the first cylindrical portion 71A. The central axis of the second cylindrical portion 71B is aligned with the central axis of the first cylindrical portion 71A. The projection 71C protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 71A.

[0032] The clutch spring 72 has a coil portion 72A, a first engaging portion 72B, and a second engaging portion 72C. The coil portion 72A is composed of a linear body spirally wound around the outer circumferential surface of the second cylindrical portion 71B. The first engaging portion 72B and the second engaging portion 72C are each formed by the ends of the linear body forming the coil portion 72A protruding radially outward from the second cylindrical portion 71B.

[0033] As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the clutch 17 is positioned in the hollow portion of the second supply spool 15. The rotation axis of the clutch 17 is aligned with the rotation axis of the second supply spool 15.

[0034] The second cylindrical portion 71B of the spring holder 71 and the coil portion 72A of the clutch spring 72 are positioned inside the multiple protrusions 33F of the second case portion 33, which will be described later. The first engaging portion 72B and the second engaging portion 72C of the clutch spring 72 are engaged with the protrusions 33F.

[0035] The projection 71C of the spring holder 71 (see Figure 4) engages with a groove formed on the inner circumferential surface of the second supply spool 15. As a result, the spring holder 71 rotates together with the second supply spool 15 around the rotation axis of the second supply spool 15.

[0036] The rotation of the second supply spool 15 is resisted by sliding friction between the second cylindrical portion 71B of the spring holder 71 and the coil portion 72A of the clutch spring 72. In other words, the clutch 17 provides rotational resistance to the ink ribbon roll 14. The torque for feeding (i.e., winding) the ink ribbon can be set by the rotational resistance of the clutch 17.

[0037] The coil portion 72A of the clutch spring 72 is wound around the spring holder 71 such that it expands in diameter when the spring holder 71 rotates in the first rotational direction and contracts in diameter when the spring holder 71 rotates in the second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.

[0038] Therefore, when the second supply spool 15 rotates in the first rotational direction as the ink ribbon is pulled out, the coil portion 72A expands in diameter, reducing the sliding friction between the coil portion 72A and the second cylindrical portion 71B. As a result, the rotational resistance of the second supply spool 15 decreases.

[0039] On the other hand, as the rotation of the second supply spool 15 decreases, the diameter of the coil portion 72A decreases, and the rotational resistance of the second supply spool 15 increases. When the rotation of the second supply spool 15 stops, the sliding friction between the coil portion 72A and the second cylindrical portion 71B returns to its initial state.

[0040] (Output gear) The output gear 18 shown in Figure 3 is an output unit that outputs the driving force for transporting the tape to be printed to the outside. The output gear 18 is driven in conjunction with the input gear 19, which will be described later. The output gear 18 transmits the driving force to the platen roller 103 via the platen gear 104 of the printing device 100.

[0041] The output gear 18 is an external gear having a disc that rotates around a rotation axis and teeth provided on a surface of the disc parallel to the vertical direction. One surface of the output gear 18's disc perpendicular to the vertical direction (i.e., the top surface) faces the cover portion 32B of the case 35, which will be described later, in the vertical direction. A portion of the other surface of the disc perpendicular to the vertical direction (i.e., the bottom surface) does not face the case 35 in the vertical direction.

[0042] The output gear 18 is partially exposed to the head opening 33B and partially located outside the case 35. The output gear 18 engages with the platen gear 104 at the head opening 33B when the printing cassette 10 is mounted in the cassette mounting section 101 of the printing device 100.

[0043] The tape roll to be printed 11, the output gear 18, and the ink ribbon roll 14 (i.e., the second supply spool 15) are arranged in the vertical direction in the order of the tape roll to be printed 11, the output gear 18, and the ink ribbon roll 14. In other words, the output gear 18 is located between the tape roll to be printed 11 and the ink ribbon roll 14 in the vertical direction.

[0044] (Input gear) As shown in Figure 3, the input gear 19 is an input unit that indirectly engages with the output gear 18 via the idler gear 20 (described later) and transmits driving force to the output gear 18.

[0045] With the printing cassette 10 mounted in the cassette mounting section 101 of the printing device 100 (described later), the input gear 19 engages with the drive shaft 105. The driving force from the power source of the printing device 100 is input via 105.

[0046] The input gear 19 has an external gear 19A and a cylindrical internal gear 19B. The entire external gear 19A and the entire internal gear 19B are each housed in a case 35. In other words, the entire input gear 19 is housed in a case 35.

[0047] The external gear 19A rotates integrally with the internal gear 19B due to the driving force input to the internal gear 19B. The internal gear 19B is fixed to the lower surface of the external gear 19A and has spline teeth on its inner circumferential surface.

[0048] The rotational axis of the input gear 19 (i.e., the rotational axis of the external gear 19A and the rotational axis of the internal gear 19B) is aligned with the rotational axis of the input spool 16. The input spool 16, input gear 19, and the tape roll to be printed 11 are arranged in the vertical direction in the order of input spool 16, input gear 19, and tape roll to be printed 11.

[0049] In other words, the input gear 19 is located between the input spool 16 and the tape roll 11 to be printed in the vertical direction. Furthermore, at least a portion of the input gear 19 is positioned to overlap with the tape roll 11 to be printed in the vertical direction.

[0050] The rotation axis of the input gear 19 passes through the hollow portion of the input spool 16. In other words, the drive shaft 105 is inserted through both the input spool 16 and the input gear 19 simultaneously. As a result, although the input gear 19 is not directly connected to the input spool 16, it is rotated by a common drive source (i.e., the drive shaft 105) shared with the input spool 16.

[0051] (Idol Gear) The idler gear 20 is a transmission gear that is driven-connected (i.e., engaged) to the input gear 19 and the output gear 18, and transmits the driving force input to the input gear 19 to the output gear 18.

[0052] The idler gear 20 is a stepped gear in which a first gear 20A engaged with the input gear 19 and a second gear 20B engaged with the output gear 18 are arranged coaxially. The second gear 20B has a smaller diameter than the first gear 20A.

[0053] The second gear 20B is positioned closer to the printed tape roll 11 in the vertical direction than the first gear 20A (i.e., higher). The idler gear 20 constitutes a reduction mechanism that reduces the driving force input to the input gear 19.

[0054] (case) The first lid portion 31 constitutes the upper end of the printing cassette 10. The first case portion 32 is located below the first lid portion 31 and is connected to the first lid portion 31 in the vertical direction. The second case portion 33 is located below the first case portion 32 and is connected to the first case portion 32 in the vertical direction. The second lid portion 34 constitutes the lower end of the printing cassette 10. The second lid portion 34 is connected to the second case portion 33 in the vertical direction.

[0055] The first lid 31 and the first case 32 house the tape roll to be printed 11. In other words, the tape roll to be printed 11 is located in the space enclosed by the first lid 31 and the first case 32.

[0056] The second lid 34 and the second case 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 enclosed by the second lid 34 and the second case 33. It is arranged in space.

[0057] The first case section 32 and the second case section 33 are connected to each other. A portion of the output gear 18, the input gear 19, and the idler gear 20 are arranged in the space enclosed by the first case section 32 and the second case section 33.

[0058] The first case section 32 includes a first side wall 32A, a cover section 32B, a first guide 32C, a first shaft section 32D, a second shaft section 32E, a third shaft section 32F, and an inner wall 32G. The first side wall 32A constitutes the side surface of the printing cassette 10 parallel to the vertical direction.

[0059] The cover portion 32B is a part having a surface perpendicular to the vertical direction. The cover portion 32B is positioned to overlap with the output gear 18 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the cover portion 32B is provided continuously with the lower end of the first side wall 32A and is positioned at the right front corner of the first case portion 32.

[0060] The output gear 18, the cover portion 32B, and the tape roll to be printed 11 are arranged in the vertical direction in the order of output gear 18, cover portion 32B, and tape roll to be printed 11. Furthermore, as described above, the entire upper surface area of ​​the output gear 18 is covered by the cover portion 32B.

[0061] As shown in Figure 6, the first guide 32C is the part around which the tape 11A to be printed, pulled out from the tape roll 11, is wound. The first guide 32C has a plurality of plate-like ribs spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the tape roll 11. The plurality of ribs protrude radially from the tape roll 11, and the amount of protrusion (i.e., plate width) increases as it goes downwards.

[0062] As shown in Figure 3, the first shaft portion 32D supports the output gear 18 so that it can rotate around a rotation axis parallel to the vertical direction. The second shaft portion 32E supports the input gear 19 so that it can rotate around a rotation axis parallel to the vertical direction. The third shaft portion 32F supports the idler gear 20 so that it can rotate around a rotation axis parallel to the vertical direction. The first shaft portion 32D, the second shaft portion 32E, and the third shaft portion 32F protrude from the inner wall 32G.

[0063] The second case section 33 has a second side wall 33A, a head opening 33B, an outlet 33C, a second guide 33D, a protruding portion 33E, and a plurality of convex portions 33F. The second side wall 33A constitutes the side surface of the printing cassette 10 parallel to the vertical direction.

[0064] The head opening 33B is a portion of the second side wall 33A that has been cut out. The head opening 33B is the space in which the print head 102 is positioned when the print cassette 10 is mounted on the printing device 100 and the print head 102 is inserted from below. The head opening 33B opens below the print cassette 10.

[0065] The second guide 33D is the portion around which the tape to be printed 11A, which has passed through the first guide 32C, is wrapped. Similar to the first guide 32C, the second guide 33D has a plurality of plate-like ribs spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the ink ribbon roll 14. The plurality of ribs protrude radially from the ink ribbon roll 14, and the amount of protrusion (i.e., plate width) decreases as they extend downwards.

[0066] The protruding portion 33E is positioned so as to overlap with the output gear 18 in the vertical direction. The protruding portion 33E is located below the output gear 18 (i.e., on the opposite side of the output gear 18 from the cover portion 32B).

[0067] The print head 102 of the printing device 100 is inserted in a region below the protrusion 33E. Therefore, with the printing cassette 10 mounted in the cassette mounting section 101 of the printing device 100, the output gear 18 is positioned upstream (i.e., above) the printing cassette 10 in the direction of mounting the printing cassette 10 to the cassette mounting section 101, relative to the print head 102.

[0068] As shown in Figure 5A, the multiple protrusions 33F are arranged along the circumferential direction of the second cylindrical portion 71B of the clutch 17, surrounding the second cylindrical portion 71B and the coil portion 72A of the clutch 17. The first engaging portion 72B and the second engaging portion 72C of the clutch spring 72 are inserted between the multiple protrusions 33F, respectively.

[0069] The fourth shaft portion 34A, provided on the second cover portion 34, is inserted into the first cylindrical portion 71A of the clutch 17. The second supply spool 15 is pivotally supported by the fourth shaft portion 34A via the first cylindrical portion 71A so as to be axially rotatable.

[0070] As shown in Figure 7, the printable tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A are stretched horizontally across the head opening 33B. After printing, the printable tape 11A is discharged from the output port 33C to the outside of the printing system 1.

[0071] As shown in Figures 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D, the first guide 32C and the second guide 33D form a passage for sending the tape to be printed 11A, which constitutes the tape roll 11, from the first case section 32 to the second case section 33.

[0072] Specifically, as shown in Figure 8A, the tape to be printed 11A, pulled from the tape roll 11, is transported downward and backward within the first case section 32, while contacting the first guide 32C from the radially outer side of the tape roll 11 in a spiral motion. Further, as shown in Figure 8B, the tape to be printed 11A is transported downward and to the left, straddling the vertical connection between the first case section 32 and the second case section 33.

[0073] As shown in Figure 8C, the tape to be printed 11A, having reached the second case section 33, is transported downward and forward while contacting the second guide 33D from the radially outer side. As shown in Figure 8D, the tape to be printed 11A, having reached the lower end of the printing cassette 10, passes through the head opening 33B and is discharged from the discharge port 33C.

[0074] <Printing device> As shown in Figure 1B, the printing apparatus 100 includes a cassette mounting section 101, a print head 102, a platen roller 103, a platen gear 104, a drive source (not shown), a drive shaft 105, and a movable part 107.

[0075] (Cassette slot) The cassette mounting section 101 is a recess into which the printing cassette 10 can be mounted in the axial direction (i.e., vertical direction) of the rotation axis of the drive shaft 105. The cassette mounting section 101 has a positioning function for the printing cassette 10.

[0076] (Print head) The print head 102 is a device for printing on the tape to be printed, which is held by the print cassette 10.

[0077] The print head 102 is located inside the cassette mounting section 101. The print head 102 is positioned at the head opening 33B when the print cassette 10 is mounted in the printing device 100. It is positioned so as to overlap the printed tape and ink ribbon in the front-to-back direction.

[0078] The print head 102 has multiple heating elements whose heating is individually controlled. The tape to be printed, which is transported to the head opening 33B by the platen roller 103 (described later), is pressed against the print head 102, which has been heated by the heating elements, via the ink ribbon. As a result, a portion of the ink placed on the surface of the ink ribbon is transferred to the tape to be printed, and characters, symbols, etc. are printed on the tape.

[0079] (Platen Roller) The platen roller 103 is a roller that transports the tape to be printed from inside the printing cassette 10 to the outside by the driving force transmitted from the output gear 18. The rotation axis of the platen roller 103 is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0080] The platen roller 103 is positioned inside the cassette mounting section 101 so as to face the print head 102. The platen roller 103 contacts the tape to be printed at the head opening 33B, pressing the tape against the print head 102.

[0081] (Platen gear) The platen gear 104 is an external gear that is driven and connected to the platen roller 103 and engages with the output gear 18.

[0082] In this embodiment, the rotation axis of the platen gear 104 is aligned with the rotation axis of the platen roller 103. Furthermore, the platen gear 104 is positioned upstream (i.e., above) the platen roller 103 in the direction of mounting the printing cassette 10 to the cassette mounting section 101.

[0083] (Movable part) The movable part 107 is mounted on the housing 110 so as to be able to swing in the vertical direction and in a plane perpendicular to it. The platen roller 103 and platen gear 104 are supported by the movable part 107 and are configured to swing relative to the housing 110.

[0084] The platen roller 103 and platen gear 104 are able to swing between a position separated from the printing cassette 10 as shown in Figure 10A and a position where the platen gear 104 is engaged with the output gear 18 as shown in Figure 10B, due to the swinging of the movable part 107.

[0085] (Drive shaft) The drive shaft 105 shown in Figure 1B is inserted into the input spool 16 and engages with the input gear 19, and is a shaft for rotating the input spool 16 and the input gear 19. The drive shaft 105 has external teeth that engage with the spline teeth 16B of the input spool 16 and the internal gear 19B of the input gear 19.

[0086] The drive shaft 105 is located inside the cassette mounting section 101. The rotation axis of the drive shaft 105 is parallel to the vertical direction. The drive shaft 105 is rotatable about its rotation axis by a drive source (e.g., a motor). The drive source generates the driving force that is input to the printing cassette 10.

[0087] With the printing cassette 10 mounted in the cassette mounting section 101, at least a portion of the drive shaft 105 is positioned inside the input spool 16. In this state, the drive shaft 105 engages with the input gear 19, and the platen gear 104 engages with the output gear 18.

[0088] Specifically, the drive shaft 105 is inserted into the input spool 16 and input gear 19 of the printing cassette 10, and the platen roller 103 and platen gear 104 are swung toward the head opening 33B of the printing cassette 10, thereby mounting the printing cassette 10 to the printing device 100.

[0089] With the printing cassette 10 installed, the drive shaft 105 rotates the input gear 19, which in turn rotates the output gear 18. The rotation of the output gear 18 rotates the platen gear 104, and the rotation of the platen gear 104 rotates the platen roller 103.

[0090] As shown in Figure 10B, with the printing cassette 10 mounted in the cassette mounting section 101, the direction M1 of the moment generated around the drive shaft 105 in the printing cassette 10 by the platen roller 103 transporting the tape to be printed is the same direction as the driving rotation direction S of the drive shaft 105.

[0091] On the other hand, with the printing cassette 10 mounted in the cassette mounting section 101, the direction M2 of the moment around the drive shaft 105 generated in the printing cassette 10 by the reaction force that the output gear 18 receives from the platen gear 104 is opposite to the direction of rotation S of the drive shaft 105.

[0092] [1-2. Effects] According to the embodiments described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) The driving force from the drive source of the printing device 100 is transmitted to the platen roller 103 via the input gear 19 and output gear 18 in the printing cassette 10.

[0093] In other words, the platen roller 103 is only driven when the printing cassette 10 is installed in the printing device 100. Therefore, unexpected rotation of the platen roller 103 when the printing cassette 10 is not installed can be suppressed.

[0094] (1b) The input gear 19 has an internal gear 19B that engages with the external teeth of the drive shaft 105, and the output gear 18 and the platen gear 104 are external gears that engage with each other, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in arranging the gear train in the printing cassette 10 and the printing device 100.

[0095] (1c) A single drive shaft 105 can transmit driving force to the input spool 16 and the input gear 19 at different positions in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the input spool 16 (i.e., the insertion direction of the drive shaft 105). Therefore, driving force can be applied to both the input spool 16 and the input gear 19 while suppressing an increase in the size of the printing cassette 10 in the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the drive shaft 105 (i.e., the front-to-back and left-to-right directions).

[0096] (1d) By positioning the platen gear 104 upstream of the platen roller 103 in the direction of mounting the printing cassette 10 to the cassette mounting section 101, interference between the output gear 18 and the print head 102 can be avoided. As a result, the increase in the size of the cassette due to the enlargement of the head opening 33B can be suppressed.

[0097] (1e) The direction of the moment M1 around the drive shaft 105 caused by the platen roller 103 transporting the tape to be printed is opposite to the direction of the moment M2 around the drive shaft 105 caused by the reaction force that the output gear 18 receives from the platen gear 104, thereby preventing the printing cassette 10 from rotating within the printing apparatus 100.

[0098] (1f) The clutch 17 allows the winding torque of the ink ribbon to be adjusted. Therefore, ink ribbons with different widths, thicknesses, and materials can be arranged in a printing cassette 10 of the same shape.

[0099] [2. Second Embodiment] [2-1. Structure] The printing system 1A shown in Figures 11A and 11B comprises a printing cassette 10A and a printing device 100A.

[0100] <Printing Cassette> The printing cassette 10A is the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment with the addition of the laminate tape roll 21 shown in Figure 12, an additional spool 22, an additional gear 23, a pinch roller 24, and a second clutch 17A.

[0101] Furthermore, the printing cassette 10A is modified in which the input spool 16, first lid 31, first case 32, second case 33, and second lid 34 of the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment are replaced with a third supply spool 25, first lid 36, first case 37, second case 38, and second lid 39, respectively.

[0102] The third supply spool 25 is the same as the input spool 16, except that it does not have spline teeth 16B. The first lid 36, first case 37, second case 38, and second lid 39 are extensions of the first lid 31, first case 32, second case 33, and second lid 34 in the left-right direction, respectively. The other components of the printing cassette 10A are the same as those of the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment, except for the points described below, and therefore will not be described.

[0103] The laminate tape roll 21 is a roll of laminate tape wound around a third supply spool 25, used to protect the tape to be printed. The laminate tape has an adhesive surface that adheres to the tape to be printed by the print head 102.

[0104] The additional spool 22 is rotatable around its axis of rotation. The axis of rotation of the additional spool 22 is parallel to the axis of rotation (i.e., vertical direction) of the second supply spool 15. The additional spool 22 is a winding spool that winds up the ink ribbon by the rotation of the additional gear 23, which will be described later.

[0105] The additional gear 23 is connected to the additional spool 22 and also engages with the idler gear 20. The additional gear 23 rotates due to the driving force input to the input gear 19, causing the additional spool 22 to rotate.

[0106] The additional gear 23 has an external gear 23A, a plurality of protrusions 23B, and a shaft portion 23C. The external gear 23A has a rotation axis parallel to the vertical direction. The plurality of protrusions 23B are arranged along the circumferential surface of the shaft portion 23C so as to surround the shaft portion 23C. The plurality of protrusions 23B and the shaft portion 23C protrude downward from the external gear 23A.

[0107] The pinch roller 24, together with the pressure roller 106 (described later), presses the laminate tape against the printed tape. The pinch roller 24 is positioned downstream of the head opening 33B in the direction of transport of the printed tape.

[0108] The second clutch 17A drives the input gear 19 to the additional spool 22. Specifically, the second clutch 17A drives the additional gear 23, which is driven and connected to the input gear 19, to the additional spool 22. The second clutch 17A has a spring holder 71 and a clutch spring 72, similar to those of the clutch 17.

[0109] As shown in Figures 13A and 13B, the second cylindrical portion 71B and coil portion 72A of the second clutch 17A are positioned inside the multiple protrusions 23B of the additional gear 23. The shaft portion 23C of the additional gear 23 is inserted through the inside of the second cylindrical portion 71B.

[0110] The first cylindrical portion 71A of the second clutch 17A is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the additional spool 22. The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion (not shown) of the second clutch 17A engage with a plurality of protrusions 23B of the additional gear 23.

[0111] The fifth shaft portion 39A, provided on the second cover portion 39, is inserted into the first cylindrical portion 71A of the second clutch 17A. The additional spool 22 is pivotally supported by the fifth shaft portion 39A via the first cylindrical portion 71A so as to be axially rotatable.

[0112] The additional spool 22 is subjected to resistance by sliding friction between the second cylindrical portion 71B of the spring holder 71 of the second clutch 17A and the coil portion 72A of the clutch spring 72. In other words, the second clutch 17A provides rotational resistance to the ink ribbon winding spool. The torque for winding the ink ribbon can be set by the rotational resistance of the second clutch 17A.

[0113] Furthermore, in this embodiment, rotational resistance is provided to the laminate tape roll 21 by the same clutch 17 as in the first embodiment.

[0114] <Printing device> The printing apparatus 100A is the printing apparatus 100 of the first embodiment with the addition of the pressure roller 106 shown in Figure 12. The other components of the printing apparatus 100A are the same as those of the printing apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, except for the points described below, and therefore will not be described.

[0115] As shown in Figure 14, the pressure roller 106 is attached to the movable part 107 and is configured to swing together with the platen roller 103 and the platen gear 104. In other words, the pressure roller 106 can swing between a position spaced apart from the printing cassette 10A as shown in Figure 15A and a position where it presses the tape to be printed and the laminate tape together with the pinch roller 24 as shown in Figure 15B.

[0116] [2-2. Effects] According to the embodiments described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained. (2a) The printed content of the tape to be printed can be protected by the laminate tape while having the same advantages as the first embodiment.

[0117] [3. Other Embodiments] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can take various forms.

[0118] (3a) The printing apparatus of the above embodiment is not limited to one that prints using an ink ribbon. The printing apparatus may print using a strip of thermal paper as the tape to be printed. Also, the printing cassette does not necessarily have to have an ink ribbon roll and a second supply spool.

[0119] For example, the printing cassette 10B shown in Figure 16 is the same as the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment, but with the printable tape roll 11 replaced by a thermal paper printable tape roll 51, and the ink ribbon roll 14 replaced by a laminated tape roll 52. That is what it was.

[0120] In the printing cassette 10B, the laminate tape roll 52 is wound around the third supply spool 25 of the second embodiment. The printing cassette 10B also includes the pinch roller 24 of the second embodiment, but does not include the second supply spool 15.

[0121] (3b) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, the output unit that transmits the driving force to the platen roller is not limited to a gear. For example, a roller or a spool may be used as the output unit. Similarly, the input unit to which the driving force from the drive source is input is not limited to a gear. For example, a roller or a spool may be used as the input unit.

[0122] (3c) In the printing cassette of the second embodiment, the laminate tape may be wound around an additional spool.

[0123] For example, the printing cassette 10C shown in Figure 17 is the same as the printing cassette 10A of the second embodiment, but with a laminate tape roll 21 of laminate tape wound around an additional spool 22. The printing cassette 10C includes the input spool 16 of the first embodiment instead of the third supply spool 25 of the second embodiment. The input spool 16 is used as a winding spool for the ink ribbon.

[0124] (3d) The printing cassette of the above embodiment is not limited to one in which the tape roll to be printed, the output gear, and the auxiliary tape roll (i.e., ink ribbon roll or laminate tape roll) used for printing or protecting the tape to be printed are arranged vertically. In the printing cassette, the tape to be printed may be arranged so as to overlap the auxiliary tape roll in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0125] For example, the printing cassette 10D shown in Figure 18 is a printable cassette 10A of the second embodiment, in which the first lid 36, first case 37, second case 38, and second lid 39 are replaced with the first case 41, second case 42, and lid 43.

[0126] The first case section 41 is obtained by adjusting the length of the first case section 37 in Figure 12 in the left-right direction, and then removing the portion below the inner wall 32G. The second case section 42 is obtained by adjusting the length of the second case section 38 in Figure 12 in the left-right direction. The lid section 43 is obtained by adjusting the length of the second lid section 39 in Figure 12 in the left-right direction.

[0127] The third supply spool 25 of the printing cassette 10D has the tape roll to be printed 11 wound around it instead of the laminate tape roll 21. The ink ribbon is wound on an additional spool 22, as in the second embodiment.

[0128] Furthermore, thermal paper may be used as the tape to be printed in the printing cassette 10D. In this case, the ink ribbon roll 14, the second supply spool 15, the additional spool 22, and the additional gear 23 become unnecessary, and the printing cassette 10D is equipped only with the tape to be printed roll 11 as the roll.

[0129] (3e) The printing cassette of the above embodiment may have two or more idler gears. That is, the printing cassette may have a transmission gear train that engages with an input gear. Alternatively, the input gear and the output gear may engage directly without an idler gear.

[0130] (3f) The functions 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. Furthermore, some of the configurations of the above embodiments may be omitted. Also, at least some of the configurations of the above embodiments may be added to, substituted for, or otherwise replaced with the configurations of other above embodiments. Any aspect of the technical concept specified by the wording of the claims is an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 1…Printing system, 10…Printing cassette, 11…Printable tape roll, 12...First supply spool, 14...Ink ribbon roll, 15...Second supply spool 16...Input spool, 17,17A...Clutch, 18...Output gear, 19...Input gear 19A...External gear, 19B...Internal gear, 20...Idler gear 21...Laminated tape roll, 22...Additional spool, 23...Additional gear, 24...Pinch roller, 25...Third supply spool, 31...First cover, 32...First case section, 33...Second case section, 33B...Head opening, 34...Second lid section, 35...Case, 71...Spring holder, 72...Clutch spring, 100...Printing device 101...Cassette mounting section, 102...Print head, 103...Platen roller, 104...Platen gear, 105...Drive shaft, 107...Moving part.

Claims

1. A printing cassette usable in a printing apparatus comprising a drive shaft and a platen gear, The printed tape and Input gear and The aforementioned input gear and the output gear which is driven and coupled, Equipped with, A printing cassette in which, when mounted on the printing device, the input gear engages with the drive shaft and the output gear engages with the platen gear.

2. The output gear has an external gear, The printing cassette according to claim 1, wherein the input gear has a first internal gear.

3. Equipped with an additional rotating spool, The printing cassette according to claim 2, wherein the rotation axis of the rotating spool and the rotation axis of the first internal gear are located on the same line.

4. The printing cassette according to claim 3, wherein the rotating spool has a second internal gear.

5. The case further comprises a case that houses at least a portion of the tape to be printed, the entirety of the input gear, and at least a portion of the output gear. A printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a portion of the output gear is located outside the case.

6. Ink ribbon and A winding spool for winding the aforementioned ink ribbon, Furthermore, The printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the input gear is driven and connected to the winding spool.

7. The printing cassette according to claim 6, further comprising a clutch that drives and connects the input gear to the winding spool.

8. The case and, A printable tape, in which at least a portion is housed in the aforementioned case, A first gear having a first internal gear and a first external gear, A transmission gear or transmission gear train that engages with the first external gear, A second gear having a second external gear that engages with the transmission gear or the transmission gear train, and which rotates in response to receiving a driving force from the first gear via the transmission gear or the transmission gear train, Equipped with, The entirety of the first internal gear is housed in the case. A portion of the second external gear is located outside the case, forming a printing cassette.

9. The entire first external gear is housed in the case, as described in claim 8, for the printing cassette.

10. Equipped with an additional rotating spool, The printing cassette according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the rotation axis of the rotating spool and the rotation axis of the first internal gear are located on the same line.

11. The printing cassette according to claim 10, wherein the rotating spool has a second internal gear.

12. Ink ribbon and A winding spool for winding the aforementioned ink ribbon, Furthermore, The printing cassette according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the first gear is driven and connected to the winding spool.

13. The printing cassette according to claim 12, further comprising a clutch that drives and connects the first gear to the winding spool.

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