Printing cassette and printing device

Abstract

To provide a printing cassette capable of restricting damage to a gear for transmitting driving force.SOLUTION: The present disclosure is a printing cassette including: a case having a first case part, a second case part, and a third case part; a first tape which is at least partially housed in the third case part; and a gear which is partially housed in the second case part whereas the other part is positioned outside of the case, and which is rotatable about a rotational axis parallel to a first direction. The first case part is provided with a discharge port for discharging the first tape. The first case part, the second case part, and the third case part are arranged in the first direction in the order of the first case part, the second case part, and the third case part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In a printing apparatus that performs printing on a printing tape, a cassette containing the printing tape is attached to and detached from the main body of the printing apparatus, 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 cassette, it is conceivable to provide a gear for transmitting a driving force into the cassette or for transmitting a driving force from the cassette to the outside. When a part of such a gear is disposed outside the case of the cassette, the gear is likely to be damaged when the cassette drops and collides with the floor or the like.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a printing cassette capable of suppressing damage to a gear that transmits a driving force.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a printing cassette including a case having a first case portion, a second case portion, and a third case portion, a first tape at least partially accommodated in the third case portion, a gear partially accommodated in the second case portion and other portions located outside the case and rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to a first direction.

[0007] The first case section is provided with an outlet through which the first tape is discharged. The first case section, the second case section, and the third case section are arranged in the order of the first case section, the second case section, and the third case section in the first direction.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a printing apparatus comprising a printing cassette and a printing apparatus body in which the printing cassette is mounted. The printing apparatus body has a drive force transmission unit that engages with a gear.

[0009] With this configuration, the gear is positioned in the second case section, which is sandwiched between the first and third case sections. Therefore, when the printing cassette falls and the surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the gear's rotation axis collides with the floor or other surface, the gear is protected by the first and third case sections, and damage to the gear is suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figures 1A, 1B, and 1C are schematic perspective views showing the printing cassette removed from the main body of the printing apparatus in the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C are schematic perspective views of the printing cassette in the printing apparatus 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 cross-sectional view along the line IV-IV in Figure 2C. [Figure 5] Figures 5A and 5B are schematic perspective views of the first frame section of the printing cassette shown in Figure 2A, and Figure 5C is a schematic perspective view of the second frame section of the printing cassette shown in Figure 2A. [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]Figure 8A is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line VIIIA-VIIIA in Figure 2C, Figure 8B is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line VIIIB-VIIIB in Figure 2C, Figure 8C is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line VIIIC-VIIIC in Figure 2C, and Figure 8D is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line VIIID-VIIID in Figure 2C. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a schematic plan view of the main body of the printing apparatus shown in Figure 1A. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing the engagement state between the output gear and the platen gear in the printing apparatus shown in Figure 1A. [Figure 11] Figures 11A and 11B are schematic perspective views showing a printing cassette removed from the main body of a printing apparatus in a different embodiment than that shown in Figure 1A. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the printing cassette in the printing apparatus shown in Figure 11A. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a schematic plan view of the main body of the printing apparatus shown in Figure 11A. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram showing the engagement state between the output gear and the platen gear in the printing apparatus shown in Figure 11A. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the printing cassette of a printing apparatus in an embodiment different from Figures 1A and 11A. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the printing cassette of a printing apparatus in an embodiment different from Figures 1A, 11A, and 15. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] [1. First Embodiment] [1-1. Structure] The printing device 1 shown in Figures 1A, 1B, and 1C comprises a printing cassette 10 and a printing device body 100. The printing device 1 is a device that prints on a tape-shaped printing medium.

[0012] In this 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.

[0013] <Printing cassette> The printing cassette 10 stores the printing medium. The printing cassette 10 is detachable from the printing apparatus main body 100. By replacing the printing cassette 10, the printing medium can be replenished and the type of the printing medium (for example, color, material, etc.) can be changed.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, the printing cassette 10 includes a case 35 that stores a printing tape (an example of the first tape), an ink ribbon, and the like, 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. The case 35 has a first lid portion 31, a first frame portion 32, a second frame portion 33, and a second lid portion 34.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, the printing cassette 10 includes a first roll 11, a first supply spool 12, spacer films 13A and 13B, a second roll 14, a second supply spool 15, an input spool 16, a clutch spring holder 17, an output gear 18, an input gear 19, and an idle gear 20.

[0016] (First roll) The first roll 11 is formed by winding the printing tape on which printing is to be performed around the first supply spool 12. Printing is performed on the surface of the printing tape by a printing head 102 and an ink ribbon of the printing apparatus main body 100, which will be described later.

[0017] On the outer sides in the vertical direction of the first roll 11, two spacer films 13A and 13B are arranged so as to sandwich the first roll 11. The spacer films 13A and 13B are respectively arranged between the first roll 11 and the second lid portion 34 and between the first roll 11 and the second frame portion 33.

[0018] (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 body 100, which will be described later, thereby supplying the tape to be printed to the print head 102.

[0019] (Roll 2) The second roll 14 is an ink ribbon used for printing on the tape to be printed, wound around the second supply spool 15.

[0020] The ink ribbon is placed on top of the tape to be printed at the head opening 32B, 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. In addition, the second roll 14 is given rotational resistance by a clutch spring held in the clutch spring holder 17.

[0021] (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., the vertical direction.

[0022] 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 first roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0023] (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.

[0024] 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. The drive shaft 105 of the printing apparatus body 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.

[0025] (Output gear) The output gear 18 is a single gear that outputs the driving force for transporting the tape to be printed to the outside. The output gear 18 transmits the driving force to the platen roller 103 via the platen gear 104 of the printing device body 100, which will be described later.

[0026] The output gear 18 has a disc that rotates around a rotation axis parallel to the vertical direction, and the vertical direction of the disc It has teeth provided on parallel surfaces. One surface of the disc perpendicular to the vertical direction (i.e., the top surface) faces the cover portion 33B 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.

[0027] The output gear 18 is partially exposed to the head opening 32B and partially located outside the case 35. The output gear 18 engages with the platen gear 104 at the head opening 32B when the printing cassette 10 is mounted in the printing device body 100.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the first roll 11, the output gear 18, and the second roll 14 (i.e., the second supply spool 15) are arranged in the vertical direction in the order of first roll 11, output gear 18, and second roll 14. In other words, the output gear 18 is located between the first roll 11 and the second roll 14 in the vertical direction.

[0029] (Input gear) As shown in Figure 3, the input gear 19 indirectly engages with the output gear 18 via the idler gear 20 (described later) and transmits the driving force to the output gear 18. The input gear 19 receives the driving force from the drive source of the printing apparatus body 100.

[0030] The input gear 19 comprises an external gear 19A and a cylindrical spool 19B fixed to the lower surface of the external gear 19A and having spline teeth on its inner circumference. The external gear 19A rotates integrally with the spool 19B due to the driving force input to the spool 19B.

[0031] The rotational axis of the input gear 19 (i.e., the rotational axis of the external gear 19A and the rotational axis of the spool 19B) is aligned with the rotational axis of the input spool 16. As shown in Figure 4, the input spool 16, input gear 19, and first roll 11 are arranged in the vertical direction in the order of input spool 16, input gear 19, and first roll 11.

[0032] In other words, the input gear 19 is located between the input spool 16 and the first roll 11 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, at least a portion of the input gear 19 is positioned to overlap with the first roll 11 in the vertical direction.

[0033] 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.

[0034] (Idol Gear) The idler gear 20 is driven-coupled (i.e., engaged) with 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.

[0035] 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. Also, in the vertical direction, the second gear 20B is positioned closer to the first roll 11 (i.e., higher) than the first gear 20A. The idler gear 20 constitutes a reduction mechanism that reduces the driving force input to the input gear 19.

[0036] (case) As shown in Figure 3, the first lid portion 31 constitutes the lower end of the printing cassette 10. The first frame portion 32 is positioned above the first lid portion 31 and is connected to the first lid portion 31 in the vertical direction. The second frame portion 33 is positioned above the first frame portion 32 and is connected to the first frame portion 32 in the vertical direction. The second lid portion 34 constitutes the upper end of the printing cassette 10. The second lid portion 34 is connected to the second frame portion 33 in the vertical direction.

[0037] The first lid portion 31 and the first lower part of the first frame portion 32 constitute the first case portion 41, which houses the second roll 14 (i.e., at least a part of the ink ribbon), the second supply spool 15, and the input spool 16. In other words, the second roll 14, the second supply spool 15, and the input spool 16 are arranged in the space enclosed by the first lid portion 31 and the first frame portion 32. The first case portion 41 is also provided with an outlet 32C through which the printed tape is discharged.

[0038] The second portion of the first frame portion 32 on the opposite side (i.e., the upper side) from the first portion in the vertical direction, and the third portion of the second frame portion 33 on the lower side, constitute the second case portion 42, which houses a part of the output gear 18, the input gear 19, and the idler gear 20. In other words, a part of the output gear 18, the input gear 19, and the idler gear 20 are arranged in the space enclosed by the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33.

[0039] The fourth portion of the second frame portion 33 on the opposite side (i.e., the upper side) from the third portion in the vertical direction, and the second lid portion 34 constitute the third case portion 43 in which the first roll 11 (i.e., at least a part of the tape to be printed) is housed. In other words, the first roll 11 is located in the space enclosed by the second frame portion 33 and the second lid portion 34.

[0040] As shown in Figure 4, the first case section 41, the second case section 42, and the third case section 43 are arranged in the vertical direction in the order of the first case section 41, the second case section 42, and the third case section 43. In other words, the second case section 42 is located between the first case section 41 and the third case section 43 in the vertical direction.

[0041] The vertical length of the first case section 41 and the vertical length of the third case section 43 are both greater than the vertical length of the second case section 42. Furthermore, the vertical length of the first case section 41 is greater than or equal to the vertical length of the third case section 43. Also, the vertical length of the second frame section 33 is greater than the vertical length of the first frame section 32.

[0042] As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the first frame portion 32 includes a first side wall 32A, a head opening 32B, an outlet 32C, a first guide 32D, a protruding portion 32E, an opposing portion 32F, a first isolation wall 32G, an opening outlet 32K, a first regulating portion 32L, and a first partition wall 32M. The first side wall 32A constitutes a side surface parallel to the vertical direction of the printing cassette 10.

[0043] The head opening 32B is a portion of the first side wall 32A that has been cut out. The head opening 32B is the space in which the print head 102 is positioned when the print cassette 10 is mounted on the main body 100 of the printing device and the print head 102 is inserted from below. The head opening 32B opens below the print cassette 10.

[0044] The first guide 32D is the portion around which the tape to be printed 11A, fed from the third case section 43, is wound. The first guide 32D has a plurality of plate-like ribs spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the second roll 14. The plurality of ribs protrude radially from the second roll 14, and the amount of protrusion (i.e., plate width) decreases as they extend downward.

[0045] The protruding portion 32E is a portion upstream of the head opening 32B in the transport direction of the tape to be printed on, where the tape to be printed on and the ink ribbon are transported in parallel. The protruding portion 32E is in the left-right direction. It is stretched. The tape to be printed and the ink ribbon are transported from left to right inside the protruding part 32E during printing.

[0046] The protruding portion 32E has a first surface 32H that defines the head opening 32B. The first surface 32H constitutes the rear surface of the protruding portion 32E and is perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. When the printing cassette 10 is mounted on the printing device body 100, the first surface 32H faces the print head 102 in the front-to-back direction.

[0047] The opposing portion 32F is a plate-shaped part that faces the protruding portion 32E in the front-rear direction. The opposing portion 32F separates the head opening 32B from the space where the second roll 14, the second supply spool 15, and the input spool 16 are arranged in the front-rear direction. The opposing portion 32F defines the head opening 32B and has a second surface 32I (see Figure 3) that faces the first surface 32H in the front-rear direction.

[0048] The second surface 32I constitutes the front surface of the opposing section 32F and is perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. With the printing cassette 10 mounted on the printing device body 100, the second surface 32I is positioned on the opposite side from the first surface 32H, with the print head 102 in between.

[0049] The first isolation wall 32G separates the first case section 41 and the second case section 42 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the first isolation wall 32G is part of the second case section 42. In other words, the first portion of the first frame section 32 that constitutes the first case section 41 is the portion below the first isolation wall 32G. On the other hand, the protruding portion 32E and the opposing portion 32F protrude downward from the first isolation wall 32G. Therefore, the protruding portion 32E and the opposing portion 32F are part of the first case section 41.

[0050] The first isolation wall 32G is positioned at the upper end of the head opening 32B in the vertical direction and has a third surface 32J that connects the protruding portion 32E and the opposing portion 32F. The third surface 32J constitutes the lower surface of the first isolation wall 32G and is perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0051] The opening outlet 32K is the part where the tape to be printed within the protruding portion 32E is discharged to the head opening 32B. The opening outlet 32K is located at the right end of the protruding portion 32E. The ink ribbon drawn from the second roll 14 is superimposed on the tape to be printed that has been discharged from the opening outlet 32K to the head opening 32B.

[0052] The first restricting section 32L restricts the movement of the tape to be printed in the width direction. The first restricting section 32L is positioned between both ends (i.e., the upper and lower ends) of the discharge port 32C in the width direction (i.e., vertical direction) of the tape to be printed in the first case section 41 (see Figure 8B). Specifically, the first restricting section 32L protrudes upward from a support section 32N that protrudes to the left from the first side wall 32A at the right rear of the first frame section 32.

[0053] The first partition wall 32M separates the space where the output gear 18, input gear 19, and idler gear 20 are located from the space through which the printed tape passes. Specifically, in the second frame section 33, the first partition wall 32M divides the inner region facing the output gear 18, input gear 19, and idler gear 20 from the outer region outside the inner region.

[0054] As shown in Figure 5C, the second frame portion 33 includes a second side wall 33A, a cover portion 33B, a second guide 33C, a first gear support portion 33D, a second gear support portion 33E, a third gear support portion 33F, a second partition wall 33G, a second isolation wall 33H, a first claw 33I, a second claw 33J, a third claw 33K, a fourth claw 33L, and a second restricting portion 33M (see Figure 8B). The second side wall 33A constitutes the side surface of the printing cassette 10 parallel to the vertical direction.

[0055] The cover portion 33B is a part having a surface perpendicular to the vertical direction. The cover portion 33B is upper It is positioned so as to overlap with the output gear 18 in the downward direction. In this embodiment, the cover portion 33B is provided continuously with the lower end of the second side wall 33A and is positioned at the right front corner of the second frame portion 33.

[0056] The output gear 18, the cover portion 33B, and the first roll 11 are arranged in the vertical direction in the order of output gear 18, cover portion 33B, and first roll 11. Furthermore, as described above, the entire upper surface area of ​​the output gear 18 is covered by the cover portion 33B.

[0057] As shown in Figure 6, the second guide 33C is the portion around which the tape to be printed 11A, pulled out from the first roll 11, is wound. The second guide 33C has a plurality of plate-like ribs spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the first roll 11. The plurality of ribs protrude radially from the first roll 11, and the amount of protrusion (i.e., plate width) increases as they extend downward.

[0058] The first gear support 33D shown in Figure 5C rotatably supports the output gear 18. The second gear support 33E rotatably supports the input gear 19. The third gear support 33F rotatably supports the idler gear 20.

[0059] The second partition wall 33G separates the space where the output gear 18, input gear 19, and idler gear 20 are located from the space through which the printed tape passes. Specifically, the second partition wall 33G divides the second frame portion 33 into an inner region where the first gear support portion 33D, the second gear support portion 33E, and the third gear support portion 33F are located, and an outer region where the second guide 33C is located. The second guide 33C protrudes from the second partition wall 33G.

[0060] The second isolation wall 33H separates the second case section 42 and the third case section 43 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the second isolation wall 33H is part of the third case section 43. In other words, the third part of the second frame section 33 that constitutes the second case section 42 is the part below the second isolation wall 33H.

[0061] On the other hand, the first gear support section 33D, the second gear support section 33E, the third gear support section 33F, and the second partition wall 33G protrude downward from the second isolation wall 33H. Therefore, the first gear support section 33D, the second gear support section 33E, the third gear support section 33F, and the second partition wall 33G are part of the second case section 42.

[0062] The first claw 33I is provided at the front end of the second frame portion 33. The second claw 33J is provided at the left end of the second frame portion 33. The third claw 33K is provided at the rear end of the second frame portion 33. The fourth claw 33L is provided at the right end of the second frame portion 33.

[0063] The claws 33I, 33J, 33K, and 33L each protrude downward and engage with openings or grooves provided in the first side wall 32A of the first frame portion 32. In other words, the claws 33I, 33J, 33K, and 33L connect the first frame portion 32 and the second frame portion 33 in the vertical direction.

[0064] The output gear 18, input gear 19, and idler gear 20 are positioned between the first claw 33I and the third claw 33K in the front-rear direction, and between the second claw 33J and the fourth claw 33L in the left-right direction.

[0065] As shown in Figure 8B, the second restricting section 33M restricts the movement of the printed tape in the width direction. The second restricting section 33M protrudes to the right from the second side wall 33A at the left rear of the second frame section 33.

[0066] The second cover portion 34 shown in Figure 3 is a third restricting portion 34A that restricts the movement of the printed tape in the width direction. The third regulating section 34A is positioned between both ends (i.e., the upper and lower ends) of the first roll 11 in the width direction (i.e., vertical direction) of the tape to be printed in the third case section 43 (see Figure 8B). Specifically, the third regulating section 34A is a plate member positioned to the right rear of the second lid section 34, with its thickness direction parallel to the left-right direction.

[0067] The internal volume of the third case section 43 is greater than the internal volume of the first case section 41. Furthermore, the total weight of the third case section 43 plus the weight of the components housed in the third case section 43 (i.e., the first roll 11, the first supply spool 12, etc.) is greater than the total weight of the first case section 41 plus the weight of the components housed in the first case section 41 (i.e., the second roll 14, the second supply spool 15, the input spool 16, etc.).

[0068] As shown in Figure 7, the printable tape 11A and the ink ribbon 14A are stretched horizontally across the head opening 32B. After printing, the printable tape 11A is discharged to the outside of the printing device 1 through the discharge port 32C.

[0069] In a projection view in which the output gear 18 and case 35 are projected onto a virtual plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, the output gear 18 is located inside the outer edge of case 35. Furthermore, the entire output gear 18 overlaps with case 35 in the vertical direction.

[0070] As shown in Figures 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D, the first guide 32D and the second guide 33C form a passage for sending the printed tape 11A constituting the first roll 11 from the third case section 43 to the first case section 41.

[0071] Specifically, as shown in Figure 8A, the tape to be printed 11A, pulled out from the first roll 11, is transported downward and backward within the third case section 43, while contacting the second guide 33C from the radially outer side of the first roll 11 in a spiral motion. The tape to be printed 11A is further transported downward and to the left, while straddling the second case section 42 in the vertical direction, as shown in Figure 8B.

[0072] As shown in Figure 8C, the tape to be printed 11A, having passed through the second case section 42 and reached the first case section 41, is transported downward and forward while contacting the first guide 32D from the radially outer side. As shown in Figure 8D, the tape to be printed 11A, having passed through the first case section 41 and reached the lower end of the printing cassette 10, passes through the head opening 32B and is discharged from the discharge port 32C.

[0073] <Printing device body> As shown in Figure 1B, the printing device body 100 includes a cassette insertion section 101, a print head 102, a platen roller 103, a platen gear 104, and a drive shaft 105.

[0074] (Cassette insertion section) The cassette insertion section 101 is a recess into which the printing cassette 10 is inserted. The cassette insertion section 101 has a positioning function for the printing cassette 10.

[0075] (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.

[0076] The print head 102 is located inside the cassette insertion section 101. The print head 102 is positioned with the print cassette 10 mounted in the main body 100 of the printing device, with the head opening 32B In this configuration, it is positioned to overlap with the printing tape and the ink ribbon in the front-to-back direction.

[0077] 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 32B 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.

[0078] (Platen Roller) The platen roller 103 is a roller for transporting the tape to be printed from inside the printing cassette 10 to the outside. The rotation axis of the platen roller 103 is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0079] The platen roller 103 is located inside the cassette insertion section 101, near the print head 102. The platen roller 103 contacts the tape to be printed at the head opening 32B, pressing the tape against the print head 102.

[0080] (Platen gear) The platen gear 104 is a drive force transmission unit that is driven and connected to the platen roller 103 and engages with the output gear 18. In this embodiment, the rotation axis of the platen gear 104 is aligned with the rotation axis of the platen roller 103.

[0081] The platen roller 103 and platen gear 104 are pivotable between a position separated from the printing cassette 10 as shown in Figure 9 and a position where the platen gear 104 is engaged with the output gear 18 as shown in Figure 10.

[0082] (Drive shaft) The drive shaft 105 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.

[0083] The drive shaft 105 is located inside the cassette insertion section 101. The rotation axis of the drive shaft 105 is parallel to the vertical direction. The drive shaft 105 rotates around its rotation axis by a drive source (e.g., a motor) not shown.

[0084] As shown in Figure 10, with the printing cassette 10 mounted on the printing device 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 printing cassette 10 is mounted on the printing device body 100 by inserting the drive shaft 105 into the input spool 16 and input gear 19 of the printing cassette 10 and swinging the platen roller 103 and platen gear 104 toward the head opening 32B of the printing cassette 10.

[0085] 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.

[0086] [1-2. Effects] According to the embodiments described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) The output gear 18 is positioned in the second case section 42, which is sandwiched between the first case section 41 and the third case section 43. Therefore, when the printing cassette 10 falls and the surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis of the output gear 18 collides with the floor or the like, the output gear 18 is protected by the first case section 41 and the third case section 43, and damage to the output gear 18 is suppressed.

[0087] (1b) Since the protruding portion 32E and the opposing portion 32F are connected by the third surface 32J, the strength of the protruding portion 32E is increased. As a result, damage to the protruding portion 32E when the printing cassette 10 is dropped is suppressed.

[0088] (1c) Because the volume and total weight of the third case section 43 are larger than those of the first case section 41, when the printing cassette 10 is dropped, the third case section 43 is more likely to be on the bottom and collide with the floor or other surface. As a result, damage to the output gear 18 exposed in the head opening 32B provided in the first case section 41 is suppressed.

[0089] (1d) Since each case section is separated by an isolation wall, collisions between components located in different case sections can be suppressed when the printing cassette 10 is dropped. Therefore, damage to components is suppressed.

[0090] (1e) The first regulating section 32L, the second regulating section 33M, and the third regulating section 34A enable the printed tape wound on the first supply spool 12 to be smoothly fed from the third case section 43 to the first case section 41.

[0091] (1f) In the second case section 42, the first partition wall 32M and the second partition wall 33G prevent the printed tape being transported toward the discharge port 32C from interfering with the output gear 18, input gear 19, and idler gear 20.

[0092] [2. Second Embodiment] [2-1. Structure] The printing device 1A shown in Figures 11A and 11B comprises a printing cassette 10A and a printing device body 100A.

[0093] <Printing Cassette> The printing cassette 10A is the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment with the addition of the third roll 21, additional spool 22, additional gear 23, and pinch roller 24 shown in Figure 11, and the input spool 16, first lid 31, first frame 32, second frame 33, and second lid 34 of the first embodiment replaced with the third supply spool 25, first lid 36, first frame 37, second frame 38, and second lid 39.

[0094] The first lid portion 36 and the first frame portion 37 constitute the first case portion 41A. The first frame portion 37 and the second frame portion 38 constitute the second case portion 42A. The second frame portion 38 and the second lid portion 39 constitute the third case portion 43A.

[0095] 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 frame 37, second frame 38, and second lid 39 are extensions of the first lid 31, first frame 32, second frame 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.

[0096] The third roll 21 is a laminate tape wound around the 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 on by the print head 102.

[0097] 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. This is a winding spool that winds up the ink ribbon by the rotation of the additional gear 23, which will be described later.

[0098] 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.

[0099] The pinch roller 24, together with the pressure roller 106 (described later), presses the laminate tape onto the printed tape after printing. The pinch roller 24 is positioned downstream of the head opening 32B in the direction of transport of the printed tape.

[0100] At least a portion of the tape to be printed (i.e., the portion drawn from the first roll 11), at least a portion of the laminated tape, and at least a portion of the pinch roller 24 are housed in the first case section 41A, arranged in the vertical and perpendicular directions (i.e., the front-to-back and left-to-right directions).

[0101] Furthermore, the pinch roller 24 is supported by the second case portion 42A such that at least a portion of it overlaps with the second case portion 42A in the vertical and perpendicular directions (i.e., the front-to-back and left-to-right directions).

[0102] Specifically, the upper end of the shaft portion 24A of the pinch roller 24 is inserted into a recess 371 provided in the first isolation wall 32G of the first frame portion 37. The recess 371 is part of the second case portion 42A.

[0103] <Printing device body> The printing device body 100A is the same as the printing device body 100 of the first embodiment, with the addition of the pressure roller 106 shown in Figure 12. The other components of the printing device body 100A are the same as those of the printing device body 100 of the first embodiment, except for the points described below, and therefore will not be described.

[0104] The pressure roller 106 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 separated from the printing cassette 10A as shown in Figure 13 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 14.

[0105] [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.

[0106] (2b) A portion of the pinch roller 24 overlaps with the second case portion 42A in the vertical and perpendicular directions, making it easier to assemble the pinch roller 24 into the case 35. As a result, the productivity of the printing cassette 10 is improved.

[0107] [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.

[0108] (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. Furthermore, the printing cassette does not necessarily have to have an ink ribbon roll and a second supply spool. good.

[0109] For example, the printing cassette 10B shown in Figure 15 is the same as the printing cassette 10 of the first embodiment, but with the first roll 11 replaced by a thermal paper roll 51 and the second roll 14 replaced by a third roll 52 of laminate tape.

[0110] In the printing cassette 10B, the third 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.

[0111] (3b) In the printing cassette of the above embodiment, the relative sizes of the volume, total weight, and vertical length of the first case section, the second case section, and the third case section are not limited to those described above. Furthermore, the first case section, the second case section, and the third case section may be composed of parts other than the first lid section, the first frame section, the second frame section, and the second lid section described above.

[0112] (3c) In the printing cassette of the second embodiment, the laminate tape may be wound around an additional spool.

[0113] For example, the printing cassette 10C shown in Figure 16 is the same as the printing cassette 10A of the second embodiment, but with the third roll 21 of laminate tape wound around the 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.

[0114] (3d) 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. Also, some parts of the configuration of the above embodiment may be omitted. Also, at least some parts of the configuration of the above embodiment may be added to, substituted for, or otherwise used in the configuration 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]

[0115] 1…Printing device, 10…Printing cassette, 11…First roll, 12…First supply spool, 14...Second roll, 15...Second supply spool, 16...Input spool, 18...Output gear, 19...Input gear, 20...Idle gear, 21...Third roll, 22...Additional spool, 23... Additional gear, 24... Pinch roller, 25... Third supply spool, 31... First cover, 32...First frame part, 32B...Head opening, 32C...Ejection port, 32E...Protrusion part, 32F...Opposing part, 32G...First separation wall, 32L...First regulation part, 32M...First partition wall, 33...Second frame section, 33G...Second partition wall, 33H...Second isolation wall, 33M...Second regulated section, 34...Second lid section, 34A...Third restricting section, 35...Case, 41...First case section, 42...Second case section, 43...Third case section, 100...Printing device body, 102...Print head, 103...Platen roller, 104...Platen gear.

Claims

1. A case having a first case section, a second case section, and a third case section, A first tape, in which at least a portion is housed in the third case section, A gear, in which part is housed in the second case and the other part is exposed outside the case, An ink ribbon, at least a portion of which is housed in the first case, Equipped with, A printing cassette in which the first case section, the second case section, and the third case section are arranged in the order of the first case section, the second case section, and the third case section in the axial direction of the gear.

2. The first case section is, A protruding portion having a first surface that defines the head opening, The head opening is defined, and the opposing portion has a second surface that faces the first surface in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, It has, The printing cassette according to claim 1, wherein the second case portion is positioned at the axial end of the head opening and has a third surface connecting the protruding portion and the opposing portion.

3. The printing cassette according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the volume of the internal space of the third case portion is greater than the volume of the internal space of the first case portion.

4. The printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the total weight of the third case portion and the weight of the components housed in the third case portion is greater than the total weight of the first case portion and the weight of the components housed in the first case portion.

5. The first case section and the second case section are separated by a first isolation wall. The printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second case section and the third case section are separated by a second isolation wall.

6. The first lid and, The first frame portion is connected to the first lid portion in the axial direction, A second frame portion connected to the first frame portion in the axial direction, The second lid portion is connected to the second frame portion in the axial direction, Equipped with, The first case portion is composed of the first lid portion and the first portion of the first frame portion in the axial direction, The second case portion is composed of a second portion of the first frame portion opposite to the first portion in the axial direction, and a third portion of the second frame portion in the axial direction. The printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the third case portion is composed of a fourth portion of the second frame portion opposite to the third portion in the axial direction and a second lid portion.

7. The printing cassette according to claim 6, wherein the length of the second frame portion in the axial direction is greater than the length of the first frame portion in the axial direction.

8. The printing cassette according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the gear is arranged between a plurality of claws connecting the first frame and the second frame.

9. The printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the length of the first case portion in the axial direction and the length of the third case portion in the axial direction are each greater than the length of the second case portion in the axial direction.

10. The printing cassette according to claim 9, wherein the length of the first case portion in the axial direction is greater than or equal to the length of the third case portion in the axial direction.

11. The second tape and A roller that places the second tape on top of the first tape, Furthermore, At least a portion of the first tape, at least a portion of the second tape, and at least a portion of the roller are housed in the first case portion, arranged in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the roller is supported by the second case portion such that at least a portion of it overlaps with the second case portion in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

12. The first tape further comprises a first restricting unit that restricts movement in the width direction, The first case portion is provided with an outlet through which the first tape is discharged. The printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first regulating portion is arranged between both ends of the discharge port in the width direction of the first tape.

13. The roll of the first tape, A second restricting unit that restricts the movement of the first tape in the width direction, Furthermore, The roll is housed in the third case section, The printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the second restricting portion is disposed between both ends of the roll in the width direction of the first tape.

14. Further comprising a roll of the first tape, The first case portion is provided with an outlet through which the first tape is discharged. The roll is housed in the third case section, The printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first tape drawn from the roll passes through the second case section and the first case section and is discharged from the discharge port.

15. The printing cassette according to claim 14, wherein the second case portion has a partition wall that separates the space in which the gear is arranged from the space through which the first tape passes.

16. The first case portion has an opening outlet through which the first tape is discharged to the head opening, The printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the ink ribbon is superimposed on the first tape discharged from the opening outlet.

17. A printing cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 16, The printing device body into which the aforementioned printing cassette is installed, Equipped with, The printing apparatus body comprises a drive force transmission unit that engages with the gear.

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