JP7287860B2 - cartridge and tape printers - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cartridge and a tape printer equipped with a take-up core around which an ink ribbon is taken up.

Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a printing device is known in which a first power transmission shaft and a second power transmission shaft having a double cylinder structure are provided so as to be rotatable independently of each other about a central axis. there is A first torque is transmitted from the drive gear to the first power transmission shaft via a clutch spring, and a second torque smaller than the first torque is transmitted from the drive gear to the second power transmission shaft via another clutch spring. Torque is transmitted. When a cartridge containing a wide ink ribbon is attached to the printer, the first power transmission shaft is engaged with the ribbon take-up spool, and the ink ribbon is taken up by the ribbon take-up spool with a first torque. When the cartridge containing the narrow ink ribbon is attached to the printer, the second power transmission shaft is engaged with the ribbon take-up spool, and the ink ribbon is taken up by the ribbon take-up spool with the second torque.

JP-A-6-227102

Since the conventional printer includes the first power transmission shaft and the second power transmission shaft having a double cylinder structure, the diameter of the ribbon take-up spool becomes large and the size of the cartridge becomes large.

The cartridge of the present invention comprises a cartridge mounting portion to which the cartridge is mounted and which has a winding core on which an ink ribbon is wound; a core convex portion provided in the cartridge mounting portion and protruding forward in the mounting direction of the cartridge; and a device-side engaging portion provided in the rear side in the mounting direction with respect to the opening provided in the core convex portion. , a switching actuator provided with a device-side engaging portion, a first state in which the torque transmitted to the winding rotor is the first torque, and a second state in which the second torque is smaller than the first torque. A cartridge to be installed in a tape printing device having two states and a torque switching mechanism that changes between two states, wherein the outer shell of the cartridge comprises a printing tape, a tape core around which the printing tape is wound, and A cartridge case that houses an ink ribbon and a winding core; a core recess that is provided in the cartridge case and into which the core protrusion is inserted from the rear side in the mounting direction when the cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion; and a core recess. When the core protrusion is inserted into the device-side engaging portion, the state of the torque switching mechanism is changed from the second state to the first state or from the first state to the second state. and a cartridge side engaging portion.

The tape printing apparatus of the present invention contains a printing tape, a tape core around which the printing tape is wound, an ink ribbon, a winding core around which the ink ribbon is wound, the printing tape, the tape core, the ink ribbon, and the winding core. and a core recess provided in the cartridge case, wherein the cartridge mounting portion selectively mounts a first cartridge and a second cartridge having different ink ribbon widths. a winding rotor that engages with the winding core when the cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion; a stepped cylindrical core protrusion inserted into the core recess from the side; a device-side engaging portion provided on the rear side in the mounting direction with respect to the opening provided in the core protrusion; and a device-side engaging portion. is provided, and a first state in which the torque transmitted to the winding rotor is the first torque, and a second state in which the second torque is smaller than the first torque. a varying torque switching mechanism, wherein one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge has a cartridge side engaging portion that engages with the device side engaging portion when mounted in the cartridge mounting portion. and the torque switching mechanism engages the cartridge-side engaging portion with the device-side engaging portion when one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge, which has the cartridge-side engaging portion, is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion. As a result, the state changes from the second state to the first state or from the first state to the second state.

FIG. 2 is a view of the tape printer in a state in which a tape cartridge is attached to a cartridge attachment portion, viewed from the front side in the attachment direction; FIG. 2 is a view of the tape printer in a state in which a ribbon cartridge is attached to a cartridge attachment portion, viewed from the front side in the attachment direction; FIG. 2 is a diagram of the tape printer viewed from the front side in the mounting direction in a state in which neither the tape cartridge nor the ribbon cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion; 1 is a perspective view of a tape printer in a state in which neither a tape cartridge nor a ribbon cartridge is attached to a cartridge attachment portion; FIG. It is a perspective view of a feed train wheel. FIG. 4 is a view of the feed train wheel viewed from the near side in the mounting direction, showing a state in which the movable gear meshes with the first take-up gear; FIG. 4 is a view of the feed train wheel viewed from the near side in the mounting direction, showing a state in which the movable gear is removed from the first winding gear; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first tape cartridge; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second tape cartridge; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first tape cartridge; It is the figure which looked at the 1st tape cartridge from the mounting direction back side. FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the second tape cartridge showing the core recess; FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the first tape cartridge showing the core recess; 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the tape printer in a state in which neither the tape cartridge nor the ribbon cartridge is attached to the cartridge attachment portion; FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the tape printer in a state where the first tape cartridge is attached to the cartridge attachment portion; FIG. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the tape printer in a state in which a second tape cartridge is attached to the cartridge attachment portion; FIG. 4 is a perspective view around a first winding rotor; 4 is an exploded view around the first winding rotor; FIG. It is a perspective view of a first torque switching mechanism. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first torque switching mechanism excluding the first switching actuator and the second switching actuator; It is the figure which looked at the 1st torque switching mechanism from the mounting direction front side when the 1st tape cartridge is mounted. It is the figure which looked at the 1st torque switching mechanism from the installation direction near side when the 1st tape cartridge is removed. FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged perspective view of a first tape cartridge showing a core recess provided with a cartridge-side engaging portion according to a modification;

An embodiment of a tape printer and a cartridge will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings below, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is displayed, but this is only for convenience of explanation and does not limit the following embodiments in any way. Numerical values indicating the number of parts and the like are only examples, and do not limit the following embodiments.

[Outline of Tape Printer, Tape Cartridge and Ribbon Cartridge]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the tape printer 1 has a cartridge mounting section 2 to which a tape cartridge 101 and a ribbon cartridge 201 are alternatively mounted. Although not shown, the tape printer 1 includes a mounting section cover for opening and closing the cartridge mounting section 2. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tape cartridge 101 includes a tape core 102, a first platen roller 103, a first feeding core 104, a first winding core 105, and a first cartridge case . A first printing tape 107 is wound around the tape core 102 . The first print tape 107 fed from the tape core 102 is fed out of the first cartridge case 106 from a tape feed port 108 provided in the -X side peripheral wall portion of the first cartridge case 106 . A first ink ribbon 109 is wound around the first delivery core 104 . The first ink ribbon 109 fed from the first feeding core 104 is wound around the first winding core 105 . The first cartridge case 106 constitutes the outer shell of the tape cartridge 101, and includes a tape core 102, a first platen roller 103, a first feeding core 104, a first take-up core 105, and a first printing tape 107. , and the first ink ribbon 109 . A first head insertion hole 111 is provided through the first cartridge case 106 in the Z direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ribbon cartridge 201 includes a second platen roller 203, a second feeding core 204, a second winding core 205, and a second cartridge case 206. As shown in FIG. A second ink ribbon 209 is wound around the second delivery core 204 . The second ink ribbon 209 fed from the second feeding core 204 is wound around the second winding core 205 . The second cartridge case 206 constitutes the outer shell of the ribbon cartridge 201 and accommodates the second platen roller 203, the second feeding core 204, the second winding core 205, and the second ink ribbon 209. ing. A second head insertion hole 211 is formed through the second cartridge case 206 in the mounting direction. A second tape path 212 is provided in the second cartridge case 206 . Although not shown, a second printing tape fed from a tape roll provided outside the tape printer 1 is introduced into the second tape path 212 .

Although the length of the second printing tape in the unused tape roll and the length of the second ink ribbon 209 housed in the unused ribbon cartridge 201 are not particularly limited, the present embodiment , it is longer than the length of the first printing tape 107 and the length of the first ink ribbon 109 accommodated in the unused tape cartridge 101 . Therefore, for example, when producing a large number of labels at once, the ribbon cartridge 201 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 2 .

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cartridge mounting portion 2 is formed in a concave shape that is open on the +Z side. A head portion 4 and a core convex portion 5 are provided on a bottom surface of the cartridge mounting portion 2, that is, a mounting bottom surface 3 on the −Z side, projecting forward in the mounting direction. The head section 4 includes a print head 6 and a head cover 7 covering at least the +X side, the -Y side and the +Z side of the print head 6 . The print head 6 is a thermal head with heating elements. The head cover 7 is inserted through the first head insertion hole 111 when the tape cartridge 101 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 2 and guides the attachment of the tape cartridge 101 . Further, the head cover 7 is inserted through the second head insertion hole 211 when the ribbon cartridge 201 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 2 and guides the attachment of the ribbon cartridge 201 . Note that the core convex portion 5 will be described later.

Also, on the mounting bottom surface 3, a platen shaft 8, a first take-up shaft 11, a first delivery shaft 9, a second delivery shaft 12, and a second take-up shaft 13 are arranged in order from the -X side. It is provided so as to protrude on the +Z side.

A platen shaft 8 is provided on the +Y side of the print head 6 . The platen shaft 8 protrudes forward in the mounting direction by a large amount compared to the first delivery shaft 9 , the first take-up shaft 11 , the second delivery shaft 12 and the second take-up shaft 13 . The platen shaft 8 is inserted through the first platen roller 103 when the tape cartridge 101 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 2 and guides the attachment of the tape cartridge 101 together with the head cover 7 . Further, the platen shaft 8 is inserted through the second platen roller 203 when the ribbon cartridge 201 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 2 and guides the attachment of the ribbon cartridge 201 together with the head cover 7 . Note that the mounting direction of the tape cartridge 101 or the ribbon cartridge 201 is hereinafter simply referred to as the mounting direction. The mounting direction is parallel to the extending direction of the platen shaft 8, that is, the Z direction. Further, the front side in the mounting direction means the +Z side, and the back side in the mounting direction means the -Z side.

A platen rotor 14 (see FIG. 6) and a first delivery rotor 15 are mounted on the platen shaft 8, the first delivery shaft 9, the first take-up shaft 11, the second delivery shaft 12 and the second take-up shaft 13, respectively. , a first winding rotor 16, a second delivery rotor 17 and a second winding rotor 18 are rotatably supported. When the tape cartridge 101 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 2, the first platen roller 103, the first feeding core 104 and the first winding core 105 provided in the tape cartridge 101 are respectively mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 2. It engages the platen rotor 14 , the first delivery rotor 15 and the first take-up rotor 16 . Further, when the ribbon cartridge 201 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 2, the second platen roller 203, the second feeding core 204, and the second take-up core 205 provided in the ribbon cartridge 201 are attached to the cartridge attachment portion 2, respectively. It engages with the platen rotor 14, the second payout rotor 17 and the second take-up rotor 18 provided. The platen rotor 14 , the first delivery rotor 15 , the first take-up rotor 16 , the second delivery rotor 17 and the second take-up rotor 18 are connected via the feed train wheel 19 to the rotation of the feed motor 20 . is transmitted.

[Feed gear train]
As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the feed train wheel 19 includes a motor-side train wheel 21, a platen-side train wheel 22, a ribbon-side train wheel 23, a one-way clutch unit 24, a feed-side train wheel 25, A first winding-side train wheel 26 and a second winding-side train wheel 27 are provided.

The motor-side train wheel 21 transmits the rotation of the feed motor 20 to the platen-side train wheel 22 and the ribbon-side train wheel 23 . The platen-side train wheel 22 transmits the rotation of the feed motor 20 input via the motor-side train wheel 21 to the platen rotor 14 . The ribbon-side train wheel 23 transmits the rotation of the feed motor 20 input via the motor-side train wheel 21 to the one-way clutch unit 24 .

The one-way clutch unit 24 transmits the rotation of the feed motor 20 input via the ribbon-side train wheel 23 to the feed-side train wheel 25 and the first take-up wheel according to the rotation direction of the feed motor 20. It switches to the train wheel 26 and the second winding train wheel 27 . That is, when the feed motor 20 rotates in the first direction, the one-way clutch unit 24 does not transmit the rotation of the feed motor 20 input via the ribbon-side train wheel 23 to the pay-out-side train wheel 25. It is transmitted to the first winding side train wheel 26 and the second winding side train wheel 27 . Therefore, when the feed motor 20 rotates in the first direction, the first winding rotor 16 and the second winding rotor 18 rotate while the first winding rotor 15 and the second winding rotor 17 do not rotate. do. Note that the first direction refers to the direction of clockwise rotation in FIGS. 6 and 7 . When the feed motor rotates in the first direction, the first winding rotor 16 and the second winding rotor 18 rotate in the direction opposite to the first direction, i.e. counterclockwise.

On the other hand, when the feed motor 20 rotates in the second direction opposite to the first direction, the one-way clutch unit 24 rotates the rotation of the feed motor 20 input via the ribbon side train wheel 23 to the payout side train wheel 25 . , and is not transmitted to the first winding-side train wheel 26 and the second winding-side train wheel 27 . Therefore, when the feed motor 20 rotates in the second direction, the first delivery rotor 15 and the second delivery rotor 17 rotate counterclockwise, and the first winding rotor 16 and the second winding rotor 18 rotate counterclockwise. does not rotate. Although not shown, the one-way clutch unit 24 has two one-way clutches.

The feed-side train wheel 25 transmits the rotation of the feed motor 20 input via the one-way clutch unit 24 to the first feed rotor 15 and the second feed rotor 17 .

The first winding train wheel 26 transmits the rotation of the feed motor 20 input via the one-way clutch unit 24 to the first winding rotor 16 . The first winding-side train wheel 26 includes a first winding-side first gear 28 to which the rotation of the feed motor 20 is input via the one-way clutch unit 24, and a first winding-side first gear 28 that meshes with the first winding-side first gear 28. 1 winding side second gear 29 and first torque switching mechanism 31 are provided. The first torque switching mechanism 31 is for switching the torque transmitted to the first winding rotor 16 . Note that the first torque switching mechanism 31 will be described later.

The second winding train wheel 27 transmits the rotation of the feed motor 20 input via the one-way clutch unit 24 to the second winding rotor 18 . The second winding-side train wheel 27 includes a second winding-side first gear 32 to which the rotation of the feed motor 20 is input via the one-way clutch unit 24, and a second winding-side first gear 32 that meshes with the second winding-side first gear 32. A second take-up side second gear 33 and a second torque switching mechanism 34 configured in the same manner as the first torque switching mechanism 31 are provided.

[Printing process when tape cartridge is installed]
As shown in FIG. 1, when the tape cartridge 101 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 2, the first platen roller 103, the first delivery core 104, and the first take-up core 105 provided on the tape cartridge 101 are respectively It engages with the platen rotor 14, the first feeding rotor 15 and the first winding rotor 16 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 2 shown in FIG. Thereby, the rotation of the feed motor 20 can be transmitted to the first platen roller 103 , the first delivery core 104 and the first take-up core 105 .

Also, when the tape cartridge 101 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 2 , the head portion 4 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 2 is inserted into the first head insertion hole 111 provided in the tape cartridge 101 . After the tape cartridge 101 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 2, when the mounting portion cover is closed, the print head 6 is moved toward the platen shaft 8 by the head moving mechanism 35 (see FIG. 5). As a result, the first print tape 107 and the first ink ribbon 109 are sandwiched between the print head 6 and the first platen roller 103 .

In this state, when the feed motor 20 rotates in the first direction, the rotation of the feed motor 20 is transmitted to the platen rotor 14 and the first take-up rotor 16 via the feed train wheel 19, causing the first platen roller 103 to rotate. While rotating in the feeding direction, the first winding core 105 rotates in the winding direction. Here, the feeding direction of the first platen roller 103 means the direction in which the first platen roller 103 rotates so that the first printing tape 107 is fed toward the tape delivery port 108 . The winding direction of the first winding core 105 means that the first winding core 105 is wound such that the first ink ribbon 109 fed from the first winding core 104 is wound on the first winding core 105 . means the direction in which is rotated. In other words, in FIG. 1, the feeding direction of the first platen roller 103 is the direction of clockwise rotation, and the winding direction of the first winding core 105 is the direction of counterclockwise rotation.

Further, when the feed motor 20 rotates in the second direction, the rotation of the feed motor 20 is transmitted to the platen rotor 14 and the first delivery rotor 15 via the feed train wheel 19, and the first platen roller 103 moves in the pull-back direction. As it rotates, the first feeding core 104 rotates in the rewinding direction. Here, the pull-back direction of the first platen roller 103 means the direction in which the first platen roller 103 rotates so that the first printing tape 107 sent toward the tape outlet 108 is pulled back. The rewinding direction of the first delivery core 104 means that the first delivery core 104 rotates so that the first ink ribbon 109 delivered from the first delivery core 104 is rewound onto the first delivery core 104. means direction. In other words, in FIG. 1, both the pull-back direction of the first platen roller 103 and the unwind direction of the first feed-out core 104 are counterclockwise rotating directions.

The tape printing apparatus 1 rotates the feed motor 20 in the first direction and heats the print head 6 to feed the first printing tape 107 and the first ink ribbon 109 while receiving input from a keyboard (not shown) or the like. The print information obtained is printed on the first print tape 107 . After printing, the tape printer 1 cuts off the printed portion of the first printing tape 107 by cutting a cutter provided between the cartridge mounting unit 2 and the tape ejection port (not shown). After that, the tape printer 1 rotates the feed motor 20 in the second direction until the leading edge of the first printing tape 107 comes near the sandwiching position between the print head 6 and the first platen roller 103 . 1 pull back the printing tape 107; As a result, it is possible to shorten the margin generated in the front in the longitudinal direction of the first printing tape 107 to be printed next.

It should be noted that the tape printing apparatus 1 similarly performs printing processing when the ribbon cartridge 201 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 2 . That is, the tape printing apparatus 1 prints on the second printing tape while feeding the second printing tape and the second ink ribbon 209 sandwiched between the print head 6 and the second platen roller 203 .

[Tape cartridge]
As shown in FIG. 8, the tape cartridge 101 includes a first tape cartridge 101a that accommodates a wide, for example, 50 mm wide, first printing tape 107 and a first ink ribbon 109, and as shown in FIG. , and a second tape cartridge 101b having a narrow width, for example, 36 mm width, in which a first printing tape 107 and a first ink ribbon 109 are accommodated. In FIG. 9, illustration of the first printing tape 107 and the first ink ribbon 109 is omitted. Hereinafter, the first tape cartridge 101a and the second tape cartridge 101b are simply referred to as the tape cartridge 101 when there is no need to distinguish between them. The first tape cartridge 101a and the second tape cartridge 101b are configured in substantially the same manner, and the common configuration will be described with reference to the drawing of the first tape cartridge 101a.

As shown in FIG. 10, the tape cartridge 101 includes a near-side core support shaft 112 projecting substantially cylindrically toward the far side in the mounting direction from the inner surface of the wall portion on the near side in the mounting direction of the first cartridge case 106 . . The tape cartridge 101 also has a back core support shaft 113 that protrudes forward in the mounting direction in a substantially stepped cylindrical shape from the inner surface of the wall portion of the first cartridge case 106 on the back side in the mounting direction. The front side core support shaft 112 and the back side core support shaft 113 are provided so as to face each other in the Z direction. The front side core support shaft 112 and the back side core support shaft 113 rotatably support the tape core 102 .

A reverse rotation prevention spring 114 is provided inside the front side core support shaft 112 and the back side core support shaft 113 . The anti-reverse spring 114 is composed of, for example, a compression coil spring, and engages with the tape core 102 at the end on the far side in the mounting direction, so that the tape core 102 can be rotated when the tape cartridge 101 is not mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 2 . to prevent reverse rotation. When the tape cartridge 101 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 2, the core convex portion 5 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 2 is inserted into the inside of the back side core support shaft 113 provided in the tape cartridge 101, i.e., in the core concave portion 115 which will be described later. inserted. As a result, the reverse rotation prevention springs 114 provided inside the front side core support shaft 112 and the back side core support shaft 113 are compressed, and the engagement between the reverse rotation prevention springs 114 and the tape core 102 is released, thereby allowing the tape core 102 to move freely. Rotation is possible.

As shown in FIG. 11, a core recess 115 is provided on the outer surface of the wall portion of the first cartridge case 106 on the rear side in the mounting direction so as to be recessed toward the front side in the mounting direction. The core concave portion 115 is configured by the inner space of the inner core support shaft 113 . The core recess 115 includes a base recess 116 on the rear side in the mounting direction and an insertion recess 117 on the front side in the mounting direction. The pedestal concave portion 116 is recessed in a substantially circular shape from the outer surface of the wall portion on the rear side of the first cartridge case 106 in the mounting direction. The insertion recess 117 recesses from the bottom surface of the pedestal recess 116 into a substantially circular shape having a diameter smaller than that of the pedestal recess 116 . An annular convex portion 118 is provided in the base concave portion 116 and protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the insertion concave portion 117 toward the rear side in the mounting direction.

Here, the structure inside the pedestal concave portion 116 is different between the first tape cartridge 101a and the second tape cartridge 101b. That is, in the second tape cartridge 101b, as shown in FIG. 12, the outer peripheral surface of the annular convex portion 118 and the inner peripheral surface of the base concave portion 116 are connected to each other so that the connection convex portion 119 on the -X side is connected. , +X side connecting recess 121, -Y side first connecting portion (not shown), and +Y side second connecting portion 123 are provided. The connection protrusion 119 , the connection recess 121 , the first connection, and the second connection 123 are provided at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the base recess 116 . The arrangement of these connection protrusions 119, connection recesses 121, first connection parts, and second connection parts 123 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the connection projection 119 may be on the -Y side, the connection recess 121 on the +Y side, the first connection portion on the +X side, and the second connection portion 123 on the -X side. By changing the arrangement of these connection projections 119, connection recesses 121, first connection portions, and second connection portions 123, it is possible, for example, to change the size of the first printing tape 107 depending on the country or region where the second tape cartridge 101b is sold. It can be used for identification when the specifications are different.

On the other hand, in the first tape cartridge 101a, as shown in FIG. It is located on the far side in the direction and is provided so as to protrude from the inner peripheral surface of the base recess 116 . That is, the first tape cartridge 101a and the second tape cartridge 101b differ in the presence or absence of the four cartridge-side engaging portions 124. As shown in FIG. Since the cartridge side engaging portion 124 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the pedestal concave portion 116, it is possible to suppress damage to the cartridge side engaging portion 124 even when the first tape cartridge 101a is dropped. .

The four cartridge-side engaging portions 124 are provided at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the base recess 116 . The cartridge-side engaging portion 124 extends from the vicinity of the opening of the recessed pedestal 116 toward the bottom surface of the recessed pedestal 116 toward the front side in the mounting direction. Of the four cartridge side engaging portions 124, the −X side cartridge side engaging portion 124 is referred to as a cartridge side first engaging portion 124a, and the +X side cartridge side engaging portion 124 is referred to as a cartridge side second engaging portion 124a. The −Y side cartridge side engaging portion 124 is referred to as a cartridge side third engaging portion 124c, and the +Y side cartridge side engaging portion 124 is referred to as a cartridge side fourth engaging portion 124d. When there is no need to distinguish between them, they are simply referred to as the cartridge-side engaging portion 124 . As shown in FIG. 11, the cartridge-side first engaging portion 124a and the cartridge-side second engaging portion 124b are located in point-symmetrical positions with respect to the center of the core concave portion 115 when viewed from the rear side in the mounting direction. is provided in Similarly, the cartridge-side third engaging portion 124c and the cartridge-side fourth engaging portion 124d are provided at positions that are point-symmetrical to each other with respect to the center of the core concave portion 115 when viewed from the rear side in the mounting direction. there is The cartridge side first engaging portion 124a is provided corresponding to the device side first engaging portion 49a (see FIG. 15) described later, and the cartridge side second engaging portion 124b is provided to correspond to the device side second engaging portion 49a described later. It is provided corresponding to the portion 49b (see FIG. 15).

[Core protrusion]
As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 14, the core protrusion 5 is generally formed in a substantially stepped cylindrical shape as a whole, and includes a pedestal protrusion 36 on the back side in the mounting direction and an insertion protrusion on the front side in the mounting direction. a portion 37; The pedestal convex portion 36 protrudes in a substantially cylindrical shape from the bottom surface of the cartridge mounting portion 2 . The insertion projection 37 protrudes from the distal end surface of the pedestal projection 36 in a substantially cylindrical shape having a diameter smaller than that of the pedestal projection 36 .

Four pedestal openings 38 are provided in the pedestal projection 36 . Each pedestal opening 38 is formed by notching a corner portion between the tip surface and the peripheral surface of the pedestal convex portion 36 . The four pedestal openings 38 are provided at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the pedestal convex portion 36 . Hereinafter, among the four seat openings 38, the seat opening 38 on the -X side is referred to as a first seat opening 38a, the seat opening 38 on the +X side is referred to as a second seat opening 38b, and -Y The pedestal opening 38 on the side is referred to as a third pedestal opening 38c, and the pedestal opening 38 on the +Y side is referred to as a fourth pedestal opening 38d. When there is no need to distinguish between them, they are simply referred to as the pedestal openings 38 . As shown in FIG. 3, the first pedestal opening 38a and the second pedestal opening 38b are provided at positions that are symmetrical with respect to the center of the core projection 5 when viewed from the front side in the mounting direction. ing. Similarly, the third pedestal opening 38c and the fourth pedestal opening 38d are provided at points symmetrical to each other with respect to the center of the core convex portion 5 when viewed from the front side in the mounting direction.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, when the tape cartridge 101 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 2, the core convex portion 5 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 2 is positioned against the core concave portion 115 provided in the tape cartridge 101. , is inserted from the far side in the mounting direction. That is, the pedestal protrusion 36 is inserted into the pedestal recess 116 , and the insertion protrusion 37 is inserted into the insertion recess 117 .

Here, as shown in FIG. 15 , when the first tape cartridge 101 a is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 2 , the cartridge-side engaging portion 124 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the pedestal concave portion 116 engages the pedestal opening portion 38 . It enters into the pedestal projection 36 through the pedestal. As a result, of the four cartridge-side engaging portions 124, the cartridge-side first engaging portion 124a and the cartridge-side second engaging portion 124b respectively become the device-side first engaging portion 49a and the device-side second engaging portion 49a, which will be described later. It engages with the engaging portion 49b. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, when the first tape cartridge 101a is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 2, the cartridge-side engaging portion 124 comes out of the pedestal convex portion 36 through the pedestal opening 38. As shown in FIG. As a result, the cartridge-side first engaging portion 124a and the cartridge-side second engaging portion 124b are disengaged from the device-side first engaging portion 49a and the device-side second engaging portion 49b, respectively.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16, when the second tape cartridge 101b that does not have the cartridge side engaging portion 124 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 2, the pedestal concave portion 116 is formed with the device side first engaging portion 49a and the second tape cartridge 101b. It does not engage with the device side second engaging portion 49b.

[First torque switching mechanism]
When the first tape cartridge 101a is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 2, the first torque switching mechanism 31 changes the torque transmitted to the first winding rotor 16 from the second torque to the first torque greater than the second torque. It is for switching to torque. That is, when the first tape cartridge 101a containing the wide first ink ribbon 109 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 2, the torque transmitted to the first take-up rotor 16 is changed by the first torque switching mechanism 31. is switched to the first torque larger than the second torque. Therefore, the wide first ink ribbon 109 sandwiched together with the first printing tape 107 between the print head 6 and the first platen roller 103 is properly peeled off from the first printing tape 107 and wound up. be able to. On the other hand, when the second tape cartridge 101b containing the narrow first ink ribbon 109 is loaded, the first torque switching mechanism 31 does not switch the torque from the state where the tape cartridge 101 is not loaded. The torque transmitted to the one-winding rotor 16 becomes a second torque smaller than the first torque. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the narrow first ink ribbon 109 from tearing.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the first torque switching mechanism 31 includes a first winding gear 41, a second winding gear 42, a first slip spring 43, and a second slip spring 44. there is The first torque switching mechanism 31 also includes a movable gear 46, two switching actuators 47, and a gear support 48 (see FIGS. 19 and 20).

The first winding gear 41 is rotatably supported on the first winding shaft 11 . That is, the first winding gear 41 is located on the rear side in the mounting direction of the first winding rotor 16 and is provided coaxially with the first winding rotor 16 . The first winding gear 41 is connected to the first winding rotor 16 via a first slip spring 43 to rotate the first winding rotor 16 .

The second winding gear 42 is rotatably supported by the first winding shaft 11 . That is, the second winding gear 42 is located on the rear side in the mounting direction of the first winding gear 41 and is provided coaxially with the first winding rotor 16 . The second winding gear 42 is connected to the first winding gear 41 via a second slip spring 44 and rotates the first winding rotor 16 via the first winding gear 41 .

A first slip spring 43 is provided between the first winding gear 41 and the first winding rotor 16 . The first slip spring 43 limits the torque transmitted from the first winding gear 41 to the first winding rotor 16 to the first torque. A second slip spring 44 is provided between the second winding gear 42 and the first winding gear 41 . The second slip spring 44 limits the torque transmitted from the second winding gear 42 to the first winding gear 41 to a second torque smaller than the first torque. The torque transmitted from the second winding gear 42 to the first winding gear 41 does not exceed the first torque. is transmitted to The first slip spring 43 is an example of a "first torque limiter". The second slip spring 44 is an example of a "second torque limiter."

While the movable gear 46 is disengaged from the first winding gear 41 , the first winding side second gear 29 is always meshed with the second winding gear 42 . Therefore, when the movable gear 46 meshes with the first winding gear 41 and the rotation of the feed motor 20 is input to the first winding gear 41 via the movable gear 46, the first slip spring 43 causes the first winding rotation. The torque transmitted to child 16 is limited to the first torque. On the other hand, when the movable gear 46 is disengaged from the first winding gear 41 and the rotation of the feed motor 20 is input to the first winding gear 41 via the second winding gear 42, the second slip spring 44 causes the first winding. The torque transmitted to the take-up rotor 16 is limited to the second torque.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 , the movable gear 46 is rotatably supported by the gear support portion 48 and configured to be disengageable from the first winding gear 41 . In addition, the movable gear 46 is always in mesh with the first take-up side first gear 28 (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

Each switching actuator 47 is provided with a device-side engaging portion 49 that engages with the cartridge-side engaging portion 124 when the first tape cartridge 101 a is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 2 . Here, of the two device-side engaging portions 49, the device-side engaging portion 49 on the −X side is referred to as a device-side first engaging portion 49a, and the device-side engaging portion 49 on the +X side is referred to as a device-side first engaging portion 49a. It is called the second engaging portion 49b. The device-side first engaging portion 49a and the device-side second engaging portion 49b are simply referred to as the device-side engaging portion 49 when there is no need to distinguish between them. Further, of the two switching actuators 47, the switching actuator 47 provided with the device-side first engaging portion 49a is referred to as the first switching actuator 47a, and the device-side second engaging portion 49b is provided. The switching operator 47 is called a second switching operator 47b. When there is no need to distinguish between the first switching operator 47a and the second switching operator 47b, the switching operator 47 is simply referred to.

The first switching actuator 47a is rotatably provided on an actuator shaft (not shown). The first switching actuator 47a is formed in a substantially "L" shape when viewed from the front side in the mounting direction. A first actuator-side shaft insertion portion 51 through which a first actuator shaft (not shown) is inserted is provided at the +Y side end of the first switching actuator 47a. The +X side end of the first switching actuator 47a is provided with a first actuator-side engaging portion 52 that protrudes toward the rear side in the mounting direction. The first actuator-side engaging portion 52 is engaged with a support portion-side first engaging portion 67, which will be described later. The device-side first engaging portion 49a is positioned on the -X side and the -Y side of the first actuator-side shaft insertion portion 51 and protrudes forward in the mounting direction. The device-side first engaging portion 49a includes a first engaging slope 54 inclined so that the rear side in the mounting direction is on the -X side, and a rear end in the mounting direction from the end of the first engaging slope 54 on the rear side in the mounting direction. A laterally extending first actuation surface 55 is provided.

A force is applied to the first switching actuator 47a in a clockwise rotation direction by an actuator spring 56 (see FIG. 6). One end of the operating element spring 56 is hooked on a support shaft (not shown) of the first winding-side second gear 29, and the other end is hooked on the +X side end of the first switching operating element 47a. . For example, a torsion coil spring can be used as the actuator spring 56 . In addition, the clockwise rotation means the clockwise rotation when viewed from the front side in the mounting direction. Similarly, counterclockwise means counterclockwise when viewed from the front side in the mounting direction.

The second switching actuator 47b is rotatably provided on a second actuator shaft (not shown). The second switching operator 47b is formed in a substantially triangular shape when viewed from the front side in the mounting direction. A second actuator-side shaft insertion portion 57 through which the second actuator shaft is inserted is provided at the -Y side end of the second switching actuator 47b. Further, the second switching actuator 47b is provided with a second actuator-side engagement portion 58 that is located on the +X side and the +Y side of the second actuator-side shaft insertion portion 57 and protrudes toward the rear side in the mounting direction. ing. The second actuator-side engaging portion 58 is engaged with a support portion-side second engaging portion 69, which will be described later. The device-side second engaging portion 49b is positioned on the -X side and the +Y side of the second actuator-side shaft insertion portion 57 and protrudes forward in the mounting direction. The device-side second engaging portion 49b includes a second engaging slope 61 inclined so that the back side in the mounting direction is on the +X side, and an end portion of the second engaging slope 61 on the back side in the mounting direction. A second actuation surface 62 is provided which extends to the . Instead of the first engaging slope 54 and the second engaging slope 61, slopes may be provided on the cartridge side first engaging portion 124a and the cartridge side second engaging portion 124b.

As shown in FIG. 14 , the device-side first engaging portion 49 a and the device-side second engaging portion 49 b are provided inside the pedestal convex portion 36 . That is, the device-side first engaging portion 49a and the device-side second engaging portion 49b are provided on the rear side in the mounting direction with respect to the first seat opening 38a and the second seat opening 38b, respectively. The device-side first engaging portion 49a and the device-side second engaging portion 49b are provided corresponding to the cartridge-side first engaging portion 124a and the cartridge-side second engaging portion 124b, respectively. When the first tape cartridge 101a is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 2, the device-side first engaging portion 49a and the device-side second engaging portion 49b are substantially simultaneously engaged with the cartridge-side first engaging portion 124a and the device-side second engaging portion 49b, respectively. It engages with the cartridge side second engaging portion 124b. Further, the device-side first engaging portion 49a and the device-side second engaging portion 49b are provided at positions that are point-symmetrical to each other with respect to the center of the core convex portion 5 when viewed from the front side in the mounting direction. (See Figure 3).

As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 19 and 20, the gear support portion 48 is rotatably configured so that the rotatably supported movable gear 46 can move away from and contact the first winding gear 41. It is The gear support portion 48 includes a first actuator-side support member 63 , a second actuator-side support member 64 , and a support spring 65 .

The first actuator side support member 63 is rotatably provided on a clutch shaft 45 (see FIG. 5) provided substantially coaxially with the second actuator shaft. A supporting portion-side first shaft insertion portion 66 through which the clutch shaft 45 is inserted is provided in a substantially cylindrical shape at the +Y side end portion of the first actuator-side supporting member 63 . A movable gear 46 is rotatably supported at the -Y side end of the first actuator side support member 63 . A support portion-side first engagement portion 67 is provided at a substantially intermediate portion of the first actuator-side support member 63 . The support-side first engaging portion 67 engages with the first actuator-side engaging portion 52 described above.

The second actuator-side support member 64 is rotatably provided on the clutch shaft 45, and substantially in the middle portion of the second actuator-side support member 64 is a support portion-side second shaft insertion portion through which the clutch shaft 45 is inserted. 68 is provided in a substantially short cylindrical shape. The support portion side first shaft insertion portion 66 is inserted into the support portion side second shaft insertion portion 68 from the rear side in the mounting direction. A support portion-side second engaging portion 69 is provided at the +Y side end portion of the second actuator-side support member 64 . The support portion-side second engaging portion 69 is engaged with the second actuator-side engaging portion 58 described above.

The support spring 65 elastically connects the first actuator-side support member 63 and the second actuator-side support member 64 . The support spring 65 is provided on the clutch shaft 45 and has one end hooked to the first actuator side support member 63 and the other end hooked to the second actuator side support member 64 . The support spring 65 applies a force to rotate the second actuator-side support member 64 clockwise when the first actuator-side support member 63 is fixed. For example, a torsion coil spring can be used as the support spring 65 . Note that the support spring 65 is an example of an "elastic member".

[Change in State of First Torque Switching Mechanism]
When the first tape cartridge 101a is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 2, as described above, the cartridge side first engaging portion 124a and the cartridge side second engaging portion 124b are respectively connected to the device side first engaging portion 49a. and the device-side second engaging portion 49b (see FIG. 15).

At this time, the cartridge-side first engaging portion 124a engages the device-side first engaging portion 49a in the order of the first engaging slope 54 and the first operating surface 55 . As a result, the device-side first engaging portion 49a is pushed to the +X side. As a result, the first switching actuator 47a rotates counterclockwise from the state shown in FIG. 22 against the elastic force of the actuator spring 56 as shown in FIG. At this time, since the first actuator side engaging portion 52 of the first switching actuator 47a moves to the +X side, the first actuator side engaging portion 52 moves to the -X side of the first actuator side engaging portion 52. The support-side first engaging portion 67 engaged with 52 becomes movable to the +X side. As a result, the first actuator-side support member 63 can rotate counterclockwise, that is, in the direction in which the movable gear 46 supported by the first actuator-side support member 63 approaches the first winding gear 41. Become. In this manner, when the cartridge-side first engaging portion 124a engages with the device-side first engaging portion 49a, the first switching actuator 47a rotates counterclockwise, thereby supporting the first actuator side. It allows the member 63 to rotate counterclockwise.

Further, the cartridge-side second engaging portion 124b engages the device-side second engaging portion 49b in the order of the second engaging slope 61 and the second operating surface 62 . As a result, the device-side second engaging portion 49b is pushed to the -X side. As a result, the second switching actuator 47b rotates counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 21 from the state shown in FIG. At this time, since the second actuator-side engaging portion 58 of the second switching actuator 47b pushes the support portion-side second engaging portion 69 of the second actuator-side support member 64 to the -X side, the second operation The child side support member 64 rotates counterclockwise. When the second actuator-side support member 64 rotates counterclockwise, the first actuator-side support member 63 elastically connected to the second actuator-side support member 64 via the support spring 65 rotates counterclockwise. The movable gear 46 supported by the first actuator-side support member 63 rotates clockwise, that is, in a direction toward the first take-up gear 41 . As a result, the movable gear 46 meshes with the first winding gear 41, as shown in FIG. In this way, when the cartridge-side second engaging portion 124b engages the device-side second engaging portion 49b, the second switching actuator 47b rotates counterclockwise, thereby supporting the first actuator side. The member 63 is rotated counterclockwise.

Here, the first actuator-side support member 63 and the second actuator-side support member 64 are elastically connected by a support spring 65 . Therefore, the second actuator-side support member 64 rotates counterclockwise from the state shown in FIG. , against the elastic force of the support spring 65, and can be further rotated counterclockwise by an additional rotation amount α. Here, the meshing rotation amount θ means the minimum value of the rotation amount of the second actuator side support member 64 necessary for the movable gear 46 to mesh with the first winding gear 41 . Therefore, if the amount of rotation of the second actuator-side support member 64 is equal to or greater than the engagement rotation amount θ and is equal to or less than the sum (θ+α) of the engagement rotation amount θ and the additional rotation amount α, the movable gear can be rotated with a moderate load. 46 is pressed against the first winding gear 41 . Therefore, the design value of the amount of rotation of the second actuator side support member 64 should be set to a value larger than θ and smaller than (θ+α). As a result, even if the amount of rotation of the second actuator side support member 64 varies due to dimensional variations in the cartridge side second engaging portion 124b, etc., the movable gear 46 can be rotated as long as the value is θ or more and (θ+α) or less. It can mesh properly with the first winding gear 41 . That is, the support spring 65 can absorb the dimensional variations of the cartridge-side second engaging portion 124b and the like.

In this manner, when the first tape cartridge 101a is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 2, the cartridge side first engaging portion 124a and the cartridge side second engaging portion 124b are engaged with the device side first engaging portion 49a and the device side first engaging portion 49a, respectively. It engages with the device side second engaging portion 49b. As a result, the gear support portion 48 rotates counterclockwise, and the movable gear 46 meshes with the first winding gear 41 . As a result, the first torque switching mechanism 31 changes the state in which the rotation of the feed motor 20 is input to the first winding gear 41 via the movable gear 46, that is, the torque transmitted to the first winding rotor 16 is changed to the first torque. The state changes to the first state of torque.

Next, the state change of the first torque switching mechanism 31 when removing the first tape cartridge 101a will be described. When the first tape cartridge 101a is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 2, as described above, the cartridge-side first engaging portion 124a and the cartridge-side second engaging portion 124b are connected to the device-side first engaging portion 49a and the device-side first engaging portion 49a, respectively. It is disengaged from the device-side second engaging portion 49b.

When the cartridge-side first engaging portion 124a and the device-side first engaging portion 49a are disengaged, the first switching actuator 47a changes from the state shown in FIG. 21 to the state shown in FIG. The elastic force of the spring 56 rotates clockwise. As a result, the first actuator side engaging portion 52 of the first switching actuator 47a pushes the supporting portion side first engaging portion 67 of the first actuator side supporting member 63 to the -X side. Therefore, the first actuator-side support member 63 rotates clockwise, that is, in the direction in which the movable gear 46 supported by the first actuator-side support member 63 moves away from the first winding gear 41 . As a result, the movable gear 46 is disengaged from the first winding gear 41, as shown in FIG. In this manner, the first switching actuator 47a rotates clockwise when the cartridge-side first engaging portion 124a is disengaged from the device-side first engaging portion 49a. is rotated clockwise to prevent the first actuator-side support member 63 from rotating counterclockwise.

When the first actuator-side support member 63 rotates clockwise, the second actuator-side support member 64 elastically connected to the first actuator-side support member 63 via the support spring 65 rotates clockwise. to rotate. As a result, the support portion-side second engagement portion 69 of the second actuator-side support member 64 pushes the second actuator-side engagement portion 58 of the second switching actuator 47b to the +X side. At this time, as described above, the engagement between the cartridge-side second engaging portion 124b and the device-side second engaging portion 49b is disengaged, so that the device-side second engaging portion 49b can move to the +X side. That is, the second switching operator 47b is rotatable clockwise. Therefore, the second switching actuator 47b is pushed by the second actuator-side support member 64 and rotates clockwise.

In this manner, when the first tape cartridge 101a is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 2, the cartridge side first engaging portion 124a and the cartridge side second engaging portion 124b are respectively connected to the device side first engaging portion 49a and the device side engaging portion 49a. It is released from the side second engaging portion 49b. As a result, the gear support portion 48 rotates clockwise, and the movable gear 46 is disengaged from the first winding gear 41 . As a result, the first torque switching mechanism 31 changes the state in which the rotation of the feed motor 20 is input to the first winding gear 41 via the second winding gear 42 , that is, the torque transmitted to the first winding rotor 16 . is the second torque.

As described above, when the second tape cartridge 101b is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 2, the connection convex portion 119 and the connection concave portion 121 are connected to the device side first engaging portion 49a and the device side second engaging portion 49a, respectively. It does not engage with portion 49b (see FIG. 16). Therefore, when the second tape cartridge 101b is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 2, the first torque switching mechanism 31 remains in the second state, and the torque transmitted to the first winding rotor 16 is changed to the second state. Torque remains.

As described above, according to the first tape cartridge 101a and the tape printer 1 of the present embodiment, when the first tape cartridge 101a is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 2, the cartridge side first engaging portion 124a and the cartridge side By engaging the second engaging portion 124b with the device-side first engaging portion 49a and the device-side second engaging portion 49b, respectively, the first torque switching mechanism 31 changes state from the second state to the first state. do. As a result, the torque transmitted to the first winding rotor 16 is switched from the second torque to the first torque. Therefore, the diameter of the first take-up core 105 can be reduced and the size of the first tape cartridge 101a can be reduced as compared with the case where the first take-up rotor 16 has a double tube structure. In addition, the amount of backlash of the first winding rotor 16 with respect to the first winding shaft 11 is smaller than when the first winding rotor 16 has a double-cylinder structure. Therefore, the center of the first take-up core 105 and the center of the first take-up shaft 11 can be substantially aligned, so that the first ink ribbon 109 can be appropriately wound around the first take-up core 105 . .

Further, according to the first tape cartridge 101a and the tape printer 1 of the present embodiment, the first tape cartridge 101a and the first torque switching mechanism 31 are not engaged only at one point, They are engaged at two points: the engaging portion 124a and the device-side first engaging portion 49a, and the cartridge-side second engaging portion 124b and the device-side second engaging portion 49b. Therefore, the load due to the engagement acts on the first tape cartridge 101a in a well-balanced manner, suppressing the tilting of the first tape cartridge 101a with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 2, thereby reducing the first printing tape 107 and the first ink. The runnability of the ribbon 109 can be improved.

Note that the cartridge-side first engaging portion 124a and the cartridge-side second engaging portion 124b are not limited to being arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center of the core concave portion 115 as in the present embodiment. It suffices if it can be engaged with the device-side first engaging portion 49a and the device-side second engaging portion 49b. For example, the dimension between the cartridge-side first engaging portion 124a and the center of the core recess 115 and the dimension between the cartridge-side second engaging portion 124b and the center of the core recess 115 may be different. . Also, the cartridge-side first engaging portion 124a, the center of the core recessed portion 115, and the cartridge-side second engaging portion 124b may not be arranged on a straight line when viewed from the rear side in the mounting direction. That is, the cartridge-side first engaging portion 124a and the cartridge-side second engaging portion 124b are within the core concave portion as long as they can be engaged with the device-side first engaging portion 49a and the device-side second engaging portion 49b. It suffices if they are arranged so as to face each other with the center of 115 interposed therebetween. In addition, the shape of the first cartridge-side engaging portion 124a and the shape of the second cartridge-side engaging portion 124b, which are opposed to each other with the center of the core recess 115 interposed therebetween when viewed from the back side in the mounting direction, are different. good too. Similarly, the device-side first engaging portion 49 a and the device-side second engaging portion 49 b are not limited to being arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center of the core convex portion 5 . Further, the direction in which the cartridge side first engaging portion 124a pushes the device side first engaging portion 49a and the direction in which the device side second engaging portion 49b is pushed by the cartridge side second engaging portion 124b are different from each other. Opposite orientation is preferred.

[Other Modifications]
It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and that various configurations can be adopted without departing from the spirit of the embodiments. For example, the above embodiment can be modified into the following forms in addition to those described above.

The cartridge side engaging portion 124 is not limited to the configuration formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base recess 116, and may be provided anywhere on the tape cartridge 101 as long as it can be engaged with the device side engaging portion 49. good too. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, the cartridge-side first engaging portion 124a and the cartridge-side second engaging portion 124b are provided at the edge of the core recess 115, and when viewed from the rear side in the mounting direction, part of the cartridge-side engaging portion 124a and the cartridge-side second engaging portion 124b A configuration that overlaps with the recess 115 is also possible. That is, the cartridge-side engaging portion 124 may be provided on the outer surface of the first cartridge case 106 on the far side in the mounting direction. Although the cartridge-side first engaging portion 124a and the cartridge-side second engaging portion 124b shown in FIG. 23 have a substantially rectangular plate shape, the shape is not particularly limited. shape, hemispherical shape, or the like. Further, the cartridge side engaging portion 124 may be configured to protrude from the bottom surface of the pedestal concave portion 116 to the rear side in the mounting direction. In this case, the cartridge-side engaging portion 124 may or may not be formed integrally with the inner peripheral surface of the base recess 116 .

The first torque switching mechanism 31 changes the torque transmitted to the first winding rotor 16 from the second state in which the torque transmitted to the first winding rotor 16 is a relatively small second torque when the tape cartridge 101 is mounted. 16 is not limited to the configuration in which the state is changed to the first state in which the torque transmitted to the tape cartridge 16 is a relatively large first torque, and the state is changed from the first state to the second state when the tape cartridge 101 is mounted. Varying configurations are also possible.

In this configuration, for example, the cartridge-side engaging portion 124 is provided in the second tape cartridge 101b and not provided in the first tape cartridge 101a. The first torque switching mechanism 31 also includes a locking portion that locks the movable gear 46 in mesh with the first winding gear 41 . When the second tape cartridge 101b is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 2, the cartridge-side engaging portion 124 engages with the device-side engaging portion 49, thereby unlocking the lock portion and moving the movable gear 46. It should be removed from the first winding gear 41 . Further, when the second tape cartridge 101b is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 2, the lock portion locks the movable gear 46 in mesh with the first take-up gear 41. As shown in FIG. As a result, the first torque switching mechanism 31 changes from the first state to the second state when the second tape cartridge 101b is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 2. FIG. Also, the first torque switching mechanism 31 changes its state from the second state to the first state when the second tape cartridge 101b is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 2 . On the other hand, the first torque switching mechanism 31 remains in the first state when the first tape cartridge 101 a is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 2 .

In the tape printer 1, one of the first switching actuator 47a and the second switching actuator 47b includes a device-side third engaging portion provided on the back side of the third base opening 38c in the mounting direction. The other of the switching actuator 47a and the second switching actuator 47b may be provided with a device-side fourth engaging portion provided on the back side of the fourth base opening 38d in the mounting direction. That is, in the tape printer 1, the device side engaging portion 49 corresponds to the device side third engaging portion 124c corresponding to the cartridge side third engaging portion 124c and the cartridge side fourth engaging portion 124d. A device-side fourth engaging portion may be provided. In other words, in the tape printer 1, the two opposing device-side engaging portions 49 may be provided on the +Y side and the -Y side in addition to being provided on the +X side and the -X side as in the above embodiment. .

Also in this configuration, when the first tape cartridge 101a is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 2, the cartridge-side third engaging portion 124c and the cartridge-side fourth engaging portion 124d engage the apparatus-side third engaging portion and the apparatus-side engaging portion, respectively. By engaging with the fourth engaging portion, the first torque switching mechanism 31 changes state from the second state to the first state. Thus, the first tape cartridge 101a has the cartridge side first engaging portion 124a, the cartridge side second engaging portion 124b, the cartridge side third engaging portion 124c, and the cartridge side fourth engaging portion 124d. , the tape printer 1 having the device-side first engaging portion 49a and the device-side second engaging portion 49b can also be handled, and the tape having the device-side third engaging portion and the device-side fourth engaging portion The printer 1 can also be used. Therefore, the tape printer 1 may be configured to include the device-side first engaging portion 49a and the device-side second engaging portion 49b as the device-side engaging portion 49, and the device-side third engaging portion and the device-side engaging portion 49b. Since the fourth engaging portion may be provided, the device-side engaging portion 49 can be arranged more freely.

The first tape cartridge 101a is for the tape printer 1 having the device-side first engaging portion 49a and the device-side second engaging portion 49b. A configuration including only the first engaging portion 124a and the second cartridge-side engaging portion 124b may be employed. In addition, the first tape cartridge 101a is for the tape printer 1 having the device-side third engaging portion and the device-side fourth engaging portion, and the cartridge-side third engaging portion among the four cartridge-side engaging portions 124 is the third engaging portion. A configuration including only the joining portion 124c and the cartridge-side fourth engaging portion 124d may be employed.

The number of device-side engaging portions 49 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more. The number of cartridge side engaging portions 124 is not limited to four. For example, when the number of device-side engaging portions 49 is two, the number of cartridge-side engaging portions 124 may be two or more, and one cartridge-side engaging portion 124 can be used for two device-side engaging portions. The number of the cartridge-side engaging portions 124 may be one as long as it is configured to engage with the portion 49 .

The tape cartridge 101 has an attachment mounting portion in place of the recessed pedestal 116 forming the engaging portion 124 on the cartridge side. , may be detachably attached. In this configuration, the attachment functions as an adjusting device for engaging with the apparatus side engaging portion 49 by being attached to the attachment attaching portion of the tape cartridge 101 . At this time, a cartridge system including the tape cartridge 101 and an attachment attached to the attachment attachment portion of the tape cartridge 101 may be attached to the cartridge attachment portion 2, or the attachment may be attached to the core of the tape printer 1 in advance. An embodiment in which the tape cartridge 101 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 2 after being attached to the convex portion 5 may be employed. Also, the attachment may have a shape such that, for example, a flange portion is provided on the back side in the mounting direction, and a portion of the wall portion of the first cartridge case 106 is complemented.

The cartridge mounting unit 2 is not limited to the structure in which the tape cartridge 101 and the ribbon cartridge 201 are alternatively mounted, and the structure in which only the tape cartridge 101 is mounted may be employed.
Moreover, the structure which combined each above-described embodiment and a modification may be sufficient.

[Appendix]
The cartridge and the tape printer are described below.
The cartridge comprises: a cartridge mounting portion to which the cartridge having a winding core on which the ink ribbon is wound is mounted; a winding rotor that engages with the winding core when the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion; A core convex portion provided in the cartridge mounting portion and protruding to the near side in the mounting direction of the cartridge, a device side engaging portion provided to the rear side in the mounting direction with respect to the opening provided in the core convex portion, and a device side A first state in which a switching actuator provided with an engaging portion is provided and the torque transmitted to the winding rotor is the first torque, and a second state is in the second state in which the second torque is smaller than the first torque. and a torque switching mechanism that changes the states of the cartridge to be mounted on a tape printer, the outer shell of the cartridge comprising a printing tape, a tape core around which the printing tape is wound, and an ink ribbon. , a winding core, a core recess provided in the cartridge case into which the core projection is inserted from the rear side in the mounting direction when the cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion, and a core projection in the core recess. When the cartridge-side engaging portion is inserted, the cartridge-side engaging portion engages with the device-side engaging portion to change the state of the torque switching mechanism from the second state to the first state or from the first state to the second state. with joints and .

According to this configuration, when the cartridge is attached to the cartridge attachment portion, the cartridge-side engaging portion engages with the apparatus-side engaging portion, thereby switching the torque switching mechanism from the second state to the first state, or The state changes from the first state to the second state. Thereby, the torque transmitted to the winding rotor is switched from the second torque to the first torque or from the first torque to the second torque. Therefore, since the winding rotor does not need to have a double-cylinder structure, the diameter of the winding core can be reduced, and the size of the cartridge can be reduced.

In this case, the tape printer includes the device-side first engaging portion and the device-side second engaging portion as the device-side engaging portion, and the cartridge has the device-side first engaging portion as the cartridge-side engaging portion. a cartridge side first engaging portion provided corresponding to the engaging portion; and a cartridge side second engaging portion provided corresponding to the device side second engaging portion. It is preferable that the joining portion and the cartridge-side second engaging portion are provided point-symmetrically with respect to the center of the core concave portion when viewed from the mounting direction.

According to this configuration, the cartridge and the torque switching mechanism are not engaged with each other at only one point, but with the cartridge-side first engaging portion, the device-side first engaging portion, the cartridge-side second engaging portion and the torque switching mechanism. The device-side second engaging portion engages at two points. Moreover, these two engagement points are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center of the core recess. Therefore, the load due to the engagement acts on the cartridge in a well-balanced manner, the cartridge is prevented from tilting with respect to the cartridge mounting portion, and the running properties of the printing tape and the ink ribbon can be improved.

In this case, the other tape printing device includes a device-side third engaging portion and a device-side fourth engaging portion as device-side engaging portions, and the cartridge has a cartridge-side engaging portion as a cartridge-side engaging portion. a first engaging portion; a second cartridge-side engaging portion; a third cartridge-side engaging portion provided corresponding to the third engaging portion; and a cartridge-side fourth engaging portion provided, wherein the cartridge-side third engaging portion and the cartridge-side fourth engaging portion are point-symmetrical with respect to the center of the core concave portion when viewed from the mounting direction. is preferably provided in

According to this configuration, it is possible to cope with a tape printer having the device-side first engaging portion and the device-side second engaging portion, and the device-side third engaging portion and the device-side fourth engaging portion are provided. It is also compatible with tape printers. Therefore, the tape printer may be configured to include the device-side first engaging portion and the device-side second engaging portion as the device-side engaging portion, and the device-side third engaging portion and the device-side fourth engaging portion. Since the device-side engaging portion may be arranged with a portion, the degree of freedom in arranging the device-side engaging portion can be increased.

In this case, it is preferable that the cartridge side engaging portion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the core concave portion.

According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the cartridge-side engaging portion from being damaged even when the cartridge is dropped.

In this case, it is preferable that the cartridge-side engaging portion is provided at the edge of the core recess and partly overlaps with the core recess when viewed from the mounting direction.

According to this configuration, the cartridge-side engaging portion provided outside the core concave portion can be engaged with the device-side engaging portion.

The tape printer includes a printing tape, a tape core around which the printing tape is wound, an ink ribbon, a take-up core around which the ink ribbon is wound, and a cartridge containing the print tape, the tape core, the ink ribbon, and the take-up core. A cartridge including a case and a core recess provided in the cartridge case, wherein the cartridge mounting portion selectively mounts a first cartridge and a second cartridge having different ink ribbon widths; a winding rotor that engages with the winding core when the cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion; A stepped cylindrical core projection to be inserted into the recess, a device-side engaging portion provided on the back side in the mounting direction with respect to the opening provided in the core projection, and a device-side engaging portion are provided. The torque is changed between a first state in which the torque transmitted to the winding rotor is the first torque and a second state in which the torque is transmitted to the winding rotor as a second torque smaller than the first torque. a switching mechanism, wherein one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge has a cartridge side engaging portion that engages with the device side engaging portion when mounted in the cartridge mounting portion; and torque switching. In the mechanism, when one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge having the cartridge-side engaging portion is attached to the cartridge mounting portion, the cartridge-side engaging portion engages with the device-side engaging portion to The state changes from the second state to the first state or from the first state to the second state.

According to this configuration, when the cartridge is attached to the cartridge attachment portion, the cartridge-side engaging portion engages with the apparatus-side engaging portion, thereby switching the torque switching mechanism from the second state to the first state, or The state changes from the first state to the second state. Thereby, the torque transmitted to the winding rotor is switched from the second torque to the first torque or from the first torque to the second torque. Therefore, since the winding rotor does not need to have a double-cylinder structure, the diameter of the winding core can be reduced, and the size of the cartridge can be reduced.

In this case, either one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge has a first cartridge-side engaging portion and a second cartridge-side engaging portion as the cartridge-side engaging portions, and the tape printing device As side engaging portions, a device-side first engaging portion provided corresponding to the cartridge-side first engaging portion and a device-side second engaging portion provided corresponding to the cartridge-side second engaging portion. The device-side first engaging portion and the device-side second engaging portion are point symmetrical with respect to the center of the core convex portion when viewed from the mounting direction when the cartridge is not mounted. is preferably provided in

According to this configuration, the cartridge and the torque switching mechanism are not engaged with each other at only one point, but with the cartridge-side first engaging portion, the device-side first engaging portion, the cartridge-side second engaging portion and the torque switching mechanism. The device-side second engaging portion engages at two points. Moreover, these two engagement points are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center of the core protrusion. Therefore, the load due to the engagement acts on the cartridge in a well-balanced manner, the cartridge is prevented from tilting with respect to the cartridge mounting portion, and the running properties of the printing tape and the ink ribbon can be improved.

In this case, the torque switching mechanism is provided coaxially with the winding rotor, and is provided coaxially with the first winding gear for rotating the winding rotor, and the first state and the second state. In either state, the rotation of the feed motor is input, the second winding gear rotates the winding rotor via the first winding gear, and the torque is transmitted from the first winding gear to the winding rotor. to a first torque; a second torque limiter that limits the torque transmitted from the second winding gear to the first winding gear to a second torque; a movable gear configured to be engageable/disengageable with respect to the switching actuator, the switching actuator engages the movable gear with the first take-up gear when the cartridge-side engaging portion engages the device-side engaging portion; Preferably, the movable gear is moved away from the first take-up gear when the cartridge-side engagement portion is disengaged from the device-side engagement portion.

According to this configuration, the cartridge-side engaging portion is engaged with the device-side engaging portion, and the movable gear is engaged with the first take-up gear. The state changes to the state input to the first winding gear, that is, the first state. On the other hand, the cartridge-side engaging portion is disengaged from the device-side engaging portion and the movable gear is disengaged from the first winding gear, so that the torque switching mechanism causes the feed motor to rotate through the second winding gear to the first winding gear. The state changes to the state of being input to the take-up gear, that is, to the second state.

In this case, the torque switching mechanism has a gear support portion configured to be rotatable such that the rotatably supported movable gear moves into and out of contact with the first take-up gear, and the switching actuator is the device A side first engaging portion is provided, and when the device side first engaging portion engages with the cartridge side first engaging portion, the gear support portion rotates in a direction in which the movable gear approaches the first winding gear. and when the device-side first engaging portion disengages from the cartridge-side first engaging portion, the first switching operation prevents the gear support portion from rotating in the direction in which the movable gear approaches the first take-up gear. and a device-side second engaging portion are provided, and when the device-side second engaging portion engages with the cartridge-side second engaging portion, the movable gear shifts the gear support portion in a direction approaching the first winding gear. It is preferable to have a 2nd switching actuator made to rotate.

According to this configuration, when the cartridge-side first engaging portion and the cartridge-side second engaging portion engage with the device-side first engaging portion and the device-side second engaging portion, respectively, the movable gear is engaged with the first winding. The torque switching mechanism is changed to the first state by rotating the gear support portion in a direction approaching the gear. On the other hand, when the cartridge-side first engaging portion and the cartridge-side second engaging portion are disengaged from the device-side first engaging portion and the device-side second engaging portion, the movable gear moves away from the first take-up gear. Rotation of the supporting portion changes the state of the torque switching mechanism to the second state.

In this case, the gear support portion includes a first operating member side supporting member that is rotatably provided and rotatably supports the movable gear, and a second operating member that is rotatably provided and is engaged with the second switching operating member. It is preferable to include an actuator-side support member and an elastic member that elastically connects the first actuator-side support member and the second actuator-side support member.

According to this configuration, even if the amount of rotation of the second actuator-side support member varies due to variations in the dimensions of the device-side second engaging portion and the like, the variation in the amount of rotation can be absorbed by the elastic member. Thereby, the movable gear can be appropriately meshed with the first winding gear.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Tape printing apparatus 2... Cartridge mounting part 5... Core convex part 16... First take-up rotor 31... First torque switching mechanism 38... Base opening 41... First take-up gear 42 2nd take-up gear 43 1st slip spring 44 2nd slip spring 46 movable gear 47 switching operator 47a first switching operator 47b second switching operator 48 Gear support part 49...Device side engaging part 49a...Device side first engaging part 49b...Device side second engaging part 51...First actuator side shaft insertion part 52...First actuator side Engagement portion 63 First actuator side support member 64 Second actuator side support member 65 Support spring 101 Tape cartridge 102 Tape core 105 First take-up core 106 Second 1 cartridge case 107 first printing tape 109 first ink ribbon 115 core concave portion 124 cartridge side engaging portion 124 a cartridge side first engaging portion 124 b cartridge side second engaging portion , 124c... cartridge side third engaging portion, 124d... cartridge side fourth engaging portion.

Claims (10)

a cartridge mounting portion to which a cartridge having a winding core on which an ink ribbon is wound is mounted; a winding rotor that engages with the winding core when the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion; A core convex portion provided in the cartridge mounting portion and protruding to the near side in the mounting direction of the cartridge, and a device-side engaging portion provided to the rear side in the mounting direction with respect to the opening portion provided in the core convex portion. and a first state in which a switching actuator provided with the apparatus-side engaging portion is provided, and the torque transmitted to the winding rotor is set to a first torque; and a second state smaller than the first torque. A cartridge to be installed in a tape printer, comprising a second state of torque and a torque switching mechanism that changes the state to
a cartridge case that constitutes an outer shell of the cartridge and houses a printing tape, a tape core around which the printing tape is wound, the ink ribbon, and the winding core;
a core concave portion provided in the cartridge case into which the core convex portion is inserted from the rear side in the mounting direction when the cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion;
When the core convex portion is inserted into the core concave portion, the torque switching mechanism is changed from the second state to the first state or the first state by engaging with the device-side engaging portion. and a cartridge-side engaging portion that changes the state from the second state to the second state. The tape printing device includes, as the device-side engaging portion, a device-side first engaging portion and a device-side second engaging portion,
In the cartridge, as the cartridge side engaging portion, a cartridge side first engaging portion provided corresponding to the device side first engaging portion and a device side second engaging portion provided corresponding to the device side engaging portion are provided. and a cartridge side second engaging portion,
The cartridge-side first engaging portion and the cartridge-side second engaging portion are provided point-symmetrically with respect to the center of the core recess when viewed from the mounting direction. Item 1. The cartridge according to item 1. The other tape printing device includes a device-side third engaging portion and a device-side fourth engaging portion as the device-side engaging portions,
In the cartridge, as the cartridge-side engaging portions, the cartridge-side first engaging portion, the cartridge-side second engaging portion, and the cartridge-side third engaging portion provided corresponding to the device-side third engaging portion. 3 engaging portion, and a cartridge side fourth engaging portion provided corresponding to the device side fourth engaging portion,
The cartridge-side third engaging portion and the cartridge-side fourth engaging portion are provided point-symmetrically with respect to the center of the core recess when viewed from the mounting direction. Item 3. The cartridge according to item 2. 4. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cartridge-side engaging portion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the core concave portion. 4. The cartridge-side engaging portion is provided at the edge of the core recess, and partially overlaps with the core recess when viewed from the mounting direction. or the cartridge according to item 1. A printing tape, a tape core around which the printing tape is wound, an ink ribbon, a winding core around which the ink ribbon is wound, the printing tape, the tape core, the ink ribbon, and the winding core are accommodated. A cartridge including a cartridge case and a core recess provided in the cartridge case, wherein the cartridge mounting portion selectively mounts a first cartridge and a second cartridge having different widths of the ink ribbon. ,
a winding rotor that engages with the winding core when the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion;
a stepped cylindrical core convex portion provided in the cartridge mounting portion and inserted into the core concave portion from the rear side in the mounting direction of the cartridge when the cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion;
a device-side engaging portion provided on the rear side in the mounting direction with respect to the opening provided in the core convex portion;
a first state in which a switching actuator provided with the apparatus-side engaging portion is provided, and torque transmitted to the winding rotor is a first torque; and a second torque smaller than the first torque. and a torque switching mechanism that changes the state to
one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge includes a cartridge side engaging portion that engages with the device side engaging portion when mounted on the cartridge mounting portion;
In the torque switching mechanism, when the cartridge having the cartridge-side engaging portion of the first cartridge and the second cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion, the cartridge-side engaging portion is on the device side. A tape printer characterized by changing from said second state to said first state or from said first state to said second state by engaging with an engaging portion. one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge includes, as the cartridge side engaging portion, a cartridge side first engaging portion and a cartridge side second engaging portion;
In the tape printer, as the device-side engaging portions, a device-side first engaging portion provided corresponding to the cartridge-side first engaging portion and a device-side engaging portion provided corresponding to the cartridge-side second engaging portion and a device-side second engaging portion provided,
The device-side first engaging portion and the device-side second engaging portion are point-symmetrical with respect to the center of the core convex portion when viewed from the mounting direction in a state in which the cartridge is not mounted. 7. The tape printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the tape printing apparatus is provided in the . The torque switching mechanism is
a first winding gear provided coaxially with the winding rotor for rotating the winding rotor;
It is provided coaxially with the winding rotor, and in both the first state and the second state, the rotation of the feed motor is input to rotate the winding rotor via the first winding gear. a second winding gear;
a first torque limiter that limits the torque transmitted from the first winding gear to the winding rotor to the first torque;
a second torque limiter that limits the torque transmitted from the second winding gear to the first winding gear to the second torque;
a movable gear configured to be engageable/disengageable with respect to the first winding gear;
The switching actuator engages the movable gear with the first winding gear when the cartridge-side engaging portion engages the device-side engaging portion, and the cartridge-side engaging portion engages the device-side engaging portion. 8. The tape printing apparatus of claim 7, wherein disengagement moves the movable gear away from the first take-up gear. The torque switching mechanism is
a gear support section configured to be rotatable such that the rotatably supported movable gear is separated from and contacts the first winding gear;
The switching actuator is
The device-side first engaging portion is provided, and when the device-side first engaging portion engages with the cartridge-side first engaging portion, the movable gear moves toward the first take-up gear. When the support portion is allowed to rotate, and the device-side first engagement portion is disengaged from the cartridge-side first engagement portion, the movable gear moves toward the first winding gear toward the gear support portion. A first switching actuator that prevents the rotation of the
The device-side second engaging portion is provided, and when the device-side second engaging portion engages with the cartridge-side second engaging portion, the movable gear moves toward the first take-up gear. a second switching actuator that rotates the support;
9. The tape printing apparatus according to claim 8, comprising: The gear support is
a first actuator-side support member that is rotatably provided and rotatably supports the movable gear;
a second actuator-side support member rotatably provided and engaged with the second switching actuator;
an elastic member that elastically connects the first actuator-side support member and the second actuator-side support member;
10. The tape printing apparatus of claim 9, comprising:

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