JP6375761B2 - Tape printer and tape printing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a tape printing apparatus and a tape printing system provided with a cartridge mounting portion on which a tape cartridge is detachably mounted.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of tape printing apparatus, a print label producing apparatus having a cassette mounting portion is known (see Patent Document 1).
The cassette mounting portion is provided with a conveying mechanism and a printing mechanism for printing on the tape drawn out from the tape cassette, and two positioning pins that are spaced apart are provided upright. In addition, a prism-shaped sensor support portion incorporating a plurality of sensors for detecting attribute information of the tape (film tape) is erected on the cassette mounting portion. The sensor support portion is provided with four reflective sensors in the vertical direction on the front side surface, and similarly in the vertical direction and four reflective sensors on the right side surface.
On the other hand, a tape cassette is an adhesive tape spool wound with a double-sided adhesive tape, a film tape spool wound with a film tape (printing tape), a ribbon spool wound with an ink ribbon, and a ribbon winding for winding an ink ribbon. A take-up spool, a tape drive roller, and a cassette case storing these are provided. The cassette case is provided with two pin holes corresponding to the two positioning pins, and a concave space corresponding to the sensor support portion is formed in the space between the double-sided adhesive tape and the film tape. . A total of eight detected portions corresponding to the above-described reflective sensors are provided on the peripheral wall portion constituting the concave space.
When the tape cassette is mounted on the cassette mounting portion, the two pin holes are inserted into the two positioning pins to position the tape cassette, and the detected portion provided in the concave space faces the reflective sensor.

JP 2013-141749 A

In such a conventional print label producing apparatus, the tape cassette is mounted because the two pin holes corresponding to the two positioning pins and the concave space corresponding to the sensor support portion are provided at positions separated from each other. When this is done, the concave space may be slightly displaced from the sensor support portion. For this reason, there has been a problem that the detection of the attribute information of the film tape becomes unstable.
Further, in order to accurately position the tape cassette, it is necessary that the positions of the two positioning pins and the positions and sizes of the two positioning pins and the two pin holes should be accurately formed. However, if they are formed with high accuracy, there is a problem that the frictional resistance increases when the tape cassette is attached and detached, making it difficult to attach and detach.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a tape printer and a tape printing system that can achieve both smooth attachment / detachment and appropriate positioning accuracy with respect to a tape cartridge.

  In the tape printer of the present invention, a tape cartridge in which a core shaft portion is disposed on the inner peripheral side of a wound printing tape is detachably mounted, and a cartridge mounting portion and a cartridge mounting portion protrude from the cartridge mounting portion. An engagement convex portion that engages with the inner peripheral portion of the core shaft portion of the tape cartridge, and a plurality of spring pieces provided on the engagement convex portion. The inner peripheral surfaces of the core shaft portions that are equally arranged in the circumferential direction are biased outward in the radial direction.

  According to this configuration, when the tape cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, the inner peripheral portion of the core shaft portion of the tape cartridge is engaged with the engaging convex portion of the cartridge mounting portion. In this case, since the engaging convex portion is provided with a plurality of spring pieces for urging the inner peripheral surface of the core shaft portion outward in the radial direction, each spring piece is appropriately bent when the tape cartridge is attached or detached. While (elastic deformation) guide the tape cartridge. For this reason, minute positional deviation and inclination of the tape cartridge are absorbed, and the tape cartridge can be attached and detached smoothly. The plurality of spring pieces are evenly arranged in the circumferential direction on the engaging convex portion and urge the inner circumferential surface of the core shaft portion outward in the radial direction. For this reason, the tape cartridge is positioned at a predetermined position where the spring forces of the plurality of spring pieces antagonize (cancel). Therefore, it is possible to achieve both smooth attachment / detachment and appropriate positioning accuracy with respect to the tape cartridge.

  In this case, a spring holder for holding a plurality of spring pieces is further provided, and the spring holder is disposed inside the engagement convex portion, and the plurality of spring pieces are formed from a plurality of openings formed in the engagement convex portion. It is preferable to protrude outward.

  According to this configuration, the plurality of spring pieces can be unitized via the spring holder, and the plurality of spring pieces can be accurately incorporated into the engaging convex portion. Accordingly, a predetermined position where the spring forces of the plurality of spring pieces antagonize can be set at the center of the engaging convex portion, and the positioning accuracy of the tape cartridge can be increased.

  In this case, it is preferable that the mounting base portion and the engaging convex portion constituting the cartridge mounting portion are integrally formed.

  According to this configuration, the engaging convex portion can be easily formed, and the structure around the cartridge mounting portion can be simplified.

  Further, the inner peripheral portion of the core shaft portion has a first recess on the rear side in the engagement direction and a second recess formed on the front side in the engagement direction and having a diameter larger than that of the first recess. The portion has a first convex portion on the distal end side that engages with the first concave portion, and a second convex portion on the proximal end side that engages with the second concave portion, and the plurality of spring pieces are the second convex portions. Is preferably provided.

  In this case, the first concave portion incorporates a reverse rotation prevention mechanism that can be engaged with and disengaged from the tape core of the printing tape so that the tape core can be reversely rotated and released. Accordingly, it is preferable to release the reverse rotation prevention mechanism.

  According to these configurations, the second convex portion of the engaging convex portion has a function of positioning the tape cartridge via the plurality of spring pieces, and the first convex portion is released from the tape core reverse rotation prevention mechanism. Functions can be provided, and these functions can be centrally arranged.

  Each spring piece is preferably formed by bending a wire having springiness.

  According to this configuration, a plurality of the same spring pieces can be easily formed. Moreover, it can be made to contact with the inner peripheral surface of a core axial part in the shape of a dot or a line | wire, and a core axial part can be urged | biased with the stable spring force. Therefore, the tape cartridge can be properly positioned.

  In this case, each spring piece includes a held spring portion held by the spring holder, and a bending spring portion including a top portion that extends from the held spring portion and contacts the inner peripheral surface of the core shaft portion. It is preferable.

  According to this configuration, the spring stroke can be increased, and the inner peripheral surface of the core shaft portion can be urged stably. Therefore, the tape cartridge can be properly positioned.

  In this case, the inner peripheral surface of the core shaft portion is provided with a plurality of through holes with which the bending spring portions of the respective spring pieces are engaged. In accordance with the engagement of the core shaft portion with the portion, the bending spring portion is preferably engaged with the through hole while being elastically deformed, and in contact with the proximal end of the through hole.

  According to this configuration, when the inner peripheral portion of the core shaft portion is engaged with the engaging convex portion, the bending spring portion is engaged with the through hole while being elastically deformed. In other words, the plurality of spring pieces can click the engagement convex portion and the core shaft portion to be clicked, and the mounting failure of the tape cartridge can be suppressed. Further, since the bent spring portion is in contact with the base end of the through hole in an engaged state, the tape cartridge is pressed by the plurality of spring pieces through the base end of the through hole. For this reason, the lifting of the tape cartridge can be suppressed.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the plurality of spring pieces are formed integrally with the engaging convex portion.

  According to this configuration, the engaging convex portion and the plurality of spring pieces can have a simple structure and can be easily formed.

  On the other hand, the detection unit further includes a detection unit for detecting the attribute information of the tape cartridge that is in electrical contact with the detected unit provided on the inner peripheral portion of the core shaft portion of the mounted tape cartridge. Preferably has a plurality of spring pieces made of a conductive metal wire having a spring property, and the plurality of spring pieces are preferably connected to a detection circuit that detects binarized attribute information.

  According to this structure, a detection part can be made comparatively large with respect to the to-be-detected part provided in a comparatively big core axial part. Accordingly, the plurality of spring pieces can be arranged at appropriate intervals in the circumferential direction, and the number of the plurality of spring pieces can be increased. Thereby, the stability of detection can be achieved, and the information amount of the attribute information of the tape cartridge can be increased.

  In this case, the detected portion includes a wiring pattern substrate provided with a plurality of contact terminals including a contact portion with which a plurality of spring pieces contact, and a conductive / non-conductive wiring portion connected to the plurality of contact terminals, It is preferable to further include a cylindrical substrate cover that covers the wiring pattern substrate, and the plurality of spring pieces contact each contact terminal through a plurality of through holes formed in the substrate cover.

  According to this configuration, the detected portion can be provided stably, and the attribute information of the tape cartridge can be reliably detected.

  A tape printing system according to the present invention includes the tape printing apparatus described above and a tape cartridge that is detachably mounted on a cartridge mounting portion.

  According to this configuration, the tape cartridge can be smoothly attached and detached, and the tape cartridge can be mounted with high positioning accuracy. Therefore, handling property and printing quality can be improved.

It is an external appearance perspective view of the open state of the tape printer concerning an embodiment. It is the top view (a) and side view (b) of the tape cartridge which concern on embodiment. It is a top view of a cartridge mounting part. It is the perspective view which looked at the opening-and-closing lid from the back side. FIG. 2A is a plan view of the tape cartridge with the upper case and the upper case removed, and FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the tape cartridge from the back side. It is a perspective view of a cartridge mounting part. It is a perspective view of the lower case of a tape cartridge. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view around the detection unit and the detected portion in a state where the tape cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit. It is a perspective view of an insulating holder and the conductive contact held by this. It is the perspective view (a) of a wiring pattern board | substrate and a board | substrate cover, and its disassembled perspective view (b). It is the perspective view (a) of a wiring pattern board | substrate, and the top view (a) of the expansion | deployment state. A plan view of the developed state of the wiring pattern board according to the first modification (a), a plan view of the developed state of the wiring pattern board according to the second modification (b), and a developed state of the wiring pattern board according to the third modification. It is a top view (c). It is 2nd Embodiment, It is an expanded sectional view (a) around the positioning protrusion which made the electroconductive contactor of 1st Embodiment function as a mere spring piece, and the expanded sectional view (b) of the modification. . It is an expanded sectional view around the positioning protrusion of the third embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a tape printer and a tape printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This tape printing apparatus performs printing while feeding out a printing tape and an ink ribbon from a mounted tape cartridge, cuts a printed portion of the printing tape, and creates a label (tape piece). The tape printing system is constituted by the tape printing apparatus and a tape cartridge that is mounted on the tape printing apparatus.

[Outline of tape printer]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a tape printing apparatus constituting a tape printing system and a tape cartridge attached to the tape printing apparatus. As shown in the figure, the tape printer 1 includes an apparatus case 3 constituting an outer shell, a cartridge mounting part 5 to which a tape cartridge 100 is detachably mounted, and an opening / closing lid 7 for opening and closing the cartridge mounting part 5. It is equipped with. On the upper surface of the apparatus case 3, a cartridge mounting portion 5 is provided on the back side, a display 11 is provided in the center, and a keyboard 13 is provided on the front side. In the vicinity of the open / close lid 7, a finger hanging recess 15 is provided, and the open / close lid 7 is opened by placing a finger on the recess 15 and pulling it up. A vertical tape discharge port 17 through which the printing tape 102 is discharged is provided on the side surface (left side surface) of the device case 3.

  Further, the tape printer 1 includes a printing mechanism unit 23 having a print head 21 erected on the cartridge mounting unit 5, a tape feeding mechanism unit 25 built in the back side space of the cartridge mounting unit 5, and a tape discharge port 17. And a tape cutting mechanism 27 built in the vicinity. The user inputs print information from the keyboard 13, confirms the print information on the display 11, and then executes printing by key operation. When printing is instructed, the tape feeding mechanism unit 25 is driven to cause the printing tape 102 and the ink ribbon 110 to run side by side, and printing by thermal transfer is performed by the printing mechanism unit 23. By this print feed, the print tape 102 is discharged from the tape discharge port 17, and when printing is completed, the tape cutting mechanism unit 27 is driven and the printed portion of the print tape 102 is cut off.

[Tape cartridge overview]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the tape cartridge 100 includes a tape roll 106 in which the printing tape 102 is wound around the tape core 104, and a ribbon roll 114 in which the ink ribbon 110 is wound around the feeding core 112. . The tape cartridge 100 also includes a take-up core 116 that winds up the used ink ribbon 110, and a platen roller that the print head 21 contacts with the ink ribbon 110 and the print tape 102 and sends the print tape 102 and the ink ribbon 110. 120 (platen). Further, the tape cartridge 100 includes a cartridge case 130 that accommodates the tape roll 106, the ribbon roll 114, the winding core 116, and the platen roller 120. Thus, the tape cartridge 100 of this embodiment has a so-called shell structure in which the outer shell is covered with the cartridge case 130.

  Further, the cartridge case 130 is formed with an insertion opening 134 into which the print head 21 is inserted when the tape cartridge 100 is attached to the tape printer 1. Further, the tape cartridge 100 includes a tape delivery port 138 that is formed in the cartridge case 130 and through which the printing tape 102 is delivered. Although details will be described later, the tape roll 106 is rotatably supported by a cylindrical core shaft portion 192 projecting from the inside of the cartridge case 130 (see FIG. 5A).

  When the platen roller 120 and the winding core 116 are driven by the tape feeding mechanism 25, the printing tape 102 is fed out from the tape core 104, and the ink ribbon 110 is fed out from the feeding core 112. The fed printing tape 102 and ink ribbon 110 run side by side at the platen roller 120 and are used for printing by the print head 21. The feeding end portion (printed portion) of the printing tape 102 on which printing has been performed is sent out from the tape delivery port 138 toward the tape discharge port 17. On the other hand, the ink ribbon 110 wraps around the peripheral wall portion of the insertion opening 134 and is wound around the winding core 116. The tape cartridge 100 is prepared with a plurality of types having different thicknesses according to the tape width of the printing tape 102.

[Details of tape printer]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the cartridge mounting portion 5 is formed in a planar shape complementary to the planar shape of the tape cartridge 100, and the tape cartridge having the maximum thickness among the plural types of tape cartridges 100 that can be mounted. A recess corresponding to 100 is formed. In this case, the mounting base 31 and the side plate portion 33 constituting the bottom plate portion of the cartridge mounting portion 5 are integrally formed (molded) with resin or the like. A slit-like tape discharge path 35 is formed between the cartridge mounting portion 5 and the tape discharge port 17, and the tape cutting mechanism portion 27 is built in this portion.

  Positioning in which the inner peripheral portion (concave portion) of the core shaft portion 192 (see FIG. 5) of the tape cartridge 100 is fitted and positioned on the mounting base 31 of the cartridge mounting portion 5 when the tape cartridge 100 is mounted. A protrusion 41 (engagement convex portion), the print head 21 covered with the head cover 43, a platen drive shaft 45 that rotationally drives the platen roller 120, a winding drive shaft 47 that rotationally drives the winding core 116, Is erected. The positioning protrusion 41 incorporates a detection unit 51 that detects the type (attribute information) of the tape cartridge 100 (details will be described later).

  On the other hand, the mounting base 31 located in the vicinity of the winding drive shaft 47 is provided with a core releasing portion 53 for releasing the rotation stop of the feeding core 112 and the winding core 116. In addition, the mounting base 31 is provided with a pair of small protrusions 55 at diagonal positions thereof, and in addition, a pair of latching pieces 57 for latching an intermediate portion of the tape cartridge 100 mounted.

  In the back space of the mounting base 31, the tape feeding mechanism 25 having a motor and a gear train (both not shown) for rotating the platen drive shaft 45 and the take-up drive shaft 47 is incorporated. The tape feeding mechanism 25 divides the power by a gear train and rotates the platen drive shaft 45 and the winding drive shaft 47 synchronously. Although omitted in FIGS. 1 and 3, in the space behind the keyboard 13, the detection circuit 52 (see FIG. 9) connected to the detection unit 51, the printing mechanism unit 23, the tape feeding mechanism unit 25, and the like. A control board on which a control circuit for controlling is mounted is incorporated.

  The print mechanism unit 23 includes a print head 21 formed of a thermal head, a head support frame 61 that supports and rotates the print head 21, and a print position and a retracted position of the print head 21 via the head support frame 61. And a head cover 43 that covers the print head 21 (and the head support frame 61).

  The head release mechanism operates in conjunction with the opening / closing of the opening / closing lid 7, moves (rotates) the print head 21 to the printing position in conjunction with the closing operation of the opening / closing lid 7, and prints in conjunction with the opening operation. The head 21 is moved (turned) to the retracted position. The print head 21 that has moved to the printing position contacts the platen roller 120 of the tape cartridge 100 via the ink ribbon 110 and the printing tape 102, and the print head 21 that has moved to the retracted position moves away from the platen roller 120. Thereby, when the tape cartridge 100 is attached or detached, interference of the print tape 102 or the ink ribbon 110 with the print head 21 is prevented.

  The print head 21 is provided with a plurality of heating elements, and the plurality of heating elements are arranged in the same direction as the axial direction of the platen roller 120. Then, printing is performed by feeding the printing tape 102 and the ink ribbon 110 and selectively driving a plurality of heating elements. The head cover 43 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and is formed (molded) integrally with the mounting base 31 (cartridge mounting portion 5). The head cover 43 protrudes greatly from the mounting base 31 in a vertical direction, allows the print head 21 to turn inside, and functions as a mounting guide for the tape cartridge 100 on the outside.

  Although details will be described later, the detection unit 51 includes a plurality of conductive contacts 51a. The detecting unit 51 selectively conducts to the detected unit 180 of the tape cartridge 100 and mainly detects the type (attribute information) of the tape cartridge 100 such as the tape width, tape color, and material of the printing tape 102. Based on the detection result, the driving of the print head 21 and the tape feeding mechanism 25 is controlled. In addition, the plurality of conductive contacts 51a have a spring property and urge the detected portion 180 toward the radially outer side of the inner peripheral surface of the core shaft portion 192. That is, the conductive contact 51a also functions as a “spring piece” in the claims.

  The core releasing portion 53 is composed of two releasing pins 53 a for the feeding core 112 and the winding core 116. Although details will be described later, the cartridge case 130 is provided with a rotation-preventing hook 206 that is hooked on the feeding core 112 and the winding core 116, respectively (see FIG. 6). When the tape cartridge 100 is mounted, the release pin 53a is engaged with the rotation stop hook 206, and the rotation stop of the feeding core 112 and the take-up core 116 is released.

  The platen drive shaft 45 includes a fixed shaft 45a provided so as to pass through the platen roller 120, and a spline-shaped movable shaft 45b rotatably supported on a base portion of the fixed shaft 45a. The rotational power of the tape feeding mechanism 25 is transmitted to the movable shaft 45b, and further transmitted from the movable shaft 45b to the platen roller 120. Similarly, the winding drive shaft 47 includes a fixed shaft 47a and a spline-shaped movable shaft 47b that is rotatably supported by the fixed shaft 47a. Also in this case, the rotational power of the tape feeding mechanism 25 is transmitted to the movable shaft 47b, and further transmitted from the movable shaft 47b to the winding core 116.

  When the tape cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 5, the core shaft portion 192 (tape core 104) is engaged with the positioning protrusion 41 (see FIG. 9), the platen roller 120 is engaged with the platen drive shaft 45, and further winding is performed. The take-up core 116 engages with the take-up drive shaft 47. When the open / close lid 7 is closed, the print head 21 rotates and contacts the platen roller 120 with the print tape 102 and the ink ribbon 110 interposed therebetween, and the tape printer 1 enters a print standby state.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the opening / closing lid 7 is attached to the apparatus case 3 so as to be rotatable, that is, to be opened and closed, via a hinge portion 71 provided on the back side. The opening / closing lid 7 has an opening / closing lid body 73 and a viewing window 75 provided at the center of the opening / closing lid body 73. The open / close lid 7 protrudes from the back surface of the open / close lid body 73 and is pivotally supported by the hinge portion 71 so as to be pivotally supported. And an actuating lever 79 for rotating the. Further, the opening / closing lid 7 protrudes on the back surface of the opening / closing lid body 73 and pushes the tape cartridge 100 into two push projections 81, and protrudes on the back surface of the opening / closing lid body 73, and has a built-in lid closing detection switch (not shown) And a pressing projection 83 for actuating (ON).

  The viewing window 75 is formed in a horizontally long shape and is made of a transparent (transparent to visible light) resin that is separate from the opening / closing lid main body 73. Through this viewing window 75, the tape cartridge 100 mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 5 can be visually recognized (type of printing tape 102 and remaining tape amount). Further, the pair of shaft support pieces 77, the operating lever 79, the two pushing projections 81 and the pushing projection 83, and the opening / closing lid body 73 are integrally formed (molded) with resin.

  The operating lever 79 protrudes greatly from the back surface of the opening / closing lid body 73 and is inserted into a slit opening 87 provided on the side of the cartridge mounting portion 5 when the opening / closing lid 7 is closed. The operating lever 79 inserted into the slit opening 87 operates the above-described head release mechanism and rotates the print head 21 toward the platen roller 120. Similarly, the pressing protrusion 83 is inserted into the rectangular opening 91 adjacent to the slit opening 87 as the opening / closing lid 7 is closed, and turns on the lid closing detection switch.

  One pressing projection 81 corresponds to a position in the vicinity of the platen roller 120 of the tape cartridge 100, and the other pressing projection 81 is disposed apart from the pressing projection 81. When the opening / closing lid 7 is closed, the two pushing protrusions 81 push the tape cartridge 100 so that the tape cartridge 100 is seated on the mounting base 31 of the cartridge mounting portion 5 and prevent the tape cartridge 100 from being lifted.

[Details of tape cartridge]
Next, the tape cartridge 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2, 5, and 6. In the description of the tape cartridge 100, taking FIG. 2 as an example, the front surface on the front side of the tape cartridge 100 in the mounting direction is “front surface”, the reverse side in the mounting direction is “back surface”, and the left side. The left side surface is referred to as the “left side surface”, the right side surface as the “right side surface”, the upper arc-shaped side surface as the “front end surface”, and the lower side surface as the “base end surface”.

  As described above, the tape cartridge 100 includes the cartridge case 130 and the tape roll 106, the ribbon roll 114, the winding core 116, and the platen roller 120 accommodated therein. Further, the tape cartridge 100 includes an insertion opening 134 formed in the cartridge case 130, a tape outlet 138 formed on the left side in the vicinity of the platen roller 120, the surface of the part in which the tape roll 106 is accommodated, the left side, And an identification seal 141 (see FIG. 1) attached over the right side surface. On the identification seal 141, the tape width, tape color, material, and the like (part of attribute information) of the accommodated printing tape 102 are displayed at two locations on the front surface and the left side surface.

  The cartridge case 130 constitutes an outline of the tape cartridge 100 (shell structure), and has an “L” -shaped appearance in plan view with the proximal end side of the right side surface protruding somewhat. In the front and back direction, the cartridge case 130 has a lower case 150 that is the back side when mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 5 and an upper case 152 that is the front side. In the cartridge case 130 of the embodiment, the upper case 152 is formed of a transparent resin molded product, and the lower case 150 is formed of an opaque resin molded product.

  The upper case 152 is integrally formed (molded) with a top wall portion 156 that forms the surface of the cartridge case 130 and an upper peripheral wall portion 158 that is suspended from the peripheral edge of the top wall portion 156. The lower case 150 includes a bottom wall portion 160 constituting the back surface of the cartridge case 130, a lower peripheral wall 162 erected on the periphery of the bottom wall portion 160, and a bottom wall portion so as to define the insertion opening 134. And an opening peripheral wall portion 164 erected on 160.

  A plurality of joining pins 170 are provided at appropriate intervals on the lower end surface of the upper peripheral wall portion 158 in the upper case 152, while a plurality of joining pins corresponding to the plurality of joining pins 170 are provided on the lower peripheral wall 162 of the lower case 150. A hole 172 is provided (see FIG. 5). After setting components such as the tape roll 106 and the ribbon roll 114 in the lower case 150, the upper case 152 is joined so that the plurality of joining pins 170 are press-fitted into the plurality of joining holes 172. Assembled. Each joint hole 172 is a through hole in consideration of ease of molding.

  On the other hand, on the left side surface and the right side surface of the lower case 150, a pair of latch receiving portions 174 that are latched by the pair of latch pieces 57 are provided (see FIGS. 2 and 6). The pair of latching pieces 57 on the cartridge mounting unit 5 side are latched on the pair of latching receiving portions 174 of the mounted tape cartridge 100, thereby preventing the tape cartridge 100 from being lifted. Further, a fitting small hole 176 into which the pair of small protrusions 55 are fitted with some margin is provided on the back surface of the lower case 150 (see FIG. 6). When the pair of small projections 55 on the cartridge mounting portion 5 side are fitted into the pair of fitting small holes 176 of the mounted tape cartridge 100, the tape cartridge 100 is simply positioned on the mounting base 31.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a tape storage area 190 in which the tape roll 106 is widely stored is configured in the upper space (tip surface side) in the cartridge case 130. A core shaft portion 192 that is integrally formed (formed) with the lower case 150 is erected in the center of the tape housing area 190. The core shaft portion 192 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a tape roll 106 (tape core 104) is rotatably supported on the outer peripheral surface 192b. That is, the core shaft portion 192 is located on the inner peripheral side of the tape roll 106 when viewed from the core axis direction. Although details will be described later, the core shaft portion 192 incorporates a reverse rotation prevention spring 193 (reverse rotation prevention mechanism) of the tape roll 106 formed of a coil spring.

  Further, a detected portion 180 corresponding to the detecting portion 51 is provided on the inner peripheral portion of the core shaft portion 192 (see FIG. 6). Although the details will be described later, the detected portion 180 has a wiring pattern substrate 324 corresponding to the plurality of conductive contacts 51 a of the detection portion 51, and selection of the plurality of conductive contacts 51 a by the wiring pattern substrate 324. A plurality of bit patterns are obtained by the continuous conduction. That is, this bit pattern corresponds to the attribute information of the tape cartridge 100 described above.

  Further, a tape guide 194 that guides the fed printing tape 102 to the platen roller 120 is erected integrally with the lower case 150 in the tape accommodating area 190 located in the vicinity of the platen roller 120. That is, inside the cartridge case 130, a tape feed path 196 starting from the tape roll 106 and passing through the tape guide 194 and the platen roller 120 to the tape feed outlet 138 is configured. The printing tape 102 fed out from the tape roll 106 is guided to the platen roller 120 through the tape guide 194, used for printing, and further guided from the platen roller 120 to the tape delivery port 138.

  The tape roll 106 includes a printing tape 102 and a tape core 104 and two circular films 198 attached to both end faces of the roll-shaped printing tape 102. The two circular films 198 prevent the printing tape 102 wound around the tape core 104 from being scattered.

  The tape core 104 has a reel portion 104a around which the printing tape 102 is wound, and a rolling contact portion 104c provided via a plurality of inward ribs 104b inside the reel portion 104a. The core shaft 192 is rotatably supported. A plurality of radial end face grooves 104d are formed on the end face of the rolling contact portion 104c, and the above-described reverse rotation prevention spring 193 is engaged with and disengaged from the end face groove 104d. That is, a longitudinal slit 192a extending in the axial direction is formed at the upper portion of the core shaft portion 192, and the end of the wire rod of the reverse rotation preventing spring 193 protrudes from the longitudinal slit 192a and is engaged with the end face groove 104d of the rolling contact portion 104c. Match.

  When carrying the tape cartridge 100, the reverse rotation preventing spring 193 prevents the reverse rotation of the tape roll 106 (printing tape 102). On the other hand, when the tape cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 5, the positioning protrusion 41 compresses the reverse rotation preventing spring 193 (see FIG. 9), and the end of the wire rod is detached from the end surface groove 104d of the rolling contact portion 104c. Then the reverse stop is released. As a result, the printing tape 102 can be fed.

  On the right side of the base in the cartridge case 130, a ribbon accommodating area 200 is formed adjacent to the insertion opening 134. On the right side of the ribbon receiving area 200, a feeding side bearing portion 202 that rotatably supports the ribbon roll 114 (feeding core 112) is provided, and on the left side, a winding side bearing portion that rotatably supports the winding core 116 is provided. 204 are formed integrally with the cartridge case 130, respectively. That is, the feeding side bearing portion 202 and the winding side bearing portion 204 are formed on the upper case 152 and the lower case 150, respectively.

  At the notch portions of the feeding side bearing portion 202 and the take-up side bearing portion 204 formed in the lower case 150, the rotation prevention hook 206 with the tip portion facing the feeding side bearing portion 202 and the take-up side bearing portion 204 is provided. Are integrally formed. One rotation stop hook 206 is engaged with the feeding core 112, and the other rotation stop hook 206 is engaged with the winding core 116 in a rotation stopped state.

  A first ribbon guide 210 that guides the fed ink ribbon 110 to the platen roller 120 is erected integrally with the lower case 150 in the ribbon accommodating area 200 located in the vicinity of the feeding side bearing portion 202. A plurality of second ribbon guides 212 that guide the circumference of the ink ribbon 110 are integrally formed on the outer peripheral side of the opening peripheral wall portion 164.

  That is, inside the cartridge case 130, a ribbon feed path 214 starting from the ribbon roll 114, passing through the first ribbon guide 210, the platen roller 120, and the plurality of second ribbon guides 212 to the winding core 116 is configured. Yes. The ink ribbon 110 fed out from the ribbon roll 114 is guided to the platen roller 120 through the first ribbon guide 210 and used for printing, and further from the platen roller 120 to the opening peripheral wall 164 (a plurality of second ribbon guides). 212) is wound around the winding core 116.

  The ribbon roll 114 includes an ink ribbon 110 and a feeding core 112, and an annular leaf spring 220 that applies a braking load to the feeding core 112 (see FIG. 5B). The leaf spring 220 is formed in a wave shape in the circumferential direction, and is interposed between the top wall portion 156 of the upper case 152 and the feeding core 112 in the axial direction. That is, a rotational braking load is applied to the feeding core 112 by the elastic force of the leaf spring 220. As a result, the back tension is applied to the ink ribbon 110 fed out by the take-up core 116, and the slack is prevented.

  The feeding core 112 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a plurality of notches 222 are formed in the circumferential direction at the end portion on the lower case 150 side (see FIG. 6). The rotation stop hook 206 is engaged with and disengaged from the plurality of notches 222. The feeding-side bearing portion 202 on the lower case 150 side that supports the feeding core 112 is configured with a circular opening, whereas the feeding-side bearing portion 202 on the upper case 152 side is configured with a cylindrical protruding portion. Yes. And the said leaf | plate spring 220 is mounted | worn with this protrusion part (all refer FIG.5 (b)).

  Similarly, the winding core 116 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a plurality of notches 224 are formed in the circumferential direction at the end portion on the lower case 150 side. The rotation stop hook 206 is engaged with and disengaged from the plurality of notches 224. A spline groove 226 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the winding core 116 and engages with the winding drive shaft 47 by spline. Thereby, the rotational force of the winding drive shaft 47 is transmitted to the winding core 116, and the ink ribbon 110 is wound up.

  A platen accommodation area 230 is formed adjacent to the insertion opening 134 on the left side of the base in the cartridge case 130. In the center of the platen accommodation area 230, there are an oval opening lower bearing portion 234 formed in the lower case 150 (see FIG. 6) and an oval opening upper bearing portion 232 formed in the upper case 152 (see FIG. 5B). )) Is provided. The platen roller 120 is supported by the upper bearing portion 232 and the lower bearing portion 234 so as to be rotatable and slightly laterally movable. That is, the platen roller 120 supported by the elliptical upper bearing portion 232 and the lower bearing portion 234 has a home position that engages with the platen drive shaft 45 and a sandwich position that sandwiches the printing tape 102 and contacts the tape guide 194. It is configured to be capable of lateral movement (small movement).

  By the way, the tape cartridge 100 is carried in a state in which the feeding end portion of the printing tape 102 is slightly protruded to the outside from the tape delivery port 138 (see FIG. 1). At that time, if a pressing force or a pulling force acts on the feeding end portion of the printing tape 102 by mistake, the platen roller 120 dragged by this moves to the clamping position. Thereby, the feeding end portion of the printing tape 102 is prevented from being drawn into the cartridge case 130 from the tape delivery port 138.

  The platen roller 120 has a cylindrical roller base 240 and a rubber roller 242 attached to the outer peripheral surface of the roller base 240. The rubber roller 242 has a length corresponding to the print head 21 in the axial direction, and the print head 21 that has moved to the print position sandwiches the print tape 102 and the ink ribbon 110 and contacts the rubber roller 242. A spline groove 244 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the roller base 240 and engages with the platen drive shaft 45 by spline. Thereby, the rotational force of the platen drive shaft 45 is transmitted to the platen roller 120, and the printing tape 102 (and the ink ribbon 110) is printed and fed.

[Details of Detection Unit and Detected Unit (First Embodiment)]
Next, the structure around the detection unit 51 of the cartridge mounting unit 5 will be described in detail together with the structure around the detected unit 180 of the tape cartridge 100 with reference to FIGS. 7 is a perspective view of the cartridge mounting portion 5, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the lower case 150 of the tape cartridge 100, and FIG. 9 is a detection of a state in which the tape cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 5. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view around a part 51 and a detected part 180.

  As shown in these drawings, the positioning projection 41 (engagement convex portion) of the cartridge mounting portion 5 is composed of a plurality (four in the illustrated example) of conductive contacts 51a (spring pieces). Further, a detection unit 51 is provided. On the other hand, a detected portion 180 is provided on the inner peripheral portion of the core shaft portion 192 of the tape cartridge 100 with respect to the detecting portion 51.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the positioning protrusion 41 includes a first convex portion 300 on the distal end side and a second convex portion 302 on the proximal end formed in a large diameter with respect to the first convex portion 300. Have. The first convex portion 300 and the second convex portion 302 are integrally formed (molded), and the first convex portion 300 and the second convex portion 302 are integrally formed (molded) with the mounting base 31. The first convex portion 300 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the upper end closed, and engages with a first concave portion 320 of a core shaft portion 192 described later in a state where the tape cartridge 100 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 5. In addition, by this engagement, the first convex portion 300 pushes up (compresses) the above-described reverse-rotation preventing spring 193 whose one end is abutted against the upper case 152 (the top wall portion 156), and reversely rotates the tape roll 106. Release the stop.

  The second convex portion 302 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is loosely fitted (engaged) with a second concave portion 322 of a core shaft portion 192 described later in a state where the tape cartridge 100 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 5. And the detection part 51 comprised by the four conductive contacts 51a is incorporated in the 2nd convex part 302. As shown in FIG. In addition, four slit openings 304 (openings) are formed in the second convex portion 302 so as to be evenly arranged in the circumferential direction. Each slit opening 304 extends in the axial direction, and four conductive contacts 51a protrude from the four slit openings 304 outward in the radial direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the four conductive contacts 51 a are arranged in a radial manner (equally arranged in the circumferential direction), and the insulating holder 308 ( Is held by a spring honeder). The insulating holder 308 is formed with four holding grooves 308a so as to be evenly arranged in the circumferential direction. Each holding groove 308a extends in the axial direction, and four conductive contacts 51a are held in the four holding grooves 308a. That is, the four conductive contacts 51 a are equally arranged in the circumferential direction of the insulating holder 308 and the second convex portion 302.

  Each conductive contact 51a is made of a conductive metal wire having spring properties, and is fixed to the base portion of the insulating holder 308 and extends along the holding groove 308a (held spring portion). The contactor body 312 (bending spring portion) is bent from the upper end of the straight portion 310 and extends in a “<” shape. And this contactor main body 312 bends, and the bending top part 312a contacts the contact terminal 370 of the to-be-detected part 180 mentioned later. Further, the straight line portion 310 is connected to the detection circuit 52 that detects the attribute information of the binarized tape cartridge 100 (see FIG. 9).

  In a state where the tape cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 5, the conductive contact 51 a and the detected portion 180 are in positions facing each other, and the conductive contact 51 a has a spring force toward the detected portion 180. The conductive contact 51a and the detected portion 180 are elastically engaged. The four conductive contacts 51a are arranged in symmetrical positions. Therefore, in the detected part 180 that receives the spring force, the spring forces of the four conductive contacts 51a antagonize and cancel each other. As a result, the tape cartridge 100 receives the spring force of the conductive contact 51a via the detected portion 180, but does not cause a positional shift.

  The conductive contact 51a may be a band-shaped metal material having spring properties. The spring force of the conductive contact 51a can also have a function of fixing (positioning) the tape cartridge 100 in the core shaft portion 192. By fixing the core shaft portion 192 which is the center of gravity of the tape core 104 around which the printing tape 102 having the heaviest weight is wound among the components such as the printing tape 102 and the ink ribbon 110 housed in the tape cartridge 100, The positional deviation of the tape cartridge 100 during the printing operation can be effectively suppressed.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the core shaft portion 192 of the tape cartridge 100 includes a first concave portion 320 on the distal end side (back side in the engagement direction) corresponding to the first convex portion 300 and the second concave portion. And a second concave portion 322 on the base end side (front side in the engagement direction) corresponding to the convex portion 302. The first recess 320 and the second recess 322 are integrally formed (molded), and the first recess 320 and the second recess 322 are integrally formed (molded) with the lower case 150 (bottom wall portion 160). Yes. The second recess 322 is formed with a large diameter with respect to the first recess 320.

  The first recess 320 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the tape core 104 is rotatably engaged with the outer peripheral portion on the base side. Further, the upper end of the first recess 320 reaches the vicinity of the upper case 152 (the top wall portion 156), and the above-described reverse rotation prevention spring 193 is inserted and set in the inner peripheral portion of the first recess 320. (See FIG. 9). In the state where the tape cartridge 100 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 5, the first convex portion 300 is engaged with the inner peripheral portion on the base side of the first concave portion 320.

  The second concave portion 322 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a detected portion 180 constituted by the wiring pattern substrate 324 and a substrate cover 326 that covers the wiring pattern substrate 324 are incorporated in the inner peripheral portion thereof. (See FIG. 9). In this case, the wiring pattern substrate 324 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface of the substrate cover 326 and the inner peripheral surface of the second recess 322. The substrate cover 326 is attached to the second recess 322 in a snap-in manner.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the substrate cover 326 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and four hooks 330 for snap-in are formed at the tip thereof. The four hooks 330 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Each hook 330 is integrally formed of a hook body 332 that protrudes outward and a hook spring portion 334 that supports the hook body 332. Further, the hook spring portion 334 is defined by two notch removing portions 336 formed so as to be cut from the tip of the substrate cover 326.

  On the other hand, corresponding to the four hooks 330, four hook receiving holes 340 (hook receiving portions) are formed at the distal end portion (the end portion on the first concave portion 320 side) of the second concave portion 322 (FIG. 8). reference). Each hook receiving hole 340 is formed to have substantially the same width as each hook 330 so that each hook 330 can be positioned in the circumferential direction. When the board cover 326 is inserted into the second recess 322 in a state where the four hooks 330 are aligned with the four hook receiving holes 340, each hook spring portion 334 is bent, and eventually each hook 330 is hook-received. It is locked so as to fall into the hole 340 (snap-in). As a result, the substrate cover 326 is attached to the second recess 322 in a retaining state.

  The substrate cover 326 has four through holes 344 corresponding to the conductive contacts 51a. Each through-hole 344 is formed in a slit shape and extends in the axial direction. Each through hole 344 is disposed at the position of the upper and lower intermediate portions of the substrate cover 326 in the axial direction and at the same position as each hook 330 in the circumferential direction. The conductive contact 51a facing the through hole 344 comes into contact with each contact terminal 370 of the wiring pattern substrate 324 described later (see FIG. 9).

  By the way, when the tape cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 5, the positions of the four conductive contacts 51a on the cartridge mounting portion 5 side and the positions of the four contact terminals 370 on the tape cartridge 100 side are the circumference. Must always match in direction. Similarly, the four conductive contacts 51a and the four through holes 344 need to match in the circumferential direction. For this reason, the circumferential positions of the four hooks 330 of the substrate cover 326 are restricted with respect to the four hook receiving holes 340 of the second recess 322.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the circumferential direction, the positions of the four conductive contacts 51a, the positions of the four through holes 344, the positions of the four hooks 330, and the positions of the four hook receiving holes 340, Are arranged so as to match. Although details will be described later, four contact terminals 370 are provided with reference to the positions of the four hooks 330 or the four hook receiving holes 340 (see FIG. 11B).

  The wiring pattern substrate 324 may be partially bonded to the outer peripheral surface of the substrate cover 326 with an adhesive or the like. In such a case, the adhesive layer on the back side is not necessary, and the wiring pattern substrate 324 can be easily attached to the second recess 322 together with the substrate cover 326.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the base portion (lower side in the drawing) of the substrate cover 326 has a fitting protrusion 350 projecting annularly outwardly on the outer peripheral surface, and inwardly on the inner peripheral surface. Annular protrusions 352 that project in an annular shape are provided. The lower end (the lower side in the drawing) of the wiring pattern substrate 324 disposed outside the substrate cover 326 is brought into contact with the fitting protrusion 350. Further, the fitting protrusion 350 is fitted to the proximal end portion of the second recess 322 in a state where the substrate cover 326 is attached to the second recess 322. On the other hand, the protrusion dimension of the fitting protrusion 350 corresponds to the thickness of the wiring pattern substrate 324. As a result, the wiring pattern substrate 324 fits in a minute gap between the second recess 322 and the substrate cover 326 generated by the fitting protrusion 350 in a state where the lower end of the wiring pattern board 324 is in contact (positioned) with the fitting protrusion 350. It is like that.

  The annular protrusion 352 is a portion where the four conductive contacts 51a relatively get over while elastically deforming when the tape cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 5. In this case, the front end side and the base end side of the annular protrusion 352 are each formed in a chamfered shape. That is, an annular distal-side inclined surface 354 is formed on the distal end side of the annular protrusion 352, and an annular proximal-side inclined surface 356 is formed on the proximal end side.

  The base-side slope 356 smoothly elastically deforms the conductive contacts 51a when the conductive contacts 51a get over relatively. Further, the tip side inclined surface 354 gives a click feeling to the mounting of the tape cartridge 100 and prevents the mounted tape cartridge 100 from being lifted by using the spring force of each conductive contact 51a.

  As shown in FIGS. 9, 11, and 12, the wiring pattern substrate 324 is configured by an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) or the like, and is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the second recess 322. In the unfolded wiring pattern substrate 324, the wiring pattern 360 is formed on the front side, and an adhesive layer (not shown) is provided on the back side (see FIG. 12B). For this reason, the wiring pattern substrate 324 is bent in a cylindrical shape so that the front side is inside and the back side is outside, and is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the second recess 322. In actual sticking of the wiring pattern substrate 324 to the second recess 322, the wiring pattern substrate 324 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the substrate cover 326, and attached to the second recess 322 together with the substrate cover 326 to adhere.

  The length of the wiring pattern substrate 324 is formed slightly shorter than the circumferential length on the inner peripheral surface of the second recess 322 so that the ends of the wiring pattern substrate 324 adhered to the second recess 322 do not overlap each other. (See FIG. 11A). In addition, four notch recesses 362 are formed in a portion of the wiring pattern substrate 324 corresponding to the four hook receiving holes 340 of the second recess 322, in other words, a portion corresponding to the four hooks 330 of the substrate cover 326. ing.

  The four notch recesses 362 are provided so as to escape the four hooks 330, but also function as reference positions for patterning the wiring pattern 360. Although details will be described later, the four contact terminals 370 in the wiring pattern 360 are patterned so as to coincide with the positions of the four hooks 330 (four notch recesses 362) in the circumferential direction (FIG. 12B). )reference).

  The wiring pattern substrate 324 is obtained by printing the wiring pattern 360 with a conductive ink material on a sheet material such as paper or a resin film instead of the FPC, by depositing the wiring pattern 360 on the sheet material, metal foil In other words, a conductive substrate having a conductive wiring pattern 360 and a contact terminal 370 may be provided flexibly on the base material.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the wiring pattern substrate 324 constituting the detected portion 180 is formed with a wiring pattern 360 constituting the attribute information of the tape cartridge 100 on the base substrate 366. The wiring pattern 360 includes four contact terminals 370 including the contact portions 370a with which the four conductive contacts 51a are in contact, and conductive / non-conductive wiring portions 372 connected to the four contact terminals 370. doing. Further, it has a conductive / non-conductive wiring part 372, four individual wiring parts 374 connected to each contact terminal 370, and a common wiring part 376 to which four individual wiring parts 374 are connected. The attribute information of the tape cartridge 100 is configured by the conduction / non-conduction of the individual wiring part 374.

  Each contact terminal 370 and each individual wiring portion 374 are provided at the same position as the above-described notch recess 362 in the circumferential direction. Each contact terminal 370 is patterned in a wide and rectangular shape at a position matching the through hole 344 of the substrate cover 326.

In this case, the four individual wiring portions 374 form 2 ⁴ = 16 bit patterns, that is, 16 types of attribute information, by individual conduction / non-conduction. However, when the detection unit 51 and the detected unit 180 also serve to detect the mounting of the tape cartridge 100, the mounting of the tape cartridge 100 cannot be detected if all of the four individual wiring units 374 are non-conductive patterns. The attribute information is 2 ⁴ −1 = 15 types. In addition, when there is a means for detecting the mounting of the tape cartridge 100, 16 types of attribute information can be assigned to each bit pattern.

  On the other hand, the non-conduction of the embodiment is configured by removing a part of a desired individual wiring portion 374 from the four patterned individual wiring portions 374. That is, in the original wiring pattern 360 (wiring pattern substrate 324), the four individual wiring portions 374 are in a conductive state connected to the four contact terminals 370. In this prototype, a hole 378 is formed in the base substrate 366 by, for example, laser processing or punch punching, and a part of the individual wiring portion 374 is made non-conductive.

  In the detection circuit 52 connected to the four conductive contacts 51a, any one of 15 types of bit patterns (attribute information) is detected, and the type of the tape cartridge 100 is detected.

[Modification of detected part]
Next, a modified example of the wiring pattern substrate 324 (detected portion 180) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13A is a plan view of a wiring pattern substrate 324A according to the first modification, FIG. 13B is a plan view of a wiring pattern substrate 324B according to the second modification, and FIG. It is a top view of wiring pattern board | substrate 324C which concerns on a modification.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, in the wiring pattern substrate 324A of the first modified example, the wiring pattern 360 has no desired individual wiring portion 374 among the four individual wiring portions 374. That is, corresponding to the types (15 types) of the tape cartridge 100, a plurality of types of wiring pattern substrates 324A having different wiring patterns 360 are prepared. Note that a lead (lead wire) corresponding to the individual wiring portion 374 may be used and a necessary lead may be soldered.

  As shown in FIG. 13B, in the wiring pattern substrate 324B of the second modified example, the four individual wiring portions 374 and the common wiring portion 376 are configured by resistance wires. In this case, 15 types of bit patterns (attribute information of the tape cartridge 100) are detected based on differences in resistance values (current values).

  As shown in FIG. 13C, in the wiring pattern substrate 324C of the third modified example, an electronic device 390 (IC chip) is disposed on the wiring pattern 360 on the wiring pattern substrate 324C. In this modification, there is no common wiring part 376 and each individual wiring part 374 is connected to the electronic device 390. The electronic device 390 stores attribute information for each type in the tape cartridge 100. The detection circuit 52 reads the attribute information of the electronic device 390 and detects the type of the tape cartridge 100.

  In particular, in the third modification, the two individual wiring portions 374 are power lines (drive voltage supply lines and ground lines of the electronic device 390), and the other two individual wiring portions 374 are transmission / reception signal lines. Therefore, not only the attribute information is read out, but also necessary information can be written when an EEPROM or a flash memory is used as the electronic device 390. For example, it is possible to overwrite the remaining tape amount of the printing tape 102 from the tape printer 1 side.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the detected portion is disposed on the inner peripheral portion of the core shaft portion 192 having a relatively large diameter and a dead space from the viewpoint of preventing the winding tape 102 from curling. Since 180 (wiring pattern substrate 324) is incorporated, an increase in size of the tape cartridge 100 can be suppressed. The wiring pattern substrate 324 can also have a relatively large area. Therefore, even if a small positional deviation occurs in the tape cartridge 100 attached to the cartridge attachment unit 5, the detection performance of the detection unit 51 is not impaired, and the attribute information of the tape cartridge 100 can be detected stably. . Further, when the electronic device 390 is used, attribute information of the tape cartridge 100 having a larger capacity can be provided.

  Needless to say, the number of the conductive contacts 51a and the corresponding contact terminals are arbitrary.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, an embodiment in which the conductive contact 51a is used as a simple spring piece will be described as a second embodiment. In the second embodiment, parts different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.
In this embodiment, the tape detection unit corresponding to the detection unit 51 is provided in the vicinity of the winding drive shaft 47, and the tape detection unit corresponding to the detection unit 180 corresponds to the tape detection unit. It is provided in the cartridge 100 (both not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 14A, the positioning protrusion 41 is provided with four spring pieces 401, and the four spring pieces 401 come into direct contact with the inner peripheral surface of the core shaft portion 192. . Each spring piece 401 has the same form as the above-described conductive contact 51a, and is held by a spring honedder 403 corresponding to the insulating holder 308, as in the first embodiment. However, the spring piece 401 in this case does not require electrical conductivity, and the spring honeder 403 does not require insulation.

  On the other hand, four slit-like position regulating grooves 411 corresponding to the four spring pieces 401 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the core shaft portion 192. Further, an annular protrusion 352 similar to that of the first embodiment is provided as a separate member on the inner peripheral surface of the core shaft portion 192. The annular protrusion 352 is provided on the base side inner peripheral surface of the core shaft part 192, and the four position restricting grooves 411 are provided on the upper side of the annular protrusion 352.

  When the second concave portion 322 of the core shaft portion 192 is fitted into the second convex portion 302 of the positioning projection 41 as the tape cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 5, the four spring pieces 401 are Relatively overcoming the annular protrusion 352 while elastically deforming. In addition, the four spring pieces 401 that have passed over the annular protrusion 352 are instantaneously engaged with the position restricting grooves 411, respectively. That is, when the tape cartridge 100 is mounted, the four spring pieces 401 are clickably engaged with the position restricting groove 411.

  Each spring piece 401 engaged with the position restriction groove 411 contacts the groove bottom of the position restriction groove 411, and the four spring pieces 401 have the core shaft portion 192 (second recess 322) through the groove bottom. Energize radially outward. Further, each spring piece 401 contacts the annular protrusion 352 and prevents the tape cartridge 100 from being lifted via the annular protrusion 352.

  FIG. 14B is a modification of the second embodiment. Each spring piece 401A in this case is also formed by bending a wire having springiness. Each spring piece 401 </ b> A extends in a “<” shape from the upper end of the held spring portion 421 in the same manner as the held spring portion 421 fixed to the base portion of the spring honeder 403 and the contact body 312 of the first embodiment. A bending spring portion 423 and a free end portion 425 extending from the upper end of the bending spring portion 423 are provided.

  Also in this case, when the second concave portion 322 of the core shaft portion 192 is fitted into the second convex portion 302 of the positioning protrusion 41 as the tape cartridge 100 is attached to the cartridge mounting portion 5, The spring piece 401 </ b> A gets relatively over the annular protrusion 352 while being elastically deformed. In addition, the four spring pieces 401A that have passed over the annular protrusion 352 are instantaneously engaged with the position restricting grooves 411, respectively. That is, when the tape cartridge 100 is mounted, the four spring pieces 401A engage with the position restricting groove 411 in a click manner.

  Each spring piece 401A engaged with the position restricting groove 411 contacts the groove bottom of the position restricting groove 411, and the four spring pieces 401A have the core shaft portion 192 (second recessed portion 322) via the groove bottom. Energize radially outward. Further, each spring piece 401 </ b> A contacts the annular protrusion 352 and prevents the tape cartridge 100 from being lifted via the annular protrusion 352.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the second embodiment, when the tape cartridge 100 is attached or detached, each of the spring pieces 401 and 401A is appropriately bent (elastically deformed) to guide the tape cartridge 100. For this reason, minute positional deviation and inclination of the tape cartridge 100 are absorbed, and the tape cartridge 100 is smoothly attached and detached. Further, the tape cartridge 100 is positioned at a predetermined position where the spring force of the four spring pieces 401 and 401A antagonizes (cancels) by the four spring pieces 401 and 401A. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both smooth attachment / detachment and appropriate positioning accuracy with respect to the tape cartridge 100.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, parts different from the second embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in the figure, in the third embodiment, the positioning protrusion 41 (second protrusion 302) and a plurality (four) of spring pieces 401B are integrally formed. That is, four spring pieces 401B are formed at four locations in the circumferential direction of the second convex portion 302 so that a part of the peripheral wall is removed in a “U” shape. Each spring piece 401 </ b> B has a plate-like spring portion 431 that hangs down from the shoulder portion of the second convex portion 302, and a hemispherical projection 433 that protrudes from the outer surface of the lower end portion of the plate-like spring portion 431.

  Also in this case, when the second concave portion 322 of the core shaft portion 192 is fitted into the second convex portion 302 of the positioning protrusion 41, the four spring pieces 401B are elastically deformed with respect to the annular protrusion 352. Relatively get over and further engage with the position restricting groove 411. That is, when the tape cartridge 100 is mounted, the four spring pieces 401B engage with the position restricting groove 411 in a click manner.

  Each spring piece 401B engaged with the position restricting groove 411 contacts the groove bottom of the position restricting groove 411, and the four spring pieces 401B have the core shaft portion 192 (second recessed portion 322) via the groove bottom. Energize radially outward. Further, each spring piece 401 </ b> B contacts the annular protrusion 352 and prevents the tape cartridge 100 from being lifted via the annular protrusion 352.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the four spring pieces 401B absorb minute positional deviation and inclination of the tape cartridge 100 during the apparatus, and the tape cartridge 100 Detachment is performed smoothly. Further, the four spring pieces 401B position the tape cartridge 100 at a predetermined position where the spring forces of the four spring pieces 401B antagonize (cancel). Therefore, it is possible to achieve both smooth attachment / detachment and appropriate positioning accuracy with respect to the tape cartridge 100.

  In the second embodiment and the third embodiment, the number of the spring pieces 401, 401A, 401B is arbitrary (two or more).

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape printer, 3 Apparatus case, 5 Cartridge mounting part, 7 Opening / closing lid, 21 Print head, 23 Printing mechanism part, 25 Tape feed mechanism part, 31 Mounting base, 41 Positioning protrusion, 45 Platen drive shaft, 47 Winding Drive shaft, 51 detection section, 51a conductive contact, 52 detection circuit, 100 tape cartridge, 102 printing tape, 104 tape core, 106 tape roll, 110 ink ribbon, 120 platen roller, 130 cartridge case, 150 lower case, 152 upper Case, 180 detected part, 192 core shaft part, 300 first convex part, 302 second convex part, 312 contact body, 320 first concave part, 322 second concave part, 324, 324A, 324B, 324C wiring pattern substrate, 326 Board cover, 330 hook, 3 0 hook receiving hole, 344 through hole, 352 annular protrusion, 354 tip side slope, 360 wiring pattern, 362 notch recess, 370 contact terminal, 370a contact part, 372 conduction / non-conduction wiring part, 374 individual wiring part, 376 Common wiring portion, 378 punched hole, 390 electronic device, 401, 401A, 401B spring piece, 403 spring holder

Claims (12)

A cartridge mounting portion in which a tape cartridge having a core shaft portion disposed on the inner peripheral side of a wound printing tape is detachably mounted; and
An engaging projection that projects from the cartridge mounting portion and engages with an inner peripheral portion of the core shaft portion of the mounted tape cartridge;
A plurality of spring pieces provided on the engaging projection,
The plurality of spring pieces are equally arranged in the circumferential direction on the engaging convex portion, and respectively urge the inner peripheral surface of the engaged core shaft portion outward in the radial direction. . A spring holder for holding the plurality of spring pieces;
The spring holder is disposed inside the engaging projection,
The tape printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of spring pieces protrude outward from a plurality of openings formed in the engagement convex portion.   The tape printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the mounting base portion and the engaging convex portion constituting the cartridge mounting portion are integrally formed. The inner peripheral portion of the core shaft portion includes a first concave portion on the back side in the engaging direction, and a second concave portion formed on a larger diameter than the first concave portion and on the near side in the engaging direction,
The engaging convex portion includes a first convex portion on the distal end side that engages with the first concave portion, and a second convex portion on the proximal end side that engages with the second concave portion,
The tape printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of spring pieces are provided on the second convex portion. The first recess incorporates a reverse rotation prevention mechanism capable of engaging with and disengaging from the tape core of the printing tape and capable of performing reverse rotation operation and reverse rotation release operation of the tape core.
The tape printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first convex portion causes the reverse rotation prevention mechanism to perform the releasing operation with the mounting of the tape cartridge.   6. The tape printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each of the spring pieces is formed by bending a wire having spring properties.   Each of the spring pieces includes a held spring portion held by the spring holder, and a bent spring portion including a top portion that extends from the held spring portion and contacts the inner peripheral surface of the core shaft portion. The tape printer according to claim 6. The inner peripheral surface of the core shaft portion is provided with a plurality of through holes with which the bending spring portions of the spring pieces are engaged,
The bending spring portion is bent in a “<” shape,
Along with the engagement of the core shaft portion with the engagement convex portion, the bending spring portion engages with the through hole while being elastically deformed, and contacts the proximal end of the through hole in the engaged state. The tape printer according to claim 7.   The tape printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of spring pieces are formed integrally with the engaging convex portion. A detection unit that detects the attribute information of the tape cartridge in electrical contact with the detected portion provided on the inner peripheral portion of the core shaft portion of the mounted tape cartridge;
The detector is
Having the plurality of spring pieces made of a conductive metal wire having a spring property;
The tape printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of spring pieces are connected to a detection circuit that detects the binarized attribute information. The detected portion includes a wiring pattern substrate provided with a plurality of contact terminals including a contact portion with which the plurality of spring pieces contact, and a conduction / non-conduction wiring portion connected to the plurality of contact terminals,
A cylindrical substrate cover that covers the wiring pattern substrate;
The tape printing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of spring pieces are in contact with the contact terminals through a plurality of through holes formed in the substrate cover. A tape printer according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
A tape printing system comprising: the tape cartridge detachably mounted on the cartridge mounting portion.

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