PRINTING DEVICE

A printing device includes a base plate extending in a direction orthogonal to a first direction, a mounting portion provided rotatably on a surface, which is at one side in the first direction, of the base plate, in which a ribbon roll having an ink ribbon wound is to be mounted on the mounting portion, a thermal head provided on the surface of the base plate, and configured to perform printing on a printing medium disposed on one side in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; and a printed circuit board located on one side, with respect to the base plate, in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, and extending in a direction intersecting the base plate.

BACKGROUND ART

A related art discloses a printing device that performs printing on a printing medium such as a packaging material conveyed by a conveying machine. The printing device includes a thermal head and a partition wall which are fixed to a base plate. The partition wall partitions an area on a front side with respect to the base plate into an upper first area and a lower second area. The thermal head is disposed in the second area. The thermal head heats an ink ribbon and performs printing on a printing medium passing below the printing device.

DESCRIPTION

In the above printing device, when various operations on the thermal head (for example, replacement of the thermal head) are performed, an operator accesses the thermal head from above the printing device. However, in this case, there is a problem in that the operability of the operator is poor because the partition wall becomes an obstacle. Therefore, it is preferable that various members constituting the printing device are not disposed above the thermal head in order to facilitate the operations of the operator.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a printing device that allows an operator to easily perform various operations on a thermal head.

A printing device according to the present disclosure includes: a base plate extending in a direction orthogonal to a first direction; a mounting portion provided rotatably on a surface, which is at one side in the first direction, of the base plate, in which a ribbon roll having an ink ribbon wound is to be mounted on the mounting portion; a thermal head provided on the surface of the base plate, and configured to perform printing on a printing medium disposed on one side in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; and a printed circuit board located on one side, with respect to the base plate, in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, and extending in a direction intersecting the base plate.

In the printing device according to the present disclosure, the printed circuit board is not disposed on the other side in the second direction with respect to the thermal head. Therefore, the printing device can prevent the printed circuit board from becoming an obstacle in a case where an operator accesses the thermal head from the other side in the second direction to perform various operations. Therefore, the printing device can facilitate the operations performed on the thermal head by the operator.

FIG.1is a perspective view of a printing system50as viewed from the front.

FIG.2is a perspective view of the printing system50as viewed from the rear.

FIG.3is a perspective view of a printing device1(with a ribbon cartridge9).

FIG.4is a perspective view of the ribbon cartridge9.

FIG.5is a perspective view of the printing device1(without the ribbon cartridge9and with a cover16).

FIG.6is a perspective view of the printing device1(without a housing11and with the cover16).

FIG.7is a perspective view of the printing device1(without a second housing13and the cover16).

FIG.8is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VIII-VIII inFIG.6as viewed in a direction of arrows (without a first housing12and with the second housing13).

FIG.9is a cross-sectional view taken along a line IX-IX inFIG.6as viewed in a direction of arrows (without the first housing12and with the second housing13).

FIG.10is a perspective view of the printing device1(without the second housing13, a control board41, and a cover6).

FIG.11is a perspective view of the printing device1(without the second housing13and the control board41, and with the cover6).

FIG.12is a perspective view of the printing device1(without the second housing13, and with the control board41and the cover6).

FIG.13is a cross-sectional view of the cover6.

<Overview of Printing System50>

An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. A printing system50is a system for performing thermal transfer printing. The printing system50performs printing on a printing medium conveyed by an external device that is not shown. A specific example of the external device is a packaging machine that conveys a packaging material. In this case, for example, the printing system50is used by being incorporated in a part of a conveyance line along which the printing medium is conveyed by the packaging machine. As shown inFIGS.1and2, the printing system50includes a printing device1and a moving mechanism5.

Hereinafter, in order to facilitate understanding of the description of the drawings, an upper side, a lower side, a left side, a right side, a front side, and a rear side of each configuration included in the printing system50are defined. An upper side, a lower side, a left side, a right side, a front side, and a rear side of each of the printing device1, the moving mechanism5, and a ribbon cartridge9, which will be described later, correspond to an upper side, a lower side, an obliquely upper left side, an obliquely lower right side, an obliquely lower left side, and an obliquely upper right side inFIG.1, respectively. InFIG.1, a conveyance direction of the printing medium coincides with a left-right direction. The printing medium is conveyed from a right side to a left side below the printing device1by the external device (arrow Y1(seeFIGS.1and2)).

As shown inFIGS.1to3, the printing device1has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The ribbon cartridge9(seeFIG.4), which will be described later, is detachably mounted on the printing device1. The printing device1feeds out an ink ribbon9A (seeFIG.4) from a ribbon roll90A (seeFIG.4) of the mounted ribbon cartridge9, and heats the ink ribbon9A by a thermal head7A (seeFIG.5and the like). Accordingly, the printing is performed on the printing medium conveyed below the printing device1.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, the moving mechanism5includes a pair of frame bodies51, a guide rail52, and a holding portion56. The pair of frame bodies51are separated from each other in a front-rear direction. Each frame body51includes an upper support portion51A, a lower support portion51B, and a pair of bridge portions51C. Each of the upper support portion51A and the lower support portion51B has a prismatic shape and extends in the left-right direction. The upper support portion51A and the lower support portion51B are separated from each other in an up-down direction. The upper support portion51A is disposed above the lower support portion51B. The pair of bridge portions51C each have a columnar shape and extend in the up-down direction. The pair of bridge portions51C are bridged between both end portions of the upper support portion51A and both end portions of the lower support portion51B in the left-right direction.

The guide rail52includes four columnar bodies extending in the front-rear direction. Hereinafter, the respective columnar bodies are referred to as guide rails52A,52B,52C, and52D. The guide rails52A and52B are bridged between the upper support portions51A of the pair of frame bodies51. The guide rail52A is located on a left side with respect to the guide rail52B. The guide rails52C and52D are bridged between the lower support portions51B of the pair of frame bodies51. The guide rail52C is located on a left side with respect to the guide rail

The holding portion56includes a device holding portion56A and a platen holding portion56B. Each of the device holding portion56A and the platen holding portion56B has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Each of the device holding portion56A and the platen holding portion56B has two through holes penetrating in the front-rear direction. The guide rails52A and52B are inserted through the respective two through holes of the device holding portion56A. The device holding portion56A is supported to be movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the guide rails52A and52B. The guide rails52C and52D are inserted through the respective two through holes of the platen holding portion56B. The platen holding portion56B is supported to be movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the guide rails52C and52D.

The device holding portion56A has four through holes57penetrating in the up-down direction. A bolt57A is inserted through each through hole57downward. The four bolts57A connect the printing device1to the device holding portion56A. A cutout portion58is provided at a rear end portion of the device holding portion56A. The cutout portion58is formed in a central portion of a lower surface of the device holding portion56A in a left-right direction. On the other hand, the platen holding portion56B includes an upper surface having a flat plate shape, and holds the platen facing the thermal head7A of the printing device1in a case where printing is performed. The platen holding portion56B is not connected to the printing device1, and the printing device1and the platen are held independently in the up-down direction with a predetermined gap between the printing device1and the platen. The printing device1is held by the guide rails52A and52B via the device holding portion56A. The printing device1moves in the front-rear direction (arrow Y2) as the device holding portion56A moves in the front-rear direction with respect to the guide rails52A and52B. Similarly, the platen is held by the guide rails52C and52D via the platen holding portion56B. The platen moves in the front-rear direction as the platen holding portion56B moves in the front-rear direction with respect to the guide rails52C and52D.

As shown inFIGS.3and4, the ribbon cartridge9includes a base portion91and shafts92A to92E (seeFIG.4, hereinafter, collectively referred to as a “shaft92”). The base portion91has a substantially square plate shape. A cutout910is formed in an upper left corner portion of the base portion91. As shown inFIG.3, a handle91A extending in the up-down direction is provided on a front surface of the base portion91and at a center of the base portion91in the left-right direction. As shown inFIG.4, the shafts92A to92E each extend rearward from a rear surface of the base portion91. The shafts92A to92D each have a columnar shape and are spindles rotatable about a rotation shaft extending in the front-rear direction. The shaft92E has a columnar shape and is fixed to the base portion91.

The shaft92A is provided on an upper side, with respect to a center of the base portion91, in the up-down direction and on a right side, with respect to the center of the base portion91, in the left-right direction. The shaft92D is provided on the upper side, with respect to the center of the base portion91, in the up-down direction and on a left side, with respect to the center of the base portion91, in the left-right direction. The shafts92A and92D are arranged in the left-right direction. A spool921to which one end side of the ink ribbon9A is connected is mounted on the shaft92A. A spool922to which an other end side of the ink ribbon9A is connected is mounted on the shaft92D. The ink ribbon9A is wound in a roll shape around each of the spool921mounted on the shaft92A and the spool922mounted on the shaft92D. Hereinafter, the ink ribbon9A wound around the spool921in a roll shape is referred to as the “ribbon roll90A”. The ink ribbon9A wound around the spool922in a roll shape is referred to as a “ribbon roll90B”. As the spools921and922rotate, the ink ribbon9A is fed out from the ribbon roll90A and wound around the ribbon roll90B.

The shaft92B is provided on a lower right corner of the base portion91. A hole923is formed in a tip end of the shaft92B. The shaft92C is provided on a lower left corner of the base portion91. An engaging gear924is provided on a tip end of the shaft92C. The ink ribbon9A stretched between the spools921and922comes into contact with a part of a peripheral surface of each of the shafts92B and92C. The shaft92E is provided on an upper end portion of the base portion91and at the center of the base portion91in the left-right direction.

The ribbon cartridge9is attachable to and detachable from the printing device1. For example, as shown inFIG.3, a user grips the handle91A of the ribbon cartridge9and slides the ribbon cartridge9forward with respect to the printing device1(arrow Y3). Accordingly, the ribbon cartridge9is detached from the printing device1. On the other hand, for example, the user grips the handle91A of the ribbon cartridge9and slides the ribbon cartridge9rearward with respect to the printing device1(arrow Y4). Accordingly, the ribbon cartridge9is mounted on the printing device1.

<Overview of Printing Device1>

As shown inFIG.3, the printing device1includes a housing11. The housing11includes a first housing12and a second housing13. The first housing12covers an area, on a front side with respect to a base plate21(seeFIG.5) that will be described later, of the printing device1. This area accommodates a mounting portion22(seeFIG.5), the thermal head7A (seeFIG.5), a moving mechanism7B (seeFIG.5), a relay board42(seeFIG.6), and the like, which will be described later. The second housing13covers an area, on a rear side with respect to the base plate21, of the printing device1. This area accommodates a motor31(seeFIG.10), a cover6(seeFIG.11), a control board41(seeFIG.12), and the like, which will be described later.

As shown inFIGS.3and5, the first housing12includes partial housings12U,12L,12R,12B, and12C each having a plate shape. The partial housing12U is orthogonal to the up-down direction and extends in the left-right direction. The partial housing12L is orthogonal to the left-right direction and extends downward from a left end portion of the partial housing12U. The partial housing12B is orthogonal to the up-down direction and extends rightward from a lower end portion of the partial housing12L. The partial housing12R is orthogonal to the left-right direction and extends downward from a right end portion of the partial housing12U. The partial housing12C is orthogonal to the up-down direction and extends leftward from a lower end portion of the partial housing12R. As shown inFIG.5, rear end portions of the partial housings12U,12L,12R,12B, and12C are connected to the base plate21, which will be described later.

Front end portions of the partial housings12U,12L,12R,12B, and12C form an opening12P. The ribbon cartridge9(seeFIG.4) is mounted on the printing device1by being inserted inside the first housing12through the opening12P of the first housing12. A shape of the base portion91(seeFIG.4) of the ribbon cartridge9is substantially the same as a shape of the opening12P. Hereinafter, an area inside the first housing12where the ribbon cartridge9mounted on the printing device1is disposed is referred to as a mounting area90. A right end portion of the partial housing12B and a left end portion of the partial housing12C form an opening12Q. The thermal head7A, which will be described later, heats the ink ribbon9A (seeFIG.4) of the mounted ribbon cartridge9to perform printing in a state of protruding downward from the opening12Q.

As shown inFIGS.2,3, and5, the second housing13includes partial housings13U (seeFIG.3),13L (seeFIG.3),13R (seeFIG.5),13B (seeFIG.5), and13S (seeFIG.2) each having a plate shape. As shown inFIG.2, the partial housing13S has a square shape and is orthogonal to the front-rear direction. As shown inFIGS.3and5, the partial housing13U is orthogonal to the up-down direction and extends forward from an upper end portion of the partial housing13S. The partial housing13L is orthogonal to the left-right direction and extends forward from a left end portion of the partial housing13S. The partial housing13L is located on a right side with respect to the partial housing12L of the first housing12. The partial housing13R is orthogonal to the left-right direction and extends forward from a right end portion of the partial housing13S. The partial housing13B is orthogonal to the up-down direction and extends forward from a lower end portion of the partial housing13S.

Front end portions of the partial housings13U,13R, and13B are connected to the base plate21, which will be described later. As shown inFIG.3, an opening13P is formed substantially at a center of the partial housing13U in the left-right direction. A fan81, which will be described later, is exposed from the opening13P. An opening13Q is formed in a front end portion of the partial housing13L. A part of the cover6, which will be described later, is exposed to the outside through the opening13Q from the inside of the second housing13.

As shown inFIGS.5to7, the base plate21of the printing device1has a substantially square plate shape. The base plate21is orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The base plate21includes the mounting portion22(22A to22E), the thermal head7A, the moving mechanism7B, and the like.

The mounting portion22is provided on a front surface of the base plate21. In a case where the ribbon cartridge9(seeFIG.4) is mounted on the printing device1, the shafts92A to92E (seeFIG.4) of the ribbon cartridge9are connected to the mounting portions22A to22E, respectively. The mounting portion22A is provided on an upper side, with respect to a center of the base plate21, in the up-down direction and on a right side, with respect to a center of the base plate21, in the left-right direction. The mounting portion22D is provided on the upper side, with respect to the center of the base plate21, in the up-down direction and on a left side, with respect to the center of the base plate21, in the left-right direction. The mounting portions22A and22D each have a circular shape and are arranged in the left-right direction. For example, in a case where the ribbon cartridge9is mounted on the printing device1, the ribbon roll90A wound around the spool921(seeFIG.4) connected to the shaft92A is mounted on the mounting portion22A. The ribbon roll90B (seeFIG.4) wound around the spool922connected to the shaft92D is mounted on the mounting portion22D.

The mounting portion22B is provided on a lower right corner of the base plate21. The mounting portion22B has a columnar shape and extends forward from the base plate21. The mounting portion22C is provided on a lower left corner of the base plate21. The mounting portion22C has a cylindrical shape and includes an engaging gear that is not shown inside the mounting portion22C. The mounting portion22E is provided on an upper end portion of the base plate21and at the center of the base plate21in the left-right direction. The mounting portion22E has a tubular shape and extends forward from the base plate21. In a case where the ribbon cartridge9is mounted on the printing device1, the mounting portion22B is inserted through the hole923(seeFIG.4) of the shaft92B. The engaging gear of the mounting portion22C is engaged with the engaging gear924(seeFIG.4) of the shaft92C. The shaft92E is inserted through a tubular interior of the mounting portion22E.

A rotation shaft of a motor31A (seeFIG.9), which will be described later, is connected to the mounting portion22A from behind. The mounting portion22A rotates in accordance with rotation of the motor31A. A rotation shaft of a motor31B (seeFIG.9), which will be described later, is connected to the mounting portion22D. The mounting portion22D rotates in accordance with rotation of the motor31B. In a case where the mounting portions22A and22D rotate in a state where the shafts92A to92E (seeFIG.4) of the ribbon cartridge9are connected to the mounting portions22A to22E, respectively, the ink ribbon9A (seeFIG.4) of the ribbon cartridge9is guided in a state of coming into contact with the shafts92B and92C between the spools921and922(seeFIG.4) to be conveyed in the printing device1.

As shown inFIGS.5to7, the thermal head7A is provided on a lower end portion of the front surface of the base plate21and at a portion between the mounting portions22B and22C. The thermal head7A is supported to be movable in the up-down direction and the left-right direction with respect to the base plate21. The thermal head7A is a line thermal head. The thermal head7A includes a base portion71, a rail72, and a plurality of heating elements71A. The thermal head7A is connected to a belt32A connected to a pulley32connected to the rotation shaft of the motor31B (seeFIG.10), which will be described later. The thermal head7A moves in the left-right direction as the belt32A is rotated by the motor31B.

The base portion71has an elongated plate shape and extends in the front-rear direction. The base portion71is inclined with respect to a direction orthogonal to the up-down direction. The base portion71is biased upward by a spring71B (seeFIG.6). The rail72extending in the front-rear direction is provided on an upper side of the base portion71.

The plurality of heating elements71A arranged in the front-rear direction are provided on a lower side of the base portion71. The plurality of heating elements71A come into contact, from above, with a portion of the ink ribbon9A (seeFIG.4) fed out from the ribbon roll90A of the ribbon cartridge9in accordance with the rotation of the mounting portions22A and22D, the portion being stretched between the shafts92B and92C (seeFIG.2). The plurality of heating elements71A sandwich the ink ribbon9A and the printing medium between the plurality of heating elements71A and the platen held on the upper surface of the platen holding portion56B. The plurality of heating elements71A heat the ink ribbon9A while pressing the ink ribbon9A against the printing medium. Accordingly, the thermal head7A transfers an ink of the ink ribbon9A to the printing medium to perform the printing.

The moving mechanism7B is provided on the front surface of the base plate21and above the thermal head7A. The moving mechanism7B is a mechanism for moving the thermal head7A in the up-down direction and the left-right direction. The moving mechanism7B includes a pair of support portions75, guide rails76A,76B, and76C, and a swinging member77. The pair of support portions75are provided above the mounting portions22B and22C, and are separated from each other in the left-right direction. The pair of support portions75are supported by the base plate21to be swingable about a rotation shaft extending in the left-right direction. The guide rails76A,76B, and76C each have a columnar shape and extend in the left-right direction. The guide rails76A,76B, and76C are bridged between the pair of support portions75.

As shown inFIGS.5,7, and8, an arm33is connected to the guide rail76B. The arm33extends rearward from the guide rail76B, passes through an opening21A formed in the base plate21, and extends to the rear of the base plate21. The opening21A allows the front and the rear of the base plate21to communicate with each other. A filter210for preventing passage of dust and dirt is provided in the opening21A. The filter210is flexible and does not interfere with movement of the arm33. As shown inFIG.8, a rear end portion of the arm33is connected to a crank34connected to a rotation shaft of a motor31C, which will be described later. The arm33is driven as the crank34is rotated by the motor31C. The pair of support portions75and the guide rails76A,76B, and76C swing as the arm33is driven.

As shown inFIGS.5to8, the swinging member77is supported to be movable in the left-right direction with respect to the guide rail76C. As shown inFIGS.6and8, the swinging member77includes a first portion77A extending obliquely downward and forward from the guide rail76C, and a second portion77B extending obliquely upward and forward from the guide rail76C. A pulley77C is rotatably supported at a tip end of the first portion77A. The pulley77C comes into contact with the rail72of the thermal head7A from above. The pulley77C moves the swinging member77in the left-right direction in accordance with the movement of the thermal head7A in the left-right direction. A rotational body77D is rotatably supported at a tip end of the second portion77B. The rotational body77D comes into contact with the guide rail76A from the front.

In a case where the motor31C rotates, the swinging member77swings in conjunction with swinging of the pair of support portions75and the guide rails76A,76B, and76C. As shown inFIG.8, in a case where the swinging member77swings in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from a right side, the first portion77A of the swinging member77pushes the thermal head7A downward via the pulley77C. The thermal head7A moves downward against a biasing force of the spring71B. In a state where the thermal head7A moves to a lowest position, the plurality of heating elements71A of the thermal head7A slightly protrude downward from the opening12Q (seeFIG.5) of the housing11. On the other hand, in a case where the swinging member77swings in a clockwise direction as viewed from the right side, the thermal head7A moves upward in accordance with the biasing force of the spring71B. In a state where the thermal head7A moves to an uppermost position, the plurality of heating elements71A of the thermal head7A are located above the opening12Q of the housing11.

As shown inFIG.6, the relay board42is provided on a left side of the base plate21. The relay board42extends in a direction orthogonal to the base plate21, that is, in a direction orthogonal to the left-right direction. The relay board42is a printed circuit board on which various devices are mounted. Hereinafter, for ease of description, the relay board42may be described as being divided into a first portion42A and a second portion42B. The first portion42A is a portion on an upper side, with respect to a center of the relay board42, in the up-down direction. The second portion42B is a portion on a lower side, with respect to the center of the relay board42, in the up-down direction.

The first portion42A has a rectangular shape elongated in the front-rear direction. As shown inFIGS.7and9, positions of front end portions of the first portion42A and the partial housing12L of the first housing12in the front-rear direction coincide with each other. As shown inFIG.9, a rear end portion of the first portion42A is located behind the base plate21. That is, the first portion42A extends from a front end portion of the first housing12to a position behind the base plate21. A portion of the first portion42A disposed on a front side with respect to the base plate21is located on a left side of the mounting area90where the ribbon cartridge9is to be mounted.

As shown inFIG.7, an interface portion43is provided on the front end portion of the first portion42A. The interface portion43includes a USB connector43A and a push button43B on a front surface of the interface portion43. A USB memory that is not shown is connected to the USB connector43A. The push button43B is operated in a case where an instruction to the printing device1is input. The first portion42A transmits, to the control board41(seeFIG.12) that will be described later, an electric signal received from the USB memory connected to the USB connector43A and an electric signal indicating that the push button43B is operated. The interface portion43is provided with a plurality of indicators formed of LEDs, and an operation state of the printing device1, a remaining amount of the ribbon, and the like can be indicated to the user by colors and lighting patterns of the indicators. As shown inFIG.3, the interface portion43is adjacent to the cutout910of the base portion91in a state where the ribbon cartridge9(seeFIG.4) is mounted. Therefore, the front surface of the interface portion43is not covered by the base portion91even in a case where the ribbon cartridge9is mounted.

As shown inFIG.6, the second portion42B extends downward from a lower end portion of the first portion42A and a center of the first portion42A in the front-rear direction. A front end portion of the second portion42B is located behind the front end portion of the first portion42A. A rear end portion of the second portion42B is located behind the base plate21(seeFIG.9). As shown inFIG.7, an encoder74A is provided on a right surface of the second portion42B. The encoder74A measures a rotation amount of the pair of support portions75of the moving mechanism7B. A CPU mounted on the control board41, which will be described later, can detect a movement amount of the thermal head7A in the up-down direction, based on the rotation amount detected by the encoder74A. Further, an LED74B is provided on the right surface of the second portion42B. The LED74B irradiates the area on the front side with respect to the base plate21with light. Due to the irradiation with the light, the vicinity of the mounting portion22becomes bright. Accordingly, the user can visually recognize a remaining amount of the ink ribbon9A of the ribbon cartridge9and an operation state of the printing device1through a window that is not shown provided in the base portion91. By turning on the LED74B at the time of attaching/detaching the ribbon cartridge9, it is also possible to help an attachment/detachment operation of the ribbon cartridge9.

As shown inFIGS.5and6, a portion of the relay board42located on the front side than the base plate21is covered with a cover16except for a left surface of the relay board42. As shown inFIG.5, a part of the relay board42is accommodated in a space between the partial housing12L of the first housing12and the cover16. A part of the cover16is transmissive and allows the light from the LED74B to transmit through the part of the cover16.

As shown inFIGS.10to12, a portion of the relay board42located on the rear side with respect to the base plate21is covered with the cover6, which will be described later. As shown inFIG.9, a rear end portion of the relay board42is located on a front side than a rear end portion of the second housing13. As shown inFIG.10, connectors45A,45B, and45C are provided on the rear end portion of the relay board42.

As shown inFIG.10, motors31A to31D (hereinafter, collectively referred to as the “motor31”) are provided on a rear surface of the base plate21. As shown inFIG.9, the motor31A is connected to a portion of the rear surface of the base plate21that is a rear side with respect to the mounting portion22A (seeFIGS.5to7) on the front surface of the base plate21. The motor31D is connected to a portion of the rear surface of the base plate21that is a rear side with respect to the mounting portion22D (seeFIGS.5to7) on the front surface of the base plate21. The motors31A and31D are arranged in the left-right direction. The motor31A is disposed on a right side with respect to the motor31D. Rotation shafts of the motors31A and31D penetrate the base plate21from the rear surface toward the front surface, and are connected to the mounting portions22A and22D on the front surface, respectively. The motor31A rotates the mounting portion22A, and the motor31D rotates the mounting portion22D. A heat insulator30A is provided between the motor31A and the base plate21. A heat insulator30D is provided between the motor31D and the base plate21. The heat insulators30A and30D prevent the heat of the motors31A and31D from being transmitted to the base plate21, respectively.

As shown inFIG.10, the motor31B is connected to a lower side of the rear surface of the base plate21with respect to the motor31A. The motor31C is connected to a lower side, with respect to the motor31D, of the rear surface of the base plate21. As shown inFIG.7, the rotation shaft of the motor31B penetrates the base plate21from the rear surface toward the front surface, and is connected to the pulley32on the front side with respect to the base plate21. The motor31B rotates the pulley32to move the thermal head7A in the left-right direction. As shown inFIG.8, the rotation shaft of the motor31C extends rightward and is connected to the crank34. The motor31C rotates the crank34to move the thermal head7A in the up-down direction.

As shown inFIG.12, the control board41is disposed behind the motor31(seeFIG.10). The control board41is a printed circuit board on which various devices are mounted. The control board41is fixed, by spacers41A, to a position separated rearward from the base plate21. The control board41is orthogonal to the front-rear direction and parallel to the base plate21. The CPU for controlling the motor31, encoders for detecting rotation amounts of the respective motors31A and31D, and the like are mounted on the control board41. The encoder for detecting the rotation amount of the motor31A is provided on a front surface of the control board41and behind a rotation shaft33A (seeFIGS.10and11) of the motor31A. The encoder for detecting the rotation amount of the motor31D is provided on the front surface of the control board41and behind a rotation shaft33D (seeFIGS.10and11) of the motor31D. The control board41is electrically connected to the relay board42by an FPC that is not shown.

As shown inFIG.11, the cover6is disposed behind the base plate21and forward of the control board41(seeFIG.12). The cover6covers, from behind, the motors31A to31D and a part of the rear end portion of the relay board42.

As shown inFIGS.11and13, the cover6includes partial covers61S,61U,61B,61R,61L,62U,62S,62B, and62L each having a plate shape. The partial cover61S has irregularities, and a main component of the partial cover61S is orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The partial cover61S is disposed between the motor31and the control board41. The partial covers61U,61R,61L, and61B extend forward from an upper end portion, a right end portion, a left end portion, and a lower end portion of the partial cover61S, respectively. The partial cover62S extends leftward from a front end portion of the partial cover61L and is orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The partial covers62U,62B, and62L extend forward from an upper end portion, a lower end portion, and a left end portion of the partial cover62S, respectively. The partial cover62S is provided with a partition wall62R extending forward from a front surface of the partial cover62S. The partition wall62R is orthogonal to the left-right direction and extends in the up-down direction. Rear end portions of the partial covers61U,61R,61B,62U,62L, and62B and the partition wall62R are connected to the base plate21.

The cover6partitions the area covered by the second housing13(seeFIGS.2and3, and the like) into a first area66A, a second area66B, and a third area66C. The first area66A is an area surrounded by the partial covers61S,61U,61R, and61B and the partition wall62R. The motors31A to31D are disposed in the first area66A. The third area66C is an area surrounded by the partial covers62S,62U,62L,62B and the partition wall62R. A part of the rear end portion of the relay board42is disposed in the third area66C. As shown inFIG.9, the second area66B is an area other than the first area66A and the third area66C in the area covered by the second housing13(seeFIGS.2and3, and the like). The control board41is disposed in the second area66B. The first area66A and the second area66B are arranged in the front-rear direction.

As shown inFIG.13, an opening61P is provided in the partial cover61U. Through holes63A and63D are provided in the partial cover61S. As shown inFIG.11, the rotation shaft33A of the motor31A is inserted through the through hole63A from the front and protrudes rearward. The rotation shaft33D of the motor31D is inserted through the through hole63D from the front and protrudes rearward. As shown inFIG.13, through holes64A,64B, and64C are provided in the partial cover62S. As shown inFIGS.11and12, the connectors45A and45B provided on the relay board42are inserted through the through holes64A and64B from the front and protrude rearward, respectively. The connector45C provided on the relay board42is exposed from the through hole64C.

As shown inFIG.3, a fan unit8is disposed in the opening13P of the partial housing13U corresponding to an upper end portion of the second housing13. As shown inFIG.6, the fan unit8is fixed to the upper end portion of the base plate21and at the center of the base plate21in the left-right direction, and protrudes rearward. As shown inFIG.11, the fan unit8is located above the opening61P provided in the partial cover61U of the cover6. The fan unit8includes the fan81and a fixing portion82.

The fan81includes a plurality of propellers and a hub to which the plurality of propellers are connected, and rotates about a rotation shaft extending in the up-down direction. A motor is built in the fan81. In a case where the fan81rotates, air in the first area66A of the cover6is discharged to the outside of the printing device1through the opening61P of the cover6and the opening13P (seeFIG.9) of the second housing13.

The fixing portion82has a C-shape when viewed from above, and covers a left side, a right side, and a rear side of the fan81. The fixing portion82rotatably supports the fan81and fixes the fan81to the base plate21. The fixing portion82includes a rectangular plate body82P on an upper surface of the fixing portion82. A front end portion of the plate body82P is fixed to an upper side of the upper end portion of the base plate21. Screw holes82A extending in the up-down direction are formed at respective four corners of the base plate21. A filter85for preventing passage of dust and dirt is provided in an opening inside the plate body82P.

As shown inFIG.2, the four bolts57A inserted through the four through holes57of the device holding portion56A are screwed into the respective four screw holes82A of the fixing portion82shown inFIG.3. The printing device1is held by the device holding portion56A by connecting the device holding portion56A to the fixing portion82with the four bolts57A. The device holding portion56A covers the fan81from above in a state of being connected to the fixing portion82.

<Overview of Printing Operation>

The ribbon cartridge9is mounted on the printing device1. In a state where the printing device1is held by the moving mechanism5with the holding portion56, a printing surface of the printing medium conveyed by the external device and the thermal head7A of the printing device1face each other in the up-down direction. Further, a platen roller that is not shown is disposed on a side opposite to the printing device1with respect to the printing medium.

The fan unit8is powered on, and the fan81starts to rotate. As shown inFIG.8, the fan81discharges, to the outside, the air in the first area66A of the cover6from an upper end portion of the housing11(arrow Y13). The discharged air passes through a gap formed between the fan unit8and the cutout portion58of the device holding portion56A connected to the fixing portion82of the fan unit8. Accordingly, an upward air flow is formed inside the first area66A (arrow Y12). In accordance with the air flow, air outside the housing11is taken into an area inside the housing11and on the front side of the base plate21through the opening12Q (seeFIG.5) in the lower end portion of the housing11(arrow Y10). Further, the air taken into the area on the front side of the base plate21passes through the opening21A of the base plate21to the rear side and flows into the first area66A (arrow Y11).

In a case where a printing action by the printing device1is started, the mounting portions22A and22D rotate in accordance with driving of the motors31A and31D, respectively. Accordingly, the shafts92A and92D of the ribbon cartridge9connected to the respective mounting portions22A and22D also rotate. The ink ribbon9A is fed out from the ribbon roll90A of the spool921mounted on the shaft92A, and is wound around the ribbon roll90B of the spool922mounted on the shaft92D. A portion of the ink ribbon9A between the shafts92B and92C moves in the same direction as the conveyance direction of the printing medium.

The motors31A and31D drive to generate heat. On the other hand, due to driving of the fan81of the fan unit8, the air flow (arrow Y12) is generated inside the first area66A. The air flow cools the motors31A and31D.

In a case where a conveyance speed of the ink ribbon9A is increased to a predetermined speed, the motor31C is driven, and the thermal head7A is lowered to protrude below the opening12Q. The thermal head7A comes into contact with the platen roller from above via the ink ribbon9A and the printing medium. The ink ribbon9A is pressed against the printing surface of the printing medium in accordance with the movement of the thermal head7A. The heating elements71A of the thermal head7A generate heat, and the ink of the ink ribbon9A is transferred to the printing surface of the printing medium. As described above, printing by the printing device1is performed.

<Operations and Effects of the Present Embodiment>

Various operations on the thermal head7A of the printing device1(for example, replacement and cleaning of the thermal head7A) may be performed. In this case, the printing medium and the platen roller are arranged below the printing device1, and thus usually, an operator often accesses the thermal head7A from above the printing device1to perform various operations. Here, in the printing device1, the relay board42is disposed on the left side of the base plate21, and the relay board42is not disposed above the thermal head7A. Therefore, the printing device1can prevent the relay board42from becoming an obstacle in a case where the operator accesses the thermal head7A from above to perform various operations. Therefore, the printing device1can facilitate various operations performed on the thermal head7A by the operator.

The relay board42extends from the front end portion of the first housing12to the rear side with respect to the base plate21. Therefore, the printing device1can use the relay board42as a transmission path of an electric signal transmitted from the front end portion of the first housing12to the control board41behind the base plate21. In this case, it is not necessary to use a signal line or the like for transmitting an electric signal, and thus it is possible to reduce the cost of the printing device1.

The rear end portion of the relay board42is located on the front side than the rear end portion of the second housing13. Therefore, in the printing device1, a connector on a cable side connected to the connectors45A and45B of the relay board42can be disposed in a portion between the rear end portion of the second housing13and the rear end portion of the relay board42. In this case, it is possible to reduce a rearward protrusion, from the rear end portion of the second housing13, of the connector on the cable side. Therefore, the printing device1can reduce a space in the front-rear direction required at the time of printing.

The printing device1includes the cover16that covers the relay board42. In this case, the cover16can reduce dust, dirt, and the like adhering to the relay board42.

The printing device1can use the relay board42as a transmission path for transmitting an electric signal received from a USB cable connected to the USB connector43A of the interface portion43. The relay board42is disposed on the left side with respect to the mounting area90of the ribbon cartridge9, and thus the relay board42does not interfere with the attachment/detachment action of the ribbon cartridge9with respect to the printing device1. Therefore, in a case where the ribbon cartridge9is attached to or detached from the printing device1, it is not necessary to remove the USB cable from the USB connector43A. Therefore, in the printing device1, the ribbon cartridge9can be easily attached to and detached from the printing device1in a state where the USB cable is connected to the USB connector43A.

The encoder74A provided on the right surface of the second portion42B of the relay board42can detect the movement amount of the thermal head7A in the up-down direction. The printing device1can easily hold the encoder74A with the relay board42. The LED74B provided on the right surface of the second portion42B of the relay board42can irradiate the front side of the base plate21with light. The printing device1can easily hold the LED74B with the relay board42.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. The relay board42may be provided on a right side of the base plate21, or may be provided on both left and right sides of the base plate21. The relay board42may include only the first portion42A, and may not include the second portion42B. Conversely, the relay board42may include only the second portion42B, and may not include the first portion42A. A front end portion of the relay board42may be located behind the front end portion of the first housing12. Positions of the rear end portion of the relay board42and the rear end portion of the second housing13in the front-rear direction may coincide with each other. In this case, the connector on the cable side connected to the connectors45A and45B of the relay board42may protrude rearward than the rear end portion of the second housing13.

The cover16covering a part of the relay board42may further cover a left side of the relay board42. The cover16may be integrated with the first housing12. The cover16may not be provided. The interface portion43may be provided on a left surface of the relay board42.

Various sensors that measures driving amounts of various drive mechanisms connected to the base plate21may be mounted on the relay board42. For example, an optical sensor that measures a ribbon amount of the ribbon rolls90A and90B, a contact sensor that detects whether the ribbon cartridge9is mounted, and the like may be mounted on the relay board42. The number of LEDs74B mounted on the relay board42is not limited to one, and may be plural. The encoder74A and the LED74B may not be mounted on the relay board42.