Printer including switch unit positioned in groove of casing with FPC connected to controller through hole of groove

A printer includes: a casing; a grooved part recessed from an outer surface of the casing; a switch unit provided in the grooved part; a controller inside the casing; an FPC connecting the switch unit to the controller; and a hole part formed at a prescribed end portion of a bottom surface of the grooved part. A bottom surface of the switch unit is fixed to the groove bottom surface through the FPC. The hole part is aligned with a center of the groove bottom surface in a prescribed direction. The hole part defines a first inner end and a second inner end opposing each other in the prescribed direction, the first inner end being farther away from the center of the groove bottom surface than the second inner end is in the prescribed direction. The first inner end is positioned outside of the grooved part in the prescribed direction.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-173980 filed on Oct. 25, 2021. The entire content of the priority application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

There has been known a conventional printer which is constituted by assembling a housing and a chassis assembly to each other. The housing has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape elongated in a left-right direction. The housing includes a top cover, a lower cover, and a cover member.

DESCRIPTION

The above-described printer may be provided with a membrane switch at the top cover. The membrane switch is a thin sheet-like switch configured by printing circuits and contacts on films and stacking the films. The top cover is formed with a grooved part in which the membrane switch is disposed. The grooved part is a recess that is recessed on an outer surface of the top cover. In the grooved part, a hole is formed to penetrate through the top cover. The membrane switch is connected to an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit). The membrane switch is fixed to the bottom of the grooved part through the FPC. The FPC has one end connected to the membrane switch and inserted through the hole of the grooved part.

There may be a case where the membrane switch is fixed to the bottom of the grooved part with the FPC bent by 180 degrees at the grooved part. When a user operates the membrane switch while the FPC is bent in this way, conceivably, user's operational feeing of the membrane switch may be deteriorated, or disconnection of the FPC may occur.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a printer capable of suppressing the FPC from being assembled in a bent state.

In order to attain the above and other object, the present disclosure provides a printer including a casing, a grooved part, a switch unit, a controller, a flexible printed circuit, and a hole part. The grooved part is in a form of a recess formed on an outer surface of the casing. The grooved part has a groove bottom surface and a groove inner wall. The groove bottom surface has a prescribed end portion from which the groove inner wall extends. The switch unit is provided in the grooved part. The switch unit has a switch bottom surface. The controller is disposed inside the casing. The flexible printed circuit has a first end connected to the switch bottom surface and a second end connected to the controller. The hole part is formed at the prescribed end portion of the groove bottom surface. The flexible printed circuit extends through the hole part to be introduced inside the casing. The groove bottom surface defines a center thereof in a prescribed direction. The center and the hole part are aligned with each other in the prescribed direction. The hole part has inner walls defining a first inner end and a second inner end opposing each other in the prescribed direction. The first inner end is farther away from the center of the groove bottom surface than the second inner end is from the center of the groove bottom surface in the prescribed direction. The switch bottom surface is fixed to the groove bottom surface through the flexible printed circuit. The first inner end is positioned outside of the grooved part in the prescribed direction or at the same position as the groove inner wall in the prescribed direction.

OVERVIEW OF PRINTER1

A printer1according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to accompanying drawings.

In the following description, the lower-left side, upper-right side, upper-left side, lower-right side, upper side, and lower side inFIG.1will be defined as a front side, a rear side, a left side, a right side, an upper side, and a lower side of the printer1, respectively.

The printer1is configured to form an image on a medium D based on print data. The medium D is not limited to a specific medium, and may be a sheet-like or tape-like medium. In the present embodiment, heat-sensitive cut paper is employed as the medium D.

The printer1includes a casing2. The casing2has a rectangular parallelepiped shape whose dimension in a left-right direction is greater than dimensions thereof in a front-rear direction and an up-down direction. A battery10illustrated inFIG.2is attachable to a lower-rear portion of the casing2. The battery10is configured to supply power to the printer1when attached to the printer1.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the casing2includes a lower cover21, an upper cover22, and an open-close cover23. The lower cover21has a plate-like shape and extends in the front-rear direction and in the left-right direction. The lower cover21constitutes a bottom of the casing2.

The upper cover22opens downward and is assembled to the lower cover21from above. A grooved part26is formed on an upper surface220of the upper cover22in a region adjacent to a left end portion thereof. The grooved part26is a part recessed downward from the upper surface220. A switch unit96is arranged in the grooved part26. The switch unit96will be described in detail later.

The upper cover22is formed with an opening221. The opening221is open on a front surface and on the upper surface220of the upper cover22. Specifically, with respect to the up-down direction, the opening221extends from a center portion to an upper end of the front surface of the upper cover22. With respect to the front-rear direction, the opening221extends from a front end to a center portion of the upper surface220of the upper cover22. Further, with respect to the left-right direction, the opening221extends from a position near a left end to a position near a right end of the upper cover22. Hereinafter, in the upper cover22, an end defining a rear end of the opening221will be referred to as “opening edge223”, and an end defining a bottom end of the opening221will be referred to as “opening edge224”.

The open-close cover23is plate shaped and has a first portion231and a second portion232. The first portion231extends in the front-rear direction and in the left-right direction. The second portion232extends downward from a front end of the first portion231and also extends in the left-right direction. The open-close cover23is configured to be fitted in the opening221of the upper cover22. The first portion231has a rear end223that is rotatably supported by the upper cover22. Accordingly, the open-close cover23is pivotable about the rear end223of the first portion231as a fulcrum, such that the open-close cover23can open and close the opening221.

Hereinafter, the description will be made based on a state illustrated inFIG.1where the open-close cover23closes the opening221. In the closed state of the open-close cover23, the rear end233of the first portion231faces the opening edge223of the opening221in the upper cover22with a gap therebetween in the front-rear direction. Further, a lower end234of the second portion232faces the opening edge224of the opening221in the upper cover22with a gap therebetween in the up-down direction.

An insertion slot24is formed in an upper surface of the casing2. The insertion slot24is an opening defined by the opening edge223of the upper cover22and the rear end233of the open-close cover23. The medium D is configured to be supplied inside the casing2through the insertion slot24.

A discharge slot25is formed in a front surface of the casing2. The discharge slot25is an opening defined by the opening edge224of the upper cover22and the lower end234of the open-close cover23. After printing is performed on the medium D inside the casing2, the medium D is configured to be discharged outside the casing2through the discharge slot25.

As illustrated inFIGS.2and3, the printer1includes a head unit4housed inside the casing2. The head unit4includes a support frame5, a platen roller6, a thermal head7, and a heat sink8.

The support frame5includes a lower plate51, a left plate52, and a right plate53. The lower plate51has a rectangular shape in a plan view and is elongated more in the left-right direction than in the front-rear direction. The lower plate51is fixed to an upper surface of the lower cover21. The left plate52extends upward from a left end of the lower plate51and also extends in the front-rear direction. The right plate53extends upward from a right end of the lower plate51and also extends in the front-rear direction. The left plate52and right plate53oppose each other in the left-right direction.

The platen roller6is provided at an upper-front region inside the casing2(seeFIG.3). The platen roller6extends in the left-right direction. The platen roller6includes a cylinder part61and a shaft62. The cylinder part61is an elastic body such as rubber. The shaft62penetrates through the cylinder part61and is fixed thereto. The shaft62has a left end621supported by the left plate52. The shaft62has a right end622supported by the right plate53. The platen roller6is rotatable about an axis C of the shaft62.

The platen roller6is coupled to a motor69through a gear691and the like. The motor69is fixed to a right surface of the left plate52at a lower-rear portion thereof. The gear691is supported by the left plate52on a left side thereof. The platen roller6is rotatable upon receipt of a driving force of the motor69through the gear691.

A controller9is provided at a lower portion of the head unit4such that the controller9is positioned rightward of the motor69. The controller9is configured to control operations of the printer1. The controller9is connected to the switch unit96(described later) through a flexible printed circuit (FPC)97. The controller9is also electrically connected to the motor69and thermal head7.

Referring toFIG.3, the axis C of shaft62serves as a rotation center C of the platen roller6. The axis C (rotation center C) passes through a center of the shaft62and extends in the left-right direction. The platen roller6is rotatable about the rotation center C to convey the medium D in a conveying direction. The conveying direction is a direction in which the medium D is configured to be conveyed by the platen roller6and is orthogonal to the left-right direction in the present embodiment.

The thermal head7is disposed below the platen roller6. As the medium D is conveyed by the rotation of the platen roller6in the conveying direction, the thermal head7moves relative to the medium D in the conveying direction. As illustrated inFIG.2, the thermal head7includes a plurality of heating elements73. The plurality of heating elements73can generate heat when supplied with power. The plurality of heating elements73is configured to apply the generated heat to the medium D while making contact with the medium D which is pressed by the platen roller6, thereby forming an image on the medium D. The controller9is configured to supply power to the plurality of heating elements73based on print data to selectively cause the heating elements73to generate heat.

The heat sink8is in contact with the thermal head7and supports the thermal head7. The heat sink8has a plate-like shape and is configured to discharge the heat generated by the plurality of heating elements73. A compression coil spring41is provided inside the casing2. The compression coil spring41has an upper end in contact with a lower surface of the heat sink8to urge the heat sink8upward. The platen roller6is pressed against the thermal head7by an urging force of the compression coil spring41.

As illustrated inFIGS.2and3, a guide member3is provided upstream of the thermal head7in the conveying direction. The guide member3is positioned inside the casing2at a position below the insertion slot24. The guide member3has a plate-like shape and is elongated in the left-right direction. The guide member3extends diagonally downward and frontward from the opening edge223of the upper cover22. The guide member3defines a conveying path R of the medium D conveyed in the conveying direction.

The switch unit96will be described next with reference toFIG.4.

The switch unit96is a part that a user operates to input various instructions to the controller9. The switch unit96includes a plate part961and three buttons962. The plate part961has a plate-like shape extending in the front-rear and left-right directions. The plate part961has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The three buttons962are arranged in the front-rear direction on the plate part961. The three buttons962are deformable. Specifically, the three buttons962are configured to deform downward relative to a bottom surface963of the plate part961when a user depresses the buttons962from above.

The switch unit96and controller9are connected to each other through the FPC97. The FPC97has a switch connection part971, a cable part972, and a controller connection part973. The switch connection part971has the same rectangular shape as the plate part961in a plan view. The switch connection part971is fixed to the bottom surface963. Contacts are provided on the switch connection part971at positions corresponding to the respective three buttons962. When any one of the three buttons962is dented by user's depression, the corresponding contact of the switch connection part971is rendered on.

The cable part972extends from a right end portion of the switch connection part971. The cable part972has an elongated shape and has flexibility. The cable part972has one end connected to the switch connection part971, and another end connected to the controller connection part973. The controller connection part973is connected to the controller9. An electric circuit is provided inside of each of the switch connection part971, cable part972, and controller connection part973. When the contact of the switch connection part971is rendered ON, a signal indicative of the turning ON of the contact is inputted to the controller9through the electric circuits of the switch connection part971, cable part972, and controller connection part973.

<Structure of the Upper Cover22>

The structure of the upper cover22will be described next with reference toFIGS.5to7.

The switch unit96is fixed to a bottom surface261of the grooved part26through the switch connection part971(seeFIG.7). In the present embodiment, the switch unit96is fixed to the bottom surface261by a double-sided tape (not illustrated). Alternatively, the switch unit96may be fixed to the bottom surface261by, for example, an adhesive agent.

As illustrated inFIG.5, a hole part27is formed at a right end portion of the bottom surface261of the grooved part26. The hole part27has an elongated shape extending in the front-rear direction in a plan view. Through the hole part27, the cable part972of the FPC97is introduced into the casing2. The hole part27has a length in the front-rear direction greater than a length in the front-rear direction (width) of the cable part972, i.e., the length of the short side of the cable part972.

As illustrated inFIG.6, when the upper cover22is viewed from below, a groove lower surface226is provided on a left end portion of a lower surface225of the upper cover22. The groove lower surface226has a substantially rectangular shape elongated in the front-rear direction in a bottom view. The groove lower surface226is provided at a position corresponding to the grooved part26. The groove lower surface226protrudes downward from the lower surface225. A lower opening of the hole part27(hereinafter, referred to as “lower opening273”) is formed at a right end portion of the groove lower surface226.

The controller9is positioned diagonally downward and rightward relative to the hole part27. The cable part972passing through the lower opening273extends rightward inside the casing2. Two guide parts28are provided at a right end of the lower opening273. The two guide parts28are arranged to oppose each other in the front-rear direction and protrude downward from the lower surface225of the upper cover22. The two guide parts28define a gap therebetween in the front-rear direction smaller than a width of a left end of the lower opening273in the front-rear direction. That is, by the provision of the two guide parts28at the right end of the lower opening273, the width in the front-rear direction of the lower opening273is narrower at the right end than at the left end. The cable part972extends rightward between the two guide parts28while passing through the lower opening273. The two guide parts28function to restrict the cable part972from moving in the front-rear direction and guide the FPC97to the controller9positioned rightward of the hole part27. The cable part972extends rightward through the guide parts28and is then routed frontward to be connected to the controller9.

<Structure of the Hole Part27>

Next, the structure of the hole part27will be described in detail with reference toFIGS.6to8. InFIGS.8to10, hatching indicative of cross sections is omitted to improve visibility of the FPC97.

The lower opening273extends from a prescribed position to a right edge of the groove lower surface226, the prescribed position being slightly leftward relative to the right edge of the groove lower surface226. The right end of the lower opening273is defined by the lower surface225and the two guide parts28.

As illustrated inFIGS.5and7, an upper opening of the hole part27(hereinafter, referred to as “upper opening274”) extends from a prescribed position to a lower edge of an inner wall262constituting the right end of the grooved part26, the prescribed position being slightly below a center of the inner wall262in the up-down direction. With respect to the left-right direction, the upper opening274extends from a prescribed position to a right edge of the bottom surface261of the grooved part26, the prescribed position being slightly leftward of the right edge of the bottom surface261.

As illustrated in the cross section ofFIG.7(hereinafter, referred to as “VII-VII cross section”), a tapered part271is formed to be connected to the inner wall262defining the right end of the grooved part26. The tapered part271constitutes a right end of inner walls constituting the hole part27and defines a right edge of the upper opening274. The tapered part271is a sloped surface gradually sloping obliquely downward and rightward from the inner wall262. The inner walls constituting the hole part27also define a left end part272extending in the up-down direction. The left end part272constitutes a left edge of the upper opening274. The hole part27has a diameter in the left-right direction that becomes greater toward the lower opening273from the upper opening274.

As illustrated inFIGS.7and8, the tapered part271is positioned outside (rightward) of the grooved part26. The tapered part271has an upper end (starting point276) connected to the inner wall262. The starting point276is above the bottom surface261of the grooved part26in the up-down direction. The tapered part271has a lower end (end point275) connected to the lower surface225of the upper cover22. The end point275is formed as a chamfered surface. The upper opening274at the left end part272is positioned slightly leftward of the right end of the plate part961.

<Assembly of the Switch Unit96>

Next, one example of a method to assemble the switch unit96to the upper cover22will be described with reference toFIG.8.

The switch connection part971of the FPC97is connected to the bottom surface963of the switch unit96in advance. First, a double-sided tape is affixed to the switch connection part971. The cable part972is then inserted and introduced inside the upper cover22through the hole part27.

The bottom surface963of the switch unit96is then brought close to the bottom surface261of the grooved part26in a state where the cable part972is stretched toward the controller9. The switch connection part971is stuck to the bottom surface261through the double-side tape, so that the bottom surface963of the switch unit96is fixed to the bottom surface261of the grooved part26. In a state where the switch unit96is assembled to the grooved part26, the FPC97is routed such that the controller connection part973is connected to the controller9. The controller9is positioned downward and rightward of the hole part27. The cable part972is stretched in the state where the switch unit96is fixed to the grooved part26upon connection of the controller connection part973to the controller9, so that the cable part972is applied with a force acting diagonally toward the lower-right.

Functions and Technical Advantages of the Embodiment

In the printer1according to the embodiment, the grooved part26is formed in the upper surface220of the upper cover22such that the grooved part26is recessed downward from the upper surface220. The switch unit96is disposed in the grooved part26. The bottom surface963of the switch unit96is fixed to the bottom surface261of the grooved part26through the FPC97. The hole part27is formed at the right end portion of the bottom surface261. The FPC97connected to the switch unit96is introduced into the interior of the casing2through the hole part27and is connected to the controller9inside the casing2. The tapered part271is positioned outside of (rightward of) the grooved part26in the left-right direction. The tapered part271is the right end of the inner walls constituting the hole part27, and is an end defining the right edge of the upper opening274of the hole part27. In other words, the tapered part271is an end positioned farther from a center P (seeFIG.7) of the bottom surface261in the left-right direction than the left end part272(left edge of the upper opening274) is from the center P in the left-right direction.

Here, in order to facilitate understanding of the technical advantages of the arrangement of the hole part27in the printer1of the embodiment, a comparative structure will be described with reference toFIG.9where a hole part27aof a conventional printer is illustrated as a comparative example. InFIG.9, the same parts and components as those of the printer1according to the embodiment will be designated with the same reference numerals as those used in the above embodiment.

In the conventional printer, the hole part27athrough which the FPC97is inserted is provided at a position deviated to the left from the right end portion of the bottom surface261(compared to the configuration of the hole part27of the embodiment illustrated inFIG.8). A right end part271aof the hole part27ain the VII-VII cross section is positioned inside the grooved part26(leftward of the inner wall262) in the left-right direction. Each of the right end part271aand a left end part272aof the hole part27ain the VII-VII cross section extends in the up-down direction. A lower opening273aof the hole part27ais formed in the groove lower surface226. An upper opening274aof the hole part27ais formed in the bottom surface261of the grooved part26.

In the conventional configuration ofFIG.9, the cable part972extending from the switch connection part971may be bent leftward by 180 degrees relative to the switch connection part971, folded between the bottom surface963of the switch unit96and the bottom surface261of the grooved part26, and then inserted downward through the hole part27awhile being bent downward at the hole part27a. Further, in the conventional printer ofFIG.9, the hole part27ais positioned beneath the buttons962in the left-right direction. Accordingly, the buttons962are dented downward when being pressed (clicked) by a user, thereby possibly causing a portion of the pressed button962to enter the hole part27a. If this is the case, the user does not sense reaction from the bottom surface261through the portion of the pressed button962in response to clicking of the button962. As such, the user may feel discomfort with respect to the operation of the buttons962.

To this effect, as illustrated inFIG.7, in the printer1according to the embodiment, the hole part27is provided at the right end portion of the bottom surface261, and the tapered part271(i.e., the right end of the inner walls constituting the hole part27in the VII-VII cross section) is positioned outside of the grooved part26in the left-right direction. With this structure, the switch unit96is restricted from being assembled to the grooved part26with the FPC97bent and folded by 180 degrees as in the case of the conventional printer illustrated inFIG.9. Further, in the printer1according to the embodiment, the hole part27is provided at the right end portion of the bottom surface261. That is, the hole part27is less likely to be positioned below the buttons962. Accordingly, in the printer1according to the embodiment, there is less likelihood that a user may feel uncomfortable when clicking the buttons962.

Further, in the embodiment, the end point275(the lower end of the tapered part271) connected to the lower surface225of the upper cover22is chamfered. The end point275is a portion which tends to make contact with the FPC97upon assembly of the switch unit96to the grooved part26. However, since the end point275is chamfered in the printer1according to the embodiment, wearing of the surface of the FPC97due to the contact thereof with the end point275is less likely to occur, thereby restraining occurrence of disconnection in the FPC97.

Further, the tapered part271of the hole part27is sloped diagonally downward and rightward from the inner wall262(from the upper side of the hole part27) toward the outside of the grooved part26. That is, the tapered part271is sloped such that the tapered part271extends away from the center P of the bottom surface261in the left-right direction. This structure can restrain the switch unit96from being assembled to the grooved part26in a state where the FPC97is bent or folded. Thus, in the printer1according to the embodiment, occurrence of disconnection at the FPC97can be reduced as a result of the wearing of the surface of the FPC97.

Still further, the starting point276(the upper end of the tapered part271) is positioned above the bottom surface261. Upon routing of the FPC97toward the controller9after assembly of the switch unit96to the grooved part26, the cable part972is stretched in a state where the switch unit96is fixed to the grooved part26.

Here, in order to facilitate understanding of the technical advantages of the arrangement of the hole part27in the printer1of the embodiment, another comparative structure will be described with reference toFIG.10where a hole part27bof another conventional printer is illustrated as another comparative example. InFIG.10, the same parts and components as those of the printer1according to the embodiment will be designated with the same reference numerals as those used in the above embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG.10, the right end portion of the hole part27bin the VII-VII cross section is constituted by an upper part270band a tapered part271b. The upper part270bextends downward from an upper opening274bof the hole part27b. The tapered part271bis positioned below the upper part270b. The tapered part271bis curved downward and rightward from the lower end of the upper part270bto provide a starting point276b(the upper end of the tapered part271b) and an end point275b(the lower end of the tapered part271b). That is, in the hole part27b, the starting point276bis positioned below the bottom surface261, unlike the starting point276of the tapered part271of the hole part27in the depicted embodiment.

In the hole part27bof the conventional printer illustrated inFIG.10, the bottom surface963of the switch unit96is fixed to the bottom surface261of the grooved part26through the switch connection part971. The cable part972is routed toward the controller9. At this time, the cable part972tends to make contact with a corner part277constituting an upper end of the left end part272. Accordingly, when the cable part972is stretched toward the controller9while making contact with the corner part277, the cable part972may be applied with a force acting diagonally downward and rightward as indicated by a bold downward arrow inFIG.10. Thus, in the conventional printer ofFIG.10, the cable part972may be pressed against the corner part277upon assembly of the switch unit96to cause surface wearing of the cable part972, which may result in occurrence of disconnection at the cable part972of the FPC97. Further, in the structure ofFIG.10, due to the application of the downward force to the cable part972, the switch unit96may be applied with a force acting in such a direction that the left end portion of the switch unit96is lifted upward about the corner part277serving as a pivot center Q′. As such, there is a possibility that the fixing of the switch unit96to the grooved part26by the double-sided tape may be released.

To this effect, as illustrated inFIG.8, in the printer1according to the embodiment, the starting point276is positioned above the bottom surface261. Accordingly, the cable part972, which is being stretched toward the controller9through the hole part27, is applied with a force acting in a direction more horizontally toward the right than the force applied to the cable part972which is being stretched through the hole part27bin the configuration ofFIG.10. Thus, the cable part972penetrating through the hole part27of the embodiment is less likely to be bent than the cable part972penetrating through the hole part27bof the conventional printer illustrated inFIG.10.

Further, in the configuration of the embodiment illustrated inFIG.8, the switch unit96is applied with a force acting more horizontally toward the right, the right end of the switch unit96is brought into contact with the inner wall262. Since the starting point276is positioned above the bottom surface261, the switch unit96is applied with a force acting in such a direction that the left end portion of the switch unit96is pressed downward against the bottom surface261about a pivot center Q which is the point of contact between the switch unit96and the inner wall262(see a downward bold arrow inFIG.8). With this arrangement of the embodiment, the fixing of the switch unit96to the grooved part26by the double-sided tape is less likely to be released, compared to the conventional arrangement ofFIG.10.

Further, in the above-escribed embodiment, the guide parts28are provided respectively on the front and rear sides of the lower opening273of the hole part27, as illustrated inFIG.6. The guide parts28function to restrict deviation of the cable part972with respect to the front-rear direction and guide the FPC97toward the controller9. Since the guide parts28can guide the FPC97to the controller9, deformation or bending of the FPC97can be restrained from occurring. As such, in the printer1according to the embodiment, disconnection of the FPC97attributed to bending of the FPC97is hard to occur.

In the VII-VII cross section, the tapered part271is positioned outside of (rightward of) the grooved part26in the left-right direction in the embodiment. However, the position of the tapered part271in the left-right direction may be the same as the position of the inner wall262in the left-right direction. In this case, the inner wall262and tapered part271extend in the up-down direction so as to be continuous with each other in the front-rear direction.

Further, as in the above modification, the tapered part271may not necessarily be sloped to extend away from the center P of the bottom surface261. Alternatively, for example, the tapered part271may extend in the up-down direction, or may be sloped to extend toward the center P of the bottom surface261(i.e., leftward) in the left-right direction.

Still further, while the left end part272of the hole part27extends in the up-down direction in the above embodiment, the left end part272may be sloped to extend toward or away from the center P of the bottom surface261in the left-right direction. Still further, the hole part27need not widen its diameter from the upper opening274toward the lower opening273, and may reduce its diameter toward the lower opening273, for example.

In the above-described embodiment, the hole part27is provided at the right end portion of the bottom surface261. However, the hole part27may be provided at an end portion of the bottom surface261different from the right end portion thereof. In this case, in a cross-sectional view including the grooved part26, hole part27, and switch unit96(just like the VII-VII cross section of the embodiment), the tapered part271is the end of the inner walls of the hole part27on the far side from the center P (seeFIG.7) of the bottom surface261(relative to the end corresponding to the left end part272).

Further, the starting point276(upper end of the tapered part271) need not be positioned above the bottom surface261. Alternatively, for example, the starting point276may be at the same position as the bottom surface261in the up-down direction.

Further, the tapered part271need not be sloped gradually rightward as a whole. Alternatively, for example, only a portion of the tapered part271near the end point275may be formed to be sloped gradually and chamfered.

The guide parts28may have an arbitrary shape, provided that the guide parts28can guide the FPC97toward the controller9. For example, an arch-like member may be provided inside the upper cover22such that the FPC97extends through the arch-like member toward the controller9.

While an entirety of the switch unit96is disposed inside the grooved part26in the embodiment, the switch unit96as a whole need not be positioned inside the grooved part26and at least the bottom surface963may be disposed inside the grooved part26. For example, the switch unit96may have a mushroom-like shape in the VII-VII cross section, and an upper end portion of the mushroom-shaped switch unit96may be positioned outside the grooved part26to protrude outward therefrom.

In the above embodiment, the switch unit96is a so-called membrane switch, and the buttons962are configured to be dented by user's depression to render the contacts of the switch connection part971on. However, the switch unit96may be a switch other than the membrane switch, such as a limit switch, provided that the switch unit96is connected to the FPC97. Still further, the FPC97may be configured to transmit signals other than the ON/OFF signals indicative of ON and OFF of the contacts. For example, the FPC97may transmit signals from the controller9to the switch unit96. As an example, the controller9may transmit a signal to the switch unit96through the FPC97when the battery10is undercharged, so that an LED provided in one of the buttons962can be turned on.

REMARKS

The printer1is an example of a printer. The casing2is an example of a casing. The grooved part26is an example of a grooved part. The bottom surface261is an example of a groove bottom surface. The inner wall262is an example of a groove inner wall. The right end portion of the bottom surface261is an example of a prescribed end portion of the groove bottom surface. The controller9is an example of a controller. The switch unit96is an example of a switch unit. The bottom surface963is an example of a switch bottom surface. The FPC97is an example of a flexible printed circuit. The hole part27is an example of a hole part. The tapered part271is an example of a first inner end. The left end part272is an example of a second inner end. The guide parts28are an example of a guide part. The left-right direction is an example of a prescribed direction. The upper opening274is an example of an upper opening of the hole part, and the lower opening273is an example of a lower opening of the hole part.