Patent Publication Number: US-10759186-B2

Title: Tape printer

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The invention relates to a tape printer to which a tape cartridge is loaded. 
     2. Related Art 
     JP-A-2012-158175 is an example of related art of a tape printer in which a positioning projection (a positioning pin) to engage with a positioning recess (a pin hole) is provided in a cartridge loading portion (a cassette loading portion) to which a tape cartridge (a tape cassette) having the positioning recess is to be loaded. In this related art tape printer, the positioning projections are located closer than a detection unit (a switch unit) to a platen shaft (a tape driving shaft). The positioning projection is located away from a print head (a thermal head). In this paragraph, the terms in the parentheses are those used in JP-A-2012-158175. 
     In this kind of related art tape printers, when a platen shaft is inserted into a platen roller of a tape cartridge loaded in a cartridge loading portion and the platen roller is rotated, rotational force about the platen shaft will act on the tape cartridge. If the positioning projection is located closer to the platen shaft than the detection unit is as in the related art tape printers, when the tape cartridge is rotated about the platen shaft, a detection target is shifted with respect to the detection unit and the shift amount will become greater than a backlash between the positioning projection and a positioning recess. As in the related art tape printers, if the positioning projection is located away from the print head, a dimension error between the positioning projection and the print head increases as compared with a case in which the positioning projection is located close to the print head. Therefore, it is possible that the platen roller cannot be correctly positioned with respect to the print head even in a state in which the positioning projection engages with the positioning recess. 
     SUMMARY 
     An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a tape printer capable of correctly positioning a tape cartridge in a cartridge loading portion. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, a tape printer includes: a cartridge loading portion to which a tape cartridge is loaded, the tape cartridge including a cartridge case and a platen roller accommodated in the cartridge case, the cartridge case having a positioning recess and a first detection target portion of which shape is varied depending on various types of tape cartridge; a platen shaft provided in the cartridge loading portion and inserted into the platen roller; a first detection unit provided in the cartridge loading portion, of which output changes depending on the shape of the first detection target portion; and a positioning projection provided at a position farther than the first detection unit with respect to the platen shaft in the cartridge loading portion when seen from a near side in a loading direction of the tape cartridge, and engaging with the positioning recess. 
     According to this configuration, the positioning projection is located farther than the first detection unit with respect to the platen shaft. Therefore, also when the platen roller is rotated in a state in which the tape cartridge is loaded in the cartridge loading portion and the tape cartridge is rotated about the platen shaft, a shift amount of the first detection target portion with respect to the first detection unit becomes smaller than an amount of a backlash between the positioning projection and the fitting hole. Therefore, the first detection target portion can be correctly positioned with respect to the first detection unit. With this configuration, the tape cartridge can be correctly positioned in the cartridge loading portion. 
     In this case, it is desirable that the cartridge case includes a first case that includes a fitting pin, and a second case that has a fitting hole into which the fitting pin is to be inserted and that is assembled separably from the first case and the positioning projection engages with the fitting hole which functions as a positioning recess. 
     According to this configuration, fitting hole can be used as positioning recess. That is, it can have function as location where fitting pins are inserted in fitting hole, and function as location which positioning projection engages. 
     In this case, it is desirable that the first detection unit is provided at one of a plurality of corners of the cartridge loading portion when seen from a near side in the loading direction of the tape cartridge, and the positioning projection is provided in the cartridge loading portion at a corner at which the first detection unit is provided. 
     According to this configuration, positioning projection is provided in corner in which first detection unit was provided. That is, the positioning projection is provided close to the first detection unit. Therefore, things can do small dimension error between positioning projection and first detection unit. Therefore, in a state in which the positioning projection engages with the positioning recess, the first detection target portion can be correctly positioned with respect to the first detection unit. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a tape printer includes: a cartridge loading portion to which a tape cartridge is loaded, the tape cartridge including a cartridge case and a platen roller accommodated in the cartridge case, the cartridge case having a positioning recess and a head inserting portion; a print head provided in the cartridge loading portion and prints on a tape pinched between the print head and the platen roller; a substantially rectangular head cover provided in the cartridge loading portion so as to cover the print head and is inserted into the head inserting portion; and a positioning projection provided in a peripheral portion of the head cover in the cartridge loading portion when seen from a near side in a loading direction of the tape cartridge, and engaging with the positioning recess. 
     According to this configuration, positioning projection is provided with print head in peripheral portion of coat head cover. That is, the positioning projection is provided close to the print head. Therefore, a dimension error between the positioning projection and the print head can be reduced. Therefore, in a state in which the positioning projection engages with the positioning recess, the platen roller can be correctly positioned with respect to the print head. Thus, in cartridge loading portion, tape cartridge can be positioned properly. 
     In this case, it is desirable that the cartridge case includes a first case that includes a fitting pin, and a second case that has a fitting hole into which the fitting pin is to be inserted, and that is assembled separably from the first case, and the positioning projection engages with a fitting hole which functions as a positioning recess. 
     According to this configuration, the fitting hole can be used as the positioning recess. That is, the fitting hole can have both the function of the position into which the fitting pin is to be inserted and the function as the position with which the positioning projection engages. 
     In this case, it is desirable that the positioning projection is provided at mutually diagonal positions of the head cover when seen from the near side in the loading direction of the tape cartridge. 
     With this configuration, since the positioning projection engages with the positioning recess at the mutually diagonal positions of the head cover, a platen roller can be correctly positioned with respect to a print head. 
     In this case, it is desirable that the cartridge case includes a second detection target portion of which shape is varied depending on various types of the tape cartridge, the tape printer further includes a second detection unit provided at one of a plurality of corners of the cartridge loading portion when seen from the near side in the loading direction of the tape cartridge and of which output changes depending on the shape of the second detection target portion, and the positioning projection is provided in the cartridge loading portion at a corner at which the second detection unit is provided. 
     According to this configuration, the positioning projection is provided at the corner at which the second detection unit is provided. That is, the positioning projection is provided close to the second detection unit. Therefore, a dimension error between the positioning projection and the second detection unit can be reduced. Therefore, in a state in which the positioning projection engages with the positioning recess, the second detection target portion can be correctly positioned with respect to the second detection unit. 
     In this case, it is desirable that a winding support portion that rotatably supports a ribbon winding core is provided in the cartridge case, the tape printer further includes a winding shaft provided in the cartridge loading portion and is inserted into the ribbon winding core, and the positioning projection is provided in a peripheral portion of a side closest to the winding shaft when seen from the near side in the loading direction of the tape cartridge among a plurality of sides which constitute a contour of the head cover. 
     According to this configuration, the positioning projection is provided in the peripheral portion of a side closest to the winding shaft. That is, the positioning projection is provided close to the winding shaft. Therefore, a dimension error between the positioning projection and the winding shaft can be reduced. Therefore, in a state in which the positioning projection engages with the positioning recess, the winding support portion can be correctly positioned with respect to the winding shaft. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a tape printer and a tape cartridge to be loaded in the tape printer according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the tape printer. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the tape cartridge. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating the tape cartridge seen from a far side in the loading direction of the tape cartridge. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a loading case member. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating the loading case member of the first embodiment seen from a near side in the loading direction of the tape cartridge. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a loading case member of a first alternative embodiment seen from the near side in the loading direction of the tape cartridge. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a loading case member of a second alternative embodiment seen from the near side in the loading direction of the tape cartridge. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating a loading case member of a second embodiment seen from the near side in the loading direction of the tape cartridge. 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating a loading case member of a third alternative embodiment seen from the near side in the loading direction of the tape cartridge. 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating a loading case member of a fourth alternative embodiment seen from the near side in the loading direction of the tape cartridge. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a tape printer of the invention will be described. An XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is illustrated as necessary in the diagrams referred to below to clarify positional relationships of the members. However, the coordinates system does not limit the invention. 
     A schematic configuration of a tape printer A and a tape cartridge  100  which is to be loaded to the tape printer A will be described with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
     The tape printer A includes an operation panel  1 , a display  2 , a tape cartridge cover  3 , a cartridge loading portion  4 , and a cutter  5 . The cartridge loading portion  4  includes a platen shaft  6 , a winding shaft  7 , and a thermal head  8 . Though not illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the tape printer A further includes a controller  13  (see  FIG. 2 ) and other components. 
     Buttons  1   a , including text buttons, selection buttons, and a print button, are provided on the operation panel  1 . The operation panel  1  detects operations by a user with respect to the buttons  1   a.    
     The display  2  displays, for example, input character strings based on a detection result of an operation with respect to the buttons  1   a . The display  2  performs various types of display based on detection results of sensors provided in the components of the tape printer A. 
     The tape cartridge cover  3  is attached to rotate about an end portion thereof, and opens and closes the cartridge loading portion  4 . The tape cartridge cover  3  is opened and closed when, for example, the user removes and replaces the tape cartridge  100  with respect to the cartridge loading portion  4 . 
     The tape cartridge  100  is replaceably loaded in the cartridge loading portion  4 . The tape cartridge  100  includes a tape core  101 , a ribbon sending core  102 , a ribbon winding core  103 , a platen roller  104 , and a cartridge case  105  accommodating these members. A tape T is wound round the tape core  101  in a roll form. The tape T unwound from the tape core  101  is sent out of the cartridge case  105  through a tape sending-out port  106  provided in the cartridge case  105 . An ink ribbon R is wound round the ribbon sending core  102  in a roll form. The ink ribbon R unwound from the ribbon sending core  102  is wound round the ribbon winding core  103 . A plurality of types of the tape cartridges  100  is prepared for different characteristics, such as a tape width (a dimension of the tape T in the width direction), a color of the tape T, and a color of the ink ribbon R. 
     A base end of the platen shaft  6  is fixed to a metal frame (not illustrated) provided on the far side in the loading direction (−Z side) of the tape cartridge  100  with respect to the cartridge loading portion  4 , and the platen shaft  6  projects on the near side in the loading direction of the tape cartridge  100  (+Z side) (hereinafter, the loading direction of the tape cartridge  100  will be simply referred to as a “loading direction”). A platen rotor (not illustrated) is rotatably provided in the platen shaft  6 . When the tape cartridge  100  is loaded in the cartridge loading portion  4 , the platen shaft  6  is inserted into the platen roller  104  and the platen rotor engages with the platen roller  104 . When the platen rotor rotates in this state, the platen roller  104  is rotated, and the tape T and the ink ribbon R pinched between the platen roller  104  and the thermal head  8  are transported. When the platen roller  104  is rotated, rotational force about the platen shaft  6  will act on the tape cartridge  100 . Therefore, the tape cartridge  100  may be rotated inside the cartridge loading portion  4  by the amount of a backlash between the cartridge loading portion  4  and the tape cartridge  100  (in particular, a backlash between a later-described positioning projection  49  (see  FIG. 6 ) and a fitting hole  129  (see  FIG. 4 )). 
     A base end of the winding shaft  7  is fixed to a frame provided on the far side in the loading direction (−Z side) with respect to the cartridge loading portion  4  and projects on the near side in the loading direction (+Z side) as in the platen shaft  6 . A winding rotor  7   a  is rotatably provided in the winding shaft  7 . When the tape cartridge  100  is loaded in the cartridge loading portion  4 , the winding shaft  7  engages with the ribbon winding core  103 . When the winding rotor  7   a  rotates in this state, the ribbon winding core  103  is rotated and the ink ribbon R unwound from the ribbon sending core  102  is wound round the ribbon winding core  103 . 
     The thermal head  8  generates heat based on a detection result of the operations with respect to the buttons  1   a  when the tape T and the ink ribbon R pinched between the thermal head  8  and the platen roller  104  are transported. Therefore, ink of the ink ribbon R is transferred to the tape T and the input character strings are printed on the tape T. A printed portion of the tape T is discharged from a tape discharge port  9 . The thermal head  8  is covered with a later-described head cover  43 . 
     A cutter  5  is provided between the cartridge loading portion  4  and the tape discharge port  9 . The cutter  5  cuts, in the width direction of the tape T, the tape T unwound from the tape cartridge  100  loaded in the cartridge loading portion  4 . Therefore, the printed portion of the tape T is separated from the tape T. The separated printed portion of the tape T can be stuck to a desirable position by the user as a label. 
     A control configuration of the tape printer A will be described with reference to  FIG. 2 . In addition to the operation panel  1 , the display  2 , and the thermal head  8 , the tape printer A includes a feed motor  11 , a cutter motor  12 , a first detection unit  14 , a second detection unit  15 , and the controller  13 . 
     The feed motor  11  is a driving source which rotates the platen rotor and the winding rotor  7   a . The cutter motor  12  is a driving source which causes the cutter  5  to perform a cutting operation. The feed motor  11  and the cutter motor  12  may be a single motor having functions of these motors. 
     The controller  13  includes a central processing unit (CPU)  16 , read only memory (ROM)  17 , and random access memory (RAM)  18 . The CPU  16  executes a program stored in the ROM  17  using the RAM  18 . The controller  13  outputs control signals to a driver circuit (not illustrated) which drives the display  2 , the thermal head  8 , the feed motor  11 , and the cutter motor  12 . Outputs from the operation panel  1 , the first detection unit  14 , and the second detection unit  15  are input into the controller  13 . The first detection unit  14  and the second detection unit  15  will be described later. 
     The tape cartridge  100  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . As described above, the tape cartridge  100  includes the tape core  101  (not illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ), the ribbon sending core  102  (not illustrated in  FIG. 3 ), the ribbon winding core  103 , the platen roller  104 , and the cartridge case  105 . 
     The cartridge case  105  is formed in a substantially reversed “L” shape (see  FIG. 4 ) when seen from the far side in the loading direction (−Z side) with five corners. Among the five corners of the cartridge case  105 , a corner on a +X side and a +Y side is defined as a first case corner  105   a , a corner on the +X side and a −Y side is defined as a third case corner  105   c , a corner on a −X side and the −Y side is defined as a fourth case corner  105   d , a corner on the −X side and the +Y side is defined as a fifth case corner  105   e , and a corner between the first case corner  105   a  and the third case corner  105   c  is defined as a second case corner  105   b.    
     A head inserting portion  130  is provided at the fourth case corner  105   d  of the cartridge case  105 . When the tape cartridge  100  is loaded in the cartridge loading portion  4 , the head cover  43  is inserted into the head inserting portion  130  from the far side in the loading direction (−Z side). The head inserting portion  130  is formed as a through hole penetrating the cartridge case  105  in the loading direction (the Z side). The head inserting portion  130  may be formed in a bag shape with a bottom on the near side in the loading direction (+Z side) as long as there is no influence on the head cover  43  (that is, the head inserting portion  130  is not in contact with the head cover  43 ). 
     The head inserting portion  130  is substantially rectangular when seen from the far side in the loading direction (−Z side). Here, when seen from the far side in the loading direction, among the four corners of the head inserting portion  130 , a corner in the fourth case corner  105   d  is defined as a first insertion corner  131 , and a corner diagonal to the first insertion corner  131  is defined as a second insertion corner  132 . Among the four sides which constitute a contour of the head inserting portion  130 , a side closest to the ribbon winding core  103  when seen from the far side in the loading direction is defined as a winding core side insertion side  133 . 
     The cartridge case  105  includes a first case  110  and a second case  120 . When the tape cartridge  100  is loaded in the cartridge loading portion  4 , the first case  110  is located on the near side in the loading direction (+Z side) and the second case  120  is located on the far side in the loading direction (−Z side). The first case  110  and the second case  120  are assembled separably from each other. The first case  110  and the second case  120  are made of resin and are formed by injection molding. However, the materials and the manufacturing process of the first case  110  and the second case  120  are not limited to those described above. 
     The first case  110  includes a first base portion  111  and a first peripheral wall portion  112 . 
     A first insertion opening  115 , a first platen support opening  116 , and a first winding support opening  118  are provided in the first base portion  111 . The first insertion opening  115  is an end portion in the head inserting portion  130  located on the near side in the loading direction (+Z side). An end portion of the platen roller  104  on the near side in the loading direction engages with the first platen support opening  116 . An end portion of the ribbon winding core  103  on the near side in the loading direction engages with the first winding support opening  118 . Though not unillustrated, a boss-shaped first sending support portion is provided on an inner surface of the first base portion  111 . An end portion of the ribbon sending core  102  on the near side in the loading direction engages with the first sending support portion. 
     The first peripheral wall portion  112  projects on the far side in the loading direction (−Z side) from a peripheral portion of the first base portion  111 . 
     A plurality of fitting pins  119  is provided on the inner surface of the first peripheral wall portion  112  and in the first base portion  111  (specifically, five fitting pins  119  project from an inner surface of the first peripheral wall portion  112  and one fitting pin  119  projects from the first base portion  111 ) (see  FIG. 4 ). Each of the fitting pins  119  is formed as a substantial cylindrical column projecting on the far side in the loading direction (−Z side) along the inner surface of the first peripheral wall portion  112  or from the first base portion  111 . Among the six fitting pins  119 , five fitting pins  119  are provided at the first case corner  105   a , the second case corner  105   b , the third case corner  105   c , the fourth case corner  105   d , and the fifth case corner  105   e . The rest one of the six fitting pins  119  is provided at the second insertion corner  132 . 
     The second case  120  includes a second base portion  121 , a second peripheral wall portion  122 , and an insertion peripheral wall portion  123 . 
     In the second base portion  121 , a core shaft  124 , a second insertion opening  125 , a second platen support opening  126 , a second sending support opening  127 , and a second winding support opening  128  are provided. The core shaft  124  is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape projecting from the second base portion  121  on the near side in the loading direction (+Z side). The tape core  101  round which the tape T is wound in a roll form is rotatably supported by the core shaft  124 . The second insertion opening  125  is an end portion of the head inserting portion  130  on the far side in the loading direction (−Z side). An end portion of the platen roller  104  on the far side in the loading direction (−Z side) engages with the second platen support opening  126 . The second platen support opening  126  rotatably supports the platen roller  104  with the first platen support opening  116 . An end portion of the ribbon sending core  102  on the far side in the loading direction engages with the second sending support opening  127 . The second sending support opening  127  rotatably supports the ribbon sending core  102  together with the first sending support portion. An end portion of the ribbon winding core  103  on the far side in the loading direction engages with the second winding support opening  128 . The second winding support opening  128  rotatably supports the ribbon winding core  103  together with the first winding support opening  118 . 
     A first detection target portion  140  is provided at the third case corner  105   c  of the second base portion  121 . The first detection target portion  140  is constituted by a plurality of (specifically, three) first detection positions  141  corresponding to a plurality of detection switches  14   a  provided in the first detection unit  14  (see  FIG. 6 ). The shapes of the first detection target portion  140  vary depending on the various tape widths of the tape cartridge  100 . That is, combinations of existence/non-existence of round hole-shaped recesses at the three first detection positions  141  differ depending on the various types of the tape cartridges  100  (in  FIG. 4 , the recesses are formed at two first detection positions  141  among the three first detection positions  141 ). The shapes of the first detection target portion  140  may vary depending on characteristics of the tape cartridge  100  other than the tape width. The same applies to a later-described second detection target portion  150 . 
     The second peripheral wall portion  122  projects on the near side in the loading direction (+Z side) from a peripheral portion of the second base portion  121 . 
     The insertion peripheral wall portion  123  projects on the near side in the loading direction (+Z side) from a peripheral portion of the second insertion opening  125 . 
     A plurality of (specifically, six) fitting holes  129  is provided in the second peripheral wall portion  122  and the insertion peripheral wall portion  123 . The fitting pins  119  are inserted (in particular, press-fit) into the fitting holes  129  from the near side in the loading direction (+Z side). The fitting holes  129  are formed as round through holes penetrating the second peripheral wall portion  122  or the insertion peripheral wall portion  123  in the loading direction (a Z direction), and end portions of the fitting holes  129  open to the second base portion  121  on the far side in the loading direction (−Z side). 
     The fitting holes  129  are provided at positions corresponding to the fitting pins  119 . That is, among the six fitting holes  129 , five fitting holes  129  are provided at the first case corner  105   a , the second case corner  105   b , the third case corner  105   c , the fourth case corner  105   d , and the fifth case corner  105   e . The rest one of the six fitting hole  129  is provided at the second insertion corner  132 . 
     Among the six fitting holes  129 , the fitting holes  129  provided at the first case corner  105   a , the second case corner  105   b , and the third case corner  105   c  are located farther than the first detection target portion  140  with respect to the platen roller  104  when seen from the far side in the loading direction (−Z side). 
     Here, “farther than the first detection target portion  140 ” is a concept that “farther than any of a plurality of first detection positions  141 ” is desirable, while the concept includes “farther than at least one of a plurality of first detection positions  141 ” as in the fitting holes  129  provided at the second case corner  105   b  or the third case corner  105   c . A circle depicted by the dash-dot line in  FIG. 4  is a circle about an axis of the platen roller  104  and passes through the first detection position  141  closest to the platen roller  104  among a plurality of first detection positions  141 . This circle indicates that the fitting holes  129  provided at the first case corner  105   a , the second case corner  105   b , and the third case corner  105   c  are provided at positions farther than the first detection target portion  140  with respect to the platen roller  104 . 
     The fitting holes  129  provided at the fourth case corner  105   d  and the second insertion corner  132  are provided in peripheral portions of the head inserting portion  130  when seen from the far side in the loading direction (−Z side) (specifically, at positions diagonal to each other in the substantially rectangular head inserting portion  130 ). Further, the fitting hole  129  provided at the second insertion corner  132  is provided in the peripheral portion of the winding core side insertion side  133  among the peripheral portions of the head inserting portion  130 . 
     When the fitting pins  119  are inserted into the fitting holes  129  from the near side in the loading direction (+Z side), the first case  110  and the second case  120  are assembled to each other. Lengths of the fitting holes  129  are longer than the lengths of fitting pins  119 . That is, the fitting pins  119  enter the fitting holes  129  halfway from the near side in the loading direction. Therefore, the positioning projection  49  (see  FIG. 6 ) can engage with the fitting hole  129  from the far side in the loading direction (−Z side). The first case  110  and the second case  120  can be separated when, for example, an operator operates a separation apparatus provided with extrusion pins to be inserted into the fitting holes  129  from the far side in the loading direction, and extrudes the fitting pins  119  from the fitting holes  129 . 
     The second detection target portion  150  is provided at the fourth case corner  105   d  of the second peripheral wall portion  122 . The shapes of the second detection target portion  150  vary depending on the various tape widths of the tape cartridge  100 . That is, existence/non-existence of a groove-shaped recess extending in the loading direction of the second detection target portion  150  differs depending on the type of tape cartridge  100  (no recess is formed in the second detection target portion  150  in  FIG. 4 ). 
     A loading case member  40  to which the cartridge loading portion  4  is formed, and the first detection unit  14  and the second detection unit  15  provided in the loading case member  40  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
     The loading case member  40  is made of resin and is formed by injection molding. However, the materials and the manufacturing process of the loading case member  40  are not limited to those described above. The loading case member  40  includes a loading base portion  41  and a loading peripheral wall portion  42 . The loading base portion  41  and the loading peripheral wall portion  42  constitute the cartridge loading portion  4 . 
     The cartridge loading portion  4  has a shape complementary to that of the tape cartridge  100  when seen from the near side in the loading direction (+Z side), that is, a substantially “L” shape, with five corners. Among the five corners, a corner on the +X side and the +Y side is defined as a first loading corner  4   a , a corner on the +X side and the −Y side is defined as a third loading corner  4   c , a corner on a −X side and the −Y side is defined as a fourth loading corner  4   d , a corner on the −X side and the +Y side is defined as a fifth loading corner  4   e , and a corner between the first loading corner  4   a  and the third loading corner  4   c  is defined as a second loading corner  4   b.    
     The loading base portion  41  faces and contacts the second base portion  121  of the tape cartridge  100  loaded in the cartridge loading portion  4 . The head cover  43 , a shaft insertion projection  44 , a platen shaft opening  45 , a winding shaft opening  46 , and a plurality of (specifically, three) first detection openings  47  are provided in the loading base portion  41 . 
     The head cover  43  is provided at the fourth loading corner  4   d  of the loading base portion  41 . The head cover  43  projects on the near side in the loading direction (+Z side) from the loading base portion  41 . The head cover  43  is formed in a shape complementary to a contour of the head cover  43 , that is, the head cover  43  is substantially rectangular when seen from the near side in the loading direction. Here, “the head cover  43  is substantially rectangular” is a concept that the head cover  43  is rectangular with rounded corners, or rectangular with one or more beveled corners as in the head cover  43  illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Here, among the four corners of the head cover  43 , a corner at the fourth loading corner  4   d  is defined as a first cover corner  431  when seen from the near side in the loading direction, and a corner diagonal to the first cover corner  431  is defined as a second cover corner  432 . Among four sides which constitute the contour of the head cover  43 , the side closest to the winding shaft  7  is referred to as a winding shaft-side cover side  433  when seen from the near side in the loading direction. 
     The shaft insertion projection  44  projects from the loading base portion  41  on the near side in the loading direction (+Z side). The shaft insertion projection  44  is inserted into the cylindrical core shaft  124 . 
     The platen shaft opening  45  is provided on the +Y side of the head cover  43 . The platen shaft  6  to be inserted into the platen roller  104  projects from the platen shaft opening  45  on the near side in the loading direction. 
     The winding shaft opening  46  is provided on the +X side of the head cover  43 . The winding shaft  7  to be inserted into the ribbon winding core  103  projects from the winding shaft opening  46  on the near side in the loading direction. 
     The first detection opening  47  is provided at the third loading corner  4   c  of the loading base portion  41 . A detecting device of a detection switch  14   a  projects from the first detection opening  47  to be retractable into the cartridge loading portion  4 . 
     The first detection unit  14  is located at the third loading corner  4   c  and is provided on the back side (−Z side) of the loading base portion  41 . The first detection unit  14  includes a plurality of (specifically, three) detection switches  14   a . In accordance with the shape of the first detection positions  141  (in particular, existence/non-existence of the recess in the first detection positions  141 ) of the tape cartridge  100  loaded in the cartridge loading portion  4 , the detection switches  14   a  are switched between a state in which the detecting devices project from the first detection opening  47  on the near side in the loading direction (+Z side) and a state in which the detecting devices are retracted into the first detection opening  47 , whereby output (ON/OFF) is changed. Therefore, a combination of outputs of a plurality of detection switches  14   a  changes in accordance with a combination of shapes of a plurality of first detection positions  141 . That is, outputs of the first detection unit  14  change in accordance with the shape of the first detection target portion  140  of the tape cartridge  100  loaded in the cartridge loading portion  4 . As the detection switch  14   a , a microswitch may be used, for example. 
     The loading peripheral wall portion  42  projects on the near side in the loading direction (+Z side) from the peripheral portion of the loading base portion  41 . A second detection opening  48  is provided at the fourth loading corner  4   d  of the loading peripheral wall portion  42 . From the second detection opening  48 , a detecting device of the second detection unit  15  projects in a manner as to be retractable into the cartridge loading portion  4 . 
     The second detection unit  15  is located at the fourth loading corner  4   d  and is provided on the outside of the loading peripheral wall portion  42 . In accordance with the shape of the second detection target portion  150  of the tape cartridge  100  loaded in the cartridge loading portion  4  (in particular, existence/non-existence of the recess in the first detection target portion  140 ), the second detection unit  15  switches between a state in which the detecting devices project from the second detection opening  48  on the +Y side, and a state in which the detecting devices are retracted into the second detection opening  48 , whereby output (ON/OFF) changes. Therefore, outputs of the second detection unit  15  change in accordance with a shape of the second detection target portion  150  of the tape cartridge  100  loaded in the cartridge loading portion  4 . Based on the output of the second detection unit  15  and the output of the first detection unit  14 , the controller  13  detects the type, that is, the tape width, of the tape cartridge  100  loaded in the cartridge loading portion  4 . 
     The positioning projection  49  is provided at the first loading corner  4   a  of the loading base portion  41 . The positioning projection  49  projects on the near side in the loading direction (+Z side) from the loading base portion  41  in a substantially cylindrical column shape. A projection height of the positioning projection  49  is lower than projection heights of the head cover  43 , the shaft insertion projection  44 , the platen shaft  6 , and the winding shaft  7 . Therefore, when the tape cartridge  100  is loaded in the cartridge loading portion  4 , the head cover  43 , the shaft insertion projection  44 , the platen shaft  6 , and the winding shaft  7  are first inserted into the head inserting portion  130 , the core shaft  124 , the platen roller  104 , and the ribbon winding core  103 , respectively. Then, when the tape cartridge  100  proceeds on the far side in the loading direction (−Z side), the positioning projection  49  engages with the fitting hole  129 . A projection height of the positioning projection  49  is lower than the length of a space of the fitting hole  129  into which the fitting pin  119  has been inserted. Therefore, in a state in which the positioning projection  49  engages with the fitting hole  129 , the tape cartridge  100  is in contact with the loading base portion  41  without being separated from the loading base portion  41 . 
     When the positioning projection  49  engages with the fitting hole  129 , the tape cartridge  100  is positioned in the cartridge loading portion  4 . That is, an amount of a backlash between the positioning projection  49  and the fitting hole  129  is smaller than an amount of a backlash in other locations (for example, an amount of a backlash between the shaft insertion projection  44  and the core shaft  124 ). 
     The positioning projection  49  is located farther than the first detection unit  14  with respect to the platen shaft  6 . That is, a distance between the positioning projection  49  and the platen shaft  6  is longer than a distance between the first detection unit  14  and the platen shaft  6 . Therefore, also when the platen roller  104  is rotated in a state in which the tape cartridge  100  is loaded in the cartridge loading portion  4  and the tape cartridge  100  is rotated about the platen shaft  6 , a shift amount of the first detection target portion  140  with respect to the first detection unit  14  becomes smaller than an amount of a backlash between the positioning projection  49  and the fitting hole  129 . Therefore, the first detection target portion  140  can be correctly positioned with respect to the first detection unit  14 . Therefore, incorrect outputting by the first detection unit  14  different from the output corresponding to the shape of the first detection target portion  140  of the tape cartridge  100  loaded in the cartridge loading portion  4  can be reduced. As a result, incorrect detection by the controller  13  of the type of the tape cartridge  100  loaded in the cartridge loading portion  4  can be reduced. 
     Here, “farther than the first detection unit  14 ” is a concept that “farther than any of a plurality of detection switches  14   a ” is desirable, while the concept includes “farther than at least one of a plurality of detection switches  14   a ” as in a positioning projection  49  of a later-described first alternative embodiment or a second alternative embodiment. A circle depicted by the dash-dot line in  FIG. 6  is a circle about the center of the platen shaft opening  45  and passes through the detection switch  14   a  closest to the center of the platen shaft opening  45  among a plurality of detection switches  14   a . This circle indicates that the positioning projection  49  is provided at a position farther than the first detection unit  14  with respect to the platen shaft  6  projecting from the platen shaft opening  45  (the same applies to the circles depicted by the dash-dot lines in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ). 
     Next, alternative embodiments of the first embodiment will be described. In the alternative embodiments, the same description as that of the first embodiment will be omitted and differences from the first embodiment will be described mainly. The same applies to a later-described second embodiment and alternative embodiments thereof. 
     A loading case member  40  provided in a tape printer A of a first alternative embodiment which is an alternative embodiment of the first embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 7 . In the tape printer A according to the first alternative embodiment, a positioning projection  49  is provided at a second loading corner  4   b  of a loading base portion  41 . When a tape cartridge  100  is loaded in a cartridge loading portion  4 , the positioning projection  49  engages with a fitting hole  129  provided at the second case corner  105   b . The positioning projection  49  is located farther than a first detection unit  14  with respect to a platen shaft  6  as in the positioning projection  49  of the first embodiment. Therefore, the tape printer A according to the first alternative embodiment produces the same operation and effect as those of the tape printer A according to the first embodiment. 
     A loading case member  40  provided in a tape printer A of a second alternative embodiment which is another alternative embodiment of the first embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 8 . In the tape printer A according to the second alternative embodiment, a positioning projection  49  is provided at a third loading corner  4   c  of a loading base portion  41 . When a tape cartridge  100  is loaded in a cartridge loading portion  4 , the positioning projection  49  engages with a fitting hole  129  provided at the third case corner  105   c . The positioning projection  49  is located farther than a first detection unit  14  with respect to a platen shaft  6  as in the positioning projection  49  of the first embodiment. Therefore, the tape printer A according to the second alternative embodiment produces the same operation and effect as those of the tape printer A according to the first embodiment. 
     In the tape printer A according to the second alternative embodiment, the positioning projection  49  is provided at the third loading corner  4   c  at which the first detection unit  14  is provided. That is, the positioning projection  49  is provided close to the first detection unit  14 . Therefore, a dimension error between the positioning projection  49  and the first detection unit  14  can be reduced. Therefore, in a state in which the positioning projection  49  engages with the fitting hole  129 , the first detection target portion  140  can be correctly positioned with respect to the first detection unit  14 . 
     A loading case member  40  provided in a tape printer A of a second embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 9 . The tape printer A according to the second embodiment is different from the tape printer A according to the first embodiment in that a positioning projection  49  is provided in a peripheral portion of a head cover  43  instead of a position farther than a first detection unit  14  with respect to a platen shaft  6 . That is, in the tape printer A according to the second embodiment, the positioning projection  49  is provided at a fourth loading corner  4   d  of a loading base portion  41 . When a tape cartridge  100  is loaded in a cartridge loading portion  4 , the positioning projection  49  engages with a fitting hole  129  provided at a fourth case corner  105   d . The positioning projection  49  is provided in a peripheral portion of a head cover  43  which covers a thermal head  8 . That is, the positioning projection  49  is provided close to the thermal head  8 . Therefore, a dimension error between the positioning projection  49  and the thermal head  8  can be reduced. Therefore, in a state in which the positioning projection  49  engages with the fitting hole  129 , the platen roller  104  can be correctly positioned with respect to the thermal head  8 . Therefore, print quality of a tape T by the thermal head  8  can be improved. 
     In the tape printer A according to the second embodiment, the positioning projection  49  is provided at the fourth loading corner  4   d  at which the second detection unit  15  is provided. That is, the positioning projection  49  is provided close to the second detection unit  15 . Therefore, a dimension error between the positioning projection  49  and the second detection unit  15  can be reduced. Therefore, in a state in which the positioning projection  49  engages with the fitting hole  129 , the second detection target portion  150  can be correctly positioned with respect to the second detection unit  15 . Therefore, incorrect outputting by the second detection unit  15  different from the output corresponding to the shape of the second detection target portion  150  of the tape cartridge  100  loaded in the cartridge loading portion  4  can be reduced. As a result, incorrect detection by the controller  13  of the type of the tape cartridge  100  loaded in the cartridge loading portion  4  can be reduced. 
     A loading case member  40  provided in a tape printer A of a third alternative embodiment which is an alternative embodiment of the second embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 10 . In the tape printer A according to the third alternative embodiment, a positioning projection  49  is provided at a second cover corner  432  of a loading base portion  41 . When a tape cartridge  100  is loaded in a cartridge loading portion  4 , the positioning projection  49  engages with a fitting hole  129  provided at a second insertion corner  132 . The positioning projection  49  is provided in a peripheral portion of the head cover  43  as in the positioning projection  49  of the second embodiment. That is, the positioning projection  49  is provided close to the thermal head  8 . Therefore, the tape printer A according to the third alternative embodiment produces the same operation and effect as those of the tape printer A according to the second embodiment. 
     In the tape printer A according to the third alternative embodiment, the positioning projection  49  is provided in the peripheral portion of the head cover  43  at a position close to a winding shaft-side cover side  433 . That is, the positioning projection  49  is provided at a position close to a winding shaft  7  projecting toward the winding shaft opening  46 . Therefore, a dimension error between the positioning projection  49  and the winding shaft  7  can be reduced. Therefore, in a state in which the positioning projection  49  engages with the fitting hole  129 , a first winding support opening  118  and a second winding support opening  128  can be correctly positioned with respect to the winding shaft  7 . Therefore, sliding load is produced between a ribbon winding core  103  into which the winding shaft  7  has been inserted and a first winding support opening  118  or a second winding support opening  128 , whereby winding force of the ribbon winding core  103  becoming insufficient can be reduced. Therefore, jumping of an ink ribbon R out of a tape sending-out port  106  together with a tape T without being separated from the tape T or occurrence of wrinkles on the ink ribbon R can be reduced. 
     A loading case member  40  provided in a tape printer A of a fourth alternative embodiment which is another alternative embodiment of the second embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 11 . In the tape printer A according to the fourth alternative embodiment, two positioning projections  49  are provided in a loading base portion  41 . A first positioning projection  49  is provided in the fourth loading corner  4   d  as in the second embodiment. Therefore, the tape printer A according to the fourth alternative embodiment produces the same operation and effect as those of the second embodiment. A second positioning projection  49  is provided in a second cover corner  432  as in the third alternative embodiment. Therefore, the tape printer A according to the fourth alternative embodiment produces the same operation and effect as those of the third alternative embodiment. The two positioning projections  49  are provided at mutually diagonal positions of a head cover  43  when seen from the near side in the loading direction (+Z side), and engage with fitting holes  129  provided at mutually diagonal positions of a head inserting portion  130 . Therefore, since the positioning projections  49  engage with the fitting holes  129  at the mutually diagonal positions of the head cover  43 , a platen roller  104  can be correctly positioned with respect to a thermal head  8 . 
     As described above, the tape printers A according to the first embodiment and the alternative embodiments of the invention each include the cartridge loading portion  4 , the platen shaft  6 , the first detection unit  14 , and the positioning projection  49 . The tape cartridge  100  is loaded in the cartridge loading portion  4 . The tape cartridge  100  includes the cartridge case  105 , and the platen roller  104  accommodated in the cartridge case  105 . The fitting holes  129  and the first detection target portion  140  are provided in the cartridge case  105 . The shapes of the first detection target portion  140  vary depending on the various types of the tape cartridge  100 . The platen shaft  6  is provided in the cartridge loading portion  4  and is inserted into the platen roller  104 . The first detection unit  14  is provided in the cartridge loading portion  4 . Output of the first detection unit  14  changes depending on the shape of the first detection target portion  140 . In the cartridge loading portion  4 , the positioning projection  49  is located farther than the first detection unit  14  with respect to the platen shaft  6  when seen from the near side in the loading direction, and engages with the fitting hole  129 . With this configuration, the tape cartridge  100  can be correctly positioned in the cartridge loading portion  4 . 
     The tape printers A according to the second embodiment of the invention and the alternative embodiments thereof each include the cartridge loading portion  4 , the thermal head  8 , the head cover  43 , and the positioning projection  49 . The tape cartridge  100  is replaceably loaded in the cartridge loading portion  4 . The tape cartridge  100  includes the cartridge case  105 , and the platen roller  104  accommodated in the cartridge case  105 . The fitting holes  129  and the head inserting portion  130  are provided in the cartridge case  105 . The thermal head  8  is provided in the cartridge loading portion  4 , and prints on the tape T pinched between the thermal head  8  and the platen roller  104 . The head cover  43  is provided in the cartridge loading portion  4  so as to cover the thermal head  8 , and is inserted into the head inserting portion  130 . In the cartridge loading portion  4 , the positioning projection  49  is provided in the peripheral portion of the head cover  43  when seen from the near side in the loading direction, and engages with the fitting hole  129 . With this configuration, the tape cartridge  100  can be correctly positioned in the cartridge loading portion  4 . 
     The fitting hole  129  is an example of “positioning recess.” The thermal head  8  is an example of “print head.” The first winding support opening  118  and the second winding support opening  128  are examples of “winding support portion.” The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and various configurations can be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the present embodiment can be changed into the following forms besides the alternative embodiments described above. 
     The number of the positioning projections  49  is not limited to one or two, and the number may be three or more. If the number of the positioning projections  49  is two or more, the combination of the fitting holes  129  to engage with the positioning projections  49  is also not particularly limited. 
     When the positioning projection  49  is located farther than the first detection unit  14  with respect to the platen shaft  6 , the position is not limited to the corner of the cartridge loading portion  4 . For example, the positioning projection  49  may be provided in a curved or linear peripheral portion of the cartridge loading portion  4 . Similarly, when the fitting hole  129  with which the positioning projection  49  engages is located farther than the first detection target portion  140  with respect to the platen roller  104 , the position of the fitting hole  129  is not limited at the corner of the tape cartridge  100 . 
     If the positioning projection  49  is provided in the peripheral portion of the head cover  43 , the position of the positioning projection  49  is not limited to the corner of the head cover  43 . That is, the positioning projection  49  may be provided between the corners of the head cover  43 . Similarly, if the fitting hole  129  with which the positioning projection  49  engages is provided in the peripheral portion of the head inserting portion  130 , the position of the fitting hole  129  is not limited to the corner of the head inserting portion  130 . 
     The positioning recess with which the positioning projection  49  engages does not necessarily be a fitting hole  129  into which the fitting pin  119  is inserted. For example, the positioning recess may be a non-through hole provided on an outer surface of the second base portion  121 . 
     The material of the positioning projection  49  does not necessarily be limited to resin, and may be metal, for example. According to this configuration, since intensity of the positioning projection  49  increases, the positioning projection  49  being damaged can be reduced. 
     The positioning projection  49  does not necessarily be integrated with the loading case member  40 , and may be separated from the loading case member  40 . In this case, the positioning projection  49  may be fixed to a frame provided on a far side in the loading direction with respect to the loading base portion  41  together with the platen shaft  6  and the winding shaft  7 . According to this configuration, accuracy of position of the positioning projection  49  with respect to the platen shaft  6  or the winding shaft  7  can be increased. 
     The positioning projection  49  may be retracted into the projection opening provided in the loading base portion  41  when the tape cartridge cover  3  is opened, and project from the projection opening when the tape cartridge cover  3  is closed. In this case, the positioning projection  49  may desirably include a substantially conical end portion and a substantially cylindrical column body part. When the tape cartridge cover  3  is opened, the positioning projection  49  may desirably be retracted into the projection opening so that only the end portion of the positioning projection  49  projects from the projection opening, and when the tape cartridge cover  3  is closed, the positioning projection  49  including the body part may desirably project from the projection opening. According to this configuration, only the end portion of the positioning projection  49  projects from the projection opening in the state in which the tape cartridge cover  3  is opened. Therefore, the positioning projection  49  hitting the peripheral portion of the fitting hole  129  when the tape cartridge  100  is loaded can be reduced and the positioning projection  49  being damaged can be reduced. When the tape cartridge cover  3  is opened, only the end portion engages with the positioning projection  49 . Therefore, the tape cartridge  100  can be positioned roughly. When the tape cartridge cover  3  is closed, the positioning projection  49  projects and engages with the fitting hole  129 . Therefore, the tape cartridge  100  can be correctly positioned. 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-045921, filed Mar. 10, 2017. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-045921 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.