Patent Description:
As disclosed in Patent Document <NUM>, a printing device in which a first power transmission shaft and a second power transmission shaft of a double-cylinder structure are provided to be rotatable independently of each other with respect to a central shaft has been conventionally known. A first torque is transmitted from a driving gear to the first power transmission shaft via a clutch spring, and a second torque smaller than the first torque is transmitted from the driving gear to the second power transmission shaft via another clutch spring. When a cartridge accommodating an ink ribbon having a wide width is installed in the printing device, the first power transmission shaft engages a ribbon winding spool and an ink ribbon is wound up by the ribbon winding spool at the first torque. When a cartridge accommodating an ink ribbon having a narrow width is installed in the printing device, the second power transmission shaft engages the ribbon winding spool and the ink ribbon is wound up by the ribbon winding spool at the second torque.

[Patent Document <NUM>] <CIT>
<CIT> discloses a tape printing apparatus to which a tape cartridge is detachably attached, the tape cartridge including a core shaft portion, a roll of printing tape being on the core shaft portion, a core concave portion being formed in the core shaft portion, the core concave portion including a recessed portion and an identification concave portion provided in the recessed portion for identification of a cartridge type. The apparatus comprises: a cartridge attachment portion; and a base convex portion that is provided on the cartridge attachment portion, the core concave portion of the tape cartridge coming into fit-in engagement with the base convex portion, the base convex portion including a pedestal portion with which the recessed portion comes into fit-in engagement and including an identification convex portion that is provided on the pedestal portion, the identification concave portion coming into fit-in engagement with the identification convex portion. <CIT> discloses tape cartridge including a core shaft part on which a print tape is wound and which has a core recessed part including a depressed part and an identification recessed part arranged on the depressed part for identifying a cartridge type. The tape printer includes a cartridge mounting part having a base projected part which is arranged on the cartridge mounting part and fits to the core recessed part. The base projected part includes a pedestal part to which the depressed part fits, and an identification projected part which is arranged on the pedestal part and fits to the identification recessed part. <CIT> discloses a tape printing device.

Since a conventional printing device includes a first power transmission shaft and a second power transmission shaft of a double-cylinder structure, the diameter of a ribbon winding spool is increased and a cartridge is upsized.

Use of a cartridge according to the present invention is use of a cartridge to be installed in a tape printing device including a cartridge installation part in which the cartridge including a winding core by which an ink ribbon is wound up is installed, a winding rotation element that engages the winding core when the cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation part, a core convex part that is provided in the cartridge installation part and protrudes to a front side in an installation direction of the cartridge, a device-side engagement part that is provided on a back side in the installation direction with respect to an opening part provided on the core convex part, and a torque switching mechanism that has a switching operation element provided with the device-side engagement part and changes a state thereof between a first state in which a torque to be transmitted to the winding rotation element is set at a first torque and a second state in which the torque is set at a second torque smaller than the first torque, the cartridge including: a cartridge case that constitutes an outer shell of the cartridge and accommodates a printing tape, a tape core on which the printing tape is wound, the ink ribbon, and the winding core; a core concave part that is provided on the cartridge case and into which the core convex part is inserted from the back side in the installation direction when the cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation part; and a cartridge-side engagement part that engages the device-side engagement part when the core convex part is inserted into the core concave part to change the state of the torque switching mechanism from the second state to the first state or from the first state to the second state. The use comprises installing the cartridge in the cartridge installation part such that the cartridge-side engagement part engages the device-side engagement part to change the state of the torque switching mechanism from the second state to the first state or from the first state to the second state.

A tape printing device according to the present invention is a tape printing device including: a cartridge installation part in which a first cartridge and a second cartridge each having a different width of an ink ribbon are to be alternatively installed, the first cartridge and the second cartridge including a printing tape, a tape core on which the printing tape is wound, the ink ribbon, a winding core by which the ink ribbon is wound up, a cartridge case in which the printing tape, the tape core, the ink ribbon, and the winding core are accommodated, and a core concave part that is provided on the cartridge case; a winding rotation element that engages the winding core when the cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation part; a stepped cylindrical core convex part that is provided in the cartridge installation part and inserted into the core concave part from a back side in an installation direction of the cartridge when the cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation part; a device-side engagement part that is provided on the back side in the installation direction with respect to an opening part provided on the core convex part; and a torque switching mechanism that has a switching operation element provided with the device-side engagement part and changes a state thereof between a first state in which a torque to be transmitted to the winding rotation element is set at a first torque and a second state in which the torque is set at a second torque smaller than the first torque, wherein one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge has a cartridge-side engagement part that engages the device-side engagement part when the cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation part, and the torque switching mechanism changes the state thereof from the second state to the first state or from the first state to the second state by engagement between the cartridge-side engagement part and the device-side engagement part when the cartridge including the cartridge-side engagement part among the first cartridge and the second cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation part.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a tape printing device and a cartridge will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that although the following drawings display an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system, they are given only for convenience of explanation and do not intend to limit the following embodiments at all. Further, numeric values showing the numbers or the like of respective parts are given only for illustration and do not intend to limit the following embodiments at all.

As shown in <FIG>, a tape printing device <NUM> includes a cartridge installation part <NUM> in which a tape cartridge <NUM> and a ribbon cartridge <NUM> are to be alternatively installed. Note that although omitted in the figures, the tape printing device <NUM> includes an installation part cover for opening and closing the cartridge installation part <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the tape cartridge <NUM> includes a tape core <NUM>, a first platen roller <NUM>, a first paying-out core <NUM>, a first winding core <NUM>, and a first cartridge case <NUM>. A first printing tape <NUM> is wound on the tape core <NUM>. The first printing tape <NUM> that has been paid out from the tape core <NUM> is delivered to the outside of the first cartridge case <NUM> from a tape delivering port <NUM> provided on the peripheral wall part on the -X side of the first cartridge case <NUM>. A first ink ribbon <NUM> is wound on the first paying-out core <NUM>. The first ink ribbon <NUM> that has been paid out from the first paying-out core <NUM> is wound up by the first winding core <NUM>. The first cartridge case <NUM> constitutes the outer shell of the tape cartridge <NUM> and accommodates the tape core <NUM>, the first platen roller <NUM>, the first paying-out core <NUM>, the first winding core <NUM>, the first printing tape <NUM>, and the first ink ribbon <NUM>. The first cartridge case <NUM> has a first head insertion hole <NUM> provided so as to penetrate in a Z direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the ribbon cartridge <NUM> includes a second platen roller <NUM>, a second paying-out core <NUM>, a second winding core <NUM>, and a second cartridge case <NUM>. A second ink ribbon <NUM> is wound on the second paying-out core <NUM>. The second ink ribbon <NUM> that has been paid out from the second paying-out core <NUM> is wound up by the second winding core <NUM>. The second cartridge case <NUM> constitutes the outer shell of the ribbon cartridge <NUM> and accommodates the second platen roller <NUM>, the second paying-out core <NUM>, the second winding core <NUM>, and the second ink ribbon <NUM>. The second cartridge case <NUM> has a second head insertion hole <NUM> provided so as to penetrate in an installation direction. Further, the second cartridge case <NUM> is provided with a second tape path <NUM>. Although omitted in the figures, a second printing tape that has been paid out from a tape roll provided on the outside of the tape printing device <NUM> is introduced into the second tape path <NUM>.

Note that the length of a second printing tape in a tape roll that has not been used and the length of the second ink ribbon <NUM> accommodated in the ribbon cartridge <NUM> that has not been used are not particularly limited but are longer than the length of the first printing tape <NUM> and the length of the first ink ribbon <NUM> accommodated in the tape cartridge <NUM> that has not been used, respectively, in the present embodiment. Therefore, the ribbon cartridge <NUM> is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>, for example, when large amounts of labels are created at once.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cartridge installation part <NUM> is formed into a concave shape having an opening on a +Z side. The cartridge installation part <NUM> has, on its bottom surface of the cartridge installation part <NUM>, i.e., on an installation bottom surface <NUM> that is a surface on a -Z side, a head part <NUM> and a core convex part <NUM> provided to protrude to a front side in the installation direction. The head part <NUM> includes a printing head <NUM> and a head cover <NUM> that covers at least the +X side, the -Y side, and the +Z side of the printing head <NUM>. The printing head <NUM> is a thermal head including a heat generation element. When the tape cartridge <NUM> is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>, the head cover <NUM> is inserted into the first head insertion hole <NUM> and guides the installation of the tape cartridge <NUM>. Further, when the ribbon cartridge <NUM> is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>, the head cover <NUM> is inserted into the second head insertion hole <NUM> and guides the installation of the ribbon cartridge <NUM>. Note that a core convex part <NUM> will be described later.

Further, the cartridge installation part <NUM> has, on the installation bottom surface <NUM>, a platen shaft <NUM>, a first winding shaft <NUM>, a first paying-out shaft <NUM>, a second paying-out shaft <NUM>, and a second winding shaft <NUM> provided so as to protrude to the +Z side in an order from the -X side.

The platen shaft <NUM> is provided on the +Y side of the printing head <NUM>. The platen shaft <NUM> has a larger protrusion amount toward a front side in an installation direction, compared with the first paying-out shaft <NUM>, the first winding shaft <NUM>, the second paying-out shaft <NUM>, and the second winding shaft <NUM>. When the tape cartridge <NUM> is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>, the platen shaft <NUM> is inserted into the first platen roller <NUM> and guides the installation of the tape cartridge <NUM> together with the head cover <NUM>. Further, when the ribbon cartridge <NUM> is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>, the platen shaft <NUM> is inserted into the second platen roller <NUM> and guides the installation of the ribbon cartridge <NUM> together with the head cover <NUM>. Note that the installation direction of the tape cartridge <NUM> or the ribbon cartridge <NUM> will be simply called an "installation direction" below. The installation direction is parallel to a direction in which the platen shaft <NUM> extends, i.e., the Z direction. Further, the front side in the installation direction indicates the +Z side, and a back side in the installation direction indicates the -Z side.

A platen rotation element <NUM> (see <FIG>), a first paying-out rotation element <NUM>, a first winding rotation element <NUM>, a second paying-out rotation element <NUM>, and a second winding rotation element <NUM> are rotatably supported by the platen shaft <NUM>, the first paying-out shaft <NUM>, the first winding shaft <NUM>, the second paying-out shaft <NUM>, and the second winding shaft <NUM>, respectively. When the tape cartridge <NUM> is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>, the first platen roller <NUM>, the first paying-out core <NUM>, and the first winding core <NUM> provided in the tape cartridge <NUM> engage the platen rotation element <NUM>, the first paying-out rotation element <NUM>, and the first winding rotation element <NUM>, respectively. Further, when the ribbon cartridge <NUM> is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>, the second platen roller <NUM>, the second paying-out core <NUM>, and the second winding core <NUM> provided in the ribbon cartridge <NUM> engage the platen rotation element <NUM>, the second paying-out rotation element <NUM>, and the second winding rotation element <NUM> provided in the cartridge installation part <NUM>, respectively. The rotation of a feeding motor <NUM> is transmitted to the platen rotation element <NUM>, the first paying-out rotation element <NUM>, the first winding rotation element <NUM>, the second paying-out rotation element <NUM>, and the second winding rotation element <NUM> via a feeding wheel train <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the feeding wheel train <NUM> includes a motor-side wheel train <NUM>, a platen-side wheel train <NUM>, a ribbon-side wheel train <NUM>, a one-way clutch unit <NUM>, a paying-out-side wheel train <NUM>, a first-winding-side wheel train <NUM>, and a second-winding-side wheel train <NUM>.

The motor-side wheel train <NUM> transmits the rotation of the feeding motor <NUM> to the platen-side wheel train <NUM> and the ribbon-side wheel train <NUM>. The platen-side wheel train <NUM> transmits the rotation of the feeding motor <NUM> input via the motor-side wheel train <NUM> to the platen rotation element <NUM>. The ribbon-side wheel train <NUM> transmits the rotation of the feeding motor <NUM> input via the motor-side wheel train <NUM> to the one-way clutch unit <NUM>.

The one-way clutch unit <NUM> switches the transmission destination of the rotation of the feeding motor <NUM> input via the ribbon-side wheel train <NUM> between the paying-out-side wheel train <NUM>, the first-winding-side wheel train <NUM>, and the second-winding-side wheel train <NUM> according to the rotation direction of the feeding motor <NUM>. That is, when the feeding motor <NUM> rotates in a first direction, the one-way clutch unit <NUM> does not transmit the rotation of the feeding motor <NUM> input via the ribbon-side wheel train <NUM> to the paying-out-side wheel train <NUM> but transmits the same to the first-winding-side wheel train <NUM> and the second-winding-side wheel train <NUM>. Therefore, when the feeding motor <NUM> rotates in the first direction, the first paying-out rotation element <NUM> and the second paying-out rotation element <NUM> do not rotate but the first winding rotation element <NUM> and the second winding rotation element <NUM> rotate. Note that the first direction indicates a clockwise direction in <FIG> and <FIG>. When the feeding motor rotates in the first direction, the first winding rotation element <NUM> and the second winding rotation element <NUM> rotate in a direction opposite to the first direction, that is, rotate counterclockwise.

On the other hand, when the feeding motor <NUM> rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the one-way clutch unit <NUM> transmits the rotation of the feeding motor <NUM> input via the ribbon-side wheel train <NUM> to the paying-out-side wheel train <NUM> but does not transmit the same to the first-winding-side wheel train <NUM> and the second-winding-side wheel train <NUM>. Therefore, when the feeding motor <NUM> rotates in the second direction, the first paying-out rotation element <NUM> and the second paying-out rotation element <NUM> rotate counterclockwise and the first winding rotation element <NUM> and the second winding rotation element <NUM> do not rotate. Note that although omitted in the figures, the one-way clutch unit <NUM> includes two one-way clutches.

The paying-out-side wheel train <NUM> transmits the rotation of the feeding motor <NUM> input via the one-way clutch unit <NUM> to the first-paying-out rotation element <NUM> and the second paying-out rotation element <NUM>.

The first-winding-side wheel train <NUM> transmits the rotation of the feeding motor <NUM> input via the one-way clutch unit <NUM> to the first winding rotation element <NUM>. The first-winding-side wheel train <NUM> includes a first-winding-side first gear <NUM>, a first-winding-side second gear <NUM> meshing with the first-winding-side first gear <NUM>, and a first torque switching mechanism <NUM> to which the rotation of the feeding motor <NUM> is input via the one-way clutch unit <NUM>. The first torque switching mechanism <NUM> is used to switch a torque to be transmitted to the first winding rotation element <NUM>. Note that the first torque switching mechanism <NUM> will be described later.

The second-winding-side wheel train <NUM> transmits the rotation of the feeding motor <NUM> input via the one-way clutch unit <NUM> to the second winding rotation element <NUM>. The second-winding-side wheel train <NUM> includes a second-winding-side first gear <NUM>, a second-winding-side second gear <NUM> meshing with the second-winding-side first gear <NUM>, and a second torque switching mechanism <NUM> configured like the first torque switching mechanism <NUM> to which the rotation of the feeding motor <NUM> is input via the one-way clutch unit <NUM>.

When the tape cartridge <NUM> is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, the first platen roller <NUM>, the first paying-out core <NUM>, and the first winding core <NUM> provided in the tape cartridge <NUM> engage the platen rotation element <NUM>, the first paying-out rotation element <NUM>, and the first winding rotation element <NUM> provided in the cartridge installation part <NUM> shown in <FIG>, respectively. Thus, the transmission of the rotation of the feeding motor <NUM> to the first platen roller <NUM>, the first paying-out core <NUM>, and the first winding core <NUM> is made possible.

Further, when the tape cartridge <NUM> is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>, the head part <NUM> provided in the cartridge installation part <NUM> is inserted into the first head insertion hole <NUM> provided on the tape cartridge <NUM>. When the installation part cover is closed after the tape cartridge <NUM> is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>, the printing head <NUM> moves toward the platen shaft <NUM> with a head movement mechanism <NUM> (see <FIG>). Thus, the first printing tape <NUM> and the first ink ribbon <NUM> are held between the printing head <NUM> and the first platen roller <NUM>.

When the feeding motor <NUM> rotates in the first direction in this state, the rotation of the feeding motor <NUM> is transmitted to the platen rotation element <NUM> and the first winding rotation element <NUM> via the feeding wheel train <NUM>. As a result, the first platen roller <NUM> rotates in a feeding direction, while the first winding core <NUM> rotates in a winding direction. Here, the feeding direction of the first platen roller <NUM> indicates a direction in which the first platen roller <NUM> rotates so that the first printing tape <NUM> is fed toward the tape delivering port <NUM>. Further, the winding direction of the first winding core <NUM> indicates a direction in which the first winding core <NUM> rotates so that the first ink ribbon <NUM> that has been paid out from the first paying-out core <NUM> is wound up by the first winding core <NUM>. In other words, the feeding direction of the first platen roller <NUM> is a clockwise direction, and the winding direction of the first winding core <NUM> is a counterclockwise direction in <FIG>.

Further, when the feeding motor <NUM> rotates in the second direction, the rotation of the feeding motor <NUM> is transmitted to the platen rotation element <NUM> and the first paying-out rotation element <NUM> via the feeding wheel train <NUM>. As a result, the first platen roller <NUM> rotates in a pulling-back direction, while the first paying-out core <NUM> rotates in a rewinding direction. Here, the pulling-back direction of the first platen roller <NUM> indicates a direction in which the first platen roller <NUM> rotates so that the first printing tape <NUM> that has been fed toward the tape delivering port <NUM> is pulled back. Further, the rewinding direction of the first paying-out core <NUM> indicates a direction in which the first paying-out core <NUM> rotates so that the first ink ribbon <NUM> that has been paid out from the first paying-out core <NUM> is rewound by the first paying-out core <NUM>. In other words, both the pulling-back direction of the first platen roller <NUM> and the rewinding direction of the first paying-out core <NUM> indicate a counterclockwise direction.

By rotating the feeding motor <NUM> in the first direction and heating the printing head <NUM>, the tape printing device <NUM> prints printing information input via a keyboard or the like omitted in the figures on the first printing tape <NUM>, while feeding the first printing tape <NUM> and the first ink ribbon <NUM>. Although omitted in the figures, the tape printing device <NUM> causes a cutter provided between the cartridge installation part <NUM> and a tape discharging port to perform a cutting operation to cut off a printed portion of the first printing tape <NUM> after completing the printing. After that, by causing the feeding motor <NUM> to rotate in the second direction, the tape printing device <NUM> pulls back the first printing tape <NUM> until the tip end of the first printing tape <NUM> comes to the vicinity of a position at which the printing head <NUM> and the first platen roller <NUM> are held. Thus, a margin generated at the front in the longitudinal direction of the first printing tape <NUM> that is to be next printed can be shortened.

Note that the tape printing device <NUM> similarly performs printing processing also when the ribbon cartridge <NUM> is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>. That is, the tape printing device <NUM> performs printing on the second printing tape, while feeding the second printing tape and the second ink ribbon <NUM> held between the printing head <NUM> and the second platen roller <NUM>.

As tape cartridges <NUM>, a first tape cartridge 101a in which a first printing tape <NUM> and a first ink ribbon <NUM> having a wide width, for example, a width of <NUM> are accommodated as shown in <FIG> and a second tape cartridge 101b in which the first printing tape <NUM> and the first ink ribbon <NUM> having a narrow width, for example, a width of <NUM> are accommodated as shown in <FIG> are prepared. Note that the first printing tape <NUM> and the first ink ribbon <NUM> are omitted in <FIG>. Hereinafter, the first tape cartridge 101a and the second tape cartridge 101b will be simply called tape cartridges <NUM> when they are not required to be distinguished from each other. The first tape cartridge 101a and the second tape cartridge 101b are configured to be substantially similar to each other, and the drawing of the first tape cartridge 101a will be used as a representative to describe common configurations.

As shown in <FIG>, the tape cartridge <NUM> includes a front-side core support shaft <NUM> that protrudes substantially cylindrically from the inside surface of a wall part on the front side in the installation direction of the first cartridge case <NUM> to the back side in the installation direction. Further, the tape cartridge <NUM> includes a back-side core support shaft <NUM> that protrudes substantially-stepped cylindrically from the inside surface of a wall part on the back side in the installation direction of the first cartridge case <NUM> to the front side in the installation direction. The front-side core support shaft <NUM> and the back-side core support shaft <NUM> are provided to face each other in the Z direction. The front-side core support shaft <NUM> and the back-side core support shaft <NUM> rotatably support the tape core <NUM>.

Inside the front-side core support shaft <NUM> and the back-side core support shaft <NUM>, a reverse rotation prevention spring <NUM> is provided. The reverse rotation prevention spring <NUM> is constituted by, for example, a compression coil spring. With its end on the back side in the installation direction engaging the tape core <NUM>, the reverse rotation prevention spring <NUM> prevents the tape core <NUM> from reversely rotating in a state in which the tape cartridge <NUM> is not installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>. When the tape cartridge <NUM> is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>, the core convex part <NUM> provided in the cartridge installation part <NUM> is inserted into the inside of the back-side core support shaft <NUM> provided in the tape cartridge <NUM>, that is, a core concave part <NUM>. Thus, the reverse rotation prevention spring <NUM> provided inside the front-side core support shaft <NUM> and the back-side core support shaft <NUM> is compressed, and the tape core <NUM> is allowed to rotate freely when the reverse rotation prevention spring <NUM> and the tape core <NUM> disengage from each other.

As shown in <FIG>, the core concave part <NUM> is provided to be depressed on the front side in the installation direction on the outside surface of the wall part on the back side in the installation direction of the first cartridge case <NUM>. The core concave part <NUM> is constituted by the internal space of the back-side core support shaft <NUM>. The core concave part <NUM> includes a seat concave part <NUM> on the back side in the installation direction and an insertion concave part <NUM> on the front side in the installation direction. The seat concave part <NUM> is depressed substantially circularly from the outside surface of the wall part on the back side in the installation direction of the first cartridge case <NUM>. The insertion concave part <NUM> is depressed substantially circularly to have a diameter smaller than that of the seat concave part <NUM> from the bottom surface of the seat concave part <NUM>. Inside the seat concave part <NUM>, an annular convex part <NUM> that protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the insertion concave part <NUM> to the back side in the installation direction is provided.

Here, the first tape cartridge 101a and the second tape cartridge 101b are different from each other in a structure inside the seat concave part <NUM>. That is, in the second tape cartridge 101b, a connection convex part <NUM> on a -X side, a connection concave part <NUM> on the +X side, a first connection part on the -Y side (omitted in the figure), and a second connection part <NUM> on the +Y side are provided to connect the outer peripheral surface of the annular convex part <NUM> and the inner peripheral surface of the seat concave part <NUM> to each other as shown in <FIG>. The connection convex part <NUM>, the connection concave part <NUM>, the first connection part, and the second connection part <NUM> are provided at a substantially even interval in the circumferential direction of the seat concave part <NUM>. The arrangement of the connection convex part <NUM>, the connection concave part <NUM>, the first connection part, and the second connection part <NUM> is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the connection convex part <NUM> may be arranged on the -Y side, the connection concave part <NUM> may be arranged on the +Y side, the first connection part may be arranged on the +X side, and the second connection part <NUM> may be arranged on the -X side. With a change in the arrangement of the connection convex part <NUM>, the connection concave part <NUM>, the first connection part, and the second connection part <NUM>, the second tape cartridge 101b can be used for discrimination or the like, for example, when the specifications of the first printing tape <NUM> are different depending on a country or an area in which the second tape cartridge 101b is to be sold.

On the other hand, in the first tape cartridge 101a, four cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM> are positioned on the back side in the installation direction of a connection convex part <NUM>, a connection concave part <NUM>, a first connection part, and a second connection part <NUM> and provided to protrude from the inner peripheral surface of a seat concave part <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. That is, the first tape cartridge 101a and the second tape cartridge 101b are different from each other in the presence or absence of the four cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM>. With the provision of the cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM> on the inner peripheral surface of the seat concave part <NUM>, the breakage of the cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM> can be prevented even when the first tape cartridge 101a drops.

The four cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM> are provided at a substantially even interval in the circumferential direction of the seat concave part <NUM>. The cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM> extend to the front side in the installation direction toward the bottom surface of the seat concave part <NUM> from the vicinity of the opening part of the seat concave part <NUM>. Among the four cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM>, a cartridge-side engagement part <NUM> on the -X side will be called a cartridge-side first engagement part 124a, a cartridge-side engagement part <NUM> on the +X side will be called a cartridge-side second engagement part 124b, a cartridge-side engagement part <NUM> on the -Y side will be called a cartridge-side third engagement part 124c, and a cartridge-side engagement part <NUM> on the +Y side will be called a cartridge-side fourth engagement part 124d. These cartridge-side engagement parts will be simply called the cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM> when they are not required to be distinguished from each other. As shown in <FIG>, the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a and the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b are provided at positions at which the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a and the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b are in point symmetry with respect to the center of the core concave part <NUM> when seen from the back side in the installation direction. Similarly, the cartridge-side third engagement part 124c and the cartridge-side fourth engagement part 124d are provided at positions at which the cartridge-side third engagement part 124c and the cartridge-side fourth engagement part 124d are in point symmetry with respect to the center of the core concave part <NUM> when seen from the back side in the installation direction. The cartridge-side first engagement part 124a is provided corresponding to a device-side first engagement part 49a (see <FIG>) that will be described later, and the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b is provided corresponding to a device-side second engagement part 49b (see <FIG>) that will be described later.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the core convex part <NUM> is formed into a substantially stepped cylindrical shape as a whole and includes a seat convex part <NUM> on the back side in the installation direction and an insertion convex part <NUM> on the front side in the installation direction. The seat convex part <NUM> protrudes substantially cylindrically from the bottom surface of the cartridge installation part <NUM>. The insertion convex part <NUM> protrudes substantially cylindrically to have a diameter smaller than that of the seat convex part <NUM> from the tip end surface of the seat convex part <NUM>.

The seat convex part <NUM> is provided with four seat opening parts <NUM>. The respective seat opening parts <NUM> are formed so as to cut off the corner part between the tip end surface and the peripheral surface of the seat convex part <NUM>. The four seat opening parts <NUM> are provided at a substantially even interval in the circumferential direction of the seat convex part <NUM>. Hereinafter, among the four seat opening parts <NUM>, a seat opening part <NUM> on the -X side will be called a first seat opening part 38a, a seat opening part <NUM> on the +X side will be called a second seat opening part 38b, a seat opening part <NUM> on the -Y side will be called a third seat opening part 38c, and a seat opening part <NUM> on the +Y side will be called a fourth seat opening part 38d. These seat opening parts will be simply called the seat opening parts <NUM> when they are not required to be distinguished from each other. As shown in <FIG>, the first seat opening part 38a and the second seat opening part 38b are provided at positions at which the first seat opening part 38a and the second seat opening part 38b are in point symmetry with respect to the center of the core convex part <NUM> when seen from the front side in the installation direction. Similarly, the third seat opening part 38c and the fourth seat opening part 38d are provided at positions at which the third seat opening part 38c and the fourth seat opening part 38d are in point symmetry to each other with respect to the center of the core convex part <NUM> when seen from the front side in the installation direction.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the core convex part <NUM> provided in the cartridge installation part <NUM> is inserted into the core concave part <NUM> provided in the tape cartridge <NUM> from the back side in the installation direction when the tape cartridge <NUM> is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>. That is, the seat convex part <NUM> is inserted into the seat concave part <NUM>, and the insertion convex part <NUM> is inserted into the insertion concave part <NUM>.

Here, as shown in <FIG>, the cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM> provided on the inner peripheral surface of the seat concave part <NUM> enter the seat convex part <NUM> via the seat opening parts <NUM> when the first tape cartridge 101a is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>. Thus, among the four cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM>, the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a and the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b engage the device-side first engagement part 49a and the device-side second engagement part 49b that will be descried later, respectively. Further, as shown in <FIG>, the cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM> leave the seat convex part <NUM> via the seat opening parts <NUM> when the first tape cartridge 101a is removed from the cartridge installation part <NUM>. Thus, the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a and the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b disengage from the device-side first engagement part 49a and the device-side second engagement part 49b, respectively.

On the other hand, as shown in <FIG>, the seat concave part <NUM> does not engage the device-side first engagement part 49a and the device-side second engagement part 49b when the second tape cartridge 101b that does not have the cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM> is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>.

The first torque switching mechanism <NUM> is used to switch a torque to be transmitted to the first winding rotation element <NUM> from the second torque to the first torque larger than the second torque when the first tape cartridge 101a is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>. That is, when the first tape cartridge 101a in which the first ink ribbon <NUM> having a wide width is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>, the torque to be transmitted to the first winding rotation element <NUM> is switched to the first torque larger than the second torque by the first torque switching mechanism <NUM>. Therefore, the first ink ribbon <NUM> having a wide width and held together with the first printing tape <NUM> between the printing head <NUM> and the first platen roller <NUM> can be properly separated from the first printing tape <NUM> and wound up. On the other hand, when the second tape cartridge 101b in which the first ink ribbon <NUM> having a narrow width is installed, the first torque switching mechanism <NUM> does not switch the torque from a state in which the tape cartridge <NUM> is not installed, and the torque to be transmitted to the first winding rotation element <NUM> is the second torque smaller than the first torque. Therefore, the breakage of the first ink ribbon <NUM> having a narrow width can be suppressed.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first torque switching mechanism <NUM> includes a first winding gear <NUM>, a second winding gear <NUM>, a first slip spring <NUM>, and a second slip spring <NUM>. Further, the first torque switching mechanism <NUM> includes a movable gear <NUM> that will be described later, two switching operation elements <NUM>, and gear support part <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

The first winding gear <NUM> is rotatably supported by the first winding shaft <NUM>. That is, the first winding gear <NUM> is positioned on a further back side in the installation direction than the first winding rotation element <NUM> and provided to be coaxial with the first winding rotation element <NUM>. The first winding gear <NUM> is connected to the first winding rotation element <NUM> via the first slip spring <NUM> and rotates the first winding rotation element <NUM>.

The second winding gear <NUM> is rotatably supported by the first winding shaft <NUM>. That is, the second winding gear <NUM> is positioned on a further back side in the installation direction than the first winding gear <NUM> and provided to be coaxial with the first winding rotation element <NUM>. The second winding gear <NUM> is connected to the first winding gear <NUM> via the second slip spring <NUM> and rotates the first winding rotation element <NUM> via the first winding gear <NUM>.

The first slip spring <NUM> is provided between the first winding gear <NUM> and the first winding rotation element <NUM>. The first slip spring <NUM> limits the torque to be transmitted from the first winding gear <NUM> to the first winding rotation element <NUM> to the first torque. The second slip spring <NUM> is provided between the second winding gear <NUM> and the first winding gear <NUM>. The second slip spring <NUM> limits the torque to be transmitted from the second winding gear <NUM> to the first winding gear <NUM> to the second torque smaller than the first torque. Note that the torque to be transmitted from the second winding gear <NUM> to the first winding gear <NUM> is further transmitted to the first winding rotation element <NUM> via the first slip spring <NUM> since the torque does not exceed the first torque. Note that the first slip spring <NUM> is an example of a "first torque limiter. " The second slip spring <NUM> is an example of a "second torque limiter.

The movable gear <NUM> engages and disengages from the first winding gear <NUM>, while the first-winding-side second gear <NUM> meshes with the second winding gear <NUM> at all times. Therefore, when the movable gear <NUM> meshes with the first winding gear <NUM> and the rotation of the feeding motor <NUM> is input to the first winding gear <NUM> via the movable gear <NUM>, the torque to be transmitted to the first winding rotation element <NUM> is limited to the first toque by the first slip spring <NUM>. On the other hand, when the movable gear <NUM> disengages from the first winding gear <NUM> and the rotation of the feeding motor <NUM> is input to the first winding gear <NUM> via the second winding gear <NUM>, the torque to be transmitted to the first winding rotation element <NUM> is limited to the second torque by the second slip spring <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the movable gear <NUM> is rotatably supported by the gear support part <NUM> and configured to engage and disengage from the first winding gear <NUM>. Further, the movable gear <NUM> meshes with the first-winding-side first gear <NUM> at all times (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

The respective switching operation elements <NUM> are provided with device-side engagement parts <NUM> that engage the cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM> when the first tape cartridge 101a is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>. Here, among the two device-side engagement parts <NUM>, a device-side engagement part <NUM> on the -X side will be called a device-side first engagement part 49a, and a device-side engagement part <NUM> on the +X side will be called a device-side second engagement part 49b. The device-side first engagement part 49a and the device-side second engagement part 49b will be simply called the device-side engagement parts <NUM> when they are not required to be distinguished from each other. Further, among the two switching operation elements <NUM>, a switching operation element <NUM> provided with the device-side first engagement part 49a will be called a first switching operation element 47a, and a switching operation element <NUM> provided with the device-side second engagement part 49b will be called a second switching operation element 47b. The first switching operation element 47a and the second switching operation element 47b will be simply called the switching operation elements <NUM> when they are not required to be distinguished from each other.

The first switching operation element 47a is rotatably provided about an operation element shaft omitted in the figures. The first switching operation element 47a is formed into a substantially "L"-shape when seen from the front side in the installation direction. At the end on the +Y side of the first switching operation element 47a, a first-operation-element-side shaft insertion part <NUM> into which the first operation element shaft (omitted in the figures) is inserted is provided. At the end on the +X side of the first switching operation element 47a, a first-operation-element-side engagement part <NUM> that protrudes to the back side in the installation direction is provided. The first-operation-element-side engagement part <NUM> engages a support-part-side first engagement part <NUM> that will be described later. The device-side first engagement part 49a is positioned on the -X side and the -Y side of the first-operation-element-side shaft insertion part <NUM> and protrudes to the front side in the installation direction. The device-side first engagement part 49a is provided with a first engagement inclination surface <NUM> that is inclined with the back side in the installation direction directed to the -X side and a first operation surface <NUM> that extends to the back side in the installation direction from the end on the back side in the installation direction of the first engagement inclination surface <NUM>.

A force is applied to the first switching operation element 47a by an operation element spring <NUM> (see <FIG>) in a direction in which the first switching operation element 47a rotates clockwise. One end of the operation element spring <NUM> is retained at the support shaft (omitted in the figures) of the first-winding-side second gear <NUM>, and the other end thereof is retained at the end on the +X side of the first switching operation element 47a. A torsion coil spring can be, for example, used as the operation element spring <NUM>. Note that the clockwise direction indicates a clockwise direction when seen from the front side in the installation direction. Similarly, a counterclockwise direction indicates a counterclockwise direction when seen from the front side in the installation direction.

The second switching operation element 47b is rotatably provided about a second operation element shaft (not shown in the figures). The second switching operation element 47b is formed into a substantially triangular shape when seen from the front side in the installation direction. At the end on the -Y side of the second switching operation element 47b, a second-operation-element-side shaft insertion part <NUM> into which the second operation element shaft is inserted is provided. Further, the second switching operation element 47b is provided with a second-operation-element-side engagement part <NUM> that is positioned on the +X side and the +Y side of the second-operation-element-side shaft insertion part <NUM> and protrudes to the back side in the installation direction. The second-operation-element-side engagement part <NUM> engages a support-part-side second engagement part <NUM> that will be described later. The device-side second engagement part 49b is positioned on the -X side and the +Y side of the second-operation-element-side shaft insertion part <NUM> and protrudes to the front side in the installation direction. The device-side second engagement part 49b is provided with a second engagement inclination surface <NUM> that is inclined with the back side in the installation direction directed to the +X side and a second operation surface <NUM> that extends to the back side in the installation direction from the end on the back side in the installation direction of the second engagement inclination surface <NUM>. Note that inclination surfaces may be provided at the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a and the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b instead of the first engagement inclination surface <NUM> and the second engagement inclination surface <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the device-side first engagement part 49a and the device-side second engagement part 49b are provided inside the seat convex part <NUM>. That is, the device-side first engagement part 49a and the device-side second engagement part 49b are provided on the back side in the installation direction with respect to the first seat opening part 38a and the second seat opening part 38b, respectively. The device-side first engagement part 49a and the device-side second engagement part 49b are provided corresponding to the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a and the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b, respectively. The device-side first engagement part 49a and the device-side second engagement part 49b engage the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a and the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b, respectively, substantially simultaneously when the first tape cartridge 101a is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>. Further, the device-side first engagement part 49a and the device-side second engagement part 49b are provided at positions at which the device-side first engagement part 49a and the device-side second engagement part 49b are in point symmetry with respect to the center of the core convex part <NUM> when seen from the front side in the installation direction (see <FIG>).

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the gear support part <NUM> is configured to be rotatable so that the rotatably-supported movable gear <NUM> contacts and separates from the first winding gear <NUM>. The gear support part <NUM> includes a first-operation-element-side support member <NUM>, a second-operation-element-side support member <NUM>, and a support part spring <NUM>.

The first-operation-element-side support member <NUM> is rotatably provided about a clutch shaft <NUM> (see <FIG>) provided to be substantially coaxial with the second operation element shaft. At the end on the +Y side of the first-operation-element-side support member <NUM>, a support-part-side first shaft insertion part <NUM> into which the clutch shaft <NUM> is inserted is provided to be substantially cylindrically. At the end on the -Y side of the first-operation-element-side support member <NUM>, the movable gear <NUM> is rotatably supported. At the substantially intermediate part of the first-operation-element-side support member <NUM>, the support-part-side first engagement part <NUM> is provided. The support-part-side first engagement part <NUM> engages the first-operation-element-side engagement part <NUM>.

The second-operation-element-side support member <NUM> is rotatably provided about the clutch shaft <NUM>. At the substantially intermediate part of the second-operation-element-side support member <NUM>, a support-part-side second shaft insertion part <NUM> into which the clutch shaft <NUM> is inserted is provided to be formed into a substantially short cylindrical shape. The support-part-side first shaft insertion part <NUM> is inserted into the support-part-side second shaft insertion part <NUM> from the back side in the installation direction. At the end on the +Y side of the second-operation-element-side support member <NUM>, a support-part-side second engagement part <NUM> is provided. The support-part-side second engagement part <NUM> engages the second-operation-element-side engagement part <NUM>.

The support part spring <NUM> elastically connects the first-operation-element-side support member <NUM> and the second-operation-element-side support member <NUM> to each other. The support part spring <NUM> is provided on the clutch shaft <NUM>. One end of the support part spring <NUM> is retained at the first-operation-element-side support member <NUM>, and the other end thereof is retained at the second-operation-element-side support member <NUM>. When the first-operation-element-side support member <NUM> is fixed, the support part spring <NUM> applies a force to the second-operation-element-side support member <NUM> so that the second-operation-element-side support member <NUM> rotates clockwise. A torsion coil spring can be, for example, used as the support part spring <NUM>. Note that the support part spring <NUM> is an example of an "elastic member.

When the first tape cartridge 101a is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>, the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a and the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b engage the device-side first engagement part 49a and the device-side second engagement part 49b, respectively, as described above (see <FIG>).

At this time, the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a engages the device-side first engagement part 49a in the order of the first engagement inclination surface <NUM> and the first operation surface <NUM>. Thus, the device-side first engagement part 49a is pressed to the +X side. As a result, the first switching operation element 47a rotates counterclockwise against the elastic force of the operation element spring <NUM> as shown in <FIG> from a state shown in <FIG>. At this time, the first-operation-element-side engagement part <NUM> of the first switching operation element 47a moves to the +X side. Therefore, the support-part-side first engagement part <NUM> engaging the first operation-element-side engagement part <NUM> on the -X side of the first-operation-element-side engagement part <NUM> becomes movable to the +X side. Thus, the first-operation-element-side support member <NUM> becomes rotatable counterclockwise, that is, in a direction in which the movable gear <NUM> supported by the first-operation-element-side support member <NUM> comes close to the first winding gear <NUM>. When the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a engages the device-side first engagement part 49a as described above, the first switching operation element 47a rotates counterclockwise, whereby the first-operation-element-side support member <NUM> is allowed to rotate counterclockwise.

Further, the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b engages the device-side second engagement part 49b in the order of the second engagement inclination surface <NUM> and the second operation surface <NUM>. Thus, the device-side second engagement part 49b is pressed to the -X side. As a result, the second switching operation element 47b rotates counterclockwise as shown in <FIG> from the state shown in <FIG>. At this time, the second-operation-element-side engagement part <NUM> of the second switching operation element 47b presses the support-part-side second engagement part <NUM> of the second-operation-element-side support member <NUM> to the -X side. Therefore, the second-operation-element-side support member <NUM> rotates counterclockwise. When the second-operation-element-side support member <NUM> rotates counterclockwise, the first-operation-element-side support member <NUM> elastically connected to the second-operation-element-side support member <NUM> via the support part spring <NUM> rotates counterclockwise, that is, in a direction in which the movable gear <NUM> supported by the first-operation-element-side support member <NUM> comes close to the first winding gear <NUM>. As a result, the movable gear <NUM> meshes with the first winding gear <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. When the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b engages the device-side second engagement part 49b as described above, the second switching operation element 47b rotates counterclockwise to cause the first-operation-element-side support member <NUM> to rotate counterclockwise.

Here, the first-operation-element-side support member <NUM> and the second-operation-element-side support member <NUM> are elastically connected to each other by the support part spring <NUM>. Therefore, even after the second-operation-element-side support member <NUM> rotates by a meshing rotation amount θ counterclockwise and the movable gear <NUM> meshes with the first winding gear <NUM> from the state shown in <FIG>, the second-operation-element-side support member <NUM> becomes further rotatable by an additional rotation amount α counterclockwise against the elastic force of the support part spring <NUM> with respect to the first-operation-element-side support member <NUM>. Here, the meshing rotation amount θ indicates the minimum value of the rotation amount of the second-operation-element-side support member <NUM> required when the movable gear <NUM> meshes with the first winding gear <NUM>. Therefore, if the rotation amount of the second-operation-element-side support member <NUM> is the meshing rotation amount θ or more and the sum (θ + α) of the meshing rotation amount θ and the additional rotation amount α or less, the movable gear <NUM> is pressed to the first winding gear <NUM> by an appropriate load. Accordingly, the design value of the rotation amount of the second-operation-element-side support member <NUM> is only required to set at a value larger than θ and smaller than (θ + α). Thus, even if the rotation amount of the second-operation-element-side support member <NUM> fluctuates due to a dimensional fluctuation in the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b or the like, the movable gear <NUM> can properly mesh with the first winding gear <NUM> with the proviso that the value is θ or more and (θ + α) or less. That is, the dimensional fluctuation in the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b or the like can be absorbed by the support part spring <NUM>.

As described above, the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a and the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b engage device-side first engagement part 49a and the device-side second engagement part 49b, respectively, when the first tape cartridge 101a is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>. Thus, the gear support part <NUM> rotates counterclockwise, and the movable gear <NUM> meshes with the first winding gear <NUM>. As a result, the first torque switching mechanism <NUM> changes its state to a state in which the rotation of the feeding motor <NUM> is input to the first winding gear <NUM> via the movable gear <NUM>, that is, the first state in which the torque to be transmitted to the first winding rotation element <NUM> is set at the first torque.

Next, the state change of the first torque switching mechanism <NUM> during the removal of the first tape cartridge 101a will be described. When the first tape cartridge 101a is removed from the cartridge installation part <NUM>, the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a and the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b disengage from the device-side first engagement part 49a and the device-side second engagement part 49b, respectively, as described above.

When the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a disengages from the device-side first engagement part 49a, the first switching operation element 47a rotates clockwise due to the elastic force of the operation element spring <NUM> as shown in <FIG> from the state shown in <FIG>. Thus, the first-operation-element-side engagement part <NUM> of the first switching operation element 47a presses the support-part-side first engagement part <NUM> of the first-operation-element-side support member <NUM> to the -X side. Therefore, the first-operation-element-side support member <NUM> rotates clockwise, that is, in a direction in which the movable gear <NUM> supported by the first-operation-element-side support member <NUM> separates from the first winding gear <NUM>. As a result, the movable gear <NUM> disengages from the first winding gear <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. As described above, the first switching operation element 47a rotates clockwise to cause the first-operation-element-side support member <NUM> to rotate clockwise and prevents the first-operation-element-side support member <NUM> from rotating counterclockwise when the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a disengages from the device-side first engagement part 49a.

When the first-operation-element-side support member <NUM> rotates clockwise, the second-operation-element-side support member <NUM> elastically connected to the first-operation-element-side support member <NUM> via the support part spring <NUM> rotates clockwise. Thus, the support-part-side second engagement part <NUM> of the second-operation-element-side support member <NUM> presses the second-operation-element-side engagement part <NUM> of the second switching operation element 47b to the +X side. Since the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b disengages from the device-side second engagement part 49b as described above at this time, the device-side second engagement part 49b becomes movable to the +X side, that is, the second switching operation element 47b becomes rotatable clockwise. Therefore, the second switching operation element 47b is pressed by the second-operation-element-side support member <NUM> and rotates clockwise.

As described above, the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a and the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b disengage from the device-side first engagement part 49a and the device-side second engagement part 49b, respectively, when the first tape cartridge 101a is removed from the cartridge installation part <NUM>. Thus, the gear support part <NUM> rotates clockwise, and the movable gear <NUM> disengages from the first winding gear <NUM>. As a result, the first torque switching mechanism <NUM> changes its state to a state in which the rotation of the feeding motor <NUM> is input to the first winding gear <NUM> via the second winding gear <NUM>, that is, the second state in which the torque to be transmitted to the first winding rotation element <NUM> is set at the second torque.

Note that as described above, the connection convex part <NUM> and the connection concave part <NUM> do not engage the device-side first engagement part 49a and the device-side second engagement part 49b, respectively, when the second tape cartridge 101b is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM> (see <FIG>). Therefore, when the second tape cartridge 101b is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>, the first torque switching mechanism <NUM> remains in the second state, and the torque to be transmitted to the first winding rotation element <NUM> remains at the second torque.

As described above, according to the first tape cartridge 101a and the tape printing device <NUM> of the present embodiment, the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a and the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b engage the device-side first engagement part 49a and the device-side second engagement part 49b, respectively, when the first tape cartridge 101a is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>, whereby the first torque switching mechanism <NUM> changes its state from the second state to the first state. Thus, the torque to be transmitted to the first winding rotation element <NUM> is switched from the second torque to the first torque. Accordingly, compared with a case in which the first winding rotation element <NUM> has a double-cylinder structure, the diameter of the first winding core <NUM> can be reduced and the first tape cartridge 101a can be miniaturized. Further, compared with a case in which the first winding rotation element <NUM> has a double-cylinder structure, the rattling amount of the first winding rotation element <NUM> with respect to the first winding shaft <NUM> can be reduced. Therefore, since the center of the first winding core <NUM> and the center of the first winding shaft <NUM> can be substantially aligned with each other, the first ink ribbon <NUM> can be properly wound up by the first winding core <NUM>.

Further, according to the first tape cartridge 101a and the tape printing device <NUM> of the present embodiment, the first tape cartridge 101a and the first torque switching mechanism <NUM> do not engage with each other only at one spot but engage with each other at two spots, that is, the spot between the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a and the device-side first engagement part 49a and the spot between the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b and the device-side second engagement part 49b. Therefore, a load by the engagement acts on the first tape cartridge 101a in a balanced manner, the first tape cartridge 101a is prevented from being inclined with respect to the cartridge installation part <NUM>, and the traveling of the first printing tape <NUM> and the first ink ribbon <NUM> can be improved.

Note that the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a and the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b may not be necessarily arranged in point symmetry with respect to the center of the core concave part <NUM> like the present embodiment but are only required to be capable of engaging the device-side first engagement part 49a and the device-side second engagement part 49b, respectively. For example, the dimension between the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a and the center of the core concave part <NUM> may be different from the dimension between the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b and the core concave part <NUM>. Further, the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a, the center of the core concave part <NUM>, and the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b may not be necessarily arranged in a line when seen from the back side in the installation direction. That is, the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a and the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b are only required to be arranged facing each other across the center of the core concave part <NUM> so long as the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a and the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b engage the device-side first engagement part 49a and the device-side second engagement part 49b, respectively. Further, the shape of the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a and the shape of the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b arranged facing each other across the center of the core concave part <NUM> when seen from the back side in the installation direction may be different from each other. Similarly, the device-side first engagement part 49a and the device-side second engagement part 49b may not be necessarily arranged in point symmetry with respect to the center of the core convex part <NUM>. Further, a direction in which the device-side first engagement part 49a is pressed by the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a and a direction in which the device-side second engagement part 49b is pressed by the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b are preferably opposite to each other.

Besides the above embodiment, it is possible to employ various configurations without departing from the invention as defined in the claims.

For example, the above embodiment can be modified into the following modes.

The cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM> may not be necessarily formed on the inner peripheral surface of the seat concave part <NUM> but may be provided at any spot of the tape cartridge <NUM> so long as the cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM> are capable of engaging the device-side engagement parts <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a and the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b may be provided at the edge part of the core concave part <NUM> and partially overlap the core concave part <NUM> when seen from the back side in the installation direction. That is, the cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM> may be provided on the outside surface on the back side in the installation direction of the first cartridge case <NUM>. Note that the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a and the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b shown in <FIG> have a substantially rectangular plate shape but the shape is not particularly limited. For example, the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a and the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b may have a long circular plate shape, a hemispherical shape, or the like. Further, the cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM> may protrude to the back side in the installation direction from the bottom surface of the seat concave part <NUM>. On this occasion, the cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM> may or may not be integrally formed with the inner peripheral surface of the seat concave part <NUM>.

When the tape cartridge <NUM> is installed, the first torque switching mechanism <NUM> may not necessarily change its state from the second state in which the torque to be transmitted to the first winding rotation element <NUM> is set at the relatively-small second torque to the first state in which the torque to be transmitted to the first winding rotation element <NUM> is set at the relatively-large first torque. Alternatively, the first torque switching mechanism <NUM> may change the state from the first state to the second state when the tape cartridge <NUM> is installed.

In this configuration, the cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM> are provided in the second tape cartridge 101b and are not provided in the first tape cartridge 101a, for example. Further, the first torque switching mechanism <NUM> includes a locking part that locks the movable gear <NUM> to be meshed with the first winding gear <NUM>. When the second tape cartridge 101b is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>, the cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM> engage the device-side engagement parts <NUM> so that the locking part is unlocked and the movable gear <NUM> is disengaged from the first winding gear <NUM>. Further, when the second tape cartridge 101b is removed from the cartridge installation part <NUM>, the movable gear <NUM> is locked to be meshed with the first winding gear <NUM> by the locking part. Thus, the first torque switching mechanism <NUM> changes its state from the first state to the second state when the second tape cartridge 101b is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>. Further, the first torque switching mechanism <NUM> changes the state from the second state to the first state when the second tape cartridge 101b is removed from the cartridge installation part <NUM>. On the other hand, the first torque switching mechanism <NUM> remains at the first state when the first tape cartridge 101a is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>.

In the tape printing device <NUM>, one of the first switching operation element 47a and the second switching operation element 47b may include a device-side third engagement part provided on the back side in the installation direction of the third seat opening part 38c, and the other thereof may include a device-side fourth engagement part provided on the back side in the installation direction of the fourth seat opening part 38d. That is, the tape printing device <NUM> may include, as the device-side engagement parts <NUM>, the device-side third engagement part provided corresponding to the cartridge-side third engagement part 124c and the device-side fourth engagement part provided corresponding to the cartridge-side fourth engagement part 124d. In other words, the two facing device-side engagement parts <NUM> may not be provided on the +X side and the -X side of the tape printing device <NUM> as in the above embodiment but may be provided on the +Y side and the -Y side of the tape printing device <NUM>.

In the configuration as well, the cartridge-side third engagement part 124c and the cartridge-side fourth engagement part 124d engage the device-side third engagement part and the device-side fourth engagement part, respectively, when the first tape cartridge 101a is installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>, whereby the first torque switching mechanism <NUM> changes its state from the second state to the first state. As described above, the first tape cartridge 101a includes the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a, the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b, the cartridge-side third engagement part 124c, and the cartridge-side fourth engagement part 124d. Therefore, the first tape cartridge 101a can comply with the tape printing device <NUM> including the device-side first engagement part 49a and the device-side second engagement part 49b and can comply with the tape printing device <NUM> including the device-side third engagement part and the device-side fourth engagement part. Accordingly, since the tape printing device <NUM> may include the device-side first engagement part 49a and the device-side second engagement part 49b as the device-side engagement parts <NUM> and may include the device-side third engagement part and the device-side fourth engagement part as the device-side engagement parts <NUM>, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the device-side engagement parts <NUM> can be increased.

Note that the first tape cartridge 101a may include only the cartridge-side first engagement part 124a and the cartridge-side second engagement part 124b among the four cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM> for the tape printing device <NUM> including the device-side first engagement part 49a and the device-side second engagement part 49b. Further, the first tape cartridge 101a may include only the cartridge-side third engagement part 124c and the cartridge-side fourth engagement part 124d among the four cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM> for the tape printing device <NUM> including the device-side third engagement part and the device-side fourth engagement part.

The number of the device-side engagement parts <NUM> is not limited to two but may be one or three or more. The number of the cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM> is not limited to four. For example, when the number of the device-side engagement parts <NUM> is two, the number of the cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM> may be two or more. In addition, the number of the cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM> may be one if one cartridge-side engagement part <NUM> engages the two device-side engagement parts <NUM>.

The tape cartridge <NUM> may include an attachment installation part instead of the seat concave part <NUM> having the cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM>, and an attachment provided with the seat concave part <NUM> having the cartridge-side engagement parts <NUM> may be detachably installed in the attachment installation part. According to the configuration, the attachment is installed in the attachment installation part of the tape cartridge <NUM> to function as an adjustment unit for engaging the device-side engagement part <NUM>. At this time, a cartridge system including the tape cartridge <NUM> and the attachment installed in the attachment installation part of the tape cartridge <NUM> may be installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM>. Alternatively, after the attachment is installed in the core convex part <NUM> of the tape printing device <NUM> in advance, the tape cartridge <NUM> may be installed in the cartridge installation part <NUM> as an embodiment. Further, the attachment may be provided with, for example, a flange part on the back side in the installation direction and have such a shape as to complement a part of the wall part of the first cartridge case <NUM>.

In the cartridge installation part <NUM>, the tape cartridge <NUM> and the ribbon cartridge <NUM> may not be necessarily alternatively installed but only the tape cartridge <NUM> may be installed. Further, the above embodiment and the modified examples may be combined together.

Hereinafter, a cartridge and a tape printing device will be supplementally noted.

A cartridge to be installed in a tape printing device including a cartridge installation part in which the cartridge including a winding core by which an ink ribbon is wound up is installed, a winding rotation element that engages the winding core when the cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation part, a core convex part that is provided in the cartridge installation part and protrudes to a front side in an installation direction of the cartridge, a device-side engagement part that is provided on a back side in the installation direction with respect to an opening part provided on the core convex part, and a torque switching mechanism that has a switching operation element provided with the device-side engagement part and changes a state thereof between a first state in which a torque to be transmitted to the winding rotation element is set at a first torque and a second state in which the torque is set at a second torque smaller than the first torque, the cartridge including: a cartridge case that constitutes an outer shell of the cartridge and accommodates a printing tape, a tape core on which the printing tape is wound, the ink ribbon, and the winding core; a core concave part that is provided on the cartridge case and into which the core convex part is inserted from the back side in the installation direction when the cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation part; and a cartridge-side engagement part that engages the device-side engagement part when the core convex part is inserted into the core concave part to change the state of the torque switching mechanism from the second state to the first state or from the first state to the second state.

According to the configuration, the cartridge-side engagement part engages the device-side engagement part when the cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation part, whereby the torque switching mechanism changes the state thereof from the second state to the first state or from the first state to the second state. Thus, the torque to be transmitted to the winding rotation element is switched from the second torque to the first torque or from the first torque to the second torque. Accordingly, since the winding rotation element is not required to have a double-cylinder structure, the diameter of a winding core can be reduced and the cartridge can be miniaturized.

In this case, the tape printing device preferably includes a device-side first engagement part and a device-side second engagement part as the device-side engagement part, the cartridge preferably includes a cartridge-side first engagement part provided corresponding to the device-side first engagement part and a cartridge-side second engagement part provided corresponding to the device-side second engagement part as the cartridge-side engagement part, and the cartridge-side first engagement part and the cartridge-side second engagement part are preferably provided in point symmetry with respect to a center of the core concave part when seen from the installation direction.

According to the configuration, the cartridge and the torque switching mechanism do not engage with each other only at one spot but engage with each other at two spots, that is, the spot between the cartridge-side first engagement part and the device-side first engagement part and the spot between the cartridge-side second engagement part and the device-side second engagement part. In addition, the two engagement spots are arranged in point symmetry with respect to the center of the core concave part. Therefore, a load by the engagement acts on the cartridge in a balanced manner, the cartridge is prevented from being inclined with respect to the cartridge installation part, and the traveling of the printing tape and the ink ribbon can be improved.

In this case, the tape printing device of another type preferably includes a device-side third engagement part and a device-side fourth engagement part as the device-side engagement part, the cartridge preferably includes the cartridge-side first engagement part, the cartridge-side second engagement part, a cartridge-side third engagement part provided corresponding to the device-side third engagement part, and a cartridge-side fourth engagement part provided corresponding to the device-side fourth engagement part as the cartridge-side engagement part, and the cartridge-side third engagement part and the cartridge-side fourth engagement part are preferably provided in point symmetry with respect to the center of the core concave part when seen from the installation direction.

According to the configuration, the cartridge can also comply with the tape printing device including the device-side first engagement part and the device-side second engagement part and can also comply with the tape printing device including the device-side third engagement part and the device-side fourth engagement part. Accordingly, since the tape printing device may include the device-side first engagement part and the device-side second engagement part as the device-side engagement part and may include the device-side third engagement part and the device-side fourth engagement part as the device-side engagement part, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the device-side engagement part can be increased.

In this case, the cartridge-side engagement part is preferably provided on an inner peripheral surface of the core concave part.

According to the configuration, the breakage of the cartridge-side engagement part can be prevented even when the cartridge drops.

In this case, the cartridge-side engagement part is preferably provided at an edge part of the core concave part and partially overlaps the core concave part when seen from the installation direction.

According to the configuration, the cartridge-side engagement part provided outside the core concave part can be caused to engage the device-side engagement part.

A tape printing device including: a cartridge installation part in which a first cartridge and a second cartridge each having a different width of an ink ribbon are to be alternatively installed, the first cartridge and the second cartridge including a printing tape, a tape core on which the printing tape is wound, the ink ribbon, a winding core by which the ink ribbon is wound up, a cartridge case in which the printing tape, the tape core, the ink ribbon, and the winding core are accommodated, and a core concave part that is provided on the cartridge case; a winding rotation element that engages the winding core when the cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation part; a stepped cylindrical core convex part that is provided in the cartridge installation part and inserted into the core concave part from a back side in an installation direction of the cartridge when the cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation part; a device-side engagement part that is provided on the back side in the installation direction with respect to an opening part provided on the core convex part; and a torque switching mechanism that has a switching operation element provided with the device-side engagement part and changes a state thereof between a first state in which a torque to be transmitted to the winding rotation element is set at a first torque and a second state in which the torque is set at a second torque smaller than the first torque, wherein one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge has a cartridge-side engagement part that engages the device-side engagement part when the cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation part, and the torque switching mechanism changes the state thereof from the second state to the first state or from the first state to the second state by engagement between the cartridge-side engagement part and the device-side engagement part when the cartridge including the cartridge-side engagement part among the first cartridge and the second cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation part.

In this case, one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge preferably includes a cartridge-side first engagement part and a cartridge-side second engagement part as the cartridge-side engagement part, the tape printing device preferably includes a device-side first engagement part provided corresponding to the cartridge-side first engagement part and a device-side second engagement part provided corresponding to the cartridge-side second engagement part as the device-side engagement part, and the device-side first engagement part and the device-side second engagement part are preferably provided in point symmetry with respect to a center of the core convex part when seen from the installation direction in a state in which the cartridge is not installed.

According to the configuration, the cartridge and the torque switching mechanism do not engage with each other only at one spot but engage with each other at two spots, that is, the spot between the cartridge-side first engagement part and the device-side first engagement part and the spot between the cartridge-side second engagement part and the device-side second engagement part. In addition, the two engagement spots are arranged in point symmetry with respect to the center of the core convex part. Therefore, a load by the engagement acts on the cartridge in a balanced manner, the cartridge is prevented from being inclined with respect to the cartridge installation part, and the traveling of the printing tape and the ink ribbon can be improved.

In this case, the torque switching mechanism preferably has a first winding gear that is provided to be coaxial with the winding rotation element and rotates the winding rotation element, a second winding gear that is provided to be coaxial with the winding rotation element, receives rotation of a feeding motor in both the first state and the second state, and rotates the winding rotation element via the first winding gear, a first torque limiter that limits a torque to be transmitted from the first winding gear to the winding rotation element to the first torque, a second torque limiter that limits a torque to be transmitted from the second winding gear to the first winding gear to the second torque, and a movable gear that is configured to be capable of engaging and disengaging from the first winding gear, and the switching operation element preferably causes the movable gear to mesh with the first winding gear when the cartridge-side engagement part engages the device-side engagement part and preferably causes the movable gear to separate from the first winding gear when the cartridge-side engagement part disengages from the device-side engagement part.

According to the configuration, the cartridge-side engagement part engages the device-side engagement part and movable gear meshes with the first winding gear, whereby the torque switching mechanism changes the state thereof to a state in which the rotation of the feeding motor is input to the first winding gear via the movable gear, that is, the first state. On the other hand, the cartridge-side engagement part disengages from the device-side engagement part and the movable gear disengages from the first winding gear, whereby the torque switching mechanism changes the state thereof to a state in which the rotation of the feeding motor is input to the first winding gear via the second winding gear, that is, the second state.

In this case, the torque switching mechanism preferably has a gear support part that is configured to be rotatable so that the rotatably-supported movable gear contacts and separates from the first winding gear, the switching operation element preferably has a first switching operation element that is provided with the device-side first engagement part, allows the gear support part to rotate in a direction in which the movable gear comes close to the first winding gear when the device-side first engagement part engages the cartridge-side first engagement part, and prevents the gear support part from rotating in a direction in which the movable gear comes close to the first winding gear when the device-side first engagement part disengages from the cartridge-side first engagement part, and a second switching operation element that is provided with the device-side second engagement part and causes the gear support part to rotate in the direction in which the movable gear comes close to the first winding gear when the device-side second engagement part engages the cartridge-side second engagement part.

According to the configuration, the gear support part rotates in the direction in which the movable gear comes close to the first winding gear when the cartridge-side first engagement part and the cartridge-side second engagement part engage the device-side first engagement part and the device-side second engagement part, respectively, whereby the torque switching mechanism changes the state thereof to the first state. On the other hand, the gear support part rotates in a direction in which the movable gear separates from the first winding gear when the cartridge-side first engagement part and the cartridge-side second engagement part disengage from the device-side first engagement part and the device-side second engagement part, respectively, whereby the torque switching mechanism changes the state thereof to the second state.

In this case, the gear support part preferably has a first-operation-element-side support member that is rotatably provided and rotatably supports the movable gear, a second-operation-element-side support member that is rotatably provided and engages the second switching operation element, and an elastic member that elastically connects the first-operation-element-side support member and the second-operation-element-side support member to each other.

Claim 1:
Use of a cartridge (<NUM>) to be installed in a tape printing device (<NUM>) including a cartridge installation part (<NUM>) in which the cartridge including a winding core (<NUM>) by which an ink ribbon (<NUM>) is wound up is installed, a winding rotation element (<NUM>) configured to engage the winding core when the cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation part, a core convex part (<NUM>) that is provided in the cartridge installation part and protrudes to a front side in an installation direction (Z) of the cartridge, a device-side engagement part (<NUM>) that is provided on a back side in the installation direction with respect to an opening part (<NUM>) provided on the core convex part, and a torque switching mechanism (<NUM>) that has a switching operation element (<NUM>) provided with the device-side engagement part (<NUM>) and is configured to change a state thereof between a first state in which a torque to be transmitted to the winding rotation element (<NUM>) is set at a first torque and a second state in which the torque is set at a second torque smaller than the first torque, the cartridge (<NUM>) comprising:
a cartridge case (<NUM>) that constitutes an outer shell of the cartridge and accommodates a printing tape (<NUM>), a tape core (<NUM>) on which the printing tape is wound, the ink ribbon (<NUM>), and the winding core (<NUM>);
a core concave part (<NUM>) that is provided on the cartridge case and into which the core convex part (<NUM>) can be inserted from the back side in the installation direction when the cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation part; and
a cartridge-side engagement part (<NUM>) configured to engage the device-side engagement part (<NUM>) when the core convex part (<NUM>) is inserted into the core concave part (<NUM>) to change the state of the torque switching mechanism from the second state to the first state or from the first state to the second state, the use comprising:
installing the cartridge (<NUM>) in the cartridge installation part (<NUM>) such that the cartridge-side engagement part (<NUM>) engages the device-side engagement part (<NUM>) to change the state of the torque switching mechanism (<NUM>) from the second state to the first state or from the first state to the second state.