JP2016034714A - Type detecting device and tape printing device having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

Many detection parts can be read with a simple configuration. A type detection device for detecting type information of a tape cartridge C in which a plurality of detected portions 53 indicating type information are formed on the front side surface in a vertical direction, facing the front side surface, In the left-right direction, a type detection unit 76 disposed at a position corresponding to the plurality of detected parts 53, and moving units 61, 62, 72, 73 that move the type detection unit 76 in the vertical direction are provided. . [Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a type detecting device for detecting the type information of a tape cartridge in which a plurality of detected portions indicating type information are formed, and a tape printer provided with the type detecting device.

  Conventionally, as this type of tape printing apparatus, a cassette mounting portion for mounting a tape cassette having a plurality of detected portions (identification portions) formed on the side surface, and a thermal head mounted on the front side of the cassette mounting portion are mounted. A head holder, a platen holder that is pivotally supported on the front side of the head holder and mounted with a platen roller, and an arm detector provided on the cassette facing surface of the platen holder are known. (See Patent Document 1). The arm detection unit has a plurality of push-type detection switches provided corresponding to the plurality of detection target units. On the other hand, each detected portion is a hole or a non-hole, and the plurality of detected portions are each a combination pattern of whether each detected portion is a hole or a non-hole, The type information of the tape stored in the tape cassette is shown. In this tape printer, when the platen holder swings to the tape cassette side with the tape cassette mounted, each detection switch detects whether each detected part is a hole or a non-hole. Is done. Based on this detection result, the type information is detected.

JP 2012-158175 A

By the way, in this kind of tape printer, there is a demand to increase the number of detected parts formed in the tape cassette and increase the types of detection.
However, in the conventional tape printing apparatus, since it is necessary to provide the same number of detection switches as the number of detected parts, it is necessary to increase the number of detection switches as the number of detected parts increases. There was a problem of becoming complicated.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a type detection device that can read a large number of detected parts with a simple configuration, and a tape printer provided with the type detection device.

  The type detection device of the present invention is a type detection device for detecting type information of a tape cartridge in which a plurality of detected parts indicating type information are formed side by side on a predetermined surface, facing the predetermined surface, A detection unit disposed at a position corresponding to the plurality of detection units in a crossing direction intersecting with the arrangement direction of the plurality of detection units, and a moving unit that moves the detection unit in the arrangement direction. It is characterized by.

  According to this configuration, since the detection unit is moved in the arrangement direction of the plurality of detection units and the plurality of detection units are scanned by one detection unit, the detection unit includes a plurality of detection units. Can be read. That is, it is not necessary to provide the same number of detection units as the number of detected units. Therefore, many detection parts can be read with a simple configuration. As a result, many types can be detected with a simple configuration.

  In this case, the apparatus further includes a cartridge mounting portion for mounting the tape cartridge and an opening / closing lid for opening / closing the cartridge mounting portion, and the moving portion is detected by using the force for engaging the opening / closing lid and opening / closing the opening / closing lid. It is preferable to move the parts in the arrangement direction.

  In this case, the moving unit engages with the protrusion provided on the opening / closing lid, supports the rotation lever that rotates as the opening / closing lid opens and closes, the detection unit, engages with the rotation lever, and rotates. It is preferable to have a holder that moves in the alignment direction as the moving lever rotates.

  According to these structures, since it is the structure which moves a detection part using the force which opens and closes an opening-and-closing lid, it is not necessary for a moving part to have power sources, such as a motor. Therefore, a moving part can be made into a simple structure.

  On the other hand, on a predetermined surface of the tape cartridge, a plurality of detected portion rows including a plurality of detected portions are formed side by side in the intersecting direction, and a plurality of detecting portions are provided corresponding to the plurality of detected portion rows. The moving unit preferably moves the plurality of detecting units in the arrangement direction.

  According to this configuration, a larger number of detected parts can be read.

  Further, the predetermined surface of the tape cartridge includes a plurality of reference portions that indicate positions of the detected portions in the plurality of detected portions in the arrangement direction, and further includes a reference detection portion that detects the plurality of reference portions. The moving unit preferably moves the reference detection unit in the alignment direction together with the detection unit.

  According to this configuration, the plurality of reference units and the reference detection unit function as a linear scale and a linear encoder (timing detection unit) in scanning of the detection unit. Therefore, even if the detection unit does not move at a constant speed, a plurality of detection target units can be read with high accuracy. Therefore, the type information can be detected with high accuracy.

  In this case, it is preferable that each detected portion indicates bit information based on the presence / absence of a hole, a concave portion, or a convex portion, and the detection portion is a contact type sensor that detects the presence / absence of a hole, a concave portion, or a convex portion.

  In this case, it is preferable that the shape of the hole, the concave portion, or the convex portion is a square or a circle.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a detection part is either one of a push type switch and a lever type switch.

  According to these configurations, reading of each detected portion can be performed at low cost and with high accuracy.

  On the other hand, the type information preferably includes at least one of color information, width information and cut characteristic information of the printing tape accommodated in the tape cartridge, and color information of the ink ribbon accommodated in the tape cartridge.

  According to this configuration, since the type information to be detected includes information on the print tape and the ink ribbon accommodated in the tape cartridge, printing using the tape cartridge can be performed satisfactorily.

  A tape printer according to the present invention includes the above-described type detection device.

  According to this configuration, by using a type detection device that can detect many types with a simple configuration, it is possible to provide a highly convenient tape printer with a simple configuration.

1 is an external perspective view showing a tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the external appearance perspective view which showed the tape printer of the open state. It is the front view (a) which showed the classification identification part of the tape cartridge, and the AA 'sectional view (b). (A) is a perspective view showing the lid urging mechanism and the type detection mechanism, and (b) is a perspective view showing only the lid urging mechanism and the type detection mechanism. (A) is the top view which showed the classification detection unit, (b) is the side view which showed the classification detection unit. It is the front view which showed the positional relationship of a classification identification part and a classification detection unit. It is the block diagram which showed the control structure of the tape printer. It is explanatory drawing which showed the classification detection operation.

  Hereinafter, a type detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a tape printer provided with the same will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a tape printer to which the type detection device of the present invention is applied is exemplified. This tape printer performs printing while paying out a printing tape from a mounted tape cartridge, cuts a printed portion of the printing tape, and creates a label (tape piece). In particular, this tape printer has a configuration that can read a large number of detected parts formed on the tape cartridge with a simple configuration and can detect the type of the tape cartridge with a simple configuration. Yes.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tape printer 1 has an outer shell formed by a device case 11 fixed to a device frame (not shown), and various keys are provided on the upper surface of the front half of the device case 11. A keyboard 12 is provided. A rectangular display 13 for displaying an input result from the keyboard 12 and the like is disposed on the upper surface of the central portion of the device case 11. Further, an opening / closing lid 14 is widely provided on the upper left surface of the rear half of the device case 11, and a finger hooking portion 15 for opening the opening / closing lid 14 is formed in a recessed manner on the front side of the opening / closing lid 14.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the opening / closing lid 14 is rotatably attached to the apparatus frame via a hinge portion 16 provided on the rear side, that is, is attached to be openable / closable. The opening / closing lid 14 has an opening / closing lid body 17 and a viewing window 18 provided at the center of the opening / closing lid body 17. The opening / closing lid 14 has a rib-like protrusion (protrusion) 19 protruding from the inner surface (lower surface) of the opening / closing lid body 17. Although details will be described later, the rib-shaped protrusion 19 is engaged with a lid urging mechanism 37 described later.

  A cartridge mounting portion 21 for mounting the tape cartridge C is recessed inside the opening / closing lid 14, and the tape cartridge C is detachably mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 21 with the opening / closing lid 14 opened. . That is, the opening / closing lid 14 opens and closes the opening of the cartridge mounting portion 21. Further, the tape cartridge C mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 21 can be viewed through the viewing window 18.

  A tape discharge port 22 connected to the cartridge mounting portion 21 is formed on the left side of the apparatus case 11, and a tape discharge path 23 is formed between the cartridge mounting portion 21 and the tape discharge port 22. A tape cutter 24 is built in the device case 11 so as to face the tape discharge path 23.

  The cartridge mounting portion 21 includes a head unit 33 in which a thermal type print head 32 is built in a head cover 31, a platen drive shaft 34 that faces the print head 32, and a take-up drive shaft 35 that winds an ink ribbon R described later. And a positioning projection 36 of the tape reel 41 to be described later are disposed. A lid biasing mechanism 37 that engages with the rib-shaped protrusion 19 and biases the opening / closing lid 14 to rotate is disposed on the right side of the cartridge mounting portion 21. Further, a type detection mechanism 38 that detects type information of the tape cartridge C is disposed on the front side of the cartridge mounting portion 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the lid urging mechanism 37 and the type detection mechanism 38 are disposed inside the apparatus case 11. The rib-shaped protrusion 19 of the opening / closing lid 14 is configured to reach the lid urging mechanism 37 from the through opening 11 a provided in the device case 11. Details of the lid urging mechanism 37 and the type detection mechanism 38 will be described later.

  Further, the platen drive shaft 34 and the take-up drive shaft 35 penetrate the bottom plate 39 of the cartridge mounting portion 21. In the lower space of the bottom plate 39, a tape feed motor 91 (see FIG. 7) for driving the platen drive shaft 34 and the take-up drive shaft 35 and the power of the tape feed motor 91 are supplied to the platen drive shaft 34 and the take-up drive. A feed power transmission mechanism (not shown) for transmitting to the shaft 35 is incorporated. In addition, a circuit board constituting a control unit 92 (see FIG. 7) for controlling the tape feed motor 91 and the like is mounted inside the apparatus case 11. The “type detection device” includes the opening / closing lid 14, the cartridge mounting unit 21, the lid urging mechanism 37, the type detection mechanism 38, and the control unit 92.

  On the other hand, the tape cartridge C is opposed to the tape reel 41 around which the printing tape T is wound, the ribbon reel 42 around which the ink ribbon R is wound, the ribbon take-up reel 43 around which the ink ribbon R is wound, and the print head 32. And a platen roller 44. The tape cartridge C includes an upper case 45a and a lower case 45b. The tape cartridge C includes a cartridge case 45 that accommodates them, and a head opening 46 that is formed through the cartridge case 45 and passes through the head unit 33. Yes. A plurality of types of tape cartridges C having different colors, widths, ink ribbons R, and the like of the printing tape T are prepared. Further, on the front side surface (lower case 45b portion) of the cartridge case 45, a type identifying unit 47 having a plurality of detected portions 53 (see FIG. 3) indicating the type information is formed. The type information is detected by reading the type identification unit 47 by the type detection mechanism 38. Details of the type identifying unit 47 will be described later.

  When the tape cartridge C is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 21, the head opening 46 is formed in the head cover 31, the center hole of the tape reel 41 is positioned in the positioning projection 36, and the center hole of the platen roller 44 is driven in the platen drive shaft 34. The center hole of the ribbon take-up reel 43 is inserted into the shaft 35. The printing tape T is fed out from the tape reel 41 and the ink ribbon R is fed out from the ribbon reel 42. Then, after the print tape T and the ink ribbon R overlap each other at the position of the head opening 46, the print tape T is fed out to the tape discharge path 23, and the ink ribbon R is taken up by the ribbon take-up reel 43. . In a portion where the printing tape T and the ink ribbon R run side by side, the platen roller 44 and the print head 32 face so as to sandwich them, and so-called printing feeding (tape feeding and printing processing) is performed. A printed part of the printing tape T by this printing feed is fed out to the tape discharge path 23 and cut by the tape cutter 24, whereby a label is created.

  Here, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, the type identifying unit 47, the lid urging mechanism 37, and the type detecting mechanism 38 of the tape cartridge C will be described. First, the type identifying unit 47 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the type identifying unit 47 includes the left three rows of detected portion rows 51 and the right one row of reference formed on the front side surface (predetermined surface) of the cartridge case 45 (lower case 45b). And a partial row 52. The three detected portion rows 51 and the one reference portion row 52 are formed side by side in the left-right direction.

  Each detected portion row 51 includes three detected portions 53 in which through holes (hole portions) 54 are selectively formed, arranged in the vertical direction. In other words, the vertical direction is the direction in which the three detected portions 53 are arranged in the detected portion row 51, and three rows of detected portions are arranged in an orthogonal direction (crossing direction) (left-right direction) orthogonal to the arrangement direction. Rows 51 are formed side by side. Each detected portion 53 indicates 1-bit bit information depending on the presence or absence of the through hole 54. In other words, the three detected portion rows 51 have nine detected portions 53 in total, and 512 (2 9) depending on the combination of the presence or absence of the through holes 54 of the nine detected portions 53. The bit pattern of the pattern is shown. Each bit pattern corresponds to the type information of the tape cartridge C, and the type information can be detected by reading the bit pattern.

  The type information indicated by the bit pattern includes information on the print tape T and the ink ribbon R accommodated in the tape cartridge C. Specifically, tape color information (color information of the printing tape T), tape width information (width information of the printing tape T), cut characteristic information, and ribbon color information (color information of the ink ribbon R) are included. The tape color information is information relating to the color (ground color) of the printing surface of the printing tape T. The tape width information is information related to the width of the printing tape T. The cut characteristic information is information indicating the cut characteristic, that is, the suitability of cutting the printing tape T. The ribbon color information is information relating to the color of the ink ribbon R.

  In addition to the above information, the type information includes, for example, tape gloss information, tape pattern information, tape initial length information, tape material information, tape thickness information, ribbon initial length information, media classification information, and the like. It may be a configuration. The tape gloss information is information relating to the gloss of the printing surface of the printing tape T. The tape pattern information is information related to the pattern (ground pattern, picture, etc.) of the printing surface of the printing tape T. The tape initial length information is information regarding the tape initial length (tape length in an unused state) of the printing tape T. The tape material information is information regarding the material of the printing tape T. The tape thickness information is information related to the thickness of the printing tape T. The ribbon initial length information is information related to the initial ribbon length of the ink ribbon R (the ribbon length in an unused state). The media classification information is information relating to the classification of the printing tape T, such as whether the printing tape T has release paper or whether the printing tape T is a die-cut label tape.

  The type information may include printing speed information and printing energy information. The print speed information is information relating to the optimum print speed (print feed speed) for the print tape T. The print energy information is information relating to the optimum print energy for the print tape T (specifically, the drive voltage applied to the print head 32).

  Returning to the description of the detected part row 51, as shown in FIG. 3A, in the three detected part rows 51, all of the upper detected parts 53, all of the middle detected parts 53, and lower detected parts. All the portions 53 are formed at the same height. As a result, the nine detected portions 53 across the three detected portion rows 51 are arranged in a matrix in the vertical and horizontal directions.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the through hole 54 formed in the detected portion 53 is formed in a rectangular shape with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction. The upper and lower edges of the through hole 54 are chamfered. This prevents a lever contact 79 (described later) of the type detection mechanism 38 from being caught by the edge of the through hole 54.

  On the other hand, in the reference portion row 52, three reference portions 56 each having a through hole 54 are arranged in the vertical direction. Each reference portion 56 indicates the vertical position (height position) of each detected portion 53 in the detected portion row 51, and the upper reference portion 56 corresponds to the upper portion of each detected portion row 51. The middle reference portion 56 is formed at the same height as the detection unit 53, and the middle reference unit 56 is formed at the same height as the middle detection unit 53 of each detection target row 51, and the lower reference unit 56 is each detection unit. It is formed at the same height as the detected portion 53 in the lower stage of the row 51. Further, the through hole 54 formed in the reference portion 56 is the same as the through hole 54 formed in the detected portion 53. The reference portion row 52 functions as a linear scale when reading each detected portion row 51.

  Next, the lid urging mechanism 37 and the type detection mechanism 38 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing around the lid urging mechanism 37 and the type detection mechanism 38, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing only the lid urging mechanism 37 and the type detection mechanism 38. is there. For convenience of explanation, in FIG. 4A, the holder cover 74 is shown in a transparent manner, and in FIG. 4B, the holder cover 74 is omitted. As shown in FIG. 4, the lid urging mechanism 37 has a substantially triangular lever member 61 that is rotatably supported around an axis parallel to the hinge portion 16, and is fixed to the left side of the lever member 61. A fan-shaped gear member 62 that rotates together with 61 and an urging spring (not shown) that urges the lever member 61 to rotate are provided. A “rotating lever” that engages with the rib-shaped protrusion 19 and rotates as the opening / closing lid 14 opens and closes is constituted by a lever member 61 and a sector gear member 62.

  The lever member 61 is formed in a substantially right-angled triangle in a side view with the top at a right angle, and is attached to the apparatus frame at the top so as to be rotatable. Further, the lower corner portion (front side) of the lever member 61 is formed so as to slightly protrude and a spring hooking hole 63 is formed. Further, the rear corner portion of the lever member 61 is chamfered in a round shape, and is engaged with the rib-shaped protrusion 19 at the round portion 64. When the user closes the opening / closing lid 14, the rib-shaped protrusion 19 comes into contact with the upper surface 65 and the rounded portion 64 of the lever member 61 and pushes down the rounded portion 64. As a result, the lever member 61 is rotated clockwise as viewed from the right side.

  On the other hand, one end of the biasing spring is latched to the spring hooking hole 63 of the lever member 61, and biases the lower corner of the lever member 61 rearward. As a result, the lever member 61 is urged to rotate counterclockwise as viewed from the right side. Strictly speaking, the other end of the urging spring is fixed to the tail end of a head rotation lever (not shown) that rotates (presses) the print head 32 toward the platen roller 44. The lower corner portion of the lever member 61 is urged rearward through an urging spring so as to be pulled by the tail end.

  As a result, when the user closes the opening / closing lid 14, the lever member 61 is pressed through the rib-shaped protrusion 19 by the force of closing the opening / closing lid 14, and the lever member 61 rotates clockwise. When the user opens the opening / closing lid 14, the lever member 61 is rotated counterclockwise by the biasing spring. On the other hand, in a state where the opening / closing lid 14 is closed beyond the predetermined closing side rotation position by the cooperation of the lever member 61 and the rib-shaped protrusion 19, a part of the biasing force of the biasing spring is applied to the opening / closing lid 14. Acts as a biasing force that biases the closing lid 14 in the closing direction, and biases the opening / closing lid 14 in the closing direction. Further, in a state where the opening / closing lid 14 is opened beyond the predetermined closing side rotation position by the cooperation of the lever member 61 and the rib-shaped protrusion 19, a part of the biasing force of the biasing spring is applied to the opening / closing lid 14. Acts as a biasing force that biases the opening / closing lid 14 in the opening direction, and biases the opening / closing lid 14 in the opening direction. Since the lever member 61 is connected to the head rotation lever by an urging spring, it also plays a role of bringing the print head 32 into and out of contact with the platen roller 44 as the opening / closing lid 14 is opened / closed.

  The sector gear member 62 is fixed to the lever member 61 and rotates together with the lever member 61. That is, the lever member 61 rotates together with opening / closing of the opening / closing lid 14. On the other hand, the tooth portion of the sector gear member 62 is engaged with the type detection mechanism 38 (unit holder 72). Although details will be described later, the type detection unit 71 (described later) of the type detection mechanism 38 moves in the vertical direction as the lever member 61 and the fan-shaped gear member 62 rotate as the opening / closing lid 14 opens and closes. It has become.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the type detection mechanism 38 is disposed outside the front side wall of the cartridge mounting portion 21. The type detection mechanism 38 includes a type detection unit 71, a unit holder (holder) 72 that supports the type detection unit 71, and a pair of left and right holder rails 73 that are formed on the front side wall and support the unit holder 72 so as to be movable up and down. And a holder cover 74 that is attached to the front surface of the unit holder 72 and prevents the unit holder 72 from floating from the pair of holder rails 73. The type detection unit 71 faces the type identification unit 47 of the mounted tape cartridge C through the opening 21a formed in the front side wall. The “moving part” that moves the type detection unit 71 in the vertical direction includes a unit holder 72, a pair of holder rails 73, a lever member 61, and a sector gear member 62.

  The unit holder 72 includes a rectangular plate-like support plate portion 81 that supports the rear surface (front surface) of the type detection unit 71, a gear forming portion 82 that extends upward from the right end of the support plate portion 81, and a rear side from the support plate portion 81. And a pair of rib-like portions 83 that respectively engage with the pair of holder rails 73. The unit holder 72 is supported by the pair of holder rails 73 so as to be movable up and down by engaging a pair of rib-like portions 83 with the pair of holder rails 73.

  On the other hand, the gear forming portion 82 has a rack-like gear portion 82 a that meshes with the sector gear member 62. That is, the gear portion 82a and the sector gear member 62 have a rack and pinion structure. As a result, when the sector gear member 62 is rotated, the unit holder 72 is moved in the vertical direction by the gear portion 82a meshing with the sector gear member 62. Specifically, when the sector gear member 62 rotates clockwise, it is guided by the pair of holder rails 73, the unit holder 72 moves upward, and when the sector gear member 62 rotates counterclockwise, Guided by the pair of holder rails 73, the unit holder 72 moves downward.

  By the vertical movement of the unit holder 72, the type detection unit 71 supported by the unit holder 72 can be moved in the vertical direction. As described above, the lever member 61 and the fan-shaped gear member 62 engage with the rib-shaped protrusion 19 of the opening / closing lid 14 and rotate clockwise in response to a force for closing the opening / closing lid 14. For this reason, the type detection unit 71 can be moved upward by using the force for closing the opening / closing lid 14 as the opening / closing lid 14 is closed.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the type detection unit 71 is provided corresponding to the three type detection sensors (detection units) 76 provided corresponding to the three detected portion rows 51 and the reference portion row 52. A reference detection sensor (reference detection unit) 77 and a sensor housing 78 that houses these four sensors 76 and 77 are provided. Each of the three type detection sensors 76 and the one reference detection sensor 77 is composed of a double swing lever type switch (contact type sensor) that faces the front side surface of the cartridge case 45, and is a lever that is a detection contact. A contact 79 is provided. The lever contact 79 is configured to freely rotate (swing) in the vertical direction, and contacts the detection target and rotates upward or downward.

  In the lever type switch, the lever contact 79 is rotated upward (“up” state), the lever contact 79 is rotated downward (“down” state), or the lever contact 79 is initially set. It is configured to be able to detect three modes: position (“middle” state). When the lever-type switch faces the through hole 54, the lever contact 79 enters the through hole 54 and enters the "medium" state. On the other hand, when the lever-type switch faces the wall surface of the cartridge case 45, the lever contact 79 rotates to enter the “up” state or the “down” state. As a result, each type of detection sensor 76 can detect the presence or absence of the through hole 54 in the detected portion 53, and the reference detection sensor 77 can detect the reference portion 56. In the present embodiment, the type detection sensor 76 determines that the through hole 54 is “present” when the detection state is the “medium” state, and passes through when the detection state is the “down” state. The hole 54 is determined to be “none”. Thereby, the bit information indicated by the presence or absence of the through hole 54 can be read.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in the left-right direction, the three type detection sensors 76 are arranged at positions corresponding to the three detected portion rows 51, and the reference detection sensor 77 corresponds to the reference portion row 52. It is arranged at the position to do. Therefore, when the type detection unit 71 moves up and down through the unit holder 72 and the three type detection sensors 76 and the reference detection sensor 77 mounted on the type detection unit 71 move up and down, The three detected portions 53 of each corresponding detected portion row 51 face each other in order, and the three reference portions 56 of the reference portion row 52 face the reference detection sensor 77 in order.

  In this embodiment, the standby position (initial position before movement) of the type detection unit 71 is a position where the lever contact 79 of each sensor 76, 77 is below the lower end of the cartridge case 45. In this state, the type detection unit 71 is moved upward by the above movement accompanying the closing of the open / close lid 14, so that the various detection units 76 scan (read) the three detected portions 53. By the scanning, the bit pattern is read and the type information of the tape cartridge C is detected. The reference detection sensor 77 detects the three reference portions 56 with the movement and functions as a linear encoder in the scanning.

  Next, the control configuration of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the tape printer 1 includes a display 13, a keyboard 12, a print head 32, a tape feed motor 91, a tape cutter 24, a type detection unit 71, and a control unit 92 that controls them. And.

  The display 13 functions as a display unit for displaying the editing result and the print layout. The keyboard 12 functions as an input unit for the user to input information and an editing unit for editing on the editing screen.

  The print head 32 and the tape feed motor 91 function as a printing unit that performs printing on the print tape T while feeding it to the print tape T. The tape cutter 24 functions as a cutting unit that cuts a printed portion of the printing tape T.

  The control unit 92 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The control unit 92 controls the print head 32 and the tape feed motor 91 to perform a printing process on the printing tape T. Further, the control unit 92 controls the tape cutter 24 to perform the cutting process of the printing tape T. Further, the control unit 92 detects the type information of the tape cartridge C by the type detection unit 71.

  Here, the type detection operation by the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. This type detection operation is performed by the three types of detection sensors 76 scanning the three detected portions 53 in each detected portion row 51 by the upward movement of the type detection unit 71 accompanying the closing of the opening / closing lid 14 described above. . Specifically, when the type detection unit 71 is moved upward, the detection state of the three type detection sensors 76 is changed when the detection state of the reference detection sensor 77 changes from the “down” state to the “middle” state. Each detected portion 53 is read by determining the detection state. This type detection operation is executed from a state in which the tape cartridge C is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 21 and the opening / closing lid 14 is opened.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the user closes the opening / closing lid 14 and the type detection unit 71 moves upward from the standby position along with this, first the lever contacts of the sensors 76 and 77 are moved. 79 comes into contact with the lower end of the cartridge case 45, and the detection state of each sensor 76, 77 changes from the “medium” state to the “down” state (see FIGS. 8A and 8B). Thereafter, as the movement proceeds, the reference detection sensor 77 reaches the through hole 54 of the lower reference portion 56 (see FIGS. 8C and 8D). As a result, the lever contact 79 of the reference detection sensor 77 enters the through hole 54, and the detection state of the reference detection sensor 77 changes from the “down” state to the “middle” state. At this time, the control unit 92 determines the detection state of each type of detection sensor 76 using this as a trigger. As a result, the bit information of the lower detected portion 53 in each detected portion row 51 is read.

  Thereafter, as the movement proceeds, the lever contact 79 of the reference detection sensor 77 comes into contact with the upper edge of the through hole 54 and the detection state of the reference detection sensor 77 once returns from the “medium” state to the “lower” state. Thereafter, the reference detection sensor 77 reaches the through hole 54 of the reference part 56 in the middle stage (see FIGS. 8E and 8F). As a result, the lever contact 79 of the reference detection sensor 77 enters the through hole 54, and the detection state of the reference detection sensor 77 changes from the “down” state to the “middle” state. At this time, the control unit 92 determines the detection state of each type of detection sensor 76 using this as a trigger. As a result, the bit information of the detected part 53 in the middle stage in each detected part row 51 is read.

  Thereafter, when the movement further proceeds, the lever contact 79 of the reference detection sensor 77 comes into contact with the upper edge of the through hole 54, and the detection state of the reference detection sensor 77 once returns from the “medium” state to the “lower” state. After that, the reference detection sensor 77 reaches the through hole 54 of the upper reference portion 56 (see FIGS. 8G and 8H). As a result, the lever contact 79 of the reference detection sensor 77 enters the through hole 54, and the detection state of the reference detection sensor 77 changes from the “down” state to the “middle” state. At this time, the control unit 92 determines the detection state of each type of detection sensor 76 using this as a trigger. As a result, the bit information of the detected part 53 at the upper stage in each detected part row 51 is read. As a result, the bit pattern composed of the bit information of the nine detected portions 53 is read.

  When the bit pattern is read, the control unit 92 refers to the data table in which the bit pattern and the type information are associated with each other based on the read result, and detects the type information of the tape cartridge C. This ends the type detection operation. When the opening / closing lid 14 is opened in this state, the lever member 61 and the sector gear member 62 rotate counterclockwise, and the unit holder 72 connected thereto moves downward. As a result, the type detection unit 71 moves downward and returns to the standby position.

  The type information detected by this type detection operation is used for various printing controls (control of the printing speed, the heat generation temperature of the print head 32, etc.) and is displayed on the display 13, for example. Information is also provided to a host computer connected to the tape printer 1.

  According to the configuration as described above, the type detection sensor 76 is moved in the arrangement direction (vertical direction) of the three detected portions 53, and the three detected portions 53 are scanned by one type detection sensor 76. Therefore, the three detected parts 53 can be read by one type detection sensor 76. That is, it is not necessary to provide the same number of type detection sensors 76 as the number of detected parts 53. Therefore, many detection parts 53 can be read with a simple configuration. As a result, many types can be detected with a simple configuration.

  In addition, since the type detection sensor 76 is moved using the force for opening and closing the opening / closing lid 14, the moving unit that moves the type detection sensor 76 does not need to have a power source such as a motor. Therefore, a moving part can be made into a simple structure.

  Further, since the tape cartridge C is provided with the reference portion row 52 and the tape printing apparatus 1 is provided with the reference detection sensor 77, the reference portion row 52 and the reference detection sensor 77 are linear scale and linear in the scanning of the type detection sensor 76. It functions as an encoder (timing detector). For this reason, even if the type detection unit 71 does not move at a constant speed, the plurality of detected parts 53 can be accurately read. Therefore, the type information can be detected with high accuracy.

  In addition, by configuring the type detection sensor 76 as a contact sensor, each detected portion 53 can be read at low cost and with high accuracy.

  In the above embodiment, the type identifying unit 47 (the plurality of detected parts 53) is formed on the front side surface of the cartridge case 45, and the type detecting mechanism 38 is arranged on the front side wall of the cartridge case 45. However, the type identifying unit 47 may be formed on the other side surface (left and right side surfaces or rear side surface) of the cartridge case 45, and the type detecting mechanism 38 may be disposed on the corresponding side wall. As a result, the type identifying unit 47 may be formed on the lower surface of the cartridge case 45, and the type detecting mechanism 38 may be disposed on the bottom wall of the cartridge case 45.

  In the above embodiment, the arrangement direction (row direction) of the plurality of detected parts 53 in the detected part row 51 is set as the vertical direction, and the type detection unit 71 is moved in the vertical direction. It is not limited. For example, the arrangement direction may be the left-right direction, and the type detection unit 71 may be moved in the left-right direction. As a result, when the type identification unit 47 is formed on the left and right side surfaces and the lower surface of the cartridge case 45, the arrangement direction may be set as the front-rear direction, and the type detection unit 71 may be moved in the front-rear direction.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the type detection unit 71 is configured to move in the direction in which the plurality of detected portions 53 are arranged using the force that closes the opening / closing lid 14, but a drive source such as a motor is used. The type detection unit 71 may be mounted and moved in the arrangement direction of the plurality of detected parts 53.

  In the above embodiment, the lever type switch is used as the type detection sensor 76 and the reference detection sensor 77. However, a push type switch may be used.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although it was the structure which uses a contact-type sensor as the classification detection sensor 76 and the reference | standard detection sensor 77, it is not restricted to this. For example, the type detection sensor 76 and the reference detection sensor 77 may be configured to use optical sensors. In such a case, the detected portion 53 may be formed by selectively forming black or white marks.

  In addition, in the said embodiment, although it was the structure provided with the detected part row | line | column 51 in multiple rows, the structure provided only with the detected part row | line | column 51 may be sufficient. In such a case, only one type detection sensor 76 is provided correspondingly.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the detected part row 51 has three detected parts 53. However, the number of detected parts 53 in the detected part row 51 is arbitrary as long as it is two or more. It is. That is, the number of detected parts 53 in the detected part row 51 may be two, or may be four or more.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although the to-be-detected part 53 showed the bit information by the presence or absence of the through-hole 54, it is not restricted to this. For example, the configuration may be such that bit information is indicated by the presence or absence of a convex portion or a concave portion (non-through hole). Moreover, the shape of the through hole 54, the convex portion, and the concave portion is not limited to the rectangle presented in the above embodiment, and may be another square shape such as a square shape, a circular shape or an oval shape. good.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Tape printer, 14: Opening / closing lid, 21: Cartridge mounting part, 51: Detected part row | line | column, 53: Detected part, 56: Reference | standard part, 61: Lever member, 62: Fan-shaped gear member, 72: Unit holder 73: Holder rail, 76: Type detection sensor, 77: Reference detection sensor, C: Tape cartridge, R: Ink ribbon, T: Printing tape.

Claims (10)

A type detection device for detecting the type information of a tape cartridge in which a plurality of detected portions indicating type information are formed side by side on a predetermined surface,
A detection unit disposed at a position corresponding to the plurality of detection units in an intersecting direction that faces the predetermined surface and intersects an arrangement direction of the plurality of detection units;
A type detection apparatus comprising: a moving unit that moves the detection unit in the arrangement direction. A cartridge mounting portion for mounting the tape cartridge;
An open / close lid that opens and closes the cartridge mounting portion;
The type detection device according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit is engaged with the opening / closing lid and moves the detection unit in the arrangement direction using a force for opening / closing the opening / closing lid. . The moving unit is
A rotating lever that engages with a protrusion provided on the opening / closing lid and rotates in accordance with opening / closing of the opening / closing lid;
The type according to claim 2, further comprising a holder that supports the detection unit, engages with the rotation lever, and moves in the alignment direction as the rotation lever rotates. Detection device. A plurality of detected portion rows including the plurality of detected portions are formed side by side in the intersecting direction on the predetermined surface of the tape cartridge,
A plurality of the detection units are provided corresponding to the plurality of detection target columns,
The type detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit moves the plurality of detection units in the arrangement direction. On the predetermined surface of the tape cartridge, a plurality of reference portions indicating positions of the detected portions in the plurality of detected portions in the arrangement direction are formed.
A reference detection unit for detecting the plurality of reference units;
5. The type detection device according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit moves the reference detection unit together with the detection unit in the arrangement direction. 6. Each detected portion indicates bit information depending on the presence or absence of a hole, a concave portion, or a convex portion,
The type detection device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is a contact sensor that detects the presence or absence of the hole, the concave portion, or the convex portion.   The type detection device according to claim 6, wherein a shape of the hole portion, the concave portion, or the convex portion is square or circular.   The type detection device according to claim 6, wherein the detection unit is one of a push-type switch and a lever-type switch.   The type information includes at least one of color information, width information and cut characteristic information of a printing tape accommodated in the tape cartridge, and color information of an ink ribbon accommodated in the tape cartridge. The type detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.   A tape printer comprising the type detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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