JPH11129563A - Ribbon spool structure for ink ribbon cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the manufacturing cost by facilitating the manufacture of a ribbon spool for mounting a cord ring rotatably. SOLUTION: A ribbon spool 100 comprises a section 120, formed integrally therewith, for mounting a rotatable cord ring 200 independently on one end part thereof. The cord ring mounting part 120 comprises a guide receiving part 130 having outside diameter corresponding to the inside diameter of the cord ring 200, an annular groove part 140 on the forward end side, and a locking click part 150 on the forward end side formed integrally. The cord ring 200 has an inner circumferential part 210A to be fitted the guide receiving part 130, and an engaging claw part 210B projecting to the inside diameter side of the inner circumferential part 210A formed integrally. The cord ring 200 is press fitted to the cord ring mounting part 120 from the forward end side at one end part of the ribbon spool 100 and the engaging claw part 210B is engaged with the locking click part 150.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a ribbon spool structure of an ink ribbon cartridge for feeding an ink ribbon by a ribbon spool on a supply side and a winding side.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a transfer type or sublimation type printer device in which an ink ribbon is interposed between a recording paper and a printing head and the printing head generates heat to print on the recording paper using ink of the ink ribbon. Is provided. In such a printer apparatus, an ink ribbon cartridge that feeds an ink ribbon by a ribbon spool on a supply side and a winding side is used. That is, in this ink ribbon cartridge, the supply-side ribbon spool around which the ink ribbon is wound and the take-up side ribbon spool are
It is rotatably held in a cartridge.

When the ink ribbon cartridge is mounted on a cartridge mounting portion of a printer, the rotation of the ribbon spool is controlled by a drive mechanism of the printer, and the ink ribbon stretched between the ribbon spools is removed. The paper is appropriately fed between the printing head and the recording paper, and printing on the recording paper is performed by transferring or sublimating the ink.

Further, such an ink ribbon cartridge is provided with a code ring for reading information such as the type and capacity of the stored ink ribbon on the printer device side. This code ring is rotatably mounted on one end of the ribbon spool, and a code pattern such as a bar code is provided on the outer surface,
This is read by a reflective sensor or the like on the printer device side.

Further, the code ring is provided with a rack portion which engages with a gear of a drive mechanism provided on the printer device side. When the ink ribbon cartridge is mounted on the printer device, the code ring is driven by the drive mechanism. Thus, the rotation is controlled separately from the ribbon spool, and the above-described code pattern can be read. By reading such a code pattern, the contents of the ink ribbon cartridge are recognized, and after confirming that the ink ribbon cartridge is compatible, the printing operation is performed. Therefore, the code ring needs to be rotatably provided independently of the ribbon spool.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional exploded side view showing the structure of a conventional ribbon spool provided with a code ring, and FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a state where the ribbon spool shown in FIG. 5 is assembled. It is. As shown, a conventional ribbon spool 10 has a spool body 12 that is joined in an axial direction.
And a cap 14. The spool body 12 has flange portions 12B and 12C at both ends of a cylindrical portion 12A around which an ink ribbon (not shown) is wound, and a press-fitting insertion hole 12D of the cap 14 is formed at an end on the cap 14 side. ing.

On the other hand, the cap 14 is
A flange portion 14B is provided on one end side of the cylindrical portion 14A on which is mounted, and a press-fitting cylinder portion 14C that is press-fitted into the press-fitting insertion hole 12D is formed on the other end side. Then, the press-fit cylinder portion 14C
By press-fitting into the press-fitting insertion hole 12D and joining the spool body 12 and the cap 14, thereby forming the flange portions 1 of the two.
2B and 14B have a structure in which the code ring 16 is rotatably held.

[0008]

However, in the above-described conventional ribbon spool structure, since the spool body 12 and the cap 14 are separate parts, there are the following problems. First, a molding die for molding the spool body 12 and the cap 14 is required separately, which increases the investment cost. Further, an extra man-hour for press-fitting the spool body 12 and the cap 14 is required. Further, control of the fitting dimension between the spool body 12 and the cap 14 is complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a ribbon spool structure of an ink ribbon cartridge which can easily manufacture a ribbon spool having a code ring and can reduce the cost.

[0010]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a supply-side ribbon spool around which an ink ribbon is wound and a take-up side ribbon spool are rotatably held, and mounted on a cartridge mounting portion of a printer device. By controlling the rotation of each of the ribbon spools mounted thereon, the ink ribbon stretched between the respective ribbon spools is interposed between the printing head of the printer device and the recording medium to be sequentially fed. In the ribbon spool structure of an ink ribbon cartridge capable of performing printing on the recording medium by transferring or sublimating ink, each of the ribbon spools is rotatably supported by the ink ribbon cartridge at both ends. And at least one of the ribbon spools has a ribbon spool at one end. A cord ring mounting portion on which a rotatable code ring is mounted independently of the cord ring, wherein the code ring mounting portion has an outer diameter corresponding to an inner peripheral diameter of the code ring; A guide receiving portion which is slidably fitted to an inner peripheral portion of the guide, an annular groove portion provided on the distal end side of the one end portion with respect to the guide receiving portion, and having a smaller diameter than the guide receiving portion; A retaining claw portion, which is provided further to the one end portion than the groove portion and has a smaller diameter than the guide receiving portion, is integrally formed, and the cord ring fits into the guide receiving portion. An inner peripheral portion, provided on a part of the inner peripheral portion, further has an engaging claw portion that protrudes inwardly and engages with the retaining claw portion, and is disposed in the annular groove portion. Attach the code ring to one end of the ribbon spool. Pressing into the cord ring mounting portion from the end side, fitting the inner peripheral portion of the code ring to the outer periphery of the guide receiving portion, and elastically deforming the engaging claw portion of the code ring with the retaining claw portion. Then, the cord ring is rotatably mounted on the cord ring mounting portion by being fitted into the annular groove side.

[0011] In the ribbon spool structure of the ink ribbon cartridge of the present invention, the ribbon spool is integrally formed, and has a code ring mounting portion to which an independently rotatable code ring is mounted at one end. The cord ring mounting portion has a guide receiving portion having an outer diameter corresponding to the inner peripheral diameter of the cord ring, an annular groove portion further distal to the guide receiving portion, and a stopper for further stopping the distal end portion than the annular groove portion. The claw portion is formed integrally. On the other hand, the code ring is formed integrally with an inner peripheral portion that fits into the guide receiving portion and an engaging claw portion protruding toward the inner diameter side of the inner peripheral portion.

Then, the cord ring is press-fitted into the cord ring mounting portion from one end of the ribbon spool.
By fitting the inner peripheral part of the cord ring to the outer periphery of the guide receiving part, and elastically deforming the engaging claw part of the cord ring with the retaining claw part and fitting it into the annular groove part side,
The cord ring can be attached to the cord ring attachment part in a freely rotatable manner. As a result, the cord ring can be easily attached to the ribbon spool, and the ribbon spool is integrated, so that the cord ring does not need to be provided with a separate ribbon spool body and cap as in the related art, and without joining the two. It is possible to obtain the attached ribbon spool.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a ribbon spool structure of an ink ribbon cartridge according to the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional exploded side view showing a structural example of a ribbon spool provided with a code ring according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a state where the ribbon spool shown in FIG. 1 is assembled. is there. As shown, in this example, the ribbon spool 100 is integrally formed,
The cord ring 200 is mounted by press-fitting the cord ring 200 into the ribbon spool 100.

The ribbon spool 100 has flange portions 112A for guiding the ink ribbon on both sides of a cylindrical portion (mounting area) 110 around which an ink ribbon (not shown) is wound.
112B. Both end portions of the ribbon spool 100 are rotatably supported by an ink ribbon cartridge described later. At one end of the ribbon spool 100, there is provided a code ring mounting portion 120 to which the code ring 200 is mounted. This cord ring mounting section 120
, A guide receiving portion 130, an annular groove portion 140, and a retaining claw portion 150 are provided in this order from the base end side of one end to the distal end side. This cord ring mounting part 12
Reference numeral 0 is formed integrally with the ribbon spool 100 made of, for example, a synthetic resin.

The guide receiving portion 130 is provided with the ribbon spool 1.
The outer peripheral portion of the cord ring 200 is formed in a columnar shape having an outer diameter corresponding to the inner peripheral diameter of the cord ring 200. It is slidably fitted with. The annular groove 140 is provided on the tip end side of one end of the guide receiving portion 130 and has a smaller diameter than the guide receiving portion 130. The retaining claw 150 is provided at a further distal end of one end from the annular groove 140, and has a larger diameter than the annular groove 140 and a smaller diameter than the guide receiving portion 130.

On the other hand, the code ring 200 is formed, for example, by integral molding of a synthetic resin, and is provided coaxially outside the inner diameter cylindrical portion 210 with the inner diameter cylindrical portion 210 mounted on the code ring mounting portion 120. It has an outer cylindrical portion 220 and a connecting portion 230 for integrally connecting the inner cylindrical portion 210 and the outer cylindrical portion 220. Cord ring 2
The inner peripheral portion 210A of the inner diameter cylindrical portion 210 is fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the guide receiving portion 130 through an opening on the side facing the flange portion 112B.

The code ring 200 has an engaging claw 210B protruding further in the inner diameter direction than the inner peripheral portion 210A, on the opposite side of the inner peripheral portion 210A of the inner cylindrical portion 210 from the flange portion 112B. Such an engagement claw 210
B is pressed into the cord ring mounting portion 120 from one end of the ribbon spool 100 into the cord ring mounting portion 120, and is elastically deformed by hitting the retaining claw 150 of the ribbon spool 100. Fifteen
Beyond zero, it can fit into the annular groove 140.

The retaining claw 150 is formed in a tapered shape which is gradually inclined to a large diameter from the distal end to the proximal end of one end of the ribbon spool 100. Is formed in a tapered shape that is gradually inclined to a large diameter from the base end to the tip end of one end of the ribbon spool 100. With this tapered shape, the engaging claw 210B of the code ring 200 smoothly abuts on the retaining claw 150 to be deformed and easily fitted. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a structure in which the cord ring 200 can be easily mounted and hardly comes off. The cord ring 200 attached to the cord ring attachment portion 120 has an inner peripheral portion 210A and an engagement claw portion 2.
10B is the guide receiving portion 1 of the cord ring mounting portion 120
It is guided by the hook 30 and the retaining claw 150, and can be rotated independently of the ribbon spool 100.

The outer diameter cylindrical portion 2 of the cord ring 200
Reference numeral 20 is provided on its outer peripheral surface with a code pattern representing information on the ink ribbon cartridge, for example, information such as the type and capacity of the ink ribbon. And
This code pattern is read by a reflection type sensor or the like on the printer device side. The outer diameter cylindrical portion 220 of the code ring 200 is provided with a rack portion (not shown) that engages with a gear of a drive mechanism provided on the printer device side, and the ink ribbon cartridge is mounted on the printer device. At this time, the code ring 200 is rotationally controlled by the drive mechanism separately from the ribbon spool 100, so that the above-described code pattern can be read. Then, by reading such a code pattern, the contents of the ink ribbon cartridge are recognized, and after confirming that the ink ribbon cartridge is compatible, the printing operation is performed.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are front views showing examples of the shape of the engaging claw 210B of the cord ring 200 described above. When the engaging claw 210B is formed in a completely continuous annular shape, it is difficult to easily bend the hitting claw 150 as described above. Therefore, a notch or a slit is provided in a part of the engaging claw 210B so as to be easily bent. FIG. 3 (A)
FIG. 3B is a diagram in which notched grooves 210C are formed at equal intervals in the engagement claw 210B, and FIG.
10B, slits 210D are formed at regular intervals. Further, FIG. 3 (C) shows an arrangement in which intermittent engaging claw portions 210E are provided at equal intervals.

The ribbon spool 100 configured as described above
Then, the code ring 200 is press-fitted into the code ring mounting portion 120 from the tip end of one end of the ribbon spool 100 so that the inner peripheral portion 210A of the code ring 200 is fitted to the outer periphery of the guide receiving portion 130, and 2
00 by elastically deforming the engaging claw 210B with the retaining claw 150 and fitting it into the annular groove 140 side.
The code ring 200 can be rotatably mounted on the code ring mounting portion 120.

As a result, the cord ring 200 can be easily mounted on the ribbon spool 100, and the ribbon spool 100 is integrated, so that there is no need to provide a separate ribbon spool body and a cap as in the prior art, and the two are joined together. A ribbon spool with a code ring can be easily manufactured without performing. Therefore, the production process is simplified, and the process can be automated.

Further, with the above-described structure, the reverse mounting of the cord ring 200 is eliminated. Therefore, the occurrence rate of defective products in the manufacturing process can be reduced. Further, since the cap is not provided unlike the conventional case, the cap does not float and the cap is not attached by mistake, and the reliability in the ribbon winding process is improved. Therefore, product quality can be improved, and complaints from users regarding quality can be reduced. In addition, a structure in which the installed code ring 200 cannot be replaced (the claw portion is damaged if forcibly replaced).
Therefore, there is an advantage that the code ring cannot be illegally exchanged in the market.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of an ink ribbon cartridge incorporating the ribbon spool as described above. The ink ribbon cartridge rotatably holds a supply-side ribbon spool 100A around which the ink ribbon 300 is wound and a take-up-side ribbon spool 100B in a cartridge case 400, and a cartridge mounting portion (not shown) of a printer device. , And the rotation of each of the ribbon spools 100A, 100B is controlled by the ribbon driving mechanism, so that each of the ribbon spools 100A, 100B is controlled.
The ink ribbon 300 stretched during the time 00B is interposed between the printing head (not shown) of the printer device and the recording medium and is sequentially fed, so that the ink is transferred or sublimated to the recording medium. The printing is performed.

On one side of the cartridge case 400, a bearing portion 410A with a built-in spring for rotatably receiving one end of each of the ribbon spools 100A, 100B,
410B is provided. Also, on the other side of the cartridge case 400, each ribbon spool 100A,
Bearing portions 420A and 420B for rotatably receiving the other end of 100B are provided. The drive shafts provided on the printer device side are bearing units 420A and 420A.
By engaging the engagement holes 422A and 422B formed in B and rotating the ribbon spools 100A and 100B, the ink ribbon feeding control is performed.

As the ink ribbon, one for monochrome printing provided with a single color ink, and each color component (cyan,
Color printing in which yellow, magenta, etc.) inks are sequentially provided. And the ribbon spool 100
The above-described cord ring 200 is attached to one end of either one of A and 100B.

The ribbon spool structure of the present invention is not limited to the ink ribbon cartridge having a structure as shown in FIG. 4, but can be widely applied to an ink ribbon cartridge having a structure in which a code ring is mounted as described above. .

[0028]

As described above, in the ribbon spool structure of the ink ribbon cartridge of the present invention, a guide receiving portion having an outer diameter corresponding to the inner peripheral diameter of the code ring is provided at one end of the ribbon spool. An annular groove portion further distal to the receiving portion, a retaining claw portion further distal to the annular groove portion are integrally formed, and an inner peripheral portion fitted to the guide receiving portion on the cord ring; An engaging claw projecting to the inner diameter side of the portion is integrally formed, the code ring is press-fitted into the cord ring mounting portion from one end of the ribbon spool, and the inner peripheral portion of the code ring is formed in the guide receiving portion. The cord ring can be rotatably attached to the cord ring attachment part by fitting it to the outer periphery and elastically deforming the engaging claw of the code ring with the retaining claw and fitting it into the annular groove side. Was to so that.

As a result, the cord ring can be easily attached to the ribbon spool, and the ribbon spool is integrated, so that there is no need to provide a separate ribbon spool body and cap as in the prior art, and to join the two together. Thus, a ribbon spool with a cord ring can be obtained.
In addition, the above-described structure eliminates the reverse mounting of the code ring, so that the incidence of defective products in the manufacturing process can be reduced. Further, since the cap is not provided unlike the conventional case, the cap does not float and the cap is not attached by mistake, and the reliability in the ribbon winding process is improved. Therefore, product quality can be improved, and complaints from users regarding quality can be reduced. In addition, since the configuration is such that the cord ring once attached cannot be replaced (the claw portion is damaged if it is forcibly replaced), there is an advantage that the code ring cannot be illegally replaced in the market.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially sectional exploded side view showing a structural example of a ribbon spool provided with a code ring according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially sectional side view showing a state where the ribbon spool shown in FIG. 1 is assembled.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an example of a shape of an engagement claw portion of a code ring mounted on the ribbon spool shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of an ink ribbon cartridge incorporating the ribbon spool shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional exploded side view showing a structural example of a ribbon spool provided with a conventional code ring.

6 is a partial sectional side view showing a state where the ribbon spool shown in FIG. 5 is assembled.

[Explanation of symbols]

100: ribbon spool, 110: cylindrical part, 112
A, 112B: flange portion, 120: cord ring mounting portion, 130: guide receiving portion, 140: annular groove portion, 150: retaining claw portion, 200: cord ring, 210: inner diameter cylindrical portion , 210A ... inner peripheral part, 21
0B: engaging claw portion, 220: outer cylindrical portion, 230:
Joint.

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus comprising: a supply-side ribbon spool on which an ink ribbon is wound and a take-up-side ribbon spool rotatably held, and mounted on a cartridge mounting portion of a printer device to control rotation of each of the ribbon spools. The ink ribbon stretched between the ribbon spools is interposed between the printing head of the printer device and the recording medium and is sequentially fed, so that printing or printing on the recording medium is performed by ink transfer or sublimation. In the ribbon spool structure of the ink ribbon cartridge, both end portions of each of the ribbon spools are rotatably supported by the ink ribbon cartridge, and at least one of the respective ribbon spools A code ring that can rotate independently of the ribbon spool is attached to one end of the A guide ring that has an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the code ring and that is slidably fitted to the inner circumference of the code ring. An annular groove portion provided at the tip end of the one end portion from the guide receiving portion and formed to have a smaller diameter than the guide receiving portion; provided at a further tip side of the one end portion from the annular groove portion; A retaining claw portion having a smaller diameter than the guide receiving portion is integrally formed, and the code ring is provided on an inner peripheral portion fitted to the guide receiving portion and a part of the inner peripheral portion. An engagement claw projecting inwardly to engage with the stopper claw, and disposed in the annular groove. The cord ring is provided at one end of the ribbon spool. Press into the cord ring mounting part from The inner peripheral portion of the cord ring is fitted to the outer periphery of the guide receiving portion, and the engaging claw portion of the cord ring is elastically deformed by the retaining claw portion and is fitted into the annular groove portion side. A ribbon spool structure for an ink ribbon cartridge, wherein a code ring is rotatably mounted on the code ring mounting portion. 2. The taper according to claim 1, wherein the retaining claw portion is formed to have a tapered shape which is gradually inclined to a large diameter from a distal end to a proximal end of one end of the ribbon spool. The ribbon spool structure of the ink ribbon cartridge described in the above. 3. The cord claw engaging claw portion is formed in a tapered shape that is gradually inclined to a large diameter from a base end to a tip end of one end of the ribbon spool. Item 2. A ribbon spool structure of the ink ribbon cartridge according to Item 1. 4. An engaging claw portion of the cord ring is formed in an inner peripheral portion of the cord ring in an inward flange shape over the entire periphery thereof, and is slit at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction of the flange. 2. A ribbon spool structure for an ink ribbon cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said ribbon spool structure has a notch. 5. The cord ring engaging claw portion is formed on the inner peripheral portion of the cord ring in the form of a tongue provided intermittently in the circumferential direction. 2. A ribbon spool structure of the ink ribbon cartridge according to 1. 6. The code ring includes an inner diameter cylindrical portion mounted on the code ring mounting portion, an outer diameter cylindrical portion provided coaxially outside the inner diameter cylindrical portion, and the inner diameter cylindrical portion and the outer diameter cylinder. 2. The ink according to claim 1, further comprising: a coupling portion that integrally couples the ink ribbon cartridge with the outer peripheral surface of the outer diameter cylindrical portion. Ribbon spool structure of ribbon cartridge. 7. The code ring, wherein the code ring is engaged with a rotation drive mechanism provided in the printer device to control the rotation thereof, and the code pattern is read by a light detection device provided in the printer device. Claim 6
The ribbon spool structure of the ink ribbon cartridge described in the above. 8. The ribbon spool structure for an ink ribbon cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the ribbon spool has a flange portion for guiding the ink ribbon on both sides of the ink ribbon mounting area. 9. The ribbon spool structure of an ink ribbon cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said ink ribbon is a single color ink ribbon. 10. The ribbon spool structure of an ink ribbon cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the ink ribbon is a color ink ribbon in which a plurality of color ink regions are sequentially provided in a longitudinal direction.