A tension detection device according to an embodiment includes a base, a support member, a continuous body, an external force detection unit, and a tension detection unit. One end or both ends of the support member are fixed to the base. The support member has an external force measurement section integrally provided at the one end or both ends thereof. The continuous body is conveyed while wound around an outer circumference of the support member. The external force detection unit is provided at the external force measurement section of the support member. The external force detection unit detects an external force. The tension detection unit detects tension of the continuous body based on a detection result from the external force detection unit.

A tension detection device according to an embodiment includes a base, a support member, a continuous body, an external force detection unit, and a tension detection unit. One end or both ends of the support member are fixed to the base. The support member has an external force measurement section integrally provided at the one end or both ends thereof. The continuous body is conveyed while wound around an outer circumference of the support member. The external force detection unit is provided at the external force measurement section of the support member. The external force detection unit detects an external force. The tension detection unit detects tension of the continuous body based on a detection result from the external force detection unit.

A bidirectional ribbon supply system for a printer includes: a shaft supported by a frame of the printer, the shaft to rotate about an axis; a pulley affixed to the shaft; and a bias member coupled between the frame and the pulley to apply a force to the pulley in either of a first or second direction responsive to rotation of the pulley in the other of the first or second direction, wherein rotation of a spindle supported on the shaft in the first direction dispenses inside-coated ribbon toward a printhead, and rotation of the spindle in the second direction dispenses outside-coated ribbon toward the printhead.

A bidirectional ribbon supply system for a printer includes: a shaft supported by a frame of the printer, the shaft to rotate about an axis; a pulley affixed to the shaft; and a bias member coupled between the frame and the pulley to apply a force to the pulley in either of a first or second direction responsive to rotation of the pulley in the other of the first or second direction, wherein rotation of a spindle supported on the shaft in the first direction dispenses inside-coated ribbon toward a printhead, and rotation of the spindle in the second direction dispenses outside-coated ribbon toward the printhead.

A tape support arrangement comprises a tape take up core (220) suitable for supporting a tape; and a tape supply core (210) suitable for supporting a tape (230). The supply core (210) comprises an inner surface (212), the inner surface defining an internal volume (240) of the supply core and being configured for engagement with a tape drive support. The take up core (220) is sized and shaped such that it can be located in the internal volume (240) of the supply core (210). Refer to FIG. 2.

A tape support arrangement comprises a tape take up core (220) suitable for supporting a tape; and a tape supply core (210) suitable for supporting a tape (230). The supply core (210) comprises an inner surface (212), the inner surface defining an internal volume (240) of the supply core and being configured for engagement with a tape drive support. The take up core (220) is sized and shaped such that it can be located in the internal volume (240) of the supply core (210). Refer to FIG. 2.

A printing system includes: a control unit; and a printing device including: a supply unit configured to be attached with a supply roll configured by an ink ribbon; a winding unit configured to be attached with a winding roll for winding the ink ribbon fed out from the supply roll; a ribbon motor configured to rotationally drive at least one of the supply unit and the winding unit; a thermal head configured to perform printing by heating the ink ribbon transported from the supply roll toward the winding roll by driving the ribbon motor; and a head drive source configured to move the thermal head. The control unit is configured to control the ribbon motor to decrease tension of the ink ribbon when the thermal head is moved in a first direction, in which the tension of the ink ribbon increases, with the head drive source.

A printer includes a shaft-shaped member, a movable support portion, paired strain detection units, and a control unit. The shaft-shaped member that sets a path of an ink ribbon from a supplying shaft to a winding shaft is provided at least on a downstream side between an upstream side and the downstream side in a conveying direction at a position where a thermal head and a platen face each other with a recording medium interposed therebetween, and the ink ribbon is hung around the shaft-shaped member. The movable support portion movably supports at least one end portion of the shaft-shaped member in a direction in which a tension of the ink ribbon varies. The paired strain detection units are provided at both end portions of the shaft-shaped member, and an output thereof is varied according to a strain of the shaft-shaped member. The control unit controls movement of the shaft-shaped member in a direction in which a difference in output between the paired strain detection units becomes small.

A printer includes a shaft-shaped member, a movable support portion, paired strain detection units, and a control unit. The shaft-shaped member that sets a path of an ink ribbon from a supplying shaft to a winding shaft is provided at least on a downstream side between an upstream side and the downstream side in a conveying direction at a position where a thermal head and a platen face each other with a recording medium interposed therebetween, and the ink ribbon is hung around the shaft-shaped member. The movable support portion movably supports at least one end portion of the shaft-shaped member in a direction in which a tension of the ink ribbon varies. The paired strain detection units are provided at both end portions of the shaft-shaped member, and an output thereof is varied according to a strain of the shaft-shaped member. The control unit controls movement of the shaft-shaped member in a direction in which a difference in output between the paired strain detection units becomes small.

A printing system includes: a control unit; and a printing device including: a supply unit configured to be attached with a supply roll configured by an ink ribbon; a winding unit configured to be attached with a winding roll for winding the ink ribbon fed out from the supply roll; a ribbon motor configured to rotationally drive at least one of the supply unit and the winding unit; a thermal head configured to perform printing by heating the ink ribbon transported from the supply roll toward the winding roll by driving the ribbon motor; and a head drive source configured to move the thermal head. The control unit is configured to control the ribbon motor to decrease tension of the ink ribbon when the thermal head is moved in a first direction, in which the tension of the ink ribbon increases, with the head drive source.