Bidirectional Roller Drive Mechanism for Duplex Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image recording apparatuses with duplex image recording functions cannot rotate the discharge roller in reverse, limiting the ability to convey sheets in the opposite direction, which is necessary for duplex image recording.
Innovation Solution
An image recording apparatus with a drive source capable of forward and reverse rotation, featuring a first roller that rotates in one direction and reverses direction, and a power transmission mechanism that selectively transmits rotational power to other rollers to enable bidirectional rotation of the discharge roller, allowing for duplex image recording.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common drive source rotates multiple rollers including the discharge roller, then the number of drive sources is reduced, but the discharge roller cannot rotate in reverse direction
Solution Approach 1:
The power transmission path is segmented into multiple independent transmitters (first power transmitter and second power transmitter), each capable of transmitting power in specific directions. This segmentation allows the discharge roller to receive power from different sources depending on the required rotation direction, enabling bidirectional rotation while maintaining a single common drive source.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second power transmitters act as intermediaries between the common drive source and the discharge roller. These intermediaries selectively transmit power in forward or reverse directions, allowing the discharge roller to rotate bidirectionally without requiring multiple drive sources. The intermediaries resolve the contradiction by providing directional control capability.
2Device complexity
If the discharge roller rotates only in one direction, then the power transmission mechanism is simplified, but duplex image recording function cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The power transmission mechanism is made dynamic by providing switchable power transmission paths. The first power transmitter transmits power in the forward direction, while the second power transmitter transmits power in the reverse direction. This dynamic switching capability enables the discharge roller to rotate in either direction as needed for simplex or duplex image recording, without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple drive sources are provided for bidirectional roller rotation, then reverse rotation capability is achieved, but the number of drive sources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The common drive source is designed with multi-functionality, capable of transmitting power in both forward and reverse directions through different power transmission paths. Instead of using separate drive sources for each direction, a single universal drive source serves multiple functions by utilizing the first and second power transmitters to achieve bidirectional roller rotation, thereby reducing the total number of drive sources while maintaining reverse rotation capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording apparatus, including: a drive source rotatable forwardly and reversely; a first roller rotatable in a first direction by the forward rotation of the drive source to convey a conveyed medium and rotatable in a second direction reverse to the first direction by the reverse rotation of the drive source; a recording device; a second roller; a first power transmitter which transmits a first-direction driving power to the second roller and not to transmit a second-direction driving power to the second roller, wherein the first-direction driving power is a rotational driving power of the first roller rotating in the first direction, and the second-direction driving power is a rotational driving power of the first roller rotating in the second direction; and a second power transmitter which transmits the second-direction driving power to the second roller and not to transmit the first-direction driving power to the second roller.