Dual-Drive Switching Gears for Image Recorders
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Solution Overview
Problem
As image recording apparatuses become more multifunctional, the complexity of controlling switching mechanisms to transmit drive power to various driven portions increases, leading to potential upsizing and increased power consumption, particularly in two-sided recording operations where ink drying times require additional carriage movements to prevent nozzle drying.
Innovation Solution
An image recording apparatus with a dual-drive power system and a shaft-supported switching gear mechanism that allows for selective meshing with transmission gears based on carriage position, reducing the load on the carriage and enabling smaller motor usage, thus minimizing size and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single drive source is used with a switching mechanism to transmit power to multiple driven portions, then device complexity is reduced, but the switching mechanism becomes complicated and requires larger motors, leading to increased apparatus size and power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drive system into multiple independent drive sources (first drive source and second drive source) instead of using a single drive source with switching mechanisms. Each drive source independently drives specific transmission gears, eliminating the need for complex switching mechanisms while maintaining the ability to perform various operations. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by reducing device complexity without sacrificing operational flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a switching mechanism is implemented to selectively transmit drive power to different transmission gears, then operational versatility is improved, but the mechanism requires larger motors and increases apparatus size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drive system into multiple independent drive sources, each responsible for driving specific transmission gears. This eliminates the need for a single large motor with switching mechanisms, allowing the use of smaller, more efficient motors while maintaining the ability to selectively engage different transmission gears for various operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a switching mechanism is used to transmit drive power to maintenance unit or transmission gears, then operational versatility is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drive system into multiple independent drive sources that can operate independently. This allows the system to use only the necessary drive source for each specific operation, avoiding the power losses associated with switching mechanisms and enabling smaller, more energy-efficient motors to be used throughout the system.
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording apparatus including: a reciprocable carriage on which a recording head is mounted; driven portions; a first and a second drive source which generate drive power; and a drive-power transmitting system which transmits the drive power to the driven portions, wherein the system includes: a shaft; a first and a second switching gear supported by the shaft so as to be slidable in the axial direction, and respectively driven to be rotated by the drive power of the first and the second drive source; transmission gears each of which is meshable with at least one of the first and the second switching gear, and transmits the drive power of one of the first and the second power source to a corresponding one or ones of the driven portions; and a switching-gear positioning mechanism which positions a set of the first and the second switching gear, depending upon a position of the carriage, at a selected one of specific positions.