Duplex Roller Configuration for Compact Recording Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording apparatuses face challenges in minimizing dimensions while ensuring the length of the inverted path for duplex printing, often resulting in increased component count or height, especially when dealing with larger paper sizes.
Innovation Solution
The use of a first roller for inverting the medium and a second roller for transportation, both with the same diameter and positioned at the same height, reduces the number of rollers and components, allowing for a common driving source and equal medium transportation velocities, thus minimizing the apparatus's height and cost while maintaining sufficient inverted path length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the inverted path is formed by the outer circumferential surface of a large inversion roller, then the inverted path length is sufficient for large paper sizes, but the apparatus dimension becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the inversion function into two separate rollers: a first roller that performs the inversion action and a second roller that performs transportation. This segmentation allows each roller to be smaller in diameter than a single large inversion roller would need to be, thereby reducing the apparatus dimension while maintaining sufficient inverted path length through the coordinated action of both rollers.
Solution Approach 2:
The second roller acts as an intermediary element that receives the medium from the first roller and transports it along the inverted path. This intermediary transportation roller enables the system to achieve both inversion and transportation functions with smaller individual roller sizes, resolving the contradiction between path length and apparatus dimension.
2Reliability
If multiple transportation rollers are disposed at multiple locations, then the medium transportation is reliable, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the inversion function and the transportation function into a coordinated system of two rollers. The first roller performs inversion while the second roller simultaneously performs transportation along the inverted path. This merging reduces the total number of components compared to having separate inversion rollers and multiple transportation rollers disposed at multiple locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The second roller serves multiple functions: it transports the medium along the inverted path and also contributes to forming the inverted path itself. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed, as a single roller performs what would traditionally require multiple specialized components.
3Volume of moving object
If the inverted path is disposed on the lower side of the printing mechanism, then the recording structure is compact, but the height dimension of the apparatus becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the first and second rollers at the same height as the recording head, utilizing the horizontal plane rather than extending the vertical height to accommodate the inverted path. By arranging the inversion and transportation rollers in the same vertical level as the recording mechanism, the system maintains compact vertical dimensions while achieving the required inverted path length horizontally.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables efficient and cost-effective duplex printing with reduced dimensions and component count, ensuring reliable medium transportation and preventing oblique feeding, while allowing for easy removal of jammed media.
Implementation Method 1
an inverted path for inverting the medium may include a first roller that inverts the medium by using an outer circumferential surface thereof
Implementation Method 2
a second roller of which an outer circumferential surface is in contact with medium transportation paths before and after the medium is inverted by the first roller and which exerts a transportation force on the medium
Data Source
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AI summary
A recording apparatus includes a recording head (70) that performs recording on a medium; a first roller (50) that inverts the medium which is fed from a side of the recording head; and a second roller (52) of which an outer circumferential surface is in contact with medium transportation paths before and after the medium is inverted by the first roller and which exerts a transportation force on the medium.