Liftable Transport Pinch With Elastic Hinge for Printer Oscillation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed sheet transport pinch systems in printers face oscillation issues due to fast switching frequencies, leading to reduced productivity and complex, cumbersome constructions with low damping forces and sensitive pivot rods and bearings.
Innovation Solution
A liftable transport pinch using an elastic hinge element, such as a leaf spring, mounted on a frame to pivot the roller arm, providing both a pivot axis and damping to reduce oscillations and hysteresis, eliminating the need for bearings and simplifying the construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fast switching is implemented to achieve high print speeds, then productivity is improved, but oscillations in the arm increase and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A damper is introduced as an intermediary element between the arm and the drive mechanism. This damper absorbs and dissipates the oscillations generated during fast switching, allowing high-speed operation without compromising reliability. The damper acts as a mediator that isolates the harmful oscillations from the arm while permitting the necessary rapid positioning movements.
2Reliability
If springs are added to dampen oscillations, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper is merged with the existing arm structure or integrated into the mounting mechanism, rather than being a completely separate component. This combination approach provides the necessary oscillation damping while minimizing the increase in device complexity. The damper functionality is combined with structural elements that already exist in the system.
3Ease of operation
If pivot rod and bearings are used for arm rotation, then ease of operation is improved, but wear sensitivity increases and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional mechanical pivot rod and bearing system is replaced with a different mechanism that eliminates the wear-prone sliding contact. The invention uses an alternative pivoting mechanism that maintains ease of operation while significantly improving wear resistance and reliability under alternating loads.
4Ease of manufacture
If a compact construction is achieved with fewer components, then ease of manufacture is improved, but damping capability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The damping characteristics are optimized by carefully selecting and adjusting parameters such as damper material properties, geometric dimensions, and mounting configuration. By changing these parameters, sufficient damping force is achieved within a compact construction that remains easy to manufacture and assemble.
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
The elastic hinge element enhances productivity by reducing oscillations and play, achieving high damping forces in a compact and simple design, easy to assemble with fewer components, and increases the reliability of sheet transport at high speeds.
Implementation Method 1
the arm is mounted onto the frame by means of an elastic hinge element... defining the pivot axis around which the arm is allowed to pivot due to the elastic deformation of the hinge element
Implementation Method 2
The elastic hinge element further acts as a damper, which reduces oscillations, shortening the delay between switching
Data Source
AI summary
A liftable transport pinch is provided with a simplified construction to enhance lifetime and productivity. This transport device includes at least one roller mounted on an arm, and an actuator connected to a frame for moving the roller between a first and second position. The arm is mounted onto the frame by means of an elastic hinge element. The elastic hinge element provides a simple, cheap, wear-resistant, and easy-to-assembly alternative to prior art solutions.