Image Recorder Driving Source Segmentation for Sheet Nipping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image recorders that use a single driving source for feed rollers and other mechanisms often experience increased ink consumption and improper sheet feeding due to the shared driving mechanism, leading to inefficiencies in the printing process.
Innovation Solution
An image recorder design with a separate driving source for feed rollers, a function executing mechanism, a switching mechanism, and a transmission mechanism that allows for controlled sheet nipping without activating other mechanisms, reducing ink consumption and improving sheet handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single driving source is used in common for driving feed rollers and suction mechanism, then device complexity is reduced, but ink consumption increases due to unnecessary ink suction during sheet nipping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the driving mechanism into two independent driving sources: one dedicated to the feed rollers for sheet feeding, and another dedicated to the suction mechanism for ink suction. This segmentation allows each mechanism to operate independently without unnecessary activation, thereby reducing ink consumption while maintaining manageable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control where the suction mechanism is activated only during specific printing operations and remains inactive during sheet nipping operations. This dynamic switching based on operational state prevents unnecessary ink suction and reduces ink waste.
2Device complexity
If a single driving source is used in common for driving feed rollers and pickup roller, then device complexity is reduced, but sheet feeding reliability deteriorates due to improper sheet feeding during nipping operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the driving functions into independent driving sources, with the pickup roller driven by a dedicated motor independent of the feed roller motor. This ensures that sheet pickup and feeding operations can be precisely controlled without interference from nipping operations, improving sheet feeding reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates sensors to detect the presence and position of sheets, providing feedback control that coordinates the operation of pickup roller and feed rollers. This feedback mechanism ensures proper timing and prevents improper sheet feeding during nipping operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An image recorder includes a driving source generating any of a first-direction force and a second-direction force, a function executing mechanism executing a functional operation, a switching mechanism switching between a first state to allow the function executing mechanism to execute the functional operation and a second state to forbid the function executing mechanism to execute the functional operation, a transmission mechanism transmitting the first-direction force to a feed roller unit and the function executing mechanism and transmitting the second-direction force to the feed roller unit and the switching mechanism, and a controller that after detection of a sheet on a tray, controls the driving source to generate the second-direction force such that the switching mechanism switches to the second state, and thereafter controls the driving source to generate the first-direction force such that the feed roller unit nips the sheet on the tray.