Lever Mechanism for Reliable Drive Transmission Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image recording apparatuses face challenges in smoothly and surely switching the drive transmission from a motor to different drive portions, such as conveyance rollers and maintenance units, due to the complexity of the lever mechanism and the need for precise positioning and locking during carriage movement.
Innovation Solution
A drive transmission switching device with a lever member, second gear, and guide members that allow the lever arm to pivot and lock into specific positions, enabling smooth and precise switching of drive transmission by applying forces through inclined portions and lock mechanisms, ensuring reliable operation across various positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a lever mechanism is used to switch drive transmission from the motor to different drive portions, then the drive transmission can be switched between conveyance roller and maintenance unit, but the lever arm may be locked at guide positions other than the intended position, causing smooth and sure sliding to desired position
Solution Approach 1:
The guide positions are segmented into multiple discrete positions (first guide position, second guide position, third guide position) corresponding to different drive portions. The lever arm is designed to selectively engage with each guide position through the lever guide structure, enabling reliable switching between conveyance roller drive, maintenance unit drive, and neutral positions without unintended locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever guide acts as an intermediary mechanism between the lever arm and the guide positions. It provides a controlled path for the lever arm movement and ensures that the lever arm only engages with the intended guide position, preventing locking at unintended positions while maintaining smooth transitions between positions.
2Reliability
If the lever arm is required to surely return from one guide position to another, then reliable drive transmission switching is achieved, but the complexity of the lever mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lever mechanism is designed with dynamic characteristics that enable automatic return to the correct guide position. The lever guide structure and the interaction between the lever arm and guide positions create a self-correcting mechanism where the lever arm naturally returns to the intended position without requiring complex control systems or additional actuation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever mechanism is designed to be self-regulating, where the lever arm automatically returns to the correct guide position through the mechanical interaction with the lever guide and guide positions. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external control mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable positioning.
3Ease of operation
If the lever arm slides smoothly to desired positions, then drive transmission switching is improved, but the load on the carriage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lever guide structure is designed to minimize friction and resistance during lever arm movement. By providing a well-defined path and appropriate clearance between the lever arm and guide positions, the mechanism achieves smooth sliding with minimal force requirements, reducing the load on the carriage while maintaining operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical parameters of the lever mechanism, such as clearance, friction coefficients, and geometric dimensions, are optimized to balance smooth operation with low carriage load. By carefully selecting these parameters, the lever arm can slide smoothly to desired positions without imposing excessive forces on the carriage system.
Data Source
AI summary
A record image recording apparatus includes a carriage provided with a recording head and reciprocating in a main scanning directions; a lever member having a lever arm protruding into a moving space of the carriage; a switch member contactable with the lever member; and a guide member guiding the lever arm. When the lever member is guided by the guide member in one direction perpendicular to the main scanning directions, the lever member is switched to be applied with a force in the one direction owing to the switch member. When the lever member is guided by guide member in an opposite direction relative to the one direction, the lever member is switched to be applied with the force in the opposite direction owing to the switch member.