Printer Tray Cable Pulley Media Size Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media supply trays in printers face challenges in accommodating multiple media sizes without proper alignment, leading to potential jams and distorted prints, and existing solutions are either costly or prone to errors due to mechanical tolerances.
Innovation Solution
A media supply tray with a cable and pulley system attached to side guides, where movement of one guide causes the opposing guide to move oppositely, and a flag attached to the cable provides feedback for accurate media size detection, allowing for easy adjustment and correct alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple unique trays are designated for each paper size, then media alignment accuracy is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic tray system where the side guides can be moved and adjusted to different positions. The guides are connected via a cable and pulley mechanism, allowing them to be repositioned according to different media sizes. This dynamic adjustment capability replaces the need for multiple fixed trays, enabling a single tray to accommodate various paper sizes while maintaining alignment accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple unique trays are designated for each paper size, then media alignment accuracy is improved, but inventory cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal tray design that can handle multiple media sizes through adjustable side guides. Instead of requiring separate trays for different paper sizes (letter, legal, A4, etc.), the single tray with adjustable guides serves multiple functions. This eliminates the need for manufacturers and users to maintain inventory of multiple specialized trays, reducing overall system cost while preserving alignment precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple trays are stored when not in use, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable side guides with cable and pulley mechanism allow users to quickly reconfigure the tray for different media sizes by simply moving the guides to the appropriate positions. This dynamic adjustment is much more convenient than physically interchanging entire trays, improving ease of operation while maintaining the ability to accommodate various media sizes.
4Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable guides are used for multiple media sizes, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a sensing mechanism that detects the position of the side guides and provides feedback signals to the printer's control system. This feedback ensures that when the guides are adjusted to a particular position, the system accurately recognizes the configured media size. The feedback mechanism compensates for potential positioning errors, maintaining measurement precision despite the adjustability of the guides.
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 solution enables easy adjustment and accurate alignment of media in the tray, reducing the risk of jams and ensuring precise printing, while being cost-effective and minimizing mechanical errors.
Implementation Method 1
a cable and pulley system attached to side guides. Movement of one side guide causes the opposing side guide to move in the opposite direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A media supply tray includes a cable (110) and pulley (120, 125, 130, 135) system attached to side paper guides (126, 128). Movement of one side guide causes the opposing side guide to move in the opposite direction. When the side guides are moved, a flag (112) attached to the cable moves and can be detected to provide accurate feedback to a printer regarding media size in the tray. Alternatively, a Bowden cable (200) can be attached to the side guides for enhanced accuracy in size sensing.