Pump Apparatus Rotation-Regulating Coil Spring Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid ejecting apparatuses, the suction operation of tube pumps is unstable due to the rotary member reversing direction under reaction forces from the flexible tube, causing the sucking operation to cease and requiring re-establishment of the pressing state for resuming suction.
Innovation Solution
A pump apparatus with a rotation-regulating member, such as a coil spring, that restricts rotation in the opposite direction to the suction operation, maintaining the pressing state of the flexible tube and allowing for low-load operation and sharing of the driving force for other operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the motor stops rotating temporarily during suction operation, then the suction operation ceases, but the rotary member reverses direction due to reaction force from the pressed flexible tube, causing instability in the sucking operation
Solution Approach 1:
The coil spring is pre-compressed to store elastic energy before the motor stops. When the motor stops and the rotary member tends to reverse due to reaction force, the pre-compressed spring immediately releases its stored energy to prevent reverse rotation, maintaining the pressing state without requiring complex active control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil spring acts as a cushioning element that absorbs and counteracts the reverse rotational force generated by the reaction force from the pressed flexible tube. By positioning the spring to oppose reverse rotation, it provides beforehand protection against the harmful reverse motion that would destabilize the sucking operation.
2Reliability
If a rotation-regulating member with coil spring is added to prevent reverse rotation, then the sucking operation stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coil spring is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the rotational direction. When reverse rotation is attempted, the spring's elastic force self-activates to block the reverse motion. When the motor rotates in the normal direction, the spring naturally loosens and allows rotation. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for external sensors, controllers, or complex mechanical linkages.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil spring changes its mechanical state (compressed vs. loosened) based on the rotational direction. In the compressed state, it provides high resistance to reverse rotation. In the loosened state, it provides minimal resistance to forward rotation. This parameter change in the spring's mechanical state allows simple binary control of rotation direction without complex mechanisms.
3Productivity
If the rotary member maintains pressing state continuously, then the suction operation can resume immediately, but the driving force cannot be shared for other operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the pressing state based on operational needs. During active suction, the spring maintains the pressed state for immediate resumption capability. When suction is not needed, the motor can rotate in reverse to loosen the spring, releasing the pressing state and allowing the driving force to be shared for other operations. This dynamic switching enables both immediate resumption and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing state is maintained periodically only when needed for suction operations, rather than continuously. The motor can periodically reverse to loosen the spring when suction is not required, allowing driving force sharing. This periodic maintenance of the pressed state balances the need for quick resumption with the need for energy efficiency during non-suction periods.
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 pump apparatus maintains the suction operation state by preventing reverse rotation, enabling efficient suction with reduced load and allowing the driving force to be utilized for other operations, ensuring stable ink suction in liquid ejecting systems.
Implementation Method 1
a rotation-regulating member having a coil main body wound around the stationary shaft, the rotation-regulating member being permitted to rotate in a direction of loosening of the coil main body to increase a diameter of the coil main body
Data Source
AI summary
A pump apparatus includes: a stationary shaft; a rotation-regulating member having a coil main body wound around the stationary shaft, the rotation-regulating member being permitted to rotate in a direction of loosening the coil main body and the rotation-regulating member being restrained from rotating in a direction of tightening the coil main body; a driven rotatable member that may rotate around the stationary shaft when a driving force of a driving source is transmitted; and a suction pump that has a rotary member driven together with rotation of the driven rotatable member and that performs a suction operation when the rotary member rotates. The suction pump is configured such that the rotation-regulating member rotates in the tightening direction of the coil main body when the driven rotatable member rotates in a direction opposite to a direction in which the driven rotatable member performs the suction operation.