Printing Apparatus Rack Gear Rib Constraint for Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printing apparatuses are prone to damage due to the weight of the roll when subjected to impact, causing breakage of rack gears.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a supporting mechanism with adjustable gaps and ribs to prevent rotation and breakage of rack gears, utilizing a pinion gear and racks with engaging grooves and ribs to secure the roll and distribute the force effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sheet holder holds a roll of printing medium, then the roll is securely supported and can rotate for printing operations, but the rack gears are vulnerable to breakage due to the weight of the roll when the apparatus receives an impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a rib structure that prevents rotation of the rack gear in advance before impact occurs. The rib is positioned to contact the rack gear and restrict its rotational movement, so that when impact occurs during apparatus dropping, the rack gear cannot rotate and break due to the weight of the held roll. This preventive structural constraint protects the rack gear from harmful impact forces.
2Ease of operation
If the rack gear is allowed to rotate freely to adjust the position of support units, then the support units can be positioned accurately for different roll sizes, but the rack gear becomes vulnerable to breakage under impact conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by creating a conditional constraint system where the rack gear can rotate freely during normal operation for adjusting support unit positions according to different roll sizes, but automatically restricts rotation when impact occurs. The rib structure remains stationary while the rack gear can move during operation, but upon impact the rib contacts and prevents rack gear rotation, thus protecting it from breakage while maintaining operational flexibility.
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 solution effectively prevents the rack gears from breaking due to the weight of the roll during impacts, enhancing the durability and reliability of the printing apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
The pinion gear engages with the first rack gear portion and the second rack gear portion
Implementation Method 2
The rack gears and the pinions cooperate to move the two first support units
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a first supporting portion, a second supporting portion, and an adjusting mechanism. The adjusting mechanism includes a first rack, a second rack, a pinion gear, and a third supporting portion configured to movably support the first and second racks and configured to rotatably support the pinion gear. The third supporting portion includes first to fourth ribs. The first and second racks are respectively movable in first and second areas in an axial direction. The first area and the second area define one end and another end. The first rib and the fourth rib are positioned close to the another end, and the second rib and the third rib are positioned close to the one end.