Rack and Pinion Mechanism for Flexible Sheet Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processing apparatuses face challenges in reliably drawing out a sheet-shaped reception member to receive ejected media, due to issues such as excessive frictional resistance and stiffness, leading to insufficient drawing and potential catching by the operation unit.
Innovation Solution
The processing apparatus incorporates a medium reception unit with a sheet-shaped reception member that is wound around a turning shaft when the operation part approaches, and drawn out to hang downward for medium reception when separated. This configuration includes a non-linkage structure between the operation part and the turning shaft, allowing the reception member to be drawn out effectively even with high-stiffness materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the reception member is made with high-stiffness material to maintain structural integrity, then the reception member can support medium weight, but the frictional resistance increases and the reception member cannot be drawn out smoothly
Solution Approach 1:
A rack and pinion gear mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the operation part and the turning shaft. The rack moves linearly when the operation part is pushed, while the pinion gear converts this linear motion into rotational motion of the turning shaft, enabling the stiff reception member to be drawn out smoothly through mechanical advantage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters by introducing a gear ratio through the rack and pinion mechanism. This allows a small linear displacement of the operation part to be converted into a larger rotational displacement of the turning shaft, enabling smooth drawing of the reception member even with high-stiffness materials
2Length of moving object
If the reception member is drawn out forcefully to ensure it extends fully, then the drawing amount increases, but the reception member may be caught by the operation unit in early drawing period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic mechanism where the rack and pinion gear allow the turning shaft to rotate progressively as the operation part moves. This dynamic conversion of linear to rotational motion enables the reception member to be drawn out gradually and smoothly, preventing it from being caught by the operation unit during early drawing
Solution Approach 2:
The rack and pinion gear mechanism acts as an intermediary that decouples the direct force transmission between the operation part and the turning shaft. This intermediary mechanism smooths out the drawing motion, preventing the reception member from being caught while still achieving full extension
3Volume of stationary object
If the reception member is wound tightly around the turning shaft to save space, then the housing size is reduced, but the frictional resistance prevents proper drawing out
Solution Approach 1:
The rack and pinion gear mechanism serves as an intermediary that provides mechanical advantage to overcome the frictional resistance created by tight winding. The gear mechanism amplifies the drawing force, enabling the reception member to be drawn out smoothly even when wound tightly around the turning shaft
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the force parameters through the gear mechanism, converting a small linear force from the operation part into a larger rotational torque on the turning shaft. This parameter transformation enables proper drawing out while maintaining space-efficient tight winding
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 configuration ensures that the reception member can be favorably drawn out, reducing the likelihood of it being caught early in the drawing process and allowing for efficient medium reception, even with high-stiffness materials.
Implementation Method 1
a rack provided at at least one of the pair of supporting parts, and a turning shaft gear provided at the turning shaft and configured to turn in linkage with a movement of the rack
Implementation Method 2
when the operation part separates from the turning shaft, the reception member is drawn out from the turning shaft to hang downward such that the medium is receivable
Data Source
AI summary
A processing apparatus includes a processing unit and a medium reception unit. The medium reception unit includes a flexible sheet-shaped reception member, a turning shaft coupled to one end of the reception member, an operation part coupled to the other end of the reception member, a pair of supporting parts configured to support both ends of the operation part, a rack provided to supporting parts, and a turning shaft gear configured to the rack. The reception member is wound around the turning shaft and housed inside the housing when the operation part approaches the turning shaft. The reception member is drawn out from the turning shaft to hang downward such that the medium is receivable when the operation part is separated from the turning shaft. A non-linkage structure in which the movement of the operation part and the turning of the turning shaft are temporarily not linked is provided.