Recording Apparatus Clutch with Pre-compressed Spring Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording apparatuses face issues with the paper discharge tray colliding with obstacles due to motor-driven movement, leading to potential damage and noise when operated manually, and require a low slipping start torque to avoid cogging, which can result in unreliable operation.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a clutch that idles when a predetermined torque is applied, accompanied by a load applying unit to prevent the drive source from turning before slipping, allowing for reliable operation and user comfort by setting the rotational load to idle before the motor rotates against cogging torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a friction clutch is used to allow manual operation of the paper discharge tray, then cogging noise is reduced, but the clutch may slip during motor-driven operation if the slipping start torque is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A rotational load is applied to the rotational body in advance through a spring mechanism. This preliminary load ensures that when manual operation occurs, the clutch slips before the motor shaft rotates, preventing cogging noise. The spring is pre-compressed to provide this initial load condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the torque parameter dynamics by applying a rotational load that varies with spring compression. The spring force increases as the rotational body moves, creating a dynamically changing torque threshold that allows clutch slipping at low torques (manual operation) while maintaining reliable motor-driven operation at higher torques.
2Ease of operation
If the slipping start torque of the friction clutch is reduced to prevent cogging during manual operation, then user comfort improves, but the clutch may slip during normal motor-driven operation
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism applies a rotational load in advance to the rotational body, creating a preliminary torque condition. This ensures that during manual operation, the clutch encounters sufficient resistance to slip before motor cogging occurs, improving user comfort without compromising motor-driven reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring acts as a counterweight providing opposing rotational force. This counter-force balances the torque requirements, allowing the clutch to maintain appropriate friction characteristics for both manual operation comfort and motor-driven reliability simultaneously.
3Reliability
If a friction clutch is provided in the power transmission pathway, then protection against obstacles is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The friction clutch serves multiple functions: it protects against obstacles by allowing slip under excessive load, enables smooth manual operation by preventing motor cogging, and maintains reliable motor-driven operation through controlled friction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional protective mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch mechanism automatically adjusts its behavior based on the applied torque. During manual operation, it allows slipping to prevent cogging; during motor-driven operation, it maintains grip for reliable power transmission; and during obstacle detection, it slips to prevent damage. The system self-regulates without external control.
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 prevents damage and noise associated with motor-driven operation, ensures reliable driving of the paper discharge tray, and reduces the need for a low slipping start torque, enhancing user experience and apparatus reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a clutch with which a friction disk is used (called a 'friction clutch' below) is provided to a power transmission pathway between the motor and the paper discharge tray, to cause slipping (idling) to be produced in the friction clutch when at least a predetermined torque is produced in the power transmission path
Implementation Method 2
a spring that applies a rotational load to a rotational body in the power transmission pathway closer to a motor side than the clutch
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes a drive source, a medium receiving tray, a clutch, and a load applying unit. The medium receiving tray is configured to be driven by the drive source that is a motor having a cogging torque. The clutch is configured to idle when a predetermined amount of torque or more is applied, and provided to a power transmission pathway between the drive source and the medium receiving tray. The load applying unit is configured to apply a rotational load to a rotational body in the power transmission pathway closer to a side of the drive source than the clutch. The rotational load applied to the rotational body is set to a magnitude causing the clutch to idle before a rotational shaft of the motor rotates against the cogging torque when the medium receiving tray is operated by applying an external force to the medium receiving tray.