Recording Apparatus Rack and Pinion Self-Alignment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording apparatuses with rack and pinion mechanisms face challenges in ensuring proper alignment of the recording head during attachment and detachment, which can lead to misalignment and impaired movement control if the reference tooth of the pinion and the reference groove of the rack are not correctly meshed.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a positioning section on both the recording section and the apparatus main body to ensure the reference tooth of the pinion meshes with the reference groove of the rack when the recording section is returned from a detached to an attached state, using a convex portion and guide portion for alignment, and providing additional positioning sections to prevent rotation and tilting during reattachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the recording section is made detachable for maintenance and malfunction handling, then ease of repair is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates due to potential misalignment of the reference tooth and reference groove upon reattachment
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning section enables the recording section to automatically self-align with the apparatus main body upon reattachment. The inclined surface guides the rack into correct alignment with the pinion automatically during the attachment process, eliminating the need for external alignment tools or complex adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning section acts as an intermediary mechanism between the recording section and the apparatus main body. It includes a rack with an inclined surface that mediates the alignment process, guiding the recording section into the correct position relative to the pinion during attachment.
2Manufacturing precision
If a positioning section is added to ensure proper meshing of reference tooth and reference groove, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning section is merged with the rack structure itself. The rack that is already part of the rack and pinion mechanism is extended with an inclined surface that serves the dual purpose of being part of the motion transmission system and providing the positioning function during attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack serves multiple functions: it transmits motion from the pinion to move the recording section, and it also provides the positioning function through its inclined surface during the attachment process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate positioning components.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus includes: a transport path 3 that is provided in an apparatus main body 7 to transport a medium; a recording section 5 that is movable in a direction toward and away from the transport path 3; and a rack and pinion mechanism 9 that moves the recording section 5 in the direction toward and away from the transport path 3, wherein the rack and pinion mechanism 9 includes a rack 11 that is provided in the recording section 5 and is formed along a movement direction of the recording section 5 and a pinion 13 that is provided on the apparatus main body 7 and meshes with the rack 11,the recording section 5 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 7, and a positioning section 19 is provided in the recording section 5 and the apparatus main body 7 for positioning so that the reference tooth 15 of the pinion 13 meshes with the reference groove 17 of the rack 11 when the recording section 5 is returned from the detached state to the attached state.