Roller Positioning Mechanism for Belt Tension Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image recording apparatuses, the tension in belts connecting rollers changes when one roller is moved to accommodate different thicknesses of recording media, leading to unstable drive force transmission and potential belt slippage or breakage.
Innovation Solution
A carrying apparatus with a moving mechanism that adjusts the position of rollers to maintain consistent belt tension, using a tensioner fixed at a predetermined position to ensure equal tension when the roller moves between positions for carrying different thicknesses of media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the roller is moved to accommodate different thicknesses of recording media, then the adaptability to different media thicknesses is improved, but the belt tension becomes unstable leading to drive force transmission problems
Solution Approach 1:
The roller is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to adjust its position according to the thickness of the recording media. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the roller to maintain proper contact with media of varying thicknesses while the tensioner compensates for position changes to keep belt tension stable, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the position parameter of the roller to adapt to different media thicknesses. By making the roller position variable rather than fixed, the system can accommodate different thicknesses while the tensioner maintains constant belt tension, solving the contradiction between adaptability to different parameters and stability of the system.
2Force
If the tensioner is positioned to apply tension from outside the circular belt, then the belt tension can be maintained, but moving the roller causes excessive tension changes leading to belt slippage or breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioner acts as an intermediary component between the belt and the external environment. It provides a dedicated mechanism for applying and maintaining belt tension independently of the roller position changes, thus preventing excessive tension changes that would lead to slippage or breakage while allowing the roller to move for adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the roller moves between positions for carrying different thicknesses of media, then the versatility of the carrying apparatus is improved, but the drive force transmission becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The roller is designed with movement capability to adapt to different media thicknesses, improving versatility. The tensioner compensates for these position changes to maintain stable belt tension, ensuring reliable drive force transmission despite the roller's movement between different positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller position parameter is made variable to accommodate different media thicknesses, enhancing versatility. The tensioner maintains constant belt tension despite these parameter changes, ensuring stable power transmission while allowing the roller to move to different positions.
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 solution stabilizes the drive force transmission and prevents excessive tension changes in the belt, reducing the risk of slippage or breakage and ensuring consistent media handling across varying thicknesses.
Implementation Method 1
a tension is applied to the first belt by the first tensioner
Data Source
AI summary
A carrying apparatus includes: a carry path which is defined to guide a first carried object and a second carried object; a first pulley; a first roller; a second pulley; a first belt which is wound on the first pulley and the second pulley; a first tensioner; and a first moving mechanism which moves the first roller between a first position and a second position. The first moving mechanism moves the first roller between a first position at which the first roller carries the first carried object and a second position which is farther from the carry path than the first position and at which the first roller carries the second carried object.