Rolling Element Base Unit for Roll Medium Lifting Friction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roll medium lifting devices face increased frictional forces as the weight of the roll medium increases, making it difficult to move the medium in the width direction, and require user adjustments to maintain the reference position of the roll paper sheet, which is burdensome.
Innovation Solution
A lifting mechanism with a base unit supported by a guide member and shaft member, featuring rolling elements disposed in the inner circumferential portions of the insertion portions, which reduce friction resistance by allowing the base unit to move without direct contact with the shaft member, and a position adjustment unit that aligns the roll medium with the fitting unit, facilitating easy movement and alignment without user burden.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the weight of the roll medium increases, then the lifting capacity is improved, but the frictional force between the base unit and the rods increases making it difficult to move the roll medium in the width direction
Solution Approach 1:
Rolling elements are introduced as intermediary components between the base unit and the rods. These rolling elements convert the sliding friction into rolling friction, significantly reducing the frictional resistance. The rolling elements act as mediators that allow the base unit to move smoothly along the rods even when supporting heavy roll media, thus resolving the contradiction between lifting capacity and ease of movement.
2Ease of manufacture
If the pair of flanges are moved to the two edge portions of the roll medium to install the roll medium, then the roll medium can be installed to the flanges, but the reference position (medium edge position) of the roll paper sheet deviates in the width direction requiring user adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism is designed to automatically maintain the reference position of the roll paper sheet during installation and operation. The base unit with rolling elements enables the roll medium to be easily moved and positioned while the system automatically keeps the reference position accurate, eliminating the need for manual user adjustments. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction between ease of installation and position accuracy.
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 mechanism effectively reduces friction resistance, allowing easy movement of heavy roll media in the width direction and maintaining the reference position without user intervention, thus eliminating the need for frequent adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of rolling elements disposed in the inner circumferential portions of the insertion portions... reduce friction resistance by allowing the base unit to move without direct contact with the shaft member
Data Source
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AI summary
A recording apparatus (1) comprises a lifting mechanism (20) lifting and lowering a roll-shaped medium (R), wherein the lifting mechanism (20) includes a lifting unit (80) which lifts and lowers in an apparatus height direction and on which the roll-shaped medium (R) is placed, a position adjustment unit (9, 70) configured to adjust a position of the lifting unit (80) in the apparatus height direction, and a base unit supporting the lifting unit and the position adjustment unit. The base unit (60) includes an insertion portion (62, 92) through which a shaft member (51) supporting the base unit (60) is inserted. The insertion portion (62, 92) includes an inner circumferential portion (64) facing an outer circumferential portion of the shaft member (51). A plurality of rolling elements (96) is disposed in the inner circumferential portion (64) of the insertion portion (62, 92), and the plurality of rolling elements (96) protrudes from the inner circumferential portion when viewed from an axial direction in which the shaft member (51) extends.