Segmented Tray Design for Roller Conveyance in Image Recorders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image recording devices using a pair of rollers to convey trays often cause the recording medium to come into contact with the driving roller or recording head, leading to potential damage and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a plate-like tray with distinct sections, where the thinner midsection does not contact the rollers, and grooves are strategically placed to maintain a gap between the recording medium and the recording head, minimizing contact and bowing of the rollers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pair of rollers is used to convey the tray, then the tray can be conveyed within the image recording device, but the midsection of the tray is bent by the force from the driving roller and the driven roller, causing the recording medium to come into contact with the driving roller or recording head
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is divided into multiple sections with different thicknesses: a first section at one end, a second section at the other end, and a third section (midsection) that is thinner than the first and second sections. This segmentation allows the thicker first and second sections to contact the rollers for conveyance while the thinner third section maintains a gap to prevent recording medium contact with the driving roller or recording head.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the tray are designed with different local thicknesses. The first and second sections have greater thickness to provide contact points for roller conveyance, while the third section has reduced thickness to create clearance space. This local quality variation enables the tray to be conveyed effectively while preventing the recording medium from contacting the driving roller or recording head.
2Reliability
If the tray midsection is made thinner to prevent recording medium contact, then the recording medium does not contact the rollers, but the tray structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is segmented into sections with varying thicknesses, where the third section (midsection) is intentionally made thinner to prevent recording medium contact with rollers, while the first and second sections maintain greater thickness to preserve overall structural strength and provide roller contact points for conveyance.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray exhibits local quality variations where the midsection has reduced thickness specifically where it contacts the recording medium, while other portions maintain full thickness. This localized thinning prevents harmful contact without compromising the overall structural integrity needed for tray conveyance.
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 the recording medium from contacting the rollers or recording head, reduces the bowing of the rollers, and ensures a consistent gap for accurate image recording, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the image recording process.
Implementation Method 1
a first roller, a plurality of second rollers... The first roller and the plurality of second rollers are configured to nip the tray between the first roller and the plurality of second rollers
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording device includes a first roller, a plurality of second rollers, a tray, and a recording portion. The tray includes a pair of thick-walled sections, a thin-walled section, and an accommodation portion. The pair of thick-walled sections extends in a lengthwise direction and protrudes from the first surface. The thin-walled section is positioned between the pair of thick-walled sections. The thin-walled section is thinner than the pair of thick-walled sections in a thickness direction of the tray. The accommodation portion is formed by a recess in the thickness direction in the thin-walled section. When the first roller and the plurality of second rollers nip the tray therebetween, the first surface of the tray does not contact any of the first roller or the plurality of second rollers, except at the pair of thick-walled sections of the tray.