Dual axis paper drive
US4759649A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 24, 1987 |
| Grant date | Jul 26, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 24, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J15/16
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Method and apparatus are provided for moving perforated continuous paper (10) through a dual axis printer (12), with both axes (14, 30) driven, while regulating the feed with the perforations and maintaining a controlled tension (38a) in the paper between the two driven axes. The novel approach in this invention is the addition of a set of spring-loaded friction surfaces (56a-62a), incorporated into a gear transmission (50), which limit the amount of torque which can be transmitted to the unregulated drive axis, with the direct effect of controlling the tension in the paper between the two axes. In order to create this tension, the unregulated axis is driven at a slightly greater speed than the regulated axis (with speed measured in terms of inches of paper per revolution of the driven gear (20)). In normal operation, the slack in the paper is taken up, to the point at which the tension is at the correct level, and then enough slip occurs at the friction surfaces to drive the same amount of paper at both the regulated drive (16) and unregulated drive (32). The unregulated drive is only overdriven slightly (e.g., about 0.2%) to allow accurate feeding of single sheets (which are not …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.