Printer motor drive with backlash control system
US5456543A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 2, 1994 |
| Grant date | Oct 10, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 2, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/19623
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A backlash control system for a printer medium drive system having a motor-driven gear train for driving medium-engaging rollers. Pinion gears mounted on the motor drive shaft mesh with a main gear and a tension gear, mounted in turn on a main drive and a tension roller. An anti-backlash spring device includes pinch fingers which exert a pinch force on the main and tension gears. The pinch fingers are mounted at ends of a horizontal spring beam secured at an intermediate pivot point. As the motor turns to drive the print medium forward, the pinch force results in bowing of the horizontal beam, tending to exert a restoring force on the main and tension gears. As the motor direction is reversed and stopped, the restoring force results in the main and tension gears being pulled backwards to keep the gear teeth meshed tightly to the pinion gear teeth. The pinch fingers also exert a thrust load axially against the main drive and tension gears.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.