US20070063092A1 - Notch-finding mechanism and method of using the same - Google Patents
Notch-finding mechanism and method of using the same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070063092A1 US20070063092A1 US11/533,605 US53360506A US2007063092A1 US 20070063092 A1 US20070063092 A1 US 20070063092A1 US 53360506 A US53360506 A US 53360506A US 2007063092 A1 US2007063092 A1 US 2007063092A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- fingers
- notch
- core
- spring
- notch finding
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H16/00—Unwinding, paying-out webs
- B65H16/02—Supporting web roll
- B65H16/06—Supporting web roll both-ends type
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H19/00—Changing the web roll
- B65H19/10—Changing the web roll in unwinding mechanisms or in connection with unwinding operations
- B65H19/12—Lifting, transporting, or inserting the web roll; Removing empty core
- B65H19/126—Lifting, transporting, or inserting the web roll; Removing empty core with both-ends supporting arrangements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
- B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
- B65H75/18—Constructional details
- B65H75/185—End caps, plugs or adapters
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
- B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
- B65H75/18—Constructional details
- B65H75/30—Arrangements to facilitate driving or braking
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
- B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
- B65H2301/41—Winding, unwinding
- B65H2301/413—Supporting web roll
- B65H2301/4136—Mounting arrangements not otherwise provided for
- B65H2301/41369—Mounting arrangements not otherwise provided for hub arrangements, i.e. involving additional part between core / roll and machine bearing
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2801/00—Application field
- B65H2801/03—Image reproduction devices
- B65H2801/12—Single-function printing machines, typically table-top machines
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2801/00—Application field
- B65H2801/36—Plotting
Definitions
- the present invention involves a notch finding mechanism for coupling a drive assembly to a hollow cylindrical core and, more particularly, the use of a notch finding mechanism to couple a printer media roll to a drive assembly.
- Hollow cylindrical cores are used in the printing industry to carry rolls of printer media, such as paper, labels, or ink ribbon.
- the cores can be driven to rotate in a forward or backward direction by coupling a drive assembly to the core.
- One method of coupling a drive assembly to a core includes engaging keys on a drive disk into notches in the end of the core. More specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 1 , the drive disk 10 extends in a radially outward direction from the drive shaft 12 , and extending past the periphery of the drive disk 10 in a radially outward direction are the one or more keys 14 , or protrusions. In the example shown in FIGS.
- the hollow cylindrical core 20 includes one or more notches 22 at an end 23 of the core 20 that extend from an inner diameter 24 of the core 20 towards an outer diameter 25 of the core 20 .
- an operator rotates the core 20 until the notches 22 at the end 23 of the core 20 align with the keys 14 .
- the keys 14 are then engaged into the notches 22 in the core 20 , allowing the transfer of rotation of the shaft 12 to the core 20 .
- This loading operation can be cumbersome for the operator, especially when the core 20 is carrying a large printer media roll.
- the core 20 can slip away from the disk 10 , causing the keys 14 to disengage from the notches 22 and the media to misfeed and jam the printer.
- a notch finding mechanism for at least partially supporting and driving a core of a printer media supply.
- the core defines at least one notch at an end of the core, and the notch finding mechanism includes a drive shaft and a notch finding spring.
- the notch finding spring is driven by the drive shaft and includes a plurality of fingers positioned circumferentially about a central axis and adjacent to each other. Each finger is biased in a radially outward direction and has a free end. The bias of the fingers urges the free end of one of the fingers into the notch defined in the end of the core when the core is placed over the plurality of fingers and rotated.
- a notch finding spring for at least partially supporting and driving a core of a printer media supply.
- the core defines at least one notch at an end of the core, and the notch finding spring includes a plurality of fingers.
- the fingers are positioned circumferentially about a central axis and adjacent each other, are biased in a radially outward direction, and each have a free end. The bias of the fingers urges the free end of one of the fingers into the notch defined in the end of the core when the core is placed over the plurality of fingers and rotated.
- a method of supporting and driving a core of a printer media supply includes the steps of: (1) positioning the core over a notch finding spring that has a plurality of fingers with a radially outward bias, and (2) rotating the core and the notch finding spring relative to each other a small amount until one of the fingers biases into a notch defined in the core.
- a notch finding spring for driving a core that defines at least one notch adjacent to an end of the core.
- the notch finding spring includes a plurality of fingers that are positioned circumferentially about a central axis and adjacent to each other, are biased in a radial direction, and have a free end.
- the free end includes an engaging portion, and the bias of the fingers urges the engaging portion of one of the fingers into the notch when the core is placed adjacent to the plurality of fingers and rotated.
- a notch finding spring for driving a core.
- the notch finding spring is secured to the core and includes a plurality of fingers that are positioned circumferentially about a central axis and adjacent to each other.
- each finger is biased in a radial direction and includes a free end, and the free end includes an engaging portion that, because of the bias of each finger, is urged into a notch defined adjacent to an end of a drive shaft when the drive shaft is placed adjacent to the plurality of fingers and relatively rotated a small amount.
- FIG. 1 is an end view of a prior art coupling mechanism
- FIG. 2A is a side view of a hollow cylindrical core having a notched end
- FIG. 2B is an end view of the notched end of the hollow cylindrical core of FIG. 2A ;
- FIG. 3 is a plan view of a printer and a notch finding mechanism according to one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a notch finding mechanism and clutch assembly according to one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 4B is a side view of the notch finding mechanism and clutch assembly of FIG. 4A ;
- FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the notch finding mechanism and clutch assembly of FIG. 4A ;
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the notch finding mechanism and clutch assembly of FIG. 4A coupled to a hollow cylindrical core;
- FIG. 7 is a side view of a finger of the notch finding spring of FIG. 4A ;
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a core mounted onto the notch finding mechanism of FIG. 4A ;
- FIG. 9 is a top view of the notch finding spring of FIG. 4A ;
- FIG. 10 is an exemplary dimensional specification for the notch finding spring of FIG. 4A ;
- FIG. 11 is a partial plan view of a cut detail for the notch finding spring of FIG. 10 ;
- FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of an exemplary dimensional specification for a finger of the notch finding spring of FIG. 4A ;
- FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the notch finding mechanism and clutch assembly of FIG. 4A ;
- FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a notch finding spring according to another embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the notch finding spring of FIG. 14 coupled with a hollow cylindrical core;
- FIG. 16A is a plan view of an exemplary cut detail for the notch finding spring of FIG. 14 ;
- FIG. 16B is a partial plan view of the cut detail of FIG. 16A ;
- FIG. 17A is a side view of a notch finding spring according to another embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 17B is a plan view of the notch finding spring of FIG. 17A ;
- FIG. 18 is a side view of notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 19 is a side view of a notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 20 is a side view of a notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 21 is a side view of a notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 22 is a side view of a notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 23 is a side view of a notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 25 is a side view of a finger of a notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 26 is a side view of a finger of a notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 27 is a side view of a finger of a notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 28 is a side view of a finger of a notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 29 is a side view of a notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention.
- a notch finding mechanism for radially coupling the rotation of a drive shaft to a hollow cylindrical core.
- the notch finding mechanism include a notch finding spring mounted to an end of the drive shaft and having a plurality of fingers that are radially outwardly biased so as to seat within a notch defined in the media supply core with a relatively small amount of rotation between the spring and the core. This is enabled by the large number of fingers, such as twelve fingers, that are circumferentially positioned and configured to insert as a group into the core. And, in various embodiments, the outward bias of the fingers allows them to automatically seat in the notch or notches of the core, enabling single-handed loading of the core without attention or regard to the relative rotational position between the drive shaft and the core.
- the present invention includes a notch finding spring for at least partially supporting and driving a core of a printer media supply.
- the core defines at least one notch at its end.
- Included in the notch finding spring are a plurality of fingers that are circumferentially positioned adjacent to each other. Further, the fingers are biased in a radially outward direction, and each of the fingers includes a free end that can move radially at least a small amount.
- the bias of at least one of the fingers urges its free end into the notch defined in the end of the core when the core is placed over the plurality of fingers and relatively rotated (i.e., the core is rotated, the spring is rotated, or both) a small amount, such as 45°, 30° or less.
- each of the fingers is constructed of a flexible sheet material.
- the sheet material fingers may extend from a fixed end in a first axial direction, allowing their insertion into the core.
- Each of the fingers may also have an arcuate shaped profile that is defined by the fingers extending in a first direction from the fixed end, bending in a radially outward direction through an arc portion and extending in a second axial direction generally opposite the first axial direction toward the free end.
- each of the fingers has a width matched approximately to that of the notch for a firm fit. Also, a first diameter of around the free ends of the fingers is greater than an inside diameter of the supply core, and a second diameter around the arc portion is less than the inside diameter of the supply core. This allows easy placement of the second diameter into the core and urging of the free ends at the first diameter into the notch.
- Each of the fingers may have a varying width, being tapered at the free end for insertion into the notch, thicker at a middle portion and tapered near the arc portion.
- the taper near the arc portion promotes the insertion of several rigid support posts supported by the drive shaft between the fingers. These support posts provide torsional stability for the spring and radial support for reasonable centering of the rotational axis of the core independently of the flexing of the spring fingers.
- the notch finding spring maybe easily manufactured by punching and drawing from a flexible sheet material, such as stainless steel or beryllium copper.
- the notch finding spring can be used with existing clutch and drive assemblies by sizing the width of the fingers to approximately match the width of the notches in existing cores.
- the bias of the fingers and spacing of the fingers close together allows for single-handed loading of the core onto the notch finding spring without regard to relative rotational position.
- movement of the core in the axial direction is prevented or restricted as a result of the bias of the fingers in a radially outward direction against the inner diameter of the core.
- the printer 30 includes a rectangular housing 31 .
- the housing 31 includes a base 33 and a lid or cover (not shown).
- the base 33 has a rectangular shape with a wall structure that extends upwardly from the base 33 to support and contain various electronic and mechanical assemblies of the printer 30 .
- the base 33 of the housing 31 supports a print head assembly 40 , a drive assembly 50 , and a clutch assembly 60 .
- the print head assembly 40 includes a platen roller 41 , a print head 42 , and media guide surfaces 43 .
- the print head assembly 40 urges a printer media 80 between the platen roller 41 and the print head 42 to allow the print head 42 to print on the printer media 80 .
- the drive assembly 50 includes a drive motor 51 that rotates a drive shaft 52 .
- the drive motor can include, for example, a stepper motor.
- the drive shaft 52 has a driven end 53 adjacent to the drive motor 51 and a free end 54 opposite the driven end 53 .
- the drive shaft 52 further includes a drive disk 55 that extends in a radially outward direction from the axis of rotation of the drive shaft 52 and is positioned on the drive shaft 52 near the free end 54 .
- the drive assembly 50 further includes a support pin 56 that is positioned opposite the drive shaft 52 .
- a non-driven end of the hollow cylindrical core is rotatably mounted on and vertically supported by the support pin 56 , which may or may not be keyed.
- the clutch assembly 60 engages to transmit the rotational energy from the drive shaft 52 and disengages when the torque on the drive shaft 52 at the clutch assembly 60 exceeds a particular amount.
- the clutch assembly 60 includes the drive disk 55 , a support disk 61 , and a first, second, and third intermediate frictional disks 201 , 202 , 203 , which are shown in FIG. 5 .
- the drive disk 55 is integrally attached to the drive shaft 52 and extends in a radially outward direction from the drive shaft 52 .
- the support disk 61 is separate from the drive shaft 52 and includes a central aperture 63 for receiving the end 54 of the drive shaft 52 and a mounting surface 64 for mounting adjacent to the drive disk 55 .
- the intermediate frictional disks 201 , 202 , 203 that have frictional material on both sides and frictionally engage each other to couple the support disk 61 to the drive disk 55 with a designed “torque versus rotational” slip behavior.
- the first intermediate frictional disk 201 is coupled to the drive disk 55
- the second intermediate frictional disk 202 is coupled to the support disk 61
- the third intermediate frictional disk 203 is positioned between the first 201 and second intermediate frictional disks 202 and frictionally engages the first 201 and second intermediate frictional disks 202 .
- the intermediate frictional disks 201 , 202 are made of cartridge brass
- the support disk 61 is made of an unfilled polycarbonate
- the drive disk 55 and drive shaft 52 are made of injection molded nylon 6/6.
- the drive disk 55 and the support disk 61 include one or more keys 210 that protrude axially from the mating surfaces of each disk 55 , 61 and extend lengthwise in a radially outward direction from the center of each disk 55 , 61 , as shown in FIG. 5 .
- the keys are positioned towards the center of the drive disk 55 and the support disk 61 .
- Each of the intermediate frictional disks 201 , 202 include a central aperture 215 which is adapted for receiving the end of the drive shaft 52 , and one or more notches 216 that extend in a radially outward direction from the central aperture 215 .
- the notches 216 receive the keys 210 on the support disk 61 and drive disk 55 , which couples the drive disk 55 to the first intermediate frictional disk 201 and the support disk 61 to the second intermediate frictional disk 202 .
- the keys 210 and notches 216 are not limited to being positioned in the center of the disks 201 , 202 , 55 , and 61 and could be positioned, for example, along the periphery of the disks 201 , 202 , 55 , and 61 .
- intermediate frictional disks 201 , 202 engage the third intermediate frictional disk 203 , and the rotational energy of the drive shaft 52 is transferred to the support disk 61 . If the torque on the drive shaft 52 at the clutch assembly 60 exceeds the particular amount, the intermediate frictional disks 201 , 202 disengage from the third intermediate frictional disk 203 , allowing the drive disk 55 to rotate independently of the support disk 61 .
- printers are for illustration purposes only. It is envisioned that one of skill in the art would understand that the present invention is suitable for use in a variety of types of printers, such as thermal head printers, portable printers, or thermal transfer printers, or even other driven media or core driven devices, such as film rolls or paper rolls.
- a notch finding mechanism 100 of one embodiment of the present invention couples a hollow cylindrical core carrying printer media to the drive assembly of a printer.
- FIGS. 5 and 6 show the notch finding mechanism 100 according to one embodiment that includes a notch finding spring 101 and the support disk 61 having a plurality of support posts 230 .
- the notch finding spring 101 includes a plurality of arcuate-shaped fingers 102 formed of a flexible sheet material and a base portion 104 .
- the large number of fingers 102 enables a relatively small rotation (e.g., 45°, 30° or less) between the notch finding spring 101 and the core of the media supply.
- the amount of rotation will generally be the same or less than 360° divided by the number of fingers, such as 6, 8 or the illustrated twelve fingers 102 .
- the fingers 102 have a fixed end 110 and a free end 108 , and the fixed ends 110 of the fingers 102 are integrally attached to and positioned circumferentially around the base portion 104 and adjacent to each other, as shown in FIG. 6 .
- a plurality of spaces 106 are defined between the fingers 102 , and the spaces 106 allow the free end 108 of each finger 102 to move in a radial direction independently of adjacent fingers 102 .
- the free end 108 of each finger 102 has a reduced width w f compared to the portion of the finger 102 adjacent to the free end 108 .
- the width w f of the free end 108 is approximately matched to the width w n of a notch 22 on the end 23 of a cylindrical core 20 , such as the core 20 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B , allowing the free end 108 of a finger 102 to seat within the notch 22 .
- FIG. 7 illustrates the arcuate-profile of one of the fingers 102 .
- Each finger 102 extends from its fixed end 110 in a first axial direction and then bends in a radially outward direction through an arc portion 112 and extends towards the free end 108 in a second axial direction, which is substantially opposite the first axial direction.
- the portion of the finger 102 between the arc portion 112 and the free end 108 is biased in a radially outward direction r from an axis of rotation R of the notch finding spring 101 .
- each arc portion 112 has a reduced width compared to the portions of the finger 102 adjacent to the arc portion 112 .
- the reduced width defines a circular shaped space 120 between adjacent fingers 102 that can receive a support post 230 . Retaining the increased width along the remaining portions of the finger 102 provides strength for the finger 102 and more surface area with which to frictionally engage the inner diameter 24 of the core 20 .
- the diameter of the notch finding spring 101 around the arc portion 112 of the fingers 102 is less than the inner diameter 24 of the core 20
- the diameter of the notch finding spring 101 around the free ends 108 of the fingers 102 is greater than the inner diameter 24 of the core 20 . Because the diameter around the arc portion 112 is less than the inner diameter 24 of the core 20 , placement of the core 20 over the notch finding spring 101 is facilitated. And, because the diameter of the notch finding spring 101 around the free ends 108 of the fingers 102 is greater than the inner diameter 24 of the core 20 , the free ends 108 of the fingers 102 are urged against the inner diameter 24 of the core 20 or into notches 22 that align with the fingers 102 .
- An illustration of the notch finding spring 101 positioned within the notched end 23 of the cylindrical core 20 is shown in FIG. 8 .
- the base portion 104 defines an annular collar 114 that extends in a radially outward direction r from the axis of rotation R of the notch finding spring 101 to the fixed end 110 of the fingers 102 , as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 , and 9 .
- the annular collar 114 includes an inner diameter that approximately matches the outer diameter of the drive shaft 52 , or a mounting shaft extending axially from the end of the drive shaft 52 , allowing the annular collar 114 to be placed over the end of the drive shaft 52 or mounting shaft.
- the base portion 104 can be solid (not shown) or define an aperture through the center of the base portion 104 , as shown in FIG. 17B , for receiving a fastener, such as, for example, a screw or bolt, to secure the base portion 104 adjacent to the end 54 of the drive shaft 52 .
- One method of manufacturing a notch finding spring 101 includes cutting into a flexible sheet of material, such as beryllium copper or full-hard 301 stainless steel.
- the annular collar 114 is cut into the sheet of material, and the fingers 102 are defined by cutting slots into the material that extend from the outer diameter of the annular collar 114 to the edge of the sheet of material.
- the slots are positioned adjacent to each other and circumferentially around the outer diameter of the annular collar 114 .
- each finger 102 between the fixed end 110 and the arc portion 112 is bent in a first axial direction relative to the axis of rotation R of the notch finding spring 101 , the arc portion 112 of each finger 102 is bent in a radially outward direction, and the portion between the arc portion 112 and the free end 110 is bent in a second axial direction that is substantially opposite the first axial direction.
- the slots correspond to the spaces 106 defined between the fingers 102 .
- a mandrel, a first hollow cylinder, and a second hollow cylinder can be utilized. At least a portion of the mandrel has an outer diameter that is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the annular collar 114 , and the cut form of the notch finding spring 101 is mounted onto the mandrel by engaging the mandrel into the annular collar 114 .
- the first hollow cylinder has an inner diameter that is approximately the same as the desired outer diameter of the notch finding spring 101 as measured around the portions of each finger 102 intermediate the fixed end 110 and the arc portion 112 .
- the second hollow cylinder has an inner diameter approximately the same as the desired outer diameter of the notch finding spring 101 around the free ends 101 .
- the mandrel is maneuvered to engage a portion of the cut form into the first hollow cylinder, bending the fixed ends 110 of the fingers 102 in the first axial direction. Then, the portions of each finger 102 between the free end 108 and the arc portion 112 are engaged into the second hollow cylinder, which bends the fingers 102 radially outward and downward in the second axial direction.
- FIGS. 10 through 12 illustrate exemplary dimensional specifications for manufacturing the notch finding spring 101 from a sheet of a beryllium copper alloy having a yield strength of about 150,000 psi and a thickness Q of 0.005 inches.
- the inner diameter A of the annular collar 114 is approximately 0.185 inches and the distance B between the center of the annular collar 114 to the fixed end 110 of each finger 102 is approximately 0.135 inches.
- twelve slots corresponding to the twelve spaces 106 are cut into the material.
- the inner radius G of the transition from the fixed end 110 to the portion of the finger 102 intermediate the fixed end 110 and the arc portion 112 is about 0.050 inches
- the diameter H of the notch finding spring 101 around the free ends 108 of the fingers 102 is about 0.558 inches
- the diameter J of the notch finding spring 101 around the arc portions 112 is approximately 0.465 inches
- the diameter W of the notch finding spring 101 around the fixed ends 110 is 0.214 inches
- the radius K of the portion of the slot that is adjacent the annular collar 114 is about 0.007 inches.
- the specifications further show the portion of the finger 102 extending from the arc portion 112 to the free end 108 as having a curvature having an angle L of about 190° and a radius P of about 0.4 inches, and the arc portion 112 has an angle M of about 25° and a radius N of about 0.025 inches.
- the length Y of the finger 102 from the arc portion 112 to the free end 108 is about 0.251 inches, and the length X that the free end 108 extends below a plane of the annular collar 114 is 0.046 inches.
- the angle C from the center of one of the fingers 102 to the edge of the finger is about 12°
- the angle D from the center of one finger 102 to the center of an adjacent finger 102 is about 42°
- the angle E of each space between the fingers 102 is about 6°
- the diameter F of the space 106 between two adjacent arc portions 112 is about 0.055 inches.
- FIG. 12 shows another exemplary dimensional specification for manufacturing the arcuate-shaped fingers 102 .
- the inner diameter A of the annular collar 114 is about 0.125 inches
- the radius G of the transition from the fixed end 110 to the portion of the finger 102 intermediate the fixed end 110 and the arc portion 112 is about 0.010 inches
- the outer radius V of the transition from the fixed end 110 to the portion of the finger 102 intermediate the fixed end 110 and the arc portion 112 is about 0.020 inches
- the arc portion 112 has an angle M of about 25° and a radius N of about 0.025 inches.
- the specifications show the portion of the finger 102 extending from the arc portion 112 to the free end 108 as having a curvature having an angle L of about 170° and a radius P of about 0.4 inches.
- the flexible sheet material out of which the finger 102 is cut is shown as having a thickness Q of approximately 0.010 inches.
- the notch finding spring 101 is not limited to the specific embodiment described above in relation to FIGS. 4A through 12 .
- the fingers 102 do not have a reduced width at the free end 108 or a reduced width at the arc portion 112 .
- the width of the fingers 102 gradually tapers from the free end 108 towards the arc portion 112 , and the free end 108 has a width that is approximately matched with the width of a notch 22 in the core 20 .
- the spaces 106 between the fingers 102 have a width approximately the same as the diameter of one of the support posts 230 that extend from the support disk 61 .
- FIGS. 16A and 16B The exemplary cut detail of a notch finding spring 101 according to this embodiment is shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B .
- the angle of each space 106 between the fingers 102 is about 6°, and the distance from the center of the annular collar 114 to the fixed end 110 outeach finger 102 is about 0.1 inches.
- the width of each finger 102 is uniform along the length of the finger 102 .
- FIGS. 17A and 17B another embodiment of the notch finding spring 101 , which is shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B , includes non arcuate-shaped fingers 102 . Instead, the fingers 102 extend outwardly and downwardly from the base portion 104 without bending through an arc portion 112 .
- the notch finding mechanism 100 further includes a support disk 61 .
- the support disk 61 includes a plurality of support posts 230 that extend in an axial direction from the outer surface 221 of the support disk 61 .
- the support posts 230 are positioned circumferentially around the central aperture of the support disk 61 .
- each of the spaces 106 between the fingers 102 aligns with and receives one of the support posts 230 .
- the support posts 230 prevent the fingers 102 from excessive torsional deflection.
- the support posts 230 extend axially from the drive disk 55 .
- the support disk 61 includes an annular groove 220 on the outer surface 221 of the support disk 61 , which is the surface opposite the mounting surface 64 .
- the annular groove 220 is adapted for seating the free ends 108 of the fingers 102 of the notch finding spring 101 . By seating the free ends 108 in the annular groove 220 , the free ends 108 are prevented from being forced in a radially inward direction past the inner diameter of the annular groove 220 , thereby protecting the fingers 102 from excessive radial deflection.
- the rotational energy of the drive motor 51 is transferred to the core 20 by securing the notch finding spring 101 to the support disk 61 and placing the core 20 over the notch finding spring 101 .
- the notch finding mechanism 100 further includes a compression spring 250 , a washer 255 , and a threaded bolt 256 .
- the support disk 61 and the intermediate frictional disks 201 , 202 , 203 are placed over the end 54 of the drive shaft 52 and stacked adjacent the drive disk 55 , as described above in relation to FIG. 5 .
- the annular collar 114 of the notch finding spring 101 is placed over the end 54 of the drive shaft 52 and seated adjacent the support disk 61 .
- a helical compression spring 250 is placed over the end 54 of the drive shaft 55 and seated adjacent the annular collar 114 of the notch finding spring 101 .
- a washer 255 is then placed intermediate the helical compression spring 250 and a head portion of a threaded bolt 256 , and a threaded portion of the threaded bolt 256 is engaged through the center of the compression spring 250 and into a threaded aperture 260 that extends axially from the end 54 of the drive shaft 52 or mounting shaft towards the driven end 53 of the drive shaft 52 .
- FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the notch finding spring 101 described above in relation to FIG. 4A engaged into the notched end of the core 20 and coupled to the drive assembly 50 via the clutch assembly 60 described above in relation to FIG. 5 .
- a finger 102 When the core 20 is placed over the notch finding spring 101 , a finger 102 may or may not be aligned with a notch 22 . If a finger 102 is aligned with a notch 22 , the bias of the finger 102 causes it to seat into the notch 22 automatically. If a finger 102 is not aligned with a notch 22 , the drive assembly 50 rotates the notch finding spring 101 until a finger 102 aligns with the notch 22 . Because a finger 102 automatically seats within a notch 22 when the finger 102 is aligned with the notch 22 , the operator does not have to adjust the core 20 once the core 20 is placed over the notch finding spring 101 .
- the notch finding spring 101 is coupled to the drive shaft 52 without a clutch assembly 60 .
- Support posts 230 extend axially from the drive disk 55 and are positioned circumferentially around the axis of rotation of the drive shaft 52 .
- the annular collar 114 of the notch finding spring 101 is placed over the end 53 of the drive shaft 52 and positioned to seat adjacent to the surface of the drive disk 55 such that the spaces 106 between the fingers 102 are aligned with and receive the support posts 230 .
- the use of a compression spring 250 , washer 255 , and threaded bolt 256 can be utilized to secure the notch finding spring 101 into frictional contact with the drive disk 55 .
- the radially biased spring for axially coupling a drive shaft to a hollow cylindrical shaft.
- the radially biased spring includes a base portion and a plurality of fingers. Each of the fingers includes a fixed end and a free end, and the fixed end of each finger is integrally attached to the base portion. The fingers are positioned circumferentially around the base portion so as to define a plurality of spaces between the fingers.
- the base portion of the radially biased spring is securely mounted to the end of the drive shaft so that the fixed ends of the fingers are adjacent the end of the drive shaft and the free ends are positioned adjacent the body of the drive shaft. When a hollow cylindrical shaft is placed over the fingers, the fingers are biased in a radial outward direction against the inside diameter of the cylindrical shaft to couple the drive shaft to the cylindrical shaft.
- a radially biased spring in an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 18 , includes a base portion 104 and a plurality of fingers 302 that extend in an axial direction from the base portion 104 away from the end of the drive shaft 52 towards a cylindrical shaft 320 .
- the fingers 302 are biased in a radially outward direction, and each finger 302 includes a protrusion 303 that extends in a radially outward direction from the finger 302 .
- the cylindrical shaft 320 includes a driven end 321 , and notches 322 are positioned along an inner diameter of the cylindrical shaft 320 adjacent to the driven end 321 .
- the notches 322 are positioned such that they will align with the protrusions 303 on the fingers 302 when the fingers 302 are engaged into the cylindrical shaft 320 .
- the radially outward bias of the fingers 302 urges the protrusions 303 on the fingers 302 into engagement with the notches 322 in the cylindrical shaft 320 , coupling the cylindrical shaft 320 to the drive shaft 52 .
- the protrusions 303 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 18 are rectangular shaped.
- the protrusions 303 can take on alternative shapes, such as spherical, triangular, or trapezoidal, depending on the shape of the notches 322 in the cylindrical shaft 320 .
- the protrusions 303 are circular shaped and the notches 322 are dimple shaped.
- This embodiment advantageously provides a self-clutching assembly by allowing the protrusions 303 to disengage the dimple shaped notches 322 when the torque at the end of the drive shaft 52 exceeds a predetermined amount.
- the protrusions 303 on the fingers 302 extend in a radially inward direction and the fingers 302 are biased in a radially inward direction.
- the cylindrical shaft 320 includes notches 322 positioned along its outer diameter adjacent to the driven end 321 of the cylindrical shaft 320 .
- the fingers 302 are engaged into the driven end 321 of the cylindrical shaft 320 , and the bias of the fingers 302 urges the protrusions 303 on the fingers 302 into engagement with the notches 322 on the outer diameter of the cylindrical shaft 320 .
- the fingers 302 are biased in a radially inward direction, and each finger 302 includes two arcs that define an S-shape.
- a first arc 304 is positioned adjacent to the free end of the finger 302 and is convex relative to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft 52
- a second arc 305 is positioned adjacent to the first arc 304 and is concave relative to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft 52 .
- the cylindrical shaft 320 includes a toroidal shaped collar 325 extending in a radially outward direction from the outer diameter of the cylindrical shaft 320 adjacent to the driven end 321 of the cylindrical shaft 320 .
- the collar 325 has a diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical shaft 320 and slightly less than the inner diameter defined by the second arcs 305 of the fingers 302 .
- the cylindrical shaft 320 further includes a plurality of notches 322 positioned along the outer diameter of the cylindrical shaft 320 between the toroidal collar 325 and the non-driven end of the cylindrical shaft 320 .
- the fingers 302 are engaged over the driven end 321 of the cylindrical shaft 320 and the bias of the fingers 302 urges the second arcs 305 of the fingers 302 into engagement with the toroidal collar 325 and the first arcs 304 into engagement with the notches 322 on the outer diameter of the cylindrical shaft 320 .
- the engagement of the second arcs 305 with the toroidal collar 325 prevents axial movement of the cylindrical shaft 320 relative to the drive shaft 52 , and the rotational energy from the drive shaft 52 is transferred to the cylindrical shaft 320 through the engagement of the first arcs 304 into the notches 322 adjacent to the toroidal collar 325 .
- FIG. 22 shows a variation of the embodiment described in relation in FIG. 21 wherein the cylindrical shaft 320 has a toroidal collar 325 that extends from the outer diameter of the cylindrical shaft 320 in a radially outward direction, and the notches 322 are positioned along a crest 326 of the toroidal collar 325 on the inner diameter of the cylindrical shaft 320 .
- the fingers 302 include at least one arc 306 that is concave relative to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft 52 , and upon engaging the fingers 302 into the cylindrical shaft 320 , the arcs 306 on the fingers 302 engage into the toroidal collar 325 and the notches 322 therein.
- the engagement of the arcs 306 with the toroidal collar 325 prevents axial movement of the cylindrical shaft 320 relative to the drive shaft 52 , and the rotational energy from the drive shaft 52 is transferred to the cylindrical shaft 320 through the engagement of the arcs 306 into the notches 322 on the toroidal collar 325 .
- fingers 302 extend axially from the circumference of a cylinder 310 having a threaded exterior portion 311 , as shown in FIG. 23 .
- the threaded exterior portion 311 engages a threaded inner diameter 340 of a drive shaft 52 .
- the fingers 302 include protrusions 303 that extend in a radially inward direction, and these protrusions 303 engage notches 322 positioned within a trough of an annular collar 330 that extends in a radially inward direction from the outer diameter of the cylindrical shaft 320 when the fingers 302 are engaged over the cylindrical shaft 320 .
- the protrusions 303 on the fingers 302 disengage from the notches 322 or the threaded portion 311 of the cylinder 310 disengages from the threaded inner diameter 340 of the drive shaft 52 .
- FIG. 24 illustrates another embodiment in which the end of the drive shaft 52 includes a first face 345 that includes a plurality of protrusions 341 extending from the first face 345 in an axial direction away from the drive shaft 52 .
- the cylindrical shaft 320 includes a driven end 321 that has a second face 350 , and the second face 350 of the driven end 321 includes a plurality of notches 352 that align with the protrusions 341 on the drive shaft 52 and are configured for receiving the protrusions 341 when the driven end 321 of the cylindrical shaft 320 and the end of the drive shaft 52 are place adjacent to each other.
- a plurality of fingers 302 extend from the end of the drive shaft 52 in an axial direction towards a cylindrical shaft 320 .
- the fingers 302 further include a protrusion 303 that extends in a radially inward direction, and the protrusion 303 engages a groove 330 in the outer diameter of the cylindrical shaft 320 .
- FIGS. 25 through 28 illustrate exemplary alternative embodiments of finger shapes.
- FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate fingers 302 that have a free end 108 , a fixed end 110 , and an elongated body extending between the free end 108 and the fixed end 110 .
- a protrusion 303 extends from the elongated body between the fixed end 110 of the finger 302 and a middle portion of the elongated body.
- the protrusion 303 may extend in a radially inward direction as shown in FIG. 25 or in a radially outward direction as shown in FIG. 26 .
- FIG. 27 illustrates another embodiment of a finger 302 that has a free end 108 , a fixed end 110 , and an elongated body extending between the free end 108 and the fixed end 110 .
- a protrusion 303 extends from a middle portion of the elongated body, and the free end 108 of the finger 302 defines a hook shape.
- the hook-shaped free end 108 can bend radially inward or radially outward to facilitate the insertion of the finger 302 into the inner diameter of the cylindrical shaft or onto the outer diameter of the cylindrical shaft, respectively.
- FIG. 28 illustrates a finger 302 having a fixed end 110 , a free end 108 , and a U-shaped body that extends between the free end 108 and the fixed end 110 and includes an arcuate portion 401 .
- the finger 302 extends from a base portion 104 in a first axial direction, bends in a radially outward direction through the arc portion 401 , and extends in a second axial direction to the free end 108 , wherein the first axial direction is substantially opposite the second axial direction.
- the finger 302 includes a protrusion 303 that extends in a radially outward direction and is positioned between the arc portion 401 and the free end 108 of the finger 302 .
- the finger 302 is suited for engaging notches located along the inner diameter of a cylindrical shaft.
- the finger extends from the base portion in the first axial direction, but bends in a radially inward direction through the arc portion before extending in the second axial direction to the free end.
- the finger also includes a protrusion positioned between the arc portion and the free end of the finger, but unlike the finger shown in FIG. 28 , the protrusion extends in a radially inward direction. This finger is adapted for engaging notches located along the outer diameter of the cylindrical shaft.
- the fingers 302 described above are positioned on the driven end 321 of the cylindrical shaft 320 , and the structure for engaging the fingers 302 is positioned on the drive end of the drive shaft 52 .
- fingers 302 extend from the driven end 321 of the cylindrical shaft 320 towards the drive shaft 52 .
- the drive shaft 52 includes a hollow cylindrical portion at the drive end that includes a plurality of notches 441 .
- the fingers 302 which are biased in a radially outward direction, engage the notches 441 and transfer rotational energy from the drive shaft 52 to the cylindrical shaft 320 .
Landscapes
- Unwinding Webs (AREA)
Abstract
One embodiment of the invention is a notch finding mechanism that at least partially supports and drives a core carrying printer media. The notch finding mechanism includes a notch finding spring and a plurality of support posts that extend from a support disk. The notch finding spring includes a plurality of fingers constructed of a flexible sheet material, and the fingers are positioned circumferentially and adjacent each other to define a plurality of spaces between the fingers. In addition, the fingers are biased radially outwardly, and each of the fingers has a free end that has a width that is approximately matched to a width of a notch in an end of the core. The bias of one of the fingers urges the free end of the finger into the notch aligned with the finger when the core is placed over the fingers and is rotated a small amount.
Description
- This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/719,411, filed Sep. 21, 2005, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
- The present invention involves a notch finding mechanism for coupling a drive assembly to a hollow cylindrical core and, more particularly, the use of a notch finding mechanism to couple a printer media roll to a drive assembly.
- Hollow cylindrical cores are used in the printing industry to carry rolls of printer media, such as paper, labels, or ink ribbon. The cores can be driven to rotate in a forward or backward direction by coupling a drive assembly to the core. One method of coupling a drive assembly to a core includes engaging keys on a drive disk into notches in the end of the core. More specifically, in the example shown in
FIG. 1 , thedrive disk 10 extends in a radially outward direction from thedrive shaft 12, and extending past the periphery of thedrive disk 10 in a radially outward direction are the one ormore keys 14, or protrusions. In the example shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B , the hollowcylindrical core 20 includes one ormore notches 22 at anend 23 of thecore 20 that extend from aninner diameter 24 of thecore 20 towards anouter diameter 25 of thecore 20. To load thecore 20 onto thekeyed disk 10 described above, an operator rotates thecore 20 until thenotches 22 at theend 23 of thecore 20 align with thekeys 14. Thekeys 14 are then engaged into thenotches 22 in thecore 20, allowing the transfer of rotation of theshaft 12 to thecore 20. - This loading operation can be cumbersome for the operator, especially when the
core 20 is carrying a large printer media roll. In addition, thecore 20 can slip away from thedisk 10, causing thekeys 14 to disengage from thenotches 22 and the media to misfeed and jam the printer. - Therefore, a need in the art exists for a device that radially couples a core onto a drive shaft to transmit the rotational energy from the drive shaft to the core.
- According to various embodiments, a notch finding mechanism is provided for at least partially supporting and driving a core of a printer media supply. The core defines at least one notch at an end of the core, and the notch finding mechanism includes a drive shaft and a notch finding spring. The notch finding spring is driven by the drive shaft and includes a plurality of fingers positioned circumferentially about a central axis and adjacent to each other. Each finger is biased in a radially outward direction and has a free end. The bias of the fingers urges the free end of one of the fingers into the notch defined in the end of the core when the core is placed over the plurality of fingers and rotated.
- In another embodiment, a notch finding spring is provided for at least partially supporting and driving a core of a printer media supply. The core defines at least one notch at an end of the core, and the notch finding spring includes a plurality of fingers. The fingers are positioned circumferentially about a central axis and adjacent each other, are biased in a radially outward direction, and each have a free end. The bias of the fingers urges the free end of one of the fingers into the notch defined in the end of the core when the core is placed over the plurality of fingers and rotated.
- According to another embodiment, a method of supporting and driving a core of a printer media supply is provided. The method includes the steps of: (1) positioning the core over a notch finding spring that has a plurality of fingers with a radially outward bias, and (2) rotating the core and the notch finding spring relative to each other a small amount until one of the fingers biases into a notch defined in the core.
- In yet another embodiment, a notch finding spring is provided for driving a core that defines at least one notch adjacent to an end of the core. The notch finding spring includes a plurality of fingers that are positioned circumferentially about a central axis and adjacent to each other, are biased in a radial direction, and have a free end. The free end includes an engaging portion, and the bias of the fingers urges the engaging portion of one of the fingers into the notch when the core is placed adjacent to the plurality of fingers and rotated.
- In another embodiment, a notch finding spring is provided for driving a core. The notch finding spring is secured to the core and includes a plurality of fingers that are positioned circumferentially about a central axis and adjacent to each other. In addition, each finger is biased in a radial direction and includes a free end, and the free end includes an engaging portion that, because of the bias of each finger, is urged into a notch defined adjacent to an end of a drive shaft when the drive shaft is placed adjacent to the plurality of fingers and relatively rotated a small amount.
- Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is an end view of a prior art coupling mechanism; -
FIG. 2A is a side view of a hollow cylindrical core having a notched end; -
FIG. 2B is an end view of the notched end of the hollow cylindrical core ofFIG. 2A ; -
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a printer and a notch finding mechanism according to one embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a notch finding mechanism and clutch assembly according to one embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 4B is a side view of the notch finding mechanism and clutch assembly ofFIG. 4A ; -
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the notch finding mechanism and clutch assembly ofFIG. 4A ; -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the notch finding mechanism and clutch assembly ofFIG. 4A coupled to a hollow cylindrical core; -
FIG. 7 is a side view of a finger of the notch finding spring ofFIG. 4A ; -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a core mounted onto the notch finding mechanism ofFIG. 4A ; -
FIG. 9 is a top view of the notch finding spring ofFIG. 4A ; -
FIG. 10 is an exemplary dimensional specification for the notch finding spring ofFIG. 4A ; -
FIG. 11 is a partial plan view of a cut detail for the notch finding spring ofFIG. 10 ; -
FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of an exemplary dimensional specification for a finger of the notch finding spring ofFIG. 4A ; -
FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the notch finding mechanism and clutch assembly ofFIG. 4A ; -
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a notch finding spring according to another embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the notch finding spring ofFIG. 14 coupled with a hollow cylindrical core; -
FIG. 16A is a plan view of an exemplary cut detail for the notch finding spring ofFIG. 14 ; -
FIG. 16B is a partial plan view of the cut detail ofFIG. 16A ; -
FIG. 17A is a side view of a notch finding spring according to another embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 17B is a plan view of the notch finding spring ofFIG. 17A ; -
FIG. 18 is a side view of notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 19 is a side view of a notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 20 is a side view of a notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 21 is a side view of a notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 22 is a side view of a notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 23 is a side view of a notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention;FIG. 25 is a side view of a finger of a notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 26 is a side view of a finger of a notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 27 is a side view of a finger of a notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 28 is a side view of a finger of a notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention; and -
FIG. 29 is a side view of a notch finding spring according to one embodiment of the invention. - Various embodiments of the present invention address one or more of the above needs and achieve other advantages by providing a notch finding mechanism for radially coupling the rotation of a drive shaft to a hollow cylindrical core. For example, certain embodiments of the notch finding mechanism include a notch finding spring mounted to an end of the drive shaft and having a plurality of fingers that are radially outwardly biased so as to seat within a notch defined in the media supply core with a relatively small amount of rotation between the spring and the core. This is enabled by the large number of fingers, such as twelve fingers, that are circumferentially positioned and configured to insert as a group into the core. And, in various embodiments, the outward bias of the fingers allows them to automatically seat in the notch or notches of the core, enabling single-handed loading of the core without attention or regard to the relative rotational position between the drive shaft and the core.
- In one embodiment, the present invention includes a notch finding spring for at least partially supporting and driving a core of a printer media supply. The core defines at least one notch at its end. Included in the notch finding spring are a plurality of fingers that are circumferentially positioned adjacent to each other. Further, the fingers are biased in a radially outward direction, and each of the fingers includes a free end that can move radially at least a small amount. The bias of at least one of the fingers urges its free end into the notch defined in the end of the core when the core is placed over the plurality of fingers and relatively rotated (i.e., the core is rotated, the spring is rotated, or both) a small amount, such as 45°, 30° or less.
- In addition, each of the fingers is constructed of a flexible sheet material. For example, the sheet material fingers may extend from a fixed end in a first axial direction, allowing their insertion into the core. Each of the fingers may also have an arcuate shaped profile that is defined by the fingers extending in a first direction from the fixed end, bending in a radially outward direction through an arc portion and extending in a second axial direction generally opposite the first axial direction toward the free end.
- In another aspect, each of the fingers has a width matched approximately to that of the notch for a firm fit. Also, a first diameter of around the free ends of the fingers is greater than an inside diameter of the supply core, and a second diameter around the arc portion is less than the inside diameter of the supply core. This allows easy placement of the second diameter into the core and urging of the free ends at the first diameter into the notch.
- Each of the fingers may have a varying width, being tapered at the free end for insertion into the notch, thicker at a middle portion and tapered near the arc portion. The taper near the arc portion promotes the insertion of several rigid support posts supported by the drive shaft between the fingers. These support posts provide torsional stability for the spring and radial support for reasonable centering of the rotational axis of the core independently of the flexing of the spring fingers.
- Various embodiments of the present invention provide several advantages. For example, the notch finding spring maybe easily manufactured by punching and drawing from a flexible sheet material, such as stainless steel or beryllium copper. As another example, the notch finding spring can be used with existing clutch and drive assemblies by sizing the width of the fingers to approximately match the width of the notches in existing cores. Further, the bias of the fingers and spacing of the fingers close together allows for single-handed loading of the core onto the notch finding spring without regard to relative rotational position. In addition, movement of the core in the axial direction is prevented or restricted as a result of the bias of the fingers in a radially outward direction against the inner diameter of the core.
- The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
- Printer and Drive Assembly
- As shown in
FIG. 3 , theprinter 30 includes arectangular housing 31. Thehousing 31 includes abase 33 and a lid or cover (not shown). Thebase 33 has a rectangular shape with a wall structure that extends upwardly from the base 33 to support and contain various electronic and mechanical assemblies of theprinter 30. - The
base 33 of thehousing 31 supports aprint head assembly 40, adrive assembly 50, and aclutch assembly 60. Theprint head assembly 40 includes aplaten roller 41, aprint head 42, and media guide surfaces 43. Theprint head assembly 40 urges aprinter media 80 between theplaten roller 41 and theprint head 42 to allow theprint head 42 to print on theprinter media 80. - The
drive assembly 50 includes adrive motor 51 that rotates adrive shaft 52. The drive motor can include, for example, a stepper motor. Thedrive shaft 52 has a drivenend 53 adjacent to thedrive motor 51 and afree end 54 opposite the drivenend 53. Thedrive shaft 52 further includes adrive disk 55 that extends in a radially outward direction from the axis of rotation of thedrive shaft 52 and is positioned on thedrive shaft 52 near thefree end 54. Thedrive assembly 50 further includes asupport pin 56 that is positioned opposite thedrive shaft 52. A non-driven end of the hollow cylindrical core is rotatably mounted on and vertically supported by thesupport pin 56, which may or may not be keyed. - The
clutch assembly 60 engages to transmit the rotational energy from thedrive shaft 52 and disengages when the torque on thedrive shaft 52 at theclutch assembly 60 exceeds a particular amount. As shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B , theclutch assembly 60 includes thedrive disk 55, asupport disk 61, and a first, second, and third intermediatefrictional disks FIG. 5 . Thedrive disk 55 is integrally attached to thedrive shaft 52 and extends in a radially outward direction from thedrive shaft 52. Thesupport disk 61 is separate from thedrive shaft 52 and includes acentral aperture 63 for receiving theend 54 of thedrive shaft 52 and a mountingsurface 64 for mounting adjacent to thedrive disk 55. Between thesupport disk 61 and thedrive disk 55 are the intermediatefrictional disks support disk 61 to thedrive disk 55 with a designed “torque versus rotational” slip behavior. - The first intermediate
frictional disk 201 is coupled to thedrive disk 55, and the second intermediatefrictional disk 202 is coupled to thesupport disk 61. The third intermediatefrictional disk 203 is positioned between the first 201 and second intermediatefrictional disks 202 and frictionally engages the first 201 and second intermediatefrictional disks 202. In one embodiment, the intermediatefrictional disks support disk 61 is made of an unfilled polycarbonate, and thedrive disk 55 and driveshaft 52 are made of injection molded nylon 6/6. - To couple the intermediate
frictional disks drive disk 55 and thesupport disk 61, thedrive disk 55 and thesupport disk 61 include one ormore keys 210 that protrude axially from the mating surfaces of eachdisk disk FIG. 5 . The keys are positioned towards the center of thedrive disk 55 and thesupport disk 61. Each of the intermediatefrictional disks central aperture 215 which is adapted for receiving the end of thedrive shaft 52, and one ormore notches 216 that extend in a radially outward direction from thecentral aperture 215. Thenotches 216 receive thekeys 210 on thesupport disk 61 and drivedisk 55, which couples thedrive disk 55 to the first intermediatefrictional disk 201 and thesupport disk 61 to the second intermediatefrictional disk 202. Thekeys 210 andnotches 216 are not limited to being positioned in the center of thedisks disks - When the torque on the
drive shaft 52 at theclutch assembly 60 is below a particular amount, intermediatefrictional disks frictional disk 203, and the rotational energy of thedrive shaft 52 is transferred to thesupport disk 61. If the torque on thedrive shaft 52 at theclutch assembly 60 exceeds the particular amount, the intermediatefrictional disks frictional disk 203, allowing thedrive disk 55 to rotate independently of thesupport disk 61. - The printer described above is for illustration purposes only. It is envisioned that one of skill in the art would understand that the present invention is suitable for use in a variety of types of printers, such as thermal head printers, portable printers, or thermal transfer printers, or even other driven media or core driven devices, such as film rolls or paper rolls.
- Notch Finding Mechanism
- A
notch finding mechanism 100 of one embodiment of the present invention couples a hollow cylindrical core carrying printer media to the drive assembly of a printer.FIGS. 5 and 6 show thenotch finding mechanism 100 according to one embodiment that includes anotch finding spring 101 and thesupport disk 61 having a plurality of support posts 230. Thenotch finding spring 101 includes a plurality of arcuate-shapedfingers 102 formed of a flexible sheet material and abase portion 104. - Advantageously, the large number of
fingers 102 enables a relatively small rotation (e.g., 45°, 30° or less) between thenotch finding spring 101 and the core of the media supply. For example, the amount of rotation will generally be the same or less than 360° divided by the number of fingers, such as 6, 8 or the illustrated twelvefingers 102. - The
fingers 102 have a fixedend 110 and afree end 108, and the fixed ends 110 of thefingers 102 are integrally attached to and positioned circumferentially around thebase portion 104 and adjacent to each other, as shown inFIG. 6 . A plurality ofspaces 106 are defined between thefingers 102, and thespaces 106 allow thefree end 108 of eachfinger 102 to move in a radial direction independently ofadjacent fingers 102. Furthermore, thefree end 108 of eachfinger 102 has a reduced width wf compared to the portion of thefinger 102 adjacent to thefree end 108. The width wf of thefree end 108 is approximately matched to the width wn of anotch 22 on theend 23 of acylindrical core 20, such as the core 20 shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B , allowing thefree end 108 of afinger 102 to seat within thenotch 22. -
FIG. 7 illustrates the arcuate-profile of one of thefingers 102. Eachfinger 102 extends from itsfixed end 110 in a first axial direction and then bends in a radially outward direction through anarc portion 112 and extends towards thefree end 108 in a second axial direction, which is substantially opposite the first axial direction. The portion of thefinger 102 between thearc portion 112 and thefree end 108 is biased in a radially outward direction r from an axis of rotation R of thenotch finding spring 101. - As shown in
FIGS. 6 and 9 , eacharc portion 112 has a reduced width compared to the portions of thefinger 102 adjacent to thearc portion 112. The reduced width defines a circular shapedspace 120 betweenadjacent fingers 102 that can receive asupport post 230. Retaining the increased width along the remaining portions of thefinger 102 provides strength for thefinger 102 and more surface area with which to frictionally engage theinner diameter 24 of thecore 20. - In addition, the diameter of the
notch finding spring 101 around thearc portion 112 of thefingers 102 is less than theinner diameter 24 of the core 20, and the diameter of thenotch finding spring 101 around the free ends 108 of thefingers 102 is greater than theinner diameter 24 of thecore 20. Because the diameter around thearc portion 112 is less than theinner diameter 24 of the core 20, placement of the core 20 over thenotch finding spring 101 is facilitated. And, because the diameter of thenotch finding spring 101 around the free ends 108 of thefingers 102 is greater than theinner diameter 24 of the core 20, the free ends 108 of thefingers 102 are urged against theinner diameter 24 of the core 20 or intonotches 22 that align with thefingers 102. An illustration of thenotch finding spring 101 positioned within the notchedend 23 of thecylindrical core 20 is shown inFIG. 8 . - The
base portion 104 defines anannular collar 114 that extends in a radially outward direction r from the axis of rotation R of thenotch finding spring 101 to thefixed end 110 of thefingers 102, as shown inFIGS. 6, 7 , and 9. Theannular collar 114 includes an inner diameter that approximately matches the outer diameter of thedrive shaft 52, or a mounting shaft extending axially from the end of thedrive shaft 52, allowing theannular collar 114 to be placed over the end of thedrive shaft 52 or mounting shaft. Alternatively, thebase portion 104 can be solid (not shown) or define an aperture through the center of thebase portion 104, as shown inFIG. 17B , for receiving a fastener, such as, for example, a screw or bolt, to secure thebase portion 104 adjacent to theend 54 of thedrive shaft 52. - One method of manufacturing a
notch finding spring 101 includes cutting into a flexible sheet of material, such as beryllium copper or full-hard 301 stainless steel. Theannular collar 114 is cut into the sheet of material, and thefingers 102 are defined by cutting slots into the material that extend from the outer diameter of theannular collar 114 to the edge of the sheet of material. The slots are positioned adjacent to each other and circumferentially around the outer diameter of theannular collar 114. After the slots are cut, the portion of eachfinger 102 between thefixed end 110 and thearc portion 112 is bent in a first axial direction relative to the axis of rotation R of thenotch finding spring 101, thearc portion 112 of eachfinger 102 is bent in a radially outward direction, and the portion between thearc portion 112 and thefree end 110 is bent in a second axial direction that is substantially opposite the first axial direction. When thenotch finding spring 101 is finished, the slots correspond to thespaces 106 defined between thefingers 102. - To bend the
fingers 102 into the arcuate-shaped profile, a mandrel, a first hollow cylinder, and a second hollow cylinder can be utilized. At least a portion of the mandrel has an outer diameter that is substantially the same as the inner diameter of theannular collar 114, and the cut form of thenotch finding spring 101 is mounted onto the mandrel by engaging the mandrel into theannular collar 114. The first hollow cylinder has an inner diameter that is approximately the same as the desired outer diameter of thenotch finding spring 101 as measured around the portions of eachfinger 102 intermediate thefixed end 110 and thearc portion 112. And, the second hollow cylinder has an inner diameter approximately the same as the desired outer diameter of thenotch finding spring 101 around the free ends 101. The mandrel is maneuvered to engage a portion of the cut form into the first hollow cylinder, bending the fixed ends 110 of thefingers 102 in the first axial direction. Then, the portions of eachfinger 102 between thefree end 108 and thearc portion 112 are engaged into the second hollow cylinder, which bends thefingers 102 radially outward and downward in the second axial direction. -
FIGS. 10 through 12 illustrate exemplary dimensional specifications for manufacturing thenotch finding spring 101 from a sheet of a beryllium copper alloy having a yield strength of about 150,000 psi and a thickness Q of 0.005 inches. For example, as shown inFIG. 10 , the inner diameter A of theannular collar 114 is approximately 0.185 inches and the distance B between the center of theannular collar 114 to thefixed end 110 of eachfinger 102 is approximately 0.135 inches. To define the twelvefingers 102 shown inFIG. 10 , twelve slots corresponding to the twelvespaces 106 are cut into the material. In addition, the inner radius G of the transition from thefixed end 110 to the portion of thefinger 102 intermediate thefixed end 110 and thearc portion 112 is about 0.050 inches, the diameter H of thenotch finding spring 101 around the free ends 108 of thefingers 102 is about 0.558 inches, the diameter J of thenotch finding spring 101 around thearc portions 112 is approximately 0.465 inches, the diameter W of thenotch finding spring 101 around the fixed ends 110 is 0.214 inches, and the radius K of the portion of the slot that is adjacent theannular collar 114 is about 0.007 inches. The specifications further show the portion of thefinger 102 extending from thearc portion 112 to thefree end 108 as having a curvature having an angle L of about 190° and a radius P of about 0.4 inches, and thearc portion 112 has an angle M of about 25° and a radius N of about 0.025 inches. In addition, the length Y of thefinger 102 from thearc portion 112 to thefree end 108 is about 0.251 inches, and the length X that thefree end 108 extends below a plane of theannular collar 114 is 0.046 inches. - According to
FIG. 11 , the angle C from the center of one of thefingers 102 to the edge of the finger is about 12°, the angle D from the center of onefinger 102 to the center of anadjacent finger 102 is about 42°, and the angle E of each space between thefingers 102 is about 6°. In addition, the diameter F of thespace 106 between twoadjacent arc portions 112 is about 0.055 inches. -
FIG. 12 shows another exemplary dimensional specification for manufacturing the arcuate-shapedfingers 102. For example, the inner diameter A of theannular collar 114 is about 0.125 inches, the radius G of the transition from thefixed end 110 to the portion of thefinger 102 intermediate thefixed end 110 and thearc portion 112 is about 0.010 inches, the outer radius V of the transition from thefixed end 110 to the portion of thefinger 102 intermediate thefixed end 110 and thearc portion 112 is about 0.020 inches, and thearc portion 112 has an angle M of about 25° and a radius N of about 0.025 inches. In addition, the specifications show the portion of thefinger 102 extending from thearc portion 112 to thefree end 108 as having a curvature having an angle L of about 170° and a radius P of about 0.4 inches. Furthermore, the flexible sheet material out of which thefinger 102 is cut is shown as having a thickness Q of approximately 0.010 inches. The dimensions described above in relation toFIGS. 10 through 12 are exemplary and are one of skill in the art would understand that variations are within the scope of the invention. - The
notch finding spring 101 is not limited to the specific embodiment described above in relation toFIGS. 4A through 12 . For example, in one alternative embodiment, which is shown inFIGS. 14 through 16 B, thefingers 102 do not have a reduced width at thefree end 108 or a reduced width at thearc portion 112. Instead, the width of thefingers 102 gradually tapers from thefree end 108 towards thearc portion 112, and thefree end 108 has a width that is approximately matched with the width of anotch 22 in thecore 20. In addition, thespaces 106 between thefingers 102 have a width approximately the same as the diameter of one of the support posts 230 that extend from thesupport disk 61. The exemplary cut detail of anotch finding spring 101 according to this embodiment is shown inFIGS. 16A and 16B . For example, the angle of eachspace 106 between thefingers 102 is about 6°, and the distance from the center of theannular collar 114 to thefixed end 110outeach finger 102 is about 0.1 inches. In another embodiment, which is not shown, the width of eachfinger 102 is uniform along the length of thefinger 102. - In addition, another embodiment of the
notch finding spring 101, which is shown inFIGS. 17A and 17B , includes non arcuate-shapedfingers 102. Instead, thefingers 102 extend outwardly and downwardly from thebase portion 104 without bending through anarc portion 112. - As mentioned above, the
notch finding mechanism 100 further includes asupport disk 61. According to the embodiment shown inFIGS. 4A through 6 , thesupport disk 61 includes a plurality ofsupport posts 230 that extend in an axial direction from theouter surface 221 of thesupport disk 61. The support posts 230 are positioned circumferentially around the central aperture of thesupport disk 61. When theannular collar 114 of thenotch finding spring 101 is positioned over thedrive shaft 52 and adjacent thesupport disk 61, each of thespaces 106 between thefingers 102 aligns with and receives one of the support posts 230. By extending through the each of thespaces 106 between thefingers 102, the support posts 230 prevent thefingers 102 from excessive torsional deflection. In another embodiment in which aclutch assembly 60 is not used, the support posts 230 extend axially from thedrive disk 55. - In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 13 , thesupport disk 61 includes anannular groove 220 on theouter surface 221 of thesupport disk 61, which is the surface opposite the mountingsurface 64. Theannular groove 220 is adapted for seating the free ends 108 of thefingers 102 of thenotch finding spring 101. By seating the free ends 108 in theannular groove 220, the free ends 108 are prevented from being forced in a radially inward direction past the inner diameter of theannular groove 220, thereby protecting thefingers 102 from excessive radial deflection. - Assembly of Notch Finding Mechanism to Drive Assembly The rotational energy of the
drive motor 51 is transferred to the core 20 by securing thenotch finding spring 101 to thesupport disk 61 and placing the core 20 over thenotch finding spring 101. To secure thenotch finding spring 101 adjacent to thesupport disk 61 and to hold thesupport disk 61 in frictional contact with thedrive disk 55, one embodiment of thenotch finding mechanism 100 further includes acompression spring 250, awasher 255, and a threadedbolt 256. As shown inFIGS. 5 and 13 , thesupport disk 61 and the intermediatefrictional disks end 54 of thedrive shaft 52 and stacked adjacent thedrive disk 55, as described above in relation toFIG. 5 . Then, theannular collar 114 of thenotch finding spring 101 is placed over theend 54 of thedrive shaft 52 and seated adjacent thesupport disk 61. - Next, a
helical compression spring 250 is placed over theend 54 of thedrive shaft 55 and seated adjacent theannular collar 114 of thenotch finding spring 101. Awasher 255 is then placed intermediate thehelical compression spring 250 and a head portion of a threadedbolt 256, and a threaded portion of the threadedbolt 256 is engaged through the center of thecompression spring 250 and into a threadedaperture 260 that extends axially from theend 54 of thedrive shaft 52 or mounting shaft towards the drivenend 53 of thedrive shaft 52. When thebolt 256 is fully engaged in the threadedaperture 260, thebolt 256 urges thewasher 255 towards thehelical compression spring 250, which forces thecompression spring 250 to push theannular collar 114 of thenotch finding spring 101 into frictional engagement with thesupport disk 61 and thesupport disk 61 into frictional engagement with thedrive disk 55 via theintermediate disks FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of thenotch finding spring 101 described above in relation toFIG. 4A engaged into the notched end of thecore 20 and coupled to thedrive assembly 50 via theclutch assembly 60 described above in relation toFIG. 5 . - When the
core 20 is placed over thenotch finding spring 101, afinger 102 may or may not be aligned with anotch 22. If afinger 102 is aligned with anotch 22, the bias of thefinger 102 causes it to seat into thenotch 22 automatically. If afinger 102 is not aligned with anotch 22, thedrive assembly 50 rotates thenotch finding spring 101 until afinger 102 aligns with thenotch 22. Because afinger 102 automatically seats within anotch 22 when thefinger 102 is aligned with thenotch 22, the operator does not have to adjust the core 20 once the core 20 is placed over thenotch finding spring 101. - In another embodiment, which is not shown, the
notch finding spring 101 is coupled to thedrive shaft 52 without aclutch assembly 60. Support posts 230 extend axially from thedrive disk 55 and are positioned circumferentially around the axis of rotation of thedrive shaft 52. Theannular collar 114 of thenotch finding spring 101 is placed over theend 53 of thedrive shaft 52 and positioned to seat adjacent to the surface of thedrive disk 55 such that thespaces 106 between thefingers 102 are aligned with and receive the support posts 230. The use of acompression spring 250,washer 255, and threadedbolt 256, such as described above in relation toFIG. 13 , can be utilized to secure thenotch finding spring 101 into frictional contact with thedrive disk 55. - Another embodiment of the invention is a radially biased spring for axially coupling a drive shaft to a hollow cylindrical shaft. The radially biased spring includes a base portion and a plurality of fingers. Each of the fingers includes a fixed end and a free end, and the fixed end of each finger is integrally attached to the base portion. The fingers are positioned circumferentially around the base portion so as to define a plurality of spaces between the fingers. The base portion of the radially biased spring is securely mounted to the end of the drive shaft so that the fixed ends of the fingers are adjacent the end of the drive shaft and the free ends are positioned adjacent the body of the drive shaft. When a hollow cylindrical shaft is placed over the fingers, the fingers are biased in a radial outward direction against the inside diameter of the cylindrical shaft to couple the drive shaft to the cylindrical shaft.
- In an alternative embodiment, shown in
FIG. 18 , a radially biased spring includes abase portion 104 and a plurality offingers 302 that extend in an axial direction from thebase portion 104 away from the end of thedrive shaft 52 towards acylindrical shaft 320. Thefingers 302 are biased in a radially outward direction, and eachfinger 302 includes aprotrusion 303 that extends in a radially outward direction from thefinger 302. Thecylindrical shaft 320 includes adriven end 321, andnotches 322 are positioned along an inner diameter of thecylindrical shaft 320 adjacent to the drivenend 321. Thenotches 322 are positioned such that they will align with theprotrusions 303 on thefingers 302 when thefingers 302 are engaged into thecylindrical shaft 320. The radially outward bias of thefingers 302 urges theprotrusions 303 on thefingers 302 into engagement with thenotches 322 in thecylindrical shaft 320, coupling thecylindrical shaft 320 to thedrive shaft 52. - The
protrusions 303 in the embodiment shown inFIG. 18 are rectangular shaped. However, theprotrusions 303 can take on alternative shapes, such as spherical, triangular, or trapezoidal, depending on the shape of thenotches 322 in thecylindrical shaft 320. For example, inFIG. 19 , theprotrusions 303 are circular shaped and thenotches 322 are dimple shaped. This embodiment advantageously provides a self-clutching assembly by allowing theprotrusions 303 to disengage the dimple shapednotches 322 when the torque at the end of thedrive shaft 52 exceeds a predetermined amount. - In another embodiment, shown in
FIG. 20 , theprotrusions 303 on thefingers 302 extend in a radially inward direction and thefingers 302 are biased in a radially inward direction. In addition, thecylindrical shaft 320 includesnotches 322 positioned along its outer diameter adjacent to the drivenend 321 of thecylindrical shaft 320. To couple thedrive shaft 52 to the drivenend 321 of thecylindrical shaft 320, thefingers 302 are engaged into thedriven end 321 of thecylindrical shaft 320, and the bias of thefingers 302 urges theprotrusions 303 on thefingers 302 into engagement with thenotches 322 on the outer diameter of thecylindrical shaft 320. - In yet another embodiment, shown in
FIG. 21 , thefingers 302 are biased in a radially inward direction, and eachfinger 302 includes two arcs that define an S-shape. Afirst arc 304 is positioned adjacent to the free end of thefinger 302 and is convex relative to the axis of rotation of thedrive shaft 52, and asecond arc 305 is positioned adjacent to thefirst arc 304 and is concave relative to the axis of rotation of thedrive shaft 52. Thecylindrical shaft 320 includes a toroidal shapedcollar 325 extending in a radially outward direction from the outer diameter of thecylindrical shaft 320 adjacent to the drivenend 321 of thecylindrical shaft 320. Thecollar 325 has a diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of thecylindrical shaft 320 and slightly less than the inner diameter defined by thesecond arcs 305 of thefingers 302. Thecylindrical shaft 320 further includes a plurality ofnotches 322 positioned along the outer diameter of thecylindrical shaft 320 between thetoroidal collar 325 and the non-driven end of thecylindrical shaft 320. To couple thedrive shaft 52 to the drivenend 321 of thecylindrical shaft 320, thefingers 302 are engaged over thedriven end 321 of thecylindrical shaft 320 and the bias of thefingers 302 urges thesecond arcs 305 of thefingers 302 into engagement with thetoroidal collar 325 and thefirst arcs 304 into engagement with thenotches 322 on the outer diameter of thecylindrical shaft 320. The engagement of thesecond arcs 305 with thetoroidal collar 325 prevents axial movement of thecylindrical shaft 320 relative to thedrive shaft 52, and the rotational energy from thedrive shaft 52 is transferred to thecylindrical shaft 320 through the engagement of thefirst arcs 304 into thenotches 322 adjacent to thetoroidal collar 325. -
FIG. 22 shows a variation of the embodiment described in relation inFIG. 21 wherein thecylindrical shaft 320 has atoroidal collar 325 that extends from the outer diameter of thecylindrical shaft 320 in a radially outward direction, and thenotches 322 are positioned along acrest 326 of thetoroidal collar 325 on the inner diameter of thecylindrical shaft 320. Thefingers 302 include at least onearc 306 that is concave relative to the axis of rotation of thedrive shaft 52, and upon engaging thefingers 302 into thecylindrical shaft 320, thearcs 306 on thefingers 302 engage into thetoroidal collar 325 and thenotches 322 therein. The engagement of thearcs 306 with thetoroidal collar 325 prevents axial movement of thecylindrical shaft 320 relative to thedrive shaft 52, and the rotational energy from thedrive shaft 52 is transferred to thecylindrical shaft 320 through the engagement of thearcs 306 into thenotches 322 on thetoroidal collar 325. - In yet another alternative embodiment,
fingers 302 extend axially from the circumference of acylinder 310 having a threadedexterior portion 311, as shown inFIG. 23 . The threadedexterior portion 311 engages a threadedinner diameter 340 of adrive shaft 52. Thefingers 302 includeprotrusions 303 that extend in a radially inward direction, and theseprotrusions 303 engagenotches 322 positioned within a trough of anannular collar 330 that extends in a radially inward direction from the outer diameter of thecylindrical shaft 320 when thefingers 302 are engaged over thecylindrical shaft 320. If the torque on thedrive shaft 52 exceeds a particular amount at the end of thedrive shaft 52, theprotrusions 303 on thefingers 302 disengage from thenotches 322 or the threadedportion 311 of thecylinder 310 disengages from the threadedinner diameter 340 of thedrive shaft 52. -
FIG. 24 illustrates another embodiment in which the end of thedrive shaft 52 includes afirst face 345 that includes a plurality ofprotrusions 341 extending from thefirst face 345 in an axial direction away from thedrive shaft 52. Thecylindrical shaft 320 includes adriven end 321 that has asecond face 350, and thesecond face 350 of the drivenend 321 includes a plurality ofnotches 352 that align with theprotrusions 341 on thedrive shaft 52 and are configured for receiving theprotrusions 341 when thedriven end 321 of thecylindrical shaft 320 and the end of thedrive shaft 52 are place adjacent to each other. When theprotrusions 341 of thedrive shaft 52 are engaged into thenotches 352 on thecylindrical shaft 320, the rotational energy of thedrive shaft 52 can be transferred to thecylindrical shaft 320. In addition, a plurality offingers 302 extend from the end of thedrive shaft 52 in an axial direction towards acylindrical shaft 320. To prevent the axial movement of thecylindrical shaft 320 relative to thedrive shaft 52, thefingers 302 further include aprotrusion 303 that extends in a radially inward direction, and theprotrusion 303 engages agroove 330 in the outer diameter of thecylindrical shaft 320. -
FIGS. 25 through 28 illustrate exemplary alternative embodiments of finger shapes. For example,FIGS. 25 and 26 illustratefingers 302 that have afree end 108, afixed end 110, and an elongated body extending between thefree end 108 and thefixed end 110. Aprotrusion 303 extends from the elongated body between thefixed end 110 of thefinger 302 and a middle portion of the elongated body. Theprotrusion 303 may extend in a radially inward direction as shown inFIG. 25 or in a radially outward direction as shown inFIG. 26 . -
FIG. 27 illustrates another embodiment of afinger 302 that has afree end 108, afixed end 110, and an elongated body extending between thefree end 108 and thefixed end 110. Aprotrusion 303 extends from a middle portion of the elongated body, and thefree end 108 of thefinger 302 defines a hook shape. The hook-shapedfree end 108 can bend radially inward or radially outward to facilitate the insertion of thefinger 302 into the inner diameter of the cylindrical shaft or onto the outer diameter of the cylindrical shaft, respectively. -
FIG. 28 illustrates afinger 302 having afixed end 110, afree end 108, and a U-shaped body that extends between thefree end 108 and thefixed end 110 and includes an arcuate portion 401. Thefinger 302 extends from abase portion 104 in a first axial direction, bends in a radially outward direction through the arc portion 401, and extends in a second axial direction to thefree end 108, wherein the first axial direction is substantially opposite the second axial direction. In addition, thefinger 302 includes aprotrusion 303 that extends in a radially outward direction and is positioned between the arc portion 401 and thefree end 108 of thefinger 302. Thefinger 302 is suited for engaging notches located along the inner diameter of a cylindrical shaft. In an alternative embodiment, which is not shown, the finger extends from the base portion in the first axial direction, but bends in a radially inward direction through the arc portion before extending in the second axial direction to the free end. The finger also includes a protrusion positioned between the arc portion and the free end of the finger, but unlike the finger shown inFIG. 28 , the protrusion extends in a radially inward direction. This finger is adapted for engaging notches located along the outer diameter of the cylindrical shaft. - In other alternative embodiments, the
fingers 302 described above are positioned on thedriven end 321 of thecylindrical shaft 320, and the structure for engaging thefingers 302 is positioned on the drive end of thedrive shaft 52. For example, as shown inFIG. 29 ,fingers 302 extend from the drivenend 321 of thecylindrical shaft 320 towards thedrive shaft 52. Thedrive shaft 52 includes a hollow cylindrical portion at the drive end that includes a plurality ofnotches 441. Thefingers 302, which are biased in a radially outward direction, engage thenotches 441 and transfer rotational energy from thedrive shaft 52 to thecylindrical shaft 320. - Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended concepts. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
Claims (26)
1. A notch finding mechanism for at least partially supporting and driving a core of a printer media supply, said core defining at least one notch at an end of the core, the notch finding mechanism comprising:
a drive shaft; and
a notch finding spring driven by the drive shaft, said notch finding spring comprising:
a plurality of fingers positioned circumferentially about a central axis and adjacent to each other;
each of said fingers being biased in a radially outward direction;
each of said fingers having a free end;
wherein the bias of one of the fingers urges the free end of said finger into the notch defined in the end of the core when the core is placed over the plurality of fingers and rotated.
2. A notch finding mechanism of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of fingers is constructed of a flexible sheet material.
3. A notch finding mechanism of claim 2 , wherein the fingers define a plurality of spaces therebetween.
4. A notch finding mechanism of claim 3 , wherein said free end of each of the fingers has a width approximately matched to a width of the notch defined at the end of the supply core.
5. A notch finding mechanism of claim 4 , further comprising a support disk supporting the plurality of fingers.
6. A notch finding mechanism of claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of support posts extending in the axial direction from a surface of the support disk, each of said plurality of support posts extending into a respective one of said plurality of spaces defined between said fingers.
7. A notch finding mechanism of claim 6 , further comprising a frictional clutch positioned between the support disk and a drive disk connected to the drive shaft.
8. A method of supporting and driving a core of a printer media supply, the method comprising:
positioning the core over a notch finding spring having a plurality of fingers with a radially outward bias; and
rotating the core and the notch finding spring relative to each other a small amount until one of the fingers biases into a notch defined in the core.
9. A method of claim 8 , wherein the small amount is 30° or less.
10. A notch finding spring for driving a core, said core defining at least one notch adjacent to an end of the core, the notch finding spring comprising:
a plurality of fingers;
said fingers positioned circumferentially about a central axis and adjacent to each other;
each of said fingers being biased in a radial direction;
each of said fingers having a free end, said free end comprising an engaging portion;
wherein the bias of one of the fingers urges the engaging portion into the notch when the core is placed adjacent to the plurality of fingers and rotated.
11. A notch finding spring of claim 10 wherein the fingers are biased in a radially inward direction.
12. A notch finding spring of claim 10 wherein the engaging portion is at an end of the free end of each finger.
13. A notch finding spring of claim 10 wherein the engaging portion is adjacent an end of the free end of each finger.
14. A notch finding spring of claim 10 wherein the engaging portion is a protrusion extending in a radial direction from each finger, said protrusion adapted for engaging the notch in the core.
15. A notch finding spring of claim 10 wherein the engaging portion comprises a first arcuate shape having a first diameter and the notch comprises a second arcuate shape having a second diameter, the first diameter being slightly smaller than the second diameter, and wherein the engaging portion is adapted to disengage the notch when a torque at the engaging portion exceeds a predetermined amount.
16. A notch finding spring of claim 10 wherein the fingers are biased in a radially outward direction.
17. A notch finding spring of claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of fingers is constructed of a flexible sheet material.
18. A notch finding spring of claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of fingers extends from a fixed end in a first axial direction.
19. A notch finding spring of claim 18 , wherein each of said fingers has an arcuate-shaped profile, said arcuate-shaped profile defined by each of said fingers extending in the first direction from the fixed end and bending in a radially outward direction through an arc portion to extend in a second axial direction generally opposite the first axial direction and toward said free end.
20. A notch finding spring of claim 19 , wherein the fingers define a plurality of spaces therebetween.
21. A notch finding spring of claim 20 , wherein said free end of each of the fingers has a width approximately matched to a width of the notch defined at the end of the supply core.
22. A notch finding spring of claim 21 , wherein a first diameter around the free ends of the plurality of fingers is greater than an inside diameter of the supply core and a second diameter around the arc portions of the plurality of fingers is less than the inside diameter of the supply core.
23. A notch finding spring of claim 22 , wherein each of said fingers includes a middle portion between said arc portion and said free end, said middle portion having a width greater than a width of said free end.
24. A notch finding spring of claim 23 , wherein said arc portion of each of said fingers has a reduced cross section.
25. A notch finding spring of claim 24 , wherein said plurality of spaces at locations between the arc portions are adapted for aligning with and receiving a plurality of rigid support posts.
26. A notch finding spring for driving a core, said notch finding spring being secured to the core, the notch finding spring comprising:
a plurality of fingers;
said fingers positioned circumferentially about a central axis and adjacent to each other;
each of said fingers being biased in a radial direction;
each of said fingers having a free end, said free end comprising an engaging portion;
wherein the bias of one of the fingers urges the engaging portion into a notch defined adjacent to an end of a drive shaft when the drive shaft is placed adjacent to the plurality of fingers and relatively rotated a small amount.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/533,605 US20070063092A1 (en) | 2005-09-21 | 2006-09-20 | Notch-finding mechanism and method of using the same |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US71941105P | 2005-09-21 | 2005-09-21 | |
US11/533,605 US20070063092A1 (en) | 2005-09-21 | 2006-09-20 | Notch-finding mechanism and method of using the same |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20070063092A1 true US20070063092A1 (en) | 2007-03-22 |
Family
ID=37883117
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/533,605 Abandoned US20070063092A1 (en) | 2005-09-21 | 2006-09-20 | Notch-finding mechanism and method of using the same |
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US (1) | US20070063092A1 (en) |
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US20150122936A1 (en) * | 2012-06-11 | 2015-05-07 | Gms Gmbh | Unwinding means |
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US20130001352A1 (en) * | 2010-02-10 | 2013-01-03 | Antoni Balsells | System for holding sheet material for plotters |
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US20150122936A1 (en) * | 2012-06-11 | 2015-05-07 | Gms Gmbh | Unwinding means |
US9738487B2 (en) * | 2012-06-11 | 2017-08-22 | Gms Gmbh | Unwinding means |
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US10287122B2 (en) | 2017-03-09 | 2019-05-14 | Pratt Corrugated Holdings, Inc. | Braking film dispenser with lobes |
US11040845B2 (en) | 2017-03-09 | 2021-06-22 | Pratt Corrugated Holdings, Inc. | Braking film dispenser with lobes |
US11071417B2 (en) * | 2019-03-28 | 2021-07-27 | San Jamar, Inc. | Rolled web material dispenser material lockout systems |
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US11224316B2 (en) * | 2019-03-28 | 2022-01-18 | San Jamar, Inc. | Rolled web material dispenser material lockout systems |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ZIH CORP., BERMUDA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ZEVIN, THOMAS MICHAEL;ENGEL, JAMES WILLIAM;REEL/FRAME:018595/0358 Effective date: 20061110 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |