WO1994023274A1 - Jupe adaptable pour un traceur a dessin - Google Patents

Jupe adaptable pour un traceur a dessin Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1994023274A1
WO1994023274A1 PCT/US1994/003516 US9403516W WO9423274A1 WO 1994023274 A1 WO1994023274 A1 WO 1994023274A1 US 9403516 W US9403516 W US 9403516W WO 9423274 A1 WO9423274 A1 WO 9423274A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sheet
skirt
plotter
platen
supporting
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1994/003516
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Robert M. Mcandrew
James R. Brandt
Nathan Hohle
Patrick T. Gilmore
Original Assignee
Summagraphics Corporation
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Summagraphics Corporation filed Critical Summagraphics Corporation
Publication of WO1994023274A1 publication Critical patent/WO1994023274A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D15/00—Component parts of recorders for measuring arrangements not specially adapted for a specific variable
    • G01D15/28—Holding means for recording surfaces; Guiding means for recording surfaces; Exchanging means for recording surfaces
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00567—Handling of original or reproduction media, e.g. cutting, separating, stacking
    • H04N1/0057—Conveying sheets before or after scanning

Definitions

  • This invention relates to drafting plotters and more particularly to a device that prevents media separation from a writing surface of the plotter as a result of disturbances 5 caused by the moving media.
  • the media path consists of a flat horizontal portion along the platen and a rigid extension that curves or extends from a horizontal to a vertical position.
  • undesirable waves or bulges in the media 10 along the flat top surface or drive section of the platen are created for the following reasons.
  • the first and primary reason is that initial difference in acceleration and velocity of the portion of the media at the drive section of the platen and that hanging below the platen causes the media to overrun itself, i.e., causes a bulge.
  • rapid media movement creates positive lift between the media and platen which causes the media to separate from the platen. 15
  • the wave or bulge creates two problems during plotting, namely pen disturbances and tracking errors.
  • Pen disturbances occur because the wave interferes with the pen operation.
  • the waves are large enough to lift the pen from the medium, strike the pen while it is in a pen- up position, and allow the pen to puncture and . hold the media, dislodging the pen from its holder.
  • Tracking errors occur because rapid variations in the size of the wave cause the drive 20 system to frequently load and unload. For instance, when the media wave releases, the slack in the media is removed and the media under the drive rollers pulls against the rollers.
  • rapid changes in the media direction also cause pulling and tugging between the lower and upper sections of the media. The tugging and pulling weakens the media beneath the drive roller, and consequently the media may dislodge and/or tear.
  • Both pen disturbances 25 and tracking errors are amplified with repetitive high acceleration and high velocity x-axis motions.
  • the waves cause excess media movement which increases the noise of the plotter.
  • the patent states that the isolator reflects waves in the medium by (1) holding the medium away from the chassis, (2) forming a volume of air between the medium and the platen, and (3) thereby acting as a damper, pumping air in and out as the wave isolator reacts to the moving medium.
  • the patent also states that the isolator also functions to reduce scalloping by isolating the free-hanging medium mass so that the load of the free-hanging medium on that portion under the pen is reduced.
  • Another object of the invention is to prevent media waves from interfering with the pen during plotter operation. Another object of the invention is to prevent separation between media and platen during media movement on a pen plotter.
  • Another object of the invention is to prevent pen skipping during media movement on the plotter.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to prevent pen dislodging during media movement on the plotter.
  • Another object of the invention is to prevent pen punctures in the media during media movement on the plotter.
  • Another object of the present invention is to reduce the wear on the driving drums and their associated pinch-rollers during plotter operation.
  • a further object of the present invention is to reduce media distortion in the middle of the media.
  • the above objects are achieved in accordance with the invention by a compliant skirt mounted to a platen or chassis of a plotter which complies or flexes in response to the moving media and follows the media as it moves over the skirt.
  • Such compliance of the skirt helps maintain close contact between media and compliant skirt which prevents separation of the media from the platen and thereby eliminates formation of media waves.
  • compliance of the skirt absorbs energy associated with excess motion of the media and thereby reduces tugging loads on the media drive system.
  • the compliant skirt runs the length of the platen and is mounted one to the front and one to the rear ends of the platen.
  • the skirt comprises at least one flexible sheet of film that has one end mounted to the platen edge and the other end mounted either to the platen or to other mounting means of the plotter.
  • the sheet of the skirt is curved to form a cavity or loop that is, open at the ends.
  • the loop acts as a media damper, pumping air in and out as the unsupported hanging section of the medium sways back and forth.
  • the skirt comprises three sheets of flexible film. Each sheet has the same length as the paper, but the different sheets have different widths in the direction of paper movement. The skirt provides variable compliance so that it is effective for use with any media specified for pen plotters.
  • a plotter operable with a sheet medium to be plotted on, the plotter including a chassis, a platen means for supporting the sheet during plotting, and drive means for moving the sheet to traverse the platen means and then moving the sheet outwardly and downwardly from the platen, the improvement of a compliant skirt for supporting the sheet exiting the platen means, the skirt comprising an upper portion mounted to the plotter adjacent the platen means, a lower portion spaced from the upper portion and also mounted to the plotter, and an intermediate supporting portion between said upper and lower portions, said intermediate portion extending outwardly and downwardly from the platen means for flexibly and resiliently supporting the portion of said sheet draped thereover.
  • a plotter operable with a sheet to be plotted on, the plotter including a chassis, a platen means for supporting the sheet during plotting, and drive means for moving the sheet to traverse the platen means and then moving the sheet outwardly and downwardly from the platen, the improvement of a compliant skirt for supporting the sheet exiting the platen means, the skirt comprising an upper portion closely adjacent and having similar elevation as the platen means, a lower portion spaced from the upper portion, an intermediate supporting portion between said upper and lower portions, said intermediate portion extending outwardly and downwardly from the platen means for flexibly and resiliently supporting the portion of said sheet draped thereover, and means for mounting said skirt to said plotter.
  • Fig. 1 is perspective view of a large drafting plotter employing the compliant skirt of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the rear of the plotter shown in Fig. 1 taken along line 2-2 incorporating the compliant skirt according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2a is a cross-sectional view of the compliant skirt shown in Fig. 2 removed from the plotter;
  • Fig. 2b is a cross-sectional view showing the flat individual unattached and unbonded sheets of the compliant skirt shown in Fig. 2a;
  • Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the rear of the plotter shown in Fig. 1 taken along line 3-3 incorporating the compliant skirt according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the rear of the plotter incorporating the compliant skirt according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figs. 5-7 are schematic views of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, flexing in response to the moving medium draped thereover;
  • Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the plotter of Fig. 1 incorporating the skirt according to another embodiment of the present invention, flexing in response to the moving medium draped thereover; and
  • Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the skirt of Fig. 1 illustrating the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 in a static equilibrium state.
  • Medium 14 may be a sheet of paper, vellum or mylar or any medium specified for a large plotter. Also medium 14 can be a continuous roll supply. For such large plotters, the sheet can be as large as 36 inches by 48 inches and can weigh up to 6 ounces.
  • the plotter 10 includes elements such as a carriage 12 for supporting a pen, a motor (not shown) for driving the carriage, a pen changer 13 for storing a quantity of pens for plotting, means (not shown) for moving the pen changer to select the pen from the pen changer 13, and a microprocessor (not shown) for controlling these elements. These elements are known to those skilled in the art and are not discussed further herein.
  • Plotter 10 includes a chassis 20 and support means 22 mounted to the chassis for providing continuous support to the medium 14 draped thereover.
  • the support means 20 comprises a platen means ? 8, a compliant skirt 26, and a means 24 for mounting the skirt 26 to the platen means 18.
  • Figs. 2 and 3 show medium 14 and skirt 26 in a static equilibrium state.
  • the platen means 18 includes a principal platen 30 mounted on the chassis 20 for supporting the medium 14 directly under the pen and a platen extension 34.
  • the platen extension 34 is mounted in a recess 38 in the chassis 20 just below the edge of principal platen 30. Platen extension 34 runs the length of platen 30.
  • the platen extension 34 extends away from the chassis 20 and generally parallel to the platen 30 and provides additional support to medium 14 over a larger portion of medium 14.
  • the platen extension 34 is in the rear of the plotter 10. However, the location of the platen extension 34 (front or rear) is not critical.
  • Platen extension 34 has a raised section 42 on the top thereof to better provide continuous support to medium 14 as it moves from platen 30 to platen extension 34.
  • the raised section 42 are ribs, spaced 4 to 6 inches along the width of the platen extension 34. Raised section 42 extends generally the width of platen extension 34, leaving only a short portion at each end thereof.
  • the mounting means 24 for mounting the skirt 26 to plotter 10 comprises clamps 56a and 56b securing the compliant skirt 26 thereto, a bottom plate 54 mounted to the chassis 20, and an adapter 48 mounted to the edge 34a of the extension 34 and the bottom plate 54.
  • the specific details relating to mounting compliant skirt 26 and adapter 48 to platen extension 34 will be discussed below.
  • adapter 48 is generally "L" shaped. It has a ledge 48a, long portion 48b, short portion 48c, and a brace portion 48d.
  • Long portion 48b extends downwardly from the bottom end edge 34a of extension 34 at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to platen 30 and platen extension 34.
  • Long portion 48b extends just below the plane of the bottom plate 54.
  • the short portion 48c extends outwardly from the end of long section 48b at an angle of approximately 90 degrees.
  • Brace portion 48d extends upwardly from the end of short portion 48c at an angle just slightly less than 90 degrees.
  • Bottom plate 54 is mounted to the bottom of chassis 20 by screw 58 and mounted to long portion 48b of adapter 48 by screw 52 to stabilize adapter 48 when medium 14 moves over the compliant skirt 26 mounted thereto.
  • Adapter 48 however may have many shapes and angle measures to properly mount the skirt 26 to the plotter structure.
  • Compliant skirt 26 comprises an upper portion 28 mounted to the chassis 20 adjacent the platen means 18, a lower portion 32 spaced from the upper portion 28 and also mounted to the chassis 20, and an intermediate supporting portion 36 between the upper and lower portions 28,32.
  • the intermediate portion 36 extends outwardly and downwardly from the platen 30 for flexibly and resiliently supporting the portion of medium 14 draped thereover.
  • the skirt 26 comprises at least one sheet of flexible film.
  • the skirt consists of three sheets of film 44a, 44b and 44c.
  • the outermost surface of the sheet which contacts medium 14 must be wear and electrostatic charge resistant as well as exhibit low friction.
  • the sheets of film comprise Fluorglas material (made by Fluorglas Company) because it exhibits these characteristics.
  • Skirt sheets 44a, 44b and 44c with the assistance of adapter 48 and bottom plate 58 (and clamps 56a, 56b and 56c discussed below) extend the width of the platen means 18.
  • Sheets 44(a-c) are of three different widths arranged so that the widest is on top and the narrowest is on the bottom. As best shown in Fig. 2a and 2b, the three sheets are joined or bonded to one another by pressure sensitive adhesive along a first edge point A and are clamped by clamp 56b. Also sheets 44a and 44b are joined or bonded together by adhesive at point B and sheets 44b and 44c are bonded together at point C to provide desired stiffness of the sheets at the end thereof to effect optimal compliance or flexibility of the sheets.
  • the free edges of the sheets are secured to one another by clamp 56a.
  • the sheets are curled in the form of a loop with the widest sheet 44a on the outside.
  • the sheets are curled with their free edges aligned and then inserted into clamp 56b and crimped.
  • the distances between point A and B and point A and C are 3 inches and 1.5 inches respectively.
  • Clamp 56a with the edges of the sheets 44(a-c) held therein is secured to the bottom end edge 34a of platen extension 34 by ledge 48a of adapter 48 and a screw (not shown) inserted therethrough.
  • Clamp 56b is secured to brace portion 48d of the adapter 48 by a screw (not shown) inserted therethrough.
  • narrowest sheet 44c forms a loop with adapter 48
  • sheet 44b forms a loop which encompasses sheet 44c
  • the widest sheet 44a forms a loop which encompasses sheets 44b and 44c.
  • Medium 14 is shown draped over the widest sheet 44a.
  • the outer two sheets 44a,44b are 3 mil thick Flourglas and the inner sheet 44c is 5 mil thick Flourglas.
  • sheets 44a, 44b and 44c are 11, 9.25 and 7.5 inches wide respectively.
  • Fig. 3 shows a detailed view of the front portion of plotter 10.
  • the front of plotter 10 is similar to the rear of plotter 10 shown in Fig. 2 with minor differences as follows.
  • a clamp 56c holds the first edge of each sheet.
  • This clamp 56c is different than clamp 56a used in the rear of plotter 10, in that it has an extended edge to provide additional support for the sheets 44(a-c) when medium 14 is moving thereover.
  • Clamp 56c is secured in recess 68 in the chassis 20 by screws (not shown).
  • clamp 56b shown in Fig. 3 is secured to bottom plate 54 which is shaped like the mounting means structure shown in Fig. 2 except that the long portion 48b of adapter 48 is not present.
  • Bottom plate 54 is mounted to the chassis 20 in the rear by screw 60.
  • Bottom plate 54 has a first portion 54a extending generally downwardly, a second portion 54b extending outwardly from the first portion 54a, and a brace portion 54c extending generally upwardly from second portion 54b.
  • the clamp 56b is secured to brace portion 54c by a screw (not shown). Also, there is no platen extension in the front of the plotter 10.
  • the compliant skirt may comprise a number of sheets of film as desired (discussed below).
  • the sheets may be bonded at many points along the surface of the sheets, and may be mounted to the plotter in many ways. For example, a single sheet may be clamped at its edges to form a loop and mounted to the platen extension, to the mounting means structure or directly to the platen or chassis. A second sheet may be clamped at its edges to form a second loop, mounted to the plotter adjacent the first loop.
  • the second sheet may be bonded directly to the first sheet to form a loop therewith or mounted to the platen extension, mounting means structure or mounted directly to the platen or chassis which encompasses the first loop.
  • one edge of the second sheet may be bonded to the first sheet and the other edge may be mounted to the platen, chassis or extension.
  • the sheets of film may also have many different widths. The same possibilities exist using three sheets of film.
  • FIG. 4 there is shown another embodiment of the compliant skirt 26 and mounting means 24.
  • Mounting means 24 comprises an adapter 72 which has three parts 72a, 72b, and 72c, and adapter 72 is mounted directly to the platen 30 by part 72a.
  • Part 72b provides support to moving medium 14 (not shown).
  • Part 72c extends below the platen 30.
  • the compliant skirt 26 comprises two sheet of film 76a, 76b. The edges of the sheets are secured by clamps 80a, 80b, with clamp 80a inserted in recess 82 and secured therein by a screw (not shown). Clamp 80b is secured directly to the end of part 72b of adapter 72.
  • Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the embodiment of the skirt 26 illustrated in Fig. 4. In this Fig.
  • medium 14 is shown moving to the right (shown by an arrow marked with reference number 2 in a circle) at high acceleration and velocity.
  • Skirt 26 begins to move upwardly from ' a static equilibrium position (1), forming a wave or bulge as identified by (la).
  • the compliant skirt 26 follows medium 14 and flexes upwardly as identified by dotted lines (lb).
  • the compliant skirt 26 follows medium 14 for one or more reasons. First, the skirt's 26 own resilience urges it to move upward against medium 14 whose weight had caused the skirt 26 to deflect downward. Second, a low pressure zone is created between medium 14 and said outer surface of the outer sheet 44a of the skirt 26. Third, static electricity builds as medium 14 moves against the surface of the outer sheet 44a of the skirt 26. As shown at reference number (3) the skirt 26 shown in dotted line generally complies to and supports the lower side of medium 14 in the configuration taken by medium 14 as it moves upward.
  • Figs. 6 and 7 show the skirt 26 in a dynamic state when medium 14 changes directions rapidly.
  • medium 14 may swing back and forth as identified by (1) and (2) in Figs. 6 and 7.
  • medium 14 compresses compliant skirt 26, expelling air out the ends of the loop or pillow, as indicated by (2).
  • the skirt 26 complies somewhat to the new configuration of medium 14. Then the tendency of medium 14 to flap back outward is reduced because kinetic energy in moving medium 14 dissipates when the skirt 26 is compressed. As a result, excess motion in medium 14 is reduced as identified by (3). It is noted that the skirt 26 movement is more pronounced when the portion of moving medium 14 hanging from the platen 30 is longer or when medium 14 itself is longer.
  • medium 14 is shown to move left according to arrow marked (2) from a static equilibrium state; medium 14 in static state is shown by solid line (1) and in moving state by dashed line (la).
  • Medium 14 has short, high acceleration movements.
  • the skirt 26 compresses as shown in dashed line (3).
  • the compliant skirt 26 allows the medium 14 to be displaced laterally to the left, and the driven portion 14a of medium 14 does not cause the hanging portion at reference number (4) to lift.
  • the compliant skirt 26 at all times remains in substantial contact with the portion of medium 14 extending beyond and hanging from the platen 30 (platen means 18) that overlies the skirt 26.
  • Figs. 5-7 show the compliant skirt comprising two looped sheets;
  • Fig. 8 shows the skirt as a single sheet.
  • Fig. 9 there is shown a rear portion of plotter 10 incorporating the compliant skirt 26 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • the compliant skirt 26 and medium 14 are shown in astatic equilibrium state.
  • the compliant skirt 26 here comprises only one sheet of film 92. Otherwise, the compliant skirt 26 is the same as shown in Fig. 2.
  • the compliant skirt 26 described herein can be used not only on large format plotters but on many other paper handling machine such as printers, plotters, cutters and copiers that move media at high accelerations and high velocity and require predictable media behavior.
  • skirt provides variable compliance which allows the skirt to be effective for many types of media.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)

Abstract

Une jupe adaptable (26) est prévue pour être utilisée avec un traceur (10) de grande taille et le support (14) sur lequel s'effectue le traçage. La jupe (26) est fixée à un plateau (18) du traceur (10) et s'adapte ou se plie en réaction au support en mouvement (14) et elle suit le support (14) à mesure que celui-ci se déplace sur la jupe (26). Une telle adaptation de la jupe permet de maintenir un contact étroit entre le support (14) et la jupe adaptable (26), ce qui empêche toute séparation entre le support (14) et la jupe adaptable (26), et par conséquent élimine la formation d'ondulations sur le support. En plus, grâce à la flexibilité, la jupe (26) absorbe l'énergie associée à un mouvement excessif du support (14), ce qui réduit les forces de traction.
PCT/US1994/003516 1993-03-31 1994-03-30 Jupe adaptable pour un traceur a dessin WO1994023274A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US4055393A 1993-03-31 1993-03-31
US08/040,553 1993-03-31

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1994023274A1 true WO1994023274A1 (fr) 1994-10-13

Family

ID=21911621

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1994/003516 WO1994023274A1 (fr) 1993-03-31 1994-03-30 Jupe adaptable pour un traceur a dessin

Country Status (1)

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WO (1) WO1994023274A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3900098A (en) * 1968-11-22 1975-08-19 Cecil S Effinger Paper guide and support for free platen typewriter
US4734987A (en) * 1987-02-26 1988-04-05 Hewlett-Packard Company Moving node wave isolator for drafting plotters
US4854237A (en) * 1986-04-29 1989-08-08 Man - Roland Druckmaschinen Ag Printing machine cylinder underlay holding arrangement
US4916466A (en) * 1987-11-26 1990-04-10 Oce Graphics France, S.A. Plotter having a support platen of angular profile

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3900098A (en) * 1968-11-22 1975-08-19 Cecil S Effinger Paper guide and support for free platen typewriter
US4854237A (en) * 1986-04-29 1989-08-08 Man - Roland Druckmaschinen Ag Printing machine cylinder underlay holding arrangement
US4734987A (en) * 1987-02-26 1988-04-05 Hewlett-Packard Company Moving node wave isolator for drafting plotters
US4916466A (en) * 1987-11-26 1990-04-10 Oce Graphics France, S.A. Plotter having a support platen of angular profile

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