Clutch bearing to keep media tension for better sensing accuracy
First Claim
1. A clutch bearing assembly, comprising:
- a platen roller assembly having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end, and configured to spin in a clockwise direction and in a counterclockwise direction around the longitudinal axis;
a pulley assembly operably coupled to the first end of the platen roller assembly, and configured to spin along with the platen roller assembly in the clockwise and counterclockwise direction;
a compound gear assembly operably coupled to the pulley assembly with a belt, and configured to be driven by the pulley assembly in the clockwise and counterclockwise direction;
a feed roller assembly positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the platen roller assembly, having a first end and a second end, and configured to spin along with the platen roller assembly in the clockwise and counterclockwise direction;
a first shaft operably coupled to the first end of the feed roller assembly, havinga first gear configured to be driven by the compound gear assembly, and to turn along with the first shaft, anda first clutch bearing configured to grip tightly when the first shaft is spinning in the clockwise direction, and to slip when the first shaft is spinning in the counterclockwise direction; and
a second shaft operably coupled to the first end of the feed roller assembly, positioned parallel to the first shaft, havinga second gear engaged with the first clutch bearing, and configured to turn with the second shaft, anda second clutch bearing engaged with the first gear, and configured to grip tightly and drive when the second shaft is spinning in the clockwise direction, and to slip when the second shaft is spinning in the counterclockwise direction.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A bidirectional media supporting system includes a first and second rollers configured to rotate to feed media in forward and reverse feed modes; a first clutch bearing set, and a second clutch bearing set configured to engage with the first clutch bearing set; and a gear transmission assembly configured to transfer a driving force from the first roller to the second roller. A method for reversing direction of printing media includes advancing media while maintaining a rotational speed of a platen roller assembly above that of a feeding roller assembly; receiving a signal to reverse the direction of advancing media; and adjusting operation by reversing a direction of rotation of a transmission gear coupled to the feeding and platen roller assemblies, and by rotating the roller assemblies in an opposite direction, while maintaining the rotational speed of the platen roller assembly below that of the feeding roller assembly.
444 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A clutch bearing assembly, comprising:
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a platen roller assembly having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end, and configured to spin in a clockwise direction and in a counterclockwise direction around the longitudinal axis; a pulley assembly operably coupled to the first end of the platen roller assembly, and configured to spin along with the platen roller assembly in the clockwise and counterclockwise direction; a compound gear assembly operably coupled to the pulley assembly with a belt, and configured to be driven by the pulley assembly in the clockwise and counterclockwise direction; a feed roller assembly positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the platen roller assembly, having a first end and a second end, and configured to spin along with the platen roller assembly in the clockwise and counterclockwise direction; a first shaft operably coupled to the first end of the feed roller assembly, having a first gear configured to be driven by the compound gear assembly, and to turn along with the first shaft, and a first clutch bearing configured to grip tightly when the first shaft is spinning in the clockwise direction, and to slip when the first shaft is spinning in the counterclockwise direction; and a second shaft operably coupled to the first end of the feed roller assembly, positioned parallel to the first shaft, having a second gear engaged with the first clutch bearing, and configured to turn with the second shaft, and a second clutch bearing engaged with the first gear, and configured to grip tightly and drive when the second shaft is spinning in the clockwise direction, and to slip when the second shaft is spinning in the counterclockwise direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A bidirectional media supporting system, comprising:
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a first roller configured to rotate to feed media in a forward feed mode and in a reverse feed mode; a second roller positioned parallel to the first roller, and configured to rotate in the same direction as the first roller; a first clutch bearing set operably coupled to the second roller; a second clutch bearing set operably coupled to the second roller, and configured to engage with the first clutch bearing set; and a gear transmission assembly, operably coupled to the first roller with a belt pulley assembly, and directly coupled to the second roller with the first clutch bearing set, and configured to transfer a driving force from the first roller to the second roller, the second clutch bearing set on the same shaft as the second roller. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for reversing direction of printing media, comprising:
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advancing media in a first direction, with a feeding roller assembly and a platen roller assembly, by rotating the feeding roller assembly and the platen roller assembly in the first direction and maintaining a rotational speed of the platen roller assembly above a rotational speed of the feeding roller assembly; receiving a signal to reverse the first direction of advancing media; and adjusting operation of the feeding roller assembly and the platen roller assembly by reversing a direction of rotation of a transmission gear assembly operably coupled to the feeding roller assembly and the platen roller assembly, and by rotating the feeding roller assembly and the platen roller assembly in a second direction opposite the first direction and maintaining the rotational speed of the platen roller assembly below the rotational speed of the feeding roller assembly. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification