Pinion roller drive for recording apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for recording an image onto a sheet medium has an entrance drive roller paired with a corresponding entrance pressure roller to form an entrance nip for transporting the sheet medium into an image recording section. The image recording section has a write head for recording onto a portion of the sheet medium being transported between the entrance nip and exit nip. The exit nip is formed by a drive roller paired with a corresponding exit pressure roller for transporting the sheet medium out from the image recording section. A motor provides rotary motion to a pinion roller mechanically coupled to the entrance and exit drive rollers. A loading mechanism provides a loading force to nest the pinion roller into rotational contact against a portion of the entrance and exit drive rollers.

1 . An apparatus for recording an image onto a sheet medium, comprising: 
 an entrance drive roller paired with a corresponding entrance pressure roller to form an entrance nip for transporting the sheet medium into an image recording section;    the image recording section comprising a write head for recording onto a portion of the sheet medium being transported between the entrance nip and an exit nip;    the exit nip formed by a drive roller paired with a corresponding exit pressure roller, for transporting the sheet medium out from the image recording section;    a motor for providing rotary motion to a pinion roller, the pinion roller mechanically coupled to the entrance and exit drive rollers; and    a loading mechanism providing a loading force to nest the pinion roller into rotational contact against a portion of the entrance and exit drive rollers,    wherein the loading mechanism comprises a spring.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus for recording an image onto a sheet medium, comprising: 
 an entrance drive roller paired with a corresponding entrance pressure roller to form an entrance nip for transporting the sheet medium into an image recording section;    the image recording section comprising a write head for recording onto a portion of the sheet medium being transported between the entrance nip and an exit nip;    the exit nip formed by a drive roller paired with a corresponding exit pressure roller, for transporting the sheet medium out from the image recording section;    a motor for providing rotary motion to a pinion roller, the pinion roller mechanically coupled to the entrance and exit drive rollers; and    a loading mechanism providing a loading force to nest the pinion roller into rotational contact against a portion of the entrance and exit drive rollers,    wherein the loading mechanism comprises an electromagnet.    
     
     
         3 . An apparatus for recording an image onto a sheet medium, comprising: 
 an entrance drive roller paired with a corresponding entrance pressure roller to form an entrance nip for transporting the sheet medium into an image recording section;    the image recording section comprising a write head for recording onto a portion of the sheet medium being transported between the entrance nip and an exit nip;    the exit nip formed by a drive roller paired with a corresponding exit pressure roller, for transporting the sheet medium out from the image recording section;    a motor for providing rotary motion to a pinion roller, the pinion roller mechanically coupled to the entrance and exit drive rollers;    a loading mechanism providing a loading force to nest the pinion roller into rotational contact against a portion of the entrance and exit drive rollers; and    a counter roller coupling the exit drive roller with the entrance drive roller, wherein the counter roller is subject to an electromagnetic loading force or subject to a spring loading force.    
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a motor pinion assembly for constraining the motor body with respect to its rotational axis, the motor pinion assembly comprising: 
 a) a bracket coupled to the motor body, comprising 
 (i) a first arm extending away from the rotational axis in a first direction;  
 (ii) a second arm extending away from the rotational axis in a second direction, opposite the first direction with respect to the rotational axis of the motor;  
   b) a base for seating the bracket along its first and second arms, comprising: 
 (i) a first seat for supporting the first arm of the bracket at a constraining member, supporting a portion of the motor weight thereby; and  
 (ii) a second seat for supporting the second arm of the bracket at a counter force providing element, and the counter force providing element thereby supporting the remaining portion of the motor weight,  
   wherein the counter force providing element comprises a spring.    
     
     
         5 . A method for driving a pair of drive rollers for transporting a sheet medium, the method comprising: 
 a) coupling each drive roller with a corresponding pressure roller for providing a nip for transporting the sheet medium;    b) applying a magnetic force to a pinion roller to nest the pinion roller against at least a portion of each drive roller; and    c) rotating the pinion roller.