U.S. patent application number 16/605722 was filed with the patent office on 2020-04-30 for angled lift plates in media trays.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.. Invention is credited to Peter J Boucher, Kirsten Solders, Devin Scott Uehling.
Application Number | 20200130968 16/605722 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63856803 |
Filed Date | 2020-04-30 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200130968 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Solders; Kirsten ; et
al. |
April 30, 2020 |
ANGLED LIFT PLATES IN MEDIA TRAYS
Abstract
A media tray may include a lift plate to lift a number of sheets
of media, a spool, and a first plurality of cables and a second
plurality of cables each mechanically coupling the lift plate to
the spool wherein the first and second plurality of cables cause
the sheets of media to interface with a media pick-up roller at a
horizontally divergent angle relative to a pick-up roller.
Inventors: |
Solders; Kirsten;
(Vancouver, WA) ; Uehling; Devin Scott;
(Vancouverr, WA) ; Boucher; Peter J; (Vancouver,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. |
Spring |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
63856803 |
Appl. No.: |
16/605722 |
Filed: |
April 19, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
April 19, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2017/028392 |
371 Date: |
October 16, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2405/15 20130101;
B65H 1/14 20130101; B65H 2403/544 20130101; B65H 1/04 20130101;
B65H 2405/11162 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65H 1/04 20060101
B65H001/04; B65H 1/14 20060101 B65H001/14 |
Claims
1. A media tray, comprising: a lift plate to lift a number of
sheets of media; a spool; and a first plurality of cables and a
second plurality of cables each mechanically coupling the lift
plate to the spool; wherein the first and second plurality of
cables cause the sheets of media to interface with a media pick-up
roller at a horizontally divergent angle relative to a pick-up
roller.
2. The media tray of claim 1, wherein the horizontally divergent
angle is between 5 and 17 degrees angled down relative to the
pick-up roller.
3. The media tray of claim 2, wherein the length of the first
plurality of cables causes a first side of the lift plate to obtain
a position higher towards the pick-up roller relative to a second
side of the lift plate.
4. The media tray of claim 3, wherein the length of the second
plurality of cables causes the second side of the lift plate to
obtain a position lower from the pick-up roller relative to the
first side of the lift plate.
5. The media tray of claim 1, wherein a first side of the lift
plate remains in a higher position than a second side of the lift
plate while the spool winds up a length of both the first plurality
of cables and the second plurality of cables.
6. The media tray of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of
cables interfaces with an accumulator device to maintain a slack
amount of cable while the lift plate is located at a bottom-most
portion of the media tray.
7. A printing device, comprising: a number of media trays, each
media tray comprising: a media plate to support a number of sheets
of media; and a winching system to winch at least a first set of
two cables and a second set of two cables, the first and second set
of cables coupled to the media plate; wherein the winching system
causes the media plate to be angled when the sheets of media
interface with a pick-up roller.
8. The printing device of claim 7, wherein the media tray is
removable from the printing system.
9. The printing device of claim 7, wherein each of the winching
system comprises a spool to wind-up the first and second set of
cables.
10. The printing device of claim 9, wherein the spool comprises a
coupler to interface with a drive motor of the printing device.
11. The printing device of claim 9, further comprising an
accumulation mechanism to accumulate a slack amount of cable of the
second set of two cables.
12. The printing device of claim 7, wherein the angle of the media
plate is between 5 and 17 degrees angled down relative to the
pick-up roller.
13. A media supply device, comprising: a lift plate to hold an
amount of media; a winch system comprising a motor and a spool; and
at least a first cable and a second cable each coupled at a first
end to the lift plate and at a second end to the spool; wherein
rotation of the spool causes a first cable to lift a first side of
the lift plate while an amount of slack of the second cable is
wound around the spool before lifting a second end of the lift
plate.
14. The media supply device of claim 13, wherein a portion of the
spool where the at least first cable and second cable are wound
around have a common diameter.
15. The media supply device of claim 13, further comprising an
accumulation device to accumulate the slack of the second cable
when present.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Printing devices maintain an amount of media within trays in
order to have access to the media during a printing process. These
trays may occasionally be replenished with an additional number of
sheets of media to continue printing operations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] The accompanying drawings illustrate various examples of the
principles described herein and are part of the specification. The
illustrated examples are given merely for illustration, and do not
limit the scope of the claims.
[0003] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a media tray according to an
example of the principles described herein.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a printing device according to
an example of the principles described herein.
[0005] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a media supply device according
to an example of the principles described herein.
[0006] FIG. 4 is a perspective cut-out view of a media tray
according to an example of the principles described herein.
[0007] FIG. 5 is a perspective cut-out view of a media tray
according to an example of the principles described herein.
[0008] FIG. 6 is a perspective cut-out view of a media tray
according to an example of the principles described herein.
[0009] Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers
designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. The
figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts
may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown.
Moreover, the drawings provide examples and/or implementations
consistent with the description; however, the description is not
limited to the examples and/or implementations provided in the
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] As mentioned above, printing devices may be provided with a
relatively constant supply of media using a number of trays or
drawers. Some of these drawers are high-capacity drawers that hold
multiple reams of media. Although this is merely an example, these
types of drawers may include lift plates that lift the unused media
towards a pick-up roller. These lift plates, however, remain
horizontal as the lift plate is moved towards the pick-up
rollers.
[0011] High-capacity media trays, for example, may implement a
number of cables that are coupled to the lift plate. These cables
may be coupled to the four corners of the lift plate so that the
lift plate may be lifted by the cables. In some examples, the
cables may be lifted using a winch. However, the pick-up roller,
along with certain media separation rollers, may better operate if
the approach of the media to the pick-up rollers is at an angle.
This cannot be achieved with a lift plate that advances the sheets
of media horizontally up the media tray.
[0012] The present specification describes a lift plate that causes
media to interface with a pick-up roller at a non-horizontal angle.
Specifically, the present specification describes media tray that
may include a lift plate to lift a number of sheets of media, a
spool, and a first plurality of cables and a second plurality of
cables each mechanically coupling the lift plate to the spool
wherein the first and second plurality of cables cause the sheets
of media to interface with a media pick-up roller at a horizontally
divergent angle relative to a pick-up roller.
[0013] The present specification further describes a printing
device that may include a number of media trays, each media tray
including a media plate to support a number of sheets of media and
a winching system to winch at least a first set of two cables and a
second set of two cables, the first and second set of cables
coupled to the media plate wherein the winching system causes the
media plate to be angled when the sheets of media interface with a
pick-up roller.
[0014] The present specification further describes media supply
device that may include a lift plate to hold an amount of media, a
winch system comprising a motor and a spool, and at least a first
cable and a second cable each coupled at a first end to the lift
plate and at a second end to the spool wherein rotation of the
spool causes a first cable to lift a first side of the lift plate
while an amount of slack of the second cable is wound around the
spool before lifting a second end of the lift plate.
[0015] As used in the present specification and in the appended
claims, the term "a number of" or similar language is meant to be
understood broadly as any positive number comprising 1 to infinity;
zero not being a number, but the absence of a number.
[0016] In the following description, for purposes of explanation,
numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a
thorough understanding of the present systems and methods. It will
be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present
apparatus, systems, and methods may be practiced without these
specific details. Reference in the specification to "an example" or
similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with that example is
included as described, but may or may not be included in other
examples.
[0017] Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a
media tray (100) according to an example of the principles
described herein. The media tray (100) may be any tray that
interfaces with a pick-up roller within a printing device and
supplies sheets of media to the pick-up roller. In an example, the
media tray (100) is a high-capacity media tray that can maintain
multiple reams of sheets of media therein. In an example the media
tray (100) is a media tray that may maintain any number of sheets
of media therein including portions of reams. In the present
specification, however, for ease of understanding and convenience
in description, the media tray (100) will be described as a
high-capacity media tray (100).
[0018] In some examples, the media tray (100) causes the sheets of
media maintained therein to interface with devices used to
introduce the media into the printing device such as the pick-up
roller described herein. In addition to the pick-up roller, any
number of other rollers may be utilized in the present examples
that promote movement of any number of sheets of media out of the
media tray (100) and into a media feed path within a printing
device. One example of such an additional roller is a separator
roller that helps to separate one sheet of media from another in
order to make sure a single sheet of media enters the media feed
path at a time. Other devices may also be used to introduce a sheet
of media into the media feed path of the printing device and the
present application contemplates those other devices.
[0019] In some printing devices, the pick-up roller may be arranged
such that the most effective angle at which the sheets of media are
to interface with the pick-up roller is at an angle that is
divergent of horizontal with the leading edge of the sheets of
media being higher at the pick-up roller than the other side.
However, this is not possible in current high-capacity media trays
(100). This may cause "no pick" situations where sheets of media
are not able to be introduced into the media feed path via the
pick-up roller. Still further, some media feed paths immediately
downstream of the pick-up roller may be vertical in order to
transfer each sheet of media up and into the printing device for
printing. Attempting to translate a sheet of media from a
horizontal position to a vertical position using rollers may damage
or otherwise warp the sheets of media prior to printing. This may
result in relatively poor quality prints. The present
specification, therefore, describes a media tray (100) having a
lift plate (105) that is tilted as it raises towards the pick-up
roller of the printing device.
[0020] In order to tilt the lift plate (105), the media tray (100)
may further include a first plurality of cables (115), a second
plurality of cables (120), and a spool (110). The first (115) and
second plurality of cables (120) may be coupled to opposite edges
of the lift plate (105). In an example, the first plurality of
cables (115) may be coupled to a first common edge of the lift
plate (105): this first common edge being the edge of the lift
plate (105) that interfaces with the pick-up roller. The cable may
mechanically couple the first common edge of the lift plate (105)
to the spool (110). In this example, the first plurality of cables
(115) may mechanically couple the first common edge of the lift
plate (105) with the spool (110) such that the first plurality of
cables (115) are taut with no slack along the length of the first
plurality of cables (115) between lift plate (105) and the spool
(110). During operation of the lift plate (105), the spool (110)
may begin to wind the first plurality of cables (115) thereon
causing the first common edge of the lift plate (105) to be moved
towards the pick-up roller.
[0021] The second plurality of cables (120) may also be coupled to
the lift plate (105) at a second common edge of the lift plate
(105). However, unlike the first plurality of cables (115), the
second plurality of cables (120) may include some slack therein
such that, during operation, the spool (110) may begin to wind up
the slack present in the second plurality of cables (120). This
delays the time in which the second common edge of the lift plate
(105) begins to be lifted. As a consequence, the second common edge
of the lift plate (105) rises later than the first common edge of
the lift plate (105) causing a tilt in the lift plate (105). The
angle of tilt may vary depending on a predetermined angle of
interface between the lift plate (105) and the pick-up roller. In
an example, the angle of the lift plate (105) may be between 5 and
17 degrees. In an example, the angle of the lift plate may be 10
degrees. In another example, the angle of the lift plate (105) may
range from 0 to 17 during the above described lift plate (105)
lifting process. In this example, as the slack in the second
plurality of cables (120) is wound up on the spool (110), the angle
of the lift plate (105) may remain constant as the spool (110)
continues to wind up the first plurality of cables (115) and second
plurality of cables (120). It should be noted that winding the
first plurality of cables (115) and second plurality of cables
(120) may continue until the sheets of media maintained on the lift
plate (105) interface with the pick-up roller.
[0022] In an example, the second plurality of cables (120) may
interface with an accumulation device that accumulates any slack
that may be present in the second plurality of cables (120). In
this example, the slack of the second plurality of cables (120) may
be maintained at the accumulation device until the spool (110), via
winding of the second plurality of cables (120), causes the second
plurality of cables (120) to become taut. In an example, the
accumulation device may include a number of rollers, biased via a
spring, such that when the slack is taken out of the second
plurality of cables (120), the bias of the spring is overcome and
the slack is no longer maintained in the accumulation device.
[0023] The spool (110) may include a number of grooves defined
therein such that a length of the first plurality of cables (115)
and second plurality of cables (120) may be wound therein. In an
example, the diameter of the spool (110) where the first plurality
of cables (115) and second plurality of cables (120) are wound
around may be equal such that as the spool (110) rotates, an equal
length of the first plurality of cables (115) and second plurality
of cables (120) may be wound onto the spool (110).
[0024] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a printing device (200)
according to an example of the principles described herein. The
printing device (200) may be any type of printing device that
includes a media tray (205) that may maintain a number of sheets of
media to be used by the printing device (200). In an example, the
media tray (205) may be a high-capacity media tray (205) as
described herein. Any number of media trays (205) may be included
in the printing device (200). In some examples, a plurality of
media trays (205) may hold different types, sizes, and amounts of
print media in order to provide different print options for a user
of the printing device (200).
[0025] Similar to FIG. 1, each of the media trays (205) may include
a media plate (210), a first set of cables (220), and a second set
of cables (225). In an example, the first set of cables (220) and
second set of cables (225) may include at least two cables each
with the respective cables coupled to a corner of the media plate
(210). Additional cables may be included in each set of cables
(220, 225) for additional support and may be wound on, for example,
a spool (FIG. 1, 110) as described herein.
[0026] The media tray (205) and printing device (200) may further
include a winching system (215). The winching system (215) may
include a spool (FIG. 1, 110) as described in connection with FIG.
1 as well as a shaft and motor. The motor may be coupled to a
housing within the printing device (200) and may be controlled by a
processor associated with the printing device (200). In some
examples, the motor may be deactivated when it has been detected
that the media tray (205) has been opened by a user of the printing
device (200). The motor may interface with a shaft that is
mechanically coupled to the spool (FIG. 1, 110). The mechanical
interface between the motor and the shaft may allow the motor and
shaft to be coupled and decoupled each time the media tray (205) is
inserted into the printing device (200) or removed from the
printing device, respectively.
[0027] During operation, the printing device (200) may detect when
the media tray (205) has been inserted into the printing device
(200). Upon detection of the insertion of the media tray (205), the
printing device (200) may direct the motor to drive the shaft and
spool (FIG. 1, 110) to begin winding up a length of the first set
of cables (220) and second set of cables (225). As described
herein, however, the first set of cables (220) may not include any
slack therein such that rotation of the spool (FIG. 1, 110) causes
a first edge of the media plate (210) to draw closer to a pick-up
roller of the printing device (200). However, because there exists
an amount of slack in the second set of cables (225), the winding
of the second set of cables (225) may delay the time when a second
side of the media plate (210) is raised. This causes the media
plate (210) to be drawn up to the pick-up roller of the printing
device (200) at an ever-increasing angle until the slack in the
second set of cables (225) has been accumulated on the spool (FIG.
1, 110). When the slack of the second set of cables (225) is
accumulated on the spool (FIG. 1, 110), the second side of the
media plate (210) also begins to rise, albeit at a consistently
lower level than the first side of the media plate (210). This will
continue until the sheets of media retained on the media plate
(210) is depleted or until the media tray (205) is removed from the
printing device (200) by a user.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a media supply device (300)
according to an example of the principles described herein. The
media supply device (300) may be any type of device that provides a
number of sheets to a printing device. The media supply device
(300) may be similar to the media trays (100, 205) descried in
connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. In an example, the media supply
device (300) is a void defined within a printing device that may be
accessed by a user and print media may be added therein.
[0029] The media supply device (300) may include a lift plate
(305), a winch system (310) and a spool (325) similar to those
described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. The lift plate (305)
and spool (325) may again be coupled together mechanically via at
least a first cable (315) and a second cable (320). A proximal end
of the first cable (315) and second cable (320) may each be coupled
to the spool (325) while a distal end of each of the first cable
(315) and second cable (320) may be coupled to the lift plate
(305).
[0030] In an example, the media supply device (300) may include a
number of guide members used to guide the lift plate (305) through
the media tray (100, 205). In this example, portions of the lift
plate (305) may interface with the housing of the media tray (100,
205) such that they may be guided vertically within the media tray
(100, 205). In this example, the at least one first cable (315) may
include a single cable that provides the lifting force for a first
edge of the lift plate (305). Similarly, the at least one second
cable (320) may include a single cable that provides the lifting
force for a second edge of the lift plate (305). As described
above, the first cable (315) may be taut between the lift plate
(305) and the spool (325) such that winding of the first cable
(315) around the spool (325) immediately causes the first edge of
the lift plate (305) to rise. However, as the spool (325) begins to
wind the first cable (315), a slack portion present in the second
cable (320) may also be wound without the second edge of the lift
plate (305) being lifted. After the slack in the second cable (320)
has been wound around the spool (325) a length, the second cable
(320) may be made taut and the second edge may start to rise as
well. In this way, the lift plate (305) may be maintained at an
angle as it continues to rise within the media tray (100, 205). The
angle of the lift plate (305), at its maximum angle, may be between
5 and 17 degrees. In an example the maximum angle of the lift plate
(305) may be 10 degrees. The angle achieved, however, may be
dependent on the amount of slack provided in the second cable (320)
and may be adjusted to achieve a particular angle of the lift plate
(305).
[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective cut-out view of a media tray (100)
according to an example of the principles described herein.
Portions of the media tray (100) have been removed for ease of
viewing within the media tray (100). The media tray (100) may
include a lift plate (105), a spool (110), a first plurality of
cables (115), and a second plurality of cables (120). In the
example shown in FIG. 4, a single cable of the first plurality of
cables (115) is shown. Other cables may be included among the first
plurality of cables (115) as will be described herein. Similarly, a
single cable of the second plurality of cables (120) is shown but
other cables may be included among the second plurality of cables
(120).
[0032] The media tray (100) may also include a spool (110) that the
first plurality of cables (115) and second plurality of cables
(120) may be wrapped around when the spool (110) is rotated in the
direction indicated by the rotation arrow (400). The spool (110)
may be fixed to a shaft (405) that is driven by a motor within a
printing system as descried herein. The shaft (405) may lead to an
opposite side of the media tray (100) and include a second spool,
not shown, with other cables that help to raise and lower the lift
plate (105) as described herein. These other cables may be included
in the first plurality of cables (115) and second plurality of
cables (120) and may be used to help lift and angle the lift plate
(105) as described herein.
[0033] The first plurality of cables (115) may directly couple a
first edge (410) of the lift plate (105) to the spool (110) with
relatively no slack present in the first plurality of cables (115).
Thus, the first plurality of cables (115) may remain taut
throughout the operation of the media tray (100). The second
plurality of cables (120) may be coupled to a second edge (415) of
the lift plate (105). The second plurality of cables (120),
however, include an amount of slack as indicated in FIG. 4. The
amount of slack present in the second plurality of cables (120) may
vary depending on the angle at which the lift plate (105) is to be
placed relative to a pick-up roller (420).
[0034] In an example, the media tray (100) may further include a
number of pulleys (425) that guide the first plurality of cables
(115) and second plurality of cables (120) as well as serve as a
point from which the first plurality of cables (115) and second
plurality of cables (120) may be hoisted.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a perspective cut-out view of a media tray (100)
according to an example of the principles described herein. The
media tray (100) of FIG. 5 may be similar to the media tray (100)
described in connection with FIG. 4. The media tray (100) of FIG.
5, however, may further include an accumulation device (500). As
described herein, the second plurality of cables (120) may include
an amount of slack that may cause a second edge of the lift plate
(105) to rise later than the first edge when the spool (110) begins
to wind up the first plurality of cables (115) and second plurality
of cables (120).
[0036] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the accumulation device
(500) includes two rollers that, when the slack in the second
plurality of cables (120) is wound on the spool (110), move in a
direction as indicated by translation arrows (505). As the second
plurality of cables (120) is made taut, the force of the second
plurality of cables (120) against the rollers overcomes a force
opposite the translation arrows (505) applied by, for example, a
spring. When the lift plate (105) is at the bottom of the media
tray (100), for example, the slack of the second plurality of
cables (120) may be accumulated between the two rollers because the
force of the second plurality of cables (120) against the two
rollers is not sufficient to overcome the biased force of the
springs. The accumulation device therefore prevents the slack in
the second plurality of cables (120) from interfering with other
moving parts of the media tray (100).
[0037] FIG. 6 is a perspective cut-out view of a media tray
according to an example of the principles described herein. As
described herein, the lift plate (105) may be advanced upwards
towards the pick-up roller (420) by turning the spool (110) using
the shaft (405). As the spool (110) begins to wind up a length of
the first plurality of cables (115), the slack present in the
second plurality of cables (120) is also wound. However, because
the first plurality of cables (115) is taunt between the lift plate
(105) and the spool (110), the first edge (410) of the lift plate
(105) begins to rise when the spool (110) first begins to winch in
the first plurality of cables (115). With the slack present in the
second edge (415) of the lift plate (105), the rise of the second
edge (415) of the lift plate (105) is delayed even when the spool
(110) winds up an amount of the second plurality of cables (120).
This results in an eventual maximum angle (.theta.) in the lift
plate (105) being produced. Consequently, the lift plate (105) may
present the sheets of media on the lift plate (105) at an angle as
it interfaces with the pick-up roller (420). The maximum angle
(.theta.) may be obtained when all of the slack in the second
plurality of cables (120) is wound up and the second plurality of
cables (120) is made taut. Between the time the first plurality of
cables (115) is wound till the time that the slack in the second
edge (415) of the lift plate (105) is completely wound onto the
spool (110), the maximum angle (.theta.) may vary from 0 degrees to
the maximum angle (.theta.). In an example the maximum angle
(.theta.) is between 5 and 17 degrees. In an example, the maximum
angle (.theta.) is 10 degrees.
[0038] Aspects of the present system and method are described
herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block
diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program
products according to examples of the principles described herein.
Each block of the flowchart illustrations and block diagrams, and
combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and block
diagrams, may be implemented by computer usable program code. The
computer usable program code may be provided to a processor of a
general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, a printing
device, or other programmable data processing apparatus to affect
the functionality of the media tray (100) described herein. In an
example, a processor in a printing device may control the
activation of a motor that drives the shaft (405) to turn the spool
(110) as described herein. The timing of the activation of the
motor and the circumstances when the motor is activated may be
controlled by the processor based on execution of certain computer
readable program code.
[0039] The specification and figures describe a lift plate in a
media tray of a printing device. The lift tray is made to interface
with at least a pick-up roller of the printing device at an angle
that is horizontally divergent. This may be done so that the media
maintained on the lift plate may be relatively easier to be picked
and translated through a media feed path in the printing device.
Additionally, the angled lift plate may allow for relatively better
separation of the individual sheets of media thereby preventing a
plurality of sheets of media from entering the media feed path at a
single time. Further, the tilt of the lift plate will not affect
the capacity of the tray because the lift plate, in an initial
state, may remain flat on the bottom of the media tray until the
sheets of media are to be raised. At that point, an angle is
produced so that the sheets of media may interface with the pick-up
roller at an angle divergent of horizontal.
[0040] The preceding description has been presented to illustrate
and describe examples of the principles described. This description
is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit these principles to
any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are
possible in light of the above teaching.
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