Imaging devices with drive assembly and drive assembly locking mechanism

Examples of an imaging device (100) are described herein. In an example, the imaging device (100) includes a drive control assembly (110), a first drive assembly (106), a second drive assembly (108), a movable carriage (102), and a locking mechanism (112). The drive control assembly (110) can be used to regulate transmission of drive from an actuator (200) to the first drive assembly (106) and the second drive assembly (108). The locking mechanism (112) can lock the drive control assembly (110) in an engaged position with the first drive assembly (106) or the second drive assembly (108). The movable carriage (102) can actuate the locking mechanism (112) to lock the drive control assembly (110) in the engaged position.

BACKGROUND

Imaging devices, such as scanners, copiers, and printers, can be used for printing matter on a medium, such as paper, by a non-contact process or for capturing a digital image of matter printed on the medium. The matter can include, for example, a picture or text or a combination thereof. The imaging device can have an image-forming mechanism, such as a scan head of a scanner or a printhead of a printer, to capture the image of the printed matter or for printing the matter on the medium. Accordingly, a relative movement can be provided between the medium and the image-forming mechanism by moving the medium or the image-forming mechanism or both.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, imaging devices, such as scanners, copiers, and printers, may be operable either for printing matter on a medium or for capturing a digital image of matter printed on the medium. To achieve the same, an imaging device can operate in various manners. Typically, construction of the imaging devices is such that the imaging devices may be operable in a single manner at one time. For example, in one case, the imaging device may be able to use one manner of feeding the medium, i.e., either manual feed or automatic feed to the imaging device. In another case, the image-forming mechanism may be operable in one manner, i.e., either in stationary mode where the medium can be provided motion or in mobile mode where the image-forming mechanism may move relative to a stationary medium.

Further, each manner of operation may have certain properties associated therewith and may find application for different types of jobs. However since the imaging device is operable in a single manner, for each different manner, a separate imaging device is deployed. Accordingly, cost of producing jobs using the imaging devices is overall high. Moreover, operation of separate imaging devices may be cumbersome as each imaging device is individually maintained. Therefore, such operation of the imaging devices may be considerably low on effectiveness.

The present subject matter relates to multi-way operation of an imaging device, such as a printer or a scanner. The present subject matter provides for an image-forming mechanism of the imaging device to operate in a plurality of modes, for example, in a first mode and a second mode. As an example, in case the imaging device is a printer, the image-forming mechanism can be a printhead of the printer. In case the imaging device is a scanner or a copier, the image-forming mechanism can be a scanning head of the scanner. The image-forming mechanism can be mounted on a movable carriage. Further, for instance, the first mode can be a movable mode in which the image-forming mechanism is mobile and the second mode can be a stationary mode in which the image-forming mechanism can remain stationary.

The imaging device includes a first drive assembly to operate the imaging device in the first mode, and a second drive assembly to operate the imaging device in the second mode. The imaging device further includes an actuator, such as a motor, to provide drive to the first drive assembly and the second drive assembly. In addition, the imaging device can include a drive control assembly to transmit the drive from the actuator to the first drive assembly or the second drive assembly. In other words, at a given instant, either the first drive assembly is operational or the second drive assembly is operational so that the imaging device is operating in either the first mode or the second mode.

In accordance to an aspect, the imaging device can further include a locking mechanism which can be used to lock the drive control assembly in an engaged position, i.e., when engaged with the first drive assembly or the second drive assembly or both. Such a provision allows the drive to be effectively transmitted from the actuator to the appropriate drive assembly for operation. In one example, the locking mechanism can be operable by the carriage of the image-forming mechanism. In said example, the carriage can be actuated to operate the locking mechanism and allowing for engagement and disengagement of the drive control assembly. Accordingly, the movement of the carriage can be controlled to switch the transmission of drive between the first drive assembly and the second drive assembly, in turn, to change the mode of operation of the imaging device. Such a provision may allow for a simple construction of the imaging device as the imaging device does not have any separate components for regulating the locking mechanism.

The above aspects are further described in the figures and in associated description below. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Therefore, various arrangements that encompass the principles of the present subject matter, although not explicitly described or shown herein, can be devised from the description and are included within its scope. Additionally, the word “coupled” is used throughout for clarity of the description and can include either a direct connection or an indirect connection.

FIG. 1illustrates a schematic of an imaging device100, according to an example of the present subject matter. In an example, the imaging device100may include a movable carriage102to carry an image-forming mechanism104mounted on the movable carriage102. According to said example, the imaging device100may operate in two modes, namely, a first mode and a second mode. For instance, the first mode of operation can be a mobile mode in which the image-forming mechanism104is movable. In the same example, the second mode can be a stationary mode in which the image-forming mechanism104is stationary. In such a case, a medium can move with reference to the image-forming mechanism104for the operation of the imaging device100. The image-forming mechanism104, in one example, can be a printhead, in case the imaging device100is a printer or the image-forming mechanism can be a scan head, in case the imaging device100is a scanner.

Further, in an example, the imaging device100includes a first drive assembly106operably coupled to the image-forming mechanism104. The first drive assembly106, in operation, may operate the image-forming mechanism104in a first mode of operation, for example, to provide reciprocatory motion to the image-forming mechanism104. In addition, in the first mode, the medium can be stationary and the image-forming mechanism104may be moved relative to the medium.

The imaging device100may further include a second drive assembly108operably coupled to the image-forming mechanism104to operate the imaging device100in a second mode of operation. As mentioned in the above example, the second mode can be a mode where the image forming mechanism104is stationary, and therefore, in the second mode the image-forming mechanism104can be rendered immobile. Further, in said example, the second drive assembly108can facilitate the feeding of the medium to the imaging-forming mechanism104and, therefore, can facilitate the image-forming mechanism104to operate in the second mode.

In addition, the imaging device100may include a drive control assembly110to regulate transmission of drive from an actuator (not shown in Figure) to the first drive assembly106and the second drive assembly108. The drive control assembly110, in operation, may drive the first drive assembly106when the first drive assembly106in engaged with the image-forming mechanism104. Alternatively, the drive control assembly110may drive the second drive assembly110when the second drive assembly108is engaged with the image-forming mechanism104.

Further, according to an aspect, the imaging device100includes a locking mechanism112to lock the drive control assembly in engaged position with either the first drive assembly106or the second drive assembly108. According to said aspect, in an example, the locking mechanism112can be operable by the movable carriage102. The imaging device100and the components and operation thereof are explained in further detail with reference toFIG. 2,FIG. 3A,FIG. 3B,FIG. 4A, andFIG. 4B.

FIG. 2illustrates various components of the imaging device100, in accordance with one example of the present subject matter. As mentioned previously, the first drive assembly106may operate the movable carriage102for moving the image-forming mechanism104(not shown inFIG. 2) in the first mode of operation. In such a case, the movable carriage102may execute a reciprocatory motion to provide motion to the image-forming mechanism104. In the first mode, the medium can be stationary and the image-forming mechanism104may be moved relative to the medium. Further, the second drive assembly108may operate the image-forming mechanism104in the second mode by rendering the image-forming mechanism104stationary and facilitating feed of the medium to the stationary image-forming mechanism104.

In an example, the first drive assembly106can be a gear train, a belt drive, a chain drive, or a combination thereof. Similarly, the second drive assembly108can be a gear train, a belt drive, a chain drive, or a combination thereof. For instance, in the example illustrated inFIG. 2, the first drive assembly106can be a belt drive assembly whereas the second drive assembly108can be a gear drive assembly. In said example, the movable carriage102can be fixed coupled to a belt of the belt drive assembly and can be provided a reciprocatory motion between two terminal pulleys of the belt drive assembly. Further, in said example, the second drive assembly108can operate a feeding mechanism (not shown) of the imaging device100in the second mode for feeding medium relative to the stationary image-forming mechanism104.

Further, the drive control assembly110is responsible for operating the first drive assembly106or the second drive assembly108, as the case may be, to operate the image-forming mechanism104(shown inFIG. 1) in the first mode or the second mode respectively. To achieve such operation, the drive control assembly110may receive drive from an actuator200. For instance, the actuator200can be a stepper motor or a servomotor. The actuator200may be secured to a body (not shown in Figure) of the imaging device100. In an example, the actuator200may transmit the drive to the drive control assembly110through a transmission assembly, such as a gear train. In one example, the gear train can include a worm202and a worm wheel204, the worm202being mounted on a shaft of the actuator200and the worm wheel204being a part of the drive control assembly110and engaged with the worm202to the operate the control assembly110.

The drive control assembly110, in operation, may toggle the transmission of drive from the actuator200between the first drive assembly106and the second assembly108to change the mode of operation of the image-forming mechanism104. Therefore, at any given instant, the drive control assembly110may be engaged with either the first drive assembly106or the second drive assembly108.

Further, in order to lock the drive control assembly110in the engaged position with either the first drive assembly106or the second drive assembly108, the locking mechanism112may be operated and brought into operation. The locking mechanism112ensures that the drive control assembly110remains engaged with the drive assembly106,108, while the imaging device100is in operation. As mentioned previously, the locking mechanism112may be actuable or operable by movement of the movable carriage102.

FIG. 3AandFIG. 3Billustrates the drive control assembly110, in accordance with one example of the present subject matter. In said example,FIG. 3Arepresents a top view of the drive control assembly110whereasFIG. 3Billustrates a cut section view of the drive control assembly110. For the sake of brevity and for the ease of understanding,FIG. 3AandFIG. 3Bare explained in conjunction.

As mentioned previously, the drive control assembly110is operably coupled to the actuator200and regulates the transmission of drive by engaging with and disengaging from the first drive assembly106and the second drive assembly108, based on the mode of operation of the imaging device100. In an example, the drive control assembly110can be a swing arm assembly. In said example, the swing arm assembly can include a gear train having a driving transmission member300engaged with an engaging transmission member302. For instance, the driving transmission member300and the engaging transmission member302can be formed as gears, such as spur gears or helical gears.

In addition, the driving transmission member300can obtain the drive from the actuator200and can transmit the drive to the engaging transmission member302. In the example described earlier, the actuator200can have the worm202engaged to the worm wheel204, i.e., the driving transmission member300, which is a part of the drive control assembly110. The engaging transmission member302can further transmit the drive to the first drive assembly106or the second drive assembly108, depending on the mode of operation in which the imaging device100is to be operated.

In another case, the driving transmission member300can be formed of a coupling of two gear wheels, i.e., a worm wheel204and a drive gear304fixedly mounted coaxially on the worm wheel204. The drive gear304can be mounted on a projected portion of the worm wheel204extending along a central longitudinal axis of the worm wheel204. For instance, the projected portion of the worm wheel204can have external splines and a mounting hole of the drive gear304can have internal splines to engage with and mount on the external splines of the projected portion. In operation, the worm wheel204can be engaged with the worm202to obtain the drive from the actuator200through the worm202, and the worm wheel204and the drive gear304can rotate as a single unit, i.e., the driving transmission member300. The drive gear304can be engaged with the engaging transmission member302to transmit the drive thereto. For instance, the worm wheel204can be a helical gear whereas the drive gear304can be a spur gear.

For operation, the driving transmission member300can be rotatably mounted at a fixed location, such as a mounting member306, on a body308of the imaging device100and can transmit the drive to the engaging transmission member302. Further, to hold the driving transmission member300and the engaging transmission member302in the engaged position, the drive control assembly110, i.e., the swing arm assembly in the present example, may include a lateral plate310. Similar to the driving transmission member300, the lateral plate310can be rotatably mounted at the same fixed location on the body308of the imaging device100. The engaging transmission member302can be mounted rotatably on the lateral plate310. In another case, the swing arm assembly can include a plurality of lateral plates310,312so that the lateral plates310,312are parallel to each other in the mounted position. In such a case, the engaging transmission member302can be mounted rotatably between the lateral plates310,312, either on one of the lateral plates310,312or both.

The lateral plate310and the driving transmission member300can be mounted on the fixed location with such a fit, for instance, transition fit, that the drive control assembly110can rotate along with the driving transmission member300in unison, i.e., as a single unit. In other words, in said example, when the swing arm assembly is being operated to change the mode of operation, the drive control assembly110can actuate as a single unit to disengage the engaging transmission member302from one drive assembly106,108and engage with the other. However, when the movement of the swing arm assembly is stalled, i.e., the engaging transmission member302is engaged, and the driving transmission member300is rotated, the power is transmitted to the engaging transmission member302.

In another example, the driving transmission member300may be mounted on the lateral plate310instead of being directly mounted on the mounting member306. For instance, the lateral plate310may have a cylindrical projection by which the lateral plate310can be mounted on the mounting member306. Further, the driving transmission member300may be mounted on the cylindrical projection of the lateral plate310. As mentioned previously, the driving transmission member300may be mounted on the lateral plate310bearing a transition fit. Accordingly, the drive control assembly110can move about the fixed location as a single unit when the drive control assembly110is not engaged with either the first drive assembly106or the second drive assembly108. When the drive control assembly106is in the engaged position, the driving transmission member300can rotate with respect to the plate312, by virtue of the transition fit.

Further, in addition to serve as a coupling element for the drive control assembly110, the lateral plate310may also facilitate in the locking of the drive control assembly110in the engaged position with the drive assembly106,108. According to an aspect, the lateral plate310may have a cooperating element to cooperate with the locking mechanism112. In an example, cooperating element can be an extended portion on the lateral plate310to engage with the locking mechanism112. The manner by which the locking mechanism112may lock the drive control assembly110is explained with respect toFIG. 4AandFIG. 4B.

FIG. 4AandFIG. 4Billustrates the locking mechanism112, in accordance with one example of the present subject matter. Further,FIG. 4Aillustrates the locking mechanism112securing the drive control assembly110with the first drive assembly106whileFIG. 4Billustrates the locking mechanism112when the lock is released and the drive control assembly110may engage with the second drive assembly108.

In the illustrated aspect, the locking mechanism112may have a first cooperating element400to cooperate with the movable carriage102to actuate the locking mechanism112and lock the drive control assembly110. In an example, the locking mechanism112can be formed as a flat-shaped component. In such a case, the first cooperating element400can be a depression formed in a flat-shaped body of the locking mechanism112to receive a protrusion of the movable carriage102for actuation.

In addition, the locking mechanism112may include a second cooperating element402to cooperate with the drive control assembly110and lock the drive control assembly110in the engaged position. The second cooperating element402may interact with the cooperation element of the lateral plate310to lock the drive control assembly110. In the above example where the cooperating member of the lateral plate310is formed as an extended portion, the second cooperating element402can be formed as a hole or in any other shape that can clasp with the cooperating member of the lateral plate310.

According to an aspect, the locking mechanism112may be pivotably mounted on the body308of the imaging device100to pivot to different positions for locking and unlocking the drive control assembly110. Further, the locking mechanism112may be spring loaded.

Further, in an example, the imaging device100can include a control device (not shown) to, among other things, precisely regulate the movement of various components, for instance, the actuator and the movable carriage102. In an example, the control device may be a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a central processing unit, a state machine, a logic circuitry, and/or any other device that can manipulate signals and data based on computer-readable instructions. For instance, the control device can regulate the operation of the actuator200to operate the drive control assembly110to, in turn, operate either the first drive assembly106or the second drive assembly108.

In operation, the control device can determine whether there is a change in the mode of operation of the imaging device100, and accordingly, the control device can determine a selected mode of operation for operating the imaging device100. For example, the imaging device100may be operating in the first mode and may be prompted to change the mode of operation to the second mode. In addition, the control device can operate the actuator200to engage the drive control assembly110with one of the first drive assembly106and the second drive assembly108, depending on the selected mode of operation. According to an aspect, the control device can actuate the movable carriage102to unlock the drive control assembly110from a previous engaged position when the imaging device100is in a previous mode of operation. Subsequently, the control device can actuate the movable carriage102to operate the locking mechanism112of the imaging device100to lock the drive control assembly110in the engaged position.

The control device may actuate the actuator200to rotate the drive control assembly110in different directions based on the mode of the operation to be achieved. In one example, as an initial position, the imaging device100may be operated in the first mode of operation. As the control device is prompted to switch the operation from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation, for instance, by a user, the control device may determine the current position of the movable carriage102. In an example, when the movable carriage is determined to be not in a position for the second mode of operation, the control device can actuate the actuator200to rotate in a first direction to transmit the drive to the first drive assembly106to bring the movable carriage102in position for the second mode of operation.

Further, as the movable carriage102is brought in position for the second mode, the movable carriage102may make contact with the locking mechanism112. For example, the first cooperating element400of the locking mechanism112may receive the protrusion of the movable carriage102. As the movable carriage102is moved further, the locking mechanism112pivots to unlock the drive control assembly110. For instance, the second cooperating element402of the locking mechanism112may disengage from the cooperating element of the plate312, thereby allowing movement of the drive control assembly110.

The control unit further rotates the actuator in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, to disengage the drive control assembly110from the first drive assembly106. In effect, in one example, the driving transmission member300can be transmitted the drive and by virtue of the transition fit, as explained above, can cause rotation of the drive control assembly110about the mounting member306. As the drive control assembly110rotates, the engaging transmission member302engages with the second drive assembly108. As soon as the engaging transmission member300engages with the second drive assembly102, the drive control assembly110stops rotating further as a single unit and the engaging transmission member302can start transmitting drive to the second drive assembly108.

In one example, during the operation of the imaging device in the second mode, the movable carriage102holds the locking mechanism112in the unlocked position. In another example, however, the control device can actuate the movable carriage102further to bring the movable carriage102in position for the second mode of operation. In the process, the movable carriage102can actuate the locking mechanism112to lock the drive control assembly in the engaged position in the second mode of operation.

Further, when prompted, by the user, to change the mode of the imaging device100back in the first mode, the control device may actuate the actuator200to rotate in the first direction. Accordingly, the actuator200rotates the drive control assembly110in the opposite direction, thereby disengaging the engaging transmission member302from the second drive assembly108and re-engaging the engaging transmission member302with the first drive assembly106.

In the above example where the locking mechanism112is held in the unlocked position in the second mode of operation, as the drive control assembly110engages with the first drive assembly106, the first drive assembly106can drive the movable carriage102to actuate the locking mechanism112and lock the drive control assembly110. Thus, during operation, the control device may regulate the toggling of the imaging device100between the first mode and the second mode of operation.

FIG. 5illustrates an example network environment500using a non-transitory computer readable medium502for stalling operation of an imaging device100, according to an example of the present subject matter. The network environment500may be a public networking environment or a private networking environment. In one example, the network environment500includes a processing resource504communicatively coupled to the non-transitory computer readable medium502through a communication link506.

For example, the processing resource504can be a processor, such as the control device of the imaging device100. The non-transitory computer readable medium502can be, for example, an internal memory device or an external memory device. In one example, the communication link506may be a direct communication link, such as one formed through a memory read/write interface. In another example, the communication link506may be an indirect communication link, such as one formed through a network interface. In such a case, the processing resource504can access the non-transitory computer readable medium502through a network508. The network508may be a single network or a combination of multiple networks and may use a variety of communication protocols.

The processing resource504and the non-transitory computer readable medium502may also be communicatively coupled to data sources510over the network508. The data sources510can include, for example, databases and computing devices. The data sources510may be used by the database administrators and other users to communicate with the processing resource504.

In one example, the non-transitory computer readable medium502can include a set of computer readable instructions, such as a determining module512and an operation module514. The set of computer readable instructions, referred to as instructions hereinafter, can be accessed by the processing resource504through the communication link506and subsequently executed to perform acts for network service insertion. In other words, during operation the processing resource504can execute the determining module512and the operation module514.

On execution by the processing resource504, the determining module512can ascertain a change in a mode of operation of the imaging device100. For example, based on a prompt from a user, the mode of operation of the imaging device100may have to be changed. For instance, in case the imaging device100is a two-in-one scanner, the imaging device100can be operable as a flatbed scanner, i.e., first mode of operation, and as an automatic document feeder (ADF) scanner, i.e., second mode of operation. Accordingly, the imaging device100may be operating in one mode and may be prompted to change the mode of operation.

Further, the determining module512can determine a selected mode of operation for operating the imaging device100. In the above example, the imaging device100may be operating in the first mode as the flatbed scanner and the second mode of operation may be selected for operation of the imaging device100as the ADF scanner.

Further, the operation module514can operate the actuator200to engage the drive control assembly110with one of the first drive assembly106and the second drive assembly108, depending on the selected mode of operation. For example, if the selected mode of operation is second mode, then the operation module514can operate the actuator200to engage with the second drive assembly108. As explained previously, the actuator200can actuate the drive control assembly110to first engage with the second drive assembly108and, once engaged, to transmit the drive thereto.

In addition, the operation module514can actuate the movable carriage102to operate the locking mechanism112of the imaging device100to lock the drive control assembly110in the engaged position. In an example, the operation module514can, first, actuate the movable carriage102to unlock the drive control assembly110from a previous engaged position when the imaging device100is in a previous mode of operation. In order to be able to carry out the above explained operation, the operation module514can determine a current position of the drive control assembly110and a current position of the movable carriage102. In one example, the current positions of the drive control assembly110and the movable carriage102refer to the positions of the drive control assembly110and the movable carriage102in the previous mode of operation.

The construction and operation of the first drive assembly106, the second drive assembly108, the drive control assembly110, and the locking mechanism112is the same as explained with reference toFIG. 2,FIG. 3A,FIG. 3B,FIG. 4A, andFIG. 4B.

Method600is described inFIG. 6for operating the imaging device100, according to an example of the present subject matter. The order in which the method600is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any appropriate order to carry out the method600or an alternative method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method600without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein.

The method600can be performed by programmed computing devices, for example, based on instructions retrieved from the non-transitory computer readable medium or non-transitory computer readable media. The computer readable media can include machine-executable or computer-executable instructions to perform all or portions of the described method. The computer readable media may be, for example, digital memories, magnetic storage media, such as a magnetic disks and magnetic tapes, hard drives, or optically readable data storage media.

Referring toFIG. 6, the method600may be performed by a control device, such as the control device of the imaging device100.

At block602, a mode of operation is determined for operating the imaging device100. For example, the imaging device100may be prompted to change the mode of operation from a current mode of operation. For example, the imaging device100may be operating in the first mode of operation in which the image-forming mechanism104is in a mobile mode of operation. The determined mode of operation can be the second mode of operation in which the image-forming mechanism104is in a stationary mode.

At block604, the actuator200is operated to engage the drive control assembly110with a drive assembly, i.e., to engage with one of the first drive assembly106and the second drive assembly108, depending on the determined mode of operation. In the above example where the determined mode of operation is the second mode, the actuator200can be actuated to engage the drive control assembly110with the second drive assembly108to provide drive thereto for operating in the second mode.

At block606, the movable carriage102is actuated to operate the locking mechanism112of the imaging device100to lock the drive control assembly110in the engaged position. The movable carriage102can be actuated to position the image-forming assembly104appropriately for operating in the second mode. At the same time, when the movable carriage102is positioned, the movable carriage102can cooperate with the locking mechanism112to lock the drive control assembly110when engaged with the second drive assembly, as in the above explained example.

Further, in order to operate the locking mechanism112for locking the drive control assembly110in the engaged position for the determined mode of operation, the movable carriage102can be first actuated to unlock the drive control assembly110from a previous engaged position where the drive control assembly110operates in another mode of operation.

In addition, to be able to actuate the movable carriage102and the drive control assembly110in appropriate amounts, for example, for engagement and disengagement, a current position of the drive control assembly110and a current position of the movable carriage102can be determined. In one example, the current position of the drive control assembly110refers to the previous engaged position of the drive control assembly110. In addition, the current position of the movable carriage102refers to the position of the movable carriage102along a path of movement when the drive control assembly110is in the previous engaged position, for instance, in the previous mode of operation of the imaging device100.

Although aspects of the imaging device100have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as examples of the imaging device100.