초록 ▼

An image transfer mechanism includes a pressure element and a lever system. The lever system has a load attachment point with a range of position that depends on the thickness of a print medium positioned between the imaging element and the pressure element. A load mechanism includes a load connecto

An image transfer mechanism includes a pressure element and a lever system. The lever system has a load attachment point with a range of position that depends on the thickness of a print medium positioned between the imaging element and the pressure element. A load mechanism includes a load connector with a distal end attached to the lever system load attachment point so that displacement of the lever system attachment point causes longitudinal movement of the load connector. The load mechanism applies a load that is substantially constant throughout the range of position of the lever system load attachment point. The load mechanism includes a spring and a crank attached to the spring and to the proximal end of the load connector. The crank is configured so that a change in the spring force produces a lesser change in the load force at the distal end of the load connector.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. An image transfer mechanism for pressing a print medium against an imaging element, the image transfer mechanism comprising:a pressure element;a lever system for pressing the pressure element toward the imaging element;wherein the lever system has a load attachment point that has a rang

We claim: 1. An image transfer mechanism for pressing a print medium against an imaging element, the image transfer mechanism comprising:a pressure element;a lever system for pressing the pressure element toward the imaging element;wherein the lever system has a load attachment point that has a range of positions dependent on the thickness of a print medium positioned between the imaging element and the pressure element; anda load mechanism comprising a load connector having a proximal end and having a distal end attached to the load attachment point of the lever system so that displacement of the attachment point of the lever system causes longitudinal movement of the load connector;wherein the load mechanism applies a load force at the load attachment point of the lever system that is substantially constant throughout the range of positions of the load attachment point;wherein the load mechanism additionally comprises a spring;wherein the load mechanism additionally comprises a crank attached to the spring and to the proximal end of the load connector so that longitudinal movement of the load connector causes a change in the length of the spring and thereby a change in the spring force; andwherein the crank is configured so that the change in the spring force due to longitudinal movement of the load connector produces a lesser change in the load force at the distal end of the load connector than the change in the spring force due to the change in length of the spring.