BACKGROUND

[0001] Imaging systems such as printers include various subsystems, such as image forming subsystem to form, or print, a desired image on a print medium, such as paper. A typical printer may be provided with subsystems to process the print medium through the printer, such as for picking a sheet of paper from an input tray and to eject the sheet from the printer once the image has been formed, for example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THU DRAWINGS

[0002] For a more complete understanding of various examples, reference is now made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0003] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an example system;

[0004] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an example printer with an example function multiplier;

[0005] Figure 3 is a detailed view of the example function multiplier in the example printer of Figure 2;

[0006] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an example function multiplier;

[0007] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the example function multiplier of Figure 4 with certain components removed for clarity;

[0008] Figure 6 illustrates the example function multiplier of Figures 4 and 5 with the first shifter in a first position;

[0009] Figure 7 illustrates the example function multiplier of Figures 4 and 5 with the first shifter in a second position;

[0010] Figure 8 illustrates the example function multiplier of Figures 4 and 5 with the second shifter engaged and the drive shaft rotated in a forward direction; and

[0011] Figure 9 illustrates the example function multiplier of Figures 4 and 5 with the second shifter engaged and the drive shaft rotated in a reverse direction. PET ATT, ED DESCRIPTION

[0012] As noted above, printers may be provided with subsystems to process the print medium through the printer, such as for picking a sheet of paper from an input tray or to eject the sheet from the printer. As printing devices are provided with additional features, additional subsystems are added. Operation of such systems is often facilitated by motors provided within the printer. The addition of further subsystems may call for the corresponding addition of multiple motors to support such subsystems. The addition of such motors and corresponding components, such as gears, can increase complexity and cost for the printer. Further, additional components result in additional potential points of failure. In this regard, providing a

transmission system that can support additional subsystems without the addition of motors to support such subsystems can be beneficial.

[0013] Various examples described herein relate to a transmission for use with imaging systems such as printers. In various examples, a single motor or drive gear can be used to drive multiple functions using two shifters. The example transmission includes a first shifter which can be in one of two positions (e.g., up or down). In the up position, when the drive gear is rotated, the drive gear engages a first function, such as paper picking, printing or ejecting. When the first shifter is in the down position, the drive gear can engage a different function. In one example, when the first shifter is in the down position, the drive gear can engage different functions depending on the direction of rotation of the drive gear. The example transmission further includes a second shifter, or multiplier. In one example, the second shifter can be engaged when the first shifter is in the down position and can be actuated by the carriage assembly of the printer. For example, when the carriage assembly moves to one end (e.g., a park position), the carriage assembly may apply sufficient force to cause engaging of the second shifter. Engaging of the second shifter allows the drive gear to engage additional functions. In one example, the second shifter causes the drive gear to engage a first additional function when the drive gear is rotated forward and a second additional function when the drive gear is rotated in reverse. The second shifter may also include an extended shaft to prevent the functions associated with the first shifter from being engaged.

[0014] Referring now to the Figures, Figure 1 provides a schematic illustration of an example system. The example system 100 of Figure 1 allows a single motor to support additional functions that may be related to various subsystems. In this regard, the example system 100 of Figure 1 includes a drive shaft 110. Figure 1 illustrates the drive shaft 110 in segments that are broken for purposes of clarity. It will be understood that, in various examples, the drive shaft 110 is a single, continuous drive shaft. In other examples, the drive shaft 110 may include multiple segments that are interconnected, for example, using gears and driven by the same motor (not shown in Figure 1). The drive shaft 110 of the example system 100 of Figure 1 is rotatable in a forward direction 112 or a reverse direction 114.

[0015] As illustrated in Figure 1, the example system 100 further includes a first shifter 120. The first shifter 120 is positionable between multiple positions, such as a first position 122 and a second position 124. As schematically illustrated in Figure 1, the first shifter 120 is to cause the drive shaft 110 to engage a first function 132 when the first shifter 120 is in the first position 122. Further, the first shifter 120 is to cause the drive shaft 110 to engage a second function 134 when the first shifter 120 is in the second position 124.

[0016] The example system 100 Figure 1 further includes a second shifter 140. The second shifter 140 may be selectively engaged when the first shifter 120 is in the second position 124, as indicated by the arrow 126 in Figure 1. When the second shifter 140 is engaged, the second shifter 140 is to cause the drive shaft 110 to engage a third function 152 when the drive shaft 110 is rotated in the forward direction 112. When the second shifter 140 is engaged and the drive shaft 110 is rotated in the reverse direction 114, the second shifter 140 is to cause the drive shaft 110 to engage a fourth function 154.

[0017] In various examples, the various functions 132, 134, 152, 154 may be any of a variety of functions associated with subsystems of a device such as a printer. In one example, the first function 132 is associated with a pick arm function of the printer. In this regard, when the first function 132 is engaged, the pick transmission is engaged. Similarly, in one example, the second function 134 may be associated with a neutral condition. In this regard, the pick transmission of the printer may be disengaged, for example.

[0018] The example system 100 of Figure 1 allows for additional functions such as functions 152, 154, to be driven by the same motor (not shown in Figure 1) or the same drive shaft 110. Thus, additional functions may be supported by the same motor, drive shaft 110, or transmission system. The additional functions 152, 154 may be selected from any of a variety of functions of various subsystems of a printer, for example. In one example, the third function 152 is associated with an accessory tray, and output tray, or a media stack height sensing system. Similarly, in various examples, the fourth function 154 may be associated with a printhead primer pump, and output tray retract system, or any of a variety of other functions.

[0019] In some examples, the second function 134 may be subdivided into two functions based on the direction of rotation of the drive shaft 110. For example, one function may be engaged when the drive shaft 110 is rotated in the forward direction 112, and a different function may be engaged when the drive shaft 110 is rotated in the reverse direction 114.

[0020] Referring now to Figure 2, a perspective view of an example printer with an example function multiplier is illustrated. Figure 2 illustrates the printer 200 and a cover 210 in a lifted position. The example printer 200 of Figure 2 includes various components, such as a print carriage assembly 220. The print carriage assembly 220 scans the width of a print region to form an image on a print medium, such as a paper. In the example of Figure 2, the print carriage assembly 220 is shown in a parked position, to the far right in Figure 2. In this position, the print carriage assembly 220 is shown as engaging a multiplier transmission system 300, which is described in greater detail below with reference to Figures 4-9.

[0021] Referring now to Figure 3, the printer 200 of Figure 2 is shown with a detailed view of the example function multiplier 300. As illustrated in Figure 3, carriage assembly 220 includes any number of printheads, such as printheads 222, 224. Further, as illustrated in Figure 3, when the carriage assembly 220 is positioned in a specified location, such as a parked position at the far right, the carriage assembly 220 engages a multiplier shifter 354 of the multiplier

transmission system 300. In this regard, the parked position of the carriage assembly 220 may correspond to a position to which the carriage assembly 220 is directed when no printing operation is being performed (e.g., a non-printing position). The example carriage assembly 300 is described in greater detail below with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

[0022] Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the example function multiplier 300, and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the example function multiplier 300 of Figure 4 with certain components removed for clarity. Further, Figure 4 illustrates the example function multiplier 300 with the multiplier shifter 354 in a non-engaged position, while Figure 5 illustrates example function multiplier 300 with the multiplier shifter 354 in an engaged position. For example, the engaged position condition illustrated in Figure 5 may occur when the carriage assembly 220 is in a parked position, as illustrated in Figure 3. [0023] The example multiplier transmission system 300 includes a drive shaft 310 which may be driven by a motor (not shown in Figures 4 and 5). In various examples, the drive shaft 310 may be coupled to a drive shaft gear 312 for coupling the drive shaft 310 to the motor. The length of the drive shaft 310, as well as the diameter of the drive shaft 310, may be selected as needed for a particular printer, for example.

[0024] The example multiplier transmission system 300 Figures 4 and 5 includes a first shifter assembly 320. The first shifter assembly 320 includes a shifter housing 322, which is not shown in Figure 5, for clarity. The first shifter assembly 320 may be actuated by a shift lever 324. In this regard, the shift lever 324 may be positioned in a first position (e.g., up) or in a second position (e.g., down). As illustrated most clearly in Figure 5, the first shifter assembly 320 includes a swingarm 326. In various examples, the swingarm 326 is frictionally coupled to the drive shaft 310. Thus, the swingarm 326, absent any external forces, rotate with the rotation of the drive shaft 310. With an external force sufficient to overcome the frictional engagement of the swingarm 326 to the drive shaft 310, the swingarm 326 may be decoupled from the rotation of the drive shaft 310.

[0025] As illustrated in Figure 5, the swingarm 326 includes a swingarm gear assembly 328. The swingarm gear assembly 328 is driven by the drive shaft 310 and may serve to engage the drive shaft 310 with a function, or a subsystem, examples of which are described below with reference to Figures 6 and 7.

[0026] Referring again to Figures 4 and 5, the example multiplier transmission system 300 further includes a multiplier assembly 350. The multiplier assembly 350 includes a multiplier housing 352 which may, in part, served to mount the multiplier assembly 350 and/or the multiplier transmission system 300 to a device, such as the printer 200 of Figures 2 and 3. The multiplier housing 352 may further serve to secure various components of the multiplier assembly 350 and/or the multiplier transmission system 300 relative to each other.

[0027] The multiplier assembly 350 of the example multiplier transmission system 300 is provided with a multiplier shifter 354. As illustrated and described above with reference to Figures 2 and 3, the multiplier shifter 354 may be actuated by the carriage assembly 220. The multiplier shifter 354 is integrally formed with a plate 356. The plate 356 is pivotably mounted to a pin 358 which extends to the multiplier housing 352. Thus, when the multiplier shifter 354 is engaged by the print carriage assembly 220, for example, the plate 356 pivots about the pin 358. In various examples, the pin 358 is provided with a resilient member, such as a torsion spring 360, that is biased to return the plate 356 and the multiplier shifter 354 to the non-engaged position, as illustrated in Figure 4.

[0028] The plate 356 is coupled to a multiplier gear 362 on the opposite side of the pin 358 from the multiplier shifter 354. Thus, as the multiplier shifter 354 is engaged, or pressed back, the multiplier gear 362 is moved forward by the pivoting of the plate 356. With the multiplier gear 362 moved forward, it engages a drive shaft coupling gear 314, thus engaging the multiplier gear 362 to the drive shaft 310. In this regard, Figure 4 illustrates the multiplier gear 362 not engaged to the drive shaft coupling gear 314, while Figure 5 illustrates the multiplier gear 362 engaging the drive shaft coupling gear 314. In one example, as illustrated in Figure 5, the multiplier gear 362 drive a driven gear 366. The driven gear 366 may be associated with a function, or subsystem, of the printer, for example.

[0029] In the example illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the multiplier assembly 350 is further provided with an extended shaft 364. In the example of Figures 4 and 5, extended shaft 364 is coupled to the multiplier gear 362. The length of the extended shaft 364 is selected such that, when the multiplier shifter 354 is engaged, the extended shaft 364 blocks rotation of the swingarm 326. In this regard, the extended shaft 364 inhibits movement of the swingarm 326 and prevents engagement of a function associated with the first shifter assembly 320. Thus, as described above, the extended shaft 364 provides a sufficient external force to overcome the frictional engagement of the swingarm 326 to the drive shaft 310.

[0030] Referring now to Figure s 6 through 9, the various states of the example multiplier transmission system 300 are illustrated. Referring first to Figure 6, the example function multiplier of Figures 4 and 5 is illustrated with the first shifter in a first position (in the up position). As illustrated in Figure 6, the shift lever 324 of the first shifter assembly 320 is positioned in the up position. In this state, the swingarm 326 (not visible in Figure 6 behind the housing 322) is positioned such that the swingarm gear 328 engages the first function, such as the pick transmission. In various examples, the first function may operate with the drive shaft 310 rotating in either the forward direction or the reverse direction, as illustrated by the double- sided arrow in Figure 6. It is noted that, with the shift lever 324 of the first shifter assembly 320 in the up position, the multiplier shifter 354 of the multiplier assembly 350 is not engaged and is thus in a forward position. [0031] Referring now to Figure 7, the example function multiplier of Figures 4 and 5 is illustrated with the first shifter in a second position, or the down position. As illustrated in Figure 7, the shift lever 324 of the first shifter assembly 320 is positioned in the down position. In this state, the swingarm 326 (not visible in Figure 7 behind the housing 322) is positioned such that the swingarm gear 328 engages the second function. In various examples, the second function may be associated with a neutral condition. For example, the pick transmission of the printer may be disengaged in the second function. In other examples, the second function may be associated with another function that may be unrelated to the pick transmission. In this regard, some examples of the second function may be engaged by a momentary actuation of the shift lever 324. In this regard, the shift lever 324 may be moved to the down position and returned to the up position soon thereafter.

[0032] In some examples, the shift lever 324 of the first shifter assembly 320 and the multiplier shifter 354 of the multiplier assembly 350 may be actuated by the same mechanism. For example, the shift lever 324 and the multiplier shifter 354 may be actuated by the print carriage assembly 220 moving to the right most, or parked, position. Thus, as illustrated in Figure 7, when the shift lever 324 is in the down position, the multiplier shifter 354 is in a back position. In other examples, the shift lever 324 and the multiplier shifter 354 may be

independently actuated.

[0033] Referring now to Figures 8 and 9, the example function multiplier of Figures 4 and 5 is illustrated with the second shifter, or the multiplier shifter 354, engaged and the drive shaft 310 rotated in a forward direction (Figure 8) or a reverse direction (Figure 9). As illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the shift lever 324 of the first shifter assembly 320 is positioned in the down position, and the multiplier shifter 354 of the multiplier assembly 350 is in the back position. In the state, the drive shaft 310, through the drive shaft coupling gear 314, is engaged with the multiplier gear 362. Thus, the drive shaft 310 may engage a function through, for example, a driven gear 366, as illustrated in Figure 5 above. In the state illustrated in Figure 8, the drive shaft 310 rotates in a forward direction, causing the drive shaft 310 to engage one function, while the drive shaft 310 rotates in the reverse direction in the state illustrated in Figure 9, causing the drive shaft 310 to engage a different function.

[0034] Further, as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the extended shaft 364 of the multiplier assembly 350 interferes with movement of the swingarm 326 (not shown in Figures 8 and 9). Thus, when the multiplier shifter 354 is engaged, movement of the swingarm 326 is inhibited to prevent engagement of functions associated with the first shifter assembly 320.

[0035] Thus, various examples of a transmission system described herein may allow additional functions to be operable using the same motor and/or drive shaft. Such an arrangement can result in a significant reduction in cost number of parts and possible points of failure.

[0036] The foregoing description of various examples has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the examples disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of various examples. The examples discussed herein were chosen and described in order to explain the principles and the nature of various examples of the present disclosure and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the present disclosure in various examples and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The features of the examples described herein may be combined in all possible combinations of methods, apparatus, modules, systems, and computer program products.

[0037] It is also noted herein that while the above describes examples, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications which may be made without departing from the scope as defined in the appended claims.