Force transferring magnetic actuator apparatus and method

A magnetic actuation apparatus comprising:

• a solenoid;
• an arm movable between a first position spaced away from the solenoid and a second position abutting the solenoid the arm having a side adjacent the solenoid and a side opposite the solenoid;
• a bore formed in the arm opposite the solenoid;
• a magnetic member slidingly received in the bore and abutting the solenoid when the arm is in the second position;
• and
• a head connected to the magnetic member on the side of the arm opposite the solenoid for preventing the magnetic member from passing through the bore, the head abutting the arm when the arm is in the first position and being spaced apart from the arm when the arm is in the second position.

A magnetic actuation apparatus for a paper feed mechanism in a printer comprising:

• a circular gear for engaging and disengaging the paper feed mechanism, the gear having teeth disposed around a perimeter of the gear, the gear being biased to rotate;
• a source for producing magnetic flux;
• a magnetic arm connected the printer for movement between an engaged position wherein the arm is engaged with the teeth of the gear and a disengaged position wherein the arm is disengaged from the teeth of the gear, the arm having a top side and a bottom side disposed opposite the flux source;
• a gap reducing magnetic member slidable within the arm and disposed opposite the flux source at a displacement less than the distance between the engaged position and the disengaged position when the arm is in the engaged position;
• and
• a force transferring member attached to the gap reducing member for transferring the force generated by the flux source from the gap producing member to the arm.

A method of exerting a force produced by a magnetic flux source to a magnetic arm having a top side and a bottom side and disposed opposite the flux source, the method comprising:

• slidably receiving a gap reducing member in the arm opposite the flux source at a displacement to the magnetic flux source that is less than the arm;
• energizing the flux source such that a force is exerted on the gap reducing member;
• transferring the force exerted on the gap reducing member to the arm;
• and
• moving the arm relative to the gap reducing member after the gap reducing member abuts against the flux source so that the arm abuts the flux source.

A method of exerting a force according to method 16 wherein engaging comprises:

• forming a bore in the arm opposite the flux source for receiving the gap reducing member;
• and
• positioning the gap reducing;
• member in the bore.