Drive Control Device for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drive control devices for image forming apparatuses are costly and generate excessive heat, particularly due to the use of mechanical switches and regulators, which increase the overall cost and complexity of controlling both the laser scanning unit and driving motors.
Innovation Solution
A drive control device that includes a cover sensing unit, a relay unit, and a relay operation control unit to manage voltage supply to the laser scanning unit and driving motors, utilizing a transistor or integrated circuit for relay operations and logical combination of sensing inputs to reduce hardware requirements and heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If mechanical switches and regulators are used to control the laser scanning unit and driving motors, then the control function is achieved, but the device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control functions for the laser scanning unit and driving motors into a single integrated circuit chip. This merging of previously separate mechanical switches and regulators into one unified semiconductor device reduces both the number of components and the overall device cost while maintaining the required control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical switches and analog regulators with a solid-state integrated circuit. This substitution eliminates moving parts, reduces component count, and leverages semiconductor manufacturing processes to achieve lower cost and higher reliability compared to traditional mechanical switching devices.
2Temperature
If a regulator is used to lower voltage from 24 V to 5 V for the laser scanning unit, then the voltage requirement is met, but additional heat is generated requiring heat sinking structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the analog regulator with a solid-state integrated circuit that performs voltage conversion more efficiently. The integrated circuit reduces power loss and heat generation compared to traditional linear regulators, eliminating the need for additional heat sinking structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the voltage control system by using an integrated circuit designed for efficient power conversion. This approach optimizes the voltage transformation process to minimize energy loss as heat, thereby reducing thermal management requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If two mechanical switches are used to control different voltage lines, then the control functionality is achieved, but the device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of two separate mechanical switches into a single integrated circuit chip. This consolidation reduces the bill of materials, simplifies assembly, and lowers overall device cost while maintaining the ability to independently control different voltage lines for the laser scanning unit and driving motors.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for cost-effective control of the laser scanning unit and driving motors, reducing the need for additional heat management structures and simplifying the design, thereby lowering the overall cost and operational efficiency of the image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a relay unit which controls the supplement of a voltage for driving a laser scanning unit
Implementation Method 2
a cover sensing unit which detects the opening of a cover of the image forming apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
A drive control device for use in an image forming apparatus comprises: a cover sensing unit which detects the opening of a cover of the image forming apparatus; a relay unit which controls supplement of a voltage for driving a laser scanning unit; and a relay operation control unit which controls the operation of the relay unit in response to the detected result of the cover sensing unit. Accordingly, the drive control device of the image forming apparatus can control operation of one or more driving motors and the laser scanning unit at low cost.