Image Forming Apparatus Motor Synchronization for Uniform Reading Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining a uniform reading width per line due to variations in paper sheet conveyance speed caused by different acceleration/deceleration patterns of motors, leading to inconsistencies in image resolution during the printing process.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a dual motor system where the first motor accelerates and decelerates to set a reference speed for the paper sheet, while the second motor maintains a constant conveyance speed, with a reading unit generating a read signal synchronized with the second drive signal to ensure consistent image resolution, even when the motors have different acceleration/deceleration patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple motors with different acceleration/deceleration patterns are used to improve productivity, then conveyance speed can be optimized, but reading width per line becomes non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the drive signals of both motors to dynamically adjust the read signal generation. The read signal generation unit monitors the drive signals and generates read signals with timing that compensates for speed variations, ensuring uniform reading width despite different motor acceleration patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the read signal timing based on the actual motor speeds. Instead of using fixed timing, the read signal generation unit adapts to the varying speeds of the first and second motors during acceleration and deceleration phases, maintaining consistent reading width throughout the conveyance process.
2Measurement precision
If reading cycle is set based on drive pulse of a particular motor, then reading can be synchronized, but reading width varies due to different acceleration patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The read signal generation unit acts as an intermediary between the first and second motors. It receives drive signals from both motors and generates a read signal that is synchronized to the actual paper sheet position, mediating between the different acceleration patterns to achieve both synchronization and uniform reading width.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the timing parameters of the read signal dynamically based on the motor speeds. Instead of using a fixed reading cycle, the system adjusts the read signal timing to account for the different acceleration and deceleration patterns of the two motors, maintaining consistent reading width throughout the process.
Data Source
AI summary
In an image forming apparatus, a first motor causes a first rotor to rotate. The first motor rotates based on a first drive signal. A second motor causes a second rotor to rotate. The second motor rotates based on a second drive signal. A reading unit is provided between the first rotor and the second rotor. Based on a read signal, the reading unit reads a paper sheet being conveyed line by line. In a first period, a read signal generation unit generates the read signal in accordance with a frequency of the first drive signal. In a second period, the read signal generation unit generates, as the read signal, a signal for reading the paper sheet being conveyed at a reference speed.