Instant Film Printer Speed Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printers using instant film require costly speed control mechanisms to maintain constant transport speed and correct light exposure, leading to increased costs and potential streaks in photographic prints due to changes in transport speed.
Innovation Solution
A printer design that includes a capstan roller, pinch roller, and spread rollers for transporting instant film, with a rotary encoder and control unit to synchronize light exposure timing and adjust light emission based on detected transport speed, allowing for constant line images per unit length and correcting density changes without requiring constant speed control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a costly speed control mechanism is used to maintain constant transport speed, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by detecting the transport speed of the instant film and adjusting the light emission amount accordingly. A speed detection unit measures the actual transport speed, and this information is fed back to a light emission control unit that adjusts the exposure parameters to compensate for speed variations, eliminating the need for complex mechanical speed control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter being controlled from transport speed to light emission amount. Instead of attempting to maintain constant transport speed through complex mechanical control, the system allows transport speed to vary but compensates by adjusting the light emission parameters (intensity or duration) based on the detected speed, thereby achieving consistent exposure without complex speed control.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise speed control is implemented to prevent streaks, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the speed detection unit to continuously monitor transport speed variations and adjusts the light emission in real-time accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that even when transport speed varies, the photographic print quality remains consistent by compensating for speed changes through dynamic light emission adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the control parameter from transport speed to light emission amount. By allowing transport speed to vary and instead adjusting the light emission parameters (intensity or duration) based on detected speed, the system achieves consistent print quality without requiring precise speed control, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If light emission is adjusted based on transport speed, then manufacturing precision is improved, but measurement and detection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary speed detection unit that simplifies the measurement process. Instead of directly measuring complex transport parameters, the system uses this intermediary device to detect transport speed, which then serves as a basis for adjusting light emission. This intermediary approach makes the overall system easier to implement while maintaining precision.
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
Enables high-quality photographic prints without streaks using an inexpensive film transport device, reducing costs by eliminating the need for precise speed control and correcting light exposure based on transport speed variations.
Implementation Method 1
a rotary encoder that outputs an encoder signal including a pulse signal having a cycle corresponding to a rotational speed of the capstan roller
Implementation Method 2
a line type light exposure head that is driven based on input image data
Data Source
AI summary
A pulse signal is detected from an encoder signal of a rotary encoder. The detected pulse signal is used as a signal for controlling a light exposure timing of a line type light exposure head and is used for detecting a transport speed of an instant film. The light exposure head sequentially performs light exposure for a line image on the transported instant film in synchronization with each pulse signal detected from the encoder signal, and a density correction unit corrects an amount of light emission of the light exposure head depending on the transport speed of the instant film.