Laser Control Circuit Alternating Tube Groups to Reduce Peak Current

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing laser ink line devices suffer from peak interference and reduced battery discharge time due to simple control circuits that send the same control signals to all laser tubes, leading to high current peaks and inefficient power management.

Innovation Solution

A laser control circuit with a main pulse signal generator and logic control unit, including NOT and AND gates, classifies control signals to alternately control two laser tube groups, reducing peak interference and optimizing current usage by ensuring smooth, continuous power delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the same control signals are sent to all laser tubes simultaneously, then the control circuit is simple, but peak interference occurs and laser tubes are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol circuit complexityVSAvoidlaser tube reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the laser tubes into multiple groups (first laser tube group and second laser tube group) and controls them separately with different control signals. This segmentation prevents simultaneous switching of all laser tubes, thereby avoiding peak interference and improving reliability while maintaining reasonable circuit complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If all laser tubes are turned on at the same time, then the control function is simple, but the battery discharge time is shortened due to non-continuous large current

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol function simplicityVSAvoidbattery discharge time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic control by alternately activating different laser tube groups. The control unit sends control signals that turn on one group while turning off another, creating a periodic switching pattern. This reduces the instantaneous current demand and extends battery discharge time while maintaining adequate printing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If alternate control of laser tubes is implemented, then peak interference is reduced, but the control circuit complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelaser tube protectionVSAvoidcontrol circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit is segmented into distinct control paths for different laser tube groups, with dedicated control signals for each group. This structured segmentation provides clear protection mechanisms while keeping the circuit design systematic and manageable, preventing excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3121913B1Laser control circuit, control method and laser ink line device having laser control circuit
Publication Date: 2019.10.02 CHANGZHOU HUADA KEJIE OPTO ELECTRO INSTR
  • EP3121913B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3121913B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A laser control circuit, comprising at least two laser tubes and a control unit controlling the at least two laser tubes respectively; the control unit sends control signals to the at least two laser tubes to control startup/shutdown thereof. The control unit comprises: a main pulse signal generator (1) and a logic control unit; the main pulse signal generator (1), the logic control unit and the at least two laser tubes are connected successively; and the logic control unit classifies the control signals into different types of control signals and sends to the at least two laser tubes, causing the at least two laser tubes to present different working conditions. The laser control circuit has more flexible control over the laser tubes, reduces working current of the laser tubes and allows the working current to be steadier, thus avoiding peak interference.