Laser Driving Control Apparatus for Inkjet Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laser driving technologies face challenges in efficiently controlling the light quantity of laser light sources used for drying ink drops in inkjet recording apparatuses, particularly due to variations in driving current and temperature, leading to inefficiencies and image quality issues.

Innovation Solution

A laser driving control apparatus that employs constant-voltage driving with Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) control to adjust the pulse width of the laser light source, ensuring the light quantity reaches a target value by dynamically changing the duty cycle based on temperature and current variations, thereby optimizing energy usage and image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If constant-voltage driving with PWM control is used to adjust pulse width, then light quantity control precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight quantity control precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the pulse width of PWM signals based on detected light quantity feedback, transitioning from static to dynamic control to achieve precise light quantity regulation while managing system complexity through adaptive rather than purely mechanical adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A feedback mechanism is implemented where the light quantity detector monitors the actual light output and feeds this information back to the controller, which then adjusts the PWM pulse width accordingly, enabling closed-loop control for improved precision without requiring complex manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If pulse width is increased to reach target light quantity, then drying efficiency is improved, but energy loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidenergy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback control to monitor the actual light quantity and adjust the pulse width dynamically, ensuring the minimum necessary pulse width is used to achieve the target light quantity, thereby maximizing drying efficiency while minimizing energy waste from excessive pulsing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system optimizes the pulse width parameter based on real-time conditions and detected light quantity, adjusting this critical parameter to achieve the optimal balance between drying efficiency and energy consumption rather than using fixed or excessive pulse widths

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If driving current is increased to compensate for temperature variations, then light quantity stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight quantity stabilityVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback loop where the light quantity detector continuously monitors output stability and the controller adjusts the driving current in response to detected variations, automatically compensating for temperature effects without requiring complex manual intervention or additional hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control system performs self-adjustment by detecting light quantity variations and automatically modifying the driving current to maintain stability, enabling the system to self-correct for temperature variations without external intervention or complex additional control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach allows for precise control of the light quantity, reducing energy losses and maintaining image quality by compensating for variations in the laser light source, thus enhancing the efficiency of the drying process.

Implementation Method 1

A laser driving control apparatus employs constant-voltage driving with Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) control to adjust the pulse width of the laser light source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPulse Width Modulation (PWM):

Implementation Method 2

variations in driving current and temperature, leading to inefficiencies and image quality issues

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature variation:

Data Source

PatentUS10418779B2Laser driving control apparatus, drying apparatus, image forming apparatus, computer readable medium storing laser driving control program, and computer readable medium storing drying program

Publication Date: 2019.09.17 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A laser driving control apparatus includes: a driver that constant-voltage drives a laser light source that radiates laser light by supplying a pulse signal in which a plurality of pulses, each pulse width thereof being changeable, is generated at a predetermined cycle; and a controller that performs control to change the pulse width of each of the plurality of pulses so that a first change amount of the pulse width when a present-time pulse width is changed to a preceding pulse width prior to reaching a pulse width at which a target light quantity is obtained stably is larger than a second change amount of the pulse width when the present-time pulse width is changed to a target pulse width corresponding to a driving current at an ON time of the laser light source in a steady state in which the target light quantity is obtained stably.