Laser Recording Device Thermal Diffusion Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The quality of laser recording processing is compromised due to heat diffusion, where not all laser power output is utilized for recording as energy is dissipated to the periphery of the irradiated area, making it challenging to maintain consistent recording quality when the thermosensitive recording medium is moved relative to the laser light source.

Innovation Solution

A laser recording device with a fiber array unit and a cooling system that controls the power output of laser light-emitting devices, allowing efficient cooling and maintaining consistent power output by adjusting the laser power based on the moving speed of the recording medium, thereby minimizing thermal diffusion and ensuring consistent recording quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the laser power output is maintained constant while moving the recording medium, then the amount of energy per unit area applied to the recording medium can be kept constant, but the recording quality deteriorates due to heat diffusion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecording qualityVSAvoidheat diffusion
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-cooling the laser light-emitting devices before irradiation and during operation. The cooling system is activated in advance to reduce the temperature of the devices, thereby minimizing heat diffusion to the recording medium before the laser irradiation begins. This proactive cooling approach ensures that heat diffusion is reduced at the source, maintaining recording quality even during movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control by monitoring the temperature of the laser light-emitting devices and adjusting the cooling system accordingly. Temperature sensors detect the thermal state of the devices, and this information is fed back to the cooling control mechanism, which dynamically adjusts the cooling intensity to maintain optimal temperatures and minimize heat diffusion during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the moving speed of the recording medium is increased to improve productivity, then the manufacturing efficiency is improved, but the recording quality becomes difficult to maintain due to heat diffusion effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidrecording quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is activated in advance before high-speed recording begins, pre-cooling the laser light-emitting devices to minimize heat diffusion. This preliminary cooling ensures that even at increased speeds, the thermal diffusion to the recording medium remains controlled, maintaining recording quality while enabling higher productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the temperature parameter of the laser light-emitting devices by actively cooling them during operation. By lowering and maintaining the device temperature through the cooling system, heat diffusion is reduced, allowing high-speed recording without sacrificing recording quality. This parameter change enables both high productivity and high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If the laser light-emitting devices are operated at high power output to maintain recording quality, then the recording precision is maintained, but temperature fluctuations in the devices increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecording precisionVSAvoidtemperature fluctuations
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

Temperature sensors continuously monitor the thermal state of the laser light-emitting devices, and this temperature information is fed back to the cooling control system. The cooling system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time temperature data, actively compensating for temperature fluctuations caused by high power output, thereby maintaining stable device temperatures and consistent recording precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent actively changes the temperature parameter of the laser light-emitting devices during operation by applying cooling. This dynamic temperature control counteracts the heating effect of high power laser output, maintaining stable operating temperatures and ensuring consistent recording precision throughout the operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively reduces thermal diffusion, allowing for consistent and high-quality recording across varying speeds, improving manufacturing productivity by maintaining the quality of recorded images and reducing temperature fluctuations in the laser light-emitting devices.

Implementation Method 1

the laser power output applied to the thermosensitive recording medium through irradiation is partially dissipated to the periphery of the area irradiated with the laser, which phenomenon is called heat diffusion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal diffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of arrayed semiconductor lasers as laser light-emitting devices that emit laser beams toward respective different positions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser emission: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP3820710B1Laser recording method and laser recording device
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3820710B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3820710B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3820710B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4B

AI summary

A laser recording method is for processing a recording object with laser light emitted from a laser light source. The laser recording method includes: detecting a moving speed of the recording object with a location of the laser light source when the laser light source emits laser light, as an observation point, while moving at least one of the recording object and the laser light source; and correcting power output of the laser light set such that an amount of energy applied by the laser light per unit area of the recording object is constant even if the moving speed is changed, to compensate energy loss derived from thermal diffusion occurring on the recording object based on the moving speed detected at the detecting.