Matched Carriage Motors With Feedback for High-Speed Printhead Motion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printing apparatuses face challenges in driving heavyweight printheads at high speeds with accuracy due to the complexity of controlling different types of motors, such as DC and stepper motors, which complicates control responsiveness and stability.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus and control method using two carriage motors with similar characteristics, connected by a timing belt, and a common control line, control unit, and driving unit, allowing for simplified control and improved responsiveness and stability by using identical control signals for both motors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If different types of motors (DC motor and stepper motor) are used to drive the carriage at both ends, then the carriage can be driven at high speed and with accuracy, but the control method becomes complicated and control responsiveness and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by using identical motors (both DC motors or both stepper motors) with the same characteristics at both ends of the carriage. This eliminates the need for different control commands for different motor types, simplifying the control method while maintaining high-speed and accurate carriage driving capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a single control unit that can universally control both motors at both ends of the carriage. This control unit issues identical control commands to both motors, eliminating the need for separate control systems and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining driving performance.
2Speed
If different types of motors (DC motor and stepper motor) are used to drive the carriage at both ends, then the carriage can be driven at high speed and with accuracy, but control stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by using identical motors (both DC motors or both stepper motors) with the same characteristics at both ends of the carriage. This eliminates the need for different control commands for different motor types, simplifying the control method while maintaining high-speed and accurate carriage driving capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control unit receives position information from encoders on both motors and adjusts control commands accordingly. This feedback system ensures synchronized operation of both motors, maintaining control stability during high-speed carriage movement.
3Speed
If a high output motor is used to drive the heavyweight carriage, then the carriage can be driven at high speed, but the cost greatly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the driving function by using two separate motors at both ends of the carriage instead of one high-output motor. Each motor operates at a moderate power level, reducing individual motor costs while collectively providing sufficient driving force for the heavyweight carriage at high speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the driving capability of two moderate-power motors to achieve the total output equivalent to a high-power motor. By combining the torque and power of both motors through the timing belt system, the carriage achieves high-speed performance without the high cost of a single high-output motor.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A carriage apparatus characterized by comprising a carriage (3) configured to reciprocally move in a predetermined direction, a first motor (104) arranged on a side of one end of a range of movement of the carriage and configured to drive the carriage, a second motor (107) arranged on a side of the other end of the range of movement of the carriage, configured to drive the carriage, and has the same kind of driving characteristics as driving characteristics of the first motor, detection means (13, 14) for detecting a position of the carriage related to the predetermined direction, and control means (101, 102) for controlling driving of the first motor and the second motor by feeding back a detection result detected by the detection means.