Motor Speed Control for Image Forming Device Low Temperature Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming devices face challenges in maintaining steady operational speed and efficient operation due to varying temperatures, leading to insufficient torque at low temperatures, which complicates image formation and prevents miniaturization and cost reduction.
Innovation Solution
An image forming device with a temperature detecting unit and a control system that adjusts the motor speed based on temperature, switching between normal and half speeds during warm-up and image formation to ensure adequate torque and prevent motor damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large motor or motor driven by large current is used to ensure sufficient torque at low temperature, then the device can operate at low temperature, but the motor cost increases and the device cannot be miniaturized
Solution Approach 1:
The motor speed is dynamically adjusted based on temperature conditions. During warm-up at low temperature, the motor operates at a first speed to generate sufficient torque. During image formation, it operates at a second speed. This dynamic speed adjustment allows the use of a smaller motor while ensuring adequate torque when needed, resolving the contradiction between reliability at low temperature and device miniaturization.
2Reliability
If the motor operational speed is varied simply with temperature to compensate for insufficient torque, then the device can operate at low temperature, but the device cannot form a steady image due to improper warm-up timing and inappropriate speed changes during image formation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary warm-up operation before image formation when the temperature is low. The motor is driven at the first speed during this warm-up phase to properly heat the device components. Only after adequate warm-up is completed does the system transition to image formation mode with the second speed. This preliminary action ensures both torque compensation and stable image formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically switches between different operational modes based on temperature and operational phase. It distinguishes between warm-up mode (first speed) and image formation mode (second speed), adjusting the motor speed appropriately for each phase. This dynamic control ensures sufficient torque during warm-up while maintaining stable speed during image formation, resolving the contradiction between torque compensation and image stability.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming device includes an image forming arrangement including a medium passage and motor, and a temperature detecting unit. A supplying control unit allows supply of a recording medium in the medium passage responsive to an image-forming signal, and prevents supply of a recording medium in the passage responsive to a warm-up signal. A warm-up control unit controls the motor to drive, responsive to the warm-up signal, at a first speed if a detected temperature is least a first temperature, and a second speed lower than the first speed if the detected temperature detected is lower than the first temperature. An image forming control unit controls the motor to drive, responsive to the image-forming signal, at a third speed if the detected temperature is at least a second temperature, and a fourth speed lower than the third speed if the detected temperature is lower than the second temperature.