Optical Module Shutter and Light Guide for Ink Mist Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical modules in printing devices, such as inkjet printers, face challenges in maintaining measurement accuracy due to ink mist adhesion, which deteriorates the optical characteristics of lenses and reduces the accuracy of measuring devices like cameras and spectrometers. Additionally, reference objects within these devices suffer from reduced measurement accuracy due to ink mist adhesion and inadequate light illumination.
Innovation Solution
An optical module with a shutter mechanism that closes the window to prevent foreign matter entry, combined with a light guide to increase illumination on reference objects, ensuring accurate measurements by maintaining lens integrity and optimizing light distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a rotatable cylindrical lens is used to generate air current and suppress ink mist adhesion, then ink mist adhesion is suppressed, but optical characteristics of the lens are deteriorated due to rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful ink mist from the optical path by introducing a shutter that blocks the window when not in use, preventing ink mist from reaching the lens and measuring device. This separates the printing function from the measurement function spatially and temporally.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter is opened only before measurement to allow light to pass through, and closed before printing to prevent ink mist entry. This preliminary action of opening/closing the shutter protects the optical system in advance from harmful factors.
2Productivity
If the window remains open for continuous measurement, then measurement continuity is maintained, but foreign matter enters the measuring portion and deteriorates measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is opened in advance before measurement to ensure the optical path is clear, and closed before printing operations to prevent foreign matter entry. This timing ensures both measurement continuity and protection against contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter transitions between open and closed states dynamically based on operational requirements - open during measurement for continuity, closed during printing to prevent contamination. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction between continuity and protection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the reference object is placed away from the measuring portion, then protection from ink mist is improved, but light illumination on the reference object is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light guide as an intermediary to transmit light from the light source to the reference object. The light guide ensures sufficient illumination reaches the reference object even when it is positioned away from the measuring portion, protecting it from ink mist while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide directs light through a different spatial path (another dimension) to reach the reference object, allowing the reference object to be positioned optimally for protection while still receiving adequate illumination through the guided light path.
4Measurement precision
If a shutter mechanism is introduced to protect the measuring portion, then foreign matter entry is suppressed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is implemented as a simple movable window or thin film that can be opened or closed. This flexible and simple structure provides effective protection against foreign matter while minimizing the added complexity to the overall device.
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 suppresses ink mist adhesion, maintains lens quality, and enhances measurement accuracy by ensuring consistent and increased light illumination on reference objects, thereby improving the overall measurement precision of the optical module.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide, which guides light from the light source to the reference object when the shutter closes the window
Implementation Method 2
an irregular reflector, which irregularly reflects light from the light source, is provided at a position facing the shutter when the shutter closes the window
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical module includes : a measuring device including a measuring portion that measures light reflected at a measurement position of a measurement target, a light source that radiates light onto the measurement position in a direction crossing a measurement optical axis oriented from the measurement position to the measuring portion, and a window through which light incident on the measuring portion passes; and a shutter that opens and closes the window of the measuring device. The shutter is provided with a reference object disposed closer to the measuring portion side than the measurement position on the measurement optical axis, on a face of the shutter facing the measuring portion when closing the window, and the optical module includes a light guide that guides the light from the light source to the reference object when the window is closed by the shutter.