Optical Writing Device Circuit Simplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing optical writing devices with light-emitting elements aligned in a zigzag pattern require complex circuit configurations to manage the switching of light-emitting elements, leading to increased circuit scale and costs due to the need for multiple logic gates and complex state transitions.
Innovation Solution
An optical writing device with a light-emitting unit comprising light-emitting elements arranged in multiple rows spaced in the sub scanning direction, each with a dedicated signal output unit for light amount signals and drive units that supply drive current based on these signals, simplifying the circuit configuration by reducing the number of states to be managed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light-emitting elements are arranged in a zigzag pattern to increase resolution, then the number of light-emitting elements per unit length increases, but the circuit complexity increases due to multiple state transitions required
Solution Approach 1:
The light-emitting elements are divided into multiple independent rows (first row, second row, third row, fourth row) spaced apart in the sub-scanning direction. Each row is controlled independently by its own signal output unit, eliminating the need for complex inter-row state transitions while maintaining the zigzag pattern's resolution benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-establishes the row spacing and positioning in the sub-scanning direction during device configuration. By predeterminedly setting the vertical spacing between rows and the horizontal offsets within each row, the system eliminates the need for dynamic state transition calculations during operation, simplifying the control circuit.
2Device complexity
If light-emitting elements are arranged in a single line to simplify control, then circuit complexity is reduced, but the spacing between elements increases reducing resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional single-line arrangement to a two-dimensional multi-row arrangement. By adding the sub-scanning direction as a new dimension for element placement, the system achieves higher resolution in the main scanning direction without requiring elements to be densely packed in a single line, thus simplifying control while improving resolution.
3Measurement precision
If multiple state transitions are implemented to manage zigzag light-emitting element switching, then resolution is improved, but the number of logic gates increases to 80,000 gates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent signal output units, each responsible for a specific row of light-emitting elements. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single complex control unit managing all state transitions across multiple rows, thereby reducing the total number of logic gates required while maintaining the ability to control zigzag patterns.
4Manufacturing precision
If light emission timing is offset to compensate for positional offsets in zigzag arrangement, then image quality is improved, but the control mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and pre-configures the timing offsets for each row during system initialization. By predeterminedly setting the emission timing for each row based on its positional offset, the system achieves accurate image formation without requiring complex real-time timing calculations or feedback mechanisms during operation.
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 configuration reduces the circuit scale from 80,000 gates to approximately 20,000 gates, minimizing the semiconductor element size and costs while maintaining high resolution in the main scanning direction.
Implementation Method 1
a light-emitting unit (100) including a plurality of light-emitting elements (1)
Data Source
AI summary
An optical writing device performing optical writing onto a photoreceptor, including: a light-emitting unit including a plurality of light-emitting elements that form a plurality of element rows spaced from one another in a sub scanning direction, each of the light-emitting elements having a main scanning direction position differing from a main scanning direction position of any other one of the light-emitting elements; a plurality of signal output units, one for each element row, each outputting a light amount signal for each light-emitting element in a corresponding element row, each light amount signal indicating an amount of light to be emitted by a corresponding light-emitting element; and a plurality of drive units, one for each light-emitting element, each, when receiving a light amount signal for a corresponding light-emitting element, supplying a drive current in accordance with the light amount signal to the corresponding light-emitting element.