Piezoelectric Inclining Device Angle Fluctuation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional inclining action devices for optical scanners experience fluctuations in the inclination angle of moving members due to elastic vibrations, leading to inconsistent image scanning performance.

Innovation Solution

The inclining action device employs a configuration with driving and sensing piezoelectric elements attached to elastically deforming portions of a frame plate, using amplified and adjusted driving signals to maintain a consistent inclination angle, and an adjustment process to correct any deviations through phase and electric potential differences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a piezoelectric element is used to repeatedly perform inclining action on a moving member, then the inclination angle can be controlled, but elastic vibration is generated causing fluctuation in the inclination angle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinclination angle control precisionVSAvoidinclination angle stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the inclination angle before the inclining action occurs and predicting the fluctuation that will happen during the action. Based on this prediction, the driving signal is corrected in advance to compensate for the expected elastic vibration, thereby maintaining accurate inclination angle control throughout the movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using an inclination angle detecting unit to continuously monitor the actual inclination angle of the moving member. This detected angle is fed back to the control unit, which compares it with the target angle and adjusts the driving signal accordingly to suppress fluctuations caused by elastic vibration during repeated inclining actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the inclining action is repeated to achieve scanning, then the scanning function is realized, but fluctuation in inclination angle occurs in every inclining action

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning capabilityVSAvoidinclination angle consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Before each repeated inclining action for scanning, the control unit detects the current inclination angle and predicts the fluctuation that will occur. The driving signal is corrected in advance based on this prediction, ensuring that the inclination angle remains consistent across multiple scanning cycles despite the repeated mechanical actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The inclination angle detecting unit continuously monitors the actual angle during repeated scanning operations. This feedback information is used by the control unit to adjust subsequent driving signals, maintaining inclination angle consistency across all scanning cycles and eliminating fluctuations that would degrade image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the elastic supporting member is used to support the moving member, then the inclining action is enabled, but elastic vibration is generated causing angle fluctuation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinclining action capabilityVSAvoidinclination angle stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the inclination angle detecting unit to continuously monitor the stability of the moving member during inclining actions. When elastic vibration causes angle fluctuations, the feedback signal triggers the control unit to adjust the driving signal, suppressing the vibration and maintaining stable inclination angle control throughout the operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Before inclining actions are performed, the system detects the initial inclination angle and predicts potential vibrations. The driving signal is corrected in advance to prevent elastic vibration from occurring, thereby maintaining stability of the moving member's composition during the inclining action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively suppresses fluctuations in the inclination angle, ensuring stable and accurate image scanning by maintaining the desired angle, thereby improving the quality of scanned images.

Implementation Method 1

the inclining action is conducted by inputting a driving signal to the piezoelectric element causing the piezoelectric element to expand or contract which in turn bends the elastic supporting member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

the elastic supporting member bends the elastic supporting member. According to bend of the elastic supporting member, a rotational torque around a predetermined rotation axis at the moving member is generated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2911380B1Inclining action device, optical scanner employing the inclining action device, and image displaying apparatus employing the inclining action device
Publication Date: 2019.04.17 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP2911380B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2911380B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2911380B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An inclining action device including a moving member (17); a fixing frame (11) elastically supporting the moving member (17); a driving force applying unit to apply driving force to cause the moving member (17) to repeatedly perform an inclination action; a driving signal generating unit to generate a driving signal to drive the driving force applying unit; an inclination angle information sensing unit to sense the inclination angle of the moving member (17) to obtain inclination angle information indicating the sensed inclination angle of the moving member that changes over time in one inclination action; and an adjustment processing unit to correct the driving signal generated by the driving signal generating unit so as to suppress fluctuations in the sensed inclination angle with respect to a target inclination angle in one inclination action.