Rotary Polygon Mirror Motor Speed Control for Print Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face delays in first print output time due to the long time required for motors to stabilize and reach high-speed rotation, leading to noise issues and reduced motor lifetime, especially when starting image formation based on data from external information devices.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a motor control system that starts the motor at a first rotation speed when a predetermined action is performed and then accelerates to a higher second rotation speed without waiting for the first speed to be reached, allowing image formation to begin once the motor stabilizes at the higher speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the motor is controlled to rotate at a lower speed before reaching target speed, then the motor stability is improved and noise is reduced, but the first print output time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor control unit performs preliminary actions by rotating the rotary polygon mirror at a first rotation speed (lower than target speed) for a predetermined period before accelerating to the second rotation speed. This preliminary rotation at controlled speed ensures motor stabilization and reduces wind whistle noise before the actual image formation begins, resolving the contradiction between stability and time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the motor rotation speed through two distinct phases: first rotating at a lower first rotation speed for stabilization, then accelerating to a higher second rotation speed for image formation. This dynamic speed control allows the motor to achieve both stability during preliminary rotation and high-speed performance during actual operation, eliminating the need to choose between the two states.
2Loss of time
If the motor is accelerated quickly to target speed, then the first print output time is reduced, but wind whistle noise increases and motor lifetime decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary rotation at a first rotation speed before accelerating to the target second rotation speed. This preliminary action allows the motor to reach operational speed more gradually, preventing sudden acceleration that causes wind whistle noise and excessive mechanical stress, thereby extending motor lifetime while still maintaining quick response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor control unit implements periodic speed adjustment by first rotating at a lower speed for a predetermined period, then transitioning to higher speed. This periodic speed control pattern allows the motor to avoid continuous high-speed operation from the start, reducing cumulative wear and noise while maintaining efficient image formation speed.
3Productivity
If the motor rotates at high speed immediately, then image formation speed is improved, but the motor requires longer stabilization time and generates more noise
Solution Approach 1:
The motor control unit performs preliminary rotation at a first rotation speed before transitioning to the second rotation speed for image formation. This preliminary action serves as a stabilization phase that prepares the motor for high-speed operation, ensuring that when image formation begins, the motor is already in a stable state, thereby reducing overall stabilization time while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic speed control with two distinct rotation speeds: a first rotation speed for preliminary stabilization and a second rotation speed for high-speed image formation. This dynamic approach allows the motor to adapt its speed based on operational requirements, achieving both quick stabilization and high productivity without the trade-off of continuous high-speed operation from the start.
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 approach reduces the first print output time by minimizing the motor's start-up time and noise, enabling faster image formation without compromising motor longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a motor configured to rotate the rotary polygon mirror
Implementation Method 2
a rotary polygon mirror configured to deflect the light beam
Implementation Method 3
a light source configured to emit a light beam for forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive member
Implementation Method 4
a rotary polygon mirror configured to deflect the light beam so that the light beam scans the photosensitive member
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus including: a reading device; an operating portion; a light source; a rotary polygon mirror; a motor configured to rotate the rotary polygon mirror; and a motor control portion configured to start the motor to control the motor at a first rotation speed in response to a fact that a predetermined action is performed on one of the operating portion and the reading device in a stopped state of the rotary polygon mirror, and then to control the motor at a second rotation speed higher than the first rotation speed in response to an instruction to start image formation from the operating portion, the motor control portion being configured to control the motor at the second rotation speed, without controlling the motor at the first rotation speed, in response to a fact that the receiving portion receives image data before the motor reaches the first rotation speed.