Print Engine Speed Compensation for Coupled Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Digital print engines face challenges in synchronizing speed variations between coupled modules, leading to issues like receiver buckling, creasing, and inconsistent sheet delivery times, which affect image quality and productivity.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced to adjust the timing parameters of slave print engines based on the speed of the master engine, using measured speed calculations to maintain synchronization and optimize timing offsets for varying receiver sizes, thereby minimizing speed mismatches and ensuring consistent image production across multiple engines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the speed of slave print engines is adjusted to match the master engine, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but the complexity of speed control increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidspeed control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously measures the actual speed of the master engine and feeds this information back to the slave engines. The slave engines use this feedback to dynamically adjust their speeds, ensuring they remain synchronized with the master engine despite variations in operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The slave engines modify their operating parameters (speed) based on the measured speed of the master engine. By changing the speed parameter in real-time, the slave engines maintain synchronization accuracy without requiring complex mechanical coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If timing parameters of slave engines are adjusted based on master engine speed, then image quality is improved, but the response time required for synchronization increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidsynchronization response time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary speed measurements and timing parameter adjustments before actual printing operations begin. By pre-synchronizing the engines and establishing proper timing relationships in advance, the system minimizes delays during production while maintaining image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical synchronization mechanisms with electronic timing parameter adjustments. By using electronic control signals to synchronize slave engines based on master engine speed measurements, the system achieves rapid response times without mechanical inertia delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If multiple coupled print engines operate in parallel, then productivity is improved, but speed variations between engines increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidspeed consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The synchronization system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it measures master engine speed, calculates required timing parameters, adjusts slave engine speeds, and maintains synchronization across all engines. This multi-functional approach enables parallel operation of multiple engines while maintaining speed consistency through a unified control methodology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8355159B2Print engine speed compensation

Publication Date: 2013.01.15 EASTMAN KODAK CO

AI summary

A method of synchronizing the timing of a plurality of physically coupled print engines wherein the receiving sheet is inverted between a first and a second print engine including determining any change in the speed of the master print engine relative to the speed at original set up and adjusting the timing parameters within the slave print engines based on the speed of the master engine.