Printer Encoder Normalcy Detection via Preliminary Pulse Counting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printing devices with encoder failures can lead to uncontrollable driving mechanisms due to the lack of feedback, resulting in potential damage or incorrect abnormality detection before the issue is recognized.

Innovation Solution

A printing device that includes a counter to determine encoder normalcy by counting pulse signals, allowing for a first control phase to assess encoder functionality before shifting to a second control phase, preventing uncontrollable driving and enabling precise abnormality detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the control part continues to drive the driving mechanism without encoder feedback, then the printing operation can proceed, but the driving becomes uncontrollable and may cause damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting operation continuityVSAvoiddriving control safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing encoder abnormality detection before the actual printing operation. The control part drives the driving mechanism a first distance to detect encoder abnormalities in advance, and only if the encoder is determined to be normal does it proceed to the second control for actual printing. This prevents uncontrollable driving while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If the control part performs feedback control based on encoder signal, then the driving precision is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to uncontrollable driving when encoder fails

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving position precisionVSAvoidsystem safety under encoder failure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs encoder abnormality detection before enabling feedback control. By driving the mechanism a first distance and detecting encoder output in advance, the system determines encoder normalcy before initiating precision printing operations, thus preventing unsafe feedback control under faulty encoder conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control during the second control phase for actual printing operations. The control part drives the driving mechanism based on encoder feedback signals, enabling precise position control. However, this feedback control is only activated after preliminary encoder abnormality detection confirms encoder normalcy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Area of stationary object

If the control part drives the driving mechanism for a long distance, then the printing coverage is increased, but the risk of uncontrollable driving increases if encoder is abnormal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting coverage areaVSAvoiduncontrollable driving damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting encoder abnormalities before enabling long-distance printing operations. The control part performs encoder abnormality detection by driving the mechanism a first distance, and only proceeds to second control for extended printing if the encoder is confirmed normal, thus preventing harmful effects during large-area printing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3838606B1Printing device
Publication Date: 2023.03.22 FUNAI ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP3838606B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3838606B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3838606B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a printing device (2) including: a Y-axis encoder (68) outputting a pulse signal corresponding to a position of a head part in a predetermined direction, a Y-axis counter (70) counting a count value based on the pulse signal from the Y-axis encoder, a control part (74) that performs a first and a second controls, and a determination part (72) determining that the Y-axis encoder is normal when a count value equal to or greater than a predetermined number is counted and determines that the Y-axis encoder is abnormal when a count value less than the predetermined number is counted in the first control. The control part shifts from the first control to the second control when the Y-axis encoder is determined to be normal, and the control part does not shift from the first control to the second control when the Y-axis encoder is determined to be abnormal.