Optical Sensor Emission Intensity Control for Printer Media Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers equipped with optical sensors face challenges in maintaining optimal detection of printing media due to variations in sensor performance over time, ink mist attachment, and differences in printing medium types, leading to inconsistent output voltage and reduced current flow, which affects accurate detection of printing medium ends.
Innovation Solution
A printer system that includes an optical sensor with an emission intensity adjuster and an output monitor to control the light-emitting element's intensity, ensuring optimal detection by adjusting the digital value of a D/A converter to maintain a target output voltage and maximize current flow, even under varying conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voltage supplied to the optical sensor is increased to maximize current flow, then detection capability is improved, but output voltage becomes unstable due to transistor characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the output voltage of the optical sensor is continuously monitored and fed back to the emission intensity adjuster. The adjuster compares the actual output voltage with a target value and dynamically adjusts the emission intensity of the light-emitting element to maintain stable output voltage while maximizing current flow through the optical sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the emission intensity parameter of the light-emitting element based on monitored output voltage conditions. By dynamically adjusting the emission intensity (current supplied to the light-emitting element), the system optimizes the output voltage of the optical sensor, ensuring stable operation despite variations in transistor characteristics or environmental conditions.
2Measurement precision
If emission intensity of the light-emitting element is increased to improve detection signal, then detection precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism monitors the actual output voltage and adjusts the emission intensity accordingly. This ensures that the emission intensity is optimized to the minimum level necessary to achieve the target output voltage, avoiding excessive energy consumption while maintaining detection precision. The system dynamically balances detection precision and energy efficiency based on real-time conditions.
3Manufacturing precision
If the optical sensor is used to detect printing medium ends, then printing operation accuracy is improved, but detection becomes unreliable under varying conditions such as ink mist attachment or sensor deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous feedback loop compensates for sensor deterioration and environmental variations by dynamically adjusting the emission intensity. This ensures that the detection reliability is maintained at optimal levels even as the sensor ages or becomes contaminated with ink mist, preserving printing operation accuracy throughout the sensor's operational life.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary adjustment of the emission intensity to establish optimal detection conditions before actual printing operations begin. This preliminary optimization ensures that the optical sensor is operating at peak performance, maximizing both detection reliability and printing accuracy from the start of 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 solution enables stable and precise detection of printing medium ends, reducing ink wastage and maintaining detection precision, especially in no-edge printing operations, and is particularly beneficial for business printers using larger sheets.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor having a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element
Implementation Method 2
an optical sensor having a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element that generates a signal corresponding to the intensity of light received by the light-receiving portion
Data Source
AI summary
A printer for performing a printing operation on a printing medium, includes an optical sensor, operable to detect the printing medium; an emission intensity adjuster, operable to adjust emission intensity of a light-emitting element included in the optical sensor; and an output monitor, operable to monitor an output voltage of the optical sensor so as to control the emission intensity adjuster to adjust the emission intensity.