Printer Conveyance PWM Control Without a Booster Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing cost of printing apparatuses is increased due to the inclusion of a booster circuit.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus that includes a drive motor, conveyance roller, and recording head, controlled by a drive control unit using PWM control to manage the duty ratio based on pre-set conveyance speed, eliminating the need for a booster circuit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a booster circuit is provided to control conveyance speed, then conveyance speed control is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconveyance speedVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the booster circuit from the system entirely. Instead of using a booster circuit to control conveyance speed, the invention uses PWM control of the drive motor to achieve the same function, thereby eliminating the problematic component that increased manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the electrical booster circuit with a motor control system using PWM (Pulse Width Modulation). This substitution allows conveyance speed control to be achieved through electronic control of the motor duty ratio rather than through a separate voltage boosting circuit, reducing component count and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If PWM control with duty ratio adjustment is used to control conveyance speed, then manufacturing cost is reduced by eliminating the booster circuit, but control precision may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidconveyance speed control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control unit monitors the conveyance speed and adjusts the PWM duty ratio accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that the conveyance speed is maintained at the desired level despite variations in load or other conditions, preserving control precision while using the cost-effective PWM method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the PWM duty ratio based on actual conveyance conditions. The control unit modifies the duty ratio in real-time to maintain optimal conveyance speed, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions and maintain precision without requiring additional hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Effectively controls conveyance speed without a booster circuit, reducing manufacturing costs while ensuring proper operation and power management.

Implementation Method 1

the drive control unit controls the drive motor with PWM control

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPWM control:

Data Source

PatentUS20260008287A1Printing apparatus and control method for printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printer includes a drive motor, a conveyance roller driven by the drive motor to convey a recording medium, a recording head configured to perform printing on the recording medium, and a drive control unit configured to control the drive motor with PWM control. The drive control unit controls a duty ratio of the PWM control based on first conveyance speed, which is conveyance speed of the recording medium set in advance.