Roller Synchronization Control for Image Turbulence in Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image recording apparatuses experience turbulence in image recording due to mismatched rotation amounts of rollers caused by eccentricity or dimension errors, leading to inconsistent conveying distances and image quality issues.
Innovation Solution
An image recording apparatus with a motor-driven first and second roller pair, detection units for rotation speed, and a controller that adjusts drive signals based on detected rotation speeds to synchronize the rollers, ensuring consistent conveying speed and reducing turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the same drive force is given to two main rollers, then both rollers rotate simultaneously to convey the record sheet, but the rotation amounts do not match due to eccentricity or dimension errors, causing turbulence in the recorded image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs encoders to detect the rotation amounts of both main rollers and feeds this information back to the control unit. The control unit calculates the difference between detected rotation amounts and target rotation amounts, then adjusts the drive signals to minimize this difference, ensuring consistent rotation amounts despite manufacturing variations
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically adjusts drive parameters (rotation amount, rotation speed) of the main rollers based on detected actual rotation amounts. By changing these parameters in real-time, the system compensates for eccentricity and dimension errors, maintaining consistent conveying distance and preventing image turbulence
2Reliability
If the rotation amount of rollers is not synchronized, then conveying distance changes at transition timing, but synchronizing requires complex detection and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
Encoders are installed on each main roller to detect rotation amounts independently. This feedback mechanism provides real-time data to the control unit, enabling precise synchronization control without requiring complex mechanical linkages or additional sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical synchronization mechanisms with electronic control. Instead of using mechanical linkages to ensure synchronized rotation, the system uses independent encoders and electronic drive signal adjustment to achieve synchronization, reducing mechanical complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording apparatus includes a record unit; a first roller provided upstream of the record unit; a second roller provided downstream of the record unit; a motor which drives the first and second rollers; a first drive signal generation unit which generates a first drive signal based on a first rotation amount of the first roller and a first target rotation amount; a correction value generation unit which generates a correction value based on the first rotation amount and a second rotation amount of the second roller; a target value generation unit which generates a second target rotation amount based on the first target rotation amount and the correction value; a second drive signal generation unit which generates a second drive signal based on the second target rotation amount and the second rotation amount; and a controller which controls the motor by the first drive signal until a conveyed sheet reaches a position and controls the motor by the second drive signal thereafter.