Single-Facet Spindle Laser Scanner Moiré Defect Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser scanner systems with multiple facets suffer from print and scan defects such as moiré due to variations in positioning, orientation, and flatness, which degrade image quality, especially in multi-color implementations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a laser scanner system with a single facet spindle assembly that reflects the optical scanning beam only from a single facet during each scan operation, eliminating the need for a polygon mirror arrangement and reducing the spindle's size and air drag, thereby minimizing defects and maintaining rapid scanning speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If multiple facets are used in the spindle, then scanning speed is improved, but print and scan defects such as moiré increase due to variations in positioning, orientation, and flatness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the problematic multi-facet structure, retaining only a single facet in the spindle assembly. This removes the source of positioning and orientation variations between multiple facets, thereby eliminating moiré defects while preserving scanning functionality through the single remaining facet.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies extreme local quality by making the entire scanning function depend on a single facet with optimized local properties. Rather than having multiple facets with varying qualities, the system concentrates all scanning requirements on one precisely manufactured facet, ensuring uniformity and eliminating inter-facet variability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple facets are used in the spindle, then scanning coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the spindle structure by extracting only the essential scanning function from the complex multi-facet arrangement. The single-facet design removes unnecessary structural elements while maintaining the core scanning capability, thereby reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single facet is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides scanning coverage, maintains precise positioning, and eliminates the need for complex synchronization between multiple facets. This universal facet replaces the entire multi-facet system, reducing overall structural complexity.
3Speed
If multiple facets are used in the spindle, then scanning speed is improved, but acoustic noise increases due to air drag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the source of air drag-induced noise by extracting the multi-facet structure and replacing it with a single facet. This reduction in structural complexity and surface area minimizes air resistance during rotation, thereby decreasing acoustic noise generation while maintaining scanning speed.
4Ease of operation
If a polygon mirror arrangement is used, then scanning functionality is achieved, but spindle size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential reflecting surface from the polygon mirror arrangement, retaining a single facet instead of multiple mirrors. This eliminates the need for a complex polygon structure while preserving the scanning functionality, thereby significantly reducing spindle volume.
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
The solution significantly reduces print and scan defects like moiré, allows for high-speed scanning comparable to multi-facet systems, and decreases acoustic noise, while maintaining performance and reducing the spindle's size and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a laser scanner system with a single facet spindle assembly that reflects the optical scanning beam only from a single facet
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
A system includes a laser scanner system. The system includes a scanner laser to generate an optical scanning beam. The system also includes a spindle assembly comprising a spindle that extends along an axis and reflects the optical scanning beam. The system also includes a beam detector to receive the reflected optical scanning beam from the single facet and to indicate when to generate a latent image corresponding to an image based on the optical scanning beam for a given scan operation. The system further includes a scan controller to control the scanner laser such that the optical scanning beam is reflected from only a single facet of the spindle during the given scan operation.