Stepper Motor Advance Angle Control for Image Forming Drives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor control technologies for stepping motors in image forming apparatuses face challenges such as decreased efficiency and insufficient driving torque due to inappropriate setting of the advance angle, which can fluctuate with changes in rotational speed and load torque.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an image forming apparatus with a stepping motor, a direction detector, an exciting unit, a setting unit for updating the advance angle based on detected load torque and rotational speed, and a control unit that adjusts the motor's operation accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the advance angle is set according to the rotational speed of the stepping motor, then the timing of voltage application can be adjusted for different speeds, but the advance angle fluctuates due to rotational speed fluctuation caused by unevenness in motor rotation, which worsens the unevenness in rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit detects the actual rotational speed of the stepping motor and feeds back this information to the setting unit, which then adjusts the advance angle based on the detected speed. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the advance angle is continuously optimized according to actual operating conditions, preventing the fluctuations that would otherwise worsen rotational uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The advance angle is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The setting unit changes the advance angle in real-time based on the detected rotational speed and load torque, allowing the system to adapt to varying operating conditions and maintain optimal performance across different speeds and loads.
2Reliability
If the advance angle is set according to the assumed maximum load torque, then the motor can handle maximum load conditions, but when the actual load torque differs from the assumed maximum, efficiency decreases due to unnecessary current or driving torque becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The advance angle is dynamically adjusted based on the detected load torque rather than being set for maximum load conditions. This allows the motor to operate efficiently across a range of load conditions by optimizing the advance angle for the actual load, preventing both unnecessary current consumption and insufficient driving torque.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system changes the advance angle parameter in real-time based on detected load torque conditions. By adjusting this critical parameter according to actual operating conditions, the system maintains optimal efficiency and performance across varying load scenarios rather than being constrained by a fixed setting for maximum load.
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 approach effectively suppresses decreases in efficiency and insufficiencies in driving torque by dynamically adjusting the advance angle in response to changing load torque and rotational speed conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a stepping motor including a coil and a rotor; an exciting unit configured to excite the coil
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a stepping motor including a coil and a rotor, a first detector for detecting a direction of the rotor, a setting unit for setting an advance angle and a second detector for detecting a rotational speed of the rotor. A controller rotates the stepping motor at a predetermined rotational speed and acquire a load torque based on an operation amount and the advance angle set by the setting unit. The setting unit updates the advance angle based on the load torque acquired by the controller, a target rotational speed of the stepping motor or a rotational speed value based on the rotational speed detected by the second detector. The controller controls a motor driver according to the direction of the rotor detected by first detector and the advance angle updated by the setting unit.