Variable Lock Range Phase Locked Loop for Ink Jet Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image recording technologies face challenges in maintaining stable ink jet timing control, leading to jitter and position shifts during image recording on record media, particularly when conveying speeds vary between ½ to quadruple the predetermined speed.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a phase locked loop system with a phase locked loop setting unit that adjusts the lock range according to job information, generating an ink jet timing control signal synchronized with the conveyance distance, and using a nozzle array drive unit to control the ink jet timing, thereby reducing jitter and maintaining precise recording positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed lock range is used in the phase locked loop, then the system is simple to operate, but the ink jet timing becomes unstable and jitter increases when conveying speed varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the lock range of the phase locked loop variable rather than fixed. The lock range is dynamically adjusted based on the conveyance speed of the record medium, allowing the system to adapt to different operating conditions and maintain stable ink jet timing across varying speeds from ½ to quadruple the predetermined speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of lock range in the phase locked loop according to the conveyance speed. By modifying this critical parameter dynamically, the system maintains optimal timing stability across different conveying conditions without requiring complex multiple phase locked loops or additional hardware.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the phase locked loop lock range is widened to accommodate varying speeds, then the system can handle more speed ranges, but the ink jet timing precision deteriorates due to increased jitter
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the lock range based on the actual conveyance speed. When the conveyance speed is within the predetermined range, a narrower lock range is used to maintain high timing precision. When the speed varies outside this range, the lock range is appropriately widened to accommodate the speed change while maintaining acceptable timing stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock range parameter is changed according to the conveyance speed conditions. This parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize between adaptability to speed variations and precision of ink jet timing, resolving the contradiction between handling wide speed ranges and maintaining recording precision.
3Reliability
If multiple phase locked loops are used to handle different speed ranges, then the system can maintain precision at all speeds, but the device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A single phase locked loop is designed to handle multiple conveyance speed ranges by dynamically adjusting its lock range parameter. This universal approach allows one phase locked loop to perform the function that would traditionally require multiple specialized loops, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining timing reliability across ½ to quadruple the predetermined speed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple phase locked loops with fixed different lock ranges, the patent uses a single phase locked loop whose lock range parameter is changed according to the conveyance speed. This parameter-based differentiation eliminates the need for multiple hardware loops, reducing complexity while maintaining the reliability of timing control across varying speeds.
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 effectively minimizes jitter and maintains stable ink jet timing, ensuring accurate recording positions even at varying conveying speeds, resulting in improved image quality and reduced position shifts during the recording process.
Implementation Method 1
a phase locked loop for generating an ink jet timing control signal determining the drive timing of the nozzle array drive unit according to notified job information, controlling the frequency of the ink jet timing control signal, and allowing the drive timing to be synchronous with the conveyance distance of the record medium in the conveyance information
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording apparatus includes at least: a phase locked loop for generating an ink jet timing control signal determining drive timing when the nozzle array drive unit is controlled to perform the recording process, controlling a frequency of the ink jet timing control signal, and allowing the drive timing to be synchronous with a conveyance distance of the record medium in the conveyance information; and a phase locked loop setting unit for setting information determining a lock range of the phase locked loop in the phase locked loop according to the job information as a condition for determining the drive timing. The image recording apparatus performs the recording process by controlling the nozzle array drive unit with the drive timing determined by the ink jet timing control signal generated by the phase locked loop.