التفاصيل البيبلوغرافية
| العنوان: |
Scanning assemblies, printing devices, and related methods |
| Document Number: |
20050030367 |
| تاريخ النشر: |
February 10, 2005 |
| Appl. No: |
10/636878 |
| Application Filed: |
August 07, 2003 |
| مستخلص: |
Scanning assemblies, printing devices, and related methods are described. In one embodiment, pole pieces are configured to be coupled with an input voltage source that can produce phase-shifted input voltages, the pole pieces defining at least first and second phases. A rotor is operably associated with the pole pieces for rotation. The pole pieces and the rotor are configured as an induction drive system in which a rotational force for rotating the rotor is produced through interaction of rotor-induced eddy currents from each of the first and second phases with respective magnetic fluxes of the other of the first and second phases. |
| Inventors: |
Hirst, B. Mark (Boise, ID, US) |
| Claim: |
1. A scanning assembly comprising: pole pieces configured to be coupled with an input voltage source that can produce phase-shifted input voltages, the pole pieces defining at least first and second phases; a rotor operably associated with the pole pieces for rotation; and the pole pieces and the rotor being configured as an induction drive system in which a rotational force for rotating the rotor is produced through interaction of rotor-induced eddy currents from each of the first and second phases with respective magnetic fluxes of the other of the first and second phases. |
| Claim: |
2. The scanning assembly of claim 1, wherein the rotor comprises a mirror. |
| Claim: |
3. The scanning assembly of claim 1, wherein the rotor does not comprise a mirror. |
| Claim: |
4. The scanning assembly of claim 1, wherein the rotor does not comprise a mirror, and the rotor comprises a sheet of conductive material. |
| Claim: |
5. The scanning assembly of claim 1, wherein the rotor does not comprise a mirror and the rotor comprises a sheet of conductive material comprising aluminum. |
| Claim: |
6. The scanning assembly of claim 1, wherein the pole pieces and the rotor are configured as a two-phase induction drive system. |
| Claim: |
7. The scanning assembly of claim 1, wherein the pole pieces comprise two pole pieces that are mounted sufficient to provide individual flux paths that are oriented generally 90-degrees relative to one another. |
| Claim: |
8. The scanning assembly of claim 1 further comprising a shaft having two ends and being connected with the rotor, wherein the shaft comprises a bearing at each end. |
| Claim: |
9. The scanning assembly of claim 1 further comprising a shaft having two ends and being connected with the rotor, wherein the shaft comprises a single bearing at one end which serves as a mounting structure for the shaft. |
| Claim: |
10. The scanning assembly of claim 1 further comprising a drag magnet mounted to induce a drag in rotor velocity. |
| Claim: |
11. A printing device comprising the scanning assembly of claim 1. |
| Claim: |
12. A multi-function printing device comprising the scanning assembly of claim 1. |
| Claim: |
13. A scanning assembly comprising: pole pieces configured to be coupled with an input voltage source, the pole pieces define at least first and second phases; a shaft mounted in the laser scanning assembly for rotation; a mirror comprising material that provides a rotor, the mirror being mounted on the shaft; the pole pieces and the mirror being configured as an induction drive system in which a rotational force for rotating the mirror is produced through interaction of mirror-induced eddy currents from each of the first and second phases with respective magnetic fluxes of the other of the first and second phases. |
| Claim: |
14. The scanning assembly of claim 13, wherein the pole pieces and the mirror are configured as a two-phase induction drive system. |
| Claim: |
15. The scanning assembly of claim 13, wherein the pole pieces comprise two pole pieces that are mounted sufficient to provide individual flux paths that are oriented 90-degrees relative to one another. |
| Claim: |
16. The scanning assembly of claim 13, wherein the shaft comprises a needle bearing at each end. |
| Claim: |
17. The scanning assembly of claim 13, wherein shaft comprises a single bearing at one end which serves as a mounting structure for the shaft. |
| Claim: |
18. The scanning assembly of claim 13 further comprising a drag magnet mounted to induce a drag in the rotational velocity of the rotor. |
| Claim: |
19. A printing device comprising the scanning assembly of claim 13. |
| Claim: |
20. A multi-function printing device comprising the scanning assembly of claim 13. |
| Claim: |
21. A scanning assembly comprising: pole pieces configured to be coupled with an input voltage source, the pole pieces defining at least first and second phases; a shaft mounted in the scanning assembly for rotation; a mirror mounted on the shaft; a rotor structure mounted on the shaft; and the pole pieces and the rotor structure being configured as an induction drive system in which a rotational force for rotating the rotor is produced through interaction of rotor-induced eddy currents from each of the first and second phases with respective magnetic fluxes of the other of the first and second phases. |
| Claim: |
22. The scanning assembly of claim 21, wherein the rotor structure comprises a sheet of conductive material. |
| Claim: |
23. The scanning assembly of claim 21, wherein the rotor structure comprises a sheet of conductive material comprising aluminum. |
| Claim: |
24. The scanning assembly of claim 21, wherein the pole pieces and the rotor structure are configured as a two-phase induction drive system. |
| Claim: |
25. The scanning assembly of claim 21, wherein the pole pieces comprise two pole pieces that are mounted sufficient to provide flux paths that are oriented generally 90-degrees relative to one another. |
| Claim: |
26. The scanning assembly of claim 21, wherein the shaft comprises a needle bearing at each end. |
| Claim: |
27. The scanning assembly of claim 21, wherein the shaft comprises a single bearing at one end which serves as a mounting structure for the shaft. |
| Claim: |
28. The scanning assembly of claim 21 further comprising a drag magnet mounted to induce a drag rotor structure velocity. |
| Claim: |
29. A printing device comprising the scanning assembly of claim 21. |
| Claim: |
30. A multi-function printing device comprising the scanning assembly of claim 21. |
| Claim: |
31. A laser printer comprising: a voltage source configured to produce phase-shifted voltages; pole pieces operably coupled with the voltage source, the pole pieces defining at least first and second phases; a shaft mounted in the laser printer for rotation; a rotor mounted on the shaft; a laser source configured to produce a laser; a photoconductor proximate the laser source and configured to be scanned by the laser; and the voltage source, pole pieces and rotor being configured as an induction drive system in which a rotational force for rotating the rotor is produced through interaction of rotor-induced eddy currents from each of the first and second phases with respective magnetic fluxes of the other of the first and second phases. |
| Claim: |
32. The laser printer of claim 31, wherein the rotor comprises a mirror towards which the laser is directed. |
| Claim: |
33. The laser printer of claim 31 further comprising a mirror mounted on the shaft separate from the rotor. |
| Claim: |
34. The laser printer of claim 31, wherein the voltage source is configured to produce two phase-shifted voltages. |
| Claim: |
35. The laser printer of claim 31, wherein the voltage source is configured to produce two phase-shifted voltages, and the pole pieces comprise two pole pieces that are mounted sufficient to provide flux paths that are oriented generally 90-degrees relative to one another. |
| Claim: |
36. An apparatus comprising: a mirror comprising facets, at least some of the facets being configured to reflect a laser beam towards a photoconductor; and the mirror being configured as a rotor for an induction drive system in a laser printing device in which a rotational force for rotating the mirror is produced through interaction of mirror-induced eddy currents from the induction drive system with respective magnetic fluxes provided by the induction drive system. |
| Claim: |
37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the assembly comprises at least 6 facets. |
| Claim: |
38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the assembly comprises at least 3 facets. |
| Claim: |
39. An apparatus comprising: means for applying individual phase-shifted voltages to individual respective phases of a multi-phase induction drive system of a laser printing device scanning assembly; means for inducing rotation of a mirror comprising part of the scanning assembly responsive to applying said voltages; means for directing a laser beam towards the rotating mirror; means for scanning a photoconductor with a laser beam reflected off of the mirror; and means for producing a printed image on a print medium responsive to scanning the photoconductor. |
| Claim: |
40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the means for applying the phase-shifted voltages comprises means for applying two phase-shifted voltages. |
| Claim: |
41. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the means for applying the phase-shifted voltages comprises means for applying at least two phase-shifted voltages. |
| Claim: |
42. A method comprising: positioning pole pieces relative to an input voltage source configured to produce phase-shifted input voltages that are provided to the pole pieces, the pole pieces defining at least first and second phases; and mounting a rotor on a shaft for laser scanning rotation; and the voltage source, pole pieces and rotor being configured as an induction drive system in which a rotational force for rotating the rotor is produced through interaction of rotor-induced eddy currents from each of the first and second phases with respective magnetic fluxes of the other of the first and second phases. |
| Claim: |
43. The method of claim 42, wherein the act of mounting the rotor comprises mounting a rotor comprising a mirror on the shaft. |
| Claim: |
44. The method of claim 42 further comprising mounting a mirror on the shaft, and where the act of mounting the rotor comprises mounting a rotor on the shaft separate from the mirror. |
| Claim: |
45. The method of claim 42 further comprising mounting a mirror on the shaft, and where the act of mounting the rotor comprises mounting a rotor on the shaft separate from the mirror, wherein the rotor comprises a sheet of conductive material. |
| Claim: |
46. The method of claim 42 further comprising mounting a mirror on the shaft, and where the act of mounting the rotor comprises mounting a rotor on the shaft separate from the mirror, wherein the rotor comprises a sheet of conductive material comprising aluminum. |
| Claim: |
47. The method of claim 42, wherein the input voltage source is configured to produce two phase-shifted input voltages. |
| Claim: |
48. The method of claim 42, wherein the input voltage source is configured to produce two phase-shifted input voltages, and the act of positioning the pole pieces comprises positioning two pole pieces 90-degrees relative to one another. |
| Claim: |
49. A method comprising: applying phase-shifted voltages to respective phases of a multi-phase induction drive system of a laser printing device scanning assembly; responsive to said applying, inducing eddy currents in a rotor and magnetic fluxes that interact with the eddy currents sufficient to cause rotation of a mirror comprising part of the scanning assembly; directing a laser towards the rotating mirror; scanning a photoconductor with a laser reflected off of the mirror; and responsive to said scanning, producing a printed image on a print medium. |
| Claim: |
50. The method of claim 49, wherein the act of applying comprises applying two phase-shifted voltages. |
| Claim: |
51. The method of claim 49, wherein the act of applying comprises applying at least two phase-shifted voltages. |
| Claim: |
52. The method of claim 49, wherein the act of inducing rotation of the mirror comprises using the mirror as a rotor of the induction drive system. |
| Claim: |
53. The method of claim 49, wherein the act of inducing rotation of the mirror comprises not using the mirror as a rotor of the induction drive system. |
| Current U.S. Class: |
347243/000 |
| رقم الانضمام: |
edspap.20050030367 |
| قاعدة البيانات: |
USPTO Patent Applications |