Color Image Forming Apparatus Registration Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In continuous printing jobs on recording sheets with short widths, the relative positional error between toner images on image bearing members is not sufficiently reduced due to temperature elevation and deformation in the image forming apparatus, leading to image defects.
Innovation Solution
Increasing the frequency of relative position control for toner images as the recording material width decreases, and implementing a registration correction pattern detection system to adjust optical paths and exposure times based on detected alignment marks, thereby compensating for temperature-induced errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous printing is performed on recording sheets with short width, then productivity is improved, but temperature elevation and deformation occur causing positional error to worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the relative position control frequency based on recording sheet width. When short-width sheets are detected, the system automatically increases the frequency of alignment mark detection and position correction operations, allowing the system to adapt its control strategy to the specific printing conditions that cause thermal deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors alignment marks on image bearing members and uses this feedback to detect positional deviations caused by thermal deformation. By increasing the feedback frequency during continuous printing of short-width sheets, the system can identify and correct position errors more rapidly, maintaining image quality despite temperature elevation.
2Manufacturing precision
If frequency of relative position control is increased, then positional error is reduced, but processing time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies enhanced position control selectively rather than uniformly. The control system detects recording sheet width and applies high-frequency position correction only when short-width sheets are being printed, while using standard control frequency for normal printing conditions. This localized application of enhanced control reduces overall system complexity while maintaining precision when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming method includes forming toner images on first and second image bearing members; transferring a first toner image on the first image bearing member and a second toner image on the second image bearing member, in mutually superposed manner, onto a recording material; heating the first and second toner image thereby fixing the same to the recording material; detecting alignment marks on the first and second image bearing members in the course of a continuous job for continuously forming images; controlling relative positions of the first toner image and the second toner image, based on a result of detection of the alignment marks; and increasing a frequency of execution of the relative position control in the continuous job, as the recording material to be subjected to image formation in the continuous job has a smaller width in a direction perpendicular to a transport direction of the recording material.