Color Misregistration Detection Pattern for AC Error Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately correcting color misregistration due to both steady (DC) and non-steady (AC) factors, with AC misregistration errors influencing the determination of DC misregistration amounts, particularly when detection patterns are arranged at equal intervals on the transfer belt.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a detection pattern comprising a first and second image group with specific intervals and orientations on the transfer belt, using sensors to detect color misregistration amounts in both the rotational and width directions, and applies a control unit to determine and correct for both DC and AC misregistration using averaging techniques to cancel out AC misregistration errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If detection patterns are arranged at equal intervals on the transfer belt, then the measurement process is simple, but AC misregistration errors influence the determination of DC misregistration amounts
Solution Approach 1:
The detection pattern is divided into multiple groups (first detection pattern group, second detection pattern group, third detection pattern group) with different interval relationships. Each group contains multiple detection patterns arranged at specific intervals, allowing the system to segment the measurement process into multiple independent measurements that can be processed separately to eliminate AC error influence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension by measuring detection patterns at multiple different positions on the transfer belt. Instead of a single measurement, the system performs measurements at different locations (first, second, and third detection pattern groups) and uses the temporal variation between these measurements to separate DC and AC error components through mathematical processing.
2Device complexity
If only basic AC color misregistration is suppressed, then the detection pattern structure is simple, but M-th order AC color misregistration (M≥2) cannot be suppressed
Solution Approach 1:
The detection pattern is segmented into multiple groups with different interval relationships. The first detection pattern group has patterns at equal intervals, the second group has patterns at intervals that are not equal, and the third group has patterns at intervals that are not equal. This segmentation allows the system to target different orders of AC misregistration by analyzing the response of each group separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic action by arranging detection patterns at different intervals that correspond to different periods. The first detection pattern group uses a basic period, while the second and third groups use different periods. This periodic arrangement allows the system to detect and suppress AC misregistration of different orders (M=1, M=2, etc.) by analyzing the periodic variations in the detection results.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a control unit configured to form, onto an image carrier, a detection pattern including a first image group including a plurality of first images and a second image group including a plurality of second images, and determine a color misregistration amount in a rotational direction and a width direction orthogonal to the rotational direction based on a detection result of the detection pattern. The detection pattern includes a plurality of basic patterns arranged at a first interval in the rotational direction, and each of the plurality of basic patterns includes the first image group and the second image group arranged at a second interval in the rotational direction, and the first image group and the second image group arranged at a third interval different from the second interval in the rotational direction.