Color Register Patch Design for Image Position Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in reducing the size of color register marks for color misregistration correction, leading to limitations in image formation regions and potential color misregistration issues due to temperature rises and increased conveyance speeds.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a hardware processor that forms a register patch outside the job image forming region, comprising a leading end patch and rear end patches of a reference color, along with measurement target color patches, to correct image forming positions based on their relative positions, allowing for precise color misregistration correction in a smaller size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the size of color register marks is reduced, then the image formation region is increased, but the measurement precision for color misregistration correction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The register mark is divided into multiple separate patches (yellow patch, cyan patch, magenta patch, and black patch) instead of using a single large mark. Each patch is positioned at different locations on the intermediate transfer body, allowing for distributed measurement points that maintain precision while reducing the area occupied by any single mark.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from using a single large two-dimensional register mark to using multiple smaller patches distributed across different positions. This spatial distribution in multiple dimensions allows the system to maintain measurement precision through multiple data points while reducing the overall area requirement for registration correction.
2Productivity
If the conveyance speed of the intermediate transfer body is increased due to temperature rise, then the productivity is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the register marks to detect actual transfer positions and calculates correction amounts based on detected misregistrations. This feedback mechanism allows the system to compensate for position shifts caused by temperature-induced speed variations, maintaining manufacturing precision despite changes in conveyance speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts image formation positions based on detected misregistrations from register marks. By changing the positioning parameters in response to temperature-induced speed variations, the system maintains transfer accuracy even when conveyance speed fluctuates during continuous operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus forms a color image on a recording medium by superimposing images of colors formed by image forming units. The apparatus includes a processor that: acquires a read image by reading the recording medium on which the color image has been formed; forms a register patch outside a job image forming region of the recording medium; and corrects image forming positions of the image forming units based on the read image that includes the register patch. The register patch includes: a leading end patch and a rear end patch formed with a reference color material; and one or more measurement target color patches formed with measurement target color materials between the leading end patch and the rear end patch. The hardware processor corrects the image forming positions based on relative positions of the leading end patch, the rear end patch, and the measurement target color patches.