Image Forming Apparatus Density Correction via Position-Adaptive Exposure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face challenges in correcting density unevenness in the main scanning direction when the position of the developer image forming unit deviates, leading to mismatched density unevenness and exposure amount changes, resulting in vertical streaks and further density issues.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with an image carrier, exposure device, developer image forming unit, memory, and processor that generates correction data to adjust exposure amounts and account for position changes of the developer image forming unit, ensuring accurate density correction across the main scanning direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the exposure amount is changed to correct density unevenness in the main scanning direction, then density uniformity is improved, but when the developer image forming unit position is deviated, the correction becomes inaccurate causing vertical streaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the position of the developer image forming unit before generating correction data. The system detects the actual position of the developer image forming unit 157 relative to the image carrier 152, and uses this detected position information to adjust the correction data that will be applied for density unevenness correction. This ensures that the correction is accurately aligned with the actual physical positions of components, preventing vertical streaks caused by position deviations.
2Manufacturing precision
If the position of the developer image forming unit is fixed, then alignment with exposure device is maintained, but position adjustments cannot be made for maintenance or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the correction data adaptive rather than fixed. The system detects the actual position of the developer image forming unit and dynamically adjusts the correction data based on the detected position. This allows the system to accommodate position changes that occur during maintenance or replacement operations, while still maintaining accurate alignment for density correction. The correction amount and position are no longer fixed but are dynamically determined based on actual component positions.
3Device complexity
If simple exposure amount correction is applied, then the system remains simple, but it cannot handle position deviations of the developer image forming unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing a position detection mechanism that monitors the actual position of the developer image forming unit. The system detects the position information, uses this feedback to adjust the correction data, and then applies the adjusted correction. This feedback loop ensures that even when position deviations occur, the density correction remains accurate. The correction amount is determined based on both the detected position and the measured density unevenness, providing a more robust correction system.
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
Prevents density unevenness and exposure amount mismatches, effectively correcting density profiles even when the developer image forming unit is deviated, thereby eliminating vertical streaks and ensuring consistent image quality.
Implementation Method 1
The exposure device 140 is configured to expose the image carrier 152
Implementation Method 2
The developer image forming unit 156 is configured to form the developer image by transporting a developer to a latent image formed on the image carrier 152
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, an exposure device, a developer image forming unit, a memory, and a processor. The image carrier carries a developer image. The exposure device exposes the image carrier. The developer image forming unit forms the developer image by transporting a developer to a latent image formed on the image carrier. The processor generates correction data for correcting density unevenness in a main scanning direction detected based on an image generated by the developer image, corrects the density unevenness in the main scanning direction occurring in the developer image by changing an exposure amount when the image carrier is exposed by the exposure device, using the generated correction data, and when a position change of the developer image forming unit in the main scanning direction is detected, adjusts the correction data by a detected position change amount.