Developing Roller Banding Correction via Resistance Prediction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face issues with horizontal streaks or banding in images due to fluctuations in the rotational speed of the developing roller, which affect image quality, and existing correction methods may not adequately address changes in device physical properties over time.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that predicts the amplitude of banding based on changes in physical properties, such as electrical resistance of the developing roller, and adjusts the correction table accordingly to ensure suitable banding correction during image formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the developing roller rotates at high speed, then the amount of toner supply increases, but the image becomes thicker than intended causing banding
Solution Approach 1:
The system reads the formed image to detect banding, predicts the amplitude of banding based on detected results and physical property changes, and feeds this information back to adjust the correction table for exposure amount, thereby controlling toner supply precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the exposure amount parameter based on predicted banding amplitude and physical property changes (such as developing roller rotational speed variations), adjusting the laser beam exposure to compensate for toner supply fluctuations
2Productivity
If the developing roller rotates at low speed, then the amount of toner supply decreases, but the image becomes lighter than intended causing banding
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors image formation results and physical property changes, using this feedback to predict banding amplitude and adjust exposure parameters, ensuring consistent image density regardless of toner supply variations
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts the exposure amount parameter in response to predicted banding amplitude, compensating for insufficient toner supply by increasing exposure to maintain intended image density
3Ease of operation
If correction is performed at fixed time intervals, then processing is simplified, but the method cannot suitably correct exposure when device physical properties change continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from image reading and physical property monitoring to dynamically adjust correction strategies, switching between fixed-interval and on-demand correction based on detected banding and property changes
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static fixed-interval correction to dynamic correction that adapts to real-time device state changes, performing correction when banding is detected or physical properties change beyond thresholds
4Device complexity
If banding correction is not performed, then device complexity is reduced, but image quality is remarkably degraded by banding
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses automatic image reading and banding detection feedback to identify when correction is needed, applying correction only when necessary to maintain image quality without requiring complex continuous correction mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis by reading formed images to detect banding, automatically determining when correction is required and applying appropriate correction without external intervention
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
The solution effectively corrects banding by predicting and adjusting for changes in device properties, improving image quality by maintaining consistent toner supply and density, even under varying conditions, without the need for repeated patch measurements.
Implementation Method 1
predicts an amplitude of the variation caused when a physical property is in a state different from the reference state... electrical resistance of the developing roller
Implementation Method 2
adjusts the table based on the amplitude predicted by the prediction unit... maintaining consistent toner supply and density
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus for forming an image based on an electrophotographic process applied to image data that represents the image includes a device configured to perform a periodic movement for image formation, a storage unit configured to store a table for correcting density variation caused by the device, the table initially generated when a physical property of the device is in a reference state, a prediction unit configured to predict an amplitude of the variation caused when the physical property is in a state different from the reference state, and an adjustment unit configured to adjust the table based on the amplitude predicted by the prediction unit.