Exposure Head Alignment Correction in Image Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Positional displacement of the exposure device relative to the photosensitive member in image forming apparatuses leads to image quality degradation due to assembly errors and circuit board deformations.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a processor that divides image data into segments and corrects positional displacements of the exposure head on the photosensitive member using information about the displacement, ensuring accurate image formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the exposure device is assembled to the main body of the image forming apparatus, then the image forming function is achieved, but positional displacement occurs due to assembly errors and circuit board deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent measures the actual positions of light emitting elements before image formation and stores correction data in advance. This preliminary measurement and correction data storage enables the system to compensate for positional displacements that occur during assembly, resolving the contradiction between achieving image forming function and maintaining positional accuracy.
2Ease of manufacture
If the light emitting chips are mounted on the circuit board, then the exposure device is constructed, but the circuit board deforms causing positional displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the actual positions of light emitting elements are measured and used to generate correction data. This feedback loop allows the system to compensate for circuit board deformation effects, enabling easy construction while maintaining positioning accuracy through software correction.
3Productivity
If the exposure head exposes the photosensitive member directly without correction, then the imaging process is simple, but image quality decreases due to positional displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement of light emitting element positions and prepares correction data before the actual imaging process. This preliminary action enables rapid correction during imaging without significantly slowing down the imaging speed, thus maintaining productivity while improving image quality.
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
Enhances image quality by correcting positional misalignments between the exposure device and the photosensitive member, thereby improving the precision and consistency of image formation.
Implementation Method 1
an exposure head which includes a plurality of light emitting elements, and is configured to expose the photosensitive member through use of the plurality of light emitting elements
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, an exposure head which includes a plurality of light emitting elements, and is configured to expose the photosensitive member through use of the plurality of light emitting elements to form an image, and at least one processor configured to transmit, to the exposure head, image data including pieces of data each of which indicates an image on one line in a first direction, the pieces of data corresponding to a plurality of lines arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and to form an image corresponding to the image data on the photosensitive member through use of the exposure head, wherein the at least one processor is configured to divide the one line in the first direction into a plurality of segments.