Exposure Head Electrode Pitch for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses using electrophotographic systems require a delay circuit to synchronize the light emission timings of adjacent light emitting portions in the sub-scanning direction for multiple exposure, which increases the circuit size and manufacturing cost.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus employs an exposure head with a light emitting portion that includes a substrate with electrodes arranged in a two-dimensional pattern, a light emitting layer, and a controller that applies voltage to the electrodes based on image data to form one pixel by controlling the voltage applied to electrodes at different positions, ensuring that the pitch of the electrodes in the rotation direction is an integer multiple of the image resolution, excluding an equal multiple.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a delay circuit is provided to shift light emission timings of adjacent light emitting portions in the sub-scanning direction, then multiple exposure can be performed, but the circuit size and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the delay circuit from the system by reconfiguring the electrode arrangement. By setting the pitch of electrodes in the rotation direction to an integer multiple of the image resolution, the need for timing delay circuits is removed entirely, simplifying the circuit while maintaining multiple exposure capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the arrangement dimensions of electrodes from a standard grid to a configuration where the pitch in the rotation direction is specifically set to an integer multiple of image resolution. This dimensional relationship allows adjacent electrodes to naturally correspond to different image lines without requiring temporal delay circuits
2Device complexity
If the pitch of electrodes in the rotation direction is set to an integer multiple of image resolution, then multiple exposure can be performed without delay circuit, but electrode arrangement becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pitch parameter of electrodes in the rotation direction to be an integer multiple of the image resolution. This parameter setting creates a natural correspondence between adjacent electrodes and different image lines, enabling multiple exposure without delay circuits while maintaining design flexibility
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
This configuration allows for multiple exposure without the need for a delay circuit, reducing the circuit size and manufacturing cost while maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting layer stacked on the first electrode layer and configured to emit light when a voltage is applied
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: an exposure head including a light emitting portion that includes a first electrode layer including a plurality of electrodes that are two-dimensionally arranged in a rotation direction and a rotational axis direction of a photosensitive member, a light emitting layer stacked on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer through which light is transmissible; and a controller configured to control a voltage applied to each of the plurality of electrodes in such a way that one pixel is formed by controlling the voltage applied to the plurality of electrodes arranged at different positions in the rotation direction, in which the plurality of electrodes are arranged in such a way that a pitch of the plurality of electrodes included in the first electrode layer in the rotation direction is an integer multiple of a resolution of an image formed by the image forming apparatus in the rotation direction, excluding an equal multiple.