Exposure Apparatus Line-Cycle Timing to Limit Photosensitive Exposure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exposure apparatuses face issues with excessive exposure of the photosensitive member when process speed is set slower for thicker papers, leading to circuit complexity and increased costs due to synchronization control changes.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism that generates a first synchronization signal independent of the photosensitive member's rotation speed, transmitting data signals for light emission during a line cycle and non-light-emission signals during remaining cycles, adjusting the line cycle based on the rotation speed ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the process speed is set to be slow for thick paper, then sufficient heat can be applied to fix toner, but the line cycle is lengthened causing excessive exposure of the photosensitive member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by controlling light-emitting elements to emit light only during specific periods (active line cycles) and remain inactive during other periods (inactive line cycles). This periodic light emission prevents excessive exposure while allowing extended total line cycles for thick paper fixation, resolving the contradiction between reliable toner fixation and harmful excessive exposure.
2Device complexity
If the light-emitting elements are maintained in a light-emitting state through one line cycle, then simple synchronization control is achieved, but excessive exposure occurs when process speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the synchronization control adaptive rather than static. The control system dynamically adjusts the number of active line cycles based on process speed settings, using a ratio between first line cycle (at first rotation speed) and second line cycle (at second rotation speed) to determine how many line cycles should be active versus inactive, preventing excessive exposure while maintaining manageable control complexity.
3Reliability
If the line cycle is lengthened to reduce process speed for thick paper, then sufficient heat application time is achieved, but circuit complication and increased costs result from synchronization control changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a synchronization control system that handles multiple process speeds and paper types through a unified approach. The control unit uses a universal ratio relationship between first and second line cycles to manage both fast and slow process speeds, and the light-emitting chip structure with multiple light-emitting elements provides multi-functionality to support different operation modes without requiring separate circuit configurations for each scenario.
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 excessive exposure of the photosensitive member while maintaining efficient synchronization control without complicating the circuit configuration, ensuring reliable toner fixation across varying paper types.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged along a line parallel with an axial direction of a photosensitive member that is configured to rotate
Implementation Method 2
an axial direction of a photosensitive member that is configured to rotate
Data Source
AI summary
An exposure apparatus includes a chip with light-emitting elements arranged along an axial direction of a photosensitive member; a generation unit that generates a first synchronization signal synchronized with a second synchronization signal corresponding to a rotation speed of the photosensitive member; and a transmission unit that transmits a data signal to the chip during a line cycle. The second synchronization signal indicates a first or second cycle depending on the rotation speed. The second cycle is N times the first cycle. The first synchronization signal indicates the first cycle regardless of the rotation speed. When the photosensitive member rotates at a slower second rotation speed, the data signal of one line is transmitted to the chip during one of N line cycles; and a non-light-emission signal is transmitted during the remaining cycle(s) of the N line cycles.