Exposure Position Adjustment for Image Forming Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately adjusting beam pitches of plural light beams in the main-scanning direction, leading to inappropriate image formation due to human error and process noise, which increases costs and time required for adjustment.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus and exposure position adjusting method that scans plural light beams to form electrostatic latent images, detects electric potentials using a surface potential detecting section, and adjusts exposure timings based on these detections to align beam pitches accurately in the main-scanning direction before development.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If visual evaluation method is used for beam pitch adjustment, then adjustment can be performed with simple equipment, but adjustment precision deteriorates due to human error and operator skill differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment equipment complexityVSAvoidbeam pitch adjustment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/visual evaluation system with an electrical measurement system. A surface potential detecting section measures the electric potential of electrostatic latent images, and a controller automatically calculates exposure timing adjustments based on these measurements. This substitutes human visual evaluation with automated electrical detection and calculation, eliminating operator skill differences and improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment by automatically detecting beam pitch deviations through surface potential measurements and calculating the required exposure timing corrections. The controller autonomously determines the optimal exposure timing without requiring external visual evaluation, enabling the system to self-correct beam pitch issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If iterative visual adjustment is performed to eliminate pitch shifts, then beam pitch accuracy can be improved, but adjustment time increases and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam pitch accuracyVSAvoidadjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary measurement of surface potentials before finalizing exposure timing settings. By measuring the electric potential of electrostatic latent images in advance and calculating the required adjustments, the system determines the optimal exposure timing in a single step rather than through iterative trial-and-error adjustment, significantly reducing adjustment time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where surface potential measurements provide real-time information about beam pitch deviations. The controller uses this feedback to automatically calculate and apply the correct exposure timing adjustments, eliminating the need for repeated visual evaluation and manual adjustment iterations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 method enables precise adjustment of beam pitches without the influence of process noises, reducing human error and improving the efficiency and quality of image formation by automatically optimizing exposure timings.

Implementation Method 1

a surface potential detecting section detects, along the main-scanning direction, electric potentials of the plural electrostatic latent images formed on the surface of the photoreceptor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic latent image detection: Electrostatic Induction

Implementation Method 2

an exposure section scans plural light beams to form plural electrostatic latent images arranged at a predetermined pitch in a sub-scanning direction of the photoreceptor and in a periodical manner along a main-scanning direction of the photoreceptor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9354541B2Image forming apparatus and exposure position adjusting method

Publication Date: 2016.05.31 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

According to an image forming apparatus and an exposure position adjusting method of one aspect of the present invention, an exposure section scans a plurality of light beams to form a plurality of electrostatic latent images periodically along a main-scanning direction of the photoreceptor at a predetermined pitch in a sub-scanning direction of the photoreceptor. Next, a surface potential detecting section detects electric potentials of the plurality of electrostatic latent images formed on the surface of the photoreceptor, along the main-scanning direction. Furthermore, a controller calculates exposure timings by the plurality of light beams in the exposure section on the basis of a detection result by the surface potential detecting section.