Hybrid Laser LED Imaging Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrophotographic printers face limitations in achieving high printing resolution without compromising image quality or print speed, as the resolution is often constrained by the frequency of laser scans or LED density, which is inadequate for producing fine details like solid lines, curves, and high contrast edges.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a light-emitting-diode (LED) bar system with a laser scanning system in an electrographic imaging device, where the laser and LED scans overlap to create sub-pixel size exposures, allowing for higher resolution by modulating the intensity and timing of both light sources to attract or repel toner effectively, thereby enhancing edge definition and line quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If laser scanning frequency or LED density is increased to achieve higher printing resolution, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines laser scanning and LED bar systems into a single hybrid exposure system. The laser provides high-resolution scanning capability while the LED bar provides dense stationary illumination points. By merging these two different approaches, the system achieves higher effective resolution than either system alone without proportionally increasing the complexity of individual components.
2Manufacturing precision
If laser scanning frequency is increased to improve printing resolution, then manufacturing precision improves, but print speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the exposure function into two independent systems: laser scanning for high-resolution line definition and LED bar for area illumination. This segmentation allows each system to operate at its optimal speed and resolution characteristics, with the LED bar providing rapid area coverage and the laser adding fine detail, thereby maintaining print speed while improving resolution.
3Manufacturing precision
If LED density is increased to improve printing resolution, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges laser scanning capability with a moderate-density LED bar system. The laser component provides the high-resolution positioning and line definition that would otherwise require extremely dense LED spacing. This combination allows the use of a less complex, moderate-density LED bar while achieving high effective resolution through the complementary laser scanning function.
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 approach enables the creation of higher resolution images with improved edge definition and line quality, allowing for finer details in prints, such as CAD drawings, while maintaining or improving print speed and reducing the need for excessive data, thus upgrading existing imaging devices like industrial digital presses.
Implementation Method 1
light from a light beam, such as a laser beam 106 from laser 107, and/or a light-emitting-diode (LED) bar 108 is directed at preselected locations on photoconductor drum 102 to create discharged regions at those locations
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a region of a photoconductor is exposed to light having an intensity below a threshold sufficient to produce a marking-material-free region or a marking material containing region.