Image Deviation Detection in Sheet Width Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with toner fouling due to image deviations in the sheet width direction, which are not adequately addressed by existing detection and cleaning methods.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a plurality of sheet detection units along the sheet width direction to determine the presence or absence of a sheet and an image in various regions, and a control unit to manage the image forming operation, preventing toner fouling by stopping the process when deviations are detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cleaning process is extended to remove toner fouling, then toner removal effectiveness is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to increased cleaning time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary detection of sheet presence in each region before the image forming operation. By using multiple sheet detection units positioned at different locations along the sheet width direction, the system determines in advance whether a sheet is properly conveyed across all regions. This preliminary action prevents image deviation and toner fouling before they occur, eliminating the need for extended cleaning processes and maintaining high productivity.
2Device complexity
If sheet detection is performed only in conveyance direction, then detection simplicity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates regarding sheet position in width direction
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the sheet width direction into multiple regions and places sheet detection units at different positions across these regions. This segmentation allows the system to detect whether a sheet is properly conveyed across the entire width by checking each region independently. The segmented detection approach provides precise measurement of sheet position in the width direction while maintaining relatively simple detection mechanisms in each segment.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus comprises a plurality of sheet detection units, provided at different positions along a sheet width direction, configured to detect the sheet conveyed on a conveyance path. A controller determines, by using the plurality of sheet detection units, a presence or absence of a sheet being conveyed in each of a plurality of regions sectioned in the sheet width direction, and determines, based on input image data, a presence or absence of an image to be formed in each of the plurality of regions. The controller further determines, based on the above determination results, whether or not the image to be formed on the sheet being conveyed is to be formed with a deviation from the sheet, and controls an image forming operation in accordance with this determination result.