Image Forming Apparatus High Resolution Exposure Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in achieving high precision correction of the exposure position of light emitting elements in the main scanning direction due to variations in attachment positions and thermal expansion, limiting the ability to correct image slanting and maintaining image quality.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a photosensitive member, an exposure head with light emitting elements arranged in an intersecting direction, a data generating unit for generating pixel data at a higher resolution, a correction unit for adjusting image formation positions, and a conversion unit to align pixel data with the exposure head's capabilities, allowing for precise image correction beyond the arrangement interval of the light emitting elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If simple image data shifting is used to correct slanting, then correction in sub-scanning direction is achieved, but position correction accuracy in main scanning direction cannot exceed the light emitting element arrangement interval
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the resolution parameter of image data from the original resolution (matching light emitting element interval) to a higher resolution (multiple times the original). This allows position correction to be performed with finer granularity, achieving correction accuracy beyond the physical arrangement interval of the light emitting elements. The correction amount is calculated based on this higher resolution data, enabling precise adjustment of image positions in the main scanning direction.
2Ease of manufacture
If light emitting elements are arranged at fixed intervals according to semiconductor process, then manufacturing is simplified, but position correction resolution is limited to the element arrangement interval
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a resolution dimension that is independent of the physical arrangement dimension. By generating image data at a higher resolution (multiple times the light emitting element interval), the system creates a virtual grid that is finer than the physical element spacing. This allows position correction to operate in this finer virtual dimension while the physical light emitting elements remain at their fixed semiconductor-process-determined intervals, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and correction precision.
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 solution enables image data correction at a higher resolution than the arrangement interval of light emitting elements, improving image quality by enhancing the accuracy of image formation and reducing positional deviations, thereby maintaining high-quality image output.
Implementation Method 1
an exposure head including a plurality of light emitting elements, which are arranged at different positions to each other in an intersecting direction intersecting with a rotation direction of the photosensitive member and which expose the photosensitive member
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an exposure head including light emitting elements arranged in an intersecting direction intersecting with a rotation direction of a photosensitive member to form an image at a first resolution corresponding the light emitting elements in the intersecting direction; a data generating unit configured to generate pixel data corresponding to a second resolution higher than the first resolution associating with positions of the pixel data; a correction unit configured to correct associations between the positions and the pixel data to adjust a position of an image in the intersecting direction; a conversion unit configured to convert the pixel data corresponding to the second resolution to pixel data corresponding to the first resolution; and a drive unit configured to drive the light emitting elements based on the pixel data corresponding to the first resolution.