Image Forming Apparatus Transient Unevenness Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses often result in unnecessary downtime and cost due to premature replacement of rotary members caused by transient periodic unevenness, as they fail to distinguish between transient and permanent issues.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a density sensor, periodic unevenness detector, causal member identifier, and judgment section to assess whether periodic unevenness is transient based on detected density patterns, operational times, and environmental conditions, allowing for targeted corrective actions or postponing replacements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the service personnel call signal is output at all times in response to periodic unevenness, then the reliability of detecting abnormality is improved, but unnecessary replacement of members increases leading to cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by measuring image density multiple times before triggering a service call. It accumulates density measurements over a predetermined number of sheets and calculates standard deviations in advance to determine whether periodic unevenness is present, allowing differentiation between transient and permanent conditions before initiating replacement procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring image density and comparing measurements against threshold values. It uses the calculated standard deviation as feedback to determine whether periodic unevenness exceeds predetermined thresholds, enabling intelligent decision-making about whether service intervention is actually needed
2Manufacturing precision
If the rotary member is replaced immediately upon detecting periodic unevenness, then the image quality is improved, but the downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary diagnostics by measuring density across multiple sheets and calculating statistical parameters before triggering replacement. This preliminary action allows the system to identify transient periodic unevenness that will resolve itself, preventing unnecessary replacements and associated downtime
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically detecting and diagnosing periodic unevenness conditions. It uses built-in density sensors and processing logic to determine whether the condition is transient or permanent, allowing the apparatus to self-correct or self-diagnose without immediate service intervention, thereby reducing downtime
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a causal member identifying section, and a judgement section. The causal member identifying section identifies the causal member as a cause of the periodic unevenness based on the period of the periodic unevenness which has been detected by the periodic unevenness detector. The judgement section judges whether or not the periodic unevenness is transient based on the information of the causal member identified by the causal member identifying section, the information of at least one of a resting time in which the image forming apparatus has been left inoperative, an operating time of the causal member, and the image forming condition for image formation, and the information of a temperature and a humidity inside the image forming apparatus.