Image Quality Control for Density Fluctuations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses using electrophotographic processes struggle to maintain stable image quality due to chronological changes in image forming characteristics, such as development characteristics, temperature, humidity, and page coverage rate, leading to fluctuations in image density and quality, especially during the plate making phase.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a sensor to detect the density of a patch image, an image quality control section that adjusts image forming conditions based on detection values, and a judging section that determines whether to apply a first or second compensating correction amount depending on the trend of the detection values, ensuring stable image formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional image quality control is used to stabilize image quality, then image density can be maintained under normal conditions, but image quality fluctuates when drastic chronological changes occur in image forming characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the correction amount adaptive rather than fixed. The judging section dynamically determines whether to apply a first correction amount or a second correction amount based on the detected tendency of detection values. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to respond appropriately to different change scenarios, resolving the contradiction between maintaining stability under normal conditions and adapting to drastic changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of correction amount based on the detected tendency of image forming characteristics. When a tendency is detected, the system switches from using a first correction amount to using a second correction amount, which has a larger absolute value. This parameter change enables the system to handle drastic chronological changes effectively while maintaining normal operation stability.
2Manufacturing precision
If correction is applied based on detected values, then image quality can be controlled, but correction fails to catch up when drastic environmental changes or page coverage rate changes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the tendency of detection values before making correction adjustments. The judging section analyzes the trend of image forming characteristics changes and proactively determines the appropriate correction amount. This preliminary detection and judgment mechanism allows the system to anticipate and prepare for corrections, reducing the time lag when drastic environmental changes or page coverage rate changes occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the correction strategy based on the detected tendency. When a tendency is detected, the system switches to applying a second correction amount with a larger absolute value, enabling faster response to drastic changes. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction between precise control and rapid response time.
3Reliability
If first correction amount is used for normal operation, then image quality remains stable, but insufficient correction occurs when drastic changes happen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the correction amount parameter based on the detected tendency of image forming characteristics. The judging section determines whether to apply a first correction amount or a second correction amount. When a tendency is detected indicating drastic changes, the system switches to the second correction amount which has a larger absolute value, ensuring sufficient correction while maintaining normal stability when no tendency is detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects between two correction strategies based on real-time detection. This dynamic selection allows the system to maintain image quality consistency during normal operation while providing sufficient correction capability when drastic changes occur, resolving the contradiction between reliability and correction sufficiency.
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
The apparatus effectively compensates for changes in image forming characteristics, preventing fluctuations in image quality and ensuring the stable formation of high-quality images by dynamically adjusting image forming conditions based on detected trends.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor which detects a density of a patch image which is formed on the image carrier
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus may include a sensor which detects a density of a patch image formed on an image carrier; an image quality control section which controls an image forming condition based on a detection value of the sensor; and a judging section which judges if the detection value has a tendency of increasing or decreasing, or not, wherein, the image quality control section compensates the image forming condition with a first compensating amount in case when the detection value does not have the tendency of increasing nor decreasing, and compensates the image forming condition with a second compensating amount of which absolute value is larger than an absolute value of the first compensating amount corresponding to the second compensating amount, in case when the detection value has the tendency of increasing or decreasing.