Laser Scanner Control Unit for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses experience downtime and material wastage due to temporary deviations in beam detection cycle timing caused by noise, leading to unnecessary print error processing and reduced usability.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a control unit that outputs synchronization signals based on predicted cycles when deviations occur, switching between first and second control states to maintain image forming continuity and quality, using a detection unit and rotational polygon mirror to manage scanner motor speed and laser light exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If print error processing is executed when BD cycle abnormality is detected, then image forming quality is maintained, but downtime increases and recording materials are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit predicts the BD cycle in advance using the relationship between polygon mirror rotation angle and BD cycle. When abnormality is detected, the predicted cycle is used to determine synchronization signal timing, allowing image forming to continue without interruption rather than waiting for actual BD signal recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the BD cycle and uses feedback from the polygon mirror rotation angle to adjust the synchronization signal timing. The control unit compares actual BD cycle with predicted cycle and dynamically adjusts timing to maintain image quality while avoiding unnecessary interruptions
2Reliability
If print error processing is executed when BD cycle abnormality is detected, then image forming quality is maintained, but recording material consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By predicting the BD cycle based on polygon mirror rotation angle before abnormality fully manifests, the system prepares the synchronization signal timing in advance, allowing continuous image forming on the recording material without interruption and waste
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous image forming operation by using predicted BD cycle values to keep the synchronization signal generation running without interruption, ensuring that the recording material is continuously utilized without unnecessary discharge and waste
3Measurement precision
If BD signal detection timing is strict, then synchronization precision is improved, but susceptibility to noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The polygon mirror rotation angle serves as an intermediary parameter to predict the BD cycle. Instead of directly relying on the noisy BD signal timing, the system uses the rotation angle (which is more stable) to calculate the expected BD cycle, thereby reducing noise susceptibility while maintaining synchronization precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a predicted BD cycle based on the polygon mirror rotation angle as a model or copy of the expected signal timing. This predicted timing is used as a reference to generate synchronization signals, reducing direct dependence on the noisy actual BD signal while maintaining accurate timing
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 allows for continuous image forming with reduced downtime and material consumption, maintaining image quality by predicting and adjusting to abnormal beam detection cycles, thus enhancing usability.
Implementation Method 1
a rotational polygon mirror configured to deflect light output from the light source while being rotationally driven
Implementation Method 2
a beam detection (BD) sensor that detects a main scanning synchronization signal (BD signal) in a main scanning direction that is a scanning direction of laser light
Data Source
AI summary
A control unit performs first control for outputting a second signal based on a first signal in a case where a cycle of the first signal is within a predetermined cycle, and performs second control for outputting a second signal based on a predicted cycle of the first signal in a case where the cycle of the first signal is out of the predetermined cycle.