Laser Scanning Calibration via Dual Sensor Time Interval Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In laser exposure-type color multifunction peripherals, temperature changes due to heat generation, especially during continuous printing, cause excessive color position shifts, leading to decreased productivity and shorter lifespan of developers and photoconductive drums, as existing control methods either result in inadequate shifts or overly frequent operations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system with a first and second light sensor, angled with respect to each other, to detect changes in scanning position and perform color position shift operations only when the detected time interval exceeds a threshold, thereby correcting shifts at optimal times and maintaining productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If color position shift operation is performed frequently to maintain printing quality, then printing output quality is improved, but productivity decreases and component lifespan decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses light sensors to detect the actual scanning position and compares it with the reference position, performing color position shift operation only when the deviation exceeds a threshold. This feedback mechanism prevents unnecessary operations while maintaining printing quality, thereby improving productivity and component lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors its own scanning position using light sensors and performs self-correction when deviations are detected, eliminating the need for manual intervention and optimizing operation timing based on actual conditions rather than fixed schedules.
2Ease of operation
If color position shift operation is performed at fixed time intervals, then operation simplicity is improved, but printing output quality deteriorates due to temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using fixed time intervals, the system continuously monitors the actual scanning position using light sensors and performs correction only when the deviation exceeds a threshold. This feedback-based approach adapts to temperature changes and other environmental factors, maintaining printing quality while avoiding unnecessary operations.
3Productivity
If color position shift operation is delayed to improve productivity, then productivity is improved, but scanning position deviation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses light sensors to continuously monitor the scanning position and triggers correction operations only when the deviation exceeds a predetermined threshold. This ensures that productivity is maximized by delaying operations until necessary, while printing quality is maintained by correcting deviations promptly when they occur.
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 effectively calibrates laser scanning systems to prevent excessive color position shifts, thereby maintaining printing output quality and extending the lifespan of components by ensuring color position shifts occur at proper intervals.
Implementation Method 1
a first light sensor arranged in the one laser scanning system at a position such that the scanning beam corrected by the lens is incident on a detection surface of the first light sensor; a second light sensor adjacent to the first light sensor and angled with respect to the first light sensor, the second light sensor being arranged such that the scanning beam corrected by the lens is also incident on a detection surface of the second light sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a lens, first and second light sensors, a change amount detector, and a controller. The lens is in one of laser scanning systems. The first light sensor is in the one of the laser scanning systems at a position such that the scanning beam is incident on a detection surface thereof. The second light sensor is adjacent to the first light sensor and angled with respect to the first light sensor. The second light sensor is arranged such that the scanning beam is also incident on a detection surface thereof. The change amount detector is configured to detect a time interval of scanning of the first and second light sensors by the scanning beam. The controller is configured to perform an operation to calibrate the laser scanning systems when the time interval is equal to or greater than a first threshold value.