LED Array Density Correction via Total Difference Minimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face density unevenness issues due to low resolution of light quantity correction data, which is costly to improve.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a light source comprising a plurality of light emitting elements aligned in the main-scanning direction, a convergent lens array for imaging light on a photosensitive member, and a controller that adjusts each light emitting element's light quantity to minimize total difference from a target value, thereby reducing density unevenness without increasing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the resolution of light quantity correction data is improved, then density unevenness is minimized, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter of light quantity adjustment from high-resolution individual correction to low-resolution total difference correction. By adjusting light emitting elements such that the sum of absolute differences from target values is minimized, the system achieves acceptable density uniformity without requiring high-resolution correction data, thus reducing cost.
2Device complexity
If individual light quantity correction is performed with low resolution data, then cost is reduced, but density unevenness remains apparent
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a feedback mechanism where the controller measures the actual light quantity emitted by each light emitting element and adjusts it based on the difference from the target value. By using feedback to minimize the total difference, the system achieves better density uniformity than conventional methods without requiring high-resolution correction data.
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 minimizes density unevenness in formed images without enhancing the resolution of light quantity correction data, maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a convergent lens array for imaging light emitted from the light emitting elements on a photosensitive member
Data Source
AI summary
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus having an LED array with a plurality of light emitting elements aligned in a main-scanning direction and a convergent lens array for imaging light emitted from the light emitting elements on a photosensitive member. In order to correct density unevenness caused by positioning errors of the lens array, the light quantity emitted from each of the light emitting elements is adjusted such that the total difference from a target value will be closer to zero.