LED Print Head Positioning and Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in precisely positioning and stabilizing the LED print head (LPH) relative to the photoconductor drum, leading to potential vibrations that cause unevenness or streaks in electrostatic latent images and toner images due to resonance at specific frequencies.
Innovation Solution
The exposure device incorporates a positioning mechanism with a retractable mechanism and spring members to restrict movement of the LPH in the Z and Y directions, adjusting its characteristic frequency to mismatch with the resonant frequencies of the apparatus body, ensuring stable image formation by preventing resonance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the LPH is positioned close to the photoconductor drum for precise image formation, then image quality is improved, but vibrations and resonance occur causing unevenness and streaks in images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the LPH at a predetermined position using positioning members before exposure operation begins. The retractable mechanism is pre-configured to maintain this position, preventing vibration-induced deviations during operation. This ensures the LPH starts at the optimal position and remains stable throughout the exposure process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces positioning members and a retractable mechanism as intermediary components between the LPH and the apparatus body. These intermediaries absorb and restrict vibrations, acting as a buffer that isolates the LPH from harmful vibrations while maintaining precise positioning. The movement restricting members specifically target vibration frequencies that could cause image defects.
2Measurement precision
If positioning members are added to restrict LPH movement, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning function into distinct components: positioning members for initial positioning, movement restricting members for vibration control, and a retractable mechanism for maintaining position. Each segment performs a specific function, allowing the system to achieve high positioning precision through coordinated simple elements rather than a single complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the positioning mechanism retractable rather than fixed. The retractable mechanism can adjust the LPH position dynamically, allowing it to accommodate thermal expansion, wear, and other operational variations while maintaining precise positioning. This dynamic capability reduces the need for overly rigid and complex fixed positioning structures.
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 configuration effectively prevents resonance-induced image defects by adjusting the LPH's characteristic frequency, ensuring consistent and high-quality image formation by maintaining precise positioning and reducing vibrations' impact.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member (70) which restricts movement of the LPH in the Z and Y directions
Implementation Method 2
The positioning member determines a position of the LPH in the second direction relative to the image carrier by causing the LPH to abut against the image carrier in the second direction
Data Source
AI summary
An exposure device includes an exposure member, a positioning member, and a movement restricting member. The exposure member includes multiple light-emitting devices arranged along a first direction, which is an axial direction of an image carrier that rotates. The exposure member exposes the image carrier to light by emitting light in a second direction, which is a direction from the multiple light-emitting devices to the image carrier. The positioning member determines a position of the exposure member in the second direction relative to the image carrier by causing the exposure member to abut against the image carrier in the second direction. The movement restricting member is disposed on an end portion of the exposure member in the first direction and restricts movement of the exposure member relative to the positioning member.