Light Scanning Apparatus Bias Current Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light scanning apparatuses face challenges in reducing power consumption due to bias current being supplied to inactive light emitting points, especially when using high-beam light sources like VCSELs, which can lead to increased power consumption and potential image defects like fogging.
Innovation Solution
A light scanning apparatus with a light intensity control portion that supplies a variable bias current equal to or less than the threshold current to the light source, using a bias current changing unit to adjust the bias current based on image forming conditions, and superimposes a switching current to control light emission according to image signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bias current is supplied to all light emitting points to improve light beam output response and prevent image defects, then the light emission response is improved and image quality is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the bias current supply status among light emitting points based on their usage state. Active light emitting points receive bias current to maintain good light emission response and prevent image defects, while inactive light emitting points receive reduced or zero bias current to lower power consumption. This selective approach ensures that each light emitting point receives the appropriate level of bias current according to its functional state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the bias current supply state changeable according to the operational requirements. The light emitting point selection unit dynamically determines which light emitting points are active based on image data, and the bias current supply unit adjusts the bias current accordingly. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize power consumption while maintaining image quality during actual operation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the number of light emitting points is reduced to lower power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but light beam output response deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively applying bias current to specific light emitting points that are currently active. Instead of uniformly reducing bias current to all light emitting points or reducing the number of light emitting points, the system maintains bias current supply to the subset of light emitting points that are actually used for image formation. This ensures that the light beam output response remains fast for the active points while reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the bias current supply function from being a universal supply to all light emitting points and transforms it into a selective supply mechanism. The light emitting point selection unit identifies which light emitting points need bias current based on image data, and the bias current supply unit provides bias current only to those selected points. This extraction approach maintains performance for active points while eliminating unnecessary power consumption from inactive points.
3Reliability
If bias current is supplied to inactive light emitting points, then image defects are prevented, but unnecessary power consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the bias current supply status among light emitting points based on their usage state. Active light emitting points receive bias current to maintain good light emission response and prevent image defects, while inactive light emitting points receive reduced or zero bias current to lower power consumption. This selective approach ensures that each light emitting point receives the appropriate level of bias current according to its functional state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the bias current supply function from being a universal supply to all light emitting points and transforms it into a selective supply mechanism. The light emitting point selection unit identifies which light emitting points need bias current based on image data, and the bias current supply unit provides bias current only to those selected points. This extraction approach maintains performance for active points while eliminating unnecessary power consumption from inactive points.
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 reduces power consumption by minimizing bias current to inactive light emitting points while maintaining high light beam output response, preventing image defects, and improving efficiency in high-speed image forming.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to emit a light beam
Data Source
AI summary
A light scanning apparatus, including: a light source configured to emit a light beam; a light intensity detection portion configured to detect a light intensity of the light beam; and a light intensity control portion configured to control the light intensity of the light beam based on a detection result of the light intensity detection portion, wherein the light intensity control portion supplies, in advance, to the light source, a bias current equal to or less than a threshold current at which the light source starts emitting the light beam, and supplies, to the light source, a switching current superposed on the bias current, the switching current being modulated in order to control light emission of the light source in accordance with an image signal, and wherein the light intensity control portion includes a bias current changing unit configured to change the bias current.