Luminescent Toner Patch Sensor for Accurate Layer Thickness Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Toner patch sensors in image forming devices face accuracy issues due to abrasion and impact of toner particles, leading to changes in light reflectivity and direction, which affect print quality and measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A toner composition with luminescent colorants that emit light at a specific wavelength range (700 nm to 3000 nm) is used, allowing a toner patch sensor to detect emitted light and adjust operating parameters based on luminescence measurements, thereby improving toner layer coverage and print quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional toner is used with standard reflectivity measurement, then the measurement process is simple, but the accuracy deteriorates due to abrasion and impact of toner particles changing light reflectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from reflected light intensity to luminescent emission intensity. The toner particles are excited by a light source to emit luminescence, and the detector measures this emitted light. This parameter change resolves the contradiction because luminescence measurement is not affected by the surface abrasion and impact that alter reflected light properties, thereby maintaining both accuracy and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the optical reflection-based measurement system with a luminescence-based measurement system. Instead of measuring how light reflects off the toner surface (which is affected by mechanical abrasion), the system excites the toner to emit light and measures this emission. This substitution eliminates the harmful effect of mechanical wear on measurement accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If toner patch sensor measures light reflectivity, then the device structure is simple, but print quality deteriorates due to changes in light reflection direction and quantity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from reflected light to emitted luminescence. By measuring the light emitted from the toner particles themselves rather than light reflected from their surface, the system eliminates the harmful effect of abrasion-induced reflection changes, thereby improving print quality and toner layer coverage accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces luminescence as an intermediary measurement mechanism. Instead of directly measuring reflected light (which is affected by surface conditions), the system uses luminescence emission from the toner particles as an intermediary signal that is independent of surface abrasion and reflection direction changes, thus improving measurement accuracy.
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
The system enhances the accuracy of toner layer thickness and mass density measurements, leading to improved print quality by filtering out extraneous components and adjusting operating parameters effectively.
Implementation Method 1
A toner composition with luminescent colorants that emit light at a specific wavelength range (700 nm to 3000 nm) is used, allowing a toner patch sensor to detect emitted light
Implementation Method 2
The colorant is excited at a first wavelength We and emits light at a second wavelength Wr
Data Source
AI summary
A toner patch including a toner having a given excitation wavelength and a given emission wavelength may be deposited onto a control surface. Light may be provided onto the toner patch and at least a portion of emitted light may be detected from the toner patch at the given emission wavelength by a detector. Furthermore, an operating parameter may be adjusted based on the detected emitted light.