Magnetic Substance Sensor Using Resonance Frequency Shift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensors for detecting the amount or density of magnetic substance in image forming apparatuses lack sufficient sensitivity to detect slight changes, which is necessary for maintaining high-quality image formation.
Innovation Solution
A sensor configuration that includes an oscillation circuit with a resonance circuit and a differential transformer, along with an amplification portion, where the amplification factor increases as the signal frequency decreases, allowing for enhanced detection of magnetic substance changes by adjusting the resonance frequency within specific frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional sensor is used to detect magnetic substance, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision is insufficient for detecting slight changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an oscillation circuit that generates a oscillating signal whose frequency varies with the amount of magnetic substance. This dynamic approach converts static detection into dynamic frequency-based detection, enabling high-sensitivity measurement of slight changes in magnetic substance quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a resonance circuit that operates at a resonant frequency determined by the magnetic substance. By utilizing resonant oscillation, the system achieves enhanced sensitivity for detecting small changes in magnetic substance, as the resonance condition provides a sharp, measurable response to parameter changes.
Solution Approach 3:
The patent detects changes in magnetic substance by monitoring frequency changes in the oscillation signal. The resonant frequency serves as a sensitive parameter that directly reflects the amount of magnetic substance, allowing precise detection through frequency measurement rather than direct amplitude or voltage measurement.
2Measurement precision
If the sensor sensitivity is increased to detect slight changes, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional circuit components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the oscillation generation, signal detection, and frequency measurement functions into an integrated sensor system. The oscillation circuit, differential transformer, and frequency detection are merged into a single cohesive unit, achieving high sensitivity without requiring separate complex subsystems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillation circuit automatically adjusts its operating frequency based on the magnetic substance quantity through the resonance condition. The system self-regulates and self-detects without requiring external calibration or complex control mechanisms, as the resonant frequency naturally adapts to the magnetic substance state.
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 significantly increases the sensor's sensitivity to detect slight changes in magnetic substance levels, ensuring consistent toner supply and high-quality image formation in both one-component and two-component developer systems.
Implementation Method 1
an oscillation circuit 2 including a resonance circuit 7 having a coil L1
Implementation Method 2
a differential transformer 3 including the coil L1 as a primary coil and a secondary coil L2, L3
Data Source
AI summary
The sensitivity of a sensor that detects the amount or density of magnetic substance is raised. The sensor includes an oscillation circuit, a differential transformer, and an amplification circuit. The oscillation circuit includes a resonance circuit having a coil. The differential transformer includes the coil, as a primary coil, and a secondary coil, and is configured such that, as the amount or density of magnetic substance as a detection target increases, a signal output from the secondary coil increases, and as the amount or density of magnetic substance decreases, the signal decreases. The amplification circuit amplifies the signal, and has, as its frequency characteristics, a frequency band such that, as the frequency of the signal decreases, the amplification factor of the signal increases, and as the frequency of the signal increases, the amplification factor of the signal decreases. The resonance frequency of the resonance circuit falls within the frequency band.