Mirror Homogeneous Protection Layer for Positional Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional color image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining the accurate registration and alignment of optical components, particularly mirrors, due to changes in relative positions, which affects the precision of toner image transfer onto a sheet.
Innovation Solution
A mirror with a substrate having a reflection layer and a homogeneous protection layer across its surface areas, enhancing reflectivity and attachment strength by increasing the hydrophilic nature of the attachment surfaces, thereby improving positional stability and attachment accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the mirror is attached to the supporting unit to reduce component number and facilitate assembly, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the relative position stability between the mirror and shaping optical system deteriorates, causing registration misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the surface property parameter of the mirror's attachment surface by forming a hydrophilic protection layer, which increases the attachment strength between the mirror and supporting unit. This parameter change ensures that the mirror maintains its positional accuracy while being attached to the supporting unit, resolving the contradiction between ease of assembly and positional accuracy.
2Strength
If the hydrophilic nature of the attachment surface is increased to improve attachment strength, then strength of attachment is improved, but the complexity of the mirror structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies a protection layer made of hydrophilic material (such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or titanium oxide) onto the mirror substrate. This creates a composite structure where the protection layer provides enhanced attachment strength through its hydrophilic properties, while the underlying mirror substrate maintains its optical function. The composite material approach increases attachment strength without significantly complicating the overall mirror structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If the mirror position is fixed with high accuracy to maintain image formation precision, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of assembly and adjustment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by forming the hydrophilic protection layer on the mirror surface during the manufacturing process. This preliminary surface treatment ensures high attachment strength and positional stability when the mirror is subsequently assembled to the supporting unit. The preliminary action of surface modification allows the mirror to be easily assembled while maintaining high positioning accuracy, as the strong attachment prevents any positional drift after assembly.
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 solution ensures high-accuracy scanning and image formation by maintaining the precise alignment of optical components, preventing registration misalignment and color misalignment, and enhancing the attachment strength of the mirror to the housing.
Implementation Method 1
hydrophilic nature of the surface of the mirror on the attachment side needs to be increased to improve attachment strength of the mirror
Implementation Method 2
a reflection layer formed on the first area
Data Source
AI summary
A mirror includes a substrate, a reflection layer, and a protection layer. The substrate includes a surface having an attachment area and a reflection area. The reflection layer is formed on the reflection area. The protection layer is formed on the reflection area on which the reflection layer is formed and the attachment area. Material of the protection layer is homogeneous across the reflection area and the attachment area.