Optical Scanner Laser Life Mitigation During Standby
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in extending the life of laser light sources during standby periods, as continuous laser emission during long standby times reduces their lifespan and causes noise issues, while conventional noise-reducing methods compromise laser source longevity.
Innovation Solution
An optical scanner system with a control unit that switches between high definition and light source life mitigation modes, where the light source output is reduced and the rotational speed of the polygon mirror is maintained during standby, with cyclic light emission and lower emission quantities, allowing for extended laser source life without increased noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If laser emission is continued during standby to maintain polygon mirror rotation, then rotational accuracy is maintained, but the life of the laser light source is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic laser emission during standby by controlling the light source to emit only at specific intervals corresponding to when the polygon mirror reflects light toward the SOS sensor. This periodic action maintains sufficient rotation detection accuracy while significantly reducing the total operating time of the laser source, thereby extending its lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the emission parameters of the laser source during standby mode by reducing the emission quantity and duration. The control unit adjusts the light source output to emit only when necessary for SOS signal detection, transforming the continuous emission parameter into an intermittent one that balances rotational accuracy with laser life extension.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If laser emission is reduced during standby to extend laser source life, then the life of the laser light source is prolonged, but noise increases due to rotation during standby
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing periodic laser emission only when the polygon mirror is in the correct position to reflect light to the SOS sensor, the system maintains rotation detection capability without continuous laser operation. This reduces thermal noise and mechanical stress while extending laser life.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the light source output is reduced during standby, then the life of the laser light source is extended, but the detection accuracy of the SOS signal may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the light source output parameter based on the operational mode. During standby, the output is reduced to extend laser life, but the control timing is precisely synchronized with the polygon mirror rotation to ensure sufficient light reaches the SOS sensor at the critical detection moment, maintaining detection accuracy despite reduced overall output.
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 effectively prolongs the life of laser light sources during standby by reducing light emission periods and quantities, while maintaining rotational accuracy and minimizing noise, thus addressing both longevity and noise concerns.
Implementation Method 1
a laser beam modulated with an image signal is reflected at a rotating polygon reflecting mirror (polygon mirror), whereby the electrified surface of a photoreceptor is scanned with the laser beam
Implementation Method 2
a light receiving sensor (=SOS (Start of Scan) sensor) is provided at a predetermined position before the position of starting laser scanning of a photoreceptor, and a forcibly emitted laser beam is detected by the SOS sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An optical scanner includes a light source; a rotating polygon mirror that reflects and deflects the light beam output from the light source; a drive unit that rotationally drives the rotating polygon mirror; a beam detection unit that detects the light beam; and a control unit that controls the light source and the drive unit. The control unit can control the drive unit with a detection result of the beam detection unit, and adjust a rotational speed of the rotating polygon mirror. The control unit has a high definition mode in which the rotational speed of the rotating polygon mirror is controlled with high accuracy at the time of normal light beam irradiation, and a light source life mitigation mode in which light beam irradiation is performed by controlling the output of the light source with keeping rotation of the rotating polygon mirror during standby.