Optical Scanning Temperature Correction for Color Registration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately predicting and correcting color displacements due to thermal deformations of components, leading to impaired productivity during continuous printing, as conventional methods only consider the internal temperature of laser scanning optical units and neglect deformations caused by other components.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a correction function unit with two detection units to measure internal temperatures of optical scanning units and the apparatus body, allowing for precise prediction and correction of color displacements by calculating the combined effects of these temperatures on the scanning positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If only the internal temperature of laser scanning optical units is considered for color displacement correction, then the correction process is simple, but the accuracy of color displacement prediction is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature measurement system is segmented into multiple independent detection points: the internal temperature of the laser scanning optical unit (first temperature) and the internal temperature of the apparatus main body (second temperature). This segmentation allows each sensor to capture localized thermal effects independently, improving overall prediction accuracy without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The correction system uses parameter changes by incorporating multiple temperature parameters (first temperature from optical unit, second temperature from main body) instead of a single temperature parameter. The control unit calculates color displacement based on the combined changes of both temperature parameters, enabling more accurate prediction while maintaining manageable computational complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple temperature detection points are used to improve color displacement prediction accuracy, then prediction accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is divided into two independent temperature detection units positioned at different locations: one inside the laser scanning optical unit and another inside the apparatus main body. This segmentation allows each detector to focus on a specific thermal zone, improving measurement precision while keeping the overall system structure modular and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs multiple functions: it manages both temperature detections, calculates color displacement based on both temperature changes, and controls the image formation units. This multi-functionality consolidates the complexity into a single control unit rather than requiring separate systems for each function.
3Productivity
If color displacement correction is performed during continuous printing, then productivity is maintained, but accurate prediction becomes more difficult due to dynamic temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback by repeatedly detecting the first and second temperatures during image formation, calculating color displacement based on temperature changes from a reference state, and adjusting the drawing positions accordingly. This closed-loop feedback enables accurate correction even during dynamic continuous printing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit establishes a reference state (reference first temperature and reference second temperature) before or during image formation, and uses this reference to calculate color displacement in real-time. This preliminary establishment of baseline values enables accurate prediction during subsequent dynamic printing operations.
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 enables accurate prediction and correction of scanning position displacements, enhancing productivity by minimizing interruptions during continuous printing.
Implementation Method 1
a first detection unit that detects an internal temperature of at least one of the first optical scanning unit and the second optical scanning unit
Implementation Method 2
a second detection unit that detects an apparatus internal temperature within an apparatus main body that supports the photosensitive members, the first optical scanning unit and the second optical scanning unit
Implementation Method 3
The first optical scanning unit applies first scanning light to the photosensitive member corresponding to a first reference color while scanning the first scanning light in the main scanning direction so as to draw a first reference image
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes four photosensitive members, a first optical scanning unit, a second optical scanning unit, a first detection unit, a second detection unit and a control unit. The first optical scanning unit draws a first reference image and a first opposite image. The second optical scanning unit draws a second reference image and draws a second opposite image. The first detection unit detects the internal temperature of at least one of the first optical scanning unit and the second optical scanning unit. The second detection unit detects an apparatus internal temperature within an apparatus main body. The control unit corrects positions of the drawing of the first opposite image, the drawing of the second reference image and the drawing of the second opposite image based on the amount of change in the internal temperature and the amount of change in the apparatus internal temperature.