Photoreceptor Drum Phase Synchronization via Periodic Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in suppressing image blur and image deterioration due to ozone and humidity while trying to shorten the first copy out time, as phase adjustments are necessary to address these issues, leading to extended wait times.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a dual motor system and a transmission member that switches between states to control the rotation of photoreceptor drums, performing a phase adjusting process and slight rotations to synchronize the drums, thereby reducing image blur and deterioration without extending the first copy out time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the photoreceptor drum is stopped in the standby state after phase adjustment, then the first copy out time is shortened, but image blur caused by ozone and image deterioration due to humidity occur
Solution Approach 1:
The photoreceptor drum is rotated periodically at a low speed (e.g., 0.1 to 10 rpm) during standby state after phase adjustment. This periodic rotation prevents image blur caused by ozone and image deterioration due to humidity, while maintaining the shortened first copy out time by avoiding complete stopping of the drum.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static standby state (complete stop) to a dynamic standby state (slow rotation). By making the photoreceptor drum rotate at a controlled low speed during standby, the system maintains image quality while preserving the benefits of phase adjustment for quick color mode switching.
2Reliability
If slight rotation is performed to regulate image blur and deterioration, then image quality is improved, but phase deviation occurs due to motor load differences requiring phase adjustment again
Solution Approach 1:
Phase adjustment is performed in advance before entering the standby state. The photoreceptor drums are adjusted to the correct phase relationship, and then maintained in this adjusted state during standby through slow rotation. This preliminary phase adjustment eliminates the need for repeated phase adjustments, preventing extension of the first copy out time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors the rotation speed and phase relationship of the photoreceptor drums during standby. By providing feedback control on the rotation speed (maintaining it within 0.1 to 10 rpm) and phase alignment, the system prevents phase deviation caused by motor load differences, thus avoiding the need for repeated phase adjustments.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the transmission member is switched to non-transmitted state during monochromatic mode, then energy consumption is reduced, but phase synchronization is lost for subsequent color mode operations
Solution Approach 1:
During standby state after monochromatic mode, the transmission member is kept in the transmitted state and the photoreceptor drums are rotated at a slow speed periodically. This maintains phase synchronization while consuming minimal energy, and prepares the system for quick transition to color mode without requiring phase adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission member remains in the transmitted state during standby to maintain continuous phase synchronization between photoreceptor drums. The useful action of phase alignment is maintained continuously through slow rotation, ensuring readiness for color mode operations without energy-intensive re-adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus having a color mode and a monochromatic mode, which includes: a transmission member, which can be switched between a transmitted state where a motor transfers a drive force to a single photoreceptor drum and a non-transmitted state where the motor does not transfer the drive force to the single photoreceptor drum; and a controller which switches to the non-transmitted state while executing an image formation in the monochromatic mode, and when a command to execute a next image formation is not instructed, switches to the transmitted state after a phase adjustment of each photoreceptor drum after the image formation in the monochromatic mode, and controls the motor to execute a slight rotation operation at every prescribed period of time by synchronizing plural drums including the single photoreceptor drum with each other through the transmission member.