Polygon Mirror Light Source Control Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses with electrophotographic systems face difficulties in controlling light sources when the timing of laser beam quantity and emission timing differ for respective light sources, making it challenging to maintain synchronized operation modes.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a configuration with multiple light sources and a rotation polygon mirror with four reflective surfaces, where the optical paths of the light beams are arranged to be parallel to a virtual plane containing the rotating axis, allowing a single control unit to output identical operation mode signals to driver ICs for all light sources, ensuring synchronized operation modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are controlled with different emission timings to scan multiple photoconductors, then the image forming capability is improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of multiple light sources by making their optical paths parallel and synchronized, allowing a single control unit to manage all light sources simultaneously. This combining approach reduces the number of independent control systems needed while maintaining the capability to form images on multiple photoconductors.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is designed with universal functionality to output identical operation mode signals to multiple driver ICs simultaneously. This multi-functional control unit can manage all light sources with a single control mechanism, eliminating the need for separate control systems for each light source.
2Measurement precision
If separate control signals are used for each light source, then the operation precision is improved, but the signal line complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control signals into a single operation mode signal that is distributed to all driver ICs simultaneously. This merging of control signals maintains precise operation control while eliminating the need for separate signal lines for each light source.
Solution Approach 2:
The control signal is segmented and distributed to multiple driver ICs through a single output from the control unit. Each driver IC receives the same operation mode signal independently, allowing precise control of each light source without requiring complex interconnections between control units.
3Manufacturing precision
If light sources operate at different timings, then the image quality is improved, but the synchronization difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by synchronizing the operation modes of all light sources to occur at identical timings. The control unit outputs operation mode signals periodically to all driver ICs simultaneously, ensuring that all light sources operate in sync while maintaining the ability to form high-quality images on multiple photoconductors.
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 simplifies the control of light sources, reducing the complexity of signal lines and enabling efficient control of multiple laser drivers, thereby improving the synchronization and operation mode management of the image forming process.
Implementation Method 1
a rotation polygon mirror configured to have four reflective surfaces and to deflect a light beam emitted from the first light source and a light beam emitted from the second light source with the four reflective surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus that is capable of simplifying controls for light sources. A polygon mirror with four reflective surfaces deflects light beams emitted from first and second light sources. A housing in which the light sources and the polygon mirror are arranged is configured so that optical paths of the light beams toward the polygon mirror are parallel to a virtual plane containing a rotating axis of the polygon mirror, and so that the light beams are incident on adjoining reflective surfaces of the polygon mirror. First and second driver ICs drive the first and second light sources in one of operation modes. A control unit outputs the same operation mode signal to the first and second driver ICs at the same timing so that the first and second light sources operate in the same operation mode.