Imaging System Polygon Mirror Turbulence Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed rotation of polygon mirrors in printing systems generates turbulent air flow, leading to significant noise and optical distortions that affect the quality of printed images due to variations in air refractivity and turbulence-induced beam deviations.
Innovation Solution
Reducing the air density within the imaging system housing by using a hermetic design with an air pump to control pressure or filling the housing with a lighter-than-air gas mixture to mitigate turbulence-related optical distortions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the polygon mirror rotates at high speed to increase printing productivity, then printing productivity is improved, but air turbulence increases causing optical distortions and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of air density by replacing atmospheric air with a lighter gas (helium or hydrogen) in the housing. This parameter change reduces air turbulence at high rotation speeds while maintaining the same printing productivity, thereby reducing optical distortions without sacrificing printing speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a controlled gas environment by sealing the housing and filling it with inert or lighter gases (helium or hydrogen). This controlled atmosphere minimizes turbulence-induced optical distortions during high-speed mirror rotation, allowing the system to maintain high printing productivity without the harmful effects of air turbulence
2Productivity
If the polygon mirror rotates at high speed to increase printing productivity, then printing productivity is improved, but noise increases due to turbulent air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the air density parameter by using lighter gases, which reduces the intensity of turbulent flow and associated noise generation at high rotation speeds. This allows high-speed operation for improved productivity while minimizing noise output
Solution Approach 2:
By creating a sealed environment with controlled gas composition (lighter gases), the system reduces noise-generating turbulence during high-speed operation, enabling high productivity without excessive noise
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a hermetic housing with air pump or gas filling is used to reduce air density, then optical distortions are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter change by modifying the gas composition inside the housing rather than changing the housing structure itself. This approach reduces optical distortions through a relatively simple method of gas replacement, avoiding major structural modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a gas (helium or hydrogen) as an intermediary medium between the polygon mirror and the external environment. This intermediary gas layer reduces turbulence and optical distortions without requiring complex structural modifications to the housing
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
Significantly reduces optical distortions and noise, ensuring higher image quality and printing productivity by minimizing the impact of air turbulence on the laser beam.
Implementation Method 1
Reducing the air density within the imaging system housing by using a hermetic design with an air pump to control pressure or filling the housing with a lighter-than-air gas mixture to mitigate turbulence-related optical distortions
Implementation Method 2
A laser imaging system emits a stationary incident laser beam onto the mirror. The mirror causes a reflected laser beam to be reflected from a facet mirror onto a target, such as a photoconductor member
Implementation Method 3
Such imaging systems typically use a rotating polygon mirror that causes a fixed laser beam to scan across a width of a charged photoconductor member
Data Source
AI summary
According to one example, there is provided an imaging system that comprises a housing, a rotatable polygon comprising multiple mirrored facets located in the housing, a laser to generate a laser beam to shine onto the polygon mirror and to reflect onto a target, and wherein, in use, the density of gas within the housing is such that turbulence-related optical distortion within the housing is not greater than a predetermined limit.