Image Quality Adjustment Timing Across Variable Print Speeds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses experience variations in image quality due to changes in toner charge and other factors, leading to differences in output image quality across different image forming speeds, particularly at slower speeds, complicating control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus and method that adjusts image quality by executing adjustment processing at a predetermined timing common to all speeds, using a simple control mechanism that includes forming detection toner images and adjusting developing bias voltage, light emission, table data, and latent image position, to maintain consistent image quality across varying speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If adjustment processing is executed based on reference sheet numbers for each image forming speed, then image quality can be maintained at different speeds, but control complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the adjustment processing into two independent segments: (1) a universal execution timing determination unit that generates timing signals based solely on elapsed time from startup, and (2) an adjustment execution unit that performs quality adjustment at those timing points. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex speed-specific reference sheet number calculations while maintaining image quality consistency across different forming speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by determining execution timing in advance based on fixed time intervals from apparatus startup. Instead of calculating adjustment timing dynamically based on sheet numbers and speeds during operation, the system pre-establishes a simple time-based scheduling mechanism that automatically triggers adjustments at appropriate intervals regardless of the current forming speed.
2Manufacturing precision
If adjustment processing frequency is increased to maintain image quality at slower speeds, then image quality variation is reduced, but processing time and control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by establishing fixed time intervals for execution timing determination from apparatus startup. Adjustment processing is performed periodically at these predetermined timing points rather than continuously or based on complex dynamic calculations. This periodic approach ensures adequate adjustment frequency even at slower speeds while avoiding unnecessary adjustments that would waste time and increase control complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If speed-specific reference sheet numbers are used for adjustment timing, then image quality can be optimized for each speed, but control mechanism becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a single execution timing determination mechanism that serves all image forming speeds. The elapsed time-based timing generation unit produces universal timing signals that are applicable regardless of whether the apparatus operates at high speed, medium speed, or low speed. This eliminates the need for separate control mechanisms for each speed, simplifying operation while maintaining image quality optimization through appropriately timed adjustments.
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 effectively suppresses variations in image quality among different image forming speeds, simplifying control and ensuring consistent output image quality without complicating the apparatus's control system.
Implementation Method 1
an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed
Implementation Method 2
a developing portion configured to use toner to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, an image formation processing portion, and an adjustment processing portion. The image forming portion includes an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and a developing portion configured to use toner to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier, and forms an image on the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying portion. The image formation processing portion executes image formation processing for forming an image on each of the sheets sequentially conveyed using the image forming portion at any of a plurality of predetermined image forming speeds. The adjustment processing portion executes adjustment processing for adjusting an image quality of an output image output by the image forming portion each time an execution timing common to the plurality of image forming speeds arrives during the execution of the image formation processing.