Roller Lateral Position Reset for Sheet Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately correcting sheet displacement during the image formation process due to variations in roller diameter and conveyance path responsiveness over time, leading to increased costs per print (CPP) and potential misalignment of images.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a displacement detection section, a displacement correction section, and a control section that updates a translation control table based on actual translation amounts and command values to adjust rollers and ensure precise alignment, even as components degrade, thereby maintaining image quality and reducing CPP.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If rollers are used to convey sheets in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, then sheet conveyance is achieved, but lateral displacement of sheets occurs due to axially nonuniform roller diameter and aging degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a line sensor to detect the lateral position of conveyed sheets and feeds this information back to the control unit. Based on the detection results, the control unit adjusts the roller position to correct lateral displacement, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while preserving conveyance productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller assembly is designed to be movable in the lateral direction rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the roller position based on real-time sheet position detection, allowing the system to adapt to variations in roller diameter and aging degradation while maintaining accurate sheet conveyance.
2Manufacturing precision
If registration translation is performed to correct sheet displacement, then image alignment is improved, but translation responsiveness varies due to conveyance path and driving mechanism looseness
Solution Approach 1:
The line sensor provides continuous feedback on sheet position during the translation process. The control unit uses this feedback to adjust the roller driving in real-time, compensating for variations in conveyance path responsiveness and driving mechanism looseness, thereby ensuring consistent image alignment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the translation parameters based on detected sheet position and detected translation responsiveness. The control unit adjusts the driving command values according to the actual conveyance conditions, maintaining reliable and consistent translation across different operating states.
3Ease of operation
If translation control table is used to determine roller translation amount, then translation control is simplified, but table update is required due to component degradation over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the line sensor to continuously monitor and adjust translation control parameters. This feedback mechanism allows the control table to remain valid longer by automatically compensating for component degradation, reducing the frequency of table updates while maintaining control simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs self-adjustment by automatically updating translation parameters based on detected sheet position and translation responsiveness. This self-service capability extends the validity period of the control table without requiring manual intervention or frequent reconfiguration.
4Ease of operation
If rollers are tightly sandwiching the sheet for conveyance, then sheet handling is improved, but lateral displacement increases due to axially nonuniform roller diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The line sensor detects lateral displacement caused by axially nonuniform roller diameter and feeds this information back to the control unit. The control unit then adjusts the roller position to compensate for the displacement, allowing tight sheet handling while maintaining lateral position accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller system is designed with dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the roller position to be modified in real-time based on detected sheet position. This dynamic adjustment compensates for axial nonuniformity in roller diameter, maintaining both reliable sheet handling and precise lateral positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming section; a pair of rollers; a displacement detection section; a displacement correction section; a translation amount determination section; and a control section configured to refer to a translation control table, operate the displacement correction section in accordance with a translation command value corresponding to a detection result obtained by the displacement detection section, obtain at a predetermined timing a relationship between the translation command value and a translation amount of the sheet, and update the translation control table on the basis of the relationship. The control section updates the translation control table when a displacement of a sheet is correctable, but does not update the translation control table when a displacement of a sheet is correctable.