Rotary Member Vibration Detection via Image Density Cycles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses lack effective methods to accurately monitor the state of rotary members, leading to increased vibration and potential failures, which can result in defective images and equipment breakdowns.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus equipped with an image forming unit, density detector, cyclic image detector, and state determining unit that forms a predetermined image pattern, optically detects density, and determines the state of rotary members by identifying feature images caused by vibration interference, allowing for timely replacement before component failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If rotary members are used for a long time, then productivity is maintained, but vibration increases and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of rotary member vibration before failure occurs. By continuously monitoring vibration levels and comparing them against threshold values, the system can identify deterioration trends and schedule maintenance proactively, preventing catastrophic failures while maintaining continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a feedback mechanism where vibration data from rotary members is continuously measured, processed, and used to adjust maintenance schedules. The vibration detection unit provides real-time feedback on rotary member condition, enabling dynamic maintenance planning that balances productivity with reliability.
2Reliability
If vibration monitoring is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the image forming apparatus's existing operational data and built-in sensors to monitor rotary member vibration. By leveraging data already collected during normal operation and using the apparatus's own control unit for analysis, the system achieves reliable monitoring without adding separate complex monitoring infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it controls image forming operations, processes detection data, performs vibration analysis, and generates maintenance alerts. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated monitoring hardware, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable vibration detection capabilities.
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
Accurately monitors the state of rotary members, reducing vibration-related errors and failures by detecting deteriorated components, thus preventing image defects and equipment breakdowns, and providing user warnings for proactive maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a density detector configured to optically detect a density of the image pattern in the sub scanning direction
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured to form an image pattern on a medium, a predetermined image repeatedly appearing in a first cycle in a sub scanning direction in the image pattern; a density detector configured to optically detect a density of the image pattern in the sub scanning direction; a cyclic image detector configured to detect a feature image having a second cycle corresponding to the first cycle in accordance with a result of the detection; and a state determining unit configured to determine whether a cycle depending on an outer circumference of a rotary member included in the image forming apparatus corresponds to the second cycle when the feature image is detected by the cyclic image detector, and determine that a state of the rotary member has deteriorated when the cycle depending on the outer circumference is determined to correspond to the second cycle.