Toner Density Sensor Glossiness Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately measuring toner density on image carriers due to variations in surface glossiness, leading to inconsistent coverage factor calculations, as the current methods fail to properly correct for glossiness changes, resulting in varying toner density measurements despite identical endurance values.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a sensor system that includes a light emitter and photodetectors, a sensor light intensity control unit, and a density determining unit, which sets a reference control voltage to correct toner density based on a correction parameter derived from the glossiness of the image carrier, ensuring accurate toner density measurement by adjusting for surface glossiness variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical sensor uses a reflection type setup with photodetectors to measure toner density, then the measurement can exclude influence of dirt and LED fluctuation, but the measurement precision deteriorates when surface glossiness varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a control voltage parameter to the light emitter that dynamically adjusts the light intensity based on the detected surface glossiness. The density determining unit calculates a correction value based on the ratio between surface material reflection and toner reflection, then applies this correction to the toner density measurement. This transforms the fixed measurement system into an adaptive one that compensates for glossiness variations.
2Ease of operation
If the light emitter outputs fixed intensity light, then the system is simple to operate, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to surface glossiness variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the photodetector to detect the actual reflection characteristics of the surface, calculating the glossiness-based correction value, and then adjusting the light emitter's output intensity accordingly. The density determining unit continuously monitors the reflection ratio and applies real-time corrections to the toner density measurement, creating a closed-loop system that maintains accuracy despite surface variations.
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
The solution effectively corrects toner density measurements by accounting for changes in surface glossiness, providing consistent results across different glossiness levels, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of toner density determination.
Implementation Method 1
The photodetector is configured to receive reflection light from the toner pattern or the surface material of the image carrier
Implementation Method 2
The light emitter is configured to output light with which the toner pattern or a surface material of the image carrier is irradiated
Data Source
AI summary
In a sensor, a light emitter outputs light with which a toner pattern on an image carrier or a surface material of the image carrier is irradiated, and a photodetector receives reflection light from the toner pattern or the surface material. The sensor light intensity control unit provides a control voltage to the light emitter and controls light intensity thereof. The density determining unit determines a toner density on the basis of output of the photodetector. Further, the density determining unit determines a reference control voltage of the light emitter to set as a predetermined value the output of the photodetector corresponding to the reflection light from the surface material, determines a correction parameter corresponding to the reference control voltage, determines a correction amount corresponding to the correction parameter and the toner density, and corrects the toner density on the basis of the correction amount.