Toner Amount Detection Sensor Using Dual Light Receivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting toner amounts on transfer bodies, which affects color reproducibility and image quality, particularly in full-color image formation where precise toner control is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A toner amount detection sensor is designed with a light emitting element, a first light receiving element for specular reflection, and a second light receiving element for diffuse-reflected light, along with a calculation unit that determines toner amount based on the light quantities received by both elements, allowing for accurate toner amount measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single light receiving element is used to detect toner amount, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to distinguish specular reflection from diffuse reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The light receiving element is divided into two separate elements: a first light receiving element that detects specular reflection light at a specific angle, and a second light receiving element that detects diffuse reflection light from other directions. This segmentation allows independent measurement of specular and diffuse components, enabling accurate toner amount detection by comparing the ratio between them.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system transitions from a single-dimensional measurement (one light receiving element) to a multi-dimensional measurement system with two light receiving elements positioned at different spatial angles. This dimensional expansion enables differentiation between specular and diffuse reflection components, resolving the ambiguity in toner amount measurement.
2Measurement precision
If only specular reflection light is measured, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates when toner coverage is incomplete or minimal
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system segments the reflected light into specular reflection component (first light receiving element) and diffuse reflection component (second light receiving element). By measuring both components and calculating their ratio, the system maintains high measurement precision even when toner coverage is incomplete or minimal, as the diffuse reflection provides additional information about the underlying surface.
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 solution enables precise toner amount detection, improving image quality and color reproducibility by effectively measuring toner amounts on transfer bodies, even when the toner coverage is incomplete or minimal.
Implementation Method 1
The first light receiving element receives light equivalent to a specular reflection light reflected from the surface side of the transfer body
Implementation Method 2
The second light receiving element receives a diffuse-reflected light which is diffuse-reflected from the surface side of the transfer body
Data Source
AI summary
A toner amount detection sensor has a first light receiving element, a second light receiving element, and a toner amount calculation unit. The first light receiving element is provided on a side opposite to a light emitting element with respect to a plane extending in a direction perpendicular to a surface of a transfer belt. The second light receiving element is provided at a position avoiding a plane containing the light emitting element and the first light receiving element and is provided separately from the first light receiving element. The toner amount calculation unit calculates the toner amount from the light quantity of the light equivalent to the specular reflection light received by the first light receiving element and the light quantity of the diffuse-reflected light received by the second light receiving element.