Image Forming Apparatus Controller for Toner Superimposition Deviation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately superimposing toner images of different colors due to deviations caused by temperature changes, external forces, eccentricities of image carriers and drive-force transmitting members, leading to blurred or uneven images.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a controller that performs image-to-image displacement control, speed-variation detection control, and phase adjustment control by forming detection images on a transfer member, detecting conditions using sensors, and adjusting image forming timing and phase relationships among image carriers to ensure precise superimposition of toner images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple image carriers are used to form full-color images, then image quality and color capability are improved, but superimposing deviation occurs due to temperature changes and external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs sensors to detect the actual positions of multiple image carriers and feeds this information back to a control unit. The control unit calculates deviation amounts and adjusts writing timings accordingly, creating a closed-loop feedback system that compensates for temperature changes and external forces, thereby maintaining accurate image superimposition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts writing timing parameters based on detected positional deviations of image carriers. By changing the timing parameters in response to environmental conditions, the system compensates for deviations caused by temperature changes and external forces, maintaining precise image alignment
2Manufacturing precision
If writing timing is adjusted to reduce superimposing deviation, then image alignment is improved, but detection precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs detection and calculation of deviation amounts before actual image formation. By detecting image carrier positions in advance and pre-calculating the required timing adjustments, the system ensures accurate alignment without requiring extremely high detection precision during the critical image formation process
3Ease of manufacture
If eccentricity of image carriers is present, then device assembly is simplified, but speed variation causes image distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses sensors to detect the actual rotational positions and speed variations of image carriers, feeding this information back to the control unit. The control unit adjusts writing timings based on detected speed variations, compensating for image distortion caused by eccentricity while maintaining simple assembly configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts writing timing parameters in real-time based on detected speed variations of image carriers. This dynamic adjustment compensates for the effects of eccentricity and speed variation, maintaining image uniformity without requiring perfectly balanced or precisely manufactured image carriers
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: image detectors to detect conditions of images, respectively, formed on a transfer member; sensors to detect rotational displacements of latent image carriers, respectively; and a controller to perform at least phase adjustment control and image-to-image displacement control before performing image forming operations on image carriers, respectively. Image-to-image displacement control includes adjusting image forming timing on the image carriers based upon conditions of a detection image (including images transferred from the image carrier) detected by the image detectors, respectively. Speed-variation detection control includes detecting a condition of a speed-variation detection image (including an image transferred from each of image carriers) via the image detectors, and determining speed variation of the image carriers, respectively, per one revolution based upon outputs of the image detectors and the sensors. Phase adjustment control includes determining phase adjustments for the image carriers, respectively, based on the corresponding speed-variations.