Transfer Belt Pattern Control for Faster Color Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses experience color shifts due to thermal expansion, leading to prolonged waiting times for printing as exposure-position correction control is initiated during printing, disrupting user workflow.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus adjusts exposure-position correction based on user-defined execution frequency settings, allowing for partial or full cycle image patterns on the transfer belt to minimize correction time without compromising accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If exposure-position correction control is performed frequently to ensure accurate color alignment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to prolonged printing waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by forming image patterns that are less than one full cycle of the transfer belt when the execution frequency is low. This reduces the correction time and waiting period while still achieving sufficient positional deviation measurement, thereby improving productivity without completely sacrificing correction accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the image pattern formation strategy based on the execution frequency setting. When execution frequency is high, full-cycle patterns are used for maximum accuracy; when low, partial patterns are used to minimize interruption. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between precision and productivity by optimizing the correction process to actual usage conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If exposure-position correction control is initiated during printing to maintain color accuracy, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to printing interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by forming only the necessary portion of the image pattern (less than one full transfer belt cycle) when execution frequency is low. This minimizes the time the correction control occupies the printing process, reducing waiting time while still gathering sufficient data for accurate exposure position correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of image pattern extent based on execution frequency. By adjusting whether to form a full-cycle or partial-cycle pattern, the system optimizes the balance between correction accuracy and time loss, allowing users to prioritize either precision or speed based on their needs.
3Productivity
If image pattern for positional deviation measurement is formed to be less than one cycle of transfer belt, then productivity is improved by reducing correction time, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately applies partial action by forming image patterns less than one full cycle when execution frequency is low. The system accepts that measurement will be based on a partial pattern rather than a complete cycle, trading some measurement precision for significantly reduced correction time and improved productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial extent parameter of the image pattern based on execution frequency settings. This parameter change allows the system to adapt between full-cycle patterns (higher precision, lower productivity) and partial-cycle patterns (lower precision, higher productivity), resolving the contradiction by making precision-productivity trade-offs explicit and user-controllable.
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 approach reduces waiting times for printing by optimizing exposure-position correction according to user preferences, ensuring accurate color alignment while minimizing interruption.
Implementation Method 1
a photosensitive drum, and an exposure device. The photosensitive drum forms an electrostatic latent image
Implementation Method 2
a developing device, The developing device develops, with toner, the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure device
Implementation Method 3
The toner image is transferred to the transfer belt
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus executes, if an execution frequency setting of positional deviation correction in setting information is equal to or larger than a reference value, the positional deviation correction by using an image pattern for positional deviation measurement that is formed to be equal to or larger than one cycle of a transfer belt. Further, the image forming apparatus executes, if the execution frequency setting of the positional deviation correction in the setting information is less than the reference value, the positional deviation correction by using an image pattern for positional deviation measurement that is formed to be smaller than one cycle of the transfer belt.