EPSON AcuLaser C1100 Revision B
OPERATING PRINCIPLES Control 111
Execution Sequence of TC control
1. Adjustment of SENSOR ASSY ADC
The SENSOR ASSY ADC has two LEDs, one for black and the other for color. To
read each color's patch density, the light emitted from the LED for black is
reflected directly to the Common light receiving element, and the light emitted
from the other LED for color does diffuse reflection and also received by the
element. The SENSOR ASSY ADC has a built-in solenoid which drives the
shutter of the detection window and the part for switching the optical path to the
reference plate.
2. Adjustment according to surrounding environment and deterioration of
parts
Printed image quality is adversely affected by temperature and humidity that
change daily, and deterioration of the IBT Belt, drum and other parts. For this
reason, parameters are corrected by capturing temperature/humidity data from
SENSOR HUM & TEMP and printer usage data from CRUM.
3. Creation of toner patches
The output value of HVPS, laser light intensity value, and toner supply amou nt are
determined from the parameters calculated from various information sources, and
four toner patches, one for each color, are created on the Belt surface.
4. Reading the toner patches
SENSOR ASSY ADC reads the density of the toner patches created on the Belt
surface, and compares the read values with ideal values. When there is a difference
between the read values and the ideal values, the parameters are recalculated and
toner patches are created again.When the printer judges that the toner patches
density is extremely low or high, it performs the following controls.
Admix control
When the patch density that is read by SENSOR ASSY ADC is extremely
low, the toner will be supplied into the Developer. This is called “Admix
control”.
Sweep control
When the patch density that is read by SENSOR ASSY ADC is extremely
high, toner is transferred to the drum, and is scraped off in the Drum Cleaner
to forcibly discharge toner in the Developer. This is called “Sweep control”.
5. Adjustment during a print job
Toner in the HOUSING ASSY-DEVE is consumed as print jobs are processed. To
obtain consistent image quality during printing, toner must be supplied to the
HOUSING ASSY-DEVE. The following control is performed to supply
appropriate amount of toner.
PCDC (Pixel Count Dispense Control)
The amount of toner that will be consumed is predicted from the count value
of the image data, that is input from the controller, to control the toner supply
amount to the Developer. The supply amount is controlled according to the
Toner Dispense time.
6. Adjustment after end of printing
When a total of 20 or more sheets have been printed, the image quality
adjustments in 1) to 4) are repeated after completion of printing.
Figure 2-55. Sensor ADC Mechanism