Application Roller Rigidity Control for Uniform Treatment Liquid Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing application apparatuses face issues with uneven treatment liquid application on cut sheets, leading to jamming and non-uniform image formation due to the sagging of the recording medium's leading end after passing through the nip, which results in uneven treatment liquid distribution and potential deflection of the application roller.

Innovation Solution

The application apparatus incorporates a configuration with a first roller for applying treatment liquid, a second roller forming a conveyance nip, a third roller with higher rigidity than the first, and a fourth roller with even higher rigidity, designed to prevent the recording medium from winding around the application roller by adjusting the curvature and nip forces, ensuring uniform treatment liquid application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the application roller has high rigidity to maintain uniform treatment liquid application, then the treatment liquid distribution becomes uniform, but the recording medium cannot adapt to the roller surface curvature causing poor contact and uneven application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment liquid application uniformityVSAvoidrecording medium adaptability to roller surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The application roller is designed with different rigidity characteristics at different locations: the main body has sufficient rigidity to maintain uniform treatment liquid application, while the surface layer has appropriate elasticity to adapt to the recording medium. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between maintaining application uniformity and adapting to the medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The application roller uses a composite structure combining a rigid core material with a softer surface layer material. This composite construction allows the roller to simultaneously provide the structural stability needed for uniform treatment liquid distribution and the surface compliance needed for good contact with the recording medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If the application roller has high elasticity to adapt to recording medium surface, then the recording medium contacts well with the roller, but the roller deflects under treatment liquid weight causing uneven application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording medium adaptability to roller surfaceVSAvoidtreatment liquid application uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If the leading end of the recording medium sags after passing through the nip, then the medium follows gravity naturally, but the treatment liquid distribution becomes uneven and jamming occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording medium conveyance smoothnessVSAvoidtreatment liquid distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid guide structure is positioned to preemptively counteract the sagging tendency of the recording medium's leading end before it can cause uneven treatment liquid distribution or jamming. By providing preliminary support and maintaining the medium in the intended posture during the critical application zone, the system prevents the harmful sagging effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Manufacturing precision

If additional rollers are added to prevent medium sagging and ensure uniform application, then the treatment liquid distribution improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment liquid application uniformityVSAvoidroller system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide rollers are designed to serve multiple functions: they provide structural support to prevent medium sagging, guide the medium through the application zone, and maintain the intended posture of the recording medium. By making these components multi-functional, the patent achieves improved application uniformity without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11130350B2Application apparatus and image forming system incorporating same

Publication Date: 2021.09.28 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An application apparatus includes a first roller configured to apply a treatment liquid to a recording medium conveyed; and a second roller disposed in contact with the first roller and forming, with the first roller, a conveyance nip in which the recording medium is nipped. The application apparatus further includes a third roller disposed in contact with the first roller at a position different from the conveyance nip, and a fourth roller disposed in contact with the second roller at a position different from the conveyance nip. The third roller has a rigidity higher than a rigidity of the first roller, and the fourth roller has rigidity higher than a rigidity of the second roller.