Can-Surface Image Fixing with Selective Light Limiting

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing image fixation methods, the temperature of the content in a can increases when an image is fixed onto the surface, leading to a decrease in quality, especially when light application is not limited to a specific area.

Innovation Solution

A fixing device with a light source unit and a limiting portion that applies light to a predetermined area on the can's surface, using a blocking plate to restrict light application to this area, and optionally includes a cooling unit to manage temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If light is applied to the entire surface of the can for image fixation, then the image fixation efficiency is improved, but the temperature of the content inside the can increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage fixation efficiencyVSAvoidcontent temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies light only to specific regions where images need to be fixed rather than the entire can surface. The controlling unit selectively activates light source regions corresponding to the positions of images on the can, thereby concentrating heating energy only where needed and avoiding unnecessary heating of other areas, which prevents excessive temperature rise of the content inside the can.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The light source is divided into multiple independent light source regions that can be controlled separately. Each light source region corresponds to a specific angular range on the can surface, allowing independent control of lighting in different segments. This segmentation enables precise control of where light is applied, improving both fixation efficiency and temperature management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Temperature

If light is applied to a limited area on the can surface, then the content temperature increase is suppressed, but the image fixation coverage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent temperatureVSAvoidlight application area
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts which light source regions are activated based on the real-time position of the can and the locations of images that need fixation. As the can rotates or moves, the controlling unit updates the active light source regions to match the current image positions, ensuring continuous and complete coverage without requiring the light source to cover the entire can surface at once.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous image fixation by coordinating the rotation of the can with the activation of light source regions. As the can rotates, different light source regions are activated in sequence to cover different image positions, maintaining uninterrupted fixation action across the entire can surface over time, even though each individual light source region covers only a limited area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

The solution effectively suppresses the increase in temperature of the can's content, improving image fixation quality by limiting light exposure and using a cooling unit to manage temperature.

Implementation Method 1

a light source unit that applies light to a surface of a can accommodating a content so that an image formed on the surface is fixed by heat of the light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotothermal conversion: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4617787A1Fixing device and image forming apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP
  • EP4617787A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4617787A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4617787A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A fixing device includes a light source unit that applies light to a surface of a can accommodating a content so that an image formed on the surface is fixed by heat of the light and a limiting portion that limits an area to which the light is applied such that the light from the light source unit is applied to a predetermined area on the surface of the can and the light from the light source unit is not applied to an area other than the predetermined area.