Circulating Transfer Path for Sheet Drying in Image Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
High water content in inkjet inks causes sheet curling issues in image forming apparatuses, leading to jamming and misalignment, especially in high-speed printing where drying time is limited.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that transfers sheets along a circulating path to allow for drying time between image formation on both surfaces, using a paper feed unit, image forming unit, circulating transfer unit, and control unit to manage direct and circulation paper discharge operations, preventing sheet curling with a simple configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-speed printing is performed with aqueous ink containing large amount of water, then printing speed is improved, but sheet curling occurs leading to jamming and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by changing the position where the sheet is separated from the transfer belt before the sheet is fully transferred to the discharge section. The sheet is separated at an intermediate position rather than at the end of the transfer path, allowing the sheet to be detached while still moving through a controlled path that prevents curling, thus preventing jamming and misalignment while maintaining high-speed printing
2Loss of time
If the sheet is separated from the transfer belt immediately after image formation, then processing time is reduced, but sheet curling occurs due to insufficient drying time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the separation position to an intermediate point in the transfer path, which serves as a preliminary action that balances time and stability. By separating the sheet earlier in the transfer process rather than at the end, the sheet has sufficient time to dry and stabilize before discharge, preventing curling while avoiding excessive processing time delays
3Stability of the object's composition
If a mechanism is added to change the separation position of the sheet from the transfer belt, then sheet curling is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by utilizing the existing transfer belt and transfer mechanism to achieve multiple functions: the transfer belt not only transfers the sheet from the image forming unit to the discharge section but also serves as the means to control the separation position. By changing the separation position parameter within the existing transfer system, the patent prevents sheet curling without adding separate dedicated mechanisms, thus avoiding increased device complexity
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
Effectively prevents sheet curling and misalignment by ensuring adequate drying time during high-speed printing, maintaining printing efficiency without complex mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
the circulating transfer path is utilized for securing time taken for the sheet having an image formed on the sheet to dry
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a circulating transfer path for transferring a sheet. The image forming apparatus is capable of forming images on both surfaces of the sheet by: transferring the sheet having an image formed on a first surface thereof along the circulating transfer path; and forming another image on a second surface of the sheet after the transfer. The circulating transfer path is utilized for securing time taken for the sheet having an image formed thereon to dry.