Clear Toner Layer Fixing Temperature Gradient
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses in electrophotography face issues with fixing offset, poor fixing quality, and paper jams due to adhesion of paper to the fixing member, particularly when adding clear toner for surface glossiness or watermarking exceeds the total toner quantity limit.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an image forming apparatus with a clear toner layer that has a lower fixing temperature than other toner layers, allowing for effective fixation at a lower temperature and preventing issues like fixing offset and paper jams, by adjusting the lubricating agent composition and using a two-component developer with a white binder resin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If clear toner is added to provide surface glossiness or watermarking, then image quality is improved, but total toner quantity exceeds the limit causing fixing offset and paper jams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the fixing temperature characteristics of different toner layers. The clear toner layer is formulated with a lower fixing temperature than the color toner layers, allowing each layer to be fixed under optimized conditions. This enables the clear toner to be fixed first at a lower temperature, preventing it from melting and causing fixing offset, while subsequent color toners are fixed at higher temperatures to ensure proper adhesion and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the toner fixing process into distinct stages based on layer depth. By controlling the fixing temperature to vary with toner layer depth, the clear toner on the surface is fixed at a lower temperature while color toners underneath are fixed at progressively higher temperatures. This segmentation allows the total toner quantity to exceed the conventional limit without causing fixing offset or paper jams.
2Quantity of substance
If total toner quantity is increased to exceed the limit, then surface glossiness and watermarking are enhanced, but paper adhesion to fixing member increases causing paper jams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses local quality by assigning different fixing temperature characteristics to different toner layers based on their position and function. The clear toner layer, which is most susceptible to melting and adhesion, is fixed at a lower temperature, while color toners are fixed at higher temperatures. This prevents the paper from adhering to the fixing member even when total toner quantity exceeds the conventional limit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by fixing the clear toner layer first at a lower temperature before applying and fixing the color toner layers at higher temperatures. This preliminary fixation of the clear toner prevents it from melting and adhering to the paper or fixing member during the subsequent fixation of color toners, thereby preventing paper jams even when total toner quantity is increased.
3Device complexity
If conventional fixing temperature is used for all toner layers, then process is simple, but clear toner on surface cannot be fixed properly without causing fixing offset
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by varying the fixing temperature according to the toner layer depth and type. The clear toner on the surface is fixed at a lower temperature to prevent melting and fixing offset, while color toners are fixed at higher temperatures to ensure proper adhesion. This temperature gradient is achieved through controlled heating from the fixing roller, which can apply different temperature zones to different depths of the toner stack.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the fixing process into multiple temperature zones corresponding to different toner layers. By controlling the fixing roller temperature to create a temperature gradient through the toner stack, the clear toner on the surface is fixed at a lower temperature while color toners are fixed at progressively higher temperatures, ensuring proper fixing quality without causing fixing offset.
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 enhances fixing quality and prevents paper jams by ensuring the clear toner layer can be fixed at a lower temperature than other toners, maintaining a strong fixing state even when the total toner quantity is exceeded, and accommodates different paper types by adjusting fixing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a fixing characteristic value of a toner of the top layer is a value that makes it possible to fix the toner of the top layer on the recording medium at a lower temperature than the toners of the other layers
Data Source
AI summary
In an image forming apparatus, multiple toners are superimposed, formed and layered, on a recording medium and a toner image is made. The toner that superimposed lastly on the recording medium, that is, a top layer of toner, has a toner fixing characteristic value that causes the top layer of toner to be fixed on the recording medium by lower temperature than one or all of the other multiple toners. This provides for a better fixing quality.