Color Erasing Apparatus Agent Detection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the use of a color erasing apparatus designed for erasable recording agents can result in offset when sheets with non-erasable recording agents are processed, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A color erasing apparatus with a conveyance path and control section that determines whether an image is formed with erasable recording agent, and if not, it avoids color erasing processing to prevent offset, using thermal heads and conveyance paths to manage sheets appropriately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the color erasing apparatus processes all sheets through the heat roller, then color erasable recording agents can be erased, but sheets with non-erasable recording agents experience offset
Solution Approach 1:
The control section performs preliminary identification of the recording agent type before the sheet reaches the heat roller. By detecting whether the recording agent is color-erasable or not, the system activates or deactivates the heat roller in advance, preventing offset from occurring in the first place
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful thermal processing action is extracted and separated from the general sheet conveyance process. The heat roller is selectively engaged only for sheets containing color-erasable recording agents, while sheets with non-erasable agents bypass the heating function entirely
2Reliability
If the heat roller temperature is increased to ensure complete color erasing, then erasing effectiveness improves, but the risk of offset and damage to non-erasable sheets increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal processing condition is made local and selective rather than universal. The heat roller applies high temperature only to specific sheets identified as containing color-erasable recording agents, while other sheets receive no thermal treatment, thus achieving effective erasing without causing harm
3Productivity
If the apparatus processes every sheet without discrimination, then productivity is maintained, but sheets with non-erasable agents are subjected to unnecessary heating
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of recording agent type at the beginning of the processing cycle, before thermal processing begins. This allows the control section to determine in advance whether heating is necessary, avoiding energy waste on sheets that don't require erasing while maintaining continuous throughput
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
Prevents offset and allows for the reuse of sheets by accurately identifying and managing the type of recording agent, ensuring proper handling and processing based on the agent's properties.
Implementation Method 1
The color of the color erasable recording agent can be erased when heated to a high temperature
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with one embodiment, a color erasing apparatus comprises a conveyance path, a color erasing section and a control section. The conveyance path conveys a sheet. The color erasing section erases the color of an image formed with color erasable recording agent serving as recording agent containing coloring agent the color of which can be erased by heating. The control section carries out a control, in a case where the image formed on the sheet is not an image formed with the color erasable recording agent, so that the sheet is not subjected to a color erasing processing by the color erasing section.