Continuous Paper Image Forming System Waste Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming systems using continuous paper often produce significant waste paper and require cumbersome manual unrolling for image inspection, especially during proof printing and continuous printing operations, leading to inefficiencies and user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system with a controller that manages the conveyance of continuous paper to reduce waste by adjusting stop positions and processes, such as the meandering stabilizing wait and fixing unit cooling processes, based on a selected waste paper reduction mode, allowing for easier image inspection and reduced paper waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the continuous paper is conveyed to the roll-up completion position after the last image passes the fixing unit, then the image can be properly fixed and processed, but a large amount of waste paper is produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by stopping the continuous paper at an intermediate position before the traditional roll-up completion position. The controller determines that the last image has passed the fixing unit and stops the paper at a position where the bottom end of the last image is at a predetermined position, rather than waiting for complete rolling up. This preliminary stopping action prevents the unnecessary conveyance of additional paper that would become waste.
2Reliability
If the meandering stabilizing wait process and fixing unit cooling process are carried out continuously, then the image quality is maintained, but waiting time occurs between images or between jobs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the meandering stabilizing wait process and fixing unit cooling process conditional rather than continuous. The controller determines whether to carry out these processes based on the current operational state and waste paper reduction mode. When the bottom end of the last image is at the predetermined position, the controller may omit or shorten these processes, dynamically adjusting them to reduce waiting time while maintaining necessary image quality.
3Reliability
If the continuous paper is conveyed for a predetermined distance after the fixing roller is pressed against the continuous paper, then the image forming process can be stabilized, but waste paper is produced and waiting time occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining the appropriate stopping point in advance. The controller monitors the position of the bottom end of the last image and stops the continuous paper at a predetermined position that ensures sufficient conveyance for stability without excessive conveyance that would create waste. This preliminary determination of the stopping position prevents both insufficient and excessive conveyance.
4Ease of operation
If the continuous paper is manually unrolled to check the formed image, then the image can be inspected, but the operation becomes troublesome to the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling automatic image inspection through the system itself. The controller stops the continuous paper at a predetermined position where the bottom end of the last image is located, making the image automatically accessible for inspection without requiring manual unrolling. The system serves itself by positioning the output in a convenient location, eliminating the need for complex manual operations to check the formed image.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming system includes a sheet conveyance unit (31), an image forming unit (32), a fixing unit (33) and a controller (34). The sheet conveyance unit conveys continuous paper (P). The image forming unit forms an image on the continuous paper. The fixing unit fixes the image formed on the continuous paper. The controller controls an image forming operation performed by the sheet conveyance unit, the image forming unit and the fixing unit. In a case where a waste paper reduction mode is selected, the controller controls the sheet conveyance unit to stop conveying the continuous paper so that a bottom end of a last image on the continuous paper be at a second stop position on an upper-stream side of a first stop position after the bottom end of the last image passes the fixing unit when ending the image forming operation.