Continuous Paper Image Formation Toner Discharge Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image formation devices using continuous paper face challenges in discharging deteriorated toner without wasting paper, as existing methods require printing on side regions to facilitate toner circulation, leading to increased paper consumption.
Innovation Solution
An image formation device that determines whether the serial printing distance exceeds a threshold, controlling the printing of additional images for toner discharge only when necessary, using a hardware processor to manage toner distribution and discharge on an intermediate transfer belt, thereby minimizing paper waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional images are printed on continuous paper to discharge deteriorated toner, then toner circulation is improved, but printing distance increases and paper is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the continuous paper into multiple regions (first region, second region, third region) and selectively prints additional images only in specific regions (second and third regions) rather than across the entire paper width, thereby discharging deteriorated toner while minimizing paper consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by printing additional images only when the printing distance exceeds a predetermined threshold, and only in specific regions of the continuous paper, rather than printing across the entire paper or always printing additional images regardless of conditions
2Reliability
If band-shaped patterns are formed between adjacent images on intermediate transfer belt, then deteriorated toner is discharged, but image formation region is narrowed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from forming band-shaped patterns between adjacent images (one-dimensional approach) to printing additional images in specific regions of the continuous paper (two-dimensional approach), thereby discharging deteriorated toner without narrowing the image formation region
3Reliability
If printing is performed in side region of continuous paper, then toner circulation is promoted, but printing distance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by printing additional images only in specific regions (second and third regions) of the continuous paper rather than across the entire paper, thereby promoting toner circulation locally while minimizing the overall printing distance
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 discharges deteriorated toner without increasing the printing distance on continuous paper, reducing paper consumption and maintaining image quality by optimizing toner usage and discharge sequences.
Implementation Method 1
an image formation device employing an electrophotographic technique, such as a printer or a copying machine
Implementation Method 2
the developed toner image is transferred onto paper via an intermediate transfer belt
Data Source
AI summary
An image formation device includes: an image formation section configured to develop, using toner, an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier based on job image information, thereby transferring a first image onto continuous paper; a hardware processor configured to determine whether or not a serial printing distance is equal to or shorter than a first threshold, wherein the serial printing distance is a distance at which the first image is printed on the continuous paper, and control the image formation section to print the first image on the continuous paper when the serial printing distance is equal to or shorter than a first threshold, and to decrease the proportion of deteriorated toner in a developer by printing the first image and a second image on the continuous paper when the serial printing distance exceeds a first threshold, wherein the second image is based on an image information.