Cooling Drum Sheet Transport for Image Reading Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently transporting and cooling sheets with formed toner images, leading to inaccuracies in image reading due to sheet curl and heat retention, which affects the quality of image data obtained.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a sheet transport path with a first and second guide surface, an image reading unit on one side, and a rotary element on the other side, allowing for precise image reading after cooling and curl correction using a cooling drum and transport belt system, enabling accurate image data capture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the sheet is transported through the sheet transport path, then the sheet can be conveyed from the sheet feed unit to the sheet discharge unit, but the sheet retains heat and curls due to the fixing process, leading to inaccurate image reading

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage reading accuracyVSAvoidsheet temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

A cooling drum is provided in the sheet transport path to cool the sheet before it reaches the image reading unit. This preliminary cooling action removes excess heat from the sheet that would otherwise cause curling and positioning errors, ensuring the sheet is at the appropriate temperature for accurate image reading by the reading unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling drum acts as an intermediary element between the fixing unit and the image reading unit. It mediates the thermal state of the sheet, absorbing excess heat and allowing the sheet to transition from a hot, curled state after fixing to a cooler, flatter state suitable for accurate optical reading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the sheet is transported immediately after fixing, then productivity is improved, but the sheet curls and bends making image reading inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet transport efficiencyVSAvoidsheet flatness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling drum provides preliminary cooling action to the sheet during its transport, preventing excessive curling and bending before the sheet reaches the image reading unit. This allows the sheet to maintain sufficient flatness for accurate reading while still enabling continuous transport and maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling drum is integrated into the sheet transport path, allowing cooling to occur continuously during sheet conveyance rather than requiring a separate cooling step. This continuous cooling action maintains sheet flatness throughout transport while preserving efficient productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If the image reading unit is positioned close to the fixing unit, then device complexity is reduced, but heat from the fixing unit interferes with image reading accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapparatus structureVSAvoidimage data accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling drum serves as an intermediary element positioned between the fixing unit and the image reading unit. It physically separates these two units while maintaining a compact overall structure, and simultaneously performs the function of cooling the sheet to eliminate thermal interference, thereby preserving image reading accuracy without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration ensures accurate image reading by dissipating heat and straightening the sheet, resulting in improved image quality and data reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling drum and a transport belt, the cooling drum coming into contact with one side of the sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

dissipating heat and straightening the sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUSRE48982E1Image forming apparatus with rotary element opposite an image reading unit

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a sheet transport path that transports a sheet on which an image has been recorded, the sheet transport path including a first guide surface and a second guide surface opposed to the first guide surface, an image reading unit disposed on the same side as the first guide surface of the sheet transport path to read the image, and a rotary element disposed on the same side as the second guide surface, the rotary element being rotatably disposed with a gap between the rotary element and the first guide surface.