Double-Page Spread Printing With Balanced Fixing Passes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent image size across sheets due to shrinkage caused by heat application during the fixing process, leading to potential misalignment and reduced image quality in double-page spread products.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a control unit to manage the transfer and fixing of images on both sides of sheets such that they face each other, ensuring both sheets pass through the fixing unit an equal number of times to minimize size deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sheets are passed through the fixing unit multiple times to fix images, then image fixation is improved, but image size consistency deteriorates due to cumulative shrinkage
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit pre-determines the optimal number of fixing passes for each sheet based on image characteristics and sheet properties before actual printing. This preliminary planning ensures that each sheet undergoes the exact number of fixing operations needed to achieve proper fixation without excessive shrinkage, resolving the contradiction between reliable fixation and size consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of fixing passes for different sheets within the same product. Rather than applying a fixed number of passes to all sheets, the control unit varies the fixing operations based on individual sheet requirements, allowing each sheet to achieve optimal fixation while maintaining consistent image dimensions across the entire product.
2Reliability
If different sheets undergo different numbers of fixing passes, then individual image fixation quality is improved, but alignment between sheets deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors and tracks the number of fixing passes applied to each sheet, using this information as feedback to coordinate the binding operation. By knowing the exact fixation history of each sheet, the system can compensate for differential shrinkage during binding, ensuring that sheets with different fixation histories still align properly in the final product.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the processing parameters (number of fixing passes) for different sheets based on their specific requirements while maintaining overall product consistency. The control unit adjusts fixation parameters individually for each sheet, then coordinates binding operations to account for these parameter variations, ensuring both high fixation quality and proper alignment.
3Productivity
If images are transferred before fixing, then transfer efficiency is improved, but image size stability deteriorates due to shrinkage during subsequent fixing
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit pre-determines the number of fixing passes required for each sheet before image transfer begins. This preliminary determination allows the system to plan the complete processing sequence, ensuring that images are transferred to sheets that will undergo the appropriate number of fixing operations to achieve both efficient production and stable image dimensions.
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 reduces image size discrepancies, maintaining alignment and quality in double-page spread products by equalizing the number of fixing unit passes for each sheet, thereby enhancing the overall image consistency.
Implementation Method 1
a transfer member configured to transfer an image onto a sheet
Implementation Method 2
a fixing unit configured to fix the image on the sheet by heating the sheet
Implementation Method 3
a binding unit configured to bind a plurality of sheets
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a transfer member, a fixing unit, a binding unit, and a control unit for producing a product including a double-page spread. The control unit causes transfer of a first image onto the first surface before the first sheet passes through the fixing unit for a first time, fixing the first image on the first sheet, transfer of a second image onto the second surface before the second sheet passes through the fixing unit for a first time, fixing the second image on the second sheet, and binding of the first sheet and the second sheet by the binding unit such that the first surface and the second surface face each other.