Dynamic Warm-Up Control for Image-Forming Apparatus Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image-forming apparatuses face challenges in suppressing condensation-related degradation of image quality and print efficiency, particularly during double-sided printing, due to prolonged warm-up times and potential sheet jam issues, even when condensation is not present.
Innovation Solution
An image-forming apparatus equipped with sensors to measure temperature, moisture, and power supply interruption time, which determines the possibility of condensation and adjusts the preparation waiting time to prevent condensation, allowing for early cancellation of the warm-up process when conditions are met, enabling immediate single-sided printing and delayed double-sided printing to ensure optimal image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the temperature inside the image-forming apparatus is gradually raised to the set temperature during warm-up time, then condensation phenomenon is suppressed, but the warm-up time becomes longer and the period of time required before printing process becomes available is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the warm-up time adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically extends the warm-up time only when condensation is detected by the condensation determination unit, and allows early termination when single-sided printing is selected. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the warm-up duration to actual condensation conditions and printing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of warm-up time based on detected conditions. The condensation determination unit monitors temperature and humidity to detect condensation, and the control unit adjusts the warm-up time parameter accordingly - extending it when condensation is present and reducing it when single-sided printing is selected. This parameter change approach allows the system to optimize between preventing condensation and minimizing warm-up time.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a sheet is brought into a standby state for a certain period of time to be sufficiently dried in the conveying path, then condensation-related image quality degradation is reduced, but the sheet in the standby state may induce a sheet jam
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the drying requirement based on the printing mode. For single-sided printing, no drying period is needed since condensation is less problematic. For double-sided printing, a drying period is implemented. This localized approach to drying different parts of the printing process (single-sided vs. double-sided) resolves the contradiction by applying the drying measure only where it is actually needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the printing process into single-sided and double-sided printing modes with different condensation management strategies. The control unit separates the drying requirement from the general printing process and applies it selectively to double-sided printing only. This segmentation allows the system to avoid unnecessary standby periods for single-sided printing while ensuring proper drying for double-sided printing.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a long warm-up time is constantly set to prevent condensation, then image quality is maintained, but printing efficiency in terms of time is degraded for single-sided printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the warm-up time dynamic based on the selected printing mode. When single-sided printing is selected, the control unit allows early termination of the warm-up process even if the set warm-up time has not elapsed, since condensation is less problematic for single-sided printing. When double-sided printing is selected, the full warm-up time is enforced. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting warm-up duration to the actual printing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the effective warm-up time parameter based on the printing mode selection. The control unit modifies the warm-up time parameter from the originally set value to a reduced value for single-sided printing, and maintains the full value for double-sided printing. This parameter change allows the system to optimize printing efficiency for single-sided printing while maintaining image quality for double-sided printing.
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 solution effectively reduces the warm-up time, prevents condensation-related image quality degradation, and enhances print efficiency by allowing single-sided printing before the full warm-up is complete and ensuring double-sided printing occurs after sufficient drying, thereby minimizing sheet jams and maintaining high print quality.
Implementation Method 1
an apparatus temperature sensor that measures an apparatus temperature inside the image-forming apparatus
Implementation Method 2
a fusing temperature sensor that measures a fusing temperature of a fusing device
Implementation Method 3
a condensation determiner that determines whether there is a possibility of condensation occurring inside the image-forming apparatus
Implementation Method 4
a heater that raises the temperature inside the image-forming apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
An image-forming apparatus includes a condensation determiner that determines whether there is a possibility of condensation occurring inside the image-forming apparatus using condensation determination information including a measured apparatus temperature inside the apparatus, a preparation processor that performs a preparation process for executing a print function, and a preparation waiting time setter that sets a preparation waiting time indicating a period of time for performing the preparation process. When the image-forming apparatus is powered and it is determined that there is a possibility of condensation occurring inside the image-forming apparatus, a preparation waiting time is set using the condensation determination information and the preparation process is started. After counting of the preparation waiting time is started, it is determined that a periodically-measured fusing temperature reached a predetermined target temperature, and thereafter, the counted preparation waiting time elapsed, the preparation process is canceled.