Fixing Roller Web Feed Control for Offset Toner Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in effectively collecting offset toner and wax from the fixing roller to the cleaning roller across various image forming modes, leading to potential image defects.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus equipped with a cleaning roller and a web feeder, controlled by a hardware processor, calculates the required web feed amount based on job information and feeds the web after image formation to collect adhering substances, ensuring sufficient collection regardless of the image forming mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the web feed amount is limited to the capacity during image formation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cleaning effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates the required web feed amount in advance based on job information (image area ratio, number of sheets) before image formation begins. This preliminary calculation allows the controller to determine the exact web amount needed for effective cleaning without increasing operational complexity during the actual printing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors the web feed amount and compares it with the calculated required amount based on job information. When the required feed amount exceeds the capacity during image formation, the system feeds the web after completion, creating a feedback loop that ensures adequate cleaning while maintaining simple device operation.
2Reliability
If the web is fed continuously during image formation, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs web feeding in advance based on pre-calculated requirements from job information, rather than continuously during image formation. This allows the web to be prepared and positioned before the actual printing starts, eliminating time loss while ensuring adequate cleaning coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The web feeding operation is performed periodically - before image formation when the required feed amount is calculated to be greater than capacity, and potentially after completion if needed. This periodic approach maintains cleaning effectiveness without interrupting or extending the image formation process itself.
3Reliability
If the web feed amount is increased to collect all adhering substances, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the quantity of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the web feed amount parameter dynamically based on job information such as image area ratio and number of sheets. By calculating the exact required feed amount for each specific printing job, the system avoids wasting web material on excessive feeding while ensuring adequate collection of offset toner and wax adhering substances.
Solution Approach 2:
The web feed amount is optimized for local conditions - different feeding strategies are applied based on the specific printing job characteristics (image area ratio, medium type, number of sheets). This localized optimization ensures sufficient web material is fed only when and where needed, preventing unnecessary material consumption while maintaining effective cleaning.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an image forming apparatus including: a cleaning roller; a web feeder; and a hardware processor. The cleaning roller collects an adhering substance adhering to a fixer for fixing a toner image onto a recording medium. The web feeder feeds, to the cleaning roller, a web for collecting the adhering substance adhering to the cleaning roller. The hardware processor that controls operation of the web feeder. The hardware processor: calculates, based on job information of image formation, a required feed amount of the web required for collecting the adhering substance adhering to the cleaning roller; and, when the required feed amount is greater than a feed amount of the web that can be fed during execution of image formation of a job related to the job information, feeds the web to the cleaning roller after completion of the image formation.