Fixing Unit Non-Fixing Mode for Image Quality Adjustment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming systems fix transferred images onto objects even during image quality adjustment, leading to significant waste and increased costs due to the high expense of materials like metal, glass, and tile.

Innovation Solution

The system incorporates a fixing unit with a non-fixing mode that allows images to be transferred onto objects without being fixed, enabling the reuse of expensive materials by maintaining the image on the object only when necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the transferred image is fixed onto the object during image quality adjustment, then the image quality can be checked, but the cost increases significantly due to disposal of expensive materials like metal, glass, and tile

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage quality checkVSAvoidwaste of expensive materials

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing unit is designed to dynamically switch between fixing and non-fixing modes based on operational requirements. The state changing unit changes the state of the fixing unit from a fixing state to a non-fixing state, allowing the system to adapt its behavior to minimize waste while maintaining image quality verification capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the fixing unit operates in fixing mode during adjustment, then image stability is ensured, but material waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage stabilityVSAvoidmaterial waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing unit transitions from a static fixing state to a dynamic state where it can switch between fixing and non-fixing modes. This dynamic operation allows the system to maintain image stability when needed while avoiding unnecessary fixing during adjustment operations, thereby reducing material waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The state changing unit modifies the operational parameters of the fixing unit by changing its state from fixing to non-fixing. This parameter change allows the system to control whether the fixing function is active, enabling optimization between image stability and material conservation based on the specific operational context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 wasteful objects by allowing for the reuse of materials used for image quality adjustment, thereby minimizing costs and environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

a fixing unit (200) that fixes the transferred image onto the object, wherein the fixing unit (200) has a non-fixing mode in which a transferred image is not fixed onto an object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4300207B1Image forming system and image forming method

Publication Date: 2025.04.16 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

An image forming system includes: a transporter that transports an object; a transfer unit that transfers an image onto the object transported by the transporter; a fixing unit that fixes, onto the object, the image transferred by the transfer unit; and a processor configured to: in a first mode, exert control to obtain the state in which the fixing unit enables an image to be fixed; and, in a second mode, exert control to obtain the state in which the fixing unit does not fix an image.