Fixing Unit Reciprocation Control for Duplex Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face challenges in preventing paper edge flaws and maintaining accurate front/rear registration during double-sided image formation, as existing configurations fail to simultaneously suppress local generation of deep flaws on the fixing unit and discrepancies in image positions between the first and second surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a fixing unit with a reciprocation mechanism that moves in the width direction only when necessary, controlled by a unit to prevent paper edge flaws and ensure accurate registration, and a duplex conveyance system for reversing and re-conveying the recording material to maintain image alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fixing unit is reciprocally moved in the width direction to scatter paper edge flaws, then the local generation of deep flaws is suppressed, but the image positions on the first and second surfaces become misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing unit's reciprocation mechanism is made dynamically controllable, switching between reciprocating motion and stationary motion based on the imaging surface being processed. The control unit activates reciprocation for the first surface to prevent flaw concentration, then deactivates it for the second surface to maintain registration accuracy, making the system adaptable to different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different motion modes are applied to different surfaces: the first surface receives reciprocating motion for flaw scattering, while the second surface receives stationary motion for precise registration. This localized application of different motion qualities resolves the contradiction between durability improvement and precision maintenance.
2Manufacturing precision
If the fixing unit remains stationary during fixing, then accurate front/rear registration is maintained, but paper edge flaws concentrate at local areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the fixing unit's motion state based on the processing stage. During first surface fixing, reciprocation is activated to scatter flaws. During second surface fixing, reciprocation is deactivated to maintain registration accuracy. This dynamic switching allows both objectives to be achieved at appropriate times.
Solution Approach 2:
The reciprocation mechanism operates periodically during the first surface fixing process, then stops during the second surface fixing. This periodic action pattern allows the system to alternately achieve flaw scattering and registration precision according to the imaging stage.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a fixing unit including a first rotary member and a second rotary member, a reciprocation mechanism configured to reciprocally move the fixing unit in a width direction, a duplex conveyance unit configured to reverse a recording material of which a toner image is fixed on a first surface and reconvey the recording material to the image forming unit in a double-sided image formation in which toner images are formed and fixed on the first surface and second surfaces of the recording material, and a control unit configured to control the reciprocation mechanism not to move the fixing unit in the width direction while the fixing unit is nipping and conveying the recording material at a fixing nip portion for fixing the toner image on the first surface of the recording material in the double-sided image formation.