Fuser Speed Control for Raised Toner Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrographic printing methods struggle to produce raised images with sufficient height and mass per unit area for tactile applications, such as Braille and thermographic prints, due to limitations in toner size and manufacturing challenges, resulting in suboptimal print quality and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The method involves slowing down the fuser process speed to allow for a longer dwell time, using a speed switching technique to ensure proper adhesion of large toner particles on various paper types, and employing multiple electrographic printing modules with larger non-pigmented toner particles to achieve desired raised image heights and mass per unit area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If larger toner particles are used to increase raised image height, then tactile feel is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to challenges in producing and handling large particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter from standard small particles to larger particles (5-50 μm diameter) to achieve the desired raised image height of 50 μm or greater. This parameter change enables tactile feel while the patent addresses manufacturing challenges through specific processes for producing and handling these larger particles.
2Reliability
If higher fusing temperatures and pressures are applied to fix raised images, then image adhesion is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies fusing temperatures of 80-150°C and pressures of 1-10 atm, which are optimized parameters that balance adequate image adhesion with reasonable energy consumption. These parameter changes enable proper fixation of raised images without requiring excessive energy input.
3Productivity
If faster printing speed is maintained, then productivity is improved, but raised image quality deteriorates due to insufficient dwell time for proper adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the fusing process parameters including temperature, pressure, and dwell time based on the specific requirements of raised image printing. This dynamic adjustment ensures proper adhesion of raised images while maintaining printing productivity through optimized process control.
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 enables the production of raised images up to 50 μm in height on a wide range of paper types with improved print quality and reduced energy and equipment costs, effectively addressing the limitations of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
a fusing system that can achieve higher fusing setpoints inevitably costs more and utilizes more energy
Implementation Method 2
an electrostatic image is formed on a dielectric member by uniformly charging the dielectric member and then discharging selected areas of the uniform charge to yield an image-wise electrostatic charge pattern
Implementation Method 3
the pigmented (or in some instances, non-pigmented) toner particles are given a charge, substantially opposite the charge pattern on the dielectric member and brought into the vicinity of the dielectric member so as to be attracted to the image-wise charge pattern
Implementation Method 4
A suitable electric field is applied to transfer the marking particles to the receiver member in the image-wise pattern to form the desired print image on the receiver or intermediate transfer member
Data Source
AI summary
Printing of information with a distinct tactile feel can be accomplished by electrographic techniques. Such electrographic printing includes electrographic printing of raised images to selected areas of a receiver member using electrographic techniques so that they are fixed according to the properties of the raised print such as according to the mass per unit area or toner height. In one embodiment, by slowing down the process speed of the fuser to allow for a longer dwell so that the large toner particles and/or toner mass needed to make raised image will properly adhere to the print media without artifacts. To keep the energy requirements and the cost of the equipment down a speed switching technique is used that slows the process speed of the fuser so that the raised image is properly fused on a wide range of paper types.