Image Forming Apparatus Dynamic Pass Mode Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face productivity declines and increased costs when using spot colors due to the need for multiple passes of toner transfer and fixation on recording materials, particularly in duplex image formation, which can lead to toner fixation failures and reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that selectively chooses between 1-pass and 2-pass image formation modes based on the type of recording material and toner amount, adjusting the number of transfer and fixation processes on each surface to optimize image quality and fixity while minimizing productivity losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If 2-pass image formation is used to maintain fixity with spot color, then image quality and fixity are improved, but productivity declines and operating time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic selection between 1-pass and 2-pass image formation modes based on real-time detection of recording material properties (basis weight, color) and toner attachment conditions. The control unit adjusts the number of passes dynamically to match actual requirements, rather than using a fixed 2-pass approach for all cases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of image formation passes from a fixed value to a variable parameter. By detecting basis weight and color information, the system adjusts the number of passes (1 or 2) according to the specific recording material and toner attachment conditions, optimizing both productivity and fixity for each case.
2Reliability
If 2-pass image formation is used for duplex printing, then fixity is maintained, but productivity and durability are worsened due to four times transfer and fixation
Solution Approach 1:
For duplex printing, the system dynamically determines the number of passes for each surface independently. The first surface may use 2-pass formation for better fixity, while the second surface uses 1-pass formation since it is less affected by the first surface's fixation, reducing total operations from 4 to 3 passes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different image formation strategies to different surfaces of the recording material. The first surface receives 2-pass treatment for optimal fixity, while the second surface receives 1-pass treatment, acknowledging that each surface has different fixation requirements and the second surface is less impacted by prior fixation.
3Manufacturing precision
If large amount of white toner is applied to prevent colored sheet color effect, then image coloring is improved, but toner fixation failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of fixation passes based on the detected basis weight and color of the recording material. For materials prone to fixation failure with high toner amounts, the system may increase the number of passes to ensure proper fixation while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit detects basis weight and color information about the recording material and uses this feedback to determine the appropriate number of image formation passes. This feedback mechanism prevents fixation failures by adjusting process parameters according to actual material properties.
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
The solution effectively maintains image quality and fixity while reducing the number of transfer and fixation processes, thereby improving productivity and durability, and minimizing costs by employing different modes for each surface based on predetermined conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a fixing unit that fixes the transferred color image and the transferred spot color image onto the recording material
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an image forming apparatus that includes a color image former that forms a color image with a plurality of process color toners, a spot color image former that forms a spot color image with a spot color toner, a transfer unit that transfers the formed color image and the formed spot color image onto a recording material, a fixing unit that fixes the transferred color image and the transferred spot color image onto the recording material, and a hardware processor that selects a first mode or a second mode depending on whether or not a type of the recording material and an amount of toner to be attached onto the recording material satisfy a predetermined condition. The number of times of image transfer and fixation onto an identical surface of the recording material is two or more predetermined times in the first mode. The number of times of image transfer and fixation onto an identical surface of the recording material is less than the predetermined times in the second mode. When images are formed on both surfaces of the recording material, the predetermined condition differs between a first surface and a second surface of the recording material.