Image Forming Apparatus Adapting to Recording Medium Characteristics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent image quality across various types of recording media due to differences in surface state, thickness, and material, leading to abnormalities in image and conveyance quality.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system that includes a measuring apparatus to acquire characteristic information of the recording medium, such as specular, diffuse, and internal reflected light amounts, and thickness, which is then used by processing circuitry to calculate optimal image forming conditions for the image forming apparatus to apply, ensuring accurate image formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If various setting conditions are changed according to the type and state of a recording medium, then image quality and conveyance quality are maintained, but the complexity of determining appropriate settings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by measuring physical characteristics of the recording medium (surface state, thickness, material properties) and using these measured parameters to automatically determine optimal image forming conditions. This resolves the contradiction by transforming the complex qualitative judgment into a quantitative parameter-based automatic control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The image forming apparatus performs self-adjustment by automatically measuring recording medium characteristics and calculating appropriate forming conditions without external intervention. The system serves itself by integrating measurement and control functions, eliminating the need for manual setting determination while maintaining image quality consistency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the surface of a recording medium is irradiated with light to identify the brand or type, then the type of recording medium is determined, but additional measurement equipment and processing are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by using a single measurement system that simultaneously performs multiple tasks: identifying recording medium type, determining surface state, measuring thickness, and calculating optimal forming conditions. This universal approach consolidates multiple measurement functions into one integrated system, reducing overall device complexity while enhancing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the measurement and control functions into an integrated system where the measurement apparatus and image forming apparatus work as a unified whole. By combining these functions, the patent eliminates separate measurement equipment while achieving comprehensive recording medium characterization and automatic condition optimization.
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 system effectively adapts to different recording media characteristics, ensuring consistent and high-quality image formation by determining suitable image forming conditions based on measured data, thereby improving image and conveyance quality.
Implementation Method 1
a method is proposed in which the surface of a recording medium is irradiated with light and the amount of reflected light of the irradiated light is measured
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes processing circuitry and an image forming device. The processing circuitry is configured to acquire characteristic information of a recording medium measured, and apply a preset calculation criterion to the characteristic information to calculate an image forming condition. The image forming device is configured to form an image on the recording medium based on the image forming condition calculated by the processing circuitry.