Image Forming Cleaning Control for Margin-less Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the full surface image mode of image forming apparatuses, the need for extensive cleaning processes after each print operation leads to a significant reduction in output productivity due to the requirement of long intervals between transfer sheets to prevent toner dirt from adhering to the next sheet.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a control system that determines the existence area of the real image on the transfer sheet based on print data and sheet size, calculating a print ratio to decide whether to activate the cleaning device, thereby optimizing the cleaning process and reducing unnecessary intervals between sheets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cleaning process is conducted after each full surface print operation, then toner dirt is removed from the transfer section, but output productivity is significantly reduced due to long intervals between transfer sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter of cleaning execution from a fixed condition (always clean after full surface print) to a variable condition (clean only when print ratio exceeds threshold). The control section calculates the print ratio based on print data and transfer sheet size, and dynamically adjusts whether to execute the cleaning process, thereby optimizing both cleaning effectiveness and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of always performing the complete cleaning process after every full surface print, the invention applies partial action by selectively executing cleaning only when necessary (when print ratio > threshold). This avoids excessive cleaning operations that reduce productivity without providing additional benefit
2Reliability
If long interval is secured to next transfer sheet, then dirt does not adhere to the next sheet, but productivity is lowered due to reduced sheet transfer speed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter of interval duration from a fixed long interval to a dynamic interval based on print ratio. When print ratio is low (no cleaning needed), the interval is shortened to maximize productivity. When print ratio is high (cleaning executed), the interval is extended to ensure dirt prevention. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between reliability and productivity
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming section to form a toner image based on print data; a transfer section to transfer the toner image onto a transfer sheet; a fixing section to fix the toner image transferred onto the transfer sheet; a cleaning section for cleaning at least one of the image forming section, the transfer section and the fixing section; and a control section to determine an existence area of a real image in a print image based on the print data, to determine a size of the transfer sheet, onto which the print image is printed and to control the cleaning device based on determinations of the image determination section and the transfer sheet size determination section.