Image Forming Apparatus Conveyance Control via Inclination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses experience uneven conveyance speed due to load fluctuations at the transfer nip, which can disrupt image formation, especially when different types of recording media pass through the nip, and existing solutions may not completely alleviate this issue.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an inclination mechanism that tilts the recording medium with respect to the conveyance direction, allowing it to enter and exit the transfer nip from a corner rather than its edges, thereby reducing load fluctuations and maintaining consistent conveyance speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the recording medium enters or leaves the transfer nip, then the transfer part conveys the image to the recording medium, but a load fluctuation occurs causing uneven conveyance speed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconveyance speedVSAvoidimage formation quality

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of recording medium presence and type before the medium reaches the transfer nip. Based on this detection, the drive current is adjusted in advance to compensate for expected load fluctuations, preventing conveyance speed unevenness before it occurs during image formation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously detects the presence and type of recording medium passing through the transfer nip, and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the drive current of the transfer part. This closed-loop control maintains consistent conveyance speed despite varying load conditions caused by different recording medium types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If the drive current is set larger to compensate for load fluctuation, then conveyance speed unevenness is reduced, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconveyance speed uniformityVSAvoiddrive current

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the drive current parameter dynamically based on detected recording medium type and load conditions. Instead of using a consistently high drive current, the system adjusts the current to the minimum necessary level for each specific condition, reducing energy consumption while maintaining conveyance speed uniformity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the recording medium does not pass through the transfer nip during image formation, then image disturbance is avoided, but the distance from image forming portion to transfer nip becomes long making the apparatus large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage formation stabilityVSAvoidapparatus size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system takes preliminary actions to prevent load fluctuations from affecting image formation. By detecting recording medium presence and adjusting drive current before the medium reaches the transfer nip during image formation, the system counteracts potential disturbances in advance, allowing the transfer nip to remain in its optimal compact position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS11106162B2Image forming apparatus and conveyance control method

Publication Date: 2021.08.31 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes: a conveyer that conveys a recording medium; a transfer part that forms a transfer nip between with the conveyer, and conveys, toward the transfer nip, an image to be transferred onto the recording medium; and an inclination part that inclines the recording medium conveyed by the conveyer with respect to a conveyance direction of the recording medium in the conveyer.