Image Forming System Conveyance Path Routing for Varnish Readiness
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming systems are hindered by the longer start-up time of varnish application apparatuses, which delays the initiation of image forming processes even when only image formation without varnish application is required, leading to reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a controller that manages two conveyance paths for recording materials, allowing the image forming process to proceed even when the varnish application apparatus is not in a standby state by routing materials through a bypass path, and only applies varnish once the varnish application apparatus is ready.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the image forming system waits for the varnish application apparatus to reach standby state before starting the image forming process, then the varnish application quality is ensured, but the productivity deteriorates due to extended wait time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the recording material conveyance into two separate paths: a first conveyance path for materials requiring varnish application and a second conveyance path for materials not requiring varnish application. This segmentation allows independent processing of different material types, enabling the image forming apparatus to operate without waiting for the varnish application apparatus while ensuring quality control for materials that do require varnish.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a guide member that can dynamically switch between two states to direct recording materials to different conveyance paths based on whether varnish application is required. This dynamic switching mechanism allows the system to adapt its configuration in real-time, optimizing productivity by bypassing the varnish application process for materials that don't need it while maintaining quality assurance for materials that do.
2Device complexity
If the system uses a single conveyance path for all recording materials, then the device structure remains simple, but the productivity is reduced due to the varnish application apparatus's longer start-up time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single conveyance path into two distinct paths: a first conveyance path leading to the varnish application apparatus and a second conveyance path that bypasses it. This segmentation adds minimal structural complexity while enabling significant productivity improvements by allowing parallel processing of materials with different varnish requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member acts as an intermediary component that directs recording materials to the appropriate conveyance path based on the varnish application requirement. This intermediary mechanism enables the system to achieve high productivity through path selection without requiring complex restructuring of the overall conveyance system.
3Productivity
If the varnish application apparatus is preheated and ready before image forming jobs are received, then the varnish application can proceed immediately, but the start-up time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary heating of the varnish application apparatus during the image forming apparatus's start-up period. This preliminary action ensures that when image forming jobs are received, the varnish application apparatus is already ready to process materials that require varnish, eliminating wait time and improving overall system productivity without extending the user-perceived start-up time.
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 image forming process to start quickly, reducing downtime and maintaining productivity by allowing the image forming apparatus to operate independently of the varnish application apparatus's start-up status, while ensuring varnish application occurs only when the varnish application apparatus is ready.
Implementation Method 1
time is required for heating and agitating varnish stored in a varnish storage tank to realize a viscosity suitable for application
Implementation Method 2
a varnish coater configured to apply varnish in the tank to a recording material conveyed through the first conveyance path
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus, a varnish application apparatus, and a controller. When the image forming apparatus is in a standby state and preheating of varnish in a tank by a heater is completed, if an image forming job of forming a toner image on a first recording material and applying varnish thereto by a varnish coater is received, the controller controls a guide member to guide the first recording material to a first conveyance path. When the image forming apparatus is in a standby state and preheating of varnish in the tank by the heater is not completed, if an image forming job of forming a toner image on a second recording material and not applying varnish thereto by the varnish coater is received, the controller controls the guide member to guide the second recording material to a second conveyance path.