Image Forming Apparatus Dynamic Developer Positioning for Metallic Luster
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in achieving both metallic luster and color tone in printed images, as they struggle to balance the developer amount and positioning to maintain high brilliance and color reflectance while preventing decreases in metallic luster and color tone.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a first image forming section for forming a brilliant developer image and a second image forming section for forming a black developer image, with a controller that adjusts the relative position and overlap of these images based on the medium type or thickness, allowing for optimal positioning and developer distribution to enhance metallic luster and color tone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the developer amount of brilliant developer image is increased to enhance metallic luster, then the metallic luster is improved, but the color tone decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image formation process into two distinct stages: first forming a brilliant developer image with aluminum pigment for metallic luster, then forming a black developer image with carbon black for color tone. By separating these functions into different developer applications, the patent achieves both metallic luster and color tone without the trade-off that would occur if a single developer contained both pigments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different developers with specific local qualities to different regions or layers of the image. The brilliant developer with aluminum pigment is applied first to create the metallic luster base, then the black developer with carbon black is applied to specific areas to enhance color tone. This local differentiation allows each developer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
2Ease of manufacture
If the relative position of brilliant developer image and black developer image is fixed, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the printing quality decreases on different medium types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic positioning system where the relative position between the brilliant developer image and black developer image is adjusted based on medium properties. The controller determines the optimal relative position according to the medium type (roughness, thickness, material), allowing the system to adapt to different substrates and achieve consistent high-quality printing across various media while maintaining a relatively simple overall process.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming section capable of forming a brilliant developer image, a second image forming section including at least one image forming section capable of forming a black developer image, a transfer section capable of transferring the brilliant developer image and the black developer image onto a medium, and a controller that controls operation of the first image forming section and the second image forming section according to received print data. When forming a brilliant image based on the print data, the controller performs control to form the brilliant image in which relative position between the brilliant developer image and the black developer image is changed depending on a medium type.