Image Forming Apparatus Viscoelastic Developer Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in achieving high image quality when printing on special media like fabrics, as they struggle to transfer images without causing scale-like patterns and ensuring proper adhesion.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a dual-image forming system with a photoluminescent developer and a coloring developer, where the viscoelastic phase angles of both developers are optimized to satisfy a specific range, allowing for effective lamination and transfer onto special media using an iron press process, preventing scale-like patterns and enhancing print quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a photoluminescent developer and coloring developer are used together for printing on special media, then image quality and photoluminescence are improved, but scale-like patterns occur in the developer image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the viscoelastic phase angles of both the photoluminescent developer and coloring developer to specific ranges (20-40 degrees and 25-45 degrees respectively). This parameter optimization ensures that the coloring developer properly fills the gaps in the photoluminescent developer layer during the iron press process, preventing scale-like patterns while maintaining high image quality and photoluminescence effects.
2Productivity
If heat and pressure are applied to transfer the developer image to the intermediate transfer medium, then transfer efficiency is improved, but the coloring developer layer fails to fill gaps in the uneven photoluminescent developer layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the viscoelastic parameters of the developers by controlling their phase angles within specific ranges. This ensures that when heat and pressure are applied during transfer, the coloring developer maintains optimal fluidity to fill the gaps in the photoluminescent layer, achieving both high transfer efficiency and uniform image quality without scale-like patterns.
3Manufacturing precision
If the viscoelastic phase angles of the developers are optimized, then the coloring developer is held in the gaps of the photoluminescent layer, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by specifying optimal viscoelastic phase angle ranges for the developers. This approach achieves excellent adhesion where the coloring developer fills the gaps in the photoluminescent layer, preventing scale-like patterns. The parameter optimization is applied during material formulation rather than requiring complex process control equipment, thus achieving high precision without excessive process complexity.
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 improved image quality on special media by ensuring the coloring developer is held in the uneven photoluminescent layer gaps, preventing scale-like patterns and achieving better finish and photoluminescence, thus enhancing the overall print quality.
Implementation Method 1
by applying heat and pressure using a heating and pressing device
Implementation Method 2
by applying heat and pressure using a heating and pressing device
Implementation Method 3
a first image is formed on the print medium using a photoluminescent developer containing a photoluminescent pigment
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming part that forms a first image on a print medium using a photoluminescent developer containing a photoluminescent pigment; a second image forming part that forms a second image on the print medium using a coloring developer containing a coloring material; and a lamination part that laminates the first image and the second image on the print medium, wherein a viscoelastic phase angle (A) of the coloring developer and a viscoelastic phase angle (B) of the photoluminescent developer when measured at 125[° C.] using a viscoelasticity measuring device satisfy follow:21.1[°]≤(A·B)≤31.6[°].whereA means a viscoelastic phase angle of the coloring developer,B means a viscoelastic phase angle of the photoluminescent developer.