Image Forming Apparatus Dew Condensation Job Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, dew condensation can negatively affect image formation, and existing solutions like environmental heaters are costly and restrictive, particularly for small-size devices, limiting output speed while prioritizing print quality.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a dew condensation prevention mode that allows users to select job restrictions during elimination operations, enabling continued operation of non-fax jobs while fax jobs are paused, and utilizing a fan for dew elimination, reducing waiting time and ensuring data integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dew condensation elimination operation is executed by heating fixing heater or driving fan, then dew condensation is eliminated, but image forming operation must be restricted and output speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments image forming jobs into different types (fax jobs and non-fax jobs) and applies different restriction policies to each segment. During dew condensation elimination, non-fax jobs can proceed while fax jobs are restricted, allowing the system to maintain partial productivity while ensuring reliability for critical jobs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality standards and operation restrictions to different job types locally. Fax jobs receive stricter restrictions to ensure data integrity, while non-fax jobs can proceed with standard quality requirements, allowing differentiated handling based on job characteristics.
2Reliability
If environmental heater is used to suppress dew condensation, then dew condensation is prevented, but cost increases particularly for small-size image forming apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing components (fan, fixing heater) already present in the image forming apparatus to perform dew condensation elimination, rather than adding a dedicated environmental heater. The fan and fixing heater serve dual purposes: normal operation and dew condensation elimination, making the solution cost-effective for small-size devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan and fixing heater are designed to serve multiple functions: they are used for normal image forming operations and also for dew condensation elimination. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components, reducing overall system cost while maintaining effectiveness.
3Manufacturing precision
If all image forming operations are restricted during dew condensation elimination, then print quality is ensured, but user waiting time increases particularly for users prioritizing output speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments image forming jobs into fax jobs and non-fax jobs, applying different restriction policies to each segment. Non-fax jobs can proceed during dew condensation elimination while fax jobs are restricted, allowing users to maintain productivity for non-critical jobs while ensuring quality for critical fax jobs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operation restrictions based on job type and user needs. The control unit determines whether to restrict operations based on the specific job characteristics and user instructions, allowing flexible adaptation between quality prioritization and speed prioritization rather than static all-or-nothing restrictions.
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 solution allows for reduced waiting times and improved usability by enabling non-fax jobs to proceed during dew condensation elimination, while ensuring fax jobs are safely stored for later execution, thus balancing output speed and quality.
Implementation Method 1
driving a fan
Implementation Method 2
heating a fixing heater
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, an execution unit that executes dew condensation elimination operation for eliminating dew condensation in the image forming unit, a setting unit that sets a dew condensation prevention mode for executing the dew condensation elimination operation to an enabled state, a display unit, and a control unit that causes the display unit to display a warning screen and selects a type of image forming job to be restricted during execution of the dew condensation elimination operation in a case where the dew condensation prevention mode is set to an enabled state, wherein, in a case where an image forming job is received during execution of the dew condensation elimination operation, the control unit determines whether the received image forming job is executable based on the type of job selected.