Image Forming Apparatus Discharge Interval Control for Sheet Sticking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the discharged sheet sticking phenomenon occurs when recording materials are not sufficiently cooled, leading to image defects due to melted toner, especially during double-side printing, where sheets stack improperly on the discharge tray.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus controls the discharge interval by setting different discharge interval values based on printing types (one-side or double-side) and print ratios, ensuring adequate cooling time for sheets and toner, thereby preventing sheet sticking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the recording material and toner are cooled by lowering productivity, then the discharged sheet sticking phenomenon is suppressed, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the discharge interval adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically sets the discharge interval based on printing conditions (double-side printing detection, print ratio calculations) to optimize between preventing sheet sticking and maintaining productivity. This allows the system to adapt the cooling time requirement to actual operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of discharge interval based on printing conditions. By calculating print ratios and detecting double-side printing modes, the system adjusts the discharge interval parameter dynamically - extending it when sticking risk is high and reducing it when productivity can be maintained, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
2Productivity
If double-side printing is performed with continuous discharge, then productivity is maintained, but sheets stick together due to insufficient cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the discharge interval during double-side printing operations based on real-time detection of printing conditions and calculated print ratios. This allows continuous operation while adaptively managing cooling intervals to prevent sheet sticking.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit implements feedback by continuously monitoring printing conditions, calculating print ratios from image data, and adjusting the discharge interval accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that productivity is maintained while reliability is protected through condition-based interval adjustment.
3Reliability
If the discharge interval is extended to cool sheets, then sheet sticking is prevented, but the cooling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge interval parameter is changed dynamically based on printing conditions rather than using a fixed extended interval. By calculating print ratios and assessing actual thermal conditions, the system sets the minimum necessary cooling time, preventing both sheet sticking and unnecessary time loss.
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 control method effectively suppresses the discharged sheet sticking phenomenon while maintaining or improving productivity by optimizing discharge intervals according to printing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
heating and fixing the toner image on the recording material by a fixing device... depending on a melting point of toner
Implementation Method 2
the recording material discharged on the discharge tray and the toner on the recording material are not sufficiently cooled... when the recording material and the toner on the recording material are not sufficiently cooled, the superposed recording materials stick to each other
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a stacking unit, a feeding unit, an image forming unit, a discharge stacking unit, a detecting unit, a double-side feeding passage, and a controller. In a case that subsequent to a current recording material, a subsequent recording material is discharged, the controller determines a feeding timing of the subsequent recording material depending on a discharge interval time from discharge of the current recording material on the discharge stacking unit to discharge of the subsequent recording material on the discharge stacking unit, and determines the discharge interval time on the basis of print information of at least the subsequent recording material.