Image Forming System Dryer Timing Based On Treatment-Liquid Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming systems, the completion times of print preparation operations vary among units, leading to standby times and inefficiencies due to bottlenecks, particularly when the unit requiring the longest time to complete its preparation operation is synchronized with others, resulting in power consumption inefficiencies and potential damage to the recording medium.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system with a coater, image former, and dryer, controlled by circuitry, adjusts the start and completion timings of print preparation operations based on detected liquid and environmental conditions to synchronize the completion times of the coater and dryer, minimizing standby times and preventing excessive heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the unit requiring the longest time to complete the print preparation operation is synchronized with others, then all units can complete their preparation operations simultaneously, but power consumption increases due to unnecessary heating during standby periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the dryer's preparation operation timing flexible rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the dryer's start time based on the coater's actual completion time, allowing the system to adapt to varying preparation durations. This resolves the contradiction by enabling simultaneous completion (reducing standby time) while using heaters only when necessary (reducing power consumption).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of operation timing for the dryer based on detected conditions. By monitoring the coater's completion status and adjusting the dryer's start time accordingly, the system optimizes both time efficiency and energy consumption. The heater operation parameter is also adjusted to activate only when temperature increase is needed, not during unnecessary standby periods.
2Reliability
If the dryer starts its preparation operation too early, then it can complete preparation in time, but excessive heating may damage the recording medium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the controller monitor the coater's preparation completion status and use this information to determine when to start the dryer's preparation operation. This feedback mechanism ensures the dryer starts at the optimal moment - early enough to complete preparation but not so early as to cause excessive heating damage. The heater operation is also controlled based on actual temperature conditions.
3Productivity
If the coater and dryer operate independently without coordination, then each unit can perform its preparation operation at its own pace, but standby times are generated and system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the preparation operations of the coater and dryer into a coordinated sequence. The controller integrates both units' operation timings, using the coater's completion status to trigger the dryer's preparation. This merging eliminates idle standby periods and ensures both units are ready simultaneously for the print operation, significantly improving system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the coater complete its preparation operation first (coating and heating the treatment liquid), then using this completion as the trigger to start the dryer's preparation. This sequential preliminary action ensures the recording medium is properly prepared before drying begins, eliminating standby time while maintaining operational independence.
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 synchronization reduces overall preparation time, prevents damage to the recording medium, and optimizes power usage by matching the completion times of the coater and dryer operations within a +/- 10-second margin, enhancing user convenience and system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heater to heat the treatment liquid in the supply pan
Implementation Method 2
a detector to detect a temperature of the treatment liquid in the supply pan
Implementation Method 3
a dryer to dry the recording medium on which the image is formed
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system includes a coater, an image former, a dryer, and circuitry. The coater coats a recording medium with a treatment liquid. The coater includes a supply pan, a heater, and a detector to detect a temperature of the treatment liquid. The circuitry, before controlling the image former to start the print operation, controls the coater to start a first preparation operation at a first start timing and complete the first preparation operation at a first completion timing, controls the dryer to start a second preparation operation at a second start timing and complete the second preparation operation at a second completion timing, and changes the second start timing of the dryer according to the temperature of the treatment liquid detected by the detector of the coater to match the second completion timing of the dryer with the first completion timing of the coater.