Image Forming Apparatus Fixing Device Exchange Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses require multiple exchanges of fixing devices when handling different types of recording materials, such as high-quality paper and envelopes, increasing user time and effort, and there is a demand to reduce the number of device exchanges while maintaining job order flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a control system that optimizes the order of jobs to minimize fixing device exchanges by using a general-purpose fixing device for most materials and a specialized device for envelopes, with a user interface allowing selection between job order and exchange optimization modes, and a CPU that manages the operation based on the type of recording material and available fixing devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixing devices are exchanged to handle different recording materials, then the adaptability to various media species is improved, but the number of device exchanges increases user time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the single fixing device capable of handling multiple types of recording materials through adjustable pressing force. The fixing device is designed with a pressing force adjustment mechanism that allows it to adapt to different media species (envelopes, high-quality paper, coated paper) without requiring multiple specialized devices, thereby reducing device exchange frequency while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing an adjustable pressing force mechanism in the fixing device. The pressing force can be dynamically changed based on the type of recording material being processed. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same fixing device to optimize its performance for different media species, eliminating the need for static specialized devices for each material type.
2Reliability
If fixing device exchanges are performed to optimize for each job, then the image formation quality is improved, but the number of exchanges increases operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device is designed as a universal device that can handle multiple recording material types through pressing force adjustment. This eliminates the need for multiple specialized fixing devices (one for envelopes, one for high-quality paper, etc.), thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining the ability to produce high-quality images on various media species.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressing force parameter of the fixing device based on the recording material type. By adjusting this physical parameter, the same device can optimize its performance for different media species, ensuring high image formation quality without requiring physical device exchanges or increasing operational complexity.
3Productivity
If the execution order of jobs is changed to minimize device exchanges, then the productivity is improved, but the job execution order flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Since the fixing device is universal and can handle all recording material types through pressing force adjustment, there is no need to reorder jobs based on material type to minimize device exchanges. Users can execute jobs in their original reserved order without any device exchanges, thereby maintaining both high productivity and full job execution order flexibility simultaneously.
4Ease of operation
If a single fixing device with adjustable pressing force is used, then the number of device exchanges is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a pressing force adjustment mechanism that allows the single fixing device to change its pressing force parameter based on the recording material type. This parameter change capability enables the device to handle multiple media species effectively, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices while the adjustment mechanism itself adds controlled complexity to achieve versatility.
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 reduces the number of fixing device exchanges and simplifies the operation process, allowing users to efficiently complete jobs in the reserved order while minimizing user intervention and device changes, thereby improving the apparatus's operability and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a fixing device (apparatus) is prepared and the fixing device used is exchanged
Implementation Method 2
a first elastic layer 40c and a second elastic layer 41c, respectively
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
An image forming apparatus (100) includes an image forming portion (Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd) configured to form a toner image on a recording material (P) to execute a job; a fixing portion (9) configured to fix, on the recording material, the toner image formed by the image forming portion, the fixing portion being capable of being replaced with another fixing portion depending on a content of the job; and a selecting portion (S) configured to cause an operator to select one of a plurality of modes when a plurality of jobs are successively reserved. The plurality of modes includes a first mode in which execution order is changed so as to decrease a number of times of replacement of the fixing portion and then the plurality of jobs are executed in the changed execution order and a second mode in which the plurality of jobs are executed in reserved order.