Image Forming Apparatus Humidity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face issues with mismatched image sizes and varying paper resistance due to humidification, leading to defective images, as the existing systems cannot effectively control image formation based on whether the paper is humidified or not.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a paper humidifying section, a humidity switching mechanism, and a control system that adjusts image formation parameters such as scaling factors and electric current based on whether the paper is humidified or not, ensuring consistent image quality on both sides of the paper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the paper is humidified after the first image is transferred, then the paper curls are corrected and image transferring efficiency is improved, but the paper size changes causing mismatch between front and rear side image sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adjusting the scaling factor for the rear side image formation in advance, before the paper is humidified. The control section predicts that the paper will expand due to humidification and pre-compensates by setting a larger scaling factor for the rear side image, ensuring that the final image sizes match after the paper changes dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the scaling factor parameter based on the humidification condition. When humidification is determined to be necessary, the control section modifies the scaling factor for rear side image formation to account for the expected paper expansion, thereby maintaining image size consistency despite the physical change in paper dimensions.
2Productivity
If the transferring electric current is adjusted for non-humidified paper, then the image formation is optimized, but the paper resistance varies after humidification causing defective images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the transferring electric current adjustable based on the humidification condition. The control section switches between different current settings: one optimized for non-humidified paper and another accounting for the lower resistance of humidified paper, ensuring reliable image formation regardless of the paper's moisture state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transferring electric current parameter according to whether the paper will be humidified. When humidification is planned, the control section reduces the transferring current to compensate for the decreased paper resistance that occurs after humidification, preventing image defects while maintaining formation efficiency.
3Shape
If the paper is humidified to correct curls, then the paper flatness is improved, but the paper resistance decreases causing varying transferring efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the transferring electric current parameter based on the humidification status. When the paper is humidified to improve flatness, the control section simultaneously adjusts the transferring current downward to compensate for the reduced paper resistance, ensuring consistent transferring efficiency despite the moisture-induced resistance change.
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
The solution prevents wrong image sizes and defective images by dynamically controlling image formation processes based on paper humidification status, maintaining image quality and efficiency regardless of paper type or coverage rate.
Implementation Method 1
a resistance measuring section that measures the electrical resistance of the paper
Implementation Method 2
the image is then transferred onto a paper through the image transferring section
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming section to form a first image onto an image carrier and transfer the first image onto the paper, a paper humidifying section to humidify at least the first image transferred paper, a humidity switching section to switch to be humidified or not by the paper humidifying section, a second image forming section to form a second image onto the image carrier and transfer the second image onto the paper, a paper transport section to transport the paper from the first image forming section to the second image forming section, and a control section to control the first and second image forming sections, wherein the control section is operated to switch the image formation control at the second image forming section, depending on whether the paper is to be humidified or not.