Image Forming System Temperature Control for Pressure-Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming systems for pressure-bonding prints face challenges in achieving an optimal pseudo adhesive force, resulting in either strong adhesive force that makes peeling difficult or weak adhesive force leading to natural peeling, due to temperature inconsistencies during the pressure-bonding process.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system that includes an image forming apparatus with a fixing unit and a pressure-bonding apparatus, where the recording material is folded with the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer inside, and then pressure-bonded after a controlled temperature drop, using a longer feeding path to ensure the material is cooled to an optimal range for proper bonding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the fixing temperature is lowered to achieve appropriate pseudo adhesive force, then the pseudo adhesive force becomes appropriate, but the fixing property of the toner onto the recording material deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the temperature control into two separate stages: fixing temperature and pressure-bonding temperature. The fixing unit operates at a high temperature (150-200°C) to ensure proper toner fixation, while the pressure-bonding unit operates at a lower temperature (15-80°C) to achieve appropriate pseudo adhesive force. This segmentation allows each process to have its own optimal temperature without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary cooling to the recording material between the fixing process and the pressure-bonding process. A cooling unit is introduced to reduce the temperature of the recording material from the high fixing temperature to the lower pressure-bonding temperature range before the material reaches the pressure-bonding unit. This preliminary action ensures that the temperature is appropriately reduced without affecting the already-fixed toner image.
2Strength
If the recording material temperature is excessively high during pressure-bonding, then the pseudo adhesive force becomes too strong, but the user becomes hard to peel off the recording material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the recording material between the fixing and pressure-bonding processes. By controlling the temperature to be in the range of 15-80°C during pressure-bonding, the patent achieves an optimal balance where the pseudo adhesive force is sufficient to hold the recording material together but not so strong that peeling becomes difficult. This parameter control is achieved through the cooling unit that reduces temperature from the fixing stage.
3Ease of operation
If the recording material temperature is excessively low during pressure-bonding, then the pseudo adhesive force becomes too weak, but the pressure-bonding print becomes liable to be naturally peeled off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a specific temperature range (15-80°C) for the pressure-bonding process that balances peeling ease and bonding stability. The lower limit of 15°C prevents the pseudo adhesive force from becoming too weak, while the upper limit of 80°C prevents it from becoming too strong. This controlled parameter range ensures both reliable bonding and user-friendly peeling operation.
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 system achieves a balanced pseudo adhesive force, allowing for easy peeling and maintaining toner integrity on pressure-bonding prints by controlling the temperature and basis weight of the recording material during the bonding process.
Implementation Method 1
the recording material on which the toner image is formed is heated and pressed by a fixing device, so that the toner image is fixed on the recording material
Implementation Method 2
configured to fold the recording material, on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit, in a manner such that the surface where the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is an inside of the recording material
Implementation Method 3
configured to pressure-bond the recording material folded by the folding processing portion
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus including a fixing unit, a folding processing portion, and a pressure-bonding portion. A first recording material having a first basis weight is fixed at a first temperature by the fixing unit and then is pressure-bonded by the pressure-bonding portion after a lapse of a first period. A second recording material having a second basis weight is fixed at a second temperature by the fixing unit and then is pressure-bonded by the pressure-bonding portion after a lapse of a second period. The second basis weight is larger than the first basis weight. The second temperature is higher than the first temperature. The second period is longer than the first period.