Image Forming Apparatus Re-conveyor Cooling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the re-conveyed sheet may not be adequately cooled when the fuser temperature is high, leading to potential image quality issues due to rising ambient temperatures.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a controller that adjusts the re-conveyance time of the sheet based on the fuser temperature, conveying it in a shorter period when the fuser is at a first temperature and a longer period when it is at a second, higher temperature, to ensure adequate cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the re-conveyor conveys the sheet quickly through the process unit, then productivity is improved, but the sheet temperature remains high causing image quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the re-conveyance time variable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the re-conveyance time based on the fuser temperature, extending it when the fuser is hot and shortening it when the fuser is cool, thereby adaptively managing sheet temperature while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the time parameter of the re-conveyance process based on fuser temperature conditions. By adjusting the re-conveyance time parameter according to thermal conditions, the system optimizes both cooling effectiveness and production efficiency
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the re-conveyor conveys the sheet slowly to cool it, then image quality is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts re-conveyance time based on real-time fuser temperature measurements, extending conveyance time only when necessary (when fuser temperature exceeds thresholds) and maintaining normal speed when conditions permit, thus balancing cooling requirements with productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives feedback from temperature sensors monitoring the fuser temperature and adjusts the re-conveyance time accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the sheet is cooled adequately without unnecessarily slowing down the overall printing process
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 approach effectively cools the re-conveyed sheet, maintaining image quality by adjusting the re-conveyance time according to the fuser temperature, thereby preventing overheating and ensuring consistent printing results.
Implementation Method 1
a fuser configured to heat the sheet passed through the process unit thereby thermally fixing the toner image onto the sheet
Implementation Method 2
controlling, when the temperature of the fuser is a second temperature higher than the first temperature, the re-conveyor to convey the sheet passed through the fuser to the process unit in a second period of time, which is longer than the first period of time
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a process unit configured to form a toner image on a sheet, a fuser configured to heat the sheet passed through the process unit thereby fixing the toner image onto the sheet, a re-conveyor configured to convey the sheet passed through the fuser to the process unit, and a controller configured to perform particular duplex printing including controlling, when a temperature of the fuser is a first temperature, the re-conveyor to convey the sheet passed through the fuser to the process unit in a first period of time, and controlling, when the temperature of the fuser is a second temperature higher than the first temperature, the re-conveyor to convey the sheet passed through the fuser to the process unit in a second period of time longer than the first period of time.