Image Forming System Mode-Based Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming systems face challenges in reducing power consumption, particularly when forming toner images and adhesive layers on sheets, which leads to increased energy usage in the fixing units of both the image forming apparatus and the booklet creation apparatus.

Innovation Solution

The image forming system incorporates an image forming apparatus with an image forming unit that forms toner images and adhesive layers, and a fixing unit that fixes these images and layers at a predetermined temperature. The system also includes a booklet creation apparatus that creates booklets by heating and pressing adhesive layers on overlaid sheets. The system operates in two modes: a first mode where both toner images and adhesive layers are formed, and a second mode where only adhesive layers are formed, with a lower predetermined temperature in the second mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the fixing unit heats and presses sheets at a high predetermined temperature to form both toner images and adhesive layers, then the quality of toner images and adhesive bonding is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of toner images and adhesive bondingVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the processing into two distinct modes: a first mode for forming both toner images and adhesive layers requiring high temperature, and a second mode for forming only adhesive layers allowing lower temperature. This segmentation allows the system to optimize power consumption by selecting the appropriate mode based on processing needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the predetermined temperature in the fixing unit based on the operating mode. The temperature is set higher in the first mode when toner images are formed and lower in the second mode when only adhesive layers are formed, allowing the system to adapt power consumption to actual processing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If the booklet creation apparatus heats and presses adhesive layers at high temperature to ensure strong bonding, then the bonding strength is improved, but overall system power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter in the booklet creation apparatus based on the operating mode. When operating in the second mode (adhesive layer only), the heating and pressing conditions are optimized for adhesive bonding at lower temperatures, reducing power consumption while maintaining sufficient bonding strength for the intended application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system operates in the first mode forming both toner images and adhesive layers, then complete functionality is achieved, but power consumption and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplete functionalityVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial action by providing a second mode that performs only adhesive layer formation without toner image formation. This partial functionality is sufficient for applications where sheets need to be bonded without printed images, thereby reducing processing time and power consumption while meeting the specific needs of such applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 reduces power consumption by lowering the temperature and voltage applied in the second mode, thereby improving power saving performance without compromising the quality of the booklets produced.

Implementation Method 1

a fixing unit configured to fix the toner image and the adhesive layer to the sheet at a predetermined temperature by heating and pressing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a power source configured to apply a voltage with a predetermined polarity to the rotary member in the heating and pressing of the sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

The booklet is created by heating and pressing the adhesive layers fixed to the plurality of sheets, to bond the plurality of sheets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20250135798A1Image forming system

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 CANON KK

AI summary

Disclosed is an image forming system having a first mode in which an image forming unit forms toner images and adhesive layers on sheets, and a booklet creation apparatus creates a booklet using the sheets; and a second mode in which the image forming unit forms only adhesive layers on sheets, and the booklet creation apparatus creates a booklet using the sheets. A predetermined temperature of a fixing unit that is set for heating and pressing of a sheet in the fixing unit is lower in the second mode than in the first mode.