Image Forming Apparatus Sheet Selection for Fuser Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses often use expensive or special sheets for cleaning the fusing section during jam recovery, even though these sheets are not desired for cleaning purposes, due to automatic feeding mechanisms that do not differentiate between regular and cleaning sheets.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a controlling section that determines whether a sheet in the feeding tray meets specific allowed or prohibited conditions for cleaning, such as sheet type and basis weight, and selectively feeds the appropriate sheet through the fusing section for cleaning, preventing unnecessary use of expensive or special sheets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automatic feeding mechanism is used to feed sheets for cleaning the fusing section, then cleaning operation can be performed automatically, but expensive or special sheets are unnecessarily consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the selection parameter from simple automatic feeding to conditional feeding based on sheet specifications. The controlling section determines whether to feed a sheet for cleaning by evaluating parameters such as sheet type, basis weight, and tray identification, thereby preventing consumption of expensive or special sheets while maintaining automated operation.
2Productivity
If any available sheet is used for cleaning the fusing section, then cleaning can be performed quickly, but user preference for sheet type and quality is not respected
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different selection criteria to different sheet trays or sheet types. By identifying sheets based on their specifications (type, basis weight) and tray location, the system ensures that only appropriate sheets are selected for cleaning, respecting user preferences while maintaining efficient automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The controlling section receives information about sheet specifications and tray contents, processes this information against predefined cleaning conditions, and makes intelligent decisions about which sheets to feed. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt sheet selection to user requirements while maintaining automated cleaning functionality.
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
Ensures that only designated sheets are used for cleaning the fusing section, preventing the unnecessary use of expensive or special sheets and enhancing user control over cleaning operations.
Implementation Method 1
heat-melts and fixes the transferred toner images
Implementation Method 2
using electrophotography which transfers toner images on a sheet
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: a sheet feeding tray to store a sheet; an image forming section to form an image on the sheet; a fusing section to fuse the image; a controlling section to perform cleaning of the fusing section when a sheet has been nipped in the fusing section at an occurrence of a jam by passing a sheet through the fusing section after the jam is relieved; an operating section to set an allowed condition of a sheet; and a memory section to store an allowed condition, wherein the controlling section determines whether the sheet feeding tray stores a sheet which satisfies the allowed condition, and when the sheet feeding tray stores the sheet which satisfies the allowed condition, selects the sheet feeding tray and controls the sheet feeding tray to feed the sheet and controls the fusing section to pass the sheet.