Image Post-Processing Device for Smoothing Granular Wax
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming systems face challenges in reducing the visibility of wax on the surface of media due to the formation of granular masses, which cause light scattering and visualization issues.
Innovation Solution
A post-processing device with a first rubbing section that rubs the medium surface opposite to the transport direction and a second rubbing section that rubs in the same direction as the transport direction, smoothing the wax into a thin film to minimize light scattering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wax is contained in toner for fixing, then fixing performance is improved, but wax forms granular masses on medium surface causing light scattering and visualization issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful wax component from the fixed image surface using a blade or rubber blade to remove visible granular masses while preserving the fixed image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of wax by heating it above melting point to transform from solid granular form to liquid state, enabling smooth removal from the medium surface
2Object-generated harmful factors
If blade is used to remove wax, then wax removal effectiveness is improved, but medium surface may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent heats the medium surface above the melting point of wax, changing the physical state of wax from solid to liquid, which allows the blade or rubber blade to remove wax smoothly without mechanical damage to the medium surface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses rubber blade as an intermediary material between the blade and medium surface, where rubber provides both sufficient cutting ability for wax removal and gentleness to protect the medium surface from damage
3Ease of manufacture
If heating is applied to melt wax, then wax removal ease is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies heating in advance before the wax removal process to pre-melt the wax, which significantly reduces the energy and effort required for subsequent removal operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase change of wax from solid to liquid through heating, which fundamentally changes the removal mechanism from mechanical grinding to smooth liquid removal, reducing energy consumption
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 effectively reduces the visibility of wax on the medium surface by transforming granular masses into a smooth film, minimizing light scattering and improving the appearance of the media.
Implementation Method 1
a first rubbing section that is located upstream of any one of the transport sections in a transport direction of the medium and that rubs a surface of the medium in a direction opposite to the transport direction of the medium
Implementation Method 2
a second rubbing section that is located downstream of any one of the transport sections in the transport direction of the medium and that rubs the surface of the medium in a direction identical to the transport direction of the medium at a velocity higher than the transport velocity
Implementation Method 3
one or a plurality of transport sections that transport a medium holding an image formed using an imaging material containing wax and having passed through a fixing section that performs heating and pressurization to fix the image on the medium, at a predetermined transport velocity by nipping the medium
Implementation Method 4
a fixing section that performs heating and pressurization to fix the image on the medium
Data Source
AI summary
A post-processing device includes one or plural transport sections that transport a medium holding an image formed using an imaging material containing wax and having passed through a fixing section that performs heating and pressurization to fix the image on the medium, at a predetermined transport velocity by nipping the medium; a first rubbing section that is located upstream of any one of the transport sections in a transport direction of the medium and that rubs a surface of the medium in a direction opposite to the transport direction of the medium at a velocity different from the transport velocity; and a second rubbing section that is located downstream of any one of the transport sections in the transport direction of the medium and that rubs the surface of the medium in a direction identical to the transport direction of the medium at a velocity higher than the transport velocity.