Image Reading Cooling for Sheet Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face a challenge in maintaining accurate reading of sheets that have been heated during the image formation process, as the heat from the sheets can cause the image sensors to rise in temperature, leading to decreased read accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a cooling unit that cools the sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus before they reach the image reading apparatus, using methods such as reduced conveyance speed and a cooling fan to prevent temperature increases in the image sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a shared conveyance path is used for both image forming and reading functions, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but the reading accuracy deteriorates due to heat from the image forming unit affecting the reading unit
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance path is divided into two separate paths: a first conveyance path for conveying sheets to the image forming unit, and a second conveyance path for conveying sheets to the reading unit. This segmentation prevents heat from the image forming unit from affecting the reading unit, thereby maintaining reading accuracy while still using a shared overall system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The reading unit's conveyance path is extracted as a separate path from the image forming unit's conveyance path. By taking out the reading path independently, the harmful thermal influence from the image forming unit is eliminated, ensuring accurate reading without compromising the compact shared system design.
2Productivity
If the sheet is conveyed quickly from the image forming unit to the reading unit, then productivity is improved, but the reading accuracy deteriorates because the sheet remains hot
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance paths are segmented into separate first and second paths, allowing the sheet to be conveyed at high speed through the first path to the image forming unit, then at a slower pace through the second path to the reading unit. This enables high productivity while ensuring the sheet cools sufficiently before reading.
Solution Approach 2:
The second conveyance path acts as an intermediary between the image forming unit and the reading unit, providing a transition zone where the sheet can cool down before reaching the temperature-sensitive reading unit, thus maintaining both productivity and reading accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If the sheet is conveyed slowly to allow cooling, then reading accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases due to longer processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance system is segmented into two paths with different speed characteristics. The first path supports high-speed conveyance for productivity, while the second path supports slower conveyance for cooling, allowing both high productivity and high reading accuracy to be achieved in sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance speed is made dynamic by using two different conveyance paths with different speed capabilities. The system can switch between high-speed conveyance (first path) and low-speed conveyance (second path) depending on the operational phase, optimizing both productivity and reading accuracy dynamically.
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 suppresses the temperature rise of the image sensors, ensuring accurate reading of sheets by maintaining a stable temperature and improving the overall reading accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling unit that cools the sheet discharged from the discharge unit of the image forming apparatus and conveyed to the reading unit
Implementation Method 2
or to cool the reading unit
Data Source
AI summary
A discharge unit discharges a sheet having an image thereon. A switching unit switches between stacking the sheet discharged from the discharge unit on a stacking unit or conveying the sheet from the discharge unit toward an image reading apparatus. A conveyance unit conveys the sheet conveyed via the switching unit to a reading unit. A cooling unit cools the sheet discharged from the discharge unit or cools the reading unit.