Inkjet Image Size Adjustment Through Dual-Orientation Sheet Conveyance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately adjusting image size expansion or contraction in the sheet conveying direction without consuming additional ink during the adjustment process.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus employs a system involving a conveying belt, ejection portion, imaging portion, and processing portions to measure and adjust the sheet's size in multiple orientations, determining any orientation change, and adjusting the ink ejection cycle accordingly to prevent image expansion or contraction without consuming extra ink.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If ink is ejected onto the sheet to form an image, then the image is formed on the sheet, but the image size may expand or contract in the conveying direction due to variations in sheet conveyance speed and orientation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage size precisionVSAvoidimage size consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary conveyance of the sheet in two different orientations (first and second conveyance processing) and measures the sheet size in each orientation using the imaging portion before actual image formation. This preliminary measurement and analysis of conveyance characteristics allows the system to pre-determine the appropriate image size adjustment, preventing expansion or contraction issues during the actual image formation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the imaging portion to detect the actual sheet size in both orientations, and the determination processing portion analyzes these measurements to identify orientation changes and conveyance variations. This feedback information is then used by the expansion/contraction processing portion to adjust the image size accordingly, ensuring consistent image dimensions despite variations in sheet conveyance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the sheet is conveyed along a conveying path, then the sheet can be processed by the ejection portion, but variations in conveyance speed and orientation cause image expansion or contraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet processing efficiencyVSAvoidimage size accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces mechanical measurement methods with an optical imaging system (imaging portion) to measure sheet size and detect orientation. This allows for non-contact, high-speed measurement that does not interfere with the sheet conveyance process, maintaining productivity while achieving precise image size control through digital analysis and software-based expansion/contraction processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If the same sheet is conveyed in different orientations, then the sheet can be imaged from multiple perspectives, but it becomes difficult to determine whether size variations are due to orientation changes or conveyance speed variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet size measurement accuracyVSAvoidorientation detection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the measurement process into two distinct orientations (first conveyance and second conveyance), measuring sheet size in each orientation separately. By comparing the measurements from these two segmented measurements, the determination processing portion can identify whether size variations are due to orientation changes or conveyance speed variations, as each orientation provides different reference information about the sheet's actual dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250272527A1Image forming apparatus and image quality adjustment method capable of suppressing expansion and contraction of formed image in sheet conveying direction without consuming ink

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a first conveyance processing portion, a second conveyance processing portion, and an expansion/contraction processing portion. The first conveyance processing portion conveys a sheet. The second conveyance processing portion conveys the sheet after the conveyance of the sheet by the first conveyance processing portion. The expansion/contraction processing portion expands or contracts the size of an image to be formed by an ejection portion that ejects ink when it is determined that the same sheet as the sheet conveyed by the first conveyance processing portion has been conveyed by the second conveyance processing portion in an orientation different from that when the sheet was conveyed by the first conveyance processing portion.