Image Forming and Lamination Power Shift Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The sum of power consumption by an image forming apparatus and a sheet laminator can exceed the rating capacity of the power supply system during lamination print mode, leading to power interruptions and system shutdowns.

Innovation Solution

Implement a lamination print mode and a shift mode in the image forming system, where power supply to the image forming apparatus and sheet laminator is staggered to avoid peak power consumption, and a power storage device is not required.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the lamination print mode is performed with both image forming apparatus and sheet laminator operating simultaneously, then the lamination processing can be completed, but the sum of power consumption exceeds the rating capacity of the power supply system causing breaker interruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelamination processing efficiencyVSAvoidpeak power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit initiates the power supply to the sheet laminator before the image forming apparatus during the start-up period. This preliminary action allows the heater in the sheet laminator to begin heating in advance, so that by the time both devices need to operate at full capacity, the sheet laminator has already consumed part of its required power, thereby reducing the peak simultaneous power demand on the power supply system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a power storage device is installed to prevent power interruptions, then the power supply stability is improved, but the cost and size of the image forming system are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply stabilityVSAvoidsystem size and cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the power supply timing to different devices based on their start-up characteristics and power consumption profiles. The control circuit implements a time-varying power distribution strategy during the start-up period, shifting power allocation dynamically between the image forming apparatus and sheet laminator to prevent peak power exceedance without requiring additional power storage infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Prevents power supply interruptions by managing peak power consumption without increasing system size or cost, enhancing system reliability and productivity.

Implementation Method 1

The sheet laminator heats and pressurizes the laminate sheet to perform lamination processing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

The sheet laminator heats and pressurizes the laminate sheet to perform lamination processing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressurization: Pressurisation

Data Source

PatentEP4451496B1Image forming system and method of controlling power consumption
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP4451496B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4451496B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3B
  • EP4451496B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

An image forming system (300) includes an image forming apparatus (100), a sheet laminator (50), and circuitry (350). The sheet laminator performs a lamination processing on a two-ply sheet with a sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus and inserted between two sheets of the two-ply sheet. The circuitry performs a lamination print mode and a shift mode. In the lamination print mode, the sheet laminator performs the lamination processing. In the shift mode, a power supply to the image forming apparatus starts and the power supply ends when the power supply reaches a first peak value and is stabilized during a first start-up period (t1). Also, in the shift mode, the power supply to the sheet laminator starts and the power supply ends when the power supply reaches a second peak value and is stabilized during a second start-up period (t2) shifted from the first start-up period.