Luminescent Toner Image Formation with Multi-Cycle Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Luminescent toners used in image forming apparatuses tend to fade quickly, which affects the quality and longevity of luminescent images, particularly when used in applications requiring high light resistance such as outdoor exposure.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus employs a dual or triple image formation process using luminescent toners, with each layer being fixed multiple times to enhance light resistance and maintain image quality, incorporating a configuration that allows for multiple development, transfer, and fixing processes to ensure robust adhesion and longevity of luminescent images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a luminescent toner is used to form a luminescent image, then the image can emit light upon ultraviolet irradiation, but the color of the luminescent toner fades easily over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image formation process into multiple separate steps, performing development, transfer, and fixing operations multiple times (at least twice each) to build up the luminescent toner layer incrementally. This segmented approach allows each step to contribute to overall image quality while managing the fading issue through repeated reinforcement of the toner deposit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary development and transfer operations before the final fixing step. By conducting multiple development and transfer cycles first, the luminescent toner is positioned and distributed correctly, then the final fixing operation secures the toner permanently, preventing subsequent fading through proper adhesion.
2Reliability
If multiple development, transfer, and fixing processes are performed to reduce toner fading, then image quality and light resistance are maintained, but the complexity of the image forming apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple development, transfer, and fixing operations into a single integrated image forming apparatus. Rather than requiring separate devices for each operation, the apparatus performs all necessary steps in sequence within one system, reducing overall complexity while achieving the required multiple processing cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The image forming apparatus is designed with multi-functional components that can perform development, transfer, and fixing operations repeatedly. The same core components are used across multiple cycles, eliminating the need for duplicate specialized equipment and reducing device complexity through universal component utilization.
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 significantly reduces the fading of luminescent toner colors over time, maintaining high image quality and light resistance, even after extended exposure to sunlight, by increasing the amount of toner fixed and ensuring stable adhesion to the medium.
Implementation Method 1
A toner that is able to emit light in response to application of ultraviolet light, i.e., a luminescent toner
Implementation Method 2
as a red fluorescent material, Y2 02 S:Eu (material prepared by doping Y2 02 S with europium) is used, as a green fluorescent material, BaMg2 A116027:Eu,Mn
Implementation Method 3
formation of an electrostatic latent image on a surface of the photosensitive drum, which is followed by attachment of a toner to the formed electrostatic latent image
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a developing unit (30), a transferring unit (40), and a fixing unit (50). The developing unit (30) performs an attachment process in which the developing unit (30) attaches a luminescent toner (NT) to a latent image that is formed on a basis of image data (D). The transferring unit (40) performs a transfer process in which the transferring unit (40) transfers, onto a medium (M), the luminescent toner (NT) attached to the latent image. The fixing unit (50) performs a fixing process in which the fixing unit (50) fixes, to the medium (M), the luminescent toner (NT) transferred onto the medium (M). The attachment process performed by the developing unit (30) and the transfer process performed by the transferring unit (40) are each performed plural times for the medium (M), on the basis of the image data (D).