Image Formation Apparatus Back-Surface Lustrous Toner Adhesion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image formation apparatuses face issues with unintentional visibility of hidden images due to steps formed along the boundary between regions with and without lustrous toner, which affects the visual effect intended.
Innovation Solution
An image formation apparatus and method that includes a non-lustrous image formation unit and a lustrous image formation unit, where the controller controls the units to form images on opposite surfaces of the medium, ensuring a specific adhesion ratio difference between regions to minimize boundary visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If lustrous toner is disposed in certain regions on the medium, then a lustrous image is formed, but a step is formed along the boundary between regions causing unintentional visibility of hidden images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by forming the lustrous image on the back surface of the medium rather than on the same surface as the non-lustrous image. This spatial separation in the third dimension (depth/thickness of medium) eliminates the step formation issue that occurs when both images are on the same surface, while still achieving the desired visual effect of the hidden image appearing and disappearing based on viewing angle.
2Manufacturing precision
If the adhesion ratio of lustrous developer is controlled to create specific regions, then the visual effect is improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the adhesion ratio of the lustrous developer in specific regions on the back surface of the medium. By adjusting parameters such as development voltage, toner concentration, or exposure conditions in different regions, the patent creates the desired visual effect where the hidden image appears and disappears based on viewing angle, while managing the complexity through systematic parameter control rather than complex mechanical structures.
Data Source
AI summary
An image formation apparatus according to an embodiment may include: a non-lustrous image formation unit; a lustrous image formation unit; and a controller configured to control the non-lustrous image formation unit to form a non-lustrous image of a non-lustrous developer on a first surface of a medium, and the lustrous image formation unit to form a lustrous image of a lustrous developer including a first region and a second region on a second surface opposite to the first surface, such that a difference between a first adhesion ratio and a second adhesion ratio is 18.75% or more and 37.50% or less, where the first adhesion ratio is an amount of the lustrous developer adhered to the medium per unit area in the first region, and the second adhesion ratio is an amount of the lustrous developer adhered to the medium per unit area in the second region.