Medium Mending Device for Image Fixing Surface Flaws
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in effectively addressing flaws on media such as coated paper, metallic paper, and transparent films, which are prone to surface imperfections due to their smooth and glossy nature, during the image fixing process.
Innovation Solution
A medium mending device is introduced, comprising a thermopressing roller and a pressurizing roller that heat and press the medium to squash any flaws, with the thermopressing roller being heated and the pressurizing roller applying adjustable pressure to flatten surface imperfections, while maintaining a temperature below the toner's melting point to prevent re-adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a fixing device uses heating and pressing to fix toner images, then the toner image is properly fixed, but surface flaws on the medium cannot be effectively addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fixing function and the surface flaw correction function into a single integrated device. The fixing pressuring member and the surface flaw pressuring member are positioned adjacent to each other, allowing both functions to be performed in sequence without requiring separate devices. This merging approach addresses surface flaws while maintaining the existing fixing capability, resolving the contradiction between improving surface quality and avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can fix toner images on ordinary media and simultaneously correct surface flaws on mending-object media such as coated paper, metallic paper, and transparent films. By making the pressuring members adjustable and positionable, the device becomes universal enough to handle both standard fixing operations and specialized surface mending operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If pressure is applied to squash surface flaws, then surface smoothness is improved, but toner may re-adhere to the medium surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different qualities to different parts of the system: the fixing pressuring member operates at high temperature and pressure for toner fixation, while the surface flaw pressuring member operates at lower temperature and adjustable pressure for surface smoothing. This localized differentiation of operating conditions allows surface flaws to be corrected without causing toner re-adhesion, as each pressuring member is optimized for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface flaw pressuring member is designed with adjustable pressure capability, allowing the pressure to be dynamically controlled based on the medium type and flaw severity. This dynamic adjustment ensures that sufficient pressure is applied to squash surface flaws while maintaining pressure levels below the threshold that would cause toner re-adhesion, thus preserving toner adhesion stability.
3Manufacturing precision
If heating is applied to mend surface flaws, then surface imperfections are reduced, but non-mending-object media may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of the medium type before applying heating or pressing. By detecting whether the medium is a mending-object medium (such as coated paper, metallic paper, or transparent film) or an ordinary medium, the system can pre-adjust the operating conditions of the pressuring members. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary heating or excessive pressing on non-mending-object media, avoiding potential damage while still enabling effective surface flaw correction on suitable media.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs adjustable parameters for both temperature and pressure in the surface flaw pressuring member. By changing these parameters based on the medium type, the system can optimize the heating and pressing conditions for mending-object media while reducing or eliminating these actions for ordinary media. This parameter adjustment mechanism ensures surface imperfections are corrected on suitable media without causing damage to media that cannot withstand such treatment.
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
The solution effectively mends surface flaws on mending-object media by heating and pressing the medium, ensuring a smooth output without re-adhering toner, while maintaining the integrity of non-mending-object media by adjusting temperature and pressure settings.
Implementation Method 1
a heating component configured to heat a medium having an image recorded
Implementation Method 2
a pressing component positioned against the heating component and configured to press the medium that is to be nipped between the pressing component and the heating component, the pressing component pressing the medium with such a pressure as to squash any flaws in the medium
Data Source
AI summary
A medium mending device includes a heating component configured to heat a medium having an image recorded, and a pressing component positioned against the heating component and configured to press the medium that is to be nipped between the pressing component and the heating component, the pressing component pressing the medium with such a pressure as to squash any flaws in the medium.