Reaction Liquid Control for Ink Fixation in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently setting the appropriate amount of reaction liquid for ink fixation, leading to issues like image unevenness and density lowering due to the reaction liquid's decrease over time and varying aggregability with different inks.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a system to calculate and adjust the reaction liquid amount based on the type of ink and the decrease rate of the reaction liquid on the print medium, using a weight coefficient to ensure adequate ink fixation and prevent image unevenness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed amount of reaction liquid is used for all inks, then the device complexity is reduced, but image unevenness occurs due to varying aggregability with different inks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by setting different reaction liquid discharge amounts for different ink colors based on their specific aggregability characteristics. Each ink color (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) has a predetermined weight coefficient that adjusts the reaction liquid amount locally according to its chemical properties, thereby achieving uniform image quality across all colors without requiring complex real-time measurement systems.
2Reliability
If the reaction liquid amount is increased to compensate for decrease over time, then ink fixation reliability is improved, but loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining weight coefficients for each ink color that account for the reaction liquid decrease rate over time. These coefficients are calculated in advance based on the aggregability characteristics and time-dependent decrease behavior of the reaction liquid. During printing, the system uses these pre-calculated coefficients to adjust reaction liquid amounts, ensuring adequate ink fixation without excessive application, thereby reducing waste while maintaining reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the reaction liquid amount is adjusted for each ink type, then image uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the reaction liquid discharge amount parameter based on ink-specific weight coefficients. Instead of implementing complex real-time measurement and adjustment systems, the invention changes the discharge parameter in advance according to the ink color being used. The control unit selects appropriate weight coefficients from predetermined values and adjusts the reaction liquid amount accordingly, achieving precise image uniformity through simple parameter selection rather than complex control mechanisms.
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 effectively suppresses image unevenness and ensures proper ink fixation by accurately determining the reaction liquid amount needed for each ink, even as the reaction liquid decreases over time.
Implementation Method 1
varying aggregability with different inks
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided with an image forming apparatus. A deciding means decides a discharge amount of a reaction liquid based on a timing at which the reaction liquid is discharged onto a print medium by the image forming apparatus, a timing at which each of inks of not less than two colors is discharged onto the print medium next to the reaction liquid, and a discharge amount of each of the inks of the not less than two colors by the image forming apparatus. A controlling means controls discharge of the reaction liquid and the inks of the not less than two colors.