Sheet Conveyance Speed Control for Image Transfer Vibration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses fail to effectively correct sub scanning obliqueness during image transfer, leading to image defects due to misalignment and vibration issues, particularly with long sheets, as existing registration displacement control techniques only address registration displacement before image transfer and not during the process.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus and conveyance control method that control the displacement speed of the sheet conveying member to be lower than before image transfer, preventing vibration transmission to the transfer section and correcting sub scanning obliqueness by maintaining a loop in the sheet between the registration and transfer nips.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the sheet conveying member is displaced at high speed to correct registration displacement, then registration accuracy is improved, but vibration is transmitted to the transfer section causing image defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregistration accuracyVSAvoidvibration transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by changing the displacement speed of the sheet conveying member based on the operational phase. During image transfer, the displacement speed is reduced to prevent vibration transmission, while during non-transfer phases, normal speed can be maintained. This dynamic speed adjustment resolves the contradiction between achieving registration accuracy and preventing harmful vibration transmission to the transfer section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If registration displacement control is performed only before image transfer, then the control system is simple, but sub scanning obliqueness during transfer cannot be corrected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidsub scanning alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing registration displacement control before image transfer begins, and then maintaining a loop in the sheet during transfer. This preliminary positioning combined with loop maintenance during transfer allows correction of sub scanning obliqueness without requiring complex real-time control during the transfer process itself, thus balancing simplicity and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the displacement speed is reduced during image transfer, then vibration transmission is prevented, but registration correction capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration transmissionVSAvoidregistration correction capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the sheet conveyance process into distinct phases: before image transfer where registration displacement control is actively performed, and during image transfer where the loop is maintained at reduced speed. This temporal segmentation allows full registration correction capability before transfer while preventing vibration during transfer, resolving the contradiction between correction capability and vibration prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3425456B1Image forming apparatus and conveyance control method
Publication Date: 2021.09.01 KONICA MINOLTA INC
  • EP3425456B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3425456B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3425456B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An image forming apparatus (1) includes: a transfer section (421, 423B, 424) that transfers an image onto a sheet (S); a sheet conveying member (53a) that conveys the sheet (S), the sheet conveying member (53a) being provided upstream of the transfer section (421, 423B, 424) in a sheet conveyance direction; and a control unit (100) that controls displacement of the sheet conveying member (53a) so that the sheet (S) is displaced along a width direction of the sheet (S). The control unit (100) sets a displacement speed (VI) of the sheet conveying member (53a) for the sheet (S) during transfer of the image by the transfer section (421, 423B, 424) to be lower than the displacement speed of the sheet conveying member (53a) for the sheet (S) before the transfer of the image by the transfer section (421, 423B, 424).