Tandem Image Forming System Temperature Control

Solution Overview

Problem

In tandem-type image forming systems, the temperature inside the second electrophotographic apparatus often rises excessively during continuous printing, leading to toner melting and grainy images due to the short paper path and rapid sheet transfer, causing the fixing device temperature to increase.

Innovation Solution

The system includes a first image forming apparatus and a second image forming apparatus, where the first apparatus adjusts its fixing temperature lower than its fiducial temperature during double-sided printing, and the second apparatus monitors its internal temperature to adjust the first apparatus's temperature accordingly, using temperature detection and control sections to manage temperatures based on paper type, printing duration, and sheet count.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If continuous printing is performed in tandem-type image forming system, then productivity is improved, but inside temperature of downstream apparatus rises excessively causing toner melting

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoidinside temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary temperature monitoring and prediction before excessive heating occurs. The temperature management section continuously monitors the inside temperature of the downstream apparatus and predicts future temperature trends, allowing preventive action to be taken before toner melting occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback control mechanism where the temperature management section receives real-time temperature data from the downstream apparatus, compares it against predetermined thresholds, and automatically adjusts the fixing temperature of the upstream apparatus accordingly to maintain temperature within safe operating limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If continuous printing is performed in tandem-type image forming system, then productivity is improved, but fixing section temperature goes up causing grainy images

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoidfixing section temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary temperature monitoring and prediction before excessive heating occurs. The temperature management section continuously monitors the inside temperature of the downstream apparatus and predicts future temperature trends, allowing preventive action to be taken before toner melting occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback control mechanism where the temperature management section receives real-time temperature data from the downstream apparatus, compares it against predetermined thresholds, and automatically adjusts the fixing temperature of the upstream apparatus accordingly to maintain temperature within safe operating limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Temperature

If fixing temperature is reduced to prevent temperature rise, then temperature control is improved, but image fixation quality may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing temperatureVSAvoidimage fixation quality

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the fixing temperature based on real-time temperature conditions rather than using a fixed temperature setting. The temperature management section continuously modifies the fixing temperature of the upstream apparatus in response to changing inside temperature conditions, allowing optimal temperature to be maintained for image fixation while preventing excessive temperature rise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 prevents excessive temperature increases in the second apparatus, preventing toner melting and grainy images by dynamically adjusting the fixing temperatures, ensuring consistent and high-quality output.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature detection section which detects an inside temperature of the second image forming apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 2

a first fixing section which performs image fixation on the sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS8896881B2Imaging forming system comprised of image forming apparatuses arranged in series, and which prevents an excessive rise in either of an inside temperature or a fixing section temperature of a downstream image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2014.11.25 KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECH INC

AI summary

An image forming system includes a first image forming apparatus and a second image forming apparatus, the first image forming apparatus including: a first image forming section which performs image formation on a sheet; a first fixing section which performs image fixation on the sheet on which the first image forming section performs the image formation; and a first control section which makes, when the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus perform the image formation and the image fixation on different sides of a sheet to perform double-sided printing, thereby performing tandem outputting, a tandem-outputting target fixing temperature of the first fixing section lower than a first fiducial temperature which is a non-tandem-outputting target fixing temperature of the first fixing section for when the first image forming performs the image formation and the image fixation alone.