Imaging System Toner Leveling and Glossing Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming systems face challenges in achieving uniform gloss and image quality due to uneven toner layers, which are not effectively addressed by current gloss processing methods.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a leveling unit that uses a blade member and guide member configuration to scrape and level clear toner layers, combined with a gloss adding unit for re-melting and cooling processes, ensures a smooth toner surface, enhancing image quality and gloss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional gloss processing is applied without prior leveling, then the process is simple, but the toner surface remains uneven resulting in poor image quality and non-uniform gloss
Solution Approach 1:
The leveling device performs preliminary action by scraping and flattening the toner layer before the gloss processing step. The blade member removes excess toner and creates a uniform surface, so that when gloss processing subsequently occurs, the toner is already in optimal condition for achieving high-quality uniform gloss without requiring complex processing structures
2Manufacturing precision
If clear toner is applied generously to ensure coverage, then image coverage is sufficient, but the toner layer becomes uneven requiring more leveling intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the need for excessive toner application (material-based solution) with a mechanical leveling system using a blade member. Instead of applying more clear toner to ensure coverage, the blade mechanically scrapes and redistributes the toner to achieve uniform coverage, thereby reducing clear toner consumption while maintaining or improving uniformity
3Manufacturing precision
If no leveling device is used, then the device structure remains simple, but image quality and gloss uniformity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The gloss treatment system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a leveling device with blade member for surface preparation, and a separate gloss processing unit. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the blade handles uniformity while the gloss unit handles surface treatment - resulting in high image quality without requiring overly complex integrated structures
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 proposed solution effectively levels toner layers, improving image quality and gloss even with minimal clear toner usage, as demonstrated by test results showing enhanced image quality and gloss scores.
Implementation Method 1
a heating roller 103, which engages with the conveyor belt 101 and heats the conveyor belt 101
Implementation Method 2
a pressing roller 104, which is disposed on a side of the heating roller 103 and presses the conveyor belt 101 against the heating roller 103
Implementation Method 3
a cooling device 105, which is disposed between the heating roller 103 and the tension roller 102 in the conveying direction CD and cools the conveyor belt 101
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system includes a toner transfer device, a leveling device and a glossing device. The toner transfer device transfers gloss toner to a surface of a medium. The leveling device levels a layer of the gloss toner on the surface of the medium. The glossing device performs a re-melting process and a cooling process on the medium after the layer of the gloss toner has been leveled.