Treatment-Agent Liquid Applicator with Preliminary Roller Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses experience banding-shaped application unevenness due to the application of treatment agents, which is caused by the premature formation of recessed areas on the application roller when the rollers are not properly synchronized with the arrival of the medium.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus includes a treatment-agent liquid applicator with an application roller, a pressure roller, and a fixation roller, where the rollers are controlled to form nip portions only when job information is acquired, and rotated at a reduced speed until the medium reaches the applicator, minimizing exposure to air and reducing viscosity changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the application roller is rotated at high speed before medium arrival, then the treatment agent is quickly applied to the medium, but banding-shaped application unevenness occurs due to premature recessed area formation
Solution Approach 1:
The application roller is rotated at a reduced speed (first linear speed) during the period from job information acquisition to medium arrival, performing a preliminary rotation that prepares the roller without causing harmful recessed area formation. This preliminary action at controlled speed prevents the application uniformity problem while still preparing the system for subsequent high-speed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic speed control of the application roller, switching between a first linear speed (reduced speed) during the preparation period and a second linear speed (higher speed) during actual medium conveyance. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both application uniformity during preparation and productivity during operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the application roller is kept stationary before medium arrival, then application uniformity is maintained, but the treatment agent viscosity changes due to prolonged air exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The application roller performs preliminary rotation at a controlled first linear speed during the period before medium arrival, which maintains treatment agent stability by preventing prolonged air exposure and viscosity changes, while still preparing the roller for optimal application performance.
3Ease of operation
If the rollers are not synchronized with medium arrival, then the system is easier to operate, but banding-shaped application unevenness occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by detecting medium arrival and automatically adjusting the application roller speed from the first linear speed to the second linear speed. This feedback mechanism ensures precise synchronization between roller rotation and medium arrival, eliminating banding-shaped application unevenness while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.
Data Source
AI summary
A treatment-agent liquid applicator includes an application roller to apply a treatment agent to a medium to be conveyed to an image forming apparatus, a pressure roller to press the medium against the application roller, a supply roller to supply the treatment agent to the application roller, and circuitry configured to rotate the application roller for a duration of time, from when job information is acquired by the image forming apparatus, to when the medium reaches the application roller.