Variable Speed Fixing Mechanism for Lamination Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face challenges in ensuring adequate adhesion and reducing waving and curling of lamination films during the lamination process, particularly due to high conveying speeds in the image forming mode that do not allow sufficient heat transmission and pressure application for thick films.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a drive transmission mechanism that adjusts the sheet conveying speed in the fixing device between image forming and lamination modes, with a slower speed in the lamination mode to enhance adhesion and reduce waving, and utilizing cooling pressure rollers with elastic layers to apply consistent pressure and reduce heat-induced curling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the sheet conveying speed in the fixing device is maintained at high speed (image forming mode speed), then productivity is improved, but adhesion of lamination film deteriorates and waving occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the conveying speed variable rather than fixed. The drive transmission mechanism dynamically adjusts the conveying speed based on the operational mode: high speed for image forming and low speed for lamination. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for productivity during normal operation while switching to reliability optimization during lamination mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the speed parameter of the sheet conveying mechanism based on the operational mode. By reducing the conveying speed parameter specifically during lamination mode, the system ensures sufficient heat transmission and pressure application time for proper adhesion, while maintaining high speed for productivity during image forming mode.
2Reliability
If the sheet conveying speed in the fixing device is reduced for lamination mode, then adhesion is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts conveying speed based on operational mode requirements. During lamination mode, speed is reduced to ensure adhesion quality, while during image forming mode, speed returns to high levels for maximum productivity. This dynamic adaptation resolves the productivity-deterioration concern by limiting speed reduction to only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying speed alternates between high and low states based on periodic switching between image forming mode and lamination mode. This periodic adjustment ensures that productivity is maintained during the majority of operations (image forming) while adhesion quality is ensured during lamination operations.
3Productivity
If high conveying speed is used in fixing device, then productivity is improved, but heat transmission to lamination film is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the speed parameter during lamination mode to allow sufficient time for heat transmission. By reducing conveying speed, the lamination film remains in the heating zone longer, enabling adequate thermal penetration and adhesion, while maintaining high speed during image forming when heat transmission is not the primary concern.
4Reliability
If pressure is increased to reduce waving, then adhesion is improved, but heat-induced curling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by reducing conveying speed, which allows heat to be applied more gradually and uniformly. This prevents excessive temperature gradients that cause curling, while the reduced speed also allows sufficient time for pressure to be applied effectively for adhesion and surface flatness.
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 solution ensures enhanced adhesion of lamination films, reduced waving, and minimized curling by slowing down the conveying speed in the lamination mode and using cooling pressure rollers to apply consistent pressure, thereby improving lamination quality and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a fixing device to heat and press a sheet so that an image is fixed on the sheet
Implementation Method 2
utilizing cooling pressure rollers with elastic layers to apply consistent pressure and reduce heat-induced curling
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device and a drive transmission mechanism. The fixing device fixes an image on a sheet by application of heat and pressure. The drive transmission mechanism changes a conveying speed of the sheet in the fixing device between an image forming mode and a lamination mode. The conveying speed of the sheet in the fixing device in the lamination mode is lower than the conveying speed of the sheet in the fixing device in the image forming mode.