Fixing device and printer

Abstract

The application provides a fixing device and a printer, which comprise a paper feeding plate, a fixing roller, a pressing roller, a plurality of heating devices, a scanning device and a controller. The paper feeding plate is used for placing paper, and the fixing roller is assembled above the paper feeding plate. The pressing roller is assembled below the paper feeding plate and is symmetrically distributed with the fixing roller with the paper feeding plate as a reference surface, and is used for cooperating with the fixing roller to press the paper. The plurality of heating devices are arranged in the fixing roller. The scanning device is arranged above the paper feeding plate and is arranged upstream of the fixing roller in a paper feeding direction, and is used for scanning an image to generate an image signal. The controller is electrically connected with the plurality of heating devices respectively and is electrically connected with the scanning device, and is used for determining, according to the image signal, a toner area with toner and a non-toner area without toner in an area scanned by the scanning device on the paper, and controlling the heating devices corresponding to the toner area in the paper feeding direction to heat, so as to improve the heating efficiency of the fixing device and reduce the heating power consumption.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of printer technology, and more particularly to a fixing device and a printer. Background Technology

[0002] The fuser is a crucial component of a printer. Its surface is heated to a specific temperature by a heater. The heated fuser and pressure rollers then press against the printing media from both sides, fixing the toner onto the media. The fuser's temperature is a critical factor in determining whether the toner is clearly fixed onto the printing media. In some related technologies, the entire fuser is electrically heated, including areas without toner, resulting in wasted power. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a fixing device and a printer to solve at least some of the problems in the related art.

[0004] This application provides a fixing device, including:

[0005] Paperboard feeder, used to hold paper;

[0006] The fixing roller is assembled above the paper feeder.

[0007] The pressure roller is assembled below the paper feeder and is symmetrically distributed with the fixing roller as the reference surface. It is used to apply pressure to the paper in cooperation with the fixing roller.

[0008] Multiple heating elements are located inside the fixing roller;

[0009] A scanning device is disposed above the paper feed board and is positioned upstream of the fixing roller in the paper feed direction. The scanning device is used to scan images and generate image signals.

[0010] The controller is electrically connected to a plurality of the heating devices and to the scanning device. The controller is used to determine, based on the image signal, the toner-containing areas and toner-free areas of the paper scanned by the scanning device, and to control the heating devices corresponding to the toner-containing areas in the paper feeding direction to heat the toner-containing areas, and to control the heating devices corresponding to the toner-free areas in the paper feeding direction not to heat.

[0011] Furthermore, the plurality of heating devices are arranged sequentially along the axis of the fixing roller.

[0012] Furthermore, the plurality of heating devices are arranged without gaps.

[0013] Furthermore, the paper feed plate includes a first end and a second end in the paper feed direction, the first end being located upstream of the second end in the paper feed direction, the fixing roller being closer to the second end relative to the first end, and the scanning device being closer to the fixing roller relative to the first end.

[0014] Furthermore, the controller is configured to determine the grayscale value of the image of the scanned area of ​​the paper based on the image signal, and to determine the toner area and the toner-free area based on the grayscale value.

[0015] Furthermore, the controller is used to control the heating power of the heating device corresponding to the ink-divided region based on the grayscale value of the image of the ink-divided region.

[0016] Furthermore, the controller is used for:

[0017] If the grayscale value is within a first set range, the corresponding heating device is controlled to heat at a first power;

[0018] If the grayscale value is within a second set range, the corresponding heating device is controlled to heat at a second power.

[0019] Furthermore, the fixing device includes:

[0020] A detection device is connected to the controller. The controller is used to acquire signals from the detection device, determine a first heating temperature based on the signals, determine a second heating temperature based on the grayscale value of the toner region, determine a target heating temperature based on the first heating temperature and the second heating temperature, and control the heating power of the heating device corresponding to the toner region based on the target heating temperature.

[0021] Furthermore, the detection device includes a pressure sensor disposed on the paper feed board for detecting the pressure of the paper, and the controller is used to acquire the pressure signal from the pressure sensor and determine the first heating temperature based on the pressure signal.

[0022] Furthermore, the detection device includes a temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature. The temperature sensor is electrically connected to the controller, which determines the first heating temperature based on the ambient temperature.

[0023] Furthermore, the detection device includes a humidity sensor for detecting ambient humidity. The humidity sensor is electrically connected to the controller, which determines the first heating temperature based on the ambient humidity.

[0024] Furthermore, the detection device includes a locator for detecting the geographical location of the fixing device. The locator is electrically connected to the controller, which acquires a location signal from the locator representing the geographical location, acquires weather forecast information for the geographical location based on the location signal, and determines the first heating temperature based on the weather forecast information.

[0025] Furthermore, the controller is configured to determine the target heating temperature based on the sum of the product of the first heating temperature and the first set percentage and the product of the second heating temperature and the second set percentage.

[0026] Furthermore, the width of the scanning device is greater than or equal to the width of the paper feeder.

[0027] Furthermore, the scanning device includes a bar scanning device, the length direction of which is consistent with the width direction of the paper feed and the arrangement direction of the plurality of heating devices.

[0028] This application provides a printer that includes the above-described fixing device, which is used to heat and fix paper.

[0029] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application may include the following beneficial effects:

[0030] This application incorporates multiple heating devices within the fixing roller, enabling zoned heating of different sections of the roller. The scanning device converts the scanned image into an image signal, which is transmitted to the controller. The controller is connected to the multiple heating devices and controls the heating temperature of each device based on the image signal. In areas without toner, the corresponding heating device is prevented from heating, thereby improving heating efficiency and reducing the power consumption of the fixing roller.

[0031] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and do not limit this application. Attached Figure Description

[0032] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.

[0033] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of one embodiment of the fixing device of this application;

[0034] Figure 2 The diagram shown is another structural schematic of an embodiment of the fixing device of this application;

[0035] Figure 3 The diagram shown illustrates the working principle of the fixing device of this application.

[0036] 1. Paperboard feeder; 2. Fusing roller; 3. Pressure roller; 4. Heating device; 5. Scanning device; 6. Controller; 7. Toner area; 8. Toner-free area; 9. First end; 10. Second end; 11. Detection device; 1101. Pressure sensor; 1102. Temperature sensor; 1103. Humidity sensor; 1104. Positioner; 12. Fusing device; 13. Bar scanning device. Detailed Implementation

[0037] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0038] The terminology used in this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application. Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this application should be understood in their ordinary sense by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this application specification and claims do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Similarly, the terms "a" or "one," etc., do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the presence of at least one. "A plurality" or "several" indicates two or more. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "front," "rear," "lower," and / or "upper," etc., are for ease of description only and are not limited to a location or spatial orientation. The terms "comprising" or "including," etc., mean that the elements or objects preceding "comprising" or "including" encompass the elements or objects listed following "comprising" or "including" and their equivalents, and do not exclude other elements or objects. The terms "connected," "linked," etc., are not limited to physical or mechanical connections and can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect.

[0039] The terminology used in this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in this application and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0040] The fixing device of this application embodiment includes a paper feed board, a fixing roller, a pressure roller, multiple heating devices, a scanning device, and a controller. The paper feed board is used to hold paper. The fixing roller is assembled above the paper feed board, and the pressure roller is assembled below the paper feed board and symmetrically distributed with respect to the paper feed board. These pressure rollers work in conjunction with the fixing roller to apply pressure to the paper. Multiple heating devices are located inside the fixing roller. The scanning device is located above the paper feed board and upstream of the fixing roller in the paper feeding direction. The scanning device scans images and generates image signals. The controller is electrically connected to the multiple heating devices and the scanning device. Based on the image signals, the controller determines the toner-containing areas and toner-free areas of the paper being scanned by the scanning device. It controls the heating devices corresponding to the toner-containing areas in the paper feeding direction to heat these areas, and controls the heating devices corresponding to the toner-free areas in the paper feeding direction not to heat them. The controller is electrically connected to multiple heating devices and controls the heating devices according to the image signals transmitted from the scanning device, so that the heating devices heat the toner area and do not heat the area without toner, which helps to improve the heating efficiency of the fixing roller and reduce heating power consumption.

[0041] This application provides a fixing device and a printer. The fixing device and printer of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the features of the following embodiments and implementations can be combined with each other.

[0042] Combination Figures 1 to 2 In the embodiment shown, the fixing device 12 includes a paper feeder 1, a fixing roller 2, a pressure roller 3, multiple heating devices 4, a scanning device 5, and a controller 6.

[0043] Specifically, the feed plate 1 is used to hold the paper, the fuser roller 2 is assembled above the feed plate 1, and the pressure roller 3 is assembled below the feed plate 1, symmetrically distributed with the fuser roller 2 and the feed plate 1 as the reference plane, and is used to cooperate with the fuser roller 2 to apply pressure to the paper. The paper is placed on the feed plate 1, and the fuser roller 2 and the pressure roller 3 apply pressure to the paper on both sides of the feed plate 1, pressing and fixing the toner on the paper onto the paper.

[0044] Multiple heating elements 4 are located inside the fixing roller 2. The multiple heating elements 4 heat different parts of the paper in different areas, allowing the toner to be adsorbed and fixed onto the paper to form a printed pattern.

[0045] The scanning device 5 is located above the paper feeder 1 and is positioned upstream of the fixing roller 2 in the paper feed direction X. The scanning device 5 is used to scan images and generate image signals.

[0046] The controller 6 is electrically connected to multiple heating devices 4 and to the scanning device 5. Based on the image signal, the controller 6 determines the toner-containing areas 7 and toner-free areas 8 of the paper being scanned by the scanning device 5. It then controls the heating devices 4 corresponding to the toner-containing areas 7 in the paper feed direction X to heat these areas, while controlling the heating devices 4 corresponding to the toner-free areas 8 in the same direction to remain unheated. By distinguishing between the toner-containing areas 7 and the toner-free areas 8, the controller 6 controls the heating devices 4 to perform zoned heating and fixing of the paper, improving heating efficiency and effectively reducing the power consumption of the heating devices 4.

[0047] The dimensions of toner region 7 and toner-free region 8 in the width direction of the paper feed 1 are the same as the dimensions of a single heating element 4 in the width direction of the paper feed 1. The area scanned by the scanning device 5 can be divided into multiple sub-regions in the width direction of the paper feed 1, and the presence or absence of toner in each sub-region can be determined. Multiple heating elements 4 correspond one-to-one with multiple sub-regions in the paper feed direction X. If a sub-region contains toner, it is designated as toner region 7; if it does not contain toner, it is designated as toner-free region 8. Some or all pixels in toner region 7 contain toner. All pixels in toner-free region 8 are toner-free.

[0048] In some embodiments, multiple heating elements 4 are arranged sequentially along the axis of the fixing roller 2. This facilitates heating and fixing of the paper along the axis. Multiple heating elements 4 are arranged along the width of the paper feed 1, and the scanning device 5 scans the paper in the width direction of the paper feed 1. Thus, one scan can scan a row of areas in the width direction of the paper. The multiple heating elements 4 also heat the toner areas 7 in that row of areas in the width direction of the paper, thereby enabling rapid and thorough fixing during paper movement.

[0049] In some embodiments, multiple heating devices 4 are arranged without gaps, so that every area of ​​the paper can be heated and fixed, avoiding the situation where a certain area of ​​the paper cannot be fixed with toner.

[0050] In some embodiments, the paper feed plate 1 includes a first end 9 and a second end 10 in the paper feed direction X. The first end 9 is located upstream of the second end 10 in the paper feed direction X. The fixing roller 2 is close to the second end 10 relative to the first end 9, and the scanning device 5 is close to the fixing roller 2 relative to the first end 9. The proximity of the scanning device 5 to the fixing roller 2 helps to shorten the time for the controller 6 to control the heating power of the multiple heating devices 4 according to the scanning device 5, which helps to improve the fixing efficiency.

[0051] In some embodiments, the width of the scanning device 5 is greater than or equal to the width of the paper feed 1. Setting the scanning device 5 to this width helps ensure that every position of the paper passing through can be fixed, thereby smoothly printing the pattern.

[0052] In some embodiments, the scanning device 5 includes a bar scanning device 13. The length direction of the bar scanning device 13 is aligned with the width direction of the paper feed 1 and with the arrangement direction of the plurality of heating devices 4. The bar scanning device 13 is made with less scanning material, completes the scanning of toner on the paper, and reduces manufacturing costs. The alignment of the bar scanning device 13 with the arrangement direction of the plurality of heating devices 4 facilitates the controller 6 in converting the image signal into instructions for the heating devices 4, thereby improving fixing efficiency.

[0053] In some embodiments, the controller 6 is used to determine the grayscale value of the image of the scanned area of ​​the paper based on the image signal, and to determine the toner region 7 and the toner-free region 8 based on the grayscale value. The controller 6 determines the toner region 7 and the toner-free region 8 through the image signal, identifies the area that needs to be heated, ensures effective heating of the fixing roller 2, and avoids power consumption caused by ineffective heating of the toner-free region 8. The grayscale values ​​of the image differ depending on whether there is toner or not. The scanned area can be divided into multiple sub-regions, and the grayscale value of the image of each sub-region determines whether that sub-region is a toner region 7 or a toner-free region 8.

[0054] In some embodiments, the controller 6 controls the heating power of the heating device 4 corresponding to the toner region 7 based on the grayscale value of the image in the toner region 7. This ensures that the heating power corresponds to the amount of toner on the paper, which helps reduce the power consumption of the heating device 4. Different amounts of toner result in different grayscale values. When the toner region 7 has multiple different grayscale values, the heating power of the corresponding heating device 4 is controlled according to the maximum grayscale value in that region to ensure that the heating power is sufficiently high, allowing the area with the most toner in that region to be properly fixed.

[0055] In some embodiments, if the grayscale value is within a first set range, the corresponding heating device 4 is controlled to heat with a first power.

[0056] If the grayscale value is within the second set range, the corresponding heating device 4 is controlled to heat at the second power. The first set range and the second set range are not equal, and the first power and the second power are not equal. In some embodiments, the first power is greater than the second power, and the first set range is greater than the second set range. When there is less toner on the paper and the grayscale value is lower, the heating device 4 can achieve toner fixing on the paper with a lower temperature, avoiding power waste caused by using a higher temperature for the heating device 4.

[0057] The paper has a lot of toner and a high gray value, so the heating device 4 needs to use high power to fix the toner on the paper.

[0058] exist Figure 3In the illustrated embodiment, the fixing device 12 includes a detection device 11 connected to a controller 6. The controller 6 acquires signals from the detection device 11, determines a first heating temperature based on the signals, determines a second heating temperature based on the grayscale value of the toner region 7, determines a target heating temperature based on the first and second heating temperatures, and controls the heating power of the heating device 4 corresponding to the toner region 7 based on the target heating temperature. During the fixing process, in addition to the toner affecting the fixing temperature, other external influencing factors exist. These can be detected by the detection device 11, and the controller 6 determines the first heating temperature based on the acquired signals. The controller 6 then determines the target heating temperature based on the second heating temperature of the toner region 7, effectively ensuring that the paper can be successfully fixed even when the influence of other factors exceeds that of the toner.

[0059] exist Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the detection device 11 includes a pressure sensor 1101, which is mounted on the paper feed board 1 and used to detect the pressure of the paper. The controller 6 is used to acquire the pressure signal from the pressure sensor 1101 and determine a first heating temperature based on the pressure signal. The pressure sensor 1101 is fixed on the paper feed board 1 and presses down on the paper. The paper transmits its gravitational pressure to the pressure sensor 1101. The pressure sensor 1101 detects the thickness and type of the paper. The greater the force on the pressure sensor 1101, the thicker the paper, and the higher the heating temperature required for fixing.

[0060] In some embodiments, the detection device 11 includes a temperature sensor 1102 for detecting ambient humidity. The temperature sensor 1102 is electrically connected to a controller 6, which determines a first heating temperature based on the ambient temperature. When the ambient temperature is too low, higher power is required than under normal conditions to fix the toner on the paper. Therefore, to better fix the printed paper, the controller 6 controls the heating temperature according to the index displayed by the temperature sensor 1102, enabling efficient fixing even in low-temperature environments.

[0061] In some embodiments, the detection device 11 includes a humidity sensor 1103 for detecting ambient humidity. The humidity sensor 1103 is electrically connected to the controller 6, which determines the first heating temperature based on the ambient humidity. In extreme cases where the ambient humidity is too high, the heating device 4 cannot achieve a high operating power using conventional fixing temperatures. In this case, the controller 6 determines the target heating temperature of the heating device 4 based on the signal acquired by the humidity sensor 1103 and the grayscale value.

[0062] In some embodiments, the detection device 11 includes a locator 1104, which is used to detect the geographical location of the fixing device 12. The locator 1104 is electrically connected to the controller 6. The controller 6 is used to acquire a location signal representing the geographical location from the locator 1104, acquire weather forecast information for the geographical location based on the location signal, and determine a first heating temperature based on the weather forecast information. The controller 6 determines the current environment of the fixing device 12 based on the signal from the locator 1104 and matches the heating device 4 to improve the fixing efficiency with a corresponding heating temperature.

[0063] Specifically, the controller 6 determines the target heating temperature based on the product of the first heating temperature and the first set percentage, and the sum of the products of the second heating temperature and the second set percentage. Based on the percentages preset within the controller 6, the controller controls the proportions of the detection device 11 and the scanning device 5 in the temperature control of the heating device 4, thereby determining the target heating temperature of the heating device 4 for fixing the paper.

[0064] In some embodiments, if the detection device 11 is only equipped with a pressure sensor 1101, the controller 6 uses the product of the first heating temperature determined by the pressure signal and the first set percentage, plus the product of the second heating temperature and the second set percentage, to obtain the target heating temperature.

[0065] In some embodiments, the detection device 11 is simultaneously equipped with a pressure sensor 1101, a humidity sensor 1103, a temperature sensor 1102, and a positioner 1104. In this case, the pressure signal, humidity signal, temperature signal, and weather forecast signal are added together according to the percentage ratio set by the controller 6 to obtain the first heating temperature. The first heating temperature is then multiplied by the first set percentage and added to the product of the second heating temperature and the second set percentage to obtain the target heating temperature.

[0066] This application also provides a printer, including a fixing device 12, which fixes toner onto paper to produce a printing effect.

[0067] Other embodiments of this application will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the application disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this application that follow the general principles of this application and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of this application are indicated by the following claims.

[0068] It should be understood that this application is not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this application is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fixing device, characterized in that, include: Paperboard feeder, used to hold paper; The fixing roller is assembled above the paper feeder. The pressure roller is assembled below the paper feeder and is symmetrically distributed with the fixing roller as the reference surface. It is used to apply pressure to the paper in cooperation with the fixing roller. Multiple heating elements are located inside the fixing roller; A scanning device is disposed above the paper feed board and is positioned upstream of the fixing roller in the paper feed direction. The scanning device is used to scan images and generate image signals. The controller is electrically connected to a plurality of the heating devices and to the scanning device. The controller is used to determine, based on the image signal, the toner-containing areas and toner-free areas of the paper scanned by the scanning device, and to control the heating devices corresponding to the toner-containing areas in the paper feeding direction to heat the toner-containing areas, and to control the heating devices corresponding to the toner-free areas in the paper feeding direction not to heat.

2. The fixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of heating elements are arranged sequentially along the axis of the fixing roller; and / or The plurality of heating devices are arranged without gaps; and / or The paper feed plate includes a first end and a second end in the paper feed direction, the first end being located upstream of the second end in the paper feed direction, the fixing roller being closer to the second end relative to the first end, and the scanning device being closer to the fixing roller relative to the first end.

3. The fixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller is used to determine the grayscale value of the image of the scanned area of ​​the paper based on the image signal, and to determine the toner area and the toner-free area based on the grayscale value.

4. The fixing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The controller is used to control the heating power of the heating device corresponding to the toner region based on the grayscale value of the image of the toner region.

5. The fixing device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The controller is used for: If the grayscale value is within a first set range, the corresponding heating device is controlled to heat at a first power; If the grayscale value is within a second set range, the corresponding heating device is controlled to heat at a second power.

6. The fixing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, include: A detection device is connected to the controller. The controller is used to acquire signals from the detection device, determine a first heating temperature based on the signals, determine a second heating temperature based on the grayscale value of the toner region, determine a target heating temperature based on the first heating temperature and the second heating temperature, and control the heating power of the heating device corresponding to the toner region based on the target heating temperature.

7. The fixing device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The detection device includes a pressure sensor mounted on the paper feed board for detecting paper pressure. The controller acquires the pressure signal from the pressure sensor and determines the first heating temperature based on the pressure signal; and / or The detection device includes a temperature sensor for detecting ambient temperature. The temperature sensor is electrically connected to the controller, which determines the first heating temperature based on the ambient temperature; and / or The detection device includes a humidity sensor for detecting ambient humidity. The humidity sensor is electrically connected to the controller, which determines the first heating temperature based on the ambient humidity; and / or The detection device includes a locator for detecting the geographical location of the fixing device. The locator is electrically connected to the controller, which acquires a location signal from the locator representing the geographical location, acquires weather forecast information for the geographical location based on the location signal, and determines the first heating temperature based on the weather forecast information; and / or The controller is used to determine the target heating temperature based on the sum of the product of the first heating temperature and the first set percentage and the product of the second heating temperature and the second set percentage.

8. The fixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The width of the scanning device is greater than or equal to the width of the paper feeder.

9. The fixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The scanning device includes a bar scanning device, the length direction of which is consistent with the width direction of the paper feeder and the arrangement direction of the plurality of heating devices.

10. A printer, characterized in that, The printer includes a fixing device as described in any one of claims 1-9, the fixing device being used for fixing and heating paper.

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