Fixing control method and fixing control apparatus, image forming apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of image forming, in particular to a fixing control method and device, and an image forming device, wherein the method comprises: based on a continuous printing instruction, instructing a temperature control module to control a target control temperature of a paper passing area to be a first target temperature, and controlling a conveying component to convey a recording material in the image forming device at a first conveying pitch; acquiring a first temperature of a non-paper passing area detected by a detection module, and determining whether the first temperature is greater than a first threshold; if the first temperature is greater than the first threshold, changing a continuous conveying pitch of the recording material to a second conveying pitch which is greater than the first conveying pitch, and adjusting the target control temperature of the paper passing area by the temperature control module to be a second target temperature which is less than the first target temperature. Compared with the prior art, the present application can quickly respond to the temperature of the nip area being too high to implement a cooling strategy, effectively suppress the temperature rise problem of the non-paper passing area, and prevent accidents from occurring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of image forming technology, and in particular to a fixing control method, a fixing control device, and an image forming apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Image forming equipment is used to print images onto recording materials such as paper, and may have one or more functions such as scanning, printing, copying, and faxing. Typically, image forming equipment includes a paper tray, a paper feeding mechanism, an image forming mechanism, a fixing mechanism, and a paper ejection mechanism. The recording material is stored in the paper tray. The paper feeding mechanism sequentially transports the recording material from the paper tray through the image forming mechanism and the fixing mechanism. The image forming mechanism forms an image inside the device and then transfers it onto the recording material. The fixing mechanism uses heat and pressure to fix the recording material onto the recording material. Finally, the recording material is ejected by the paper ejection mechanism.

[0003] In existing technology, the fixing mechanism generally includes a fixing roller and a pressure roller. In order to ensure the fixing effect, it is usually necessary to continuously heat the fixing roller and control the fixing temperature of the fixing roller. However, in the process of continuously printing small paper size recording materials, the temperature of the two sides of the fixing heating is constantly rising because no recording material has passed through them, which affects the printing process. This can not only damage the recording material, but also cause accidents caused by the overheating of the fixing roller. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a fixing control method, a fixing control device, and an image forming apparatus to solve the problem in the prior art that the image forming apparatus affects printing or even easily causes accidents when continuously printing small paper recording materials due to excessive temperature rise at the end.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a fixing control method applied in an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing component and a transport component. The fixing component includes a heating member and a pressure member forming a clamping region with the heating member. The clamping region is used for passing through a recording material and fixing an image on the recording material. The clamping region includes a paper-passing region and a non-paper-passing region located outside the paper-passing region. The fixing component further includes a temperature control module for controlling the temperature of the paper-passing region and a detection module for detecting the temperature of the non-paper-passing region. The transport component is used to control the transport of the recording material within the image forming apparatus.

[0006] The method includes:

[0007] Based on the continuous printing command, the temperature control module is instructed to control the target control temperature in the paper passage area to a first target temperature, and to control the conveying component to transport the recording material within the image forming apparatus at a first transmission interval.

[0008] The first temperature of the non-paper passage area detected by the detection module is obtained, and it is determined whether the first temperature is greater than a first threshold.

[0009] If the first temperature is greater than the first threshold, the continuous transmission spacing of the recording material is changed to a second transmission spacing that is larger than the first transmission spacing, and the target control temperature of the paper passage area by the temperature control module is adjusted to a second target temperature, which is less than the first target temperature.

[0010] Compared with the prior art, this method has at least the following beneficial effects: The present invention utilizes a temperature control module and a detection module on the image forming apparatus. During continuous printing, the temperature control module monitors the temperature of the non-paper-passing area on the fixing component. When an abnormal temperature is detected in the non-paper-passing area, the paper spacing is increased to adjust the continuous printing temperature control strategy of the temperature control module. Increasing the spacing time reduces the temperature of the non-paper-passing area. At the same time, the target control temperature of the temperature control module is set to a second target temperature lower than the fixing target temperature. This allows for a rapid response to excessively high temperatures in the clamping area to implement a cooling strategy, effectively suppressing the temperature rise problem in the non-paper-passing area and preventing accidents.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible design, the method further includes: determining whether the first temperature is greater than a second threshold, wherein the second threshold is greater than the first threshold; if the first temperature is greater than the second threshold, controlling the conveying component to pause the transmission of the recording material, and adjusting the target control temperature of the paper passage area by the temperature control module to a third target temperature, wherein the third target temperature is less than the first target temperature.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible design, the second target temperature is greater than the third target temperature.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible design, the method further includes: continuing to acquire a first temperature of the non-paper-passing area detected by the detection module, and determining whether the first temperature is less than a third threshold, wherein the third threshold is less than the first threshold; if the first temperature is less than the third threshold, controlling the conveying component to restart the transmission of the recording material.

[0014] Secondly, the present invention also provides an image forming apparatus, including a transport component, a fixing component, and a control component, wherein the transport component is used to control the transport of the recording material within the image forming apparatus, wherein...

[0015] The fixing component includes:

[0016] Heating component, with a built-in heater for heating;

[0017] A pressure member that forms a clamping region with the heating member, the clamping region being used for passing through the recording material and fixing the image on the recording material to the recording material, the clamping region including a paper passage area for the recording material to pass through and a non-paper passage area located outside the paper passage area;

[0018] A temperature control module is used to control the temperature of the paper passage area; and

[0019] A detection module for detecting the temperature of the non-paper-passing area;

[0020] The control component is used to control the transmission component to increase the continuous transmission spacing of the recording material in the image forming apparatus when the first temperature detected by the detection module is greater than a first threshold, and to reduce the target control temperature of the paper passage area of ​​the temperature control module to below the normal fixing temperature.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, this image forming apparatus has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0022] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible design, the control component is further configured to control the transmission component to pause the transmission of the recording material if the first temperature is greater than a second threshold that is higher than the first threshold.

[0023] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible design, the fixing component further includes a drive for rotating the heating member and / or the pressurizing member, wherein during a pause in the transport component's transmission of the recording material, the temperature control module shuts off the heater, and the drive continues to drive the heating member and / or the pressurizing member.

[0024] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible design, the temperature control module includes a first temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the paper passage area, the heating element includes a heating film in contact with the pressure element and a heater for heating the heating film, and the temperature control module adjusts the supply current to the heater based on the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor to adjust the temperature in the paper passage area to the target control temperature.

[0025] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible design, the paper-passing area is located in the middle of the clamping area, the non-paper-passing area includes a first area and a second area located at both ends of the paper-passing area, and the detection module includes a third temperature sensor and a fourth temperature sensor located on the first area and the second area respectively, wherein the first temperature is taken as the higher detection value detected by the third temperature sensor and the fourth temperature sensor.

[0026] Thirdly, the present invention also provides a fixing control device applied to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus including a fixing component and a conveying component, the fixing component including a heating member and a pressure member forming a clamping region with the heating member, the clamping region being used for passing through a recording material and fixing an image on the recording material, the clamping region including a paper-passing region and a non-paper-passing region located outside the paper-passing region, the fixing component further including a temperature control module for controlling the temperature of the paper-passing region and a detection module for detecting the temperature of the non-paper-passing region, the conveying component being used for controlling the transmission of the recording material within the image forming apparatus, the fixing control device comprising:

[0027] The acquisition unit is configured to acquire the first temperature of the non-paper passage area detected by the detection module;

[0028] The judging unit is configured to judge whether the first temperature is greater than a first threshold or a second threshold based on the first temperature obtained by the obtaining unit, wherein the second threshold is greater than the first threshold.

[0029] The processing unit is configured to, based on the judgment result of the judgment unit, if the first temperature is greater than a first threshold but less than a second threshold, control the transmission component to increase the continuous transmission spacing of the recording material and reduce the target control temperature of the paper passage area by the temperature control module; if the first temperature is greater than or equal to the second threshold, control the transmission component to pause the transmission of the recording material.

[0030] Fourthly, the present invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium comprising a stored program, wherein, when the program is executed, it controls the device containing the computer-readable storage medium to perform the fixing control method of the first aspect embodiment.

[0031] Other features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will be set forth in the following description, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the embodiments of the invention. The objects and other advantages of embodiments of the invention are realized and obtained in accordance with the structures particularly pointed out in the description and the drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0032] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an image forming apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the fixing component shown in the figure;

[0035] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the sandwiched area;

[0036] Figure 4 A flowchart of the fixing control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Supplementary flowchart of the fixing control method provided in the document;

[0038] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating the fixing control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the fixing control device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure label:

[0041] 100 Body, 110 Material storage container, 120 Transmission component, 130 Optical scanning component, 140 Image forming component, 150 Fixing component, 160 Discharge component;

[0042] 1. Heating component; 11. Thermal conductive film; 12. Heater;

[0043] 2. Pressure-applying components;

[0044] 3 Clamping area, 31 Paper passage area, 32 Non-paper passage area, 321 First area, 322 Second area.

[0045] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0046] To better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0047] It should be understood that the described embodiments are merely some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0048] The terminology used in the embodiments of this invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” as used in the embodiments of this invention and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0049] It should be understood that the term "and / or" used in this article is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0050] It should be noted that the directional terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" described in the embodiments of the present invention are used to describe the angles shown in the accompanying drawings and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, in the context, it should be understood that when it is mentioned that an element is connected "upper" or "lower" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element "upper" or "lower," or indirectly connected to the other element "upper" or "lower" through an intermediate element.

[0051] The structure of the image forming apparatus provided in the first aspect of the present invention will be described below, and specific embodiments thereof will be described.

[0052] Please see Figure 1 The present invention provides an image forming apparatus, including a main body 100 and a material storage container 110, a transmission member 120, an optical scanning member 130, an image forming member 140, a fixing member 150, and an ejection member 160 disposed within the main body 100. The material storage container 110 is detachable from the main body 100 and is used to store recording material. The transmission member 120 is used to transport the recording material supplied from the material storage container 110 in a transmission path within the main body 100. The image forming member 140 and the fixing member 150 are disposed on the transmission path. The optical scanning member 130 emits a light beam onto the image forming member 140, which forms an image composed of toners such as toners inside itself and transfers the image to the recording material on the transmission path. Subsequently, the fixing member 150 fixes the transferred image onto the recording material. Finally, the recording material is ejected from the main body 100 by the ejection member 160.

[0053] The above describes the single-sided printing process. In the double-sided printing process, after the fixing unit 150 fixes the image onto the recording material, the recording material needs to be flipped into the flipping path by a flipping unit that is also set on the transport path and located downstream of the fixing unit 150. The flipping path is connected to the transport path so that the recording material re-enters the transport path after flipping, and the image formation and fixing process continues.

[0054] Specifically, the image forming unit 140 includes a developing mechanism and a transfer mechanism. The developing mechanism includes a housing and a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, and a charging roller disposed within the housing. The photosensitive drum and the developing roller are rotatably disposed within the housing. The housing contains a toner storage chamber and a waste chamber, and an external drive force receiving gear set. The drive force receiving gear set is used to receive drive force to drive the photosensitive drum and the developing roller to rotate. The developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum and is used to supply toner from the toner storage chamber to the photosensitive drum. The charging roller is used to charge the outer surface of the photosensitive drum. The light beam emitted by the light scanning unit scans the outer surface of the photosensitive drum and forms an electrostatic latent image on the charged outer surface. After the toner is supplied to the photosensitive drum, the toner on the surface forms an image due to the electrostatic latent image. This image is further transferred to the recording material on the transport path by the transfer mechanism.

[0055] Further, see Figure 2 The fixing component 150 includes a heating member 1 and a pressure member 2. The heating member 1 and the pressure member 2 form a clamping region 3. The clamping region 3 is used for the recording material to pass through and for fixing the image on the recording material. The heating member 1 includes a heat-conducting film 11 and a heater 12 wrapped by the heat-conducting film 11. The heater 12 is used to provide heat to the heat-conducting film 11. One clamping portion of the clamping region 3 is formed on the outer surface of the heat-conducting film 11. The pressure member 2 is pressed against the heat-conducting film 11 under the action of an elastic member to form another portion of the clamping region 3. In this embodiment, the overall width of the clamping region 3 matches the recording material of the largest paper size that the image forming apparatus can print. When the clamping region 3 passes through the recording material of a smaller paper size than the largest paper size, the clamping region 3 can be divided into a paper passage region 31 for the recording material to pass through and a non-paper passage region 32 located outside the paper passage region 31. See reference. Figure 3 The paper-passing area 31 can be located in the middle of the clamping area 3, and the non-paper-passing areas 323 can be located on both sides of the paper-passing area 31. Alternatively, the paper-passing area 31 can be located on one side of the clamping area 3, and the non-paper-passing area 323 can be located on the other side of the clamping area 3. No limitation is made here. During the fixing heating process, because the paper-passing area 31 passes through the recording material, the recording material can carry away some of the heat from the paper-passing area 31, while the heat in the non-paper-passing area 32 gradually accumulates. Therefore, the temperature of the non-paper-passing area 32 is usually higher than that of the paper-passing area 31.

[0056] Based on this, the fixing unit 150 also includes a temperature control module and a detection module. The temperature control module is used to control the paper passage area 31 at a target fixing temperature based on the temperature of the paper passage area 31, which is usually 230°C, but can also be other fixing temperatures. When the temperature on the paper passage area 31 is lower than the target fixing temperature, the temperature control module can increase the heating time of the heater 12 to keep the paper passage area 31 at the fixing temperature. When it is higher than the target fixing temperature, the heater 12 can be turned off appropriately to achieve a cooling effect. The detection module is used to detect the temperature of the non-paper passage area 32 to cooperate with the temperature control module in executing the fixing control method of the second aspect embodiment described below.

[0057] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention further includes a control unit, which is configured to, based on a first temperature detected by the inspection module, control the transmission unit 120 to increase the continuous transmission interval of the recording material within the image forming apparatus and reduce the target control temperature of the paper passage area 31 by the temperature control module to below the normal fixing temperature, thereby effectively suppressing the temperature rise process. Of course, the control unit is also configured to, if the first temperature is greater than a second threshold higher than the first threshold, control the transmission unit 120 to suspend the transmission of the recording material until the temperature of the non-paper passage area 32 drops below the normal fixing temperature, wherein the normal fixing temperature can be the aforementioned target fixing temperature, such as 230°C.

[0058] The fixing unit 150 also includes a drive unit for driving the heating member 1 and / or the pressurizing member 2 to rotate. The drive unit may be composed of a gear set and a motor. When the first temperature is greater than the second threshold, the control unit suspends the transmission of recording material while the temperature control module shuts off the heater 12 in the heating member 1 and causes the drive unit to continue driving the heating member 1 and / or the pressurizing member 2 so that the fixing unit 150 idles and accelerates heat dissipation.

[0059] To achieve the temperature control process of the paper passage area 31 by the temperature control module, the temperature control module includes a first temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the paper passage area 31, and the heating component 1 includes a heating film in contact with the pressure component 2 and a heater 12 for heating the heating film. Based on the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor, the temperature control module adjusts the supply current to the heater 12 to adjust the temperature in the paper passage area 31 to the target control temperature. The adjustment of the supply current can be achieved by adjusting its magnitude and / or adjusting its on / off state, which is not limited here.

[0060] In one embodiment, see [reference] Figure 3The paper passage area 31 is located in the middle of the clamping area 3. The non-paper passage area 32 includes a first area 321 and a second area 322 located at both ends of the paper passage area 31. The detection module includes a third temperature sensor and a fourth temperature sensor located on the first area 321 and the second area 322, respectively. The first temperature is the higher detection value detected by the third temperature sensor and the fourth temperature sensor. That is, when the highest temperature in one of the first area 321 and the second area 322 reaches the first threshold, it indicates that an abnormality has occurred. If the second threshold is reached, it is necessary to pause to regulate the temperature in the clamping area 3. The printing process can only continue when the highest temperature in the non-paper passage area 32 drops back to the normal value or below, so as to avoid further temperature rise and serious consequences.

[0061] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a fixing control method applied in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect embodiment, which will be described in detail below.

[0062] See Figure 4 The fixing control method includes the following steps:

[0063] S100, based on a continuous printing command, instructs the temperature control module to control the target control temperature in the paper passage area to a first target temperature, and controls the conveying component to transport the recording material within the image forming apparatus at a first transmission interval.

[0064] In one embodiment, the temperature control module acquires temperature information within the paper passage area via a first temperature sensor disposed on the paper passage area. Based on this temperature information, the temperature control module regulates the temperature of the paper passage area by controlling the heating process of the heater, thereby maintaining the temperature of the paper passage area at a target control temperature. At the first target temperature, the paper passage area can properly fix the image onto the recording material, thus ensuring the fixing process.

[0065] Meanwhile, the conveying component transports the recording material within the image forming apparatus at a first transmission interval. Since the temperature of the recording material fluctuates after passing through the paper passage area, within this first transmission interval, the temperature control module has the appropriate time to control the temperature of the paper passage area at a first target temperature based on the temperature information detected by the first temperature sensor, thereby achieving orderly fixing.

[0066] S200: Obtain the first temperature of the non-paper passage area detected by the detection module, and determine whether the first temperature is greater than the first threshold.

[0067] The acquisition process can be transmitted to the device or control component executing this method via a signal transmission line, or it can be carried out via a wireless network or other information acquisition methods. After the value of the first temperature is known, it is determined whether the first temperature exceeds the allowable temperature value by comparing it with the first threshold. If it exceeds the threshold, there may be an abnormal risk. The range of the first threshold value can be set according to the material characteristics of the recording material, heating component and / or pressurizing component. It can be preset in the memory for retrieval, or it can be acquired using wireless networks such as WIFI or wired networks. Of course, it can also be acquired through external devices or external readable storage media, which is not limited here.

[0068] S300, if the first temperature is greater than the first threshold, the continuous transmission spacing of the recording material is changed to a second transmission spacing that is larger than the first transmission spacing, and the target control temperature of the paper passage area by the temperature control module is adjusted to the second target temperature, wherein the second target temperature is less than the first target temperature.

[0069] When the first temperature exceeds the first threshold, it indicates an abnormal situation, requiring temperature control within the clamping area. By increasing the continuous transmission distance of the recording material, the non-paper-passing area gains more heat dissipation time, thereby enhancing the effective cooling of the non-paper-passing area. Simultaneously, by lowering the target control temperature of the paper-passing area, combined with the temperature control module regulating the temperature of the heater within the heating component, continuous heating of the non-paper-passing area by the heater is avoided, enabling rapid cooling of the non-paper-passing area.

[0070] In some embodiments of the present invention, see Figure 5 Fixing control methods also include:

[0071] S400, determine whether the first temperature is greater than the second threshold, where the second threshold is greater than the first threshold;

[0072] S500, if the first temperature is greater than the second threshold, the control conveying component stops transmitting the recording material, and the temperature control module adjusts the target control temperature of the paper passage area to the third target temperature, wherein the third target temperature is less than the first target temperature.

[0073] If the first temperature of the non-paper-passing area detected by the detection module exceeds the second threshold, it indicates a significant temperature rise in the non-paper-passing area within the fixing unit. This necessitates pausing the continued transfer of recording material to extend the heat dissipation time of the non-paper-passing area and to adjust the temperature control module's range for the paper-passing area. Since the heater controlled by the temperature control module in this embodiment heats the entire clamping area, adjusting the target control temperature of the temperature control module can reduce the temperature of the notifying area while simultaneously reducing continuous heating of the non-paper-passing area, effectively suppressing the temperature rise in the non-paper-passing area and achieving temperature regulation.

[0074] In one embodiment, the third target temperature is lower than the second target temperature, so that the temperature control module executes a more aggressive suppression strategy than when the first temperature is greater than the first threshold, effectively controlling the clamping area within the fixing component and improving the cooling efficiency of the non-paper passage area.

[0075] During the pause, the temperature control module shuts off the heater while continuing to operate the heating and / or pressurizing components. This improves the heat dissipation efficiency of the fixing component, causing the temperature of the clamping area (paper-passing area and non-paper-passing area) to drop rapidly, meeting the fixing requirements for continued printing and preventing accidents. Specifically, when pausing the continuous transmission of recording material, in this embodiment, the printing process should continue until the current printing command is completed, i.e., if the current recording material printing triggers the second threshold, then the printing of the current recording material should be completed before pausing the printing of the next page.

[0076] In addition, the method of the first aspect embodiment further includes:

[0077] S600, continue to acquire the first temperature of the non-paper passage area detected by the detection module, and determine whether the first temperature is less than the third threshold, wherein the third threshold is less than the first threshold;

[0078] S700: If the first temperature is less than the third threshold, the control conveying component restarts the transmission of the recording material.

[0079] After pausing the continuous transfer of recording material, the first temperature of the non-paper-passing area is continuously monitored. If the first temperature of the non-paper-passing area has dropped below the third threshold, the printing process can continue and the transfer of recording material can be restarted.

[0080] Based on the aforementioned embodiments, the following examples illustrate various target temperatures and thresholds.

[0081] In one specific embodiment, the first target temperature is 210°C, the second target temperature is 202°C, the third target temperature is 190°C, the first threshold is 230°C, the second threshold is 240°C, and the third threshold is 200°C. During continuous printing, the temperature control module controls the temperature of the paper-passing area with 210°C as the target control temperature. If the first temperature of the non-paper-passing area is detected to be greater than 230°C, the transmission speed of the recording material remains unchanged, and a first operation is performed to increase the continuous transmission spacing between the recording materials to a second transmission spacing 500mm larger than the current transmission spacing. At the same time, a second operation is performed to reduce the target control temperature of the temperature control module to 202°C, until the entire printing command is completed.

[0082] If, during a subsequent printing process, when a print command is received again, the detection module detects that the first temperature of the non-paper-passing area is less than 230°C, then the image forming device is controlled to execute the original continuous printing process, controlling the fixing temperature and continuous transmission interval according to the recording material of the corresponding paper type. If the temperature is greater than 230°C again, then the first and second operations mentioned above are continued.

[0083] If the first temperature detected by the detection module is greater than 240°C, the third operation is executed to adjust the target control temperature of the temperature control module to 190°C. After the 240°C printing command is completed, the fourth operation is executed to pause the continued transmission of the recording material.

[0084] Printing is restarted when the highest temperature in the non-paper-passing area (combined with the temperature values ​​detected in the first and second areas in the aforementioned embodiments) reaches 200°C. During the pause, the temperature control module shuts off the heater and causes the drive to operate the heating and / or pressurizing components normally, while the operation panel on the image forming apparatus displays normal printing.

[0085] Based on the fixing control method provided in the second aspect embodiment of the present invention, see [reference]. Figure 6 The program flow steps can be set as follows:

[0086] S10: Issue a continuous printing command to control the image forming device to print and record material, then proceed to S20;

[0087] S20, the temperature control module adjusts the target temperature to the first target temperature, and sets the continuous transmission interval to the first transmission interval, then proceeds to S30;

[0088] S30, execute the print command for continuously recording materials, then proceed to S31;

[0089] S31, when the continuously recording material passes through the fixing component, the first temperature of the non-paper-passing area detected by the detection module is obtained, and then proceed to S40;

[0090] S40, determine whether the first temperature is greater than the first threshold. If it is greater, proceed to S50; if it is not greater, proceed to S41.

[0091] S41, maintain the target temperature at the first target temperature and maintain the continuous transmission spacing of the recording material at the first transmission spacing, then proceed to S42;

[0092] S42, continue executing the print command for the currently recorded material, proceed to S43;

[0093] S43, determine whether the current recorded material has been printed. If it has been printed, proceed to S44; otherwise, return to S42 to continue the printing process.

[0094] S44: Determine whether the continuous printing command has been completed. If not, return to S30 to continue the printing process of the next page of record material. If completed, the process ends.

[0095] S50, determine whether the first temperature is greater than the second threshold. If it is greater, proceed to S51. If it is less than, proceed to S60, where the second threshold is greater than the first threshold.

[0096] S51, continue executing the print command for the currently recorded material, proceed to S52;

[0097] S52, determine whether the current recorded material has been printed. If it has been printed, proceed to S53. If it has not been printed, return to S51 to continue the printing process.

[0098] S53, determine whether the continuous printing command has been completed. If not, proceed to S54. If completed, the process ends.

[0099] S54, pause the transmission of the next page of recorded material, adjust the target temperature to the third target temperature, and at the same time obtain the first temperature of the non-paper-passing area, then proceed to S55;

[0100] S55, determine whether the first temperature is less than the third threshold. If it is not less than the third threshold, return to S54 to continue executing the cooling strategy. If it is less than the third threshold, return to S30.

[0101] S60, continue executing the print command for the currently recorded material, proceed to S61;

[0102] S61, determine whether the current recorded material has been printed. If it has been printed, proceed to S62. If it has not been printed, return to S61 to continue the printing process.

[0103] S62, determine whether the continuous printing command has been completed. If not, proceed to S63; if completed, the process ends.

[0104] S63, adjust the target temperature to the second target temperature, and adjust the continuous transmission spacing of the recording material to a second transmission spacing that is larger than the first transmission spacing, then return to S30.

[0105] Through the execution of the above-mentioned procedure, a cooling strategy can be quickly implemented to respond to excessively high temperatures in the clamping area, effectively suppressing the temperature rise in the non-paper-passing area and preventing accidents.

[0106] In a third aspect, the present invention also provides a fixing control device applied to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect embodiment of the present invention, see reference. Figure 7 Specifically, it includes:

[0107] The acquisition unit is configured to acquire the first temperature of the non-paper passage area detected by the detection module;

[0108] The judgment unit is configured to determine whether the first temperature is greater than a first threshold or a second threshold based on the first temperature obtained by the acquisition unit, wherein the second threshold is greater than the first threshold.

[0109] The processing unit is configured to, based on the judgment result of the judgment unit, if the first temperature is greater than the first threshold but less than the second threshold, control the transmission component to increase the continuous transmission interval of the recording material and reduce the target control temperature of the paper passage area by the temperature control module; if the first temperature is greater than or equal to the second threshold, control the transmission component to suspend the transmission of the recording material.

[0110] In a fourth aspect, the present invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein the computer program, when executed by a processor, implements the fixing control method provided in the second aspect embodiment of the present application.

[0111] The aforementioned computer-readable storage medium may be any combination of one or more computer-readable media. A computer-readable medium may be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium may be, for example,—but not limited to—an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination thereof. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media (a non-exhaustive list) include: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or flash memory, optical fiber, portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage device, magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination thereof. In this document, a computer-readable storage medium may be any tangible medium containing or storing a program that may be used by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0112] Computer-readable signal media may include data signals propagated in baseband or as part of a carrier wave, carrying computer-readable program code. Such propagated data signals may take various forms, including—but not limited to—electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination thereof. Computer-readable signal media may also be any computer-readable medium other than computer-readable storage media, capable of transmitting, propagating, or transmitting programs for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0113] The program code contained on a computer-readable medium may be transmitted using any suitable medium, including—but not limited to—wireless, wire, optical fiber, RF, etc., or any suitable combination thereof.

[0114] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0115] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0116] Any process or method description in the flowchart or otherwise herein can be understood as representing a module, segment, or portion of code comprising one or more executable instructions for implementing custom logic functions or processes, and the scope of preferred embodiments of the invention includes additional implementations in which functions may be performed not in the order shown or discussed, including substantially simultaneously or in reverse order depending on the functions involved, as should be understood by those skilled in the art to which embodiments of the invention pertain.

[0117] In the embodiments provided by this invention, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0118] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present invention can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or in the form of hardware plus software functional units.

[0119] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fixing control method applied in an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus including a fixing component and a transport component, the fixing component including a heating member and a pressure member forming a clamping region with the heating member, the clamping region being used for passing through a recording material and fixing an image on the recording material, the clamping region including a paper-passing region and a non-paper-passing region located outside the paper-passing region, the fixing component further including a temperature control module for controlling the temperature of the paper-passing region and a detection module for detecting the temperature of the non-paper-passing region, the transport component being used for controlling the transport of the recording material within the image forming apparatus; Its features are, The method includes: Based on the continuous printing command, the temperature control module is instructed to control the target control temperature in the paper passage area to a first target temperature, and to control the conveying component to transport the recording material within the image forming apparatus at a first transmission interval. The first temperature of the non-paper passage area detected by the detection module is obtained, and it is determined whether the first temperature is greater than a first threshold. If the first temperature is greater than the first threshold, the continuous transmission spacing of the recording material is changed to a second transmission spacing that is larger than the first transmission spacing, and the target control temperature of the paper passage area by the temperature control module is adjusted to a second target temperature, which is less than the first target temperature. Determine whether the first temperature is greater than the second threshold, where the second threshold is greater than the first threshold; If the first temperature is greater than the second threshold, the conveying component is controlled to pause the transmission of the recording material, and the target control temperature of the paper passage area by the temperature control module is adjusted to a third target temperature, which is less than the first target temperature. The fixing unit also includes a drive for rotating the heating member and / or the pressurizing member, the heating member having a heater, the heater being turned off during a period when the transport member is controlled to pause the transport of the recording material, and the drive continues to drive the heating member and / or the pressurizing member.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second target temperature is greater than the third target temperature.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Continue to acquire the first temperature of the non-paper passage area detected by the detection module, and determine whether the first temperature is less than a third threshold, wherein the third threshold is less than the first threshold; If the first temperature is less than the third threshold, the conveying component is controlled to restart the transmission of the recording material.

4. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that, It includes a transport component, a fixing component, and a control component, wherein the transport component is used to control the transport of recording material within the image forming apparatus, wherein... The fixing component includes: Heating component, with a built-in heater for heating; A pressure member that forms a clamping region with the heating member, the clamping region being used for passing through the recording material and fixing the image on the recording material to the recording material, the clamping region including a paper passage area for the recording material to pass through and a non-paper passage area located outside the paper passage area; A temperature control module is used to control the temperature of the paper passage area; and A detection module for detecting the temperature of the non-paper-passing area; The control component is used to control the conveying component to increase the continuous transmission spacing of the recording material in the image forming apparatus when the first temperature detected by the detection module is greater than a first threshold, and to reduce the target control temperature of the paper passage area of ​​the temperature control module to below the normal fixing temperature. The control component is also configured to control the conveying component to pause the transmission of the recording material if the first temperature is greater than a second threshold that is higher than the first threshold. The fixing unit also includes a drive for rotating the heating member and / or the pressurizing member. During the period when the transport member pauses the transmission of the recording material, the temperature control module shuts off the heater, and the drive continues to drive the heating member and / or the pressurizing member.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The temperature control module includes a first temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the paper passage area, and the heating component includes a heating film in contact with the pressure component and a heater for heating the heating film. Based on the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor, the temperature control module adjusts the supply current to the heater to adjust the temperature in the paper passage area to the target control temperature.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The paper-passing area is located in the middle of the clamping area. The non-paper-passing area includes a first area and a second area located at both ends of the paper-passing area. The detection module includes a third temperature sensor and a fourth temperature sensor located on the first area and the second area, respectively. The first temperature is taken as the higher detection value detected by the third temperature sensor and the fourth temperature sensor.

7. A fixing control device applied to an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus comprising a fixing component and a transport component, the fixing component comprising a heating member and a pressure member forming a clamping region with the heating member, the clamping region being for passing through a recording material and fixing an image on the recording material, the clamping region comprising a paper-passing region and a non-paper-passing region located outside the paper-passing region, the fixing component further comprising a temperature control module for controlling the temperature of the paper-passing region and a detection module for detecting the temperature of the non-paper-passing region, the transport component being for controlling the transport of the recording material within the image forming apparatus, characterized in that... The fixing control device includes: The acquisition unit is configured to acquire the first temperature of the non-paper passage area detected by the detection module; The judging unit is configured to judge whether the first temperature is greater than a first threshold or a second threshold based on the first temperature obtained by the obtaining unit, wherein the second threshold is greater than the first threshold. The processing unit is configured to, based on the judgment result of the judgment unit, if the first temperature is greater than a first threshold but less than a second threshold, control the conveying component to increase the continuous transmission spacing of the recording material and reduce the target control temperature of the paper passage area by the temperature control module; if the first temperature is greater than or equal to the second threshold, control the conveying component to pause the transmission of the recording material. The fixing unit also includes a drive for rotating the heating member and / or the pressurizing member, the heating member having a heater, the heater being turned off during a period when the transport member is controlled to pause the transport of the recording material, and the drive continues to drive the heating member and / or the pressurizing member.

8. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium includes a stored program, wherein, when the program is executed, it controls the device containing the computer-readable storage medium to perform the fixing control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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