Image Forming Apparatus ADF Warm-Up Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses, such as multifunction peripherals (MFPs), face challenges in starting printing operations efficiently due to insufficient power allocation when the automatic document feeder (ADF) and fixing device operate simultaneously, leading to prolonged waiting times as the ADF is forced to switch to a low-speed mode during warm-up, which slows down the printing process.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus includes an automatic document feeder and a controller that allows the ADF to maintain its typical speed during warm-up by adjusting the warm-up time and printing speed based on the document conveyance speed, ensuring sufficient power is allocated to the fixing device, thereby preventing power shortages and reducing waiting times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the ADF is switched to a low-speed operation mode during warm-up to reduce power consumption, then the power supplied to the fixing device is increased, but the waiting time until the job is completed becomes long
Solution Approach 1:
The ADF operation mode is dynamically switched based on the warm-up status of the fixing device. During warm-up, the ADF operates in low-speed mode to prioritize power to the fixing device. After warm-up completes, the ADF switches to high-speed mode to reduce waiting time for job completion. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by changing operational parameters based on system state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs a preliminary warm-up operation of the fixing device before starting the main printing job. During this preliminary phase, the ADF operates at low speed to ensure sufficient power is allocated to heat the fixing device. This preliminary action prepares the system in advance, allowing the main job to proceed at full speed afterward, thus resolving the time loss issue.
2Speed
If the ADF operates at typical speed during warm-up, then the reading speed is maintained, but the power allocation becomes insufficient for the fixing device
Solution Approach 1:
The ADF speed is dynamically adjusted based on the warm-up phase. During warm-up, speed is reduced to low-speed mode to allocate more power to the fixing device. After warm-up completes, speed returns to typical/high mode. This dynamic speed adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining reading speed and ensuring sufficient power allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ADF operates in periodic cycles: low-speed mode during the warm-up period, then switches to high-speed mode for the main printing operation. This periodic action pattern allows the system to temporarily sacrifice speed for power allocation during the warm-up phase, then restore full speed afterward, resolving the power allocation issue.
3Power
If the warm-up time is extended to ensure sufficient power for the fixing device, then the power allocation is adequate, but the overall waiting time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic power management where the ADF speed is adjusted in real-time based on the warm-up status. Rather than extending warm-up time, the system dynamically switches ADF to low-speed mode only during the necessary warm-up period, then immediately transitions to high-speed mode. This dynamic approach ensures adequate power allocation without unnecessarily extending overall waiting time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (ADF speed mode) based on the warm-up phase. By switching from high-speed to low-speed mode during warm-up and back after warm-up completes, the system optimizes power allocation during the critical warm-up period while minimizing the impact on overall job completion time, thus resolving the contradiction between power allocation and waiting time.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
An image forming apparatus (100) includes an automatic document feeder (102), a fixing device (18), and a controller (105). The automatic document feeder (102) conveys a document by one of multiple document conveyance speeds. The controller (105) is configured to drive the automatic document feeder (102) during warming up the fixing device (18) and set at leaset one of a warm-up time of the fixing device (18) or a printing speed based on the one of multiple document conveyance speeds of the automatic document feeder (102).