Capacitor Charge Control for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently managing power supply, leading to frequent charging and discharging of capacitors, which shortens their lifespan due to inadequate control over power usage patterns, especially during warming up and energy-saving modes.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a charge storage unit, a charging unit, a discharging unit, a detecting unit, a setting unit, and a control unit that determines permitted charge-use times based on usage states, allowing controlled charging and discharging to optimize power supply and reduce unnecessary cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the capacitor is used to supply power to the heater during warming up, then the power supply can be stabilized, but the number of charge and discharge cycles increases, shortening the capacitor's lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines in advance whether the current time falls within a charge-use permitted time period before allowing the capacitor to discharge. This preliminary check prevents unnecessary charge-discharge cycles during warming up operations, reducing capacitor wear while maintaining power supply stability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a detecting unit to monitor usage state and a control unit to make decisions based on current time and permitted time periods. This feedback mechanism ensures the capacitor is only discharged when both power supply needs and time conditions are met, optimizing both reliability and lifespan.
2Power
If the capacitor frequently charges and discharges to compensate for power supply, then the power deficiency is addressed, but the capacitor lifetime is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-determines charge-use permitted time periods based on usage patterns and power needs. By checking whether the current time falls within these permitted periods before discharging, the system provides power compensation only when necessary and appropriate, avoiding frequent unnecessary charge-discharge cycles that would shorten capacitor life.
3Temperature
If the capacitor supplies power during warming up from energy-saving mode, then the heater can reach operating temperature, but unnecessary charge-discharge cycles occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs a preliminary determination of whether the current time is within a charge-use permitted time period before allowing capacitor discharge to the heater. This prevents unnecessary charge-discharge cycles during warming up from energy-saving mode, extending capacitor life while still enabling temperature recovery when conditions permit.
Solution Approach 2:
The detecting unit monitors the heater's temperature state and the control unit integrates this with time-based permissions to decide whether capacitor discharge is appropriate. This feedback loop ensures the heater can reach operating temperature when needed while avoiding unnecessary capacitor cycling.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution extends the lifespan of capacitors by minimizing unnecessary charge and discharge cycles, ensuring efficient power management and maintaining performance without compromising user usability.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitor as an auxiliary power source in the image forming apparatus such that power can be supplied from the capacitor to the loads
Data Source
AI summary
A detecting unit detects a usage state of a charge storage unit for each predetermined time period. A setting unit determines whether the usage state of the charge storage unit satisfies a predetermined condition for each time period, and when it is determined that the usage state satisfies the predetermined condition, sets a corresponding time period as a charge-use permitted time. A control unit determines whether a current time falls in the charge-use permitted time, and when it is determined that the current time falls in the charge-use permitted time, allows a discharging unit to discharge the charge storage unit.