Dual Heating Element Temperature Control for Power Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image heating apparatuses face challenges in achieving power saving while preventing fixing failures and gloss decreases near the image end sections, due to temperature gradients and increased power supply to non-image heating sections.
Innovation Solution
An image heating apparatus with first and second heat generating elements, where the control portion adjusts the control temperature of the second heat generating element based on the distance between the image end section and the boundary of the first region, to maintain optimal heating conditions and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the control temperature of the non-image heating section is set lower to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but a temperature gradient occurs at the boundary between non-image and image heating sections, causing fixing failures and gloss decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by setting different control temperatures for different heating sections based on their function. The non-image heating section uses a lower control temperature (first control temperature) to save power, while the image heating section uses a higher control temperature (second control temperature) to ensure proper fixing. This spatial differentiation of temperature control resolves the contradiction by allowing power saving in non-critical areas while maintaining fixing quality in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating apparatus is segmented into multiple independent heating sections (non-image heating section and image heating section), each with independent temperature control. This segmentation allows the system to optimize power consumption in the non-image section while maintaining adequate temperature in the image section, thereby resolving the contradiction between power saving and fixing quality.
2Reliability
If the control temperature of the non-image heating section is increased to prevent temperature gradient and fixing failures, then fixing quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by setting different control temperatures for different heating sections based on their function. The non-image heating section uses a lower control temperature (first control temperature) to save power, while the image heating section uses a higher control temperature (second control temperature) to ensure proper fixing. This spatial differentiation of temperature control resolves the contradiction by allowing power saving in non-critical areas while maintaining fixing quality in critical areas.
3Reliability
If power supplied to the non-image heating section is increased to prevent fixing failures near boundary positions, then fixing quality is improved, but power saving effect declines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by setting different control temperatures for different heating sections based on their function. The non-image heating section uses a lower control temperature (first control temperature) to save power, while the image heating section uses a higher control temperature (second control temperature) to ensure proper fixing. This spatial differentiation of temperature control resolves the contradiction by allowing power saving in non-critical areas while maintaining fixing quality in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating apparatus is segmented into multiple independent heating sections (non-image heating section and image heating section), each with independent temperature control. This segmentation allows the system to optimize power consumption in the non-image section while maintaining adequate temperature in the image section, thereby resolving the contradiction between power saving and fixing quality.
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 approach enhances power saving while preventing fixing failures and gloss decreases near the image end sections by optimizing heat distribution and reducing power consumption, achieving a further power saving effect compared to previous systems.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of heat generating elements for heating the respective heating regions are provided in the longitudinal direction
Data Source
AI summary
An image heating apparatus includes first and second heat generating elements arranged adjacent to each other, and a control portion that controls power supplied to the first and second heat generating elements, and that is capable of individually controlling the first and second heat generating elements, the first and second heat generating elements being respectively controlled so as to maintain a control temperature. When an image exists in a second region on the recording material heated by the second heat generating element, and an image does not exist in a first region on the recording material heated by the first heat generating element, the control portion sets the control temperature of the second heat generating element, when heating the second region, in accordance with a distance between an end section of the image in the second region and a boundary of the first region and the second region.