Dynamic Fuser Control Cycle for Temperature Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in achieving precise temperature control of the fuser, particularly those with fast heating and cooling rates, leading to overshooting and undershooting of fusing temperatures, which affect image fusion quality.
Innovation Solution
The fuser driver controls the AC power source by varying the control cycle based on the sensed temperature, calculating conduction duty and waveform hours to maintain a target temperature, switching to shorter cycles as the temperature approaches the target and longer cycles when precision is not needed, thereby reducing CPU load and resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed control cycle is used for fuser temperature control, then the control system is simple, but the temperature control precision deteriorates causing overshooting and undershooting
Solution Approach 1:
The control cycle is made dynamic rather than fixed. The processor adjusts the control cycle length based on the current temperature state: using shorter control cycles when the fuser temperature is close to the target temperature to achieve precise control, and longer control cycles when the temperature is far from target to reduce CPU load. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between control precision and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control cycle parameter is changed adaptively based on temperature conditions. By varying the control cycle duration according to the temperature difference between current and target states, the system achieves high precision when needed while maintaining simplicity during coarse control phases, thus resolving the contradiction between precision and complexity.
2Measurement precision
If a short control cycle is used for precise temperature control, then the temperature control precision is improved, but the CPU load and resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control cycle duration is dynamically adjusted based on operational needs. When precise temperature control is required (temperature close to target), shorter control cycles are used. When precise control is not critical (temperature far from target or during stable operation), longer control cycles are used to reduce CPU load and resource consumption, thus resolving the contradiction between precision and resource usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The control cycle parameter is adaptively changed based on temperature conditions and system state. This allows the system to use computationally intensive short cycles only when necessary for precision, while using longer, less resource-intensive cycles during routine operation, balancing precision requirements with resource conservation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a long control cycle is used to reduce CPU load, then the resource usage is optimized, but the temperature control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control cycle is dynamically adapted to match the precision requirements of the current operational phase. During phases requiring high precision (temperature near target), the system automatically switches to shorter control cycles. During phases where precision is less critical, longer control cycles are used to optimize resource usage, thus resolving the contradiction between resource efficiency and control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The control cycle parameter is changed based on real-time temperature feedback and system state. This adaptive parameter adjustment ensures that long control cycles are only used when precision requirements are low, while automatically switching to shorter cycles when precision is needed, balancing resource optimization with control accuracy.
4Measurement precision
If the control cycle is varied adaptively, then the temperature control precision is improved and resource usage is optimized, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses temperature feedback from the sensor to adaptively adjust the control cycle. The processor continuously monitors the fuser temperature and uses this feedback to determine the appropriate control cycle length, implementing a closed-loop control system that automatically optimizes precision and resource usage without requiring complex external control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is self-regulating, using its own temperature measurements to automatically adjust its control parameters. The processor independently determines when to use short or long control cycles based on the temperature state, eliminating the need for complex external control logic and keeping the system relatively simple while achieving adaptive precision.
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 method enables more precise temperature control near the target temperature, reducing overshooting and undershooting, and optimizing resource usage by adapting the control cycle to the temperature range, ensuring better image fusion quality and reduced heat loss.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element which heats the fusing member to a preset temperature
Implementation Method 2
a fusing member that contacts the print sheet and fuses an image on the print sheet by being heated
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a fuser to fuse a print medium having a surface on which toner is developed, the fuser including a heating element, and a controller to control a power source to the heating element by varying a duty control cycle according to a temperature of the fuser.