Ejection Roller Velocity Control for Fuser Sheet Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The image forming apparatus experiences unstable sheet behavior due to fluctuations in sheet-conveying velocity caused by heat accumulation and expansion of the resiliently deformable fuser roller, leading to inconsistent circumferential velocities between the fuser and ejection roller.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a driving unit that adjusts the circumferential velocity of the ejection roller to be higher than the sheet-conveying velocity of the fuser, with the controller increasing the ejection roller's velocity as the fuser's velocity increases, maintaining a stable relationship between the two velocities and ensuring consistent sheet behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the ejection roller is driven at a higher circumferential velocity than the sheet-conveying velocity of the fuser, then sheet ejection efficiency is improved, but sheet behavior becomes unstable due to velocity fluctuations caused by fuser roller thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the circumferential velocity of the ejection roller variable rather than constant. The driving unit adjusts the circumferential velocity of the ejection roller in real-time based on the sheet-conveying velocity of the fuser, allowing the system to adapt to thermal expansion effects and maintain stable sheet behavior while achieving efficient ejection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control where the driving unit continuously monitors the sheet-conveying velocity of the fuser and adjusts the circumferential velocity of the ejection roller accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the velocity relationship between the fuser and ejection roller is maintained optimally, preventing sheet behavior instability caused by thermal expansion.
2Productivity
If the fuser roller operates continuously to convey multiple sheets, then productivity is improved, but the roller accumulates heat and expands causing velocity fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the circumferential velocity of the ejection roller in response to changes in the fuser roller's sheet-conveying velocity. When the fuser roller expands due to heat accumulation, its velocity changes, and the driving unit相应地 adjusts the ejection roller's velocity to maintain proper velocity relationship, ensuring consistent sheet behavior during continuous operation.
3Speed
If the ejection roller velocity is increased to improve ejection performance, then sheet ejection speed is improved, but the velocity relationship with the fuser becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the velocity relationship dynamic by allowing the ejection roller's circumferential velocity to vary based on the fuser's sheet-conveying velocity. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the velocity relationship remains consistent and appropriate for stable sheet behavior, even when ejection speed needs to be increased for improved performance.
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 stabilizes the behavior of sheets conveyed through the fuser by maintaining a balanced relationship between sheet-conveying and ejection roller velocities, preventing sheet loosening and ensuring accurate image formation and ejection.
Implementation Method 1
the roller in the fuser may accumulate the heat and expand, and a diameter of the roller may increase
Implementation Method 2
The fuser in the image forming apparatus may include a resiliently deformable roller made of, for example, rubber, to convey the sheet
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus, including a process unit to form a developer image on a sheet, a fuser to convey the sheet and fix the developer image on the sheet by the process unit, a first roller to convey the sheet exiting the fuser to be ejected outside a body of the image forming apparatus, and a driving unit to drive the first roller, is provided. The driving unit drives the first roller at a circumferential velocity higher than a sheet-conveying velocity to convey the sheet by the fuser. The driving unit increases the circumferential velocity of the first roller to be higher as the sheet-conveying velocity to convey the sheet by the fuser is higher.