Fan Speed Control for Accurate Ambient Temperature Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting ambient temperature and humidity, leading to inadequate cooling and potential defective image output due to inconsistent air flow management by the main assembly fan, which affects power consumption and fan longevity.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates an ambient condition detector and a control mechanism that adjusts the main assembly fan's rotational frequency, operating at a higher speed initially to quickly equilibrate internal temperatures and humidity with ambient conditions, then reducing speed to conserve energy and extend fan life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the main assembly fan operates at a relatively small air flow rate to reduce power consumption and minimize noises, then power consumption and noises are reduced, but the interior of the apparatus cannot be fully cooled and the detected temperature and humidity will be higher than ambient air
Solution Approach 1:
The control device operates the main assembly fan at a first rotational frequency (higher speed) during a predetermined period after the apparatus is turned on, before ambient condition detection begins. This preliminary high-speed operation fully exchanges the interior air with ambient air, ensuring that subsequent temperature and humidity detections accurately reflect true ambient conditions. After this initialization period, the fan switches to a second rotational frequency (lower speed) for normal operation, reducing power consumption and noise while maintaining adequate cooling.
2Measurement precision
If the main assembly fan operates at a high air flow rate to fully cool the interior and accurately detect ambient conditions, then detection accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases and noises are minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The control device dynamically adjusts the rotational frequency of the main assembly fan based on the operational state of the apparatus. During the initialization period after power-on, the fan operates at a first rotational frequency (higher speed) to rapidly exchange interior air with ambient air. Once the predetermined period elapses and the apparatus enters normal operation, the fan switches to a second rotational frequency (lower speed). This dynamic adjustment ensures accurate ambient condition detection during initialization while reducing power consumption and noise during normal standby and operation.
3Measurement precision
If the main assembly fan operates continuously at high speed to maintain accurate ambient detection, then detection accuracy is maintained, but the fan's life expectancy is reduced due to overload
Solution Approach 1:
The control device implements periodic operation of the main assembly fan rather than continuous high-speed operation. During a predetermined initialization period after the apparatus is turned on, the fan operates at a first rotational frequency (higher speed) to fully exchange interior air with ambient air and establish accurate baseline ambient conditions. After this initialization period, the fan operates at a second rotational frequency (lower speed) during normal standby and operation. This periodic high-speed operation ensures accurate ambient detection while significantly reducing cumulative fan wear and extending life expectancy compared to continuous high-speed operation.
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 enables faster and more accurate detection of ambient conditions, improving image quality, reducing power consumption, and extending the fan's lifespan by optimizing air flow and temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
a fan (12) for sucking the air in the apparatus main assembly (10) through the opening (11) and discharging the air outside the apparatus main assembly (10)
Implementation Method 2
for cooling the interior of the apparatus main assembly (10) and exhausting the air from within the apparatus main assembly (10)
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet in accordance with inputted image data, an opening portion configured to allow airflow between an inside and an outside of the image forming apparatus, a detector disposed adjacent to the opening portion and configured to detect a temperature, a fan configured to suction air through the opening and to discharge air from the inside of the image forming unit to cool the image forming unit, a controller configured to control a rotational speed of the fan so as to rotate the fan at a first rotational speed, in an initial state of the image forming apparatus, after actuation of the image forming apparatus, and to rotate the fan at a second rotational speed, less than the first rotational speed, in a stand-by state waiting for the image data to be input after the initial state, and a setting portion configured to set an image forming condition of the image forming unit on the basis of an output of the detector acquired as a result of rotation of the fan at the first rotational speed.