Fixation Roller Temperature Control for Creep Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face issues with energy efficiency and defects due to creep occurring between fixation and pressurization rollers when in a low power sleep state, leading to unwanted sounds and defects in printed sheets.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus controls the temperature and rotation speed of the fixation roller to prevent creep by adjusting the heating and driving of the pressurization roller based on elapsed time since the last image forming process, ensuring the rollers do not collide and reducing the occurrence of collision sounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the image forming apparatus operates in a low power sleep state to save energy, then energy efficiency is improved, but creep occurs between the pressurization roller and fixation roller leading to defects and strange sounds
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary actions by detecting elapsed time and proactively adjusting roller conditions before creep can cause defects. When the sleep state duration exceeds a threshold, the system preemptively rotates the pressurization roller or adjusts fixation roller temperature to prevent creep occurrence, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving energy savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational parameters of the fixation and pressurization rollers based on the duration of the sleep state. The control unit monitors elapsed time and adaptively changes rotation speeds or temperatures, transforming static roller conditions into dynamic, time-dependent parameters that prevent creep while maintaining energy efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If the pressurization roller is hardened by heat during image forming, then fixation quality is improved, but creep occurs when left unattended in sleep state causing strange sounds
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful effect of heat-induced hardening that causes creep into a beneficial control parameter. By monitoring sleep state duration and using the known relationship between temperature, time, and creep, the control unit adjusts roller rotation or temperature to prevent the harmful creep effect while maintaining the beneficial hardening effect during active image forming.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit changes physical parameters (rotation speed, temperature) of the rollers based on elapsed time in sleep state. When creep is predicted to occur, the system adjusts these parameters to prevent the harmful effect, thereby eliminating strange sounds while preserving fixation quality during normal operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If the fixation roller temperature is controlled for optimal toner fixation, then image quality is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of maintaining constant high temperature, the system uses periodic heating cycles combined with time-based monitoring. The control unit adjusts temperature and rotation based on elapsed time in sleep state, applying heat only when necessary to prevent creep, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining image quality during active 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 effectively suppresses collision sounds and reduces defects in printed sheets by controlling the temperature and rotation speed of the rollers, maintaining energy efficiency and improving operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the fixation roller and a pressurization roller are rotated with the sheet being squeezed between the fixation roller and the pressurization roller, and thus heat of the fixation roller is transferred to the sheet
Implementation Method 2
the pressurization roller that is hardened by the heat of the fixation roller is left unattended (naturally cooled) and thus is hardened in a state of being pressure-contacted with the fixation roller. This transformation is generally referred to as a creep
Data Source
AI summary
According to embodiments, an image forming apparatus includes a fixation member, a pressurization member, a heat source, a drive unit, a measurement unit, and a control unit. The measurement unit measures the time that elapses after the image forming apparatus ends image forming processing until the image forming apparatus receives an instruction to perform the next image forming processing. If the elapsed time does not exceed a predetermined threshold, the control unit causes the drive unit to start to drive the fixation member after a temperature of the fixation member reaches a first control temperature. If the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined threshold, the control unit causes the drive unit to start to drive the fixation member after the temperature of the fixation member reaches a second control temperature that is higher than the first control temperature.