Fixation Device Speed Control for Image Formation Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image formation apparatuses, fluctuations in the linear speed of fixation and pressurizing members due to temperature changes or unevenness cause issues like color shift and rubbing during the fixation process.
Innovation Solution
An image formation apparatus with a fixation device that includes temperature sensors to detect temperatures at different regions of the fixation and pressurizing members, allowing a controller to adjust the drive speed of these members to maintain consistent linear speed, thereby compensating for temperature-induced fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the fixation member or pressurizing member is heated during operation, then the developer image can be fixed onto the medium, but the linear speed of the fixation member or pressurizing member fluctuates due to temperature change or temperature unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is divided into multiple independent heating zones (first heater and second heater) that can be controlled separately. This allows different regions of the fixation member to be heated to different temperatures or heating rates, compensating for thermal expansion variations across different sections and maintaining uniform linear speed throughout the fixation member.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the fixation member are subjected to different heating conditions through the segmented heater arrangement. The first and second heaters apply localized heating to specific segments, creating intentional temperature gradients that counteract the natural tendency toward uniform thermal expansion, thereby maintaining consistent linear speed across the entire fixation member.
2Device complexity
If a single heater is used to heat the fixation member, then the structure is simple, but temperature unevenness occurs causing linear speed fluctuation
Solution Approach 1:
The single heater is segmented into multiple independent heating zones (first heater and second heater). This segmentation allows each zone to be controlled independently, enabling compensation for temperature unevenness across different regions of the fixation member while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented heater structure applies different heating characteristics to different local regions of the fixation member. This local quality approach ensures more uniform temperature distribution across the fixation member surface, preventing the temperature unevenness that would otherwise cause linear speed fluctuations.
3Productivity
If the linear speed of the fixation member fluctuates, then the fixing process is simple, but image defects such as color shift and rubbing occur
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is segmented into multiple controllable zones that can be independently adjusted to maintain uniform linear speed across the fixation member. This prevents speed fluctuations that would cause image defects like color shift and rubbing, ensuring high image quality without sacrificing fixing process efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different heating zones are controlled with different parameters to compensate for local variations in thermal expansion. This local quality control maintains consistent linear speed throughout the fixation member, preventing image defects while preserving the efficiency of the fixing process.
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 effectively suppresses linear speed fluctuations, preventing image defects such as color shift and rubbing by dynamically adjusting the rotation speed of the fixation motor based on temperature readings from multiple sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat generating portion configured to heat the first region of the fixation member; a second heat generating portion configured to heat the second region of the fixation member
Implementation Method 2
a first sensor that detects a first temperature of one of the pressurizing member and the fixation member at a position corresponding to the first region in the longitudinal direction
Implementation Method 3
a second sensor that detects a second temperature of the one of the pressurizing member and the fixation member at a position corresponding to the second region in the longitudinal direction
Implementation Method 4
a linear speed of the fixation member or the pressurizing member may fluctuate due to a temperature change or a temperature unevenness
Data Source
AI summary
An image formation apparatus according to an embodiment includes a fixation device and a controller. The fixation device includes: a fixation member that includes a first region and a second region located closer to a center in a longitudinal direction of the fixation member than the first region; a pressurizing member that forms a nip portion between the fixation member and the pressurizing member; first and second heat generating portions that heat the first and second regions, respectively; a first sensor that detects a first temperature of one of the pressurizing member and the fixation member at a position corresponding to the first heat generating portion; and a second sensor that detects a second temperature of the one at a position corresponding to the second heat generating portion. The controller controls a drive speed of the pressurizing member or the fixation member based on the first and second temperatures.