Fixer Thermal Expansion Mode for Crease Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses fail to effectively eliminate creases on fixing members, leading to image defects due to non-uniform fixing properties, especially when handling sheets with irregular portions.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a thermal expansion mode where a hardware processor controls an external heater to heat the first fixing member to a temperature higher than that during normal printing, promoting thermal expansion and eliminating creases on the fixing member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sheets with irregular portions are conveyed through the fixing nip, then the fixing process can be completed, but creases occur on the fixing member surface causing image defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by heating the first fixing member to a temperature higher than the normal fixing temperature. This temperature parameter change causes thermal expansion of the elastic layer, which eliminates creases on the fixing member surface and restores uniform fixing properties, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining productivity and ensuring fixing uniformity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the first fixing member is heated to higher temperature, then creases are eliminated through thermal expansion, but additional energy consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by periodically heating the first fixing member to eliminate creases before they cause image defects. This proactive maintenance approach restores the fixing member surface uniformity in advance, preventing quality issues while managing energy consumption through targeted rather than continuous heating.
3Manufacturing precision
If the first fixing member is heated continuously at high temperature, then creases are eliminated, but the recording material may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by heating the first fixing member only at specific intervals or under specific conditions rather than continuously. This controlled periodic heating eliminates creases effectively while limiting the duration and frequency of high-temperature exposure, thereby preventing damage to the recording material and resolving the contradiction between crease elimination effectiveness and material safety.
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 image defects by eliminating creases on the fixing member, ensuring uniform fixing properties and maintaining productivity even during continuous printing operations.
Implementation Method 1
a hardware processor that executes a thermal expansion mode, in which in the thermal expansion mode, the hardware processor causes the external heater to heat the first fixing member to a temperature higher than a temperature during normal printing
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus including: an image former that forms an image on a recording material; includes a fixer that has a first fixing member having an elastic layer, a second fixing member that forms a fixing nip with the first fixing member, and an external heater that heats the first fixing member from outside, and fixes the image on the recording material by heating and pressing the conveyed recording material at the fixing nip; and a hardware processor that executes a thermal expansion mode, in which in the thermal expansion mode, the hardware processor causes the external heater to heat the first fixing member to a temperature higher than a temperature during normal printing.