Fixing Apparatus Motor Control for Stick-Slip Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses with film heating systems face issues of increased speed fluctuations and unpleasant stick-slip sounds due to lubricant viscosity changes during high-speed operation, leading to inefficient heat fixing processes.
Innovation Solution
A fixing apparatus with a cylindrical heating film, a nip portion forming member, a roller, and a motor control system that adjusts rotational speed and power supply based on warming conditions to prevent lubricant film shortages, employing low-speed rotation control after the fixing process to stabilize film rotation and reduce stick-slip noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the process speed of the fixing apparatus is increased to execute heat fixing faster, then productivity is improved, but speed fluctuation increases and stick-slip sound is generated due to lubricant viscosity changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the motor control strategy adaptive to warming conditions. The control unit dynamically switches between first control (immediate stop) and second control (gradual stop with low-speed rotation period) based on whether the fixing apparatus is warmed up, as detected by the acquisition unit. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by maintaining rotation stability through appropriate control selection while allowing high-speed operation for productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the rotational speed parameter during the low-speed rotation period before stopping the motor. By gradually reducing the rotational speed from the high process speed to a lower speed, the patent prevents abrupt speed changes that cause stick-slip sound. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between maintaining high productivity and ensuring rotation stability.
2Productivity
If the process speed is increased to improve productivity, then heat fixing efficiency is improved, but acceleration fluctuation increases causing stick-slip sound
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a low-speed rotation period before stopping the motor. This preliminary gradual deceleration prepares the system for stopping by reducing speed incrementally, preventing the abrupt acceleration fluctuation that would generate stick-slip sound. The acquisition unit detects warming conditions and triggers this preliminary action when appropriate, maintaining productivity while eliminating harmful sounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent skips the intermediate deceleration steps by directly implementing a controlled low-speed rotation period when the apparatus is warmed up. Instead of allowing natural gradual deceleration or immediate stop, the system rushes through the critical deceleration phase with controlled low-speed rotation, preventing stick-slip sound generation while maintaining overall process efficiency.
3Loss of time
If the motor stops immediately after fixing process to save time, then productivity is improved, but rotation instability occurs due to lubricant viscosity changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the stop control adaptive to warming conditions. When the acquisition unit detects that the fixing apparatus is warmed up, the control unit dynamically selects the second control strategy (low-speed rotation period before stop) instead of the first control (immediate stop). This dynamic control maintains rotation stability during stopping while minimizing time loss through efficient control selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback from the acquisition unit that detects warming conditions to adjust the motor control strategy. The control unit receives feedback about the thermal state and accordingly selects the appropriate control mode (first or second control). This feedback mechanism ensures rotation stability during stopping by adapting the control strategy to current operating conditions, resolving the contradiction between stop time and stability.
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
The solution effectively suppresses stick-slip sounds and maintains stable film rotation, enhancing the durability and performance of the image forming apparatus by adjusting motor power and speed control in response to warming conditions, ensuring efficient heat fixing without noise.
Implementation Method 1
a heater as a heating body; a fixing film as a flexible rotating body coming into contact with the heater to generate heat
Implementation Method 2
a configuration of providing a heat-resistant grease as a lubricant between the fixing film and the heater
Implementation Method 3
The stick-slip sound is often generated when the viscosity of the lubricant is lowered in a state in which the image heating apparatus is warmed up
Implementation Method 4
a motor configured to transmit driving force to the roller to rotate the roller
Implementation Method 5
the heat of the heater is provided through the fixing film
Data Source
AI summary
The fixing apparatus includes a cylindrical heating film, a nip portion forming member, a roller; a motor, a control unit, and an acquisition unit. The apparatus executes a fixing process of conveying and heating the recording material carrying the toner image to fix the toner image to the recording material at the nip portion. The apparatus is further configured to execute a first mode of stopping the supply of power to the motor just after the end of the fixing process and a second mode of stopping the supply of power to the motor after a low-speed rotation period for rotating the motor at a rotational speed set lower than the target rotational speed during the fixing process after the end of the fixing process, and to select one of the first and second modes.