Fixing Apparatus Temperature Control via Sensor Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fixing apparatuses for image processing have high manufacturing costs due to the use of multiple temperature sensors, and there is a need for improved temperature control to optimize printing efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A fixing apparatus with a reduced number of temperature sensors, utilizing a center lamp and a side lamp for heating, and a control system that adjusts the time interval of sheet conveyance based on detected temperature thresholds to maintain optimal heating conditions, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and enhancing printing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If three temperature sensors are used to detect temperatures at different positions, then temperature control precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses one temperature sensor to detect temperature at a representative position, and the controller calculates temperatures at other positions based on the detected temperature and thermal conduction characteristics. This copying approach replaces multiple physical sensors with a single sensor plus computational modeling, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining temperature control precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of multiple physical temperature sensors with a computational system that uses thermal conduction equations and algorithms to estimate temperatures at different positions. This substitution reduces hardware complexity and manufacturing cost while achieving the same temperature monitoring function
2Reliability
If heating sections operate continuously at high power, then fixing quality is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic heating control where heating sections are activated only when sheets are present and deactivated when no sheets are detected. The controller monitors sheet presence and adjusts heating operation accordingly, creating a periodic action pattern that maintains fixing quality during operation while reducing energy consumption during idle periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic control where heating power and duration are adjusted based on real-time temperature feedback and sheet conveyance conditions. The controller modulates heating section operation dynamically to maintain optimal fixing temperature while minimizing energy waste, adapting to changing operational conditions rather than operating at constant high power
3Productivity
If sheet conveyance time interval is reduced to increase productivity, then output is improved, but temperature control stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control where the controller continuously monitors temperature sensor data and adjusts heating section operation based on detected temperature variations. When sheets are conveyed at reduced intervals, the feedback mechanism detects temperature changes and modulates heating power to maintain stable fixing temperature, allowing increased productivity without sacrificing temperature control stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary temperature stabilization before sheet conveyance begins. The controller pre-heats the fixing sections to optimal temperature and maintains readiness state, so when sheets are conveyed at high speed with reduced intervals, the temperature is already stabilized and can maintain consistency throughout rapid successive operations
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 reduces manufacturing costs by using fewer temperature sensors and optimizes temperature control, improving printing efficiency by adjusting conveyance intervals based on detected temperatures, ensuring reliable and efficient fixing of toner images.
Implementation Method 1
The fixing apparatus has a heating section such as a halogen lamp for heating the sheet. The fixing apparatus has two heating sections in some cases. For example, one of the heating sections is a center lamp mainly heating a central part of the sheet in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction. The other one of the heating sections is a side lamp mainly heating both ends in the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction.
Implementation Method 2
For example, the fixing apparatus has three temperature sensors that detect a temperature of the rotating body. One of the three temperature sensors is a center temperature sensor which detects the temperature of a part of the rotating body that the center lamp mainly heats. The other one of the three temperature sensors is a side temperature sensor that detects the temperature of a part of the rotating body that the side lamp mainly heats.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A fixing apparatus comprises a rotating body that conveys a sheet in a first direction, first and second heating sections, and first and second temperature detectors. In the first heating section, a calorific value per unit length in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, at the center of the first heating section is larger than that at both ends thereof. In the second heating section, a calorific value per unit length in the second direction, at both ends of the second heating section is larger than that at the center thereof. The first temperature detector is configured to detect a temperature of a central part of a heating area of the rotating body heated by one of the first and second heating sections. The second temperature detector is configured to detect a temperature outside of the heating area of the rotating body.