Fixing Belt Temperature Control via Displacement Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fixing devices in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in achieving high accuracy temperature control due to the dependence of non-contact temperature sensors on distance, which is affected by thermal deformation of the fixing belt, leading to inaccurate detection and potential malfunctions in toner fixation.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a non-contact temperature detector and a displacement detector that adjusts heat generation based on temperature and displacement measurements, ensuring precise temperature control of the fixing belt by compensating for thermal deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-contact temperature sensor is used to measure the surface temperature of the fixing belt, then the surface temperature can be measured without damaging the fixing belt, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to distance variation caused by thermal deformation of the fixing belt
Solution Approach 1:
A displacement sensor is introduced as an intermediary device to measure the distance between the temperature sensor and the fixing belt surface. This displacement measurement serves as a mediator that allows the system to compensate for distance variations, thereby maintaining temperature measurement accuracy despite thermal deformation of the fixing belt.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the displacement between the temperature sensor and the fixing belt surface, and using this information to adjust the temperature sensor's position or compensate for distance variations in the temperature measurement, ensuring accurate temperature control throughout the fixing process.
2Strength
If the fixing belt is heated to a high temperature to ensure sufficient toner fixation strength, then the fixing quality improves, but power consumption increases and ultrafine particle emission worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control system uses feedback from the temperature sensor to precisely regulate the heating process, maintaining the fixing belt temperature at the optimal level needed for sufficient toner fixation. This prevents excessive heating, thereby reducing power consumption and ultrafine particle emission while ensuring adequate fixing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the heating parameters based on real-time temperature measurements and displacement data, optimizing the balance between fixing quality and energy efficiency. By precisely controlling temperature parameters, the system achieves sufficient toner fixation with minimal power consumption and reduced ultrafine particle generation.
3Reliability
If a contact-type displacement detection means is used to detect deformation of the heating member, then component breakage can be prevented, but the displacement detection result cannot be reflected on the temperature control when the detection means becomes non-contact state with the fixing belt
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the contact-type mechanical displacement detection means with a non-contact displacement sensor that uses optical or electromagnetic fields to measure displacement. This substitution eliminates wear and contact issues while maintaining the ability to detect fixing belt deformation and provide feedback for temperature control adjustments.
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 enables high accuracy temperature control, preventing both excessive heating and insufficient heating, thereby improving toner fixation strength, reducing power consumption, and minimizing ultrafine particle emission.
Implementation Method 1
a non-contact type temperature detector for measuring surface temperature of the fixing belt
Implementation Method 2
a heater including a heat source, a fixing belt heated by the heat source
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a pressurizer constituted of a rotating body, and a heater including a heat source, a fixing belt heated by the heat source, and a pressing portion disposed inside the fixing belt sandwiched between the pressing portion and the pressurizer disposed outside the fixing belt. The fixing device further includes a non-contact type temperature detector for measuring surface temperature of the fixing belt, a displacement detector for detecting a displacement of a measurement target position of the fixing belt with respect to the temperature detector, and a controller configured to adjust amount of heat generation of the heat source on the basis of the temperature detected by the temperature detector and the displacement detected by the displacement detector, so as to perform temperature adjustment of the surface temperature of the fixing belt.