Fixing Belt Heater Sequencing for Faster Fuser Startup
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing image forming apparatuses, the simultaneous startup of heaters for the heating roller and pad member results in slower temperature rise for the belt member due to its larger heat capacity, leading to potential melting and inefficiencies in fixing toner images.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device design where the first heater for the stretching member (heating roller) is powered before the second heater for the supplementary stretching member (stay and pad), with the first heater reaching its target temperature first, followed by the second heater at a lower power, optimizing temperature control and reducing startup time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the heaters for the heating roller and pad member are started simultaneously, then the belt member heats up faster, but the belt member may melt due to excessive temperature rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by controlling the first heater to heat the first stretching member before the second heater heats the second stretching member. The controller activates the first heater at a first level of electric power, waits for the first stretching member to reach a predetermined temperature, then activates the second heater at a second level of electric power. This sequential heating approach prevents excessive temperature rise that would occur with simultaneous heating, thereby avoiding belt member melting while still achieving efficient heating.
2Reliability
If the heater with larger heat capacity is heated first, then the overall temperature equilibrium is achieved faster, but the heating time is extended due to slower temperature rise rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies the first stretching member as having smaller heat capacity and the second stretching member as having larger heat capacity. By heating the first stretching member first (preliminary action), the system achieves rapid temperature rise for the smaller thermal mass component, then subsequently heats the second stretching member to achieve overall temperature equilibrium. This sequence optimizes both heating speed and temperature balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating parameters by using different levels of electric power for different heating stages. The first heater operates at a first level of electric power during the initial heating phase, and the second heater operates at a second level of electric power during the subsequent heating phase. This parameter adjustment allows efficient heating of the smaller heat capacity component first, then provides the necessary heating power for the larger heat capacity component, achieving both speed and equilibrium.
3Loss of time
If both heaters operate at high power simultaneously, then the target temperature is reached faster, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by sequentially activating heaters based on thermal mass requirements. The controller first activates the first heater at a first level of electric power for the smaller heat capacity stretching member, then activates the second heater at a second level of electric power for the larger heat capacity stretching member. This sequential approach with optimized power levels achieves target temperature in reasonable time while significantly reducing peak energy consumption compared to simultaneous high-power operation of both heaters.
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 approach ensures faster and more efficient heating of the fixing belt, allowing for quicker startup and reduced energy consumption, particularly in power-limited conditions, while maintaining consistent image fixing performance.
Implementation Method 1
a first heater configured to heat the first stretching member... an amount of heat generation of the first heater is larger than an amount of heat generation of the second heater
Implementation Method 2
a second heater configured to heat the second stretching member... heating of the second heater is started by a second electric power smaller than the first electric power
Implementation Method 3
a heating roller which contacts an inner peripheral surface or an outer peripheral surface of the belt member and a pad member which is disposed to nip the belt member... a heater which heats the heating roller and the pad member, respectively
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device for fixing a toner image on a recording material includes an endless belt, a rotatable member to form a nip, first and second stretching rollers in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the belt, first and second heaters to heat the first and second stretching rollers, respectively. An amount of heat generation of the first heater is larger than an amount of heat generation of the second heater. At a start up of the fixing device, heating of the first heater is started by a first electric power prior to heating of the second heater, and the heating of the second heater is started by a second electric power smaller than the first electric power after a temperature of the first stretching member reaches a target temperature.