Fixing Belt Temperature Control via Variable Paper Feed Rate
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, when small-sized papers are continuously passed through the fixing belt, an excessive temperature rise occurs in the non-paper-passing regions due to increased fixation temperature, potentially damaging the fixing belt.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a heat source, a fixing belt heated by the heat source, an operation acceptor for setting fixation degree, and controllers that adjust the paper feed amount per unit time based on the fixation degree to manage temperature and prevent belt damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fixation temperature is increased to achieve fixation of color material on paper with difficult surface properties, then the fixation quality is improved, but the temperature in non-paper-passing regions of the fixing belt rises excessively causing potential belt damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the paper feed amount (a controllable process parameter) in response to detected temperature conditions. When the temperature in non-paper-passing regions approaches a predetermined threshold, the controller reduces the paper feed amount, which allows heat dissipation and prevents excessive temperature rise that could damage the fixing belt, while still maintaining adequate fixation quality through controlled heating cycles.
2Productivity
If small-sized papers are continuously passed through the fixing belt, then productivity is improved, but the non-paper-passing regions experience excessive temperature rise due to insufficient heat dissipation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by using a temperature detector to monitor the temperature in non-paper-passing regions of the fixing belt and a controller that adjusts the paper feed amount based on the detected temperature. When the temperature approaches a predetermined threshold, the controller automatically reduces the paper feed amount, creating a feedback loop that balances productivity with temperature management, preventing belt damage while maintaining continuous operation.
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 ensures safe operation by preventing excessive temperature rise in non-paper-passing regions, maintaining the margin to the belt damage temperature, and achieving effective fixation of color material without damaging the fixing belt.
Implementation Method 1
a fixing belt that is heated by the heat source to thermally fix a color material to each of a plurality of pieces of paper in sequence
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a heat source, a fixing belt that is heated by the heat source to thermally fix a color material to each of a plurality of pieces of paper in sequence, an operation acceptor that allows a user to specify a fixation degree of the color material for the plurality of pieces of paper, and one or more controllers that cause each of the plurality of pieces of paper to pass through the fixing belt in sequence at a control paper feed amount which is a paper feed amount per unit time according to the fixation degree.