Fixing Belt Warming Control via Periodic Heating Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
In energy-saving medium-speed or high-speed image forming apparatuses, the existing warming-up processes for the fixing device often result in temperature inconsistencies of the fixing belt, leading to printing failures due to inappropriate temperatures, causing delays from print command reception to the start of printing.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a control system that alternately heats the fixing belt in states where the pressure roller is both abutting and separated from it during the warming-up process, ensuring the temperature of both the fixing belt and pressure roller are within the appropriate range by adjusting the number of heating cycles and times in each state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the warming-up processing terminates when the fixing belt temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, then the warming-up time is shortened, but the fixing belt temperature may exceed the appropriate range causing image defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic heating cycles during warming-up, alternating between heating the fixing belt with the pressure roller separated and heating the pressure roller with the fixing belt pressed against it. This periodic action prevents temperature overshoot by controlling heat input in stages, ensuring both components reach appropriate temperatures without exceeding limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary heating of the fixing belt in a state where the pressure roller is separated from the fixing belt before pressing them together. This preliminary action pre-heats the fixing belt to reduce the thermal shock and heating time when the pressure roller is subsequently pressed against it, preventing temperature overshoot while maintaining efficiency.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pressure roller is pressed against the fixing belt during warming-up to store heat, then the temperature uniformity is improved, but the warming-up time increases due to heat distribution requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic heating cycles that alternate between pressing the pressure roller against the fixing belt (to distribute heat and improve uniformity) and separating them (to rapidly reheat the fixing belt). This periodic approach maintains temperature uniformity without excessive warming-up time by efficiently managing heat distribution in stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent preliminarily heats the fixing belt before pressing the pressure roller against it, ensuring the fixing belt is already warm when contact occurs. This preliminary heating reduces the time required for heat distribution during the pressing phase, maintaining temperature uniformity while minimizing total warming-up time.
3Productivity
If the fixing belt is heated rapidly to reduce waiting time, then the productivity is improved, but the temperature control precision deteriorates leading to printing failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic heating cycles during the warming-up phase, alternating between high-intensity heating (when rollers are separated) and heat distribution phases (when rollers are pressed together). This periodic approach enables rapid temperature increase while maintaining precision by controlling heat input in regulated stages, preventing temperature overshoot that would cause printing failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary heating of the fixing belt in advance before the pressing phase, ensuring the temperature is raised efficiently without overshooting. This preliminary action sets the stage for controlled heat distribution when the pressure roller is pressed against the fixing belt, maintaining temperature precision while enabling rapid warm-up for quick printing start.
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 effectively maintains the pressure roller's temperature within the appropriate range, preventing printing failures and reducing the waiting time for printing, thus enhancing operational efficiency and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a fixing device of an induction heating system having a small heat capacity
Implementation Method 2
control to store heat in a heating roller
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device for fixing a toner image formed on an image receiving medium to the image receiving medium includes a heating rotation member, a heating element that heats the heating rotation member, a pressure rotation member pressed to the heating rotation member and forming a nip therebetween through which the image receiving medium passes, a pressure control device that controls a pressure at which the pressure rotation member abuts against the heating rotation member. A control device controls the heating element and the pressure control device to alternately perform a process for heating the heating rotation member while the pressure rotation member abuts against the heating rotation member and a process for heating the heating rotation member while the pressure rotation member is separated from the heating rotation member.