Fixing Device Cleaning Control via Jam Memory
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, when a fixing device is replaced without undergoing a cleaning process after a jam clearance operation, the risk of contaminating subsequent prints with unfixed toner exists, leading to deteriorated image quality.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus employs a memory system to track whether a cleaning process has been executed after a jam clearance, ensuring that the fixing device is properly cleaned before being reinstalled, using jam hysteresis information stored in the memory of the fixing device and main assembly memory to initiate cleaning if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the fixing device is replaced without cleaning after jam clearance, then the operation efficiency is improved and device complexity is reduced, but the image quality deteriorates due to toner contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cleaning of the fixing device before allowing replacement or reuse. The cleaning operation is automatically initiated when sheet jamming is detected, ensuring the fixing member is cleaned before the device is reinstalled or put back into service, thereby preventing toner contamination while maintaining operational efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from jam detection sensors to trigger cleaning operations. When sheet jamming is detected in the fixing device, the system activates the cleaning mechanism and monitors the cleaning status through memory flags, ensuring that cleaning is performed based on actual operational conditions rather than fixed schedules
2Manufacturing precision
If the cleaning operation is always performed after jam clearance, then the image quality is maintained, but the loss of time increases due to unnecessary cleaning cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning operation is performed preliminarily only when sheet jamming has actually occurred, as detected by the jam detection sensor. The system sets a cleaning execution flag when jamming is detected and triggers cleaning only in response to this specific condition, avoiding unnecessary cleaning cycles when no jamming occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational state parameter (cleaning execution flag) based on the detection of sheet jamming. This parameter change triggers the cleaning operation only when necessary, dynamically adjusting the cleaning behavior according to actual operational conditions rather than following a fixed cleaning schedule
3Adaptability or versatility
If the fixing device is made replaceable for different recording materials, then the adaptability is improved, but the reliability decreases due to risk of uncleaned device reinstallation
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary cleaning mechanism between the fixing device removal and reinstallation operations. When sheet jamming is detected, the cleaning mechanism is activated as an intermediary step, and the system uses memory flags to track whether cleaning has been performed, ensuring that the fixing device is properly cleaned before being put back into service regardless of replacement operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control through memory flags that track the cleaning execution status. When the fixing device is removed and reinstalled, the system checks the cleaning execution flag to determine whether cleaning has been performed, ensuring that uncleaned devices do not undergo replacement operations and maintaining reliable cleaning execution across device replacements
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming station for forming an unfixed toner image on a sheet; a fixing portion detachably mountable to the apparatus, said fixing portion including a rotatable member for being contacted by an image carrying surface of the sheet; a jam detector for detecting jamming in said fixing portion; an executing portion for executing a cleaning process for said rotatable member after clearance of the jamming; a storing portion, provided on said fixing portion, for storing information as to whether or not the cleaning process is executed; and a display for displaying a state of capability of image forming operation. The executing portion executes the cleaning process before said display displays the state, when the information stored in said storing portion of said fixing portion mounted in said main assembly indicates non-execution of said cleaning process.