Fixing Device Lubricant Preheating Startup Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the lubricant in the fixing device and transmitting mechanism can harden when the machine is powered on, leading to potential damage when the driving source is activated, as it applies a load on the cylindrical member and transmitting mechanism.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a control device that turns on the heat source before the driving source is activated, ensuring the lubricant softens, thereby reducing the load on the fixing device and transmitting mechanism by controlling the heat source and driving source based on temperature detection and elapsed time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the driving source is driven immediately after power is turned on, then the image forming apparatus can start operating quickly, but the lubricant hardens and applies excessive load to the cylindrical member and transmitting mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The heat source is activated before the driving source to pre-heat the lubricant and reduce its viscosity. This preliminary thermal action ensures the lubricant is in a softened state before the driving source operates, preventing excessive load and potential damage to mechanical components while enabling reliable startup operation
2Reliability
If the heat source is turned on before driving the driving source, then the lubricant softens and reduces load on the fixing device, but the apparatus requires additional control logic and heating time
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is programmed to automatically activate the heat source before the driving source based on detected conditions (temperature threshold or elapsed time). This preliminary thermal preparation simplifies the control logic by using straightforward conditional statements rather than complex real-time monitoring, while ensuring reliable load reduction on the fixing device
Solution Approach 2:
The control device monitors temperature parameters or elapsed time to determine when the lubricant has sufficiently softened. By changing the operational parameters (temperature threshold or time delay) rather than implementing complex control algorithms, the system achieves reliable load reduction with minimal control logic complexity
3Ease of operation
If lubricant is provided in the transmitting mechanism, then friction is reduced in the fixing device, but the transmitting mechanism also suffers from hardened lubricant when the driving source is first driven
Solution Approach 1:
The heat source is activated before the driving source to pre-heat not only the lubricant in the fixing device but also the lubricant in the transmitting mechanism. This preliminary thermal action ensures both lubricant locations are in a softened state before operation begins, preventing excessive load and potential damage to the transmitting mechanism while maintaining ease of operation in the fixing device
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 reduces the load on the fixing device and transmitting mechanism when the driving source is activated, preventing damage and ensuring smooth operation by heating the lubricant before driving the system.
Implementation Method 1
the heat source is turned on, so that the lubricant provided in the fixing device or the transmitting mechanism is heated to soften
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing device having a heat source, a heating member, and a backup member; a temperature detecting member; a driving source configured to rotate at least one of the heating member and the backup member; a transmitting mechanism configured to transmit a driving force of the driving source; and a control device configured to control the heat source and the driving source, wherein, after a power is turned on, the control device turns on the heat source before the driving source is driven for the first time, and wherein, when at least one of a condition, where the temperature detected by the temperature detecting member becomes a first temperature, and a condition where a predetermined period elapses after the power is turned on, is satisfied, the control device turns off the heat source and then drives the driving source.