Fixing Device Temperature Control via Movable Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses require multiple temperature detection elements to control the heating sections, which increases complexity and power consumption, and there is a need for a more efficient method to measure and control the temperature of the heating sections.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a sheet heating body, a heat generation section comprising center and both-end heat elements, and a power controller that adjusts power supply based on temperature measurements from center and both-end temperature measurement sections, allowing for efficient heat distribution and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple temperature detection elements are used to control each heating section, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single temperature detection element is used to detect temperatures at multiple heating sections by moving between them. The temperature detection element functions universally for all heating sections rather than having dedicated detection elements for each section, thereby reducing the total number of detection elements while maintaining temperature control capability across all sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature detection element is made movable along the sheet conveying direction to dynamically position itself at different heating sections for temperature detection. This dynamic positioning allows one detection element to serve multiple sections sequentially, reducing the need for multiple static detection elements.
2Measurement precision
If multiple temperature detection elements are used to control each heating section, then temperature control precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single temperature detection element serves multiple heating sections by moving between them, reducing the total number of detection elements. This universality reduces the cumulative power consumption of multiple detection elements while maintaining the ability to monitor and control temperatures at all heating sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable temperature detection element dynamically positions itself at different heating sections as needed, allowing the system to use one power-consuming detection element instead of multiple detection elements, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining temperature control precision.
3Device complexity
If a single temperature detection element moves between heating sections, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature detection element periodically moves between heating sections to detect temperatures in a sequential manner. This periodic movement allows the system to cycle through different heating sections, measuring their temperatures in turns, thereby managing the time loss through structured periodic measurement rather than continuous measurement of all sections simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable temperature detection element dynamically transitions between heating sections based on measurement needs, reducing device complexity to a single detection element. The dynamic movement is coordinated with the heating sections' operation to minimize measurement time loss while maintaining the ability to control all sections.
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 enables precise temperature control with fewer temperature measurement elements, reducing power consumption and simplifying the control of the heating sections, while maintaining effective heat application for image fixation.
Implementation Method 1
a heat generation section (612) including a center heat element (617-5) that generates heat in a central area (602) containing a center in a length direction perpendicular to a circumferential direction of the sheet heating body (611), and both-end heat elements (617-1 to 617-4) that generate heat in both-end areas (601, 603)
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device comprises a cylindrical sheet heating body for heating a sheet; a heat generation section which includes a center heat element that generates heat in a central area, a first heat element that generates heat in a first area containing an end in the length direction, and a second heat element that generates heat in a second area between the central area and the first area; a center temperature measurement section which measures a temperature of a portion of the sheet heating body; a both-end temperature measurement section which measures a temperature of the sheet heating body at a destination by moving in the length direction; and a power controller configured to control electric power to be supplied to the center heat element, to the first heat element, and to the second heat element according to the center temperature measurement section and the both-end temperature measurement section.