Fixing Device Nip Pressure Control for Print Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image-forming devices experience delays in continuous printing due to data development processes, leading to increased overall print time as they wait for the development process to complete, and existing solutions do not efficiently manage nip pressure changes during these delays.
Innovation Solution
An image-forming apparatus with a pressure-modifying mechanism that adjusts the nip pressure between a first and second pressure, allowing for continuous printing to resume quickly by reducing nip pressure when the development process is delayed, utilizing a controller to perform specific processes and pressure adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the heating body is switched from the pressure contact position to the separated position during development delay, then non-printing process can be performed, but the overall time required for continuous print becomes excessively long due to the time needed to switch the heating body back to the pressure contact position
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure modifying mechanism is activated in advance to reduce nip pressure before the development process completes, allowing the heating body to be moved to the separated position earlier. This preliminary action prepares the system for the upcoming non-printing process, eliminating the time conflict between position switching and development completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The nip pressure is made dynamically adjustable during the printing process. By switching between first nip pressure (during active printing) and second nip pressure (during development delay), the system adapts to different operational states, enabling the heating body to remain in the separated position longer without compromising print quality.
2Reliability
If the nip pressure is maintained at the first nip pressure during development delay, then print quality is maintained, but the heating body cannot be efficiently moved to the separated position for non-printing processes
Solution Approach 1:
The nip pressure is dynamically adjusted based on the operational state. During active printing, the first nip pressure ensures high print quality. During development delay, the pressure is reduced to the second nip pressure, enabling the heating body to be moved to the separated position for non-printing processes like cleaning or maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of nip pressure is changed from a fixed value to a variable parameter with two distinct states. This parameter change allows the system to transition between printing and non-printing modes, providing versatility while maintaining print quality during active printing operations.
3Productivity
If the heating body remains in the pressure contact position during development delay, then continuous printing can resume quickly, but non-printing processes cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The nip pressure is reduced in advance before the development process completes, creating the conditions necessary for the heating body to be moved to the separated position. This preliminary pressure reduction enables non-printing processes to occur during the development delay without delaying the resumption of continuous printing.
Solution Approach 2:
By reducing nip pressure during development delay, the system maintains the capability to perform non-printing processes continuously without interrupting the overall printing workflow. The heating body can remain in the separated position for the duration of the development process, and printing resumes immediately afterward without additional position switching time.
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 reduces the overall time required for continuous printing by enabling immediate resumption of printing after development delays and minimizing the impact of nip pressure changes on the printing process.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure modifying mechanism is configured to modify a nip pressure at the nip to one of a first nip pressure and a second nip pressure smaller than the first nip pressure
Data Source
AI summary
In an image-forming apparatus, a fixing device includes first and second fixing members; and a pressure modifying mechanism. The first and second fixing members form a nip. The pressure modifying mechanism modifies a nip pressure at the nip to one of a first nip pressure and a second nip pressure smaller than the first nip pressure. A controller performs: a converting process to convert print data into raster image data; an image-forming process to form a developer image on a sheet using the raster image data; and a fixing process to fix the developer image to the sheet with the fixing device at the first nip pressure. When a second converting process is not completed before a prescribed time following completion of a first fixing process has elapsed, the controller further performs a nip pressure reducing process to modify the nip pressure from the first to the second nip pressure.