Fixing Device Pressing Mechanism Control for Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses experience increased wear and tear due to frequent useless press-contact and pressure-releasing operations, especially during transitions between low electric power mode and image forming mode, leading to premature deterioration of the fixing device's mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a manual feeding tray and a control unit that detects the presence of sheets, allowing for selective operation modes and controlled movement of the pressing mechanism between press-contact and pressure-released states, minimizing unnecessary operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the fixing device is actuated simultaneously with the restoration from low electric power mode, then the image forming apparatus can quickly return to operational state, but the number of useless press-contact operations increases and deteriorates the pressing mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines in advance whether image formation is actually needed before actuating the fixing device during restoration from low electric power mode. By checking if sheets are present in the feeding tray and if image formation is required, the system performs preliminary assessment to avoid unnecessary press-contact operations, thus extending the fixing device lifetime while maintaining quick restoration capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pressing mechanism is frequently operated during mode transitions, then the image forming apparatus can maintain readiness for image formation, but the pressing mechanism and pressure-releasing mechanism deteriorate prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit uses feedback from sheet detection sensors and operational state monitoring to determine whether press-contact operations are necessary during mode transitions. The system continuously monitors whether sheets are present and whether image formation is actually required, using this feedback information to suppress unnecessary pressing operations, thereby extending mechanism durability while maintaining operational flexibility
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 frequency of useless press-contact and pressure-releasing operations, thereby extending the lifespan of the fixing device's mechanisms and improving operational efficiency by ensuring necessary operations are performed only when required.
Implementation Method 1
the transferred toner image is fixed under application of heat and pressure by a fixing device
Implementation Method 2
a fixing nip is formed by pressing or press-contacting an elastic pressing roller to a fixing roller
Implementation Method 3
the toner image is transferred onto the recording material by using an electrostatic force
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus is operable in a first mode in which a control unit is in a rest state and a second mode in which electric power is supplied to the control unit. The image forming apparatus changes the mode of the operation to the second mode of an operation in response to change of detection of a detecting portion from presence of the sheet on a manual feeding tray to absence thereof during execution of the operation in the first mode with a pressing mechanism being in the second position, and then in response to receipt of input of a predetermined instruction about an image forming operation by a receiving portion in the second mode, the control unit controls the moving mechanism so that the pressing mechanism moves from the low pressure position to a nip-forming position.