Fixing Device Temperature Control via Pressing Roller Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent fixing quality across various recording media types due to temperature fluctuations of the pressing roller, leading to inefficiencies and energy wastage, as they do not effectively control the temperature of the pressing roller during print jobs.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device temperature control method that includes a fixing rotary body, multiple heaters, a pressing rotary body, and a temperature detector, where the heaters are selectively energized based on the image area and the detected temperature of the pressing rotary body to maintain a target temperature, ensuring consistent heat application across different recording media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the pressing roller temperature is not controlled during print job, then energy consumption is reduced, but fixing quality becomes inconsistent due to temperature fluctuation
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing roller temperature control system dynamically adjusts heating based on detected temperature fluctuations. The controller activates heating when temperature drops below a threshold and deactivates when it reaches the target temperature, creating a dynamic response to maintain consistent fixing quality while managing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control by detecting the pressing roller temperature and using this information to control heating activation. The temperature detector provides continuous feedback to the controller, which adjusts heating accordingly to maintain the target temperature, ensuring consistent fixing quality.
2Reliability
If the fixing rotary body is heated sufficiently to achieve desired fixing quality, then fixing quality is maintained, but the pressing roller may overheat and overheat the recording medium
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies heating locally and selectively to the pressing roller based on detected temperature needs. Rather than continuous heating, the controller activates heating only when the temperature drops below the threshold, applying heat precisely where and when needed to maintain fixing quality without causing overheating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the heating parameter dynamically based on temperature detection. The controller adjusts heating activation state (on/off) based on the detected temperature, changing parameters in response to actual conditions to prevent both underheating and overheating of the recording medium.
3Reliability
If temperature control is implemented for the pressing roller, then fixing quality consistency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control system is segmented into distinct functional components: a temperature detector for monitoring, a controller for decision-making, and a heating element for temperature adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply, reducing overall system complexity while achieving reliable temperature control.
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 method maintains consistent fixing quality and reduces energy consumption by precisely controlling the temperature of the recording medium, preventing overheating and optimizing heat distribution, thereby improving the fixing process across various media types.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of heaters is aligned in a longitudinal direction of the fixing rotary body to heat the fixing rotary body
Implementation Method 2
The temperature detector is disposed opposite the pressing rotary body to detect a temperature of the pressing rotary body
Implementation Method 3
the fixing rotary body heated by a heater and the pressing roller apply heat and pressure to the recording medium to melt and fix the toner image on the recording medium
Implementation Method 4
apply heat and pressure to the recording medium to melt and fix the toner image on the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device temperature control method includes selectively energizing at least one of a plurality of heaters that heats a fixing rotary body according to an image area on a recording medium where a toner image is formed on the recording medium, detecting a temperature of a pressing rotary body pressed against the fixing rotary body, and controlling the energized, at least one of the plurality of heaters based on the detected temperature of the pressing rotary body so as to heat the fixing rotary body to a target temperature. The image area on the recording medium corresponds to a plurality of axial heating spans on the fixing rotary body.