Fixing Device Roller Pressing Member Temperature Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in effectively fixing images using both decolorable and non-decolorable materials without erasing the decolorable images, as they require precise temperature control to avoid decoloration during the fixing process.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a fixing device with a roller and a pressing member, where a first heater heats the roller and a second heater heats the pressing member, with a controller managing the heat generation to differentiate between decolorable and non-decolorable materials, ensuring appropriate temperature settings for each type of material to prevent decoloration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sheet is heated to fix the decolorable material image, then the image fixing is achieved, but the decolorable image may be erased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage fixing reliabilityVSAvoiddecoloration of image

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heating function is segmented between two independent heating elements: a first heater that heats the roller and a second heater that heats the pressing member. This segmentation allows independent temperature control of each heating zone, enabling the system to apply different temperature profiles to the same object at different locations or times, thus fixing the image without causing decoloration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controller dynamically changes the temperature parameters by controlling the second heater's heat generation differently based on the material type. When processing decolorable materials, the controller limits the second heater's heat generation to maintain lower temperatures that prevent decoloration while still achieving image fixing through the first heater's thermal energy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the second heater generates high heat for non-decolorable materials, then fixing efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases for decolorable materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage fixing efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static heating configuration to a dynamic one where the controller adjusts the second heater's operation based on real-time detection of material type. The second heater is dynamically activated or deactivated, and its heat generation level is continuously adjusted according to whether the material is decolorable or non-decolorable, optimizing energy usage while maintaining fixing efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller changes the thermal parameters of the second heater based on material type detection. For decolorable materials, the second heater's heat generation is reduced or eliminated, while for non-decolorable materials, the second heater operates at full capacity to provide rapid, efficient fixing, thus adapting energy consumption to actual processing needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If the heating temperature is increased to ensure complete fixing, then fixing quality is improved, but preparation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage fixing qualityVSAvoidpreparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The first heater continuously maintains the roller at an optimal temperature in advance, so when the sheet passes through the nip, the fixing process can occur immediately at the required temperature without waiting for heating. This preliminary thermal preparation eliminates delays while ensuring high fixing quality through the coordinated action of both heaters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 allows for efficient fixing of both decolorable and non-decolorable images on sheets, reducing energy consumption and shortening preparation times while ensuring the decolorable images are not erased during the process.

Implementation Method 1

a first heater configured to heat the roller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a second heater configured to heat the pressing member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10018946B2Fixing device that fixes images of decolorable and non-decolorable materials

Publication Date: 2018.07.10 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

A fixing device includes a roller, a pressing member pressed against the roller, such that when a sheet having an unfixed image is passed thorough a nip formed between the roller and the pressing member, the unfixed image is fixed on the sheet, a first heater configured to heat the roller, a second heater configured to heat the pressing member, and a controller configured to control the second heater, such that a time-averaged heat generation by the second heater when an image of a decolorable material is fixed is greater than a time-averaged heat generation by the second heater when an image of a non-decolorable material is fixed.