Fixing Device Temperature Control for Uniform Toner Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatuses with multiple heating members in the fixing device face challenges due to increased complexity in electrical power control and non-uniform surface temperature distribution, influenced by heat escape and warming-up states, leading to inefficient fixing performance and higher power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a fixing portion that includes a heating member and an opposing member forming a nip, a temperature detecting member, and a controller to adjust power supply based on detected temperatures and acquired toner image density information, specifically setting target temperatures for end regions differently than central regions to ensure uniform fixing and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple heating members are provided in the fixing device to optimize fixing property for different image positions, then fixing performance is improved, but device complexity and electrical power control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The image formable region is divided into a central region and end regions, with density information acquired separately for each region. This segmentation allows the controller to apply different target temperatures to different regions based on their specific heating characteristics, optimizing fixing performance without requiring multiple physical heating members.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller sets different target temperatures for the central region and end regions based on their respective density information. The end regions, which experience greater heat escape, are assigned higher target temperatures to compensate for heat loss, while the central region uses a standard target temperature. This local differentiation optimizes fixing property across the entire recording material width.
2Reliability
If multiple heating members are provided in the fixing device to optimize fixing property for different image positions, then fixing performance is improved, but electrical power control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller segments the heating control into different regions by acquiring density information separately for central and end regions. This allows independent temperature control strategies for each region, optimizing fixing performance while maintaining a single heating member structure and simplifying electrical power control.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller applies local quality control by setting different target temperatures for different regions based on their density information and heat escape characteristics. The end regions receive higher target temperatures to compensate for heat loss, while the central region uses standard temperature control, achieving optimized fixing property without complex multi-zone heating systems.
3Reliability
If the heating member temperature is increased to improve fixing property, then fixing performance is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller applies local quality control by setting different target temperatures for different regions based on their density information. Only the end regions, which experience heat escape, are assigned higher target temperatures. The central region maintains a standard target temperature, thereby achieving optimized fixing property while minimizing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically adjusts the target temperature parameter based on the density information of the toner image in different regions. By changing the target temperature parameter selectively for end regions versus central region, the system optimizes fixing performance while avoiding unnecessary power consumption in regions that do not require additional heating.
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 enhances fixing performance by optimizing temperature control across the fixing device, ensuring uniformity and reducing power consumption by adjusting target temperatures based on image density information, particularly in the end regions, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the image forming process.
Implementation Method 1
a heating member... so that the temperature detected by the temperature detecting member is a target temperature
Implementation Method 2
the recording material, on which the toner image is formed, is heated while being fed in the nip
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion to form a toner image on a recording material on the basis of image information, a fixing portion to fix the toner image on the recording material, fixing portion including a heating member and an opposing member to form a nip, a temperature detecting member to detect a temperature of the heating member, a controller to control electrical power supplied to the heating member so that the temperature detected by the temperature detecting member is a target temperature, and an acquiring portion to acquire density information of the toner image from the image information. The controller sets the target temperature depending on the density information.