Fixing Member Heating Time Prediction Under AC Voltage Fluctuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses struggle with inaccurate prediction of the execution time of the heating process for the fixing member due to fluctuations in power supply, leading to inefficiencies and potential wasteful power consumption.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus equipped with a prediction processing portion that predicts the execution time of the heating process based on the voltage value of the AC voltage supplied from the commercial power supply, considering factors such as current temperature, humidity, and power limitations, to accurately synchronize the end timings of preparation processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the heating process execution time is predicted without considering power supply voltage fluctuations, then the prediction process is simple, but the prediction accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprediction accuracy of heating process execution timeVSAvoidcomplexity of prediction process

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary measurement of the power supply voltage before executing the heating process. This advance acquisition of voltage information allows the prediction process to account for actual power supply conditions, improving prediction accuracy without adding complex real-time monitoring during the heating process itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the measured power supply voltage as feedback information to adjust and improve the prediction of heating process execution time. By incorporating this feedback loop where voltage measurements inform prediction calculations, the system achieves higher accuracy while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of energy

If multiple preparation processes are executed without synchronized timing control, then the control process is simple, but power consumption efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewasteful power consumptionVSAvoidcomplexity of timing control process

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary prediction of execution times for multiple preparation processes before they start. By calculating expected completion times in advance based on power supply voltage conditions, the system can determine optimal start timings to synchronize process completions, avoiding wasteful power consumption while keeping control logic manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the start timing of preparation processes based on predicted execution times and power supply conditions. This dynamic timing control allows the system to synchronize process completions and optimize power consumption, transitioning from static to adaptive timing management without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Improves the prediction accuracy of the heating process execution time, thereby optimizing power usage and ensuring timely transition to a state capable of image formation by synchronizing the end timings of preparation processes.

Implementation Method 1

a heater configured to heat a fixing member used to fix a toner image in response to supply of an AC voltage from a commercial power supply

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12498657B2Image forming apparatus and prediction method capable of improving prediction accuracy of execution time of heating process of heating fixing member

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a heater, a preparation processing portion, an acquisition processing portion, and a prediction processing portion. The heater heats a fixing member used to fix a toner image in response to supply of an AC voltage from a commercial power supply. The preparation processing portion executes a heating process of heating the fixing member to a predetermined target temperature using the heater when the image forming apparatus transitions from a first state in which image formation is impossible to a second state in which image formation is possible. The acquisition processing portion acquires a voltage value of the AC voltage supplied from the commercial power supply. The prediction processing portion predicts an execution time of the heating process based on the voltage value of the AC voltage acquired by the acquisition processing portion.