Fixing Member Thermal Control via Dynamic Media Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face inefficiencies in heat dissipation during the image fixing process, leading to temperature rises in non-sheet-passing areas of the fixing member, which can reduce productivity and cause image quality issues like orange-peel effects.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a fixing member with a heat source, a nip forming member, and temperature detectors to adjust the time interval between successive recording media, allowing for dynamic control of the sheet interval based on detected temperature rises in the non-sheet-passing areas and sheet temperatures, ensuring efficient heat dissipation and maintaining optimal operating temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the time interval between successive recording media is reduced to increase productivity, then productivity is improved, but temperature rises in non-sheet-passing areas of the fixing member causing image quality issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the time interval between successive recording media dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit changes the time interval based on detected temperature rises in non-sheet-passing areas, allowing the system to adapt its productivity rate to current thermal conditions. This resolves the contradiction by enabling high productivity when temperatures are stable while preventing image quality degradation when temperature rises are detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through temperature detection units that continuously monitor temperature in non-sheet-passing areas of the fixing member. When temperature rises are detected, this feedback information is used by the control unit to adjust the time interval between successive recording media. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures image quality is maintained while maximizing productivity under varying thermal conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If the time interval between successive recording media is increased to prevent temperature rise in non-sheet-passing areas, then image quality is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the time interval based on actual temperature conditions rather than using a fixed conservative interval. When temperature rises are not detected, the system maintains shorter intervals for high productivity. When rises are detected, intervals are extended only temporarily until temperatures stabilize. This dynamic approach prevents unnecessary productivity loss while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter (time interval between recording media) based on detected temperature conditions. By monitoring temperature in non-sheet-passing areas and adjusting the time interval parameter accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between productivity and image quality. This parameter change strategy allows the system to operate at high productivity when conditions permit while preventing image quality issues when temperature rises occur.
3Device complexity
If a fixed time interval is used between successive recording media, then device complexity is reduced, but the system cannot adapt to temperature changes causing image quality issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces feedback through temperature detection units that monitor thermal conditions in real-time. This feedback enables the control unit to adjust the time interval between recording media dynamically. While this adds some complexity, it is a minimal addition that provides significant benefits in preventing image quality issues caused by temperature rises, making the added complexity worthwhile.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting temperature rises and modifying its own operational parameters (time intervals) without external intervention. This self-service capability allows the fixing apparatus to adapt to thermal conditions autonomously, maintaining image quality while maximizing productivity without requiring complex external control systems.
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 productivity by maintaining optimal temperatures in both normal and high-temperature environments, preventing temperature-related issues and improving image quality by ensuring consistent heat dissipation and reducing the likelihood of orange-peel effects.
Implementation Method 1
a heat source to heat the fixing member
Implementation Method 2
a first temperature detector to detect a temperature of a non-sheet-passing area of the fixing member
Implementation Method 3
a second temperature detector to detect a temperature of the recording medium
Implementation Method 4
a fixing member, a heat source to heat the fixing member
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing member, a heat source, a nip forming member, a pressing member, a recording medium conveyor, a first temperature detector to detect a temperature of a non-sheet-passing area of the fixing member through which a recording medium does not pass, a second temperature detector to detect a temperature of the recording medium, and a controller to adjust a time to drive the recording medium conveyer to control a time interval between successive recording media and a changing time to change the time interval, according to a temperature detected by the second temperature detector in response to a temperature rise in the non-sheet-passing area of the fixing member detected by the first temperature detector.