Fixing Part Timing Synchronization for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses consume excessive power due to heating non-image areas on the recording sheet, as the timing for reaching the fixing temperature often coincides with the sheet's arrival at the fixing nip, leading to unnecessary energy usage.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus and method that synchronizes the timing of the sheet's leading end reaching the fixing nip with the temperature of the rotating bodies reaching the target fixing temperature, allowing for reduced power consumption by avoiding the heating of non-image areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the heater is turned ON simultaneously with the start of the sheet feed, then the fixing temperature is reached quickly, but the non-image area is heated wastefully
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating and determining the output timing of instructions before actual operation. The controller determines when to turn ON the heater and when to start sheet feed based on pre-calculated timing relationships, ensuring the heater is turned ON at the optimal moment when the image area (not non-image area) will reach the fixing nip, thereby avoiding wasteful heating of non-image areas while still achieving quick fixing temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the timing parameters of heater operation and sheet feed operation. By calculating the time required for the heater to reach fixing temperature and the time required for the image area to reach the fixing nip, the system adjusts these parameters to coincide, optimizing both response time and energy efficiency
2Loss of energy
If the heater is maintained at standby temperature until receiving print instruction, then power consumption is reduced, but the temperature rise time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of temperature rise time when the print instruction is received. Based on this pre-calculated time, the controller determines the optimal timing to turn ON the heater, balancing the need for quick temperature rise with energy efficiency by only heating when a print job is actually requested
3Loss of energy
If the timing of sheet arrival at fixing nip is synchronized with heater temperature reach, then non-image area heating is avoided, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the heater temperature and comparing it with the target fixing temperature. The controller uses this feedback information along with pre-calculated timing data to determine the optimal moment to turn ON the heater, ensuring synchronization between temperature reach and sheet arrival while managing control complexity through systematic calculation
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 synchronization reduces power consumption and shortens the first print time by ensuring the sheet is only heated when necessary, thereby improving energy efficiency and print speed.
Implementation Method 1
heating the first and second rotating bodies using the heater until a temperature of the first and second rotating bodies reaches a target temperature required for image-fixing
Implementation Method 2
thermally fix the image onto the sheet passing through the fixing nip
Data Source
AI summary
The image forming apparatus includes: an image former which, upon receiving a first instruction, feeds a sheet and performs an image forming operation to form an image on the sheet; a fixing part which (i) secures a fixing nip by bringing outer circumferential surfaces of first and second rotating bodies into contact with each other, (ii) upon receiving a second instruction, heats the first and second rotating bodies until a temperature thereof reaches a target temperature, and (iii) thermally fixes the image onto the sheet passing through the fixing nip; and a determiner which determines output timings of the first and second instructions such that a timing at which a leading end, in a sheet convey direction, of the image formed on the sheet reaches the fixing nip and a timing at which the temperature of the first and second rotating bodies reaches the target temperature match each other.