Fixing Roller Rubbing Control via Segmented Counter
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotographic image forming systems, the replacement of fixing devices can lead to inconsistent image quality due to improper counting of processed recording materials, resulting in glossiness non-uniformity on the output images.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a counter and storing portion to track the number of recording materials processed, triggering a rubbing treatment of the fixing device's surface when a predetermined number is reached, ensuring uniform surface roughness and image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a plurality of fixing devices are exchanged and used for the image fixing operation, then the adaptability to different recording materials is improved, but the manufacturing precision of the image quality deteriorates due to improper counting of processed recording materials
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the fixing device into a replaceable fixing portion (fixing roller and pressing roller) and a non-replaceable counting portion (counter and storing portion) integrated into the image forming apparatus. This segmentation allows the fixing portion to be exchanged for different recording materials while the counting portion maintains continuous operation to track the total number of processed recording materials, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and image quality consistency.
2Ease of operation
If the fixing device is replaced, then the ease of operation for different printing requirements is improved, but the reliability of the fixing refresh operation deteriorates due to loss of counting information
Solution Approach 1:
The counter and storing portion are merged into the image forming apparatus rather than being part of the replaceable fixing device. This merging ensures that counting information is preserved across fixing device replacements, maintaining the reliability of the fixing refresh operation while allowing easy replacement of the fixing portion for different printing requirements.
3Manufacturing precision
If the surface of the fixing member is rubbed frequently, then the manufacturing precision of surface uniformity is improved, but the loss of time for the fixing operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control by using the counter to monitor the number of processed recording materials and automatically triggering the fixing refresh operation when the stored threshold is reached. This feedback mechanism ensures the fixing member surface is rubbed at the optimal moment to maintain uniformity while minimizing unnecessary refresh operations that would consume time.
4Ease of operation
If the counter is integrated into the fixing device, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The counter and storing portion are extracted from the fixing device and integrated into the image forming apparatus. This extraction reduces the complexity of the fixing device structure while maintaining ease of operation, as the counting and control functions remain accessible through the image forming apparatus's existing interface and control mechanisms.
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
Maintains consistent image quality by uniformly roughening the fixing device's surface, reducing glossiness unevenness and improving the surface state of the fixing roller, thus enhancing the quality of the output images.
Implementation Method 1
a rubbing rotatable member configured to rub a surface of the fixing roller
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus has an image forming station, a mounting portion, and a fixing portion that includes a first rotatable member, a second rotatable member, a rubbing rotatable member configured to rub a surface of the first rotatable member during a rubbing treatment, and a storing portion capable of storing number information. A number of recording materials fed to the fixing portion is counted, written into the storing portion, and used to determine whether to execute the rubbing treatment. In a case in which, in sequence, the recording material is fed to the mounted fixing portion, the mounted fixing portion is removed and replaced with another fixing portion, and the removed fixing portion is remounted, both number information acquired from the storing portion and the number of recording materials fed to the remounted fixing portion are used to determine whether to execute the rubbing treatment.