Fixing Roller Speed Control for Thermal Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face long waiting times due to the need for the fixing part to reach a predetermined temperature for different printing processes, particularly when transitioning between normal and decolorizing printing, as the temperature must drop or rise to specific fixing temperatures to prevent image decolorization.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a fixing roller, a heater, and a roller controller that increases the rotation speed of the fixing roller when the temperature does not meet the predetermined condition for operation, allowing for faster temperature uniformization and reduction of waiting times by rotating the fixing part at a higher speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the fixing part temperature is maintained at a high level for normal printing, then normal printing quality is ensured, but decolorizing printing cannot be executed and long waiting time is required for temperature drop
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing roller rotation speed is dynamically adjusted based on the required operation. During decolorizing processing, the rotation speed is increased to promote heat dissipation and enable faster temperature reduction. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to transition quickly between normal printing and decolorizing printing modes without prolonged waiting periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the rotation speed parameter of the fixing roller to control temperature. By increasing rotation speed during decolorizing processing, the system accelerates cooling. This parameter change provides a simple and effective method to manage temperature transitions between different printing modes.
2Productivity
If the fixing part temperature is maintained at a low level for decolorizing printing, then decolorizing printing can be executed, but normal printing cannot be performed and long waiting time is required for temperature rise
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing roller rotation speed is dynamically adjusted based on the required operation. During normal printing, the rotation speed is increased to promote heat generation through friction and enable faster temperature increase. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to transition quickly from decolorizing printing to normal printing without prolonged waiting periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the rotation speed parameter of the fixing roller to control temperature. By increasing rotation speed during normal printing preparation, the system accelerates heating. This parameter change provides a simple and effective method to manage temperature transitions between different printing modes.
3Loss of time
If the fixing roller rotation speed is increased, then temperature uniformization is accelerated and waiting time is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies periodic high-speed rotation only when temperature transition is needed, rather than maintaining high speed continuously. During decolorizing processing or normal printing preparation, the rotation speed is temporarily increased to accelerate temperature change, then returned to normal operating speed once the target temperature is reached. This periodic action reduces overall energy consumption while still achieving fast temperature uniformization when needed.
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 approach reduces the waiting time for the fixing part to reach the required temperature, enabling efficient execution of various printing modes by quickly heating or cooling the fixing part, thus minimizing downtime between operations.
Implementation Method 1
a heater that heats the fixing roller
Implementation Method 2
a fixing roller that conveys a sheet by rotation and fixes a recording material formed on the sheet to the sheet
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a fixing roller, a heater, a heater controller, and a roller controller. The fixing roller conveys a sheet by rotation and fixes a recording material formed on the sheet to the sheet. The heater heats the fixing roller. The heater controller controls a temperature of the heater. The roller controller controls a rotation speed of the fixing roller. When the roller controller satisfies a predetermined condition indicating that a fixing part temperature indicating a temperature of the fixing roller is not suitable for operation, the roller controller increases a rotation speed to be higher than a rotation speed of a case in which the predetermined condition is not satisfied.