Fixing Roller Temperature Control and Media Transport Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses unnecessarily eject recording media during temperature control operations of the fixing unit due to the transportation of media during warming-up and cooling-down processes, which can result in excessive material waste.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a configuration where the image forming apparatus performs temperature control operations of the fixing unit while transporting the medium at a speed slower than the fastest preset transport speed, both before and after the image forming operation, to minimize the amount of media ejected during these processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the fixing roller is rotated during warming-up or cooling-down operations, then the fixing unit can be heated or cooled, but the recording medium is unnecessarily transported and ejected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful effect of continuous medium transport during temperature control operations by introducing a transport stop control that halts medium transportation when the fixing unit requires warming-up or cooling-down, while maintaining the rotation of the fixing roller for temperature adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the transport speed of the recording medium based on the operational state of the fixing unit, stopping transport during temperature control operations and resuming during normal printing operations, thereby adapting the system behavior to current needs
2Productivity
If the fixing roller is rotated at high speed during temperature control operations, then heating or cooling efficiency is improved, but the recording medium is transported faster and more material is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the coupling between fixing roller rotation and medium transport by independently controlling the fixing roller drive and medium transport mechanisms, allowing the fixing roller to rotate for temperature control while the medium remains stationary
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary stopping of medium transport before initiating or during temperature control operations, preventing medium waste in advance while the fixing roller is heated or cooled
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 length of media ejected during temperature control operations, thereby shortening warming-up and cooling-down times and minimizing material waste, while ensuring efficient heat management and apparatus readiness for printing.
Implementation Method 1
a fixing unit including a fixing member that heats a developer for fixing the developer to a medium
Implementation Method 2
a temperature control unit that heats the fixing member and controls a temperature of the fixing member
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit including a fixing member that heats a developer for fixing the developer to a medium, a temperature control unit that heats the fixing member and controls a temperature of the fixing member, a transport member that transports the medium through the fixing unit, and a transport control unit that controls a transport speed at which the transport member transports the medium. At least one of before and after an image forming operation, the image forming apparatus performs a temperature control operation of the fixing unit while transporting the medium through the fixing unit. When the image forming apparatus performs the temperature control operation at least one of before and after the image forming operation, the transport control unit causes the transport member to transport the medium at a transport speed slower than a fastest transport speed among a plurality of preset transport speeds.