Fixing Roller Warm-Up Control via Dual Temperature Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face delays in warm-up time due to temperature detection delays by sensors and insufficient input voltage, leading to improper fixing operations, especially when the actual temperature of the fixing unit does not reach the required level even after the calculated time period elapses.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus employs a controller that performs a first warm-up control based on detected temperature or elapsed time, and a second control that continues warming until the fixing roller reaches a predetermined third temperature, ensuring proper fixing even if the initial temperature is not reached within the set time, thereby preventing faulty images and reducing manufacturing costs by avoiding the need for additional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a sensor is used to detect the temperature of the fixing unit to shorten warm-up time, then the warm-up time is reduced, but the sensor detects temperature with delay causing the actual temperature to be lower than detected temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by implementing a dual-temperature threshold system. Instead of relying on a single temperature detection threshold, the system uses a first temperature threshold (lower) for initial warm-up termination and a second temperature threshold (higher) for verifying actual fixing readiness. This parameter differentiation compensates for sensor detection delays by accounting for the temperature gap between detected and actual temperatures, ensuring accurate warm-up control despite measurement lag.
2Device complexity
If a calculated time period is used to determine warm-up completion, then the control is simplified, but the fixing roller temperature may not reach the required level when input voltage is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the fixing roller temperature via sensor and comparing it against dynamically adjusted thresholds. The system terminates warm-up based on feedback from temperature measurements rather than relying solely on pre-calculated time periods. This feedback mechanism ensures that warm-up completion is determined by actual temperature achievement rather than theoretical timing, maintaining reliability even when input voltage varies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies dynamics by making the warm-up termination criterion adaptive rather than fixed. Instead of using a static time period calculation, the warm-up termination point dynamically adjusts based on real-time temperature sensor readings and the relationship between detected and actual temperatures. This dynamic approach allows the system to accommodate variations in input voltage and environmental conditions while maintaining reliable fixing temperature achievement.
3Loss of time
If the warm-up is terminated when the detected temperature reaches the first temperature, then the warm-up time is shortened, but the actual temperature may be insufficient for proper fixing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the warm-up termination criterion into two distinct temperature thresholds: a first temperature threshold for initial warm-up termination and a second temperature threshold for verifying actual fixing readiness. This segmentation allows the system to terminate warm-up at the lower first threshold to save time while ensuring that the actual temperature (which is higher due to the temperature gap) has reached sufficient levels for proper fixing. The two-threshold system separates the detection-based termination decision from the actual temperature verification.
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 ensures a shortened warm-up time while maintaining improved image quality by ensuring the fixing roller reaches a sufficient temperature for proper fixing, without increasing manufacturing costs through the use of additional sensors.
Implementation Method 1
The heater is configured to heat the fixing roller to warm up the fixing roller
Implementation Method 2
The sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the fixing roller
Implementation Method 3
The fixing roller is configured to fix the toner image on the recording medium by applying heat
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming mechanism, a fixing roller, a heater, a sensor, a warm-up mechanism, and a controller. The image forming mechanism forms a toner image on a recording medium according to image data. The fixing roller fixes the toner image on the recording medium by applying heat. The heater heats the fixing roller to warm up the fixing roller. The sensor detects a temperature of the fixing roller. The warm-up mechanism warms up the fixing roller by using the heater. The controller performs a first warm-up control that finishes the warm-up of the fixing roller and a second warm-up control that continues the warm-up of the fixing roller.