Fixing Portion Temperature Rise Rate Control for Early Sheet Feeding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in shortening the time from receiving a print instruction to the first printout (FPOT) while maintaining good fixing properties, as determining sheet feeding start timing based on temperature rise rate measurement requires a predetermined time, making it difficult to initiate feeding earlier than the end of this measurement time.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a temperature detecting portion, measuring portion, storing portion, and controller that allows for early sheet feeding initiation based on pre-measured temperature rising rates stored in the system, enabling the start of feeding before the predetermined time required for temperature rise measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sheet feeding start timing is determined based on temperature rise rate measurement, then fixing property is ensured, but first printout time cannot be shorter than the measurement time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of the temperature rise rate during the initial heating phase after power-on. This measured value is stored and reused for determining sheet feeding start timing in subsequent print operations, eliminating the need to wait for measurement completion during each print task. This allows the sheet feeding to start based on pre-acquired temperature characteristics rather than waiting for real-time measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing real-time temperature rise rate measurement during each print operation, the system creates a copy of the temperature rise rate value obtained from initial measurement and stores it in memory. This stored copy is then referenced for timing decisions in subsequent operations, replacing the need for repeated measurements and enabling faster response.
2Productivity
If energy supplied to heater is maximized to reach fixable temperature quickly, then first printout time is reduced, but temperature control precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the heater power supply based on the measured temperature rise rate. By controlling the power supply amount according to the actual temperature rise characteristics, the system optimizes both heating speed and temperature control precision, achieving a balance between quick warm-up and accurate temperature maintenance.
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 allows for a further reduction in FPOT by enabling earlier sheet feeding start timing without compromising fixing properties, even when the power source voltage fluctuates, thereby improving usability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heater and configured to fix the toner image on the recording material by heating the toner image formed on the recording material
Implementation Method 2
a temperature detecting portion configured to detect a temperature of the fixing portion
Implementation Method 3
a fixing portion configured to fix the toner image on the recording material by heating the toner image formed on the recording material
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a fixing portion, a temperature detecting portion, a measuring portion, a storing portion, and a controller. The controller is capable of setting a case that a start of feeding of a recording material is permitted after a lapse of a predetermined time need to measure a temperature rising rate of the fixing portion and a case that the start of feeding of the recording material is permitted, depending on a value relating to the temperature rising rate stored in the storing portion, at timing before the lapse of the predetermined time.