Fixing Apparatus Temperature Control Using Regional Toner History
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with power consumption and image defects due to inadequate control of fixing apparatus temperature based on toner amount and print interval, leading to potential conveying failures.
Innovation Solution
A fixing apparatus that adjusts the target temperature of the heating member using toner amount information from multiple regions of the recording material, considering the conveying interval between sheets, to optimize power usage and prevent defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fixing apparatus is operated at high temperature to ensure sufficient fixing for maximum toner amounts, then fixing reliability is improved, but power consumption increases and image defects such as hot offset and conveying failure may occur when toner amount is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the fixing temperature adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically changes the heating member temperature based on real-time detection of toner amount through image data analysis, allowing the system to adapt between high temperature for high toner amounts and low temperature for low toner amounts, thus resolving the contradiction between fixing reliability and power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the heating member based on detected toner amount. By analyzing image data to determine toner concentration and subsequently adjusting the fixing temperature accordingly, the system optimizes power consumption while maintaining sufficient fixing quality, preventing both under-fixing and excessive power usage
2Use of energy by moving object
If power is supplied to the heating member based only on current paper toner amount information, then power consumption is reduced for low toner images, but fixing reliability deteriorates when previous high toner images were printed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting and storing toner amount information from previous printed images before processing the current image. The control unit retains historical data about toner amounts and uses this pre-acquired information to adjust the fixing temperature in advance, ensuring sufficient heat is applied even when current image toner amount appears low, thus preventing fixing failures due to thermal inertia from previous high toner prints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring toner amount information from both current and previous images and using this feedback to adjust the heating member temperature. The control unit references historical toner amount data to make informed decisions about power supply, ensuring that previous high toner images are accounted for in the temperature control algorithm, thereby maintaining fixing reliability while optimizing power consumption
3Device complexity
If the fixing apparatus does not consider print interval, then device complexity is reduced, but image defects and conveying failure may occur during continuous printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting print interval information in advance and using this pre-acquired data to adjust fixing temperature before processing begins. The control unit references historical print interval data to determine appropriate temperature settings, ensuring continuous printing operations maintain optimal thermal conditions without requiring complex real-time adjustments during the printing process
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 power consumption and minimizes image defects and conveying failures by accurately controlling the fixing apparatus temperature based on toner amount history and print intervals.
Implementation Method 1
a heating member configured to heat the recording material
Implementation Method 2
an opposing member configured to face the heating member and to form, with the heating member, a nip portion to nip and convey the recording material
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image on a recording material includes a heating member; an opposing member which nips the recording material; and a control unit that sets a target temperature of the heating member. The control unit acquires toner amount information for each of a plurality of regions which are separated in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and sets, based on (i) a first value which is based on toner amount information in each region of a first toner image formed on a first recording material, (ii) a conveying interval between the first and a second recording material, and (iii) a second value which is based on toner amount information in each region of a second toner image formed on the second recording material, the control unit sets the target temperature to heat the second recording material.