Fixing Unit Temperature Control Under Airflow Disturbance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image-forming apparatuses using film heating methods struggle with temperature control due to external disturbances, such as airflow, leading to image defects like fixing defects and hot offset, as direct measurement of the fixing member temperature is difficult and prediction models fail to account for varying environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
An image-forming apparatus with a controller that adjusts power supply to the heating body based on measured heater temperature, using a prediction model to compensate for airflow effects by changing control conditions, such as increasing heat generation, to maintain the fixing member temperature within the target range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a prediction model is used to predict film temperature, then direct measurement complexity is reduced, but temperature control reliability deteriorates when external disturbances like airflow occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a feedback mechanism by measuring the actual film temperature and comparing it with the predicted temperature. When a temperature deviation is detected, the system adjusts the heating power accordingly to correct the deviation, thereby maintaining reliable temperature control despite external disturbances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact temperature measurement with a non-contact measurement method (such as infrared sensing) to measure the film temperature. This substitution allows for accurate temperature detection without physically contacting the thin film, resolving the contradiction between measurement simplicity and control reliability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If heating power is increased to compensate for airflow cooling, then fixing temperature stability improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of heating power based on real-time temperature feedback. The system continuously monitors the film temperature and adjusts the heating power supply accordingly, increasing power only when temperature deviation is detected and reducing power when temperature is stable, thereby maintaining temperature stability while minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating power parameter dynamically based on the measured temperature deviation. By adjusting the heating power supply as a variable parameter in response to temperature feedback, the system achieves temperature stability without continuous high energy consumption, optimizing the balance between stability and energy efficiency.
3Loss of time
If a thin film with low thermal capacity is used as fixing member, then quick start capability improves, but temperature control difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control by measuring the actual temperature of the thin film and comparing it with the target temperature. The system adjusts heating power in real-time based on the temperature deviation, which is particularly important for thin films with low thermal capacity that are sensitive to temperature changes and external disturbances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses non-contact temperature measurement methods (such as infrared thermography) to measure the temperature of the thin film without physical contact. This substitution enables accurate temperature detection of the thin film with low thermal capacity, resolving the difficulty in temperature measurement while maintaining the quick start capability.
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
Reduces the occurrence of image defects by accurately controlling the fixing temperature despite airflow disturbances, ensuring stable fixing performance.
Implementation Method 1
a heating body configured to heat the fixing member
Implementation Method 2
a measurement circuit configured to measure a temperature of the heating body
Implementation Method 3
a pressurizing member configured to, along with the fixing member, nip and convey the recording material
Data Source
AI summary
An image-forming apparatus includes a fixing apparatus configured to fix a toner image onto a recording material, and a controller configured to control fixing of the toner image onto the recording material in accordance with a control condition. The fixing apparatus includes: a fixing member capable of rotating; a pressurizing member configured to, along with the fixing member, nip and convey the recording material; a heating body configured to heat the fixing member; and a measurement circuit configured to measure a temperature of the heating body. The controller is configured to control a supply of power to the heating body using a measured temperature of the heating body measured by the measurement circuit; and change the control condition in a case where the measured temperature is lower than a predicted temperature of the fixing member.