Fixing Unit Heater Flicker Control via Dual-Heater Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming devices experience flicker beyond standard values due to large inrush currents from high-power heaters, which cannot be adequately controlled by existing half-wave or phase control methods, leading to inefficient heating and prolonged temperature achievement in the fixing unit.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a first heater and a second heater of lower rated power, controlled by a controller that adjusts power consumption through preliminary and energizing controls to minimize flicker, using half-wave or phase control of the AC power supply, ensuring the sum of power consumption changes do not exceed predetermined flicker standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a high-power halogen heater is used to rapidly heat the fixing unit, then heating speed is improved, but inrush current causes flicker beyond standard values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using a second heater with smaller rated power to preheat the fixing unit before the first high-power heater is activated. This preliminary heating action reduces the temperature difference between the fixing unit and ambient environment, thereby reducing the inrush current when the first heater is turned on and preventing flicker beyond standard values.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the heating function into two separate heaters: a first heater with large rated power for rapid heating, and a second heater with smaller rated power for preliminary control. This segmentation allows the system to combine the advantages of both high-speed heating and flicker control by coordinating the operation of both heaters.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If phase control is used to slightly step up power consumption and inhibit flicker, then flicker is reduced, but heating time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heating function into two segments: the second heater handles preliminary heating with controlled power consumption to inhibit flicker, while the first high-power heater provides rapid heating capability. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both flicker control and fast heating by coordinating both heaters, avoiding the time loss associated with using phase control alone.
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
The solution allows for rapid temperature adjustment of the fixing unit while inhibiting flicker, achieving desired temperatures faster than conventional methods and maintaining compliance with flicker standards, regardless of the heater's rated power.
Implementation Method 1
a first heater which heats the fixing unit; a second heater with rated power smaller than the rated power of the first heater which heats the fixing unit
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes: a fixing unit which heats a recording medium to fix a color material adhered to the recording medium; a first heater which heats the fixing unit; a second heater with rated power smaller than the rated power of the first heater which heats the fixing unit; and a controller which performs preliminary control of energizing the second heater when heating of the fixing unit by the first heater is started and energizing control of stepping up power consumption of the first heater and stepping down the power consumption of the second heater such that a change amount when a sum of the power consumption of the first heater and the power consumption of the second heater changes becomes a value to make a flicker value indicating a degree of a flicker not larger than a predetermined standard value after executing the preliminary control.