Image Forming Fixing Unit Control During Sheet Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The durability of the fixing unit in image forming devices is compromised due to localized temperature increases when the discharge roller stops, causing the heating and pressure rotation bodies to heat up, which is not addressed in existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
The controller controls the temperature and motor operations to prevent localized heating by setting the fixing unit to a lower temperature and rotating the heating and pressure rotation bodies after the cutting position reaches the cutter, ensuring they remain operational for continuous printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the discharge roller stops to enable cutting of the sheet, then the cutting position can be accurately positioned, but the heating rotation body and pressure rotation body locally increase in temperature, decreasing the durability of the fixing unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the rotation bodies' operational state adjustable between stopped and rotating. The controller dynamically changes the rotation state of the heating rotation body and pressure rotation body based on the cutting process requirements, allowing them to rotate during cutting to prevent localized temperature increase while maintaining cutting position accuracy through coordinated control with the discharge roller
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the fixing unit by controlling the rotation speed and temperature of the heating rotation body and pressure rotation body. During the cutting process, the controller adjusts these parameters to maintain rotation and prevent temperature accumulation, thereby resolving the contradiction between positioning accuracy and component durability
2Loss of energy
If the heating rotation body and pressure rotation body stop rotating when the discharge roller stops, then energy consumption is reduced, but localized temperature increase occurs at the nip portion
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the rotation state of the heating rotation body and pressure rotation body based on real-time operational requirements. During cutting operations, the controller maintains rotation of these components to prevent localized heating, while allowing rotation to be reduced or stopped during normal conveying to minimize energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by maintaining the rotation of the heating rotation body and pressure rotation body during the cutting process. This continuous rotation prevents heat accumulation at the nip portion while the discharge roller stops for cutting, balancing energy consumption with thermal management requirements
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 prevents the heating and pressure rotation bodies from overheating, thereby maintaining the durability of the fixing unit and reducing the time required for continuous printing.
Implementation Method 1
a heater configured to heat the heating rotation body
Implementation Method 2
heat is applied to a nip portion between the pair of rollers
Implementation Method 3
convey the sheet having passed through the nip portion
Implementation Method 4
a discharge roller disposed downstream of the fixing unit in a conveying direction of the sheet, and configured to discharge the sheet
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an image forming device capable of suppressing reduction in durability of a fixing part when cutting a sheet by a cutter. A control unit (101) causes a heating rotor (51) or a compressing rotor (52) to rotate to thereby convey a sheet, causes discharge rollers (36, 37) to rotate to thereby convey the sheet having passed through a nip (N), stops the discharge rollers when the cutting position in the sheet has reached the placement location (B) of a cutter, and after the stoppage of the discharge rollers, starts cutting of the sheet by the cutter (10) in a state where the heating rotor or the compressing rotor is rotating.