Fuser Heater On-Off Control for Consistent Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face variations in fixing performance due to insufficient heating from low-heat capacity equipment and temperature fluctuations along the circumference of the fuser member, leading to inconsistent heat application during the fixing process.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a rotatable fuser member and pressure member, where a heater is controlled through on-off switching cycles synchronized with the conveyance of recording media, adjusting the duty ratio of the heater power supply using a correction factor to maintain consistent belt temperature and prevent temperature deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If a small-sized, thin-walled fixing roller with low heat capacity is used, then energy consumption is reduced and warm-up time is shortened, but temperature variations occur along the circumference of the fuser member causing inconsistent fixing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is controlled through on-off switching cycles that are synchronized with the conveyance of recording media. The controller turns the heater on during media passage time T1 and off during interval time T2, creating periodic heating action that maintains temperature consistency while energy is only consumed when needed, resolving the contradiction between low energy consumption and consistent fixing performance
Solution Approach 2:
The controller uses feedback control to adjust the heater operation based on the timing of recording medium conveyance. By detecting the passage time T1 and interval time T2, the controller dynamically adjusts heater on-off cycles to maintain optimal temperature along the fuser member circumference, ensuring consistent fixing performance while minimizing energy consumption
2Reliability
If the heater is continuously operated to maintain uniform temperature, then fixing performance consistency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the heater operates in periodic on-off cycles synchronized with media conveyance. The heater is turned on during media passage time T1 to maintain temperature during fixing, and turned off during interval time T2 when no media is present, achieving both consistent fixing performance and reduced energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The heater provides continuous useful heating action during the media passage time T1 when it is most needed for fixing performance, while eliminating wasteful heating during interval time T2 when no media is present, thus maintaining fixing consistency while optimizing energy usage
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 solution ensures consistent heat application across multiple recording media, reducing variations in fixing performance and maintaining optimal temperature within an allowable range, even with low-heat capacity equipment, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and imaging quality.
Implementation Method 1
The heater (5) is disposed adjacent to the fuser member (3) to heat the fuser member (3)
Implementation Method 2
heat from the fuser member causes the toner particles to fuse and melt
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a rotatable fuser member, a rotatable pressure member, a heater, and a controller. The rotatable fuser member is subjected to heating. The rotatable pressure member is disposed opposite the fuser member. The pressure member presses against the fuser member to form a fixing nip therebetween, through which multiple recording media, each spaced apart from each other by an interval distance in a conveyance direction, are sequentially conveyed at a conveyance speed. The heater is disposed adjacent to the fuser member to heat the fuser member. The controller is operatively connected to the heater to control power supply to the heater through a series of on-off switching control cycles, each including an on-time during which the heater power supply is on, and an off-time during which the heater power supply is off, in synchronization with conveyance of the recording medium.