Segmented Fuser Heater Control for Non-Passage Temperature Rise
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Solution Overview
Problem
The issue of paper non-passage portion temperature rise occurs in fixing devices when narrower recording materials are continuously printed, potentially damaging fixing members due to temperature fluctuations, and existing temperature control methods are inefficient in adjusting to different device states.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a first and second heat generating member of varying lengths, controlled by a switching unit and a control unit that alternates power supply based on temperature detection, ensuring optimal temperature distribution across the heating members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single long heater is used to heat the fixing film, then the heating coverage is sufficient for wide recording materials, but temperature rises significantly in the non-passage portion when narrow recording materials are continuously printed
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is divided into multiple independent heating sections along the longitudinal direction, each capable of being controlled separately. This segmentation allows the heater to adapt its effective heating width to match the recording material width, preventing excessive temperature rise in non-passage portions while maintaining sufficient coverage for the actual material being processed
2Temperature
If the heater length is reduced to prevent non-passage portion temperature rise, then temperature control improves for narrow materials, but heating coverage becomes insufficient for wide recording materials
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects which heating sections are active based on the detected width of the recording material. This dynamic adaptation allows the heater to provide full coverage for wide materials while limiting active heating zones for narrow materials, thereby preventing temperature rise in non-passage portions without sacrificing heating capability when needed
3Temperature
If temperature control is implemented by switching heating members, then non-passage portion temperature rise is reduced, but the control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is divided into multiple independent heating sections along the longitudinal direction, each capable of being controlled separately. This segmentation allows the heater to adapt its effective heating width to match the recording material width, preventing excessive temperature rise in non-passage portions while maintaining sufficient coverage for the actual material being processed
Solution Approach 2:
A control unit detects the width of the recording material and automatically selects which heating sections to activate based on the detected width. This feedback mechanism simplifies operation by eliminating manual adjustment while maintaining precise temperature control adapted to each material width
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 effectively maintains appropriate temperature gradients, preventing damage to fixing members and ensuring consistent image quality by dynamically adjusting power distribution to heating elements.
Implementation Method 1
a heater provided with a first heat generating member on a substrate and a second heat generating member of which a length in a longitudinal direction is shorter than a length of the first heat generating member; and constituted to heat the first rotatable member
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a heater provided with a first heat generator on a substrate and a second heat generator of which a length in a longitudinal direction is shorter than that of the first heat generator, a temperature detector of the heater, a switch for switching a power supply path from an AC power source to the first heat generator or the second heat generator. A controller for controlling the switch to supply power to the first heat generator or the second heat generator. The controller executes a first control in which the switch supplies the power to the first heat generator, and switches a second control in which the switch supplies the power alternately to the first heat generator or the second heat generator when the detected temperature reaches a threshold temperature.