Image-Forming Fuser Sheet-Rate Control for Non-Passage Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with temperature rises in non-passage regions of fixing devices due to varying sheet widths, leading to decreased component lifetime and conveyance problems, and existing solutions reduce productivity by unnecessarily decreasing the number of sheets processed per unit time.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that adjusts the number of sheets processed per unit time by monitoring the toner application history to end regions, using a control unit to predict and manage non-passage region temperatures, thereby optimizing throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the feeding interval is increased to suppress temperature rise in non-passage region, then the temperature control is improved, but the number of sheets processed per unit time decreases and productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit predicts the temperature rise in the non-passage region before it actually occurs by calculating based on the image printing ratio of the current and preceding sheets. This preliminary prediction allows the system to proactively adjust the feeding interval only when necessary, rather than reactively increasing it after temperature problems arise, thereby maintaining higher productivity while preventing temperature rises.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the image printing ratio of processed sheets and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the feeding interval. By incorporating the actual temperature conditions and processing history into the control decision, the system optimizes the balance between temperature control and productivity in real-time.
2Temperature
If the number of sheets processed per unit time is decreased to suppress temperature rise, then the temperature control is improved, but the productivity of the image forming apparatus decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary temperature prediction before processing each sheet by calculating the expected temperature rise based on the image printing ratio of the current sheet and the preceding sheet. This allows the system to maintain normal processing speed while only reducing the feeding interval when the prediction indicates potential temperature problems, thus avoiding unnecessary productivity loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The feeding interval is dynamically adjusted based on the actual temperature conditions and processing history rather than using a fixed reduced interval. The control unit modifies the feeding interval in real-time according to the image printing ratio patterns, allowing the system to maintain high productivity during normal conditions while providing temperature control when needed.
3Temperature
If the feeding interval is increased for sheets with narrow width, then the temperature rise in non-passage region is suppressed, but the number of sheets processed per unit time decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit predicts temperature rise before processing by calculating based on the image printing ratio of the current and preceding sheets. This preliminary calculation allows the system to maintain normal feeding intervals for most cases while only increasing the interval when the prediction indicates potential temperature problems, thus avoiding unnecessary productivity loss while still protecting against temperature rises in non-passage regions.
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
Effectively suppresses temperature rises in non-passage regions while maintaining or increasing the number of sheets processed per unit time, thus enhancing productivity and protecting device components.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit configured to heat, via the first rotational member, the sheet on which the toner image has been formed
Implementation Method 2
a second rotational member configured to be in contact with the first rotational member and form a nip portion and configured to convey the sheet at a predetermined conveyance speed
Data Source
AI summary
A second rotational member can be in contact with a first rotational member and forms a nip portion and conveys a sheet at a predetermined conveyance speed. A heating unit heats, via the first rotational member, the sheet on which a toner image has been formed. A control unit obtains a history value of an amount of toner to be transferred to an end region of each of a plurality of sheets that are consecutively conveyed. The end region extends in parallel with a conveyance direction of the plurality of sheets. The number of sheets to be heated per unit time is adjusted according to the history value.