Fusing Member Cooling During Image Erasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face the challenge of high temperatures during image erasing, causing sheets to adhere to each other with toner due to the higher temperature required for erasing compared to image forming, which existing cooling devices do not adequately address.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a fusing device and a cooling device, where the processor controls the cooling device to cool the fusing member at predetermined timings during the image erasing process, suspending the image erasing process until the cooling is completed to maintain lower temperatures of ejected sheets and prevent toner adherence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the temperature of the fusing member is increased to erase images, then the image erasing function is achieved, but the sheets adhere to each other with toner due to high temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device operates periodically by activating when the temperature of the fusing member exceeds a predetermined threshold and deactivating when it drops below that threshold. This periodic cooling action maintains the temperature within acceptable ranges, preventing sheet adhesion while allowing image erasing to proceed effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the temperature of the fusing member and uses this feedback to control the cooling device. When the temperature rises above the threshold during image erasing, the cooling device is activated; when it drops below the threshold, the cooling device is deactivated. This feedback mechanism dynamically adjusts cooling to prevent sheet adhesion while maintaining erasing capability.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the cooling device is activated continuously to prevent sheet adhesion, then sheet quality is maintained, but the image erasing process is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when the temperature exceeds the predetermined threshold and deactivating when it drops below. This periodic operation prevents sheet adhesion while minimizing interruptions to the image erasing process, thereby maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the cooling device based on the temperature condition. By setting a predetermined temperature threshold, the cooling device switches between active and inactive states, optimizing both sheet quality protection and process continuity.
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 effectively reduces the temperature of ejected sheets, preventing them from adhering to each other, allowing for continuous image erasing without stopping and maintaining the quality of the sheets.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling device that performs a cooling process to cool the fusing member of the fusing device
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a fusing device, a cooling device, and a processor. The fusing device includes a fusing member and a pressure member, the fusing member being heated by a heat source. The fusing device conveys a sheet, the sheet being heated and pressed between the fusing member and the pressure member. The processor causes the cooling device to perform the cooling process to cool the fusing member every predetermined timing when the image erasing process is performed.