Garment Printer Heater Control for Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Garment printers waste energy by heating the heating unit before it is needed, as they start heating even when the image forming apparatus is activated for settings, rather than waiting until a certain time has elapsed or a print job is received.
Innovation Solution
The garment printer includes circuitry to measure elapsed time after activation and only heats the heating unit when a given time has elapsed or a print job is input, ensuring the heating unit reaches the required temperature just before use, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the heater is started heating immediately when the image forming apparatus is activated, then the heating unit reaches required temperature faster when needed, but energy is wasted by heating before it is actually needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions (measuring elapsed time, detecting print job input) before initiating heating, ensuring the heater is activated only when actually needed. This resolves the contradiction by preparing the system to heat at the optimal moment without premature activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit continuously monitors conditions (elapsed time since activation, print job input status) and adjusts heating activation based on this feedback. This feedback mechanism ensures heating starts only when necessary, eliminating wasted energy while maintaining temperature readiness.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the heater is activated only after a given time elapses or print job is input, then energy waste is reduced, but the heating unit may not be ready when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit performs preliminary measurements (elapsed time since activation) and waits for triggering conditions (print job input) before activating heating. This ensures heating starts at the optimal moment - not too early to waste energy, not too late to miss the need.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating activation timing is dynamic rather than fixed, adjusting based on actual usage conditions (whether a print job is input, elapsed time). This dynamic approach maintains reliability by ensuring heating is ready when needed while optimizing energy consumption.
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 saves energy by preventing premature heating and optimizing the heating process, ensuring the heating unit is ready when needed, thus reducing power consumption and enhancing energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the garment printers heat the garment with a heater
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing device includes circuitry. The circuitry is configured to control a temperature of a heater. The heater performs heating in a printing process. The circuitry is further configured to measure an elapsed time from satisfaction of a given condition, and to determine whether the elapsed time is equal to or longer than a given time. The circuitry is configured to cause the temperature of the heater to rise based on a determination that the elapsed time is equal to or longer than the given time.