Heat Roller Temperature Control for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The image forming apparatus faces challenges in maintaining a constant surface temperature of the heat roller due to temperature fluctuations, particularly during intermittent paper feeding, leading to uneven image printing quality.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a heater energization control circuit that adjusts the power supply to the heat roller based on a control signal and temperature feedback, preheating before continuous paper feeding and cooling after paper feeding to stabilize the surface temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the heater is turned off after paper feeding completion, then energy consumption is reduced, but the heat roller surface temperature rises due to residual heat
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit turns off the heater in advance before paper feeding starts, based on predicted paper feeding timing. This preliminary action prevents the heat roller surface temperature from rising due to residual heat, while still maintaining adequate temperature for toner fixation when paper feeding begins.
2Temperature
If the heater is turned on immediately before paper feeding, then the heat roller surface temperature is maintained, but temperature fluctuation occurs during start-up
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit turns on the heater in advance before paper feeding starts, based on predicted paper feeding timing. This preliminary heating action ensures the heat roller surface reaches a stable temperature before paper feeding begins, preventing temperature fluctuation during start-up and improving image printing quality.
3Productivity
If intermittent paper feeding is implemented, then productivity is improved, but temperature control of the heat roller becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit uses feedback from temperature sensors to monitor the heat roller surface temperature in real-time. Based on this feedback, the circuit dynamically adjusts the heater power to maintain the surface temperature within a predetermined range, even during intermittent paper feeding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit predicts paper feeding timing and turns on/off the heater in advance accordingly. This preliminary action prevents temperature extreme s before they occur, maintaining stable heat roller surface temperature during intermittent operation.
4Temperature
If the heater power is increased to maintain surface temperature, then temperature stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit dynamically adjusts the heater power based on real-time temperature feedback and predicted paper feeding timing. The heater power is increased only when necessary to maintain surface temperature, and reduced when paper feeding is not expected, optimizing the balance between temperature stability and 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 solution ensures consistent heat roller surface temperature, improving print quality by preventing temperature drops during start-up and rises during intervals, thus maintaining optimal toner fixation and image clarity.
Implementation Method 1
a heater configured to generate heat to fix a toner image on a print medium
Implementation Method 2
the surface temperature of the heat roller needs to be kept constant
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a heat roller comprising a heater and configured to generate heat to fix a toner image on a print medium, a system controller configured to transmit, when printing is performed on a print medium, a control signal that indicates when power is to be supplied to the heater, and a heater control circuit configured to control amount of power supplied to the heater according to the control signal, a target temperature of the heater, and a current temperature of the heater. When printing is to be continuously performed on a plurality of print media, the system controller transmits the control signal to the heater control circuit a first predetermined time before start of printing.