Heater Control Method for Image Formation Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The user-friendliness of image formation apparatuses is compromised due to voltage fluctuations when turning on and off the heater, which affects the power supply and user experience.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes two heaters with different power levels and a controller that manages their power supply using specific timing sequences to minimize voltage fluctuations, ensuring a smoother power transition and reducing flicker recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single heater is turned on and off in the image formation apparatus, then the heater can provide necessary heating function, but voltage fluctuations occur causing reduced user-friendliness
Solution Approach 1:
The single heater is divided into two separate heaters (first heater and second heater) with different power output levels. This segmentation allows the system to transition between different power states more gradually, reducing voltage fluctuations and improving user-friendliness while maintaining the necessary heating function.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater controller implements periodic action by sequentially turning on the second heater first, then the first heater after a predetermined time interval. This staged periodic activation prevents abrupt power changes and associated voltage fluctuations, thereby improving ease of operation.
2Productivity
If both heaters are turned on simultaneously to provide sufficient heat, then heating efficiency improves, but voltage fluctuations and flickers increase
Solution Approach 1:
The second heater is turned on in advance before the first heater. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare for the full heating capacity gradually, preventing sudden voltage fluctuations and flickers that would occur if both heaters were activated simultaneously, thus maintaining heating efficiency while reducing harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
By activating the second heater first as a cushioning measure, the system prepares the power supply network for the upcoming load increase from the first heater. This beforehand cushioning reduces the impact of voltage fluctuations and flickers associated with simultaneous heater activation.
3Speed
If the heater is turned on abruptly to meet heating demands, then response time is reduced, but power supply instability and flickers occur
Solution Approach 1:
The heater controller uses periodic action with a predetermined time interval between activating the second heater and the first heater. This approach maintains relatively fast response time while preventing power supply instability and flickers through staged activation, thus balancing speed and reliability.
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 enhances user-friendliness by reducing abrupt power changes, suppressing flickers, and minimizing harmonic noise and radiation, thereby improving the overall operational stability and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a first heater H1 and a second heater H2, wherein the first heater H1 generates heat with a first heater electric power PW1 and the second heater H2 generates heat with a second heater electric power PW2 smaller than the first heater electric power PW1
Data Source
AI summary
An image formation apparatus according to an embodiment may include: a fixation device including a first heater and a second heater whose electric power is smaller than the first heater; first and second switches to supply a power supply signal to the first and second heaters; and a heater controller. The heater controller: turns on the second switch at a first timing; turns off the second switch at a second timing at which a first length of time equal not less than a predetermined time length is elapsed from the first timing; turns on the first switch at a third timing after the second timing; and turns on the second switch at a fourth timing at which a second length of time not less than the predetermined time length is elapsed from the third timing.