Heater Control via Object Sensor Overlap Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, inadequate temperature control of the recording medium leads to thermal expansion, cockling, and image quality deterioration, particularly when temperature distribution is non-uniform, and can cause issues like ink droplet blocking or air expansion due to excessive heating.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus equipped with multiple heaters and temperature sensors, along with an object sensor, which detects the overlap region and corrects temperature information to control the heaters uniformly, ensuring appropriate temperature distribution across the recording medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If heating is performed to improve image quality, then ink drying efficiency is improved, but excessive heating causes air expansion (blister) and deterioration of image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by dividing the heating control into different regions. Temperature sensors are positioned at multiple locations (first, second, and third positions) across the recording medium, and each heater is controlled based on local temperature measurements. This allows different regions to receive appropriate heating levels, ensuring thorough ink drying while preventing air expansion in sensitive areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring temperature at multiple positions using temperature sensors and adjusting heater output accordingly. The control unit receives temperature information from all sensor positions and dynamically adjusts heating power to maintain optimal temperature ranges, preventing both insufficient drying and excessive heating that causes blistering.
2Manufacturing precision
If heating is performed to fix toner, then image quality is improved, but non-uniform temperature distribution causes thermal expansion and cockling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing region-specific temperature control. Multiple temperature sensors are positioned at different locations on the recording medium, and each heater is controlled independently based on local temperature conditions. This ensures uniform temperature distribution across the entire medium, preventing thermal expansion and cockling while maintaining high image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the heating control system into multiple independent zones, each with its own temperature sensor and heater control. This segmentation allows precise local temperature management, ensuring that each region of the recording medium receives appropriate heating to prevent cockling while maintaining overall image quality.
3Use of energy by moving object
If temperature control is not performed uniformly, then heating efficiency is improved, but temperature distribution becomes non-uniform causing cockling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements comprehensive feedback control by positioning temperature sensors at multiple strategic locations across the recording medium. The control unit continuously monitors temperature at all positions and adjusts heater output in real-time, maintaining uniform temperature distribution throughout the medium while optimizing overall heating efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies equipotentiality by maintaining uniform temperature across the entire recording medium surface. Multiple temperature sensors monitor different regions, and the control system adjusts heaters to ensure all areas reach and maintain the same optimal temperature, creating a thermally equipotential surface that prevents cockling while maintaining heating efficiency.
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 uniform temperature control, preventing cockling and improving image quality by accurately heating the recording medium, thereby maintaining flatness and enhancing ink drying efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of temperature sensors positioned at positions corresponding to the plurality of heaters
Implementation Method 2
an object sensor configured to detect an overlap region of the medium and the heaters
Implementation Method 3
control the plurality of heaters based on the corrected temperature information
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of heaters, a plurality of temperature sensors, an object sensor, and control circuitry. The temperature sensors are formed at positions corresponding to the heaters. The object sensor is configured to detect an overlap region of a medium and the heaters. The control circuitry is configured to correct temperature information acquired by the temperature sensors, according to the overlap region detected by the object sensor and the positions of the temperature sensors, and control the heaters based on the corrected temperature information.