Heating Element Abnormality Detection via Voltage Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses require multiple temperature sensors for each heating element, leading to increased complexity and cost, as they need to monitor the temperature of multiple heating elements to detect abnormalities, which complicates the system configuration.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that uses a voltage detection circuit to measure the voltage applied to a group of heating elements before and after energization, determining abnormality based on voltage drop values, allowing for reduced sensor usage and simplified configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple temperature sensors are used to monitor each heating element, then the reliability of abnormality detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple temperature monitoring functions into a single temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the entire heating element group. Instead of using separate sensors for each heating element, one sensor monitors the collective temperature, thereby reducing the number of sensors while maintaining abnormality detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single temperature sensor serves multiple heating elements simultaneously, performing the function of multiple sensors with a single device. This universal approach allows one sensor to monitor the thermal state of the entire heating element group, reducing system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are used for each heating element, then the measurement precision of individual heating element temperatures is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple temperature sensing functions into a single sensor implementation, reducing the total number of sensors required. This consolidation directly lowers manufacturing costs while still providing sufficient temperature monitoring capability for the heating element group.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of physically implementing multiple sensors, the system uses a single sensor to represent the temperature state of multiple heating elements. This virtual copying approach reduces hardware costs while maintaining functional equivalence.
3Reliability
If multiple temperature sensors are used to monitor heating elements, then the reliability of temperature monitoring is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complicated configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies system configuration by merging multiple temperature sensor connections into a single sensor interface. This reduces the complexity of wiring, calibration, and data processing, making the system easier to operate and maintain while preserving monitoring 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
Enables effective detection of heating element abnormalities without the need for multiple temperature sensors, reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining efficient image fixing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage detection circuit configured to measure a voltage applied to the plurality of heating elements
Implementation Method 2
a heating device including a belt that contacts the sheet and a plurality of heating elements the for heating the belt to press the sheet against the belt
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet, a heating device including a belt that contacts the sheet and a plurality of heating elements for heating the belt, a pressure roller configured to press the sheet against the belt, a voltage detection circuit configured to measure a voltage applied to the heating elements, and a controller configured to determine whether at least one of the heating elements is abnormal according to a voltage drop value that is based on voltages measured by the voltage detection unit before and after the plurality of heating elements is energized.