Heating Roller Temperature Control for Image Forming Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming devices face temperature overshoot issues when switching from a low-temperature fixing state to a standby state, leading to excessive heat and potential deterioration of components, especially when the fixing temperature is set lower than the standby temperature.
Innovation Solution
The device controls the temperature to be intermediate between the fixing and standby temperatures during the transition, gradually increasing to the standby temperature to mitigate overshoot and component damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the roller is stopped immediately after the completion of the fixing process, then energy saving and noise abatement are improved, but the temperature of the roller rises sharply causing deterioration of members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by controlling the roller to rotate without heating for a certain period after the fixing process before stopping it. This preliminary rotation allows heat release and prevents temperature overshoot that would occur if the roller were stopped immediately, thereby avoiding deterioration of members while still achieving energy saving and noise abatement.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the preset temperature is decreased to allow the roller to rotate for heat release, then temperature overshoot is suppressed, but when the fixing temperature is set lower than the standby temperature, a large gap between fixing temperature and preset temperature creates new overshoot problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the preset temperature based on the relationship between fixing temperature and standby temperature. When fixing temperature is lower than standby temperature, the preset temperature is set to an intermediate value between them during the transition period. This prevents excessive temperature drops and subsequent overshoot when switching to standby mode, while avoiding unnecessary complexity in the temperature control system.
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 effectively reduces temperature overshoot and prevents component deterioration by gradually raising the temperature, thereby enhancing the device's operational safety and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit for heating the roller; a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the roller
Implementation Method 2
the roller is rotated without being heated for a certain period of time for heat release
Data Source
AI summary
To control a temperature of a rotating member for fixing an image during standby, an image forming device can suppress overshoot of the temperature of the rotating member occurred when a fixing state is switched to a standby state. Determining the standby temperature is higher than the fixing temperature (Step S103: YES), a CPU 61 controls a temperature of a heating roller 51 to be kept substantially at a first temperature (Step S104). After a lapse of first given time (Step S105: YES), the CPU 61 stops rotation of the heating roller 51, a fixing roller 52 and the pressure roller 54 (Step S107). The CPU 61 controls the temperature to be kept substantially at the second temperature (Step S108). After a lapse of second given time (Step S109: YES), the CPU 61 controls the temperature to be kept substantially at the standby temperature, and switches to the standby state.