Heating Roller Temperature Control Using Adaptive Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming devices face challenges in accurately controlling the temperature of a heating roller due to discrepancies between the detected temperature by a noncontact thermistor and the actual temperature, especially during the warming-up phase, leading to imprecise temperature control.
Innovation Solution
An image forming device with a thermal detecting unit and a control unit that calculates a second temperature of the heating member using a function with a rate of change that increases with decreasing ambient temperature, allowing for precise temperature control by adjusting the heat source based on the detected temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a noncontact thermistor is used to detect the temperature of the heating roller, then the temperature can be detected without contact, but the detected temperature does not follow the actual temperature quickly during warming up, leading to temperature control inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing correction values in a correction value storage unit before temperature control is needed. During warming up, the control unit retrieves appropriate correction values based on the detected temperature and applies them proactively, rather than waiting for the temperature to stabilize. This allows the system to compensate for the thermistor's slow response in advance, improving both measurement precision and effective response speed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed correction function is used to correct the detected temperature, then the correction can be applied consistently, but it cannot adapt to different ambient temperature conditions, leading to inaccurate temperature control under varying ambient temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the correction function adaptive rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically selects correction values from the correction value storage unit based on the currently detected temperature, which reflects ambient temperature conditions. This dynamic selection allows the system to adapt to varying ambient temperatures while maintaining precise temperature control, as the correction values are chosen to match the current thermal environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the correction values based on the detected temperature parameter. Instead of using a single fixed correction offset, the system changes the correction parameter (correction value) according to the ambient temperature conditions represented by the detected temperature. This allows the correction function to adapt to different thermal environments, improving both adaptability and measurement precision across varying operating conditions.
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
The solution ensures accurate temperature control of the heating roller by correcting the detected temperature values, ensuring the heating roller reaches the target temperature accurately, regardless of ambient conditions, thereby improving the precision of temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal detecting unit provided separately from the heating member to detect a temperature of the heating member
Implementation Method 2
a heat source to generate a predetermined amount of heat per unit time
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming device has a heating member, a thermal detecting unit, and a control unit. The heating member is positioned at an ambient temperature and heated by a heat source. The heating member fixes a developed image to a recording sheet. The thermal detecting unit is provided separately from the heating member. The thermal detecting unit detects a first temperature. The control unit uses a function to calculate a second temperature of the heating member on the basis of the detected first temperature. The control unit controls the heat source on the basis of the second temperature. The function has a rate of change that increases with decreasing the ambient temperature.