Heating Unit Power Control for Voltage Fluctuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in reducing power supply voltage fluctuations, leading to issues like flicker and harmonic distortion due to the simultaneous turn-on of multiple heaters in the fixing device, which increases power consumption and size, and existing control methods do not adequately address these issues.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a control unit that manages power supply to multiple heating units with different power consumptions by setting specific power supply times within a predetermined control period, ensuring that the first heating unit with the highest power consumption is turned on first and the second unit is turned on later, minimizing simultaneous power usage and reducing voltage fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If multiple heaters are turned on simultaneously to reduce warm-up time, then the warm-up time is reduced, but power supply voltage fluctuation increases causing flicker and harmonic distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit repeatedly controls power supply to heating units at a predetermined control period T1, with different heating units operating at different phases within the period. The first heating unit operates from the beginning of T1, while the second heating unit operates from (T1-t2) to T1, creating periodic non-overlapping operation cycles that reduce peak power demand while maintaining continuous heating capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the power supply control into segmented time intervals within control period T1. Different heating units are assigned to different time segments: the first heating unit (largest power consumption) operates during the first segment, while the second heating unit (second largest power consumption) operates during the second segment. This temporal segmentation prevents simultaneous operation of high-power heaters, reducing voltage fluctuation while still achieving warm-up through sequential heating.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If heaters are turned on at delayed timing to reduce power supply voltage fluctuation, then power supply stability is improved, but the effect is not enough to prevent ripple and flicker
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements periodic power supply control with control period T1, where heating units operate in a cyclic pattern. The first heating unit operates from the beginning of T1, and the second heating unit operates from (T1-t2) to T1. This periodic arrangement ensures that high-power heaters never operate simultaneously, providing consistent power supply stability while preventing ripple and flicker through predictable, non-overlapping operation cycles.
3Productivity
If the largest power consumption heater operates for the full control period, then heating efficiency is maximized, but power supply voltage fluctuation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements periodic power supply control with control period T1, where heating units operate in a cyclic pattern. The first heating unit operates from the beginning of T1, and the second heating unit operates from (T1-t2) to T1. This periodic arrangement ensures that high-power heaters never operate simultaneously, providing consistent power supply stability while preventing ripple and flicker through predictable, non-overlapping operation cycles.
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 stabilizes the power supply, reduces flicker and harmonic distortion, and optimizes power consumption, improving copy quality while preventing power fluctuations and noise in the electrical supply.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of heating units having different power consumptions... supplies a power to each of the heating units
Data Source
AI summary
A control unit controls supply of power to a plurality of heating units at predetermined control period T1 that is set by a first unit. A second unit sets power supply time t1 for a first heating unit having largest power consumption within the control period T1 and power supply time t2 for a second heating unit having second largest power consumption. A third unit controls to supply the power to the first heating unit for the power supply time t1 from beginning of the control period T1 and to supply the power to the second heating unit from a point obtained by subtracting the power supply time t2 from end of the control period T1 to the end of the control period T1.