Heating Unit Temperature Control for Image Forming Apparatus Warm-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses require a lengthy warm-up time before they can start printing, leading to increased user waiting time due to the need to heat the fixing device to a printable temperature, which is not efficiently addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus implements a control method that includes a high heat storage process during a waiting state after the first print or when the device has been idle for a long time, where the heating unit is set to a higher target temperature for extended periods, and a low heat storage process for subsequent waiting states, allowing for quicker warm-up times when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the heating unit is heated to a high temperature during warm-up, then the printing can start, but the warm-up time becomes long
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating actions by maintaining the heating unit at a high temperature during the waiting state after printing, before the actual next printing request comes in. This preliminary action reduces the warm-up time required when the next print job arrives, as the heating unit is already near the target temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature control strategy dynamically adjusts the target temperature based on the operational state. During the waiting state after printing, the system sets a higher target temperature than during normal operation. This dynamic temperature adjustment optimizes the balance between energy consumption and warm-up speed for subsequent printing operations.
2Loss of time
If the heating unit is maintained at high temperature during waiting state, then the next warm-up time is reduced, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating actions by maintaining the heating unit at a high temperature during the waiting state after printing, before the actual next printing request comes in. This preliminary action reduces the warm-up time required when the next print job arrives, as the heating unit is already near the target temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature control strategy dynamically adjusts the target temperature based on the operational state. During the waiting state after printing, the system sets a higher target temperature than during normal operation. This dynamic temperature adjustment optimizes the balance between energy consumption and warm-up speed for subsequent printing operations.
3Productivity
If the heating unit temperature is increased higher in certain waiting states, then the subsequent printing readiness is improved, but the temperature control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control strategy dynamically adjusts the target temperature based on the operational state. During the waiting state after printing, the system sets a higher target temperature than during normal operation. This dynamic temperature adjustment optimizes the balance between energy consumption and warm-up speed for subsequent printing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature control unit monitors the current temperature of the heating unit and adjusts the heating power accordingly to reach and maintain the target temperature. The system uses feedback from temperature sensors to regulate the heating element, ensuring the heating unit reaches the appropriate temperature level for the current operational state while preventing overheating.
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 significantly reduces the time required for the next warm-up by maintaining higher temperatures during periods of low usage, thereby decreasing the overall printing time and improving user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The fixing device fixes a toner image on a print material passing through between the heating unit and the pressing unit by heating the heating unit
Implementation Method 2
a temperature control unit for maintaining a waiting state after completion of the warm-up or after completion of printing
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus has an operating state and a non-operating state with power consumption smaller than in the operating state. The image forming apparatus includes: a fixing device for thermally fixing a toner image on a print material; an execution unit for executing warm-up to heat the fixing device up to a printable temperature for fixing the toner image on the print material, upon power-on or in shifting from the non-operating state to the operating state; and a temperature control unit for maintaining a waiting state to keep the fixing device at the printable temperature or higher, after completion of warm-up or printing. The temperature control unit increases the temperature of the fixing device higher in a waiting state after printing a predetermined number of times since power-on or in a waiting state after the non-operating state for a predetermined time or longer, than in any other waiting state.