Image Fixing Unit Standby Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses experience reduced productivity due to the inability to quickly adjust the fixing unit temperature when switching between different types of sheets, leading to a waiting time for temperature adjustments.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a controller that selects and maintains standby temperatures for the fixing sections based on preset temperatures for each type of sheet, using temperature profiles and heating/cooling rates to minimize waiting time by optimizing the temperature settings during the standby mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the fixing unit temperature is adjusted for each sheet type during standby mode, then the waiting time for temperature adjustment is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple heating sections and temperature control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing unit is divided into a first fixing section with a first heating section and a second fixing section with a second heating section. Each section can be independently controlled and maintained at different standby temperatures, allowing selective heating based on the required sheet type without heating the entire fixing unit, thus reducing waiting time while managing complexity through modular segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller maintains at least one of the first or second fixing sections at a predetermined standby temperature before image formation begins. By performing preliminary heating of specific sections based on predicted sheet types, the system reduces the waiting time for temperature adjustment when actual image formation starts, while avoiding the complexity of heating all sections continuously.
2Loss of time
If the fixing unit is maintained at a high standby temperature for all sheet types, then the waiting time is reduced, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller dynamically adjusts the standby temperature of the first and second fixing sections based on the detected sheet type. Instead of maintaining a fixed high temperature for all cases, the system adaptively sets appropriate standby temperatures, reducing energy consumption when high temperatures are not required while still enabling quick transition to operational mode when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the fixing sections based on sheet type detection. Different sheet types require different fixing temperatures, and the controller adjusts the standby temperature parameters accordingly, avoiding unnecessary high-temperature maintenance and reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining readiness for various sheet types.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the fixing unit temperature is preset for the most frequently used sheet type, then energy consumption is reduced, but the waiting time increases when a different sheet type is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the first fixing section while maintaining the second fixing section at a lower standby temperature. This preliminary action allows the frequently used configuration to be ready quickly, and when a different sheet type is detected, the second fixing section can be heated without requiring complete reheating of the entire system, balancing energy efficiency with reduced waiting time.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the fixing unit into two independently controllable sections, the system can maintain one section at a higher standby temperature for frequent operations while keeping the other at a lower temperature for energy savings. When sheet type changes are detected, only the necessary section needs temperature adjustment, reducing both energy consumption and waiting time compared to heating the entire unit.
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 reduces waiting time before starting image formation by rapidly shifting from standby to operational mode, improving productivity by accurately controlling the fixing unit temperatures based on sheet types.
Implementation Method 1
a first heating section to heat the first fixing section
Implementation Method 2
a second heating section to heat the second fixing section
Implementation Method 3
While the sheet is passing through the nip, the unfixed toner image on the sheet is heated under pressure
Implementation Method 4
The unfixed toner is thereby melt and fixed on the sheet
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image fixing unit to pass a sheet carrying an unfixed toner image on a first side. The image fixing unit includes: a first fixing section adjacent to the first side of the sheet; a first heating section to heat the first fixing section; a second fixing section adjacent to a second side opposite to the first side of the sheet; and a second heating section to heat the second fixing section. The image forming apparatus further includes: sheet feeding trays holding sheets; a storage unit storing fixing temperatures of the fixing sections preset for each type of the sheets in the sheet feeding trays; and a controller to select standby temperatures from the fixing temperatures, based on temperature profiles of the fixing sections, and to instruct the heating sections to respectively maintain the fixing sections at the selected standby temperatures during a standby mode.