Image Forming Device Conveying Velocity Control for Toner Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The fixing property of toner images on print media is compromised by environmental temperature variations in conventional image forming apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
Slowing down the conveying velocity of the print medium by the image carrier and transferring section allows for a longer time for the print medium to pass through the heater, ensuring effective fixation of toner images even at lower temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the conveying velocity of the print medium is reduced to extend the heating time, then the fixing property is improved, but the productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying velocity is made dynamically adjustable based on environmental temperature conditions. The control unit increases conveying velocity when temperature is high (improving productivity) and reduces it when temperature is low (improving fixing property), allowing the system to adapt to varying conditions rather than operating at a fixed speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the conveying velocity parameter in response to temperature parameter changes. By detecting environmental temperature and adjusting the conveying velocity accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between heating time (fixing property) and production speed (productivity) for different operating conditions
2Productivity
If the conveying velocity is increased to improve productivity, then the output per unit time is improved, but the fixing property deteriorates due to insufficient heating time
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit uses feedback from the temperature detecting unit to adjust the conveying velocity. By continuously monitoring environmental temperature and responding with appropriate velocity adjustments, the system ensures that sufficient heating time is maintained even when productivity requirements demand higher speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts conveying velocity based on real-time temperature conditions. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain optimal fixing properties across varying environmental temperatures while maximizing productivity within the constraints of available heating time
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 suppresses the lowering of toner image fixation quality due to environmental temperatures, ensuring reliable image formation across varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a heater 23, wherein, in a case that a temperature is lower than a threshold value, the controller 25 controls the image carrier 6 and the transferring section 10 so as to make a conveying velocity of the print medium S by the image carrier 6 and the transferring section 10 to be a second conveying velocity which is slower than the first conveying velocity
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing lowering in the fixing property of a toner image with respect to a print medium due to the temperature of the environment in which the image forming apparatus is installed. A toner image forming section 4 forms a toner image in a print medium S. The toner image forming section 4 has an image carrier 6 and a transferring section 10. A fixing section 5 fixes the toner image to the print medium S by applying a fixing solution to the print medium S which has been conveyed thereto by the image carrier 6 and the transferring section 10. A heater 23 heats the print medium S which has passed the fixing section 5. A temperature sensor 22 measures a temperature inside a body casing 2. In a case that a temperature T measured by the temperature sensor 22 is higher than a predetermined threshold value T1, a controller 25 controls the image carrier 6 and the transferring section 10 so as to make a conveying velocity of the print medium S to be a first conveying velocity. Further, in a case that the temperature T is lower than the threshold value T1, the controller 25 controls the image carrier 6 and the transferring section 10 so as to make the conveying velocity of the print medium S to be a second conveying velocity slower than the first conveying velocity.