Image Forming Apparatus Fixing Roller Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-function peripherals (MFPs), the temperature control process for fixing toner images on recording materials of varying widths leads to uneven glossiness and decreased productivity, especially when a divider sheet with a greater width is used, as existing methods require extensive downtime for heat equalization.
Innovation Solution
The MFP employs a configuration with a heating rotary member and a pressure rotary member to form a nip portion, where the time for a recording material with a larger width to reach the nip portion is shortened after a smaller width material, allowing for reduced downtime by optimizing temperature control and eliminating the need for extensive heat equalization processes during divider sheet usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a temperature control process is executed to make heat uniform in the sheet width direction when printing on a recording material with a larger width after a smaller width, then uneven glossiness is prevented, but productivity deteriorates due to extended downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the recording material width before the fixing process, and pre-calculates the necessary temperature control adjustments. By detecting the width in advance and preparing the temperature control parameters beforehand, the system can switch to the appropriate temperature profile without executing a full heat equalization process, thus maintaining image quality while reducing downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature control system dynamically adjusts the heating temperature based on the detected recording material width. Instead of always performing a static heat equalization process, the system varies the temperature profile in real-time according to the actual width conditions, allowing for faster temperature adaptation when switching between different width materials while preventing uneven glossiness.
2Temperature
If a heat equalization process is carried out to address temperature non-uniformity when switching to a recording material with a larger width, then temperature uniformity is improved, but the period of time until the next recording material reaches the nip portion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameters dynamically based on the recording material width detection results. When a larger width material is detected, the system adjusts the heating temperature and heat equalization duration according to pre-calculated parameters, rather than always executing a full heat equalization process. This parameter optimization reduces the time required to achieve temperature uniformity while maintaining the necessary temperature conditions for quality fixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical heat equalization process with a detection-based control mechanism. By using a detection device to identify recording material width and automatically adjusting temperature control parameters, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming manual or fixed heat equalization cycles, achieving both temperature uniformity and reduced downtime.
3Productivity
If the width of the recording material in the nip portion is detected in advance, then the temperature control process can be optimized, but the device complexity increases due to additional detection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device is designed to serve multiple functions: it not only detects the recording material width for temperature control optimization but also identifies the presence or absence of images on the recording material. This multi-functionality allows the system to optimize temperature control without requiring separate detection mechanisms for each function, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while maximizing productivity benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection device automatically provides width information to the temperature control system without requiring manual intervention or complex external measurement systems. The system uses the detection results to self-adjust temperature control parameters, eliminating the need for additional complex control mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity while improving efficiency.
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 reduces unwanted downtime and maintains print quality by ensuring uniform heat distribution across the fixing roller, thereby preventing uneven glossiness and enhancing productivity during jobs involving divider sheets.
Implementation Method 1
a heating rotary member configured to apply heat to the recording material carrying the toner image
Implementation Method 2
a pressure rotary member configured to contact with the heating rotary member to form a nip portion
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a heating rotary member, and a pressure rotary member that forms a nip portion with the heating rotary member to perform printing on a first recording material with a first width, a second recording material with a second width and has no image to be formed thereon, and a third recording material with the second width and has an image to be formed thereon. A time period from when the first recording material reaches the nip portion to when the second recording material that has no image to be formed thereon and follows the first recording material reaches the nip portion is shorter than a time period from when the first recording material reaches the nip portion to when the third recording material having an image to be formed thereon that follows the first recording material reaches the nip portion.