Image Forming Apparatus Fixing Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses do not adequately optimize the fixing temperature in the fixing section for energy saving, as they rely on the presence/absence and type of halftone processing rather than the actual toner amount on the recording medium, leading to inefficient energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that includes an image analyzing section to extract density and size values of imaging objects from image data and a temperature determining section to set a minimum fixing temperature based on these values, ensuring the fixing temperature is lower for smaller toner amounts and higher for larger amounts to prevent fixing failures while reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fixing temperature is set high to ensure adequate fixing for all image types, then fixing reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by determining fixing temperature based on the specific characteristics of each page's image content. Instead of using a uniform high temperature for all pages, the system analyzes image parameters (density, size, halftone presence) and sets the fixing temperature locally optimized for each page's toner amount and image type, ensuring adequate fixing reliability only where needed while reducing energy consumption on pages with lower requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the fixing temperature changeable and adaptive rather than fixed. The temperature is dynamically adjusted based on real-time analysis of image data parameters, allowing the system to respond to varying toner amounts and image characteristics across different pages, thus optimizing the balance between fixing reliability and energy consumption
2Use of energy by moving object
If the fixing temperature is set low to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but fixing failures may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by analyzing image parameters (density, size, halftone processing requirements) before the fixing process to predict the toner amount and determine the appropriate fixing temperature in advance. This pre-analysis allows the system to set the minimum necessary temperature for each page, preventing both excessive energy consumption and fixing failures by ensuring adequate temperature is applied when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by continuously analyzing image data parameters and using this information to adjust the fixing temperature settings. The image analyzing section evaluates density values, object sizes, and halftone characteristics, and this feedback loop enables the temperature determining section to optimize the fixing temperature for each page, preventing fixing failures while minimizing energy consumption
3Device complexity
If halftone processing parameters are used to determine fixing temperature, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision of temperature optimization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by expanding the set of parameters used for temperature determination beyond just halftone processing indicators. The system now considers density values, object size values, and their combinations to more precisely estimate toner amount. This multi-parameter approach improves temperature optimization precision while maintaining relatively simple device complexity through computational analysis of existing image data
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 allows for energy-efficient image formation by setting the fixing temperature according to the specific content of each page, optimizing energy input to the fixing section and preventing fixing failures, thereby achieving better energy savings.
Implementation Method 1
a fixing section configured to heat the recording medium to which the toner image has been transferred in the image forming section to fix the toner image
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section to form a toner image and transfer the toner image to a recording medium and a fixing section to heat the recording medium transferred with the toner image and further an image analyzing section to extract a density value or a size value of an imaging object included in an image, and a temperature determining section to determine a minimum fixing temperature based on the density value or size value of the imaging object included in a page image. The temperature determining section determines the minimum fixing temperature to be lower when a highest one of the density values is lower than when the highest value is higher or determines the minimum fixing temperature to be lower when a largest one of the size values is smaller than when the largest size value is larger.