Image Forming Apparatus Heating Unit Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses cannot efficiently switch between fixing and erasing modes due to the heating unit's temperature needing to be raised from the fixing temperature to the erasing temperature, causing delays in the erasing process.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a control unit that manages the conveying path to hold the recording medium at a standby position upstream of the heating unit until the heating unit reaches the erasing temperature, allowing for immediate processing once the temperature is reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the heating unit maintains temperature at fixing temperature during standby, then the fixing operation can be performed without waiting, but the erasing operation cannot start until the temperature is raised to erasing temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The heating unit performs preliminary heating to erasing temperature in advance when erasing mode is selected, before the sheet is fed to the heating unit. This preliminary action ensures the heating unit is already at the required erasing temperature when the sheet arrives, eliminating the delay that would otherwise occur while waiting for temperature rise.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating unit dynamically adjusts its temperature based on the selected operation mode. When erasing mode is selected, the heating unit transitions from maintaining fixing temperature to heating up to erasing temperature, and the sheet feeding is dynamically controlled to arrive at the appropriate time. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both fixing and erasing operations.
2Loss of time
If the heating unit is heated to erasing temperature immediately when erasing mode is selected, then erasing operation can start without delay, but the fixing operation efficiency is reduced due to temperature adjustment time
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors the heating unit's temperature in real-time and uses this feedback information to control the sheet feeding timing. When erasing mode is selected, the control unit detects when the heating unit reaches erasing temperature and subsequently controls the sheet feeding to coincide with this timing, ensuring optimal erasing operation without unnecessary delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary heating to erasing temperature when erasing mode is anticipated or selected, and the sheet feeding is preliminarily controlled to arrive at the heating unit only after the temperature is confirmed to be at erasing temperature. This preliminary preparation ensures both erasing readiness and fixing efficiency are maintained.
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 solution enables efficient and timely erasing of images by ensuring the recording medium is conveyed to the heating unit only when the unit has reached the necessary temperature, improving processing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the heating unit heats the image at a fixing temperature
Implementation Method 2
the heating unit heats the image at an erasing temperature higher than the fixing temperature, to erase the color of the image
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus having an image erasing function to erase an image formed on a recording medium. The apparatus has a heating unit to erase an image, a conveying unit, and a control unit. The control unit controls the conveying unit, when the image is erased, and also when a heating temperature of the heating unit is lower than an erasing temperature, to make the recording medium once stand by at a position in the middle of a conveying path of the conveying unit, and then to convey the recording medium to the heating unit.