Image Forming Apparatus Pressing Mechanism Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses experience increased wear and energy inefficiency due to frequent pressure-releasing and press-contact operations during transitions between low electric power mode and image forming mode, leading to unnecessary activation of the fixing device and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a manual feeding tray and a control unit that detects sheet presence, allowing selective operation modes and controlled movement of the pressing mechanism between press-contact and pressure-released states, reducing unnecessary operations and extending the lifespan of the fixing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the fixing device is actuated simultaneously with the restoration from low electric power mode, then the restoration speed is improved, but the number of useless press-contact operations increases leading to increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary detection of sheet presence on the manual feeding tray before actuating the fixing device during restoration from low electric power mode. This preliminary action filters out useless operations by ensuring the fixing device only actuates when a sheet is actually present, preventing unnecessary wear while maintaining fast restoration when needed
2Ease of operation
If the pressing mechanism is always in press-contact state, then the fixing device is ready for immediate operation, but energy is wasted and wear increases during mode transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing mechanism dynamically transitions between press-contact and pressure-released states based on operational requirements. During restoration from low electric power mode, the control unit temporarily maintains pressure-released state to avoid useless operations, then switches to press-contact state only when a sheet is detected and image formation is required, optimizing both energy consumption and operational readiness
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 the frequency of useless press-contact and pressure-releasing operations, thereby minimizing wear on the fixing device's mechanisms and enhancing energy efficiency by only activating the pressing mechanism when necessary, thus extending the device's lifetime and conserving energy.
Implementation Method 1
a detecting portion configured to detect whether or not a sheet is put on the manual feeding tray
Implementation Method 2
a pressing mechanism configured to press the first rotatable member toward the second rotatable member
Implementation Method 3
a moving mechanism configured to move the pressing mechanism between a first position where the nip is formed and a second position where a force applied is smaller
Implementation Method 4
an image forming apparatus which employs, for example, an electrophotographic type and which is capable of forming an image on a recording material
Implementation Method 5
the transferred toner image is fixed under application of heat and pressure by a fixing device
Implementation Method 6
the transferred toner image is fixed under application of heat and pressure by a fixing device
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus is operable in a first mode in which a control unit is in a rest state and a second mode in which electric power is supplied to the control unit. The image forming apparatus changes the mode of the operation to the second mode of the operation in response to detection of putting of the sheet on the manual feeding tray during execution of the operation in the first mode with the pressing mechanism being in the second position, and then in response to receipt of input of a predetermined instruction about an image forming operation by a receiving portion in the second mode, the control unit controls the moving mechanism so that the pressing mechanism moves from the low pressure position to a nip-forming position.