Image Forming Apparatus Temperature Sensor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face issues with temperature increases due to frictional heat, leading to toner adherence and potential failures, which existing intermittent printing controls do not adequately address.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus equipped with first and second temperature sensors and a control unit that switches to intermittent printing mode based on temperature differences, storing difference values to detect abnormalities and notify service personnel when thresholds are exceeded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If printing speed is increased, then productivity is improved, but temperature increases due to frictional heat causing toner adherence
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary temperature monitoring using multiple temperature sensors before toner adherence occurs. By detecting temperature trends in advance and switching to intermittent printing mode proactively, the system prevents toner adherence rather than reacting after it occurs, thus maintaining high productivity while avoiding the harmful thermal effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring temperature at multiple locations (doctor blade, developing device, ambient) and adjusting printing mode based on real-time temperature data. When temperature exceeds thresholds or difference values indicate abnormal heating, the system automatically switches to intermittent printing mode, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains productivity while preventing temperature-related failures.
2Temperature
If intermittent printing mode is used to control temperature, then temperature increase is reduced, but productivity decreases due to repeated printing stops
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality control by monitoring temperature at specific critical locations (doctor blade, developing device, ambient air) rather than uniformly throughout the entire apparatus. This targeted monitoring allows the system to switch to intermittent mode only when specific temperature thresholds are exceeded, maintaining continuous printing during normal temperature conditions and thus preserving productivity while preventing localized thermal issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts printing mode based on real-time temperature conditions, transitioning between continuous and intermittent printing modes as needed. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maximize productivity during normal operating conditions while automatically preventing temperature-related failures when thermal thresholds are approached, rather than using a static intermittent printing approach that would continuously reduce productivity.
3Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are added to detect abnormalities, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system places temperature sensors at specific critical locations where temperature monitoring is most important for preventing toner adherence (doctor blade, developing device, ambient air near the developing device). This targeted sensor placement provides high measurement precision for the most critical temperature parameters while avoiding the unnecessary complexity of installing sensors throughout the entire apparatus. Each sensor is positioned to monitor a specific thermal zone that directly impacts toner stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensors serve multiple functions: they monitor temperature for preventing toner adherence, detect abnormal temperature rises that indicate component failures, and provide data for switching between printing modes. By making the sensor system multi-functional, the patent justifies the added device complexity through enhanced system capability and reliability, as the same sensors perform both protective and diagnostic roles.
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
Prevents temperature-related failures by maintaining consistent internal temperatures, reducing toner adherence, and enabling early detection of potential issues through abnormality notifications.
Implementation Method 1
a first temperature sensor, and a second temperature sensor, wherein the first temperature sensor is disposed in a place away from the image forming unit and the fixing unit, and measures an ambient temperature, and the second temperature sensor is disposed in a place closer to the image forming unit than the first temperature sensor, and measures an ambient temperature
Implementation Method 2
the control unit stores one or more difference values each being a difference value between a first temperature measured by the first temperature sensor and a second temperature measured by the second temperature sensor when a switching condition for switching to an intermittent mode for intermittent printing in which printing stop and printing are repeated is satisfied
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a fixer, first and second temperature sensors, and storage and control units. The fixer fixes an image formed on the sheet by pressing. The first temperature sensor is disposed away from the image forming unit and the fixer, and measures an ambient temperature. The second temperature sensor is disposed closer to the image forming unit than the first temperature sensor, and measures an ambient temperature. The storage unit stores one or more difference values between first and second temperatures measured by the first and second temperature sensors when a switching condition is satisfied. When a difference between the one or more difference values in the storage unit and a latest difference value is equal to or larger than a threshold, the control unit stores information indicating that a reference value for determining an abnormality is exceeded.