Image Forming Apparatus Temperature-Based Printing Pace Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face productivity issues due to extended intervals between sheets in low-temperature environments, leading to decreased sheet processing per unit time and longer wait times for printed sheets.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a controller that adjusts printing pace based on ambient temperature, switching between high-temperature and low-temperature printing paces to maintain image-fixing temperature while optimizing productivity, using a temperature sensor to detect thresholds and adjust the conveying speed and interval between sheets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the interval between sheets is extended to maintain fixing temperature, then the temperature stability is improved, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the printing pace adjustable based on temperature conditions. The controller dynamically switches between first and second printing paces according to whether the temperature is above or below a threshold, allowing the system to adapt its operation speed to environmental conditions while maintaining fixing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the printing pace parameter based on temperature measurements. When temperature is sufficient (above threshold), the system operates at a faster first printing pace. When temperature is insufficient (below threshold), it switches to a slower second printing pace, allowing the fixing temperature to recover. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining temperature and preserving productivity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the printing pace is reduced in low-temperature environments, then the image-fixing quality is maintained, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the temperature and adjusting the printing pace accordingly. The controller receives temperature information and automatically selects the appropriate printing pace (first or second) to ensure image-fixing quality is maintained while minimizing processing time delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary temperature assessment before printing operations. By checking the temperature in advance and pre-selecting the appropriate printing pace, the system avoids quality issues during fixing while reducing unnecessary time losses from excessive speed reductions.
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
Maintains image-fixing quality and productivity by dynamically adjusting printing pace in response to temperature changes, ensuring efficient processing without compromising image quality even in low-temperature environments.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor and a controller configured to control the image forming unit and the fixing unit
Implementation Method 2
a fixing unit configured to thermally fix the image on the sheet
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit, a fixing unit, a temperature sensor, and a controller to execute a printing operation is provided. The printing operation is conducted at one of a first high-temperature printing pace, a first low-temperature printing pace, a second high-temperature printing pace, and a second low-temperature printing pace depending on a temperature detected by the temperature sensor. The first low-temperature printing pace is one of lower and equal to the first high-temperature printing pace. The second low-temperature printing pace is one of lower and equal to the second high-temperature printing pace. An absolute difference between the second high-temperature printing pace and the second low-temperature printing pace is greater than an absolute difference between the first high-temperature printing pace and the first low-temperature printing pace.