Image Heating Roller Cooling Control for Energy Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the temperature of the non-sheet passing area of the heat roller rises excessively when small-size sheets are continuously supplied, leading to inefficient cooling and unnecessary energy consumption, as well as potential damage to the fixing film due to continuous operation of the cooling fan after the job is completed.
Innovation Solution
An image heating apparatus with temperature detecting means and cooling means that activates and controls the cooling operation based on temperature outputs and job completion signals, allowing for efficient cooling and stopping the cooling operation irrespective of temperature readings once the image heating processing is finished, thereby preventing unnecessary energy consumption and extending the life of the fixing film.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling fan is continuously operated to cool the non-sheet passing area, then temperature control is improved, but energy consumption increases and fixing film lifespan decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fan is operated periodically rather than continuously - it runs during image heating processing when heat accumulation occurs, and stops when processing ends. This periodic operation maintains temperature control effectiveness while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fan is activated in advance during image heating processing before excessive temperature rise occurs. By operating during the heating process itself, the system prevents temperature accumulation rather than reacting to overheating, thereby reducing the need for prolonged post-processing cooling.
2Temperature
If cooling fan is continuously operated, then temperature control is improved, but fixing film durability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fan operates only during image heating processing and stops when processing ends, creating a periodic operation pattern. This reduces cumulative operating hours of the cooling fan, thereby extending the lifespan of the fixing film that is subjected to thermal stress during cooling operations.
3Device complexity
If cooling fan is activated based on temperature threshold only, then temperature control is simple, but energy consumption increases due to unnecessary operation after job completion
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fan operation is dynamically controlled based on the operational state of the image heating member. The fan activates when heating is performed and deactivates when heating stops, creating an adaptive control system that responds to real-time processing needs rather than following a fixed temperature threshold schedule.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling control system uses feedback from the image heating processing state to regulate cooling fan operation. When heating is active, cooling is activated; when heating stops, cooling deactivates. This feedback mechanism ensures cooling only occurs when heat accumulation is actually occurring, eliminating unnecessary energy consumption.
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 ensures efficient cooling of the image heating member, reduces energy consumption, and prolongs the lifespan of the fixing film by optimizing the cooling process based on job completion rather than temperature thresholds alone.
Implementation Method 1
the unfixed toner image is fixed on the surface of the recording material by contact pressure of the fixing nip portion while being supplied with heat of the ceramic heater through the fixing film
Implementation Method 2
a structure in which the non-sheet passing portion described above is cooled by a cooling fan
Data Source
AI summary
An image heating apparatus including: an image heating member for heating an image formed on a sheet at a nip portion; a temperature detector for detecting temperature of a predetermined region of the image heating member; a cooler for cooling the predetermined region; and an activating device for activating the cooler to perform a cooling operation in accordance with an output of the temperature detector, wherein the apparatus has a first mode of stopping a cooling operation in accordance with an output of the temperature detector; and a second mode of stopping the cooling operation in accordance with an end of image heating processing irrespective of the output of the temperature detecting device. The image heating apparatus is capable of suppressing unnecessary energy consumption, and of eliminating uneven glossiness due to a reduced temperature region at a boundary between a sheet passing portion and a non-sheet passing portion.