Image Heating Device Temperature Control for Mixed Media Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent image quality and productivity when switching between thin and thick paper types, as they require different heat and pressure settings, leading to interruptions and reduced productivity in mixed-media printing modes.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a temperature and pressure control system that selects between modes based on the type of paper, maintaining a higher target temperature and pressure for thick paper and adjusting for mixed media to ensure consistent image fixation and glossiness without interrupting the nonstop printing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the heat and pressure settings used for forming images on ordinary plain paper sheets are used for coated paper or thick plain paper, then the productivity is maintained, but the images on the coated paper or thick plain paper will fail to be properly fixed or come out with insufficient glossiness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the heating device temperature adjustable and switchable between different target temperatures (first target temperature for ordinary paper, second target temperature for coated/thick paper) based on the recording medium type. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different paper thermal capacities while maintaining continuous operation and high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the heating device based on the recording medium type. By switching between a first target temperature (lower) for ordinary plain paper and a second target temperature (higher) for coated paper or thick plain paper, the system optimizes heat supply to match the thermal capacity requirements of different paper types, ensuring proper image fixation and glossiness.
2Manufacturing precision
If the fixation temperature is increased for coated or thick paper, then the image fixation quality is improved, but the productivity is substantially reduced due to checking each sheet type
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining the recording medium type in advance (through user input or automatic detection) and setting the appropriate target temperature before the image forming operation begins. This allows the system to be pre-configured for the correct temperature setting, eliminating the need to check and adjust settings for each individual sheet during operation, thus maintaining high productivity while ensuring quality fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal control system that can handle multiple recording medium types (ordinary plain paper, coated paper, thick plain paper) with a single heating device by implementing multi-functionality through switchable target temperature settings. The system universally processes different paper types by adapting the temperature parameter, eliminating the need for separate fixation processes for each paper type.
3Manufacturing precision
If the image interval is increased for coated or thick paper to increase heat supply, then the image fixation quality is improved, but the productivity is reduced due to slower processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter instead of adjusting the image interval. By increasing the target temperature setting for coated or thick paper, the system provides more heat per unit time without slowing down the processing speed or increasing the image interval, thus maintaining both high image fixation quality and high productivity.
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 enables proper image formation on mixed thin and thick sheets, maintaining high productivity and image quality by dynamically adjusting heat and pressure settings, preventing unsatisfactory fixation and glossiness issues encountered in previous technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device configured to heat the image heating device
Implementation Method 2
An image forming apparatus, which transfers a toner image onto a sheet of a recording medium, and then, thermally fixes the toner image to the sheet of the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a device for forming a toner image on a sheet; a heater contacting and heating the toner image on the sheet; a detector for detecting a temperature of the heater a controller for controlling the heater to maintain the temperature of the heater at a target temperature based on an output of the detector; a selector for selecting a first mode continuously forming images on thin sheets, a second mode continuously forming images on thick sheets, and a third mode continuously forming images on the thin sheet and the thick sheet; and a setter for setting the target temperature based on the selected mode, wherein the target temperature in the second mode is higher than the target temperature in the first mode, and the target temperature in the third mode is higher than the target temperature in the second mode.