Induction Heated Fixing Roller Warming-Up Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices for image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining a consistent fixing temperature during continuous image formation, leading to increased warming-up times and potential adverse effects on image quality.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a heat roller having a thin metal conductive layer and an opposed press roller, where the press roller is heated independently by halogen lamps and an induction current generating coil, allowing for controlled temperature maintenance and rapid warming-up without compromising continuous image formation speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the heat capacity of the heat roller is reduced using a metal sleeve to quicken temperature rise, then warming-up time is reduced, but the heat roller cannot maintain fixing temperature during continuous image formation
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into two independent parts: an induction coil for rapid heating of the heat roller, and a heater for maintaining temperature of the press roller. This segmentation allows each component to optimize for its specific function - the induction coil provides fast warming-up while the heater ensures continuous temperature stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the heating parameters by using two different heating methods with different characteristics. The induction coil provides rapid temperature rise (high heating rate), while the heater provides sustained temperature maintenance. By independently controlling these two heating sources, the system achieves both fast warming-up and stable continuous operation.
2Speed
If the heat roller is heated rapidly to reduce warming-up time, then temperature rise speed is improved, but fixing performance deteriorates during continuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is segmented into rapid heating (induction coil on heat roller) and temperature maintenance (heater on press roller). This allows the system to achieve high temperature rise speed during warming-up while maintaining reliable fixing performance during continuous operation through the second heating source.
Solution Approach 2:
The induction coil rapidly brings the heat roller to operating temperature before image formation begins. This preliminary rapid heating action prepares the system for quick operation, while the heater is ready to maintain temperatures during continuous fixing to ensure consistent performance.
3Productivity
If a metal sleeve with small heat capacity is used on the heat roller, then warming-up speed is improved, but the heat roller requires reheating during continuous image formation
Solution Approach 1:
The dual heating system segments the thermal management function: the induction coil handles initial rapid heating to minimize warming-up time, while the heater takes over for continuous temperature maintenance. This eliminates the need for repeated reheating during continuous operation, as the heater sustains the required temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater provides continuous heating action during image formation to maintain the press roller temperature, ensuring that the thermal process continues without interruption. This continuous useful action prevents temperature drops that would otherwise require stopping and reheating.
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 ensures consistent fixing temperatures, reduces warming-up time, and enables high-quality image formation at high speeds by effectively managing the heat capacity of the rollers through independent power control and distributed power allocation.
Implementation Method 1
a heat generating member having a metal conductive layer... an induction current generating coil arranged near the metal conductive layer
Implementation Method 2
a heater that heats the opposed member
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention heats a metal conductive layer of a heat roller using an induction current generating coil. In order to supplement a heat capacity of the heat roller, a press roller having a large heat capacity is heated by a halogen lamp. During a start of activation of an image forming apparatus, when a printer control circuit is started, the supply of electric power to the halogen lamp is started before warming-up is started.