Induction Heating Member Warm-Up Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing apparatuses using electromagnetic induction heating face challenges in reducing warm-up time without overheating, leading to potential damage and increased energy consumption due to rapid temperature overshoot, and existing solutions that slow down warm-up to prevent overshoot prolong the warm-up time and introduce power supply issues like flicker.
Innovation Solution
A fixing apparatus with a conductive heating member, a pressure member, an induction heating unit, and a control system that gradually reduces power supply during warm-up to prevent overshoot, allowing for efficient and rapid heating while maintaining the heating member within a safe temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If electromagnetic induction heating is used to heat the heating member, then warm-up time is reduced and electric consumption is reduced, but temperature overshoot occurs frequently causing damage to the heating member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by detecting the temperature of the heating member with a temperature sensor and controlling the power supplied to the exciting coil based on the detected temperature. This prevents temperature overshoot while maintaining rapid warm-up capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power supply parameter dynamically during heating. The power supply amount is controlled to increase rapidly initially and then be reduced when the heating member reaches a predetermined temperature, preventing overshoot while maintaining fast warm-up.
2Speed
If power supply to the exciting coil is increased to speed up heating, then warm-up time is reduced, but temperature overshoot and energy waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic power supply control where power is supplied in controlled increments. The power supply amount is adjusted periodically based on temperature feedback, allowing rapid heating while preventing energy waste from overshoot.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the power supply parameter based on the heating stage. High power is supplied initially for rapid heating, then power is reduced when the predetermined temperature is reached, optimizing both heating speed and energy efficiency.
3Reliability
If gradual power reduction is applied during warm-up to prevent overshoot, then heating member durability is improved, but warm-up time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic power control where the power supply amount changes based on the heating stage and temperature feedback. The control is not static but adapts to real-time conditions, allowing rapid warm-up while preventing overshoot through intelligent power management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power supply parameter dynamically - high power initially for rapid heating, then reduced power when temperature reaches the predetermined level. This dynamic adjustment prevents overshoot without unnecessarily prolonging warm-up time.
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 rapid warm-up of the fixing apparatus without overheating, reducing energy consumption and extending the lifespan of the heating member, while maintaining efficient image fixing performance and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
an arrangement where the heating member has a conductive layer such that the conductive layer generates heat by electromagnetic induction heating
Implementation Method 2
causing the conductive layer to generate heat by an eddy current generated in the conductive layer
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing apparatus for fixing an unfixed image on a recording material includes: a heating member having a conductive layer, that is rotatably provided; a pressure member that is rotatably provided and that is brought into press-contact with the heating member, thereby forms a fixing nip part to pass the recording material between the pressure member and the heating member; a heating unit that performs induction heating on the heating member via the conductive layer; a driving unit that rotates the heating member; and an attachment/separation unit that attaches or separates the heating member to/from the pressure member.