Laser Fixing Control via Toner Concentration Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses using electrophotography face inefficiencies in toner fixation due to wasteful energy consumption, as they rely on thermal fusion with laser light, where the temperature detected is not the actual toner temperature, and energy usage is not optimized based on toner concentration and weight before fixing.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a controller that adjusts the output level and irradiation time of laser light based on detected toner concentration and unit area toner density, using multiple laser beams to efficiently fix toner images by optimizing energy usage according to toner properties and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature detector is used to control laser light intensity for fixing, then fixing control is implemented, but the detected temperature is not the actual toner temperature during heating, resulting in incorrect feedback control and wasted energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent measures the weight of the toner image before fixing to predict the required laser energy, rather than attempting to measure temperature during the rapid thermal fusion process. This preliminary measurement allows the controller to calculate appropriate laser output in advance, avoiding the energy waste caused by incorrect feedback control from delayed temperature detection.
2Device complexity
If fixed laser light output is used for fixing regardless of toner properties, then the fixing device configuration is simple, but energy is consumed wastefully when toner concentration and weight vary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces feedback control by measuring the weight of the toner image before fixing and using this information to adjust the laser light output during fixing. The controller calculates the required laser energy based on the measured toner weight and concentration, dynamically adjusting the laser output to match actual needs, thereby eliminating wasteful energy consumption while maintaining a relatively simple device configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the laser irradiator based on measured toner properties. By adjusting laser output power and irradiation time according to toner concentration and weight, the system optimizes energy efficiency without requiring complex additional hardware, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and energy efficiency.
3Reliability
If multiple laser beams are used to improve fixing performance, then fixing performance is improved and low-power laser devices can be used, but energy optimization based on toner properties is still needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the parameters of multiple laser beams by adjusting output power and irradiation time based on measured toner properties. This allows the system to achieve reliable fixing performance with low-power laser devices while minimizing energy consumption, as the laser parameters are dynamically adjusted to match actual toner requirements rather than using fixed high-power settings.
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 achieves exact feedback control and prevents waste energy consumption by adjusting laser light output and duration based on toner concentration and density, ensuring efficient toner fixation and simplifying the fixing device configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a fixing device including a laser irradiator emitting laser light onto a recording medium being conveyed to thermally fix an unfixed toner image onto the recording medium
Implementation Method 2
the toner is thermally fused instantly by the laser light
Implementation Method 3
since toner is a material that fuses as absorbing light and generating heat by itself
Data Source
AI summary
To provide an image forming apparatus in which multiple number of laser beams are controlled to perform fixing based on the toner concentration in the developing device, or based on the density and weight of the toner image adhering on the recording medium before fixing. The controller in the image forming apparatus compares the toner concentration detected by the toner concentration detector with the reference toner concentration, calculates the output level of the laser irradiator, controls the laser irradiator based on the calculation, controls to increase the output level of the laser irradiator in accordance with the detected toner concentration when the toner concentration is lower than the reference toner concentration, and controls to lower the output level of the laser irradiator in accordance with the detected toner concentration when the toner concentration is higher than the reference toner concentration.