Nip Region Temperature Control for Image Fixing Heaters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining precise temperature control of ceramic heaters due to variations in utility power supply voltages, leading to inconsistent heating performance, especially when used across different regions with varying voltage standards.
Innovation Solution
A fixing apparatus with a temperature sensor, storage device, and control device that selects the appropriate temperature characteristic from stored data based on the initial temperature detected by the sensor, calculates a predicted temperature, and adjusts the power supply to the heater to ensure the nip region reaches the target temperature efficiently, thereby preventing temperature overshoot or lack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heater temperature is controlled by adjusting the control cycle based on heater temperature detection, then the heater temperature overshoot is suppressed, but the temperature control precision is insufficient when utility power supply voltage varies
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the initial temperature of the nip region before starting heater operation. Based on this preliminary information, the control device selects appropriate temperature characteristics from stored data and calculates predicted temperatures at future time points. This preliminary action enables the system to anticipate temperature changes and adjust power supply proactively, rather than reactively responding to temperature overshoots.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts the power supply to the heater based on real-time temperature detection and predicted temperature characteristics. The control device continuously monitors the actual temperature and compares it with predicted values, then dynamically modifies the power supply amount to maintain accurate temperature control despite variations in utility power supply voltage and initial temperature conditions.
2Device complexity
If the same heater is used across different districts with varying utility power supply voltages, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature control accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control device changes operational parameters (power supply amount to heater) based on detected initial temperature and predicted temperature characteristics. By adjusting the power supply parameter dynamically according to actual temperature conditions and predicted trends, the system compensates for variations in utility power supply voltage without requiring different heater hardware for different districts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the control device continuously detects the actual temperature of the nip region, compares it with predicted temperature values, and adjusts the power supply to the heater accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures accurate temperature control despite variations in utility power supply voltage across different districts.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the heater heats up very quickly to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but temperature control difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of initial temperature and selection of appropriate temperature characteristics before the heater starts heating. This preliminary preparation enables the control device to predict future temperature points and plan power supply adjustments in advance, making it easier to control the rapid temperature changes caused by quick-heating ceramic heaters.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts power supply to the heater in real-time based on detected temperature and predicted temperature characteristics. This dynamic control approach is particularly effective for ceramic heaters that heat up quickly, as it allows the system to respond rapidly to temperature changes and maintain precise control despite the fast heating rate and associated power consumption benefits.
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 consistent and rapid temperature control of the fixing device, ensuring proper image fixation on the recording sheet, regardless of initial temperatures and power supply variations, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the image forming process.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor, which detects a temperature of the nip region
Implementation Method 2
a ceramic heater, which is a plane heater, for heating the recording sheet
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing apparatus includes a fixing device, a temperature sensor, a storage device, and a control device. The control device selects, before start of power supply to a heater of the fixing device, a temperature characteristic of an initial temperature the same as or approximate to a temperature of a nip region detected by the temperature sensor, out of respective temperature characteristics of a plurality of initial temperatures stored in the storage device, calculates a predicted temperature that may be reached a prescribed time after the start of power supply to the heater, on a basis of the selected temperature characteristic, and increases the power to the heater by a predetermined first value, when a temperature, detected by the temperature sensor the prescribed time after the start of power supply to the heater, is lower than the predicted temperature.