Pressing Member Temperature Control for Mixed Basis Weight Paper
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses face productivity losses when handling mixed batches of recording papers with different basis weights, as they require temperature adjustments to prevent defects like blistering and cold offset, leading to increased waiting times and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An image heating apparatus with a controller that adjusts the temperature of the pressing member by switching the operation of a fan to maintain optimal heating conditions for papers with varying basis weights, ensuring continuous image formation without waiting times by preheating the pressing member to suitable temperatures based on the subsequent paper's weight before the previous paper has finished processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pressing roller temperature is maintained at a high level suitable for large basis weight paper, then large basis weight paper can be fixed properly, but small basis weight paper will experience blistering due to excessive heat
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing roller temperature is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The system switches between first and second target temperatures based on the basis weight of the recording paper being processed, allowing the temperature to adapt to different paper types and prevent both underheating and overheating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The target temperature parameter of the pressing roller is changed based on the basis weight of the recording paper. When small basis weight paper is detected, the target temperature is reduced to prevent blistering; when large basis weight paper is detected, the target temperature is increased to ensure proper fixing
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the pressing roller temperature is reduced to prevent blistering on small basis weight paper, then blistering is suppressed, but large basis weight paper experiences cold offset due to insufficient heat
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the pressing roller temperature based on real-time detection of paper basis weight. When large basis weight paper is detected, the target temperature is increased to prevent cold offset; when small basis weight paper is detected, the target temperature is decreased to prevent blistering
Solution Approach 2:
The target temperature parameter is changed according to the basis weight category of the recording paper. The controller selects between multiple target temperature values to match the paper type, ensuring optimal fixing conditions for each paper category
3Reliability
If the pressing roller temperature is changed after the previous paper has finished processing, then temperature adjustment can be made, but productivity decreases due to waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The controller detects the basis weight of the subsequent recording paper in advance and adjusts the pressing roller target temperature before the previous paper completes processing. This preliminary action ensures the temperature is ready when the next paper arrives, eliminating waiting time and maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature adjustment process is integrated into the continuous paper feeding operation. The controller continuously monitors paper basis weight and adjusts temperature without interrupting the processing flow, maintaining continuous useful action throughout the fixing process
4Adaptability or versatility
If the pressing roller temperature is continuously adjusted for each paper type, then optimal fixing is achieved for mixed paper batches, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different target temperatures to different local conditions (paper basis weight categories). By detecting paper type and applying locally optimized temperature control, the system achieves high adaptability while keeping the control logic relatively simple through categorization rather than continuous adjustment
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 enables continuous and efficient image formation on papers with different basis weights, reducing waiting times and maintaining productivity by ensuring the pressing member is at the correct temperature for the subsequent paper before it enters the nip, thus preventing defects and enhancing overall efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a fan configured to cool the pressing member
Implementation Method 2
a fixing member including a heating portion and configured to fix a toner image on the recording material
Data Source
AI summary
An image heating apparatus includes a fixing member, a pressing member, a fan, and a controller. When a mixed job including a first image forming step for continuously forming images on recording materials having a first basis weight and including a second image forming step, subsequent to the first image forming step, for continuously forming the images on recording materials having a second basis weight is executed, the controller switches, before a final recording material in the first image forming step completely passes through the nip, the operation of the fan to an operation of the fan for making a temperature of the pressing member higher than the temperature of the pressing member when the images are formed on the recording materials having the first basis weight.