Segmented Fixing Device for Crinkling Prevention and Power Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fixing devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in reducing power consumption while preventing crinkling of recording sheets due to rapid temperature changes, especially at higher temperature rising speeds.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with multiple heating units that adjust temperatures in stages and succession based on image forming and non-image forming ranges, ensuring the temperature change per unit distance is within a predetermined value, thereby preventing crinkling and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the temperature rising speed of the fixing device is increased to promote energy saving, then power consumption is reduced, but crinkling of the recording sheet occurs due to rapid temperature change between image areas and non-image areas
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing rotating body is divided into multiple heating areas in the main scanning direction, with each area independently controllable. This segmentation allows different temperature control strategies for image areas (high temperature for fixation) and non-image areas (lower temperature to prevent crinkling), resolving the contradiction between energy saving and preventing crinkling
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the fixing rotating body are assigned different temperature characteristics: image areas maintain high fixing temperature while non-image areas operate at lower temperatures. This local differentiation prevents rapid temperature changes in non-image areas, avoiding crinkling while still achieving energy savings through reduced heating in those regions
2Use of energy by moving object
If the heat capacity of the fixing rotating body and surrounding components is reduced to promote energy saving, then power consumption is lowered, but temperature control precision deteriorates leading to crinkling
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the temperature of different heating areas based on real-time conditions and image information. The control unit modifies temperature settings for image and non-image areas independently, allowing precise temperature control even with reduced heat capacity by compensating through active control rather than relying on thermal inertia
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 effectively prevents crinkling of recording sheets at higher temperature rising speeds while achieving significant power savings by controlling temperature changes in the fixing device.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of heating units which individually heat a plurality of areas of the fixing member divided in a main scanning direction
Implementation Method 2
brings a recording sheet into contact with a heated fixing member for thermal fixation of the recording sheet
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes: a plurality of heating units which individually heat a plurality of areas of a fixing member; an acquisition unit which acquires information on an image forming range and a non-image forming range of the recording sheet for each of the plurality of divided heating areas; and a control unit which performs first control for controlling the corresponding heating unit such that a contact portion of the image forming range of the recording sheet has a target fixing temperature when the image forming range contacts the fixing member at the contact portion of the image forming range, and second control for controlling the corresponding heating unit such that a contact portion of the non-image forming range of the recording sheet has a temperature lower than the fixing temperature when the non-image forming range contacts the fixing member at the contact portion of the non-image forming range.