Segmented Fixing Heater for Image Area Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices in image forming apparatuses waste heat energy by heating the entire sheet, including non-image areas, which limits their efficiency and multifunctionality.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a heating controller that adjusts the temperature of heat generators based on image information, heating the image area more intensely and reducing or stopping heat to non-image areas, and temporarily shifting the fixing rotary body's temperature to optimize energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the heating member heats the fixing rotary body over the entire width of the sheet, then the image area is properly heated for toner fixation, but heat energy is wasted in the non-image area
Solution Approach 1:
The heating member is divided into multiple independent heat generators arranged in the width direction of the sheet. Each heat generator can be independently controlled to heat only the necessary image areas while leaving non-image areas unheated, thereby eliminating heat energy waste in non-image regions while ensuring reliable toner fixation in image regions
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the fixing rotary body are assigned different heating characteristics based on local needs. Image areas receive sufficient heat for toner fixation, while non-image areas are excluded from heating. This localized heating approach reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining fixation quality where required
2Loss of energy
If multiple heat generators are arranged in the width direction of the sheet, then heat energy waste is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into multiple heat generators that can be independently controlled. This segmentation enables precise control over heating regions, allowing the system to reduce energy waste by activating only the heat generators corresponding to image areas while keeping those for non-image areas inactive
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system dynamically adjusts which heat generators are activated based on the presence and distribution of image areas on the sheet. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt to different printing scenarios, optimizing energy usage while managing device complexity through intelligent control rather than permanent structural complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If the non-image area is maintained at a default constant temperature, then the heating control is simplified, but the multifunctionality of the fixing device is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control system is made dynamic, allowing the temperature of different regions to be adjusted based on real-time detection of image areas. This enables the fixing device to adapt to various printing conditions and requirements, enhancing its multifunctionality while managing complexity through adaptive control strategies
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 reduces heat waste by dynamically controlling the heating process, enhancing energy efficiency and the multifunctionality of the fixing device while preventing toner drop-off and background staining.
Implementation Method 1
The heater heats the fixing rotary body. The heater includes plural heat generators arranged in a width direction of a recording medium fed to the nipping portion.
Implementation Method 2
Based on image information, the heating controller controls outputs of the heat generators so that a first heat generator of the heat generators corresponding to an image area is higher in temperature and a second heat generator of the heat generators corresponding to a non-image area is lower in temperature.
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body, an opposed member, a heater, and a heating controller. The opposed member opposes the fixing rotary body to form a nipping portion therebetween. The heater includes heat generators arranged in a width direction of a recording medium. When the recording medium fed to the nipping portion has an image area and a non-image area, the heating controller controls the outputs of the heat generators based on image information so that a first heat generator of the heat generators corresponding to the image area is higher in temperature and a second heat generator of the heat generators corresponding to the non-image area is lower in temperature. Based on information other than the image information, the heating controller temporarily shifts an area of the fixing rotary body corresponding to the non-image area to a temperature differing from a normal temperature.