Segmented Fixing Heater for Variable Sheet Size Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently heating and maintaining the optimal temperature for fixing toner images on various-sized recording media, leading to inefficiencies and potential faults in image formation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a fixing device with a primary, secondary, and tertiary heater configuration, along with temperature detectors and a controller to manage the heating spans and temperatures, allowing for adaptive energy distribution and temperature control to accommodate different sheet sizes, ensuring precise and efficient fixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single heater configuration is used to heat the fixing rotator, then the device structure remains simple, but the temperature distribution becomes uneven and cannot accommodate various sheet sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into three independent heater units (first heater, second heater, third heater) positioned at different locations on the fixing rotator. Each heater can be independently controlled to provide localized heating, enabling the system to adapt to various sheet sizes while maintaining temperature distribution uniformity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple heaters are added to improve temperature distribution, then temperature uniformity improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the operation of each heater based on the detected sheet size. When a small sheet is detected, only the first heater operates to minimize energy consumption. When larger sheets are detected, additional heaters are activated to maintain temperature uniformity across the entire heating span, thus optimizing energy usage according to actual needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the heaters based on sheet size detection. The control unit modifies which heaters are active and their power levels according to the detected sheet dimensions, allowing the system to maintain temperature uniformity while minimizing energy consumption for different sheet sizes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the heating span is extended to accommodate larger sheets, then versatility improves, but the risk of overheating and image quality degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extended heating span is divided into multiple segments, each served by a dedicated heater. This segmentation allows precise control of heat distribution across different regions, preventing overheating in specific areas while maintaining adequate heating for larger sheets, thus expanding the range of accommodated sheet sizes without compromising image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature detector continuously monitors the temperature at the heating location, and the control unit uses this feedback to regulate heater operation. When the temperature reaches a level that could cause overheating or image quality degradation, the control unit adjusts or shuts off specific heaters, preventing harmful effects while maintaining the ability to handle various sheet sizes.
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 efficient heating and fixing of toner images on various sheet sizes, preventing faults and maintaining optimal image quality by dynamically adjusting the heating based on detected temperatures and sheet size, thus enhancing productivity and reducing energy waste.
Implementation Method 1
A primary heater is disposed opposite a primary heating span of the fixing rotator to heat the primary heating span of the fixing rotator. A secondary heater is disposed opposite a secondary heating span of the fixing rotator to heat the secondary heating span of the fixing rotator. A tertiary heater is disposed opposite a tertiary heating span of the fixing rotator to heat the tertiary heating span of the fixing rotator.
Implementation Method 2
A primary temperature detector is disposed opposite the primary heating span of the fixing rotator to detect a temperature of the primary heating span of the fixing rotator. A secondary temperature detector is disposed opposite the secondary heating span of the fixing rotator to detect a temperature of the secondary heating span of the fixing rotator. A tertiary temperature detector is disposed opposite the tertiary heating span of the pressure rotator to detect a temperature of the tertiary heating span of the pressure rotator.
Implementation Method 3
The controller energizes the secondary heater and the tertiary heater in the secondary control mode based on the temperature of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator detected by the secondary temperature detector and the tertiary temperature detector, respectively.
Implementation Method 4
As the recording medium bearing the toner image is conveyed through the fixing nip, the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator apply heat and pressure to the recording medium, melting and fixing the toner image on the recording medium.
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a primary heater, a secondary heater, and a tertiary heater to heat a primary heating span, a secondary heating span, and a tertiary heating span of a fixing rotator, respectively. A primary temperature detector and a secondary temperature detector detect a temperature of the fixing rotator. A tertiary temperature detector detects a temperature of a pressure rotator. A controller selectively performs a primary control mode to de-energize the tertiary heater and a secondary control mode to connect the secondary heater and the tertiary heater in series to energize the primary heater, the secondary heater, and the tertiary heater. The controller energizes the secondary heater and the tertiary heater in the secondary control mode based on the temperature of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator detected by the secondary temperature detector and the tertiary temperature detector, respectively.