Stepping Motor Control for Fixing Portion Peak Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face challenges in reducing peak power usage during the warm-up operation of the fixing portion, leading to potential temperature non-uniformity and reduced durability due to the simultaneous activation of motors, which increases the first print time and power requirements.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a control system that uses a stepping motor for the fixing portion, allowing it to start and stop rotation in a self-start region, and then accelerate to a speed outside this region before the recording material reaches the fixing portion, while synchronizing the operation with the first motor's activation to minimize peak power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the second motor is driven simultaneously with the first motor during warm-up operation, then the first print time is shortened, but the peak power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second motor is driven alone during the warm-up period before the first motor is activated. This preliminary action allows the fixing portion to be heated in advance, so that when the first motor is later activated for image production, the warm-up process is already complete, thereby shortening the first print time without requiring simultaneous high-power operation of both motors
Solution Approach 2:
The driving operation is divided into distinct periodic phases: first, the second motor operates alone during warm-up; then, after a predetermined period, the first motor is activated for image production. This periodic sequencing of motor operations allows the system to achieve both warm-up and image production functions while managing peak power consumption through time-separated activation
2Loss of time
If the rotating member is heated while stopped, then the warm-up time is reduced, but temperature non-uniformity occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating member is set into rotation during the warm-up process rather than remaining stationary. This dynamic operation ensures that heat is distributed uniformly throughout the rotating member as it turns, preventing the temperature non-uniformity that would occur if heating were applied to a stopped component. The rotation continues during warm-up to maintain uniform temperature distribution
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 approach reduces peak power usage, stabilizes the warm-up operation, and prevents temperature non-uniformity, enabling a more efficient and rapid first print time without the need for additional drive power for the second motor.
Implementation Method 1
A second motor that is a driving source for a fixing rotating member is a stepping motor
Implementation Method 2
a heating member has a small heat capacity, allowing a reduction in time needed to reach a fixation temperature
Implementation Method 3
applies heat and pressure to a recording material electrostatically carrying toner, while conveying the recording material, held in a sandwiching manner by a rotating member that is in rotation and in pressure contact with the recording material, to melt and to fix the toner onto the recording material
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion configured to form a developer image on a recording material, a fixing portion configured to heat-fix the developer image to the recording material, a first motor configured to drive the image forming portion, a second motor configured to drive the fixing portion, and a control portion configured to control the first motor and the second motor. The second motor is a stepping motor. The control portion allows the second motor to start rotation at a speed in a self-start region, temporarily stops the second motor at a timing at which the first motor is activated, then allows the second motor to restart rotation at a speed in the self-start region, and changes the speed of the second motor to a speed outside of the self-start region before the recording material arrives at the fixing portion.