Temperature Detection Device Integer Conversion Fixing Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature detection methods in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face increased processing load due to decimal places in signal values and constants, leading to reduced calculation speed in determining the temperature of fixing members.
Innovation Solution
A temperature detection device and method that utilize a thermocouple to output signal values, with a conversion processing portion multiplying these values by a perfect power of 2 to convert them to integers, and a calculation processing portion using these converted values in high-degree expressions to calculate the fixing member's temperature, reducing processing load by eliminating decimal points and simplifying calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-degree expressions with decimal places are used for temperature calculation, then measurement precision is improved, but processing load increases and calculation speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation from decimal values to integer values by multiplying signal values and constants by appropriate powers of 10. This parameter transformation maintains calculation precision while enabling the use of integer arithmetic operations, which are faster to execute than floating-point operations in the control portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the decimal place handling from the calculation process by pre-multiplying all signal values and constants by powers of 10 to convert them to integers. This separates the precision requirement from the calculation execution, allowing high-precision temperature calculation through integer arithmetic without the computational overhead of floating-point operations.
2Measurement precision
If decimal places are included in signal values and constants, then temperature calculation precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the data representation parameter from floating-point decimal values to integer values through pre-multiplication by powers of 10. This parameter change simplifies the processing architecture by eliminating the need for floating-point arithmetic units, reducing the overall processing complexity while maintaining the precision required for accurate temperature calculation.
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 the processing load of the control portion, enabling faster temperature detection and calculation of the fixing member's temperature, thereby improving the efficiency of the image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a thermocouple having a hot junction and a cold junction and configured to output a first signal value corresponding to a thermoelectromotive force generated between the hot junction and the cold junction
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature detection device includes: a thermocouple configured to output a first signal value corresponding to a thermoelectromotive force generated between a hot junction and a cold junction thereof, a detection portion configured to output a second signal value corresponding to a temperature of the cold junction; a conversion processing portion; and a calculation processing portion, and detects a temperature of a fixing member by using a high-degree expression for temperature calculation that includes variables for which the first signal value and the second signal value are to be substituted.