Upstream Airflow Control for Fine Particle Containment in Image Formers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses generate Ultra Fine Particles (UFPs) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) during the fixing process, which contaminate the air and pose health risks, and existing airflow control methods may not effectively prevent particle leakage or maintain optimal fixing device temperature.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a first airflow generating portion with a fan that creates an upstream airflow from the fixing device, and a drive control system adjusts fan speed based on sheet size and conveyance interval to prevent particle leakage and maintain fixing device temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an airflow generating portion creates upstream airflow to prevent fine particles from flowing out, then particle containment is improved, but fixing device temperature stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow generation unit operates at different speeds according to sheet presence: high speed when no sheet is present to prevent particle leakage, and low speed when sheet is present to maintain optimal fixing temperature. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between particle containment and temperature stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the airflow parameter (fan speed) based on detected conditions. The control unit adjusts airflow speed between high and low levels according to sheet detection results, optimizing both particle containment and temperature maintenance for different operating states.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If airflow speed is increased to prevent particle leakage, then particle containment is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow generation operates periodically at high speed only when needed (when no sheet is present in the conveyance path), and operates at low speed when sheets are being conveyed. This periodic high-low operation pattern reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining particle containment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes airflow speed parameter between high and low levels based on sheet detection, avoiding continuous high-speed operation and thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining particle containment when necessary.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If airflow is generated continuously to maintain particle containment, then particle containment is improved, but fixing device temperature control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow system dynamically adjusts between high speed (for particle containment) and low speed (for temperature maintenance) based on real-time sheet detection, ensuring reliable temperature control during actual fixing operations while maintaining particle containment during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit changes airflow speed parameter between high and low levels according to sheet presence detection, optimizing particle containment during idle periods while maintaining reliable temperature control during active printing operations.
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 effectively prevents fine particles from escaping while maintaining the fixing device's temperature, ensuring safer operation and improved air quality by dynamically adjusting airflow according to sheet conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The first airflow generating portion includes a first fan and is configured to generate an airflow flowing upstream from the fixing portion in a conveyance direction of the sheet
Implementation Method 2
The fixing portion heats a sheet on which a toner image has been transferred to fix the toner image to the sheet
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing portion, a sheet conveying portion, a first airflow generating portion, a setting processing portion, and a first drive processing portion. The fixing portion heats a sheet on which a toner image has been transferred to fix the toner image to the sheet. The sheet conveying portion conveys a sheet along a conveyance path that leads to a sheet discharge port via the fixing portion. The first airflow generating portion includes a first fan and generates an airflow flowing upstream from the fixing portion in a conveyance direction of the sheet. The setting processing portion sets a drive speed of the first fan based on either or both of a sheet size, and a conveyance interval at which the sheet conveying portion conveys the sheet. The first drive processing portion drives the first fan at the drive speed set by the setting processing portion.