Image-forming device controlling a cooling fan according to a position of a transfer sheet being conveyed

• US 6,580,884 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2001
• Issued: 06/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Kuwabara, Yoshihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Sophia S.
• Application Number:
  US10/026,684
• Publication Number:
  US 20020085856A1
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 399/92, 399/94, 399/43, 399/45, 399/67, 399/68, 399/82, 399/38, 399/44, 399/16, 219/216, 430/124
• US Class Current: 399/92
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/2003 using heat
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/206 Conducting air through the machine, e.g. for cooling, filtering, removing gases like ozone
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/00721 of sheet position

Abstract

The image-forming device includes a fixing device for fixing a toner visible image transferred to a transfer sheet, a feeding device for feeding and conveying the transfer sheet to the fixing device, a cooling fan discharging a heat generated in the fixing device, a conveyance position detecting device for detecting a conveyance position of the transfer sheet being conveyed, and a controlling device for controlling the cooling fan to start and stop revolving according to the conveyance position.

Claims

1. An image-forming device comprising:

fixing means for fixing a toner visible image transferred to a transfer sheet;

feeding means for feeding and conveying the transfer sheet to said fixing means;

a cooling fan discharging a heat generated in said fixing means;

conveyance-position detecting means for detecting a conveyance position of the transfer sheet being conveyed; and

controlling means for controlling said cooling fan to start and stop revolving according to said conveyance position;

wherein said feeding means continuously feeds and conveys a plurality of transfer sheets to said fixing means, and said controlling means controls said cooling fan to stop revolving when a preceding transfer sheet exists in a predetermined conveying range.

2. The image-forming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controlling means controls said cooling fan to stop revolving at least while the transfer sheet is conveyed from transferring means to said fixing means, the transferring means transferring said toner visible image to the transfer sheet.

3. The image-forming device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising temperature-sensing means for sensing a temperature in the image-forming device, wherein said controlling means controls said cooling fan to start revolving when said temperature-sensing means senses a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.

4. The image-forming device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said controlling means controls said cooling fan to start revolving when a predetermined time elapses since said cooling fan has stopped revolving.

5. The image-forming device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising mode-setting means for setting a thin-sheet mode indicating that said transfer sheet is thinner than a predetermined thickness, wherein said controlling means controls said cooling fan to start and stop revolving according to said conveyance position in said thin-sheet mode.

6. An image-forming device comprising:

fixing means for fixing a toner visible image transferred to a transfer sheet;

feeding means for feeding and conveying the transfer sheet to said fixing means;

a cooling fan discharging a heat generated in said fixing means;

timing means for measuring a conveying time of the transfer sheet being conveyed; and

controlling means for calculating a conveyance position of the transfer sheet being conveyed, based on said conveying time and a predetermined conveying velocity, so as to control said cooling fan to start and stop revolving according to said conveyance position;

wherein said feeding means continuously feeds and conveys a plurality of transfer sheets to said fixing means, and said controlling means controls said cooling fan to stop revolving when a preceding transfer sheet exists in a predetermined conveying range.

7. The image-forming device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said controlling means controls said cooling fan to stop revolving at least while the transfer sheet is conveyed from transferring means to said fixing means, the transferring means transferring said toner visible image to the transfer sheet.

8. The image-forming device as claimed in claim 7, further comprising temperature-sensing means for sensing a temperature in the image-forming device, wherein said controlling means controls said cooling fan to start revolving when said temperature-sensing means senses a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.

9. The image-forming device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said controlling means controls said cooling fan to start revolving when a predetermined time elapses since said cooling fan has stopped revolving.

10. The image-forming device as claimed in claim 6, further comprising mode-setting means for setting a thin-sheet mode indicating that said transfer sheet is thinner than a predetermined thickness, wherein said controlling means controls said cooling fan to start and stop revolving according to said conveyance position in said thin-sheet mode.

11. An image-forming device comprising:

fixing means for fixing a toner visible image transferred to a transfer sheet;

feeding means for feeding and conveying the transfer sheet to said fixing means;

a cooling fan discharging a heat generated in said fixing means by revolving at a variable revolving velocity;

conveyance-position detecting means for detecting a conveyance position of the transfer sheet being conveyed; and

controlling means for controlling the revolving velocity of said cooling fan according to said conveyance position;

wherein said feeding means continuously feeds and conveys a plurality of transfer sheets to said fixing means, and when a preceding transfer sheet exists in a predetermined conveying range, said controlling means controls said cooling fan to revolve at a revolving velocity lower than an initial revolving velocity upon the start of feeding the transfer sheets.

12. The image-forming device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said controlling means controls said cooling fan to revolve at a revolving velocity lower than said initial revolving velocity, at least while the transfer sheet is conveyed from transferring means to said fixing means, the transferring means transferring said toner visible image to the transfer sheet.

13. The image-forming device as claimed in claim 12, further comprising temperature-sensing means for sensing a temperature in the image-forming device, wherein said controlling means controls said cooling fan to revolve at said initial revolving velocity when said temperature-sensing means senses a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.

14. The image-forming device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said controlling means controls said cooling fan to revolve at said initial revolving velocity when a predetermined time elapses since said cooling fan has been revolving at the revolving velocity lower than said initial revolving velocity.

15. The image-forming device as claimed in claim 11, further comprising mode-setting means for setting a thin-sheet mode indicating that said transfer sheet is thinner than a predetermined thickness, wherein said controlling means controls the revolving velocity of said cooling fan according to said conveyance position in said thin-sheet mode.

16. An image-forming device comprising:

fixing means for fixing a toner visible image transferred to a transfer sheet;

feeding means for feeding and conveying the transfer sheet to said fixing means;

a cooling fan discharging a heat generated in said fixing means by revolving at a variable revolving velocity;

timing means for measuring a conveying time of the transfer sheet being conveyed; and

controlling means for calculating a conveyance position of the transfer sheet being conveyed, based on said conveying time and a predetermined conveying velocity, so as to control the revolving velocity of said cooling fan according to said conveyance position;

wherein said feeding means continuously feeds and conveys a plurality of transfer sheets to said fixing means, and when a preceding transfer sheet exists in a predetermined conveying range, said controlling means controls said cooling fan to revolve at a revolving velocity lower than an initial revolving velocity upon the start of feeding the transfer sheets.

17. The image-forming device as claimed in claim 16, wherein said controlling means controls said cooling fan to revolve at a revolving velocity lower than said initial revolving velocity, at least while the transfer sheet is conveyed from transferring means to said fixing means, the transferring means transferring said toner visible image to the transfer sheet.

18. The image-forming device as claimed in claim 17, further comprising temperature-sensing means for sensing a temperature in the image-forming device, wherein said controlling means controls said cooling fan to revolve at said initial revolving velocity when said temperature-sensing means senses a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.

19. The image-forming device as claimed in claim 17, wherein said controlling means controls said cooling fan to revolve at said initial revolving velocity when a predetermined time elapses since said cooling fan has been revolving at the revolving velocity lower than said initial revolving velocity.

20. The image-forming device as claimed in claim 16, further comprising mode-setting means for setting a thin-sheet mode indicating that said transfer sheet is thinner than a predetermined thickness, wherein said controlling means controls the revolving velocity of said cooling fan according to said conveyance position in said thin-sheet mode.

21. A method for controlling an image-forming device including fixing means for fixing a toner visible image transferred to a transfer sheet, feeding means for feeding and conveying the transfer sheet to said fixing means, a cooling fan discharging a heat generated in said fixing means, and conveyance-position detecting means for detecting a conveyance position of the transfer sheet being conveyed, the method comprising:

detecting the conveyance position of the transfer sheet being conveyed;

controlling said cooling fan to start and stop revolving according to said conveyance position;

continuously feeding and conveying a plurality of transfer sheets to said fixing means; and

controlling said cooling fan to stop revolving when a preceding transfer sheet exists in a predetermined conveying range.

22. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said image-forming device includes mode-setting means for setting a thin-sheet mode indicating that said transfer sheet is thinner than a predetermined thickness, the method further comprising:

the mode confirming step of confirming whether or not said thin-sheet mode is set so that said conveyance-position detecting step and said controlling step are performed only when said thin-sheet mode is set.

23. A method for controlling an image-forming device including fixing means for fixing a toner visible image transferred to a transfer sheet, feeding means for feeding and conveying the transfer sheet to said fixing means, a cooling fan discharging a heat generated in said fixing means by revolving at a variable revolving velocity, and conveyance-position detecting means for detecting a conveyance position of the transfer sheet being conveyed, the method comprising:

detecting the conveyance position of the transfer sheet being conveyed;

controlling the revolving velocity of said cooling fan according to said conveyance position;

continuously feeding and conveying a plurality of transfer sheets to said fixing means; and

controlling said cooling fan to stop revolving when a preceding transfer sheet exists in a predetermined conveying range.

24. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said image-forming device includes mode-setting means for setting a thin-sheet mode indicating that said transfer sheet is thinner than a predetermined thickness, the method further comprising:

the mode confirming step of confirming whether or not said thin-sheet mode is set so that said conveyance-position detecting step and said controlling step are performed only when said thin-sheet mode is set.

25. A method for controlling an image-forming device including fixing means for fixing a toner visible image transferred to a transfer sheet, feeding means for feeding and conveying the transfer sheet to said fixing means, a cooling fan discharging a heat generated in said fixing means, and timing means for measuring a conveying time of the transfer sheet being conveyed, the method comprising:

calculating a conveyance position of the transfer sheet being conveyed, based on said conveying time and a predetermined conveying velocity;

controlling said cooling fan to start and stop revolving according to said conveyance position;

continuously feeding and conveying a plurality of transfer sheets to said fixing means; and

controlling said cooling fan to stop revolving when a preceding transfer sheet exists in a predetermined conveying range.

26. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein said image-forming device includes mode-setting means for setting a thin-sheet mode indicating that said transfer sheet is thinner than a predetermined thickness, the method further comprising:

the mode confirming step of confirming whether or not said thin-sheet mode is set so that said conveyance-position calculating step and said controlling step are performed only when said thin-sheet mode is set.

27. A method for controlling an image-forming device including fixing means for fixing a toner visible image transferred to a transfer sheet, feeding means for feeding and conveying the transfer sheet to said fixing means, a cooling fan discharging a heat generated in said fixing means by revolving at a variable revolving velocity, and timing means for measuring a conveying time of the transfer sheet being conveyed, the method comprising:

calculating a conveyance position of the transfer sheet being conveyed, based on said conveying time and a predetermined conveying velocity;

controlling the revolving velocity of said cooling fan according to said conveyance position;

continuously feeding and conveying a plurality of transfer sheets to said fixing means; and

controlling said cooling fan to stop revolving when a preceding transfer sheet exists in a predetermined conveying range.

28. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein said image-forming device includes mode-setting means for setting a thin-sheet mode indicating that said transfer sheet is thinner than a predetermined thickness, the method further comprising:

the mode confirming step of confirming whether or not said thin-sheet mode is set so that said conveyance-position calculating step and said controlling step are performed only when said thin-sheet mode is set.

29. A method for controlling an image-forming device including transferring means for transferring a toner visible image to a transfer sheet, fixing means for fixing the toner visible image transferred to the transfer sheet, feeding means for feeding and conveying the transfer sheet to said fixing means, a cooling fan discharging a heat generated in said fixing means, and conveyance-position detecting means for detecting a conveyance position of the transfer sheet being conveyed, the method comprising:

detecting the conveyance position of the transfer sheet being conveyed; and

controlling said cooling fan to stop revolving when a transfer sheet preceding the present transfer sheet exists between said transferring means and said fixing means while continuously feeding and conveying a plurality of transfer sheets to said fixing means.

30. The method as claimed in claim 29, wherein said image-forming device includes mode-setting means for setting a thin-sheet mode indicating that said transfer sheet is thinner than a predetermined thickness, the method further comprising:

the mode confirming step of confirming whether or not said thin-sheet mode is set so that said conveyance-position detecting step and said controlling step are performed only when said thin-sheet mode is set.

31. A method for controlling an image-forming device including transferring means for transferring a toner visible image to a transfer sheet, fixing means for fixing the toner visible image transferred to the transfer sheet, feeding means for feeding and conveying the transfer sheet to said fixing means, a cooling fan discharging a heat generated in said fixing means by revolving at a variable revolving velocity, and conveyance-position detecting means for detecting a conveyance position of the transfer sheet being conveyed, the method comprising:

detecting the conveyance position of the transfer sheet being conveyed;

controlling said cooling fan to revolve at a revolving velocity lower than an initial revolving velocity upon the start of feeding transfer sheets, when a transfer sheet preceding the present transfer sheet exists between said transferring means and said fixing means, while continuously feeding and conveying a plurality of transfer sheets to said fixing means; and

controlling said cooling fan to stop revolving when a preceding transfer sheet exists in a predetermined conveying range.

32. The method as claimed in claim 31, wherein said image-forming device includes mode-setting means for setting a thin-sheet mode indicating that said transfer sheet is thinner than a predetermined thickness, the method further comprising:

the mode confirming step of confirming whether or not said thin-sheet mode is set so that said conveyance-position detecting step and said controlling step are performed only when said thin-sheet mode is set.

33. A method for controlling an image-forming device including transferring means for transferring a toner visible image to a transfer sheet, fixing means for fixing the toner visible image transferred to the transfer sheet, feeding means for feeding and conveying the transfer sheet to said fixing means, a cooling fan discharging a heat generated in said fixing means, and timing means for measuring a conveying time of the transfer sheet being conveyed, the method comprising:

calculating a conveyance position of the transfer sheet being conveyed, based on said conveying time and a predetermined conveying velocity; and

controlling said cooling fan to stop revolving when a transfer sheet preceding the present transfer sheet exists between said transferring means and said fixing means while continuously feeding and conveying a plurality of transfer sheets to said fixing means.

34. The method as claimed in claim 33, wherein said image-forming device includes mode-setting means for setting a thin-sheet mode indicating that said transfer sheet is thinner than a predetermined thickness, the method further comprising:

the mode confirming step of confirming whether or not said thin-sheet mode is set so that said conveyance-position calculating step and said controlling step are performed only when said thin-sheet mode is set.

35. A method for controlling an image-forming device including transferring means for transferring a toner visible image to a transfer sheet, fixing means for fixing the toner visible image transferred to the transfer sheet, feeding means for feeding and conveying the transfer sheet to said fixing means, a cooling fan discharging a heat generated in said fixing means by revolving at a variable revolving velocity, and timing means for measuring a conveying time of the transfer sheet being conveyed, the method comprising:

calculating a conveyance position of the transfer sheet being conveyed, based on said conveying time and a predetermined conveying velocity; and

controlling said cooling fan to revolve at a revolving velocity lower than an initial revolving velocity upon the start of feeding transfer sheets, when a transfer sheet preceding the present transfer sheet exists between said transferring means and said fixing means, while continuously feeding and conveying a plurality of transfer sheets to said fixing means.

36. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein said image-forming device includes mode-setting means for setting a thin-sheet mode indicating that said transfer sheet is thinner than a predetermined thickness, the method further comprising:

the mode confirming step of confirming whether or not said thin-sheet mode is set so that said conveyance-position calculating step and said controlling step are performed only when said thin-sheet mode is set.

37. A method for controlling an image-forming device including transferring means for transferring a toner visible image to a transfer sheet, fixing means for fixing the toner visible image transferred to the transfer sheet, feeding means for feeding and conveying the transfer sheet to said fixing means, a cooling fan discharging a heat generated in said fixing means, conveyance-position detecting means for detecting a conveyance position of the transfer sheet being conveyed, and temperature-sensing means for sensing a temperature in said image-forming device, the method comprising:

detecting the conveyance position of the transfer sheet being conveyed;

controlling said cooling fan to stop revolving when a transfer sheet preceding the present transfer sheet exists between said transferring means and said fixing means while continuously feeding and conveying a plurality of transfer sheets to said fixing means; and

controlling said cooling fan to start revolving when said temperature in said image-forming device becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature since said cooling fan is stopped revolving by said first controlling step.

38. The method as claimed in claim 37, wherein said image-forming device includes mode-setting means for setting a thin-sheet mode indicating that said transfer sheet is thinner than a predetermined thickness, the method further comprising:

the mode confirming step of confirming whether or not said thin-sheet mode is set so that said conveyance-position detecting step, said first controlling step, and said second controlling step are performed only when said thin-sheet mode is set.

39. A method for controlling an image-forming device including transferring means for transferring a toner visible image to a transfer sheet, fixing means for fixing the toner visible image transferred to the transfer sheet, feeding means for feeding and conveying the transfer sheet to said fixing means, a cooling fan discharging a heat generated in said fixing means by revolving at a variable revolving velocity, conveyance-position detecting means for detecting a conveyance position of the transfer sheet being conveyed, and temperature-sensing means for sensing a temperature in said image-forming device, the method comprising:

detecting the conveyance position of the transfer sheet being conveyed;

controlling said cooling fan to revolve at a revolving velocity lower than an initial revolving velocity upon the start of feeding transfer sheets, when a transfer sheet preceding the present transfer sheet exists between said transferring means and said fixing means, while continuously feeding and conveying a plurality of transfer sheets to said fixing means;

controlling said cooling fan to revolve at said initial revolving velocity when said temperature in said image-forming device becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature since said cooling fan is revolved at the revolving velocity lower than said initial revolving velocity by said first controlling step; and

controlling said cooling fan to stop revolving when a preceding transfer sheet exists in a predetermined conveying range.

40. The method as claimed in claim 39, wherein said image-forming device includes mode-setting means for setting a thin-sheet mode indicating that said transfer sheet is thinner than a predetermined thickness, the method further comprising:

the mode confirming step of confirming whether or not said thin-sheet mode is set so that said conveyance-position detecting step, said first controlling step, and said second controlling step are performed only when said thin-sheet mode is set.

41. A method for controlling an image-forming device including transferring means for transferring a toner visible image to a transfer sheet, fixing means for fixing the toner visible image transferred to the transfer sheet, feeding means for feeding and conveying the transfer sheet to said fixing means, a cooling fan discharging a heat generated in said fixing means, and timing means for measuring a conveying time of the transfer sheet being conveyed, the method comprising:

calculating a conveyance position of the transfer sheet being conveyed, based on said conveying time and a predetermined conveying velocity;

controlling said cooling fan to stop revolving when a transfer sheet preceding the present transfer sheet exists between said transferring means and said fixing means while continuously feeding and conveying a plurality of transfer sheets to said fixing means; and

the second controlling step of controlling said cooling fan to start revolving when a predetermined time elapses since said cooling fan is stopped revolving by said first controlling step.

42. The method as claimed in claim 41, wherein said image-forming device includes mode-setting means for setting a thin-sheet mode indicating that said transfer sheet is thinner than a predetermined thickness, the method further comprising:

the mode confirming step of confirming whether or not said thin-sheet mode is set so that said conveyance-position calculating step, said first controlling step, and said second controlling step are performed only when said thin-sheet mode is set.

43. A method for controlling an image-forming device including transferring means for transferring a toner visible image to a transfer sheet, fixing means for fixing the toner visible image transferred to the transfer sheet, feeding means for feeding and conveying the transfer sheet to said fixing means, a cooling fan discharging a heat generated in said fixing means by revolving at a variable revolving velocity, and timing means for measuring a conveying time of the transfer sheet being conveyed, the method comprising:

calculating a conveyance position of the transfer sheet being conveyed, based on said conveying time and a predetermined conveying velocity;

controlling said cooling fan to revolve at a revolving velocity lower than an initial revolving velocity upon the start of feeding transfer sheets, when a transfer sheet preceding the present transfer sheet exists between said transferring means and said fixing means, while continuously feeding and conveying a plurality of transfer sheets to said fixing means;

controlling said cooling fan to revolve at said initial revolving velocity when a predetermined time elapses since said cooling fan is revolved at the revolving velocity lower than said initial revolving velocity by said first controlling step; and

controlling said cooling fan to stop revolving when a preceding transfer sheet exists in a predetermined conveying range.

44. The method as claimed in claim 43, wherein said image-forming device includes mode-setting means for setting a thin-sheet mode indicating that said transfer sheet is thinner than a predetermined thickness, the method further comprising:

the mode confirming step of confirming whether or not said thin-sheet mode is set so that said conveyance-position calculating step, said first controlling step, and said second controlling step are performed only when said thin-sheet mode is set.