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US6522844B2
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Heater control apparatus and image forming apparatus having a plurality of heaters which are controlled to be changeably connected in a serial mode and a parallel mode so as to suppress flicker
Assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
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Filing: 2001-07-16
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Granted: 2003-02-18
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Expires: 2021-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A heater control apparatus is provided for controlling a plurality of heaters used for fixing operations of an image forming apparatus, wherein each of the heaters is incorporated inside one of a plurality of rollers. The heater control apparatus includes: a plurality of switching elements to switch flowing paths of electronic currents supplied to the heaters from a common power source; a switching control section to control the switching elements so that a connecting mode of the heaters is changeable between a serial connection mode and a parallel connection mode; and a plurality of temperature detecting devices to detect temperatures of the rollers heated by the heaters, each of the temperature detecting devices corresponding to each of the rollers. The switching control section controls the switching elements so as to change the connecting mode of the heaters according to temperature conditions of the rollers.
Inventors
- 👤 Hideo Yamane
- 👤 Youbao Peng
- 👤 Satoshi Sakata
- 👤 Hiroyuki Watanabe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:32
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/2039; G03G15/205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A heater control apparatus for controlling a plurality of heaters, each of which is incorporated inside one of a plurality of rollers, said heater control apparatus comprising: a plurality of switching elements to switch flowing paths of electronic currents supplied to said heaters from a common power source; a switching control section to control said switching elements so that a connecting mode of said heaters is changeable between a serial connection mode and a parallel connection mode; and a short-current limiting element, coupled into anyone of said flowing paths, to limit a short-current flowing from said common power source, caused by a short circuit, which would be possibly formed depending on a switching status of said switching elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A heater control apparatus for controlling a plurality of heaters, each of which is incorporated inside one of a plurality of rollers, said heater control apparatus comprising: a plurality of switching elements to switch flowing paths of electronic currents supplied to said heaters from a common power source; a switching control section to control said switching elements so that a connecting mode of said heaters is changeable between a serial connection mode and a parallel connection mode; and a short-current limiting element, coupled into anyone of said flowing paths, to limit a short-current flowing from said common power source, caused by a short circuit, which would be possibly formed depending on a switching status of said switching elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The heater control apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said short-current limiting element comprises a resistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
122 words
An image-forming apparatus, which conducts heater-controlling operations for controlling a plurality of heaters, each of which is incorporated inside one of a plurality of rollers, said image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of switching elements to switch flowing paths of electronic currents supplied to said heaters from a common power source; a switching control section to control said switching elements so that a connecting mode of said heaters is changeable between a serial connection mode and a parallel connection mode; and a short-current limiting element, coupled into anyone of said flowing paths, to limit a short-current flowing from said common power source, caused by a short circuit, which would be is possibly formed depending on a switching status of said switching elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
122 words
An image-forming apparatus, which conducts heater-controlling operations for controlling a plurality of heaters, each of which is incorporated inside one of a plurality of rollers, said image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of switching elements to switch flowing paths of electronic currents supplied to said heaters from a common power source; a switching control section to control said switching elements so that a connecting mode of said heaters is changeable between a serial connection mode and a parallel connection mode; and a short-current limiting element, coupled into anyone of said flowing paths, to limit a short-current flowing from said common power source, caused by a short circuit, which would be is possibly formed depending on a switching status of said switching elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The image-forming apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said short-current limiting element comprises a resistor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-02-17 | 2006-08-19 | 2007-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-02-17 | 2010-08-19 | 2011-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-02-17 | 2014-08-19 | 2015-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |