US 12,130,583 B2
Image forming apparatus and method for switching a continuous print mode to an intermittent print mode
Taira Otsuka, Kanagawa (JP); Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Kanagawa (JP); and Takuya Seshita, Kanagawa (JP)
Assigned to RICOH COMPANY, LTD., Tokyo (JP)
Filed by Taira Otsuka, Kanagawa (JP); Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Kanagawa (JP); and Takuya Seshita, Kanagawa (JP)
Filed on May 16, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/197,748.
Claims priority of application No. 2022-082092 (JP), filed on May 19, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0408972 A1, Dec. 21, 2023
Int. Cl. G03G 15/20 (2006.01); G03G 15/00 (2006.01); G03G 21/20 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 21/20 (2013.01) [G03G 15/50 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a fixing device configured to fix a toner image on a surface of a sheet by heating of a heater;
a temperature detector configured to detect an internal temperature of the image forming apparatus; and
processing circuitry configured to:
switch a continuous print mode that continuously performs a print operation on a plurality of sheets to a first intermittent print mode that alternately repeats a print operation on a predetermined number of sheets and a print operation suspension for a predetermined time, when the internal temperature detected by the temperature detector is equal to or higher than a first execution temperature during execution of the continuous print mode;
cancel the first intermittent print mode and switch the first intermittent print mode to the continuous print mode, when the internal temperature detected by the temperature detector is equal to or lower than a first cancellation temperature, which is lower than the first execution temperature; and
cancel the first intermittent print mode and switch the first intermittent print mode to a second intermittent print mode, when the internal temperature detected by the temperature detector is higher than the first cancellation temperature after a predetermined time has elapsed since a start of execution of the first intermittent print mode,
wherein during the first intermittent print mode, the heating of the fixing device is performed as the continuous print mode, and
wherein during the second intermittent print mode, the heating of the fixing device is turned off.