Adjustable Core Height for Uniform Belt Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image heating apparatus of the belt-heating type faces challenges in maintaining uniform temperature distribution across the rotational axis direction due to changes in nip pressure, leading to heating non-uniformity and requiring different coil and core configurations for varying pressures, which complicates the adjustment mechanism.
Innovation Solution
An image heating apparatus with a coil generating magnetic flux opposing the belt member's outer surface, featuring first and second cores inside the belt member, a contact member, a pressing member, and a core supporting mechanism with adjustable core heights to optimize temperature distribution using a simple constitution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the coil member and inner core are designed to increase heat generation at end portions to flatten temperature distribution, then temperature uniformity is improved, but the device complexity increases because different coil and core configurations are needed for different nip pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the core height adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the core supporting member to be positioned at different heights to compensate for temperature variations caused by different nip pressures. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the same device to adapt to various operating conditions without requiring multiple specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of core height to control temperature distribution. By adjusting the height of the core supporting member, the magnetic flux density and heat generation at different belt portions can be modified to compensate for temperature non-uniformity, eliminating the need for different device configurations for different pressures.
2Temperature
If a mechanism is provided to individually move core portions to adjust opposing distance, then temperature distribution control is improved, but the device complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the adjustment of multiple core portions into a single unified adjustment mechanism. Instead of providing separate adjustment mechanisms for each core portion, the core supporting member adjusts all cores simultaneously, greatly simplifying the device structure and control system while still achieving temperature distribution control.
Solution Approach 2:
The core supporting member serves multiple functions: it supports all core portions and provides a single adjustment point that controls the opposing distance for the entire core assembly. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized adjustment mechanisms.
3Temperature
If the core supporting member height is adjusted to compensate for temperature variations, then temperature uniformity is improved, but the adjustment mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the core supporting member to be adjusted based on actual operating conditions (nip pressure variations) to automatically compensate for temperature non-uniformity. The system essentially self-adjusts to maintain optimal temperature distribution without requiring external intervention or complex control systems.
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
The solution ensures a uniform temperature distribution across the belt member, improving image quality by allowing for easy adjustment of core positions without complicating the mechanism, thus addressing the issue of heating non-uniformity caused by varying nip pressures.
Implementation Method 1
a coil member including an outer core of a magnetic material is disposed opposed to the inner surface of a belt member provided with a metal layer, and the belt member passing through the heating nip is induction-heated from the inside thereof
Implementation Method 2
The inner core shields the magnetic flux generated by the coil member to avoid unnecessary heat generation of the member of the metal material disposed inside the belt member
Implementation Method 3
The inner core forms a magnetic circuit of the magnetic flux, generated by the coil member, inside the coil member to increase the magnetic flux which penetrates through the belt member
Data Source
AI summary
An image heating apparatus includes a coil; a belt member; a first core and a second core which are provided inside the belt member; a contact member contacting an inner surface of the belt member along a widthwise direction of the belt member; a pressing member configured to press the belt member against the contact member; a core supporting member configured to support the first and second cores; a pressing mechanism configured to generate pressure for forming a nip; and an adjusting portion, provided on the core supporting member, configured to adjust the height of each of the first core and the second core so that the height of a supporting surface configured to support the first core and the height of a supporting surface for supporting the second core are different from each other with respect to a direction perpendicular to the supporting surfaces.