Auxiliary Heat-Generating Member Arc Geometry for Fixing Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the heat transport between the heating rotating body and the auxiliary heat-generating member is often inefficient, leading to unnecessary interruption of the power supply to the IH device due to self-heat generation, which can result in the thermostat incorrectly shutting off the power, and potentially requiring replacement.
Innovation Solution
The fixing device includes a heating rotating body with a conductive layer and an auxiliary heat-generating member with a smaller circular arc cross-section, supported by a support member, ensuring close contact and optimized heat transport between the two, with the thermostat positioned to interrupt power supply only when necessary, thereby preventing unnecessary shutdowns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the auxiliary heat-generating member is used to heat the fixing belt through magnetic path formation, then heating efficiency is improved at low temperatures, but unnecessary power interruption occurs due to self-heat generation when heat transport is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the auxiliary heat-generating member by introducing a heat transport member with specific thermal conductivity between the auxiliary heat-generating member and the fixing belt. This parameter change enables efficient heat transport while preventing excessive self-heat generation, resolving the contradiction between heating efficiency and power supply stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat transport member as an intermediary component between the auxiliary heat-generating member and the fixing belt. This mediator facilitates efficient heat transfer from the auxiliary heat-generating member to the fixing belt, preventing heat accumulation and unnecessary thermostat activation, thus maintaining both heating efficiency and power supply stability.
2Temperature
If the thermostat is used to interrupt power supply when temperature exceeds predetermined value, then overheating is prevented, but unnecessary shutdown occurs due to excessive self-heat generation from poor heat transport
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transport member acts as an intermediary that efficiently conducts heat away from the auxiliary heat-generating member, preventing excessive temperature rise that would trigger unnecessary thermostat shutdown. This maintains temperature control while enabling continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the thermal conductivity parameter of the heat transport member, the patent optimizes heat dissipation to prevent both overheating and unnecessary thermostat activation, thereby maintaining continuous operation capability while ensuring temperature control.
3Loss of energy
If close contact between heating rotating body and auxiliary heat-generating member is ensured, then heat transport efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the heat transport member as an additional dimensional element between the heating rotating body and auxiliary heat-generating member. This dimensional addition facilitates heat transport while distributing mechanical stress, thereby improving heat efficiency without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat transport member serves as a mediator that simplifies the contact interface between the heating rotating body and auxiliary heat-generating member. By introducing this intermediate component, the patent achieves efficient heat transport while reducing the complexity of direct contact mechanisms through standardized support structures.
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 configuration ensures efficient heat transport and prevents unnecessary power interruptions, allowing for reliable operation of the image forming apparatus by maintaining optimal contact between the heating rotating body and the auxiliary heat-generating member, thus ensuring consistent performance.
Implementation Method 1
a heating rotating body that has an inner cross section of a first circular arc and conductivity, rotates to be pressed against a medium, generates heat due to an electromagnetically induced current
Implementation Method 2
When the temperature thereof is lower than the Curie temperature, the auxiliary heat-generating member exhibits ferromagnetism and heats the fixing belt by forming a magnetic path
Implementation Method 3
when the temperature exceeds the Curie temperature, the auxiliary heat-generating member is changed from the ferromagnetism to paramagnetism, and the magnetic path is not formed therein, whereby the fixing belt is not heated
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a fixing device includes a heating rotating body having an first arched portion so that a first circular arc is formed in a cross section configured to rotate to be pressed against a medium so as to heat toner on the medium and an auxiliary heat-generating member having a second arched portion so that a second circular arc is formed in the cross section, the second arched portion being smaller than the first arched portion, configured to be supported at one end by a support member so as to be movable inside the heating rotating body and configured to contact with the first arced portion of the heating rotating body, the contact portion between the first arched portion and the second arched portion being closer to the support member than a middle point of the second circular arc in the cross section.