Blower Member for Multi-Directional Cooling in Fixing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining productivity while preventing the temperature of the non-paper passing portion of the heater roller from rising excessively, leading to potential damage, due to the high thermal conductivity and successive printing jobs, which increases the cost and complexity of the apparatus with separate cooling devices for the endless belt and heater roller.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a blower member with a distribution mechanism that adjusts airflow patterns to simultaneously cool the endless belt and heater roller, using a first and second opening to direct airflow effectively, reducing the need for multiple cooling devices and maintaining productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate cooling devices are provided for the endless belt and heater roller, then the temperature control reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling functions for both the endless belt and heater roller into a single integrated cooling device. The cooling device includes a cooling fan that blows cooling air to both components simultaneously, and a cooling chamber that houses both cooling targets, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining temperature control reliability through unified cooling management
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling device is designed with multi-functionality to serve dual purposes: cooling the endless belt and cooling the heater roller. The single cooling device performs multiple cooling functions that would traditionally require separate devices, thereby simplifying the overall apparatus structure while ensuring reliable temperature control for both components
2Productivity
If successive printing jobs are performed, then the productivity is improved, but the temperature of the non-paper passing portion of the heater roller rises excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device is activated during successive printing jobs to preliminarily cool the non-paper passing portion of the heater roller before excessive temperature rise occurs. The cooling fan blows cooling air to the heater roller continuously during operation, preventing temperature accumulation that would otherwise occur during high-productivity successive printing sequences
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling device operates continuously during successive printing jobs to maintain the heater roller temperature within safe limits. The cooling action is sustained throughout the printing sequence, ensuring that the non-paper passing portion does not overheat even during prolonged high-productivity operation
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 solution enhances cooling efficiency, simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces costs, and maintains productivity by effectively managing temperature differences across the heater roller, preventing overheating and damage, while supporting both gloss-imparting and standard fixing functions.
Implementation Method 1
a blower member configured to blow air to the inner circumferential surface of the endless belt and to a non-paper passing portion of the heater roller
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing apparatus can include a heater roller, a tension roller, a belt movable from the heater roller to the tension roller, a pressure roller to make pressure contact with the heater roller via the belt to form a fixing nip, and a blower member including a first opening to direct air toward the belt and a second opening to direct air toward the heater roller.