Fixing Device Contact Unit Positioning for Heat Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing device configurations experience excessive temperature increases in the contact means, leading to potential non-uniformity in the fixed toner image due to heat radiation towards the contact unit positioned vertically above the heating unit.
Innovation Solution
The contact unit, such as a heat absorbing roller, is positioned below the horizontal center of the heating unit and moved away from it to avoid overlapping in the vertical direction, reducing heat transfer and maintaining effective heat absorption without interfering with the heat radiation pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the contact unit is disposed vertically above the heating unit, then the contact unit can effectively contact the heating unit, but the contact unit experiences excessive temperature increase due to heat radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The contact unit is repositioned from a vertical arrangement (directly above the heating unit) to a horizontal arrangement (side-by-side with the heating unit). This dimensional change allows the contact unit to remain close to the heating unit for effective contact while avoiding the path of vertically radiated heat, thus reducing excessive temperature increase.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the contact unit is positioned close to the heating unit for heat absorption, then heat absorption efficiency is improved, but heat radiation causes excessive temperature increase in the contact unit
Solution Approach 1:
The contact unit is positioned to absorb heat from a specific location (the side of the heating unit) rather than being directly in the path of vertical heat radiation. This localized positioning allows the contact unit to absorb necessary heat while avoiding the harmful effects of excessive heat radiation.
3Device complexity
If the contact unit overlaps the region above the heating unit, then the structure is compact, but the contact unit absorbs excessive radiated heat causing temperature increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of stacking components vertically (which would create a compact structure but expose the contact unit to heat radiation), the design places the contact unit horizontally adjacent to the heating unit. This maintains reasonable compactness while eliminating the harmful thermal interaction.
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 suppresses excessive temperature increases in the contact unit, ensuring consistent temperature control and reducing the risk of non-uniform brightness in the fixed toner images by minimizing heat absorption from radiated heat.
Implementation Method 1
The fixing member rotates and heats a developer image on a recording medium to fix the developer image to the recording medium
Implementation Method 2
The cooling member is capable of coming into contact with and moving away from the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member, and comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member to reduce the temperature of the fixing member
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a heating unit that is rotatable and includes a heat source; a pressing unit that is rotatable and forms a nip together with the heating unit; and a contact unit capable of coming into contact with and moving away from the heating unit. The contact unit is positioned so that the contact unit does not overlap a region above the heating unit in a vertical direction when the contact unit is in contact with the heating unit and also does not overlap the region above the heating unit in the vertical direction when the contact unit is separated from the heating unit.