Liquid-Cooled Cooling System Joint Enclosure for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face issues with coolant leakage in liquid-cooled cooling systems, particularly at joints between pipes and heat-receiving members, which can lead to safety risks and operational interruptions due to the aging of the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a liquid-cooled cooling system with shielding members and specialized joint designs, such as vertical or airtight enclosures, to prevent coolant leakage from contacting image forming or electrical components, and the use of flexible tubes and antifreeze coolants to enhance cooling efficiency and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a liquid-cooled cooling system is used to cool heat-generating units in high-speed image forming apparatuses, then cooling performance is improved, but the risk of coolant leakage increases due to aging of joints and pipes
Solution Approach 1:
A protective enclosure is introduced as an intermediary structure between the coolant circulation system and the image forming unit. This enclosure acts as a barrier that prevents coolant leakage from affecting the image forming process, while still allowing the cooling system to function effectively. The enclosure includes a coolant circulation path that is physically separated from the developing unit, maintaining thermal coupling while preventing direct contact between coolant and image forming components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is segmented into distinct functional zones: a coolant circulation path for thermal management, a protective enclosure for isolation, and an image forming unit for the actual printing process. This segmentation allows the coolant to circulate through dedicated channels without directly contacting the image forming components, reducing leakage risks while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
2Productivity
If the image forming apparatus operates continuously for long periods at high speed, then productivity is improved, but coolant leakage risk increases due to aging of joints and pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The protective enclosure is installed in advance to prevent coolant leakage issues before they occur during continuous high-speed operation. By pre-establishing this protective barrier, the system can operate continuously at high speeds without the risk of coolant affecting the image forming process, even as joints and pipes age over time.
3Reliability
If shielding members are added to prevent coolant leakage, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective enclosure merges multiple functions into a single integrated structure: it serves as both a protective barrier against coolant leakage and as part of the cooling system architecture. The enclosure incorporates the coolant circulation path within its structure, eliminating the need for separate protective components and reducing overall system complexity despite adding protection.
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 system effectively maintains toner temperatures below the softening point, preventing development defects and ensuring continuous, reliable operation at high speeds, while minimizing the risk of coolant exposure to critical components.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid coolant is circulated between a heat-receiving member disposed adjoining an increased-temperature area, such as the developing unit, and a radiator (heat exchanger)
Implementation Method 2
a liquid coolant is circulated between a heat-receiving member disposed adjoining an increased-temperature area, such as the developing unit, and a radiator (heat exchanger)
Implementation Method 3
a radiator (heat exchanger) for dissipating heat from the coolant with increased temperature
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus having a liquid-cooled cooling system prevents problems caused by a potential leakage of coolant used in the liquid-cooled cooling system. The liquid-cooled cooling system cools a heat-generating image forming portion using the coolant, which is circulated by a pump through a circulating path. The cooling system includes a heat-receiving member disposed in thermal contact with the image forming portion to absorb heat generated by the image forming portion. The heat-receiving member is connected with the circulating path via a joint. The joint is disposed within an enclosed space between the image forming portion and an electrical component drive portion for driving or controlling the image forming portion, so that the image forming portion and the electrical component drive portion can be protected from the coolant in the event of coolant leakage via the joint.