Drying Device With Opposing Gas Flow To Prevent Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drying devices for image forming apparatuses face inefficiencies in drying and overheating issues due to the lack of effective gas flow management between the heating and drying spaces, leading to incomplete drying and potential contamination of the heating space with paper powder.
Innovation Solution
A drying device with a heating space, a drying space separated by a partition member, and a backside fan unit that supplies drying winds in opposite directions to enhance gas flow and prevent paper powder from entering the heating space, utilizing specific inlet and outlet configurations to optimize flow speeds and prevent circulating flows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If gas flow management is not implemented between heating and drying spaces, then device complexity is reduced, but drying efficiency deteriorates and overheating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The drying device is divided into two separate spaces: a heating space containing the heating unit and a drying space for the recording medium. These spaces are separated by a partition member that allows gas flow between them, enabling independent control of heating and drying functions while maintaining system efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Gas flow is utilized to manage the drying process. The partition member allows controlled gas movement between the heating space and drying space, using pneumatic principles to transfer heat and maintain proper drying conditions without direct contact between the heating element and recording medium
2Temperature
If heating space and drying space are separated by a partition member, then overheating is prevented, but gas flow management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition member acts as an intermediary between the heating space and drying space. It physically separates the two spaces to prevent direct overheating of the recording medium while allowing gas flow to pass through, thereby mediating the thermal transfer process and preventing temperature extremes
3Object-affected harmful factors
If drying winds are supplied in the same direction as recording medium conveyance, then device complexity is reduced, but paper powder contamination of heating space occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The drying winds are supplied in the opposite direction to the conveyance of the recording medium. This inverted flow direction creates a protective gas flow pattern that prevents paper powder generated during drying from being carried back into the heating space, thereby eliminating contamination while maintaining simple device architecture
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 enhances drying efficiency by effectively removing humid air and preventing overheating, while maintaining a clean heating space by ensuring that drying winds flow in the opposite direction to the recording medium's conveyance, thus improving the overall drying process and preventing paper powder contamination.
Implementation Method 1
a drying space that has a conveyance path of a recording medium and in which the recording medium is dried by radiation heat produced by the heating unit
Implementation Method 2
a partition member that separates the heating space and the drying space from each other in such a manner that gas can move between them
Data Source
AI summary
A drying device includes: a drying unit including: a heating space having a heating unit; a drying space that has a conveyance path of a recording medium and in which the recording medium is dried by radiation heat produced by the heating unit; and a partition member that separates the heating space and the drying space from each other in such a manner that gas can move between the heating space and the drying space; a first supply unit that supplies gas to the drying unit in a direction that is opposite to a conveying direction of the recording medium; and a second supply unit that supplies gas to the drying unit in a direction from the heating unit to the partition member.