Dual Fan Airflow Control for Particle Suppression in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses generate small diameter particles during the heating process, which are not effectively cooled by the cooling fan until the ambient temperature around the fixing device reaches a sufficient level, leading to inefficiencies in power consumption and image fixing properties.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates two air blowing portions that can operate in different modes to control airflow direction and speed, allowing for simultaneous cooling and suppression of small diameter particle discharge by adjusting the airflow patterns around the fixing device, even before the cooling fan is fully activated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If the cooling fan is not actuated until the ambient temperature increases to a sufficient level, then power consumption is reduced, but small diameter particles are generated and cannot be effectively cooled
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is segmented into two independent air blowing portions: a first air blowing portion that operates continuously to suppress particle discharge, and a second air blowing portion that operates when temperature requirements are met to provide full cooling. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both particle suppression and energy efficiency without requiring the entire cooling system to operate at full capacity continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The first air blowing portion performs preliminary cooling action continuously from the start of the image forming operation, preventing small diameter particles from being generated and discharged before the second air blowing portion becomes operational. This preliminary action ensures particle suppression is in place before full cooling capacity is activated.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the cooling fan is actuated continuously, then small diameter particles are suppressed effectively, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is divided into two independent air blowing portions with different operational characteristics. The first air blowing portion operates continuously at a controlled level to maintain particle suppression, while the second air blowing portion operates conditionally based on temperature requirements. This segmentation enables the system to minimize power consumption while maintaining effective particle control.
Solution Approach 2:
The first air blowing portion provides partial cooling action continuously, which is sufficient for particle suppression but not for complete temperature control. This partial action reduces power consumption compared to full continuous operation, while the second air blowing portion supplements cooling when temperature thresholds are exceeded.
3Device complexity
If a single air blowing portion is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot simultaneously achieve particle suppression and efficient cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The air blowing function is segmented into two distinct portions with different orientations and operational modes. The first air blowing portion is oriented to suppress particle discharge, while the second air blowing portion provides additional cooling capacity. This segmentation achieves both particle control and efficient cooling without requiring a single complex device.
Solution Approach 2:
Each air blowing portion serves multiple functions: the first air blowing portion provides both initial cooling and particle suppression, while the second air blowing portion provides supplemental cooling. This multi-functionality allows the two-portion system to achieve superior performance compared to a single-portion design while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
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 approach effectively reduces the discharge of small diameter particles and cools the apparatus efficiently, improving power consumption and image fixing properties by controlling airflow to stagnate particles and prevent their agglomeration, thus enhancing the overall performance of the image forming process.
Implementation Method 1
a first air blowing portion for blowing air so that a direction of the air in the neighborhood of an exit of the nip is a recording material feeding direction
Implementation Method 2
a second air blowing portion for blowing the air so that the direction of the air in the neighborhood of the exit is an opposite direction to the recording material feeding direction
Implementation Method 3
a fixing portion for fixing the toner image on the recording material by heating the recording material while feeding the recording material, through a nip
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming portion; a fixing portion; a first air blowing portion; and a second air blowing portion. The apparatus is operable in a first air blowing mode in which both the first and second air blowing portions are driven and in which the direction of the air near the exit is the recording material feeding direction, and is operable in a second air blowing mode in which both the first and second air blowing portions are driven and in which a direction of the air near the exit is a recording material feeding direction and a speed of the air is lower than a speed of the air in the first air blowing mode or in which the direction of the air near the exit is the opposite direction to the recording material feeding direction.