Exhaust Duct Assembly for Image Forming Apparatus Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining temperature control targets below a reference temperature due to self-heating and heat from the fixing device, leading to potential image failure and damage from excessive heat.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system is integrated into the apparatus, featuring an air vent, an exhaust duct assembly with strategically designed channels, and fans to introduce and exhaust external air, providing both thermal insulation and cooling to temperature control targets, thereby reducing the temperature rise caused by the fixing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a planar heat pipe and heatsink are provided between the temperature control target and the fixing device, then thermal insulation is provided, but the number of components increases and space is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the thermal insulation function and cooling function into a single integrated structure. The exhaust duct assembly serves both to insulate the temperature control target from the fixing device heat and to provide active cooling by circulating air through its channels, eliminating the need for separate heat pipe and heatsink components.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust duct assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a thermal barrier between the fixing device and temperature control target, provides active cooling through air circulation, and serves as a structural component of the apparatus. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an insulating member is provided between the fixing device and the temperature control target, then thermal insulation is provided, but space inside the apparatus is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust duct assembly merges the thermal insulation function with the cooling function in a single integrated structure, eliminating the need for separate insulating members and reducing the space required for thermal management components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses air circulation through the exhaust duct assembly to provide both insulation and active cooling. By utilizing pneumatic flow (air movement) to carry away heat, the system reduces the need for bulky solid insulating materials while maintaining effective thermal management.
3Temperature
If local cooling is provided to temperature control targets, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust duct assembly serves multiple purposes: it provides thermal insulation, active cooling through air circulation, and structural support. This multi-functionality achieves effective temperature control without requiring separate dedicated cooling components for each temperature control target.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust duct assembly utilizes the existing temperature difference between the fixing device and the surrounding environment to drive natural convection currents, which assist in cooling the temperature control targets. The system partially self-regulates temperature without requiring complex external cooling mechanisms.
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 cooling system effectively insulates and cools temperature control targets, preventing overheating, maintaining them below the melting point of toner and reducing the risk of image failure and damage from toner adhesion, while minimizing the number of components and space required within the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
an exhaust duct assembly to cause external air introduced from outside the apparatus through the air vent to pass through a range in which the temperature control target is provided
Implementation Method 2
a first fan to generate airflow inside the exhaust duct assembly
Implementation Method 3
a cooling system to cool the temperature control target thermally insulated from the fixing device
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device to fix an image on a recording medium, at least one temperature control target to be kept to or below a reference temperature, and a cooling system to insulate the temperature control target from the fixing device. The cooling system includes an air vent to introduce external air into an apparatus body, an exhaust duct assembly disposed between the fixing device and the temperature control target, a first inlet formed in the exhaust duct assembly to cause the external air to pass through a range in which the temperature control target is provided, and a first fan to generate airflow inside the exhaust duct assembly.