Fixing Apparatus Magnetic Core Segmentation for Heat Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electromagnetic induction heating fixing apparatuses face issues with uneven heat distribution due to gaps between magnetic cores, leading to degraded image quality, as the heat generation and distribution become compromised, especially in devices where magnetic flux lines exit and return outside the heat generating roller.
Innovation Solution
A fixing apparatus with a helical coil and magnetic members arranged in a line, featuring protruded and recessed portions on the magnetic members to overlap and reduce magnetic flux leakage, ensuring consistent heat distribution across the conductive layer, and utilizing biasing members to maintain core contact and prevent gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple small magnetic cores are arranged inside the coil, then the device complexity and manufacturing cost are reduced, but gaps between the cores cause uneven heat distribution and degraded image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic core is divided into multiple small magnetic cores arranged in a line along the generatrix direction. This segmentation allows easier manufacturing of individual small cores while maintaining the overall magnetic core functionality, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and heat distribution uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
Protruded portions and recessed portions are provided on adjacent magnetic cores to create an interlocking structure. The protruded portion of one core fits into the recessed portion of the adjacent core, eliminating gaps between cores and ensuring uniform heat distribution while maintaining the segmented structure for easy manufacturing
2Manufacturing precision
If a large magnetic core is used, then the heat distribution uniformity is improved, but the manufacturing precision and fabrication difficulty deteriorate due to mold limitations
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large magnetic core that is difficult to manufacture with high precision, the core is segmented into multiple small cores that can be easily manufactured using standard molds. The segmented structure achieves the same magnetic flux guidance function while being much easier to fabricate
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple small magnetic cores are arranged in a line and connected through protruded and recessed portions to function as a unified magnetic core structure. This combining of multiple small cores achieves the effectiveness of a large core while maintaining the manufacturing advantages of small components
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 heat distribution uniformity, improving image quality by maintaining consistent temperatures and reducing the impact of external forces, thus addressing the issue of uneven heating and enhancing the efficiency of the electromagnetic induction heating process.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field is formed by a current flowing in the coil, the toner image is fixed on the recording material by heat which the conductive layer generate by electromagnetic induction in the magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing apparatus includes a rotating member including a conductive layer; a helical coil arranged inside the rotating member, a helical axis of the coil extending in a generatrix direction of the rotating member; and a magnetic member provided inside the coil, the magnetic member including a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member arranged in a line extending in the generatrix direction. A toner image is fixed on a recording material by heat which the conductive layer generates by electromagnetic induction. In the generatrix direction, a protruded portion is provided on an end surface of the first magnetic member and a recessed portion is provided in an end surface of the second magnetic member. The protruded portion and the recessed portion are disposed so as to oppose each other and overlap each other in the generatrix direction.