Fixing Apparatus Ventilation for Toner Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, high-speed operation leads to inadequate cooling of paper sheets after fixing, causing toner blocking and increased temperature of photosensitive drums, while solenoids used for paper separation require effective cooling without affecting unfixed toner images.
Innovation Solution
A fixing apparatus with a main ventilation channel for cooling fixed paper sheets and a sub ventilation channel for cooling the solenoid, featuring a tapered sub duct and nozzle-shaped air blowout port to prevent air accumulation and ensure efficient cooling of both paper sheets and solenoids without affecting unfixed toner images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling air is blown directly to the heat generating source (solenoid) in the fixing apparatus, then the solenoid is effectively cooled, but the cooling air affects and interferes with unfixed toner images on paper sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation channel is divided into a main channel for cooling paper sheets and a separate sub channel for cooling the solenoid. This segmentation allows independent cooling paths so that cooling air for the solenoid does not contact and interfere with unfixed toner images on paper sheets.
Solution Approach 2:
A partition wall with a through-hole acts as an intermediary structure between the main ventilation channel and sub ventilation channel. The partition wall separates the cooling air flows while the through-hole allows the solenoid to be cooled effectively without the cooling air from the main channel affecting the paper sheets.
2Productivity
If high-speed operation is used in image forming apparatuses, then productivity is improved, but cooling of paper sheets after fixing is insufficient causing toner blocking
Solution Approach 1:
Cooling air is introduced in advance through the main ventilation channel before the paper sheets move into the fixing apparatus. This preliminary cooling action ensures that paper sheets are cooled effectively even during high-speed operation, preventing toner blocking.
Solution Approach 2:
The main ventilation channel provides continuous cooling air flow to the paper sheets throughout their passage through the fixing apparatus. This continuous cooling action maintains effective temperature control during high-speed operation, preventing toner blocking and ensuring stable operation.
3Loss of energy
If conventional suction fan cooling is used, then heat is discharged to the outside, but cooling efficiency is reduced and the photosensitive drum temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is extracted from the conventional suction fan system and implemented through dedicated ventilation channels (main and sub channels) with cooling air introduction ports positioned to directly cool the paper sheets and solenoid. This extraction improves cooling efficiency and prevents photosensitive drum temperature increase.
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
Effectively cools fixed paper sheets and solenoids without interfering with unfixed toner images, preventing toner blocking and maintaining the temperature of the fixing apparatus, thus extending the life of the photosensitive drum and ensuring stable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a main ventilation channel that channels cooling air to a fixed paper sheet passing over the paper transport guide
Implementation Method 2
a sub ventilation channel that is branched from the main ventilation channel and channels a portion of the cooling air to the heat generating element
Data Source
AI summary
The fixing apparatus is configured to include a fixing roller, a paper separation claw, a drive source that switches between a state in which the paper separation claw is in contact with the fixing roller and a state in which the paper separation claw is separated from the fixing roller, and a paper transport guide that is disposed on the downstream side of the fixing roller, the drive source including a heat generating element, and to further include a main ventilation channel that channels cooling air to a fixed paper sheet passing over the paper transport guide and a sub ventilation channel that is branched from the main ventilation channel and channels a portion of the cooling air to the heat generating element.