Fixing Belt Guide Connector Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face instability in the electrical connection between the heating portion and the power supply due to the design of the connector attachment, which can lead to an unstable electric connection state when forces are applied, affecting the heating process.
Innovation Solution
The fixing device incorporates a belt guide member with an engaging portion that projects outward in the width direction of the fixing belt, engaging with the connector at a position intersecting with the center plane of the connector attached to the heating portion, ensuring stable electrical connection by restricting movement and maintaining contact even under pulling forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the connector is attached to the heating portion in a conventional manner, then the attachment structure is simple, but the electric connection becomes unstable when forces are applied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by extending the engaging portion in the width direction of the fixing belt, perpendicular to the conventional attachment direction. This dimensional change allows the connector to be restrained not only in the attachment direction but also in the width direction, preventing lateral displacement and improving connection stability without significantly increasing overall structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The belt guide member serves as an intermediary component between the connector and the fixing belt. By incorporating the engaging portion that extends in the width direction, the belt guide member mediates the connection stability issue by providing additional geometric constraint, thereby improving reliability without requiring direct modification of the connector or heating portion structures
2Reliability
If the connector is attached perpendicular to the width direction of the fixing belt, then the attachment is straightforward, but the connection becomes unstable under pulling forces
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging portion extends in the width direction (perpendicular to the attachment direction), adding a second dimensional constraint. This geometric feature restricts the connector's movement in both the attachment direction and the width direction, ensuring stable electrical connection even when pulling forces are applied, while maintaining straightforward attachment procedure
3Reliability
If no additional guiding structure is added, then the device structure remains simple, but the connector position becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The belt guide member is designed to serve multiple functions: it guides the fixing belt along the moving path and simultaneously provides the engaging portion that stabilizes the connector position. This multi-functionality approach improves connector position stability without adding separate dedicated structures, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The belt guide member acts as an intermediary that combines belt guidance and connector stabilization functions. By integrating the engaging portion into the existing belt guide member, the patent achieves improved connector position stability without requiring additional independent components, thus balancing reliability improvement with structural simplicity
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 configuration stabilizes the electric connection between the heater and the connector, preventing the connection from becoming unstable and ensuring consistent heating performance.
Implementation Method 1
The heating portion heats the fixing belt
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a heating portion, and a belt guide member. The heating portion heats the fixing belt. The belt guide member includes a guide portion and an engaging portion. The guide portion guides the fixing belt to move along a moving path. The engaging portion is provided to project from the guide portion outward in a width direction of the fixing belt, wherein the engaging portion is engaged with a connector at an engagement position that intersects with a plane that includes a center, in the width direction, of the connector attached to the heating portion in an attachment direction perpendicular to the width direction.