Fixing Belt Insulation Grooves for Thermal Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The heat transfer efficiency in image fixing devices is deteriorated due to direct heat transfer from a heat source to a pressure member, leading to reduced heating performance and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An image fixing device with a heat insulation structure, featuring a supporting member with heat insulation grooves on its surface to reduce thermal conductivity, and a heat blocking member to reflect heat back to the fixing belt, enhancing heating performance while reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a supporting member is provided in the fixing belt to support the inner circumferential surface, then the structural stability is improved, but the heat transfer efficiency is deteriorated due to direct heat transfer to the pressure member
Solution Approach 1:
A heat insulation groove is introduced as an intermediary structure between the supporting member and the pressure member. This groove filled with heat insulation material acts as a thermal barrier that prevents direct heat transfer from the fixing belt through the supporting member to the pressure member, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural support and heat insulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat insulation groove is filled with heat insulation material that creates a porous or low-density structure between the supporting member and pressure member. This porous material reduces thermal conductivity while maintaining the mechanical support function, allowing the supporting member to provide structural stability while minimizing heat transfer to the pressure member.
2Use of energy by moving object
If heat insulation grooves are formed in the supporting member, then the heating performance is improved and power consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member is segmented by forming heat insulation grooves that divide it into multiple sections. These grooves create discrete insulation zones that can be manufactured using standard processes, making the heat insulation function achievable without requiring complete redesign of the supporting member structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal conductivity parameter of the supporting member is changed by introducing heat insulation grooves filled with low-conductivity material. This parameter modification allows the supporting member to provide both mechanical support and thermal insulation functions, improving heating efficiency while managing the increase in device complexity through conventional manufacturing techniques.
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 heat insulation structure improves heating performance and reduces power consumption by minimizing heat transfer to the pressure member, ensuring consistent image fixing and increased fixedness on the printing medium.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of heat insulation grooves formed in a surface of the supporting member so as to reduce thermal conductivity of the supporting member
Implementation Method 2
a heat source configured to generate heat, a fixing belt heated by the heat source
Data Source
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AI summary
An image fixing device (100) includes a heat source (130) configured to generate heat, a fixing belt (120) heated by the heat source and disposed to be rotatable, a rotational member (110) disposed to be opposite to the fixing belt and to press a printing medium to the fixing belt, and a supporting member (182) to support an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt so as to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the rotational member and having a plurality of heat insulation grooves (188) formed in a surface thereof so as to reduce thermal conductivity of the supporting member. By the configuration of the present general inventive concept, it is possible to prevent or minimize a heat loss of the fixing belt and thus to enhance image forming efficiency.