Fixing Belt Thermal Equalizer for Uniform Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fixing devices in image forming apparatuses face issues with non-uniform temperature distribution along the fixing belt due to the halogen heater's support by a clearance fit, leading to uneven heat application and potential fixing failures, such as uneven gloss and image defects.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a thermal equalizer that contacts the fixing belt to uniform temperature distribution, combined with a halogen heater supported by a clearance fit on a heater support, ensures consistent heat transfer and prevents adhesion failures during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the halogen heater is supported by a clearance fit, then assembly workability is improved, but temperature distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal equalizer is introduced as an intermediary component between the halogen heater and the fixing belt. The thermal equalizer receives heat from the heater (which is easily assembled via clearance fit) and redistributes it uniformly to the fixing belt, mediating between the assembly-friendly heater support and the temperature-uniformity requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal equalizer changes the thermal parameter distribution by conducting heat laterally across its surface. It transforms the non-uniform heat distribution from the clearance-fit heater into a uniform temperature distribution across the fixing belt width, addressing the temperature uniformity issue while maintaining assembly ease.
2Reliability
If the halogen heater is supported by a clearance fit, then adhesion failure is prevented, but heat transfer consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal equalizer serves as a mediator that decouples the adhesion reliability benefit of clearance fit from the heat transfer consistency requirement. It receives inconsistent heat input from the heater and outputs consistent thermal energy to the fixing belt, ensuring reliable heat transfer despite the clearance fit support method.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal equalizer performs preliminary heat redistribution before the heat reaches the fixing belt. By pre-processing the thermal energy and distributing it uniformly across its surface, it ensures consistent heat transfer to the belt, compensating for the inconsistent positioning inherent in clearance fit support.
3Productivity
If the halogen heater is supported by a clearance fit, then assembly yield is improved, but fixing quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal equalizer acts as a quality-assuring intermediary that processes thermal energy between the easily-assembled heater and the fixing belt. It ensures uniform heat distribution to the belt, maintaining high fixing quality despite the simplified clearance fit assembly method used for the heater support.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal equalizer changes the thermal parameter distribution across the fixing width. It transforms the variable heat input from the clearance-fit heater into uniform temperature distribution, ensuring consistent fixing quality across the entire belt width while maintaining high assembly yield.
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 thermal equalizer maintains a uniform temperature along the fixing belt, preventing uneven gloss and fixing failures, while the clearance fit support improves assembly workability and yield without adhesive-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal equalizer configured to contact the fixing belt to uniform a temperature distribution in an axial direction of the fixing belt
Implementation Method 2
a halogen heater supported by a clearance fit on a heater support
Implementation Method 3
a halogen heater supported by a clearance fit on a heater support
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes an endless first rotator, a second rotator configured to contact and press the first rotator, a heater configured to heat the first rotator, a heater support, and a thermal equalizer contacting the first rotator to uniform a temperature distribution in an axial direction of the first rotator. The heater support supports the heater by a clearance fit.