Fixing Device Air Vent Diameter Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fixing devices face issues with image nonuniformity due to air vents, and existing solutions either increase the number of components or are inefficient in reducing this problem.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a feeding belt and a heating source that uses a specific equation (db·Φb·K < 44.9) to optimize the diameter of air vents and belt thickness, ensuring radiant heat distribution and minimizing temperature differences to reduce image nonuniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air vents are provided in the feeding belt to suck recording material, then feeding capability is improved, but image nonuniformity occurs due to heat dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by establishing a specific mathematical relationship (db·Φb·K < 44.9) that connects belt thickness, air vent diameter, and material properties. By optimizing these parameters within the defined range, the invention simultaneously maintains effective feeding capability through adequate air vent sizing while limiting heat dissipation to preserve image uniformity, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and manufacturing precision
2Manufacturing precision
If heating source is added to heat the belt to alleviate heat dissipation, then image uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from a separate heating source and integrates it into the belt structure itself through resistive heating elements embedded in the belt. This eliminates the need for external heating devices while maintaining image uniformity, thus improving manufacturing precision without increasing device complexity
3Productivity
If air vent diameter is increased to improve feeding, then feeding efficiency is improved, but heat dissipation increases causing image nonuniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by defining an optimal air vent diameter through the equation db·Φb·K < 44.9. This mathematical constraint allows sufficient air vent size for effective feeding while limiting the total vent area to control heat dissipation, thereby simultaneously achieving good feeding efficiency and temperature control to prevent image nonuniformity
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 effectively reduces image nonuniformity without increasing the number of components, achieving a glass difference of 1° or less, which is visually imperceptible, thereby enhancing the uniformity of the image formed on the recording material.
Implementation Method 1
a heating source for heating the image on the recording material fed by the feeding belt, by radiant heat
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of air vents, provided in a region of the feeding belt on which the recording material is fed, for sucking the recording material onto the feeding belt; a fan for sucking the recording material toward the feeding belt
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device for fixing an image comprising a liquid developer on a recording material includes a feeding belt for feeding the recording material; a plurality of air vents, provided in a region of the feeding belt on which the recording material is fed, for sucking the recording material onto the feeding belt; a fan for sucking the recording material toward the feeding belt; and a heating source for heating the image on the recording material fed by the feeding belt, by radiant heat, and satisfies the following equation:db·Φb·K<44.9,whereinK: ρb·cb/λp·ρp·dp·cpcp: specific heat of developer and recording material (J/g·K)ρp: density of developer and recording material (g/cm3)dp: thickness of developer and recording material (mm)λp: thermal conductivity of developer and recording material (W/(m·K))cb: specific heat of belt (J/g·K)ρb: density of belt (g/cm3)db: thickness of belt (mm)Φb: diameter of air vent of belt (mm).