Fixing Device Connector Retention With Heater-Holder Abutment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The concern of connector detachment or contact failure between the terminal and electrode of a sheet-shaped heater in a fixing device due to external forces during assembly, which can compromise electrical connectivity and safety.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device design featuring a unit holder with an abutment portion that contacts the heater holder when a force is applied, and a connector with an engagement portion that restricts detachment, along with a shielding portion to protect electrical terminals, ensuring stable electrical connection and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking member is added to prevent connector detachment, then connector reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking member function with the existing connector structure by integrating a locking protrusion on the connector body that engages with a locking groove on the heater holder. This merging approach provides reliable locking without adding separate, complex locking mechanisms, thus improving connector reliability while minimizing increases in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an abutment portion as an intermediary structural element between the connector and heater holder. This abutment portion absorbs and distributes external forces applied to the connector, preventing these forces from directly affecting the electrical contact terminals. By serving as a force-distributing intermediary, it enhances connector reliability under external loading without requiring complex reinforcement structures.
2Reliability
If the connector structure is reinforced to resist external forces, then connection stability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking protrusion and locking groove are integrated directly into the connector and heater holder bodies respectively, forming a unified structural solution. This merging eliminates the need for separate reinforcement components, making the reinforced structure just as easy to manufacture as the original simple connector design while significantly improving stability under external forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector structure performs multiple functions through its own integrated features: the locking protrusion provides automatic mechanical interlocking, the abutment portion distributes external forces, and the overall structure guides proper alignment during assembly. This self-service approach allows the connector to reinforce itself without requiring additional components or complex assembly procedures, maintaining ease of manufacture while improving stability.
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 design effectively prevents connector detachment and maintains electrical connectivity by minimizing positional changes and protecting electrical components from external forces, enhancing safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a heater having a long and narrow sheet-like shape, wherein the heater is disposed in an internal space of the film along a longitudinal direction of the film
Implementation Method 2
the connector includes an engagement portion configured to engage with a to-be-engaged portion of the unit holder in such a manner as to restrict the connector from becoming detached
Implementation Method 3
the unit holder includes an abutment portion with which the heater holder comes into contact when a force in a direction toward the roller is applied to the connector
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a roller, an apparatus frame, a connector and a heating unit having a film having a tubular shape, a heater, a heater holder disposed in an internal space of the film, and a unit holder disposed at a position at which the unit holder faces an end surface of the film in a longitudinal direction of the film. The connector includes an engagement portion configured to engage with a to-be-engaged portion of the unit holder in such a manner as to restrict the connector from becoming detached when a force in a direction in which the connector is detached is applied to the connector in a state in which the connector is electrically connected to the heater. The unit holder includes an abutment portion with which the heater holder comes into contact when a force in a direction toward the roller is applied to the connector.