Fixing Device Dual Blower Cooling Non-Sheet Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
As processing speeds increase in image forming apparatuses, cooling the non-sheet-passing areas of the fixing device becomes difficult due to excessive temperature rise, leading to potential fixing failures when using fans to cool both sheet-passing and non-sheet-passing areas.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual blower system where the first blower blows air to the non-sheet-passing areas of both the heating and pressurizing members, with the second blower assisting only when the temperature exceeds a threshold, ensuring effective cooling without overheating or undercooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the fixing temperature is increased to match processing speed improvements, then productivity increases, but the non-sheet-passing area temperature rise becomes excessive and difficult to cool
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into two independent blowers: a first blower that continuously cools the non-sheet-passing area, and a second blower that activates only when additional cooling is needed. This segmentation allows targeted cooling of specific thermal zones without interfering with the sheet-passing area temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The second blower operates dynamically based on temperature conditions, activating only when the non-sheet-passing area temperature exceeds acceptable thresholds. This dynamic operation allows the system to adapt cooling intensity to actual thermal conditions while maintaining high processing speeds.
2Temperature
If a fan blows air toward the film to cool the non-sheet-passing area, then cooling effectiveness improves, but the air may move around the shutter and cool the sheet-passing area causing fixing failure
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling airflow is segmented into two separate streams: one from the first blower that targets the non-sheet-passing area, and another from the second blower that provides supplemental cooling only when needed. This segmentation prevents airflow from reaching the sheet-passing area and causing fixing failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter acts as an intermediary element that controls and directs airflow paths. By positioning the blowers and using the shutter structure, the system mediates between the need for cooling the non-sheet-passing area and the need to protect the sheet-passing area from excessive cooling.
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 dual blower system effectively suppresses temperature increases in non-sheet-passing areas, preventing fixing failures and maintaining optimal operating conditions for the image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a first blower configured to blow air to a non-sheet-passing area of a small-size recording medium in the heating member
Implementation Method 2
a second blower configured to blow air to a non-sheet-passing area of a small-size recording medium in the pressurizing member
Implementation Method 3
A recording medium that bears a toner image is heated by the heat of the first fixing member at the nip portion
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a recording medium includes an image forming unit that forms an unfixed toner image on a recording medium; a fixing unit that heats the recording medium bearing the unfixed toner image and fixes the unfixed toner image onto the recording medium at a nip portion; a heating member and a pressurizing member that touches the heating member and forms the nip portion therebetween; a first blower that blows air to a non-sheet-passing area of a small-size recording medium in the heating member; and a second blower that blows air to a non-sheet-passing area of a small-size recording medium in the pressurizing member. Upon the temperature of the non-sheet-passing area of the heating member exceeding a threshold temperature, the first blower blows without the second blower blowing, then the two blowers start blowing together.