Fixing Device Exit Rollers Heat Transfer via Support Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices in image forming apparatuses face issues with temperature unevenness and gloss unevenness due to inadequate heat transfer to the rollers, leading to potential damage to the toner image during the fixing process.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a first rotating member (heating roll) that heats the sheet, a second rotating member (pressure roll) for pinching and pressing, and a third rotating member (rollers) that guides the sheet while receiving heat from the first member through a support structure (ducts) to maintain consistent temperature and prevent image damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat is transferred to the third rotating member through the support member, then temperature uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member acts as an intermediary element that facilitates heat transfer from the first rotating member to the third rotating member. This mediator structure enables controlled thermal coupling between components that are not in direct contact, achieving temperature uniformity while maintaining structural organization and manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is structured with multiple heat transfer paths including contact portions and spaces, dividing the heat transfer function into segmented zones. This segmentation allows different regions of the support member to perform specialized thermal functions, improving overall temperature distribution while keeping each segment's design relatively simple.
2Reliability
If the third rotating member is heated to prevent image damage, then image quality is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The third rotating member receives heat passively from the first rotating member through the support member's heat transfer structure, rather than requiring its own independent heating system. This self-heating approach ensures the member is warm enough to prevent image damage upon sheet contact, while avoiding the additional energy consumption of a separate heater.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member serves as a thermal intermediary that efficiently transfers heat from the primary heating element to the third rotating member. This intermediary heat transfer mechanism achieves the necessary temperature for image protection without requiring direct high-energy input to the third member.
3Loss of energy
If heat transfer space is provided between first and third rotating members, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member provides heat transfer spaces only in specific local regions where thermal coupling is needed, rather than creating uniform gaps throughout the entire structure. This localized approach to heat transfer space optimization improves thermal efficiency at the interface between members while minimizing the overall volume increase of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat transfer function is achieved by utilizing the spatial dimension between the first and third rotating members in the radial direction, rather than requiring additional axial space. The support member's contact portions and spaces are arranged to exploit this dimensional arrangement, enabling efficient heat transfer without proportionally increasing the device's overall volume.
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 ensures consistent heat transfer to the rollers, reducing temperature and gloss unevenness, thereby protecting the toner image and improving the quality of the fixed image.
Implementation Method 1
a support member that supports the first, second, and third rotating members with a space through which the heat of the first rotating member is transferred to the third rotating member interposed between the first and third rotating members
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a fixing device that includes a first rotating member that rotates while pinching a sheet which holds an image on a first surface of the sheet and is transported, fixes the image to the sheet, and heats the image while coming into contact with the first surface. Further provided is a second rotating member that comes into contact with a second surface that is a back surface of the first surface, a third rotating member that guides the sheet by rotating while coming into contact with the first surface of the sheet fed from a gap between the first and second rotating members, and a support member that supports the first, second, and third rotating members with a space through which the heat of the first rotating member is transferred to the third rotating member interposed between the first and third rotating members.