Fixing Device Heat Insulator Warm-Up Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fixing devices in image forming apparatuses have a heat insulator with high heat capacity, which decreases the amount of heat conducted to the heat conductor, leading to longer warm-up times and increased energy consumption in achieving the predetermined fixing temperature for toner image fixation on recording media.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a flexible endless belt and a heat conductor heated by a heater, where a support and a heat insulator are used to shield the nip formation pad and support from direct heat, optimizing heat transfer and reducing warm-up time while maintaining the durability of the nip formation pad.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heat insulator with increased heat capacity is used to shield the nip formation pad from the heater, then the durability of the nip formation pad is enhanced, but the amount of heat conducted to the heat conductor decreases, leading to longer warm-up time and increased energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the heat insulator from high heat capacity materials to low heat capacity materials (such as resin or ceramic materials with specific heat capacity between 0.5-2.0 J/g·K). This parameter change allows the heat insulator to maintain its shielding function while minimizing the reduction of heat conduction to the heat conductor, thereby resolving the contradiction between durability enhancement and warm-up time reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures where the heat insulator is combined with the heat conductor and nip formation pad in a multi-layer configuration. This composite arrangement allows optimized heat management: the heat insulator protects the nip formation pad while the heat conductor efficiently transfers heat to the endless belt, balancing both durability and heating efficiency requirements.
2Reliability
If a heat insulator with increased heat capacity is used to shield the nip formation pad from the heater, then the durability of the nip formation pad is enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the heat capacity parameter of the heat insulator material to fall within a specific range (0.5-2.0 J/g·K). This parameter optimization ensures that the heat insulator provides adequate protection to the nip formation pad while minimizing unnecessary heat absorption that would increase energy consumption during warm-up operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different components: the heat insulator uses materials with specific thermal properties optimized for local heat shielding, while the heat conductor uses materials with high thermal conductivity for efficient heat transfer. This local quality differentiation allows the system to achieve both durability and energy efficiency.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the heat insulator is made with higher heat capacity to protect the nip formation pad, then shielding effectiveness improves, but the heating efficiency of the heat conductor deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the heat capacity parameter of the heat insulator material to a lower value (0.5-2.0 J/g·K) compared to traditional high heat capacity materials. This parameter change maintains adequate heat shielding effectiveness for protecting the nip formation pad while significantly improving the heating efficiency of the heat conductor by reducing excessive heat absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat insulator acts as an intermediary component with optimized thermal properties. It mediates between the heater and the nip formation pad, providing sufficient protection while allowing adequate heat transmission to the heat conductor. This intermediary function is achieved through careful selection of materials with specific heat capacity ranges.
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 warm-up time and energy consumption while ensuring efficient heat transfer to the fixing belt, ensuring precise and rapid fixation of toner images on recording media, and extends the durability of the nip formation pad.
Implementation Method 1
A heat insulator is interposed between the heater and the nip formation pad and the support to shield the nip formation pad and the support from the heater
Implementation Method 2
A heater is disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the heat conductor to heat the heat conductor
Implementation Method 3
a heat conductor disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt to heat the endless belt
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a heat conductor disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of an endless belt to heat the endless belt. A nip formation pad is disposed opposite the inner circumferential surface of the endless belt and presses the endless belt against a pressing rotary body to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the pressing rotary body through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A support is disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the heat conductor and contacts an abutment face of the nip formation pad to support the nip formation pad against pressure from the pressing rotary body. A heat insulator is interposed between the heater and the nip formation pad and the support to shield the nip formation pad and the support from the heater.