Fixing Device Heat Receiver Upstream Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fixing devices with heat receivers often compromise the fixing properties of images on recording media by altering the heat transfer efficiency, leading to suboptimal heating performance.

Innovation Solution

A fixing device design featuring a first pressing member, a second pressing member with an opposing portion, and a heat receiver positioned upstream of the recording medium transport path, which enhances heating efficiency without changing the fixing properties by pre-heating the recording medium before it reaches the nip area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a heat receiver is added to receive heat from the heat source, then the heating efficiency of the recording medium is improved, but the fixing properties of the image may change

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidfixing properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heat receiver is positioned upstream of the recording medium transport path to pre-heat the recording medium before it enters the fixing nip. This preliminary heating action increases the temperature of the recording medium in advance, improving heating efficiency without interfering with the pressing action at the nip where the image fixation occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The heat receiver is strategically positioned at a specific location upstream of the recording medium transport path, creating a localized heating zone. This localized approach ensures that heat is applied where needed to improve efficiency while avoiding interference with the pressing member's contact area where fixing properties must be maintained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Use of energy by moving object

If the heat receiver is positioned at a portion where it is more likely to change fixing properties, then heating efficiency is enhanced, but image quality may be degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By positioning the heat receiver upstream of the recording medium transport path, the system performs preliminary heating of the recording medium before it reaches the pressing member. This timing ensures that the heat has been transferred to the recording medium without the heat receiver being in the path of the pressed image, thus avoiding image quality degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The recording medium itself acts as an intermediary that carries the heat from the heat receiver to the pressing member. The heat receiver heats the recording medium, which then enters the nip area already warmed, serving as a mediator that transfers thermal energy without direct contact between the heat receiver and the pressed image.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration improves the heating efficiency of the recording medium while maintaining the fixing properties, ensuring effective image fixation without degrading the image quality or altering the pressing characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

a first pressing member that is heated and that presses a recording medium moving along a recording medium transport path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a heat receiver that is disposed upstream of the recording medium transport path and receiving heat from the first pressing member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10459385B2Fixing device and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A fixing device includes a first pressing member that is heated and that presses a recording medium moving along a recording medium transport path; a second pressing member that is disposed opposite the first pressing member across the recording medium transport path and presses the recording medium, the second pressing member including an opposing portion opposing the first pressing member, the opposing portion having, at a part, a pressed portion pressed against the first pressing member; and a heat receiver that is disposed to oppose an upstream portion of the opposing portion, the upstream portion of the opposing portion being located upstream of the pressed portion in a direction in which the recording medium moves, the heat receiver being disposed upstream of the recording medium transport path and receiving heat from the first pressing member.