Fixing Device Heating Member Segmentation for Temperature Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional belt-type fixing devices experience overheating and temperature distribution issues when handling printing media of varying widths, leading to inefficient heat transfer and potential damage, especially with smaller width media, and can result in 'hot offset' when switching between different width media.
Innovation Solution
The fixing device employs a heating member with at least two heaters, one for the central portion and another for the ends of the fixing belt, controlled by sensors to maintain even temperature distribution across the belt, preventing overheating and ensuring consistent heat application regardless of the printing medium's width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single heating member is used to heat the fixing belt, then the device complexity is reduced, but the temperature distribution uniformity across the fixing belt deteriorates when processing printing media of varying widths
Solution Approach 1:
The heating member is divided into multiple independent heating sections (first heating section and second heating section) that can be controlled separately. Each heating section corresponds to different width regions of the fixing belt, allowing independent temperature control to maintain uniform temperature distribution across the entire belt width regardless of printing media width.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the fixing belt are provided with different heating characteristics. The first heating section is positioned to heat central regions effectively, while the second heating section targets edge regions. This local differentiation ensures that each area of the fixing belt receives appropriate heat according to its specific thermal requirements.
2Productivity
If the fixing belt is heated continuously to maintain high temperature for fast processing, then the productivity is improved, but the risk of overheating and damage increases when processing narrow printing media
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system transitions from static continuous heating to dynamic selective heating. The control unit dynamically activates only the necessary heating sections based on detected printing media width, allowing the system to maintain high temperatures for fast processing of wide media while preventing overheating of the fixing belt when processing narrow media.
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor detects the width of the printing media and provides feedback to the control unit, which then adjusts the heating configuration accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that heating is applied only where and when needed, maintaining productivity while preventing overheating and extending fixing belt durability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the heating member is positioned to optimize heat transfer to the fixing belt, then the heat conduction efficiency is improved, but the latitudinal temperature distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heating member is segmented into multiple heating sections positioned at different latitudinal locations. The first heating section is positioned to optimize heat transfer to central regions of the fixing belt, while the second heating section is positioned to optimize heat transfer to edge regions. This segmentation allows each section to operate at optimal heat conduction efficiency for its specific region while collectively maintaining uniform latitudinal temperature distribution.
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 solution maintains a consistent latitudinal temperature distribution across the fixing belt, preventing overheating and damage, and reduces the risk of 'hot offset', enabling efficient and safe printing across different media widths while ensuring high-quality output.
Implementation Method 1
a heating member mounted in one of the first roller member and the second roller member to heat the belt member
Implementation Method 2
a sensor member to control a temperature of the belt member
Implementation Method 3
a pressing roller 10, a fixing belt 20 which rotates in contact with the pressing roller 10 and forms a nip N
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a pressing member, a belt member which rotates in contact with the pressing member and forms a nip with the pressing member, a first roller member and a second roller member to guide a rotation of the belt member, and a heating member which is mounted in one of the first roller member or the second roller member to heat the belt member, the heating member including at least two heaters to respectively heat at least two areas on the belt member corresponding to at least two width dimensions substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the one of the first roller member and the second roller member, and a sensor member to control a temperature of the belt member. The heating member includes a first heater to heat a central portion of the one of the first roller member and the second roller member, and a second heater to heat opposite ends of the one of the first roller member and the second roller member.