Fixing Device Heat Insulating Member Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fixing devices with a halogen heater, heat inflow to the pressing member reduces the heating efficiency of the fixing film, leading to increased electrical power consumption during continuous sheet passing.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a rotatable endless belt, a heat source, a nip forming member, a contact member, a reflecting portion, a heat conducting portion, and a heat insulating member, where the heat insulating member with specific thickness and thermal conductivity is placed between the nip forming members to suppress heat inflow to the pressing member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a halogen heater is used to heat the fixing film, then the thermal capacity of the fixing member is reduced and warm-up time is shortened, but heat flows to the pressing member during continuous sheet passing, reducing heating efficiency and increasing electrical power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
A heat insulating member is introduced as an intermediary between the pressing member and the heat source. This insulating member has specific thermal conductivity (0.02-0.05 W/m·K) and thickness (t≥100 μm) to block heat flow to the pressing member while allowing the fixing film to be heated efficiently by the halogen heater, thus resolving the contradiction between rapid warm-up and energy efficiency during continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal conductivity and thickness parameters of the insulating member are precisely controlled (0.02-0.05 W/m·K and t≥100 μm respectively) to optimize the balance between heat insulation performance and structural constraints. This parameter optimization allows the system to maintain efficient heating of the fixing film while minimizing heat loss to the pressing member during continuous sheet passing
2Reliability
If the pressing member is positioned close to the heat source for efficient fixing, then the fixing performance is improved, but heat inflow to the pressing member increases, reducing heating efficiency of the fixing film
Solution Approach 1:
The heat insulating member serves as a thermal barrier between the pressing member and the halogen heater, allowing the pressing member to be positioned in close proximity to the heat source for effective fixing while preventing excessive heat flow to the pressing member. This maintains high heating efficiency for the fixing film while ensuring reliable fixing performance through proper thermal management
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 reduces electrical power consumption by minimizing heat transfer to the pressing member, maintaining efficient heating of the fixing film and reducing overall power usage during continuous sheet passing.
Implementation Method 1
The reflecting portion is configured to reflect, toward the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt, radiation heat from the heat source toward the nip forming member
Implementation Method 2
The heat conducting portion contacts the contact member and is configured to conduct heat of the reflecting portion to the contact member
Implementation Method 3
The heat insulating member is provided between the first member and the second member. A thickness t (μm) and thermal conductivity λ (W/m·K) of the heat insulating member satisfy the following relationships: t≥100 (μm); and 0.02 (W/m·K)≤λ≤0.05 (W/m·K)
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device including an endless belt, a heat source, a rotatable member forming a nip together with a belt, a nip forming member, a contact member contacting an inner peripheral surface of the belt, a reflecting portion reflecting radiation heat from the heat source toward the nip forming member, a heat conducting portion, and a heat insulating member. The nip forming member includes a first member having a U-shape made of metal and open on a side opposite from the rotatable member and a second member provided inside the first member. The heat conducting portion conducts heat of the reflecting portion to the contact member. The heat insulating member is provided between the first member and the second member. A thickness t (μm) and thermal conductivity λ (W/m·K) of the heat insulating member satisfy:t≥100 (μm)0.02 (W/m·K)≤λ≤0.05 (W/m·K).