Fixing Device Movable Circuit for Sheet Size Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and part count of fixing devices in image forming apparatuses increase with larger sheet sizes due to the need for multiple subregions and heating control circuits, making them cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a movable member having multiple circuit patterns on its surface, allowing for selective connection of heating elements to a single power supply and heating control circuit, reducing the number of required heating control circuits and simplifying the configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the heating region is divided into multiple subregions with independent heating control circuits, then heating control for various sheet sizes is improved, but device complexity and part count increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple circuit patterns that were previously distributed across separate heating control circuits are merged into a single integrated circuit pattern on the movable member. This allows one heating control circuit to control multiple heating elements through different circuit patterns, reducing the number of heating control circuits while maintaining adaptability for various sheet sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The single heating control circuit is designed to perform multiple functions by selecting different circuit patterns on the movable member. Each circuit pattern enables the same heating control circuit to control different combinations of heating elements, making the circuit universal for handling various sheet sizes without requiring dedicated circuits for each size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of subregions increases to handle larger sheets, then adaptability to different sheet sizes is improved, but the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple circuit patterns are combined into a single circuit structure on the movable member, allowing one heating control circuit to replace multiple heating control circuits. The circuit pattern can be selectively connected to heating elements based on sheet size requirements, reducing the quantity of heating control circuits needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit pattern on the movable member is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable through movement and selection of different circuit patterns. This dynamic capability allows the same physical circuit to serve multiple functions that would otherwise require multiple static circuits, reducing the overall number of parts.
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 allows for efficient heating control across various sheet sizes with reduced complexity and part count, enabling flexible and simplified operation of the fixing device.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of heating elements 54 arranged in a main scanning direction and generating heat
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a plurality of heating elements, a plurality of first terminals, a second terminal, a movable member, a first conductive circuit and a second conductive circuit. The heating elements are arranged in a main scanning direction and generate heat. The first terminals are electrically connected to the heating elements. The second terminal is electrically connected to a power supply that supplies electric power to the heating elements. The first conductive circuit and the second conductive circuit are provided on a surface of the movable member. The first conductive circuit is configured to electrically connect a first combination of one or more of the first terminals with the second terminal. The second conductive circuit is configured to electrically connect a different, second combination of one or more of the first terminals with the second terminal.