Fixing Device Reflection Body Radiant Heat Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices in electrographic image forming apparatuses require longer warm-up times due to heat escaping from the heating member to the pressing member via the fixing nip, which affects heating efficiency and energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a heating member, a pressing member, a first and second heating source, a reflection body, and a controller, where the reflection body reflects radiant heat from one heating source towards the fixing nip and blocks heat from the other, and the controller adjusts the operation of the heating sources to prioritize heating the heating member efficiently, ensuring the heating member reaches the sheet-passable temperature quickly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heating member is pressed against the pressing member at the fixing nip to heat and press the sheet, then the toner image can be fixed on the sheet, but heat escapes from the heating member to the pressing member via the fixing nip, resulting in longer warm-up time
Solution Approach 1:
The heating member is divided into multiple heating zones with separate heating sources (first heating source and second heating source) positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows independent control of heating in different regions, enabling the non-nip side to be heated more intensively during warm-up without affecting the pressing member through the fixing nip.
Solution Approach 2:
Different heating sources provide different heating intensities to different locations of the heating member. The second heating source, positioned to irradiate the non-nip side, provides stronger heating locally to that region, while the reflection body directs this heat toward the nip side internally, creating localized heating quality that reduces warm-up time without causing excessive heat loss to the pressing member.
2Use of energy by moving object
If multiple heating sources are housed in the heating member to increase heating efficiency, then the heating member can be heated more effectively, but heat may escape to the pressing member via the fixing nip, requiring longer warm-up time
Solution Approach 1:
The reflection body acts as an intermediary element that redirects radiant heat from the second heating source (positioned on the non-nip side) toward the fixing nip side portion of the heating member. This mediator redirects heat internally within the heating member structure, allowing the non-nip side to be heated more intensively without directly exposing the nip side to excessive external heat that would escape to the pressing member.
Solution Approach 2:
The second heating source is positioned on the non-nip side (a different spatial dimension relative to the fixing nip) and the reflection body redirects heat from this alternative direction toward the nip side internally. This dimensional approach allows heating from a location that does not directly contact the pressing member, reducing heat loss while maintaining heating efficiency.
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 warm-up time and enhances heating efficiency by preventing heat loss to the pressing member, allowing for more effective heating of the heating member and energy savings.
Implementation Method 1
The reflection body is configured to reflect radiant heat irradiated from the first heating source toward a fixing nip side portion of the heating member
Implementation Method 2
a first heating source and a second heating source which generates radiant heat so as to heat the heating member
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a heating member, a pressing member, a first heating source, a second heating source and a reflection body. The reflection body reflects radiant heat irradiated from the first heating source toward a fixing nip side portion of the heating member and blocks radiant heat irradiated from the second heating source toward the fixing nip side portion of the heating member. After the heating of the heating member by either one of the heating sources is started until the heating member is heated to the sheet-passable temperature, an amount of radiant heat from the second heating source is larger than that of radiant heat from the first heating source, and after the heating member is heated to the sheet-passable temperature, an amount of radiant heat from the first heating source is larger than that of radiant heat from the second heating source.