Fixing Duct Structure to Prevent Toner Fallout on Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing fixing systems, unnecessary matter such as toner components can fall onto the recording medium from the exhaust duct, causing contamination and quality issues.
Innovation Solution
The fixing system incorporates a duct with an opening portion, a protruding portion, and a collection portion to prevent unnecessary matter from falling onto the recording medium by collecting and removing it from the exhaust duct.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple exhaust duct is used to remove air from the fixing device, then the exhaust function is achieved, but unnecessary matter falls onto the recording medium causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust duct is divided into multiple functional sections: a suction port section, a flow upward section, and a discharge port section. The collection portion is integrated into the duct structure to segment the exhaust path and intercept unnecessary matter before it reaches the recording medium, thereby preventing contamination while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection portion acts as an intermediary element within the exhaust duct system. It intercepts and collects unnecessary matter (toner components) that would otherwise fall onto the recording medium, serving as a mediator between the exhaust airflow and the recording medium to prevent harmful contamination.
2Productivity
If the duct allows air to flow upward to discharge outside, then exhaust function is improved, but unnecessary matter generated inside duct can fall down
Solution Approach 1:
The collection portion is positioned within the exhaust duct to perform preliminary collection of unnecessary matter before the air flow completes its upward journey and discharges outside. This preliminary action prevents the harmful matter from being discharged or falling onto the recording medium, while maintaining the upward flow path for effective exhaust.
Solution Approach 2:
The upward flowing air that could potentially carry harmful matter is converted into a beneficial flow pattern. By positioning the collection portion to utilize this upward flow, the system captures unnecessary matter that would otherwise be dispersed or fall onto the recording medium, transforming a potential harm into an effective collection mechanism.
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
Prevents contamination of the recording medium by effectively capturing and removing unnecessary matter from the exhaust duct, ensuring higher print quality and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a first rotating body that is heated by a heating unit and is rotated
Implementation Method 2
a fixing device that melts and fixes a toner image formed on a sheet
Implementation Method 3
a duct that allows a part of air present on an outlet side of the passage portion to flow such that the air is sucked in from a suction port
Implementation Method 4
allows the air to flow upward at least once
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing system includes: a fixing device including a first rotating body that is heated by a heating unit and is rotated, and a second rotating body that is rotated while being in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body to form a passage portion through which a recording medium on which a toner image is formed is to pass; and an exhaust device including a duct that allows a part of air present on an outlet side of the passage portion to flow such that the air is sucked in from a suction port, flows upward at least once, and is then discharged to an outside from a discharge port, and a fan that generates a force for causing air to be sucked into the duct and causing the sucked air to flow, in which the duct includes an opening portion that is provided at a position in a middle of a portion of the duct allowing the air to flow upward and takes in air from the outside of the duct, a protruding portion that protrudes into the duct from an inner wall surface portion facing the opening portion, and a collection portion that is provided at a position below the protruding portion and collects unnecessary matter generated inside the duct and falling down.