Fixing Film End Portion Heating for Temperature Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices experience temperature inconsistencies at the end portions of the fixing film due to heat loss when contacting guide members, leading to inadequate temperature maintenance compared to the central portion.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a second heating element along the inner surface guide, which is spaced apart from the nip, to heat the end portions of the endless belt, and a controller to manage the heating elements' states based on sheet width for efficient thermal fixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If guide members are used to guide the end portions of the fixing film, then the fixing film can be properly positioned and guided, but heat is lost at the end portions through contact with the guide members, causing temperature inconsistency
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into multiple independent heating elements: a first heating element for the central portion and second heating elements for the end portions. This segmentation allows independent temperature control of different regions, enabling compensation for heat loss at end portions without affecting the central heating zone.
Solution Approach 2:
Different heating strategies are applied to different locations of the fixing film. The end portions receive additional heating through second heating elements positioned near the guide members, while the central portion is heated by the first heating element. This local quality approach addresses the specific heat loss problem at end portions without over-heating the central area.
2Stability of the object's composition
If second heating element is added to heat end portions, then temperature uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second heating elements are merged with the guide members structure, where the guide members serve dual functions: guiding the fixing film and providing heating capability through integrated heating elements. This merging reduces overall device complexity by combining multiple functions into single components.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide members are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as mechanical guides for the fixing film and as heating elements (second heating elements) to compensate for heat loss. This universality eliminates the need for separate heating components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining temperature uniformity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If second heating element operates continuously, then end portions are adequately heated, but energy is wasted when sheets with minimum width are processed
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system transitions from static continuous operation to dynamic controlled operation. The controller dynamically adjusts the operating state of the second heating elements based on real-time detection of sheet width, enabling the system to adapt its energy consumption to actual processing needs.
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback control mechanism is implemented where the controller monitors sheet width and uses this information to regulate the operation of the second heating elements. When minimum width sheets are detected, the controller provides feedback to turn off the second heating elements, preventing energy waste while maintaining temperature uniformity for normal width sheets.
4Temperature
If second heating element is used for minimum width sheets, then end portions are heated, but overheating occurs since sheets do not contact the heated end portions
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system applies heating action conditionally rather than universally. For minimum width sheets, the second heating elements are turned off to avoid excessive heating, recognizing that the full heating capacity is not needed when the sheet does not contact the heated end portions. This partial action approach prevents harmful overheating while maintaining adequate temperature for normal processing.
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 ensures consistent temperature maintenance at the end portions of the fixing belt, preventing overheating and ensuring effective thermal fixing of images on sheets of varying widths by strategically controlling the heating elements.
Implementation Method 1
a first heating element extending along the endless belt in the first direction and configured to generate heat
Implementation Method 2
The inner surface guide includes a second heating element configured to generate heat
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes an endless belt extending in a first direction and configured to rotate, a nip member extending in the first direction and disposed in contact with an inner surface of the endless belt, a backup member extending in the first direction and disposed in contact with an outer surface of the endless belt such that that the backup roller and the nip member sandwich the endless belt therebetween and the backup member and the endless belt form a nip therebetween, a first heating element extending along the endless belt in the first direction and configured to generate heat, and an inner surface guide disposed in contact with an end portion of the inner surface of the endless belt in the first direction and spaced apart from the nip in a second direction. The inner surface guide includes a second heating element configured to generate heat.