Fixing Film Heating with Segmented Heat Elements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, such as laser printers, face challenges in quickly heating the fixing film to a fixable temperature due to reliance on halogen lamps, which prolongs the First Print Output Time (FPOT) and makes it difficult to initiate the printing process promptly after a printing instruction is input.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a fixing device that incorporates a combination of a first heat element, a second heat element, a nip member, a reflection member, and a supporting member to enhance heat transfer and distribution, where the second heat element is strategically positioned to supplement heating at the film's end portions, reducing heat loss and allowing for quicker temperature rise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a halogen lamp is used as a heating element to heat the fixing film, then the fixing film can be heated to the fixable temperature, but the heat up time is prolonged and the First Print Output Time (FPOT) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into two distinct heat elements: a first heat element (halogen lamp) positioned inside the film loop and a second heat element positioned outside the film loop. This segmentation allows each heat element to serve a specific heating zone, with the second heat element specifically targeting the end portions of the film that lose heat to the surroundings, thereby reducing overall heat up time without compromising the temperature uniformity needed for proper fixing
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the fixing film are provided with different heating characteristics. The first heat element provides primary heating for the central region of the film, while the second heat element provides supplemental heating specifically to the end portions of the film. This local quality approach addresses the specific heat loss problem at the film ends without over-heating other regions, thus reducing total heat up time while maintaining temperature uniformity
2Use of energy by moving object
If the halogen lamp is turned off under standby condition, then energy consumption is reduced, but when printing is required the lamp must be turned on and significant time is lost before the fixing process can begin
Solution Approach 1:
The second heat element is positioned and configured to provide preliminary heating to the end portions of the fixing film during standby conditions. This preliminary action ensures that when printing is required and the first heat element is activated, the film is already partially warmed, particularly at the vulnerable end portions, thereby significantly reducing the time needed to reach the fixable temperature while maintaining lower overall energy consumption during idle periods
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 significantly reduces the time required for the fixing film to reach the fixable temperature, thereby improving the First Print Output Time (FPOT) by ensuring efficient and rapid heating, enabling faster initiation of the printing process.
Implementation Method 1
A known fixing device includes a halogen lamp as a heating element. A nip plate and a fixing film are heated by a radiant heat from the halogen lamp.
Implementation Method 2
The reflection member may be configured to surround the first heat element with the nip member and reflect a radiant heat from the first heat element to the nip member.
Implementation Method 3
The second heat element may be disposed in at least one of the second plate portion, the third plate portion, one end portion of the nip member in the third direction, and another end portion of the nip member in the third direction.
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a film, a first heat element, a second heat element, a nip member, a reflection member and a supporting member, which are disposed inside a loop of the film, and a pressing member. The nip member contacts the inner circumferential surface of the film. The reflection member surrounds the first heat element with the nip member and reflects radiant heat from the first heat element to the nip member. The pressing member presses the film toward the nip member. The supporting member covers the reflection member, supports the nip member, and includes a first plate portion, a second plate portion and a third plate portion. The second heat element is disposed in at least one of the second plate portion, the third plate portion, one end portion of the nip member, and another end portion of the nip member.