Fixing Heater Segmentation for Non-Passage Heat Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The issue of paper non-passage portion temperature rise in fixing devices occurs when narrower recording materials are continuously printed, leading to potential damage of fixing members due to temperature fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a first and second heat generating member of varying lengths, controlled by a switching unit and a control unit to alternately supply power based on temperature detection, ensuring balanced temperature distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single long heater is used to heat the fixing film, then the heating coverage is sufficient for wide recording materials, but temperature rises significantly in non-passage portions when narrow recording materials are continuously printed
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is divided into multiple independent heating elements (first heating element, second heating element, third heating element) with different lengths in the longitudinal direction. This segmentation allows selective activation of appropriate heating zones based on recording material width, preventing temperature accumulation in non-passage portions while maintaining sufficient heating coverage for the material being processed.
2Temperature
If the heater length is reduced to prevent non-passage portion temperature rise, then temperature control improves, but heating coverage becomes insufficient for wider recording materials
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects which heating elements to activate based on the detected width of the recording material. The control unit adjusts the heating configuration in real-time: using only the first heating element for narrow materials, combining first and second elements for medium widths, and activating all three elements for wide materials. This dynamic adaptation maintains optimal temperature control while ensuring adequate heating coverage for any material width.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heating elements with different lengths are used, then adaptability to different recording material widths improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different heating elements are positioned to provide localized heating zones with specific length characteristics. The first heating element covers the central region, the second heating element extends to one side, and the third heating element extends to the other side. This local quality differentiation allows the system to activate only the necessary heating zones for each material width, achieving high adaptability while keeping the structural complexity manageable through systematic arrangement.
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 overheating of fixing members by maintaining optimal temperature across the fixing nip portion, reducing the risk of damage and ensuring consistent image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a heater provided with a first heat generating member on a substrate and a second heat generating member of which a length in a longitudinal direction is shorter than a length of the first heat generating member; and constituted to heat the first rotatable member
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a heater provided with a first heat generator on a substrate and a second heat generator of which a length in a longitudinal direction is shorter than that of the first heat generator, a temperature detector of the heater, a switch for switching a power supply path from an AC power source to the first heat generator or the second heat generator. A controller for controlling the switch to supply power to the first heat generator or the second heat generator. The controller executes a first control in which the switch supplies the power to the first heat generator, and switches a second control in which the switch supplies the power alternately to the first heat generator or the second heat generator when the detected temperature reaches a threshold temperature.