Fixing Device Heater Spacing for Uniform Heat and Lower Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fixing devices face challenges in uniformly distributing heat while minimizing the size of the thermal conductive member to prevent unnecessary heat loss.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a heater with first and second resistance heating elements positioned apart in the conveying direction, and a thermal conductive member with dimensions greater than the distance between these elements, ensuring uniform heat distribution and minimizing unnecessary heat loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the thermal conductive member is made larger to ensure uniform heat distribution, then heat distribution uniformity is improved, but heat loss increases and energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal conductive member is designed with non-uniform thickness, having a first thickness in a first region and a second thickness in a second region. This local variation in thickness allows different regions to have different thermal conductance, enabling uniform heat distribution across the heater surface while minimizing the overall size and heat loss to the substrate.
2Loss of energy
If the thermal conductive member is made smaller to reduce heat loss, then energy efficiency is improved, but heat distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By making the thermal conductive member smaller overall while introducing local thickness variations, the design achieves both reduced heat loss and maintained heat distribution uniformity. The thicker regions provide enhanced thermal conduction where needed, while the thinner regions reduce unnecessary heat loss to the substrate.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the thermal conductive member thickness is increased to improve heat conduction, then heat distribution uniformity is improved, but the device complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal conductive member features a simple yet effective structure with only two distinct thickness regions. This localized thickness variation achieves improved heat distribution uniformity without significantly increasing device complexity or material usage, as the overall member remains relatively thin in most areas.
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 maintains uniform heat distribution and reduces unnecessary heat loss, thereby optimizing energy efficiency and power usage.
Implementation Method 1
The heater includes a substrate, a first resistance heating element, and a second resistance heating element. The first resistance heating element extends in a crossing direction crossing the conveying direction. The first resistance heating element is provided on the first surface of the substrate. The second resistance heating element extends in the crossing direction.
Implementation Method 2
The thermal conductive member is in contact with the second surface of the substrate. In the conveying direction, the thermal conductive member has a dimension that is greater than the predetermined distance and smaller than or equal to a dimension of the nipping portion.
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a heating rotary body, a pressure rotary body, a heater, and a thermal conductive member. The pressure rotary body is configured to form a nipping portion and to convey a sheet in a conveying direction while nipping the sheet between the pressure rotary body and the heating rotary body. The heater includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, and a first and second resistance heating elements provided on the first surface. The first and second resistance heating elements extend in a crossing direction crossing the conveying direction and are positioned apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the conveying direction. The thermal conductive member is in contact with the second surface. In the conveying direction, the thermal conductive member has a dimension greater than the predetermined distance and smaller than or equal to a dimension of the nipping portion.