Fixing Member Conductive Layer Resistance Gradient
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing units with electromagnetic induction heating methods face challenges in achieving uniform heat distribution along the rotational axis, leading to inefficient energy use and potential decreases in heat generation at the end portions.
Innovation Solution
A fixing member with a conductive layer that includes a plurality of conductive elements electrically disconnected in the direction of the generatrix, where the resistance value of conductive elements in the end portion areas is lower than in the central areas, ensuring uniform heat generation across the fixing member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the winding intervals in the end portions of the coil are narrowed to uniformize heating distribution, then the heating uniformity is improved, but the number of coil windings increases leading to higher heat generation in the coil and decreased energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive layer is designed with spatially varying resistance values: higher resistance in the central area and lower resistance in the end portion areas. This local quality differentiation allows the end portions to generate more heat while the central area generates less heat, compensating for the natural heat distribution gradient and achieving uniform heating without increasing coil windings.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistance value parameter of the conductive layer is changed across different spatial locations. By controlling the thickness or material composition of the conductive layer, the resistance is adjusted to be higher in the central area and lower in the end portions, thereby modifying the heat generation characteristics to achieve uniform temperature distribution.
2Ease of manufacture
If the conductive layer has uniform resistance across the surface, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the heat generation amount decreases toward the end portions in the rotational axis direction
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using a uniform conductive layer, the invention implements local quality variation by making the resistance value position-dependent. The conductive layer thickness or material properties are adjusted locally to create higher resistance in the central area and lower resistance in the end portions, ensuring uniform heat generation across the surface.
3Temperature
If the number of coil windings is increased to improve heating uniformity, then the magnetic field coverage is enhanced, but the heat generation amount of the coil itself increases reducing energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the resistance parameter of the conductive layer to compensate for non-uniform magnetic field distribution. By setting higher resistance in the central area and lower resistance in the end portions, the heat generation is balanced across different locations, achieving uniform heating with the existing coil configuration without increasing energy consumption.
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
The solution enhances energy efficiency by maintaining uniform heat distribution along the rotational axis, reducing the difference in heat generation between central and end portions, and improving the fixability of toner images.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive layer configured to generate heat by an induced electromotive force when an alternating magnetic field is created
Implementation Method 2
the conductive layer including a plurality of conductive elements... A resistance value of each of the plurality of conductive elements disposed in the central area is a first resistance value. A resistance value of each of the plurality of conductive elements disposed in the end portion area is a second resistance value that is lower than the first resistance value.
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing member includes a conductive layer including a plurality of conductive elements. In a direction of a generatrix of the fixing member, when an area through which a recording material with a maximum width conveyable to the fixing member passes is referred to as a first area, the first area includes a central area and an end portion area. The central area includes a central portion of the first area in the direction of the generatrix. The end portion area includes an end portion of the first area in the direction of the generatrix. A resistance value of each of the plurality of conductive elements disposed in the central area is a first resistance value. A resistance value of each of the plurality of conductive elements disposed in the end portion area is a second resistance value that is lower than the first resistance value.