Fixing Member Paper Separation via Ribbed Air Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face challenges in preventing the increase of air pressure between the printing paper and the fixing member, leading to inadequate paper separation, especially when using thin paper or large amounts of toner, and existing solutions either reduce air velocity or adversely affect other components with increased heat.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a nozzle with ribs that divide the air flow and an air sucking port to manage air pressure, ensuring efficient air flow and separation by ejecting air along the image forming part and outside, preventing air pressure rise and maintaining air velocity for effective paper separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air is blown into the space between the printing paper and the fixing member by the paper separation means, then the paper separation performance is improved, but the air pressure in the space increases causing the air velocity to drop and reducing separation effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The air ejection part is divided into multiple ejection ports that are spatially separated and directed toward different regions of the paper outlet port. This segmentation allows air to be ejected at multiple locations simultaneously, preventing the accumulation of high pressure in any single region while maintaining effective air flow velocity for paper separation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the air ejection part have different ejection characteristics, with each ejection port positioned and oriented to address specific local separation needs. The air flow is distributed non-uniformly across the paper outlet port, with higher velocity air directed at regions where paper is most likely to stick to the fixing member.
2Speed
If the air amount is increased to sustain the velocity of the air blown into the space, then the air velocity is maintained for paper separation, but the heat in the air adversely affects other components of the image forming apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow path is segmented into multiple separate ejection streams rather than one large air flow. This allows the total air volume to be reduced while maintaining effective velocity at each ejection point, as the segmented air streams are more efficiently directed at the paper without requiring excessive total air volume to sustain velocity.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful thermal effect is extracted from the air ejection function by positioning the ejection ports and directing the air flow in a way that confines the hot air to the paper separation zone. The air flow is channeled to exit toward the paper outlet port and away from other apparatus components, removing the thermal hazard from the broader system.
3Reliability
If air is blown into all over the space between the printing paper and the fixing apparatus, then comprehensive paper separation is achieved, but the air reflecting from the paper or fixing member has no way to escape causing air pressure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reflected air that would otherwise have no escape path is extracted and redirected through dedicated air outlet ports. These ports provide controlled exit paths for air that reflects off the paper or fixing member, preventing pressure buildup while maintaining comprehensive coverage of the separation zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The air ejection and extraction system operates in multiple spatial dimensions, with ejection ports positioned at different heights and angles, and air outlet ports providing escape paths in different directions. This multi-dimensional air flow management allows comprehensive paper separation while maintaining pressure balance through multiple exit routes.
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 effectively prevents air pressure increase, ensures secure paper separation from the fixing member, and reduces heat dispersion within the apparatus, improving the separation performance and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a paper separation part having a blower part and an air ejecting part that ejects air sent out from the blower part against a paper outlet port of a nipping part of the fixing member
Implementation Method 2
the air ejection part has ribs that divides an air flow sent out from the blower part
Implementation Method 3
Said rib preferably has an air sucking port to suck the air in the space between said paper separation part and said nipping parts's paper outlet port
Data Source
AI summary
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a fixing member and a paper separation part. The fixing member fixes an image by heating and applying a pressure to a sheet of printing paper S on which a toner image is transferred, while transferring the paper S. The paper separation part has a blower part and an air ejecting part that ejects the air sent out from the blower part against a paper outlet port of a nipping part N of the fixing member. The air ejection part has ribs that divide the air flow sent out from said blower part.