Fixing Unit Ventilation Duct Layout for Movable Heater Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently cooling the heating unit of the fixing device without obstructing the movement mechanism, which is crucial for maintaining the functionality and longevity of peripheral devices.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a ventilation duct system with fans and a unit movement mechanism that allows the heating unit to move between positions, enabling efficient cooling without obstructing the movement of the fixing unit, utilizing a pair of fans to blow air through a hollow portion and a discharge opening, and a link mechanism to transmit operation member movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the heating unit is positioned close to the fixing unit for compact arrangement, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cooling efficiency deteriorates due to obstruction of air flow by the movement mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The heating unit is divided into a heater section and a ventilation duct section. The ventilation duct is separated into distinct inflow and discharge openings, allowing air to flow through a dedicated path that bypasses the movement mechanism, thus maintaining cooling efficiency while keeping the overall structure compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation duct acts as an intermediary structure between the heater and the external environment. It provides a dedicated air flow channel that mediates the cooling process, allowing air to be drawn in through inflow openings and discharged through discharge openings without being obstructed by the movement mechanism.
2Device complexity
If the heating unit is stationary for simplified structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the fixing unit cannot be accessed for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The heating unit is designed to be movable relative to the fixing unit through a unit movement mechanism. This dynamic configuration allows the heating unit to move between a working position during image formation and an evacuation position that exposes the fixing unit for maintenance, thereby providing ease of operation without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The unit movement mechanism is pre-configured to automatically move the heating unit to the evacuation position when maintenance is needed. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the fixing unit is already exposed and accessible before the maintenance operation begins, improving ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If the ventilation duct is positioned to avoid obstructing the unit movement mechanism, then the ease of operation is improved, but the heat conduction efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation duct is designed with localized openings positioned strategically to optimize both air flow and heat conduction. The inflow openings are positioned to draw cool air from regions that do not obstruct the movement mechanism, while the discharge openings are positioned to effectively remove heat from the heater, thereby maintaining heat conduction efficiency while ensuring ease of operation.
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 ensures effective cooling of the heating unit while allowing seamless movement and access for maintenance, thereby preventing heat-related adverse effects on peripheral devices and enhancing the durability of the cooling system.
Implementation Method 1
The heating unit includes a heater which heats the fixing member
Implementation Method 2
The pair of fans blow air toward the heating unit through the ventilation duct including a hollow portion, inflow openings, and discharge opening
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A unit movement mechanism (7) causes a heating unit (5a) to move in conjunction with a movement of an operation member (103). A pair of fans (6) are arranged with an interval provided therebetween in a first direction and blow air toward the heating unit (5a). The heating unit (5a) includes a ventilation duct including a hollow portion formed along the first direction, a pair of inflow openings (540b) which are formed opposite to the pair of fans (6), and a discharge opening (540c) which is formed between the pair of inflow openings (540b) in the first direction. The unit movement mechanism (7) includes a unit coupling member (56) and a link mechanism (7x). The unit coupling member (56) is coupled to the heating unit (5a) while a gap (5600) is provided between the unit coupling member (56) and the discharge opening (540c).