Fuser Belt Heating Structure for Shorter Printer Warm-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses have a lengthy warm-up time before starting a printing operation, which is undesirable for efficiency and user convenience.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a fixing device with a heater unit design that includes a cylindrical belt and heat conduction members with a recessed configuration, optimizing heat transfer to reduce warm-up time by enhancing the efficiency of heating the cylindrical body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a conventional heater configuration is used in the fixing device, then the structure is simple, but the warm-up time is lengthy
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is divided into multiple independent heating units (first heater and second heater) that can operate independently or simultaneously. This segmentation allows for optimized heat distribution and faster warming-up by activating only the necessary heating sections, reducing overall warm-up time without requiring a complete redesign of the entire heater system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a recessed portion in the heat conduction member that creates a three-dimensional heat transfer pathway. This dimensional change allows heat to be conducted more efficiently from the heater to the cylindrical body by creating direct thermal contact zones, thereby reducing warm-up time without significantly increasing structural complexity.
2Productivity
If heat conduction members are added to improve heating efficiency, then warm-up time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A heat conduction member is introduced as an intermediary component between the heater and the cylindrical body. This heat conduction member serves as a thermal bridge that efficiently transfers heat from the heater elements to the cylindrical body, significantly improving heating efficiency. The heat conduction member is designed with a recessed portion that creates optimal thermal contact, enhancing heat transfer without requiring excessive structural complexity.
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 design significantly shortens the time required for the apparatus to transition from a sleep or idle state to a printing-ready state by efficiently heating the cylindrical body, thereby improving operational readiness.
Implementation Method 1
A heater having a width in a first direction and a length in a second direction is within the interior region and positioned to heat a region of the outer surface of the belt. A first heat conduction member is within the interior region. The heater is between the first heat conduction member and the region of the outer surface in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to form a toner image on a sheet and a fixing device to heat the toner image. The fixing device includes a cylindrical belt, a heater within the interior region to heat a region of the belt. A first and a second heat conduction member are also within the interior region. The heater is between the first heat conduction member and the belt, and also between the second heat conduction member and the belt. The second heat conduction member has a recess facing the heater.