Fuser Roller Cooling Venting During Cleaning Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in effectively cooling and cleaning the outer peripheral surface of rotating bodies during the heating process, particularly when cleaning operations are performed, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage due to excessive heat conduction.
Innovation Solution
A heating system with a cooling device that allows air to flow along a predetermined path in contact with the outer peripheral surface of a second rotating body, combined with a support member that includes a blocking portion with a vent hole, enabling cleaning while maintaining effective cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a cleaning member is made to contact the outer peripheral surface of the second rotating body during cleaning, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the cooling air flow path is blocked causing overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow path is segmented into multiple channels: a first air flow path for cooling the outer peripheral surface and a second air flow path for cleaning operations. The support member includes a blocking portion that can selectively block the first air flow path during cleaning operations, redirecting air flow through the second path while maintaining cooling effectiveness through the first path.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is designed with movable or adjustable components that can dynamically change the air flow path configuration. The blocking portion can move between blocked and unblocked positions, allowing the system to adapt the air flow pattern based on whether cleaning operations are active or not, thus maintaining both cooling and cleaning requirements.
2Ease of operation
If the blocking portion enters and blocks the path during cleaning, then the cooling air flow is redirected, but the path blockage may cause air flow resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking portion acts as an intermediary element that selectively interrupts the first air flow path. Instead of completely sealing the path, it provides controlled blockage that redirects air flow through alternative channels (the second air flow path) while maintaining sufficient air circulation to prevent overheating, thus balancing flow control with energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking portion is designed with specific local characteristics including vent holes or selective blockage zones. These local features allow the system to block air flow in specific areas during cleaning operations while maintaining open passages in other areas, ensuring that air flow resistance is minimized while still achieving the desired cooling redirection.
3Reliability
If the blocking portion is provided with vent holes connected to the path, then air flow is maintained during blocking, but the vent holes may reduce the blocking effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking portion incorporates vent holes as localized features rather than complete blockages. These vent holes are strategically positioned to allow controlled air flow while maintaining the overall blocking function. The local presence of vent holes enables the blocking portion to redirect air flow through the second path while maintaining sufficient cooling through the first path, balancing blocking effectiveness with cooling continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent holes in the blocking portion serve as intermediary channels that mediate between the blocked first air flow path and the open second air flow path. They allow controlled air circulation that maintains cooling effectiveness while the bulk of the blocking portion structure remains intact to provide the necessary flow redirection during cleaning operations.
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 system ensures continuous cooling of the rotating body during cleaning, preventing overheating and enhancing operational efficiency and durability by maintaining optimal temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling device that causes air to flow along a path, which allows the air to pass in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the second rotating body, to cool the outer peripheral surface
Implementation Method 2
a first rotating body that is heated by a heating unit and is rotated
Data Source
AI summary
A heating system includes a first rotating body that is heated by a heating unit and is rotated, a second rotating body that is rotated while being in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body to form a passage portion through which an object to be heated passes, a cooling device that causes air to flow along a path, which allows the air to pass in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the second rotating body, to cool the outer peripheral surface, and a support member that supports a cleaning member, which is to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the second rotating body to clean the outer peripheral surface, to allow the cleaning member to be in contact with and separated from the outer peripheral surface and includes a blocking portion entering and blocking the path in a case where the cleaning member is in contact with the outer peripheral surface, in which the blocking portion of the support member is provided with a vent hole that is connected to the path.