Fuser Cover Heating to Reduce Lubricant Fine Particle Emissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses, particularly the fixing devices, generate a high number of fine particles due to the volatilization and condensation of lubricant components at high temperatures, which are not effectively addressed by existing cooling mechanisms, leading to environmental concerns and non-compliance with certification standards like the Blue Angel.
Innovation Solution
A heating device with a rotator, heater, lubricant, rotator support, and cover configuration where the cover maintains a temperature of 40°C or higher to prevent the discharge of fine particles, reducing their generation and emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lubricant is heated to a high temperature to ensure proper lubrication performance, then the friction reduction effect is improved, but the generation of fine particles increases due to volatilization and condensation of lubricant components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the cover to be 40°C or higher, which prevents the condensation of lubricant vapor and thereby reduces fine particle generation while maintaining proper lubrication performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of lubricant volatilization into a beneficial outcome by controlling the cover temperature to prevent condensation, thereby transforming the potential fine particle generation problem into an improved emission control solution
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a cooling portion is added inside the rotator to cool vaporized lubricant, then the lubricant condensation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cooling function from the rotator interior and relocates it to the cover, which simplifies the overall structure by removing the need for internal cooling portions while still achieving lubricant vapor condensation control
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of cooling the lubricant vapor inside the rotator, the patent inverts the approach by heating the cover to prevent condensation, thereby reducing fine particle generation without adding cooling structures
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the cover temperature is increased to prevent fine particle discharge, then the emission control is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the cover temperature parameter to be 40°C or higher, which is sufficient to prevent fine particle condensation and discharge while minimizing excessive 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 effectively reduces the number of fine particles discharged from the rotator, aligning with environmental standards and improving compliance with certifications like the Blue Angel.
Implementation Method 1
a heater that heats the rotator
Implementation Method 2
lubricant such as oil or grease applied to the inner face of the rotator in order to reduce sliding friction
Implementation Method 3
The cover maintains a temperature of the face of the cover at 40°C or higher
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A heating device (20, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 110, 130, 140, 173, 206, 401, 403) includes a rotator (21, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91, 111, 131, 141, 291, 440) having an internal space, a heater (23, 38, 53, 63, 73, 83, 93, 113, 133, 143, 293) heating the rotator, lubricant applied to the rotator, a rotator support (10, 57, 67, 77, 87, 97, 122, 137, 298) supporting the rotator, and a cover (40). The rotator support has a first opening communicating with the internal space of the rotator, penetrating through the rotator support, and extending in the longitudinal direction. The cover covers the first opening and has a face facing the first opening and a second opening communicating with the internal space of the rotator and an exterior of the cover. The cover maintains a temperature of the face of the cover at 40°C or higher.