Fuser Harness Routing Outside the Cover to Prevent Overheating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges with harnesses overheating due to high temperatures within the fixing belt loop, leading to potential thermal damage and reduced functionality in supplying power to electric components.
Innovation Solution
The harness is routed in a circuitous manner outside the fixing belt and fixing cover, detouring from the shortest path to avoid high-temperature areas, and is cooled by airflow generated by fans, reducing excessive temperature rise and maintaining efficient power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the harness is arranged inside the fixing belt loop to supply power to the electric component, then the power supply function is achieved, but the harness overheats due to high temperatures causing thermal damage and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The harness is extracted from the high-temperature zone inside the fixing belt loop and routed outside the fixing cover through a cooling path, separating the electrical connection function from the thermal environment to prevent overheating while maintaining power supply reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Airflow generated by fans acts as an intermediary cooling medium, passing through the fixing cover cooling holes to remove heat from the harness, thereby mediating between the heat source and the harness to maintain acceptable temperature levels
2Productivity
If the harness is routed through the shortest path inside the fixing cover, then the connection efficiency is improved, but the harness is exposed to high temperatures causing thermal damage
Solution Approach 1:
The harness routing is extracted from the direct shortest path through the high-temperature zone and redirected through a longer path outside the fixing cover, sacrificing some connection efficiency to avoid thermal damage and ensure long-term reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The harness routing transitions from a two-dimensional path inside the fixing cover to a three-dimensional path extending outside the fixing cover, utilizing spatial dimensions beyond the immediate connection area to achieve cooling while maintaining electrical connectivity
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 effectively prevents harness overheating, ensuring reliable power delivery to the planar heater while maintaining optimal heating efficiency for fixing toner images on sheets.
Implementation Method 1
The harness is cooled by airflow generated by fans
Implementation Method 2
The electric component is disposed inside the hollow portion of the fixing rotator
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a fixing rotator having a hollow portion inside the fixing rotator, a fixing cover, a pressure rotator contacting the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip, an electric component, and a harness. The fixing cover covers the fixing rotator and extends from one end to another end in a longitudinal direction of the fixing cover. The electric component is inside the hollow portion of the fixing rotator. The harness is connected to the electric component at a connection portion. The harness extends from the connection portion toward one end of the fixing cover outside the fixing rotator in the longitudinal direction and folds back and extends toward said another end of the fixing cover in the longitudinal direction through one of a route inside the fixing cover between the fixing rotator and an inner face of the fixing cover and a route outside the fixing cover.