Fuser Heater Base Plate with Rounded Edges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fusers with metal-made base plates having sharpened edges and burrs damage the inner circumferential surface of the fusing belt, leading to reduced durability.

Innovation Solution

A fuser design featuring a metal-made base plate with rounded edges and a resistive-heating element, where the base plate's edges are rounded to prevent damage to the belt and the resistive-heating element is strategically positioned for efficient heating and insulation, improving belt durability and slidability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a metal-made base plate is used in the heater, then heat resistance and structural strength are improved, but the sharpened edges and burrs on the base plate damage the inner circumferential surface of the fusing belt, reducing belt durability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strength of heaterVSAvoiddurability of fusing belt

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base plate edges are rounded at ridges extending in the lengthwise direction, replacing sharp edges with curved surfaces. This curvature prevents the base plate from damaging the fusing belt while maintaining the structural strength and heat resistance of the metal base plate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of manufacture

If the base plate edges are left sharp from pressing or shearing works, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the sharp edges and burrs cause damage to the belt, requiring additional processing steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of base plate manufacturingVSAvoiddamage to inner circumferential surface of belt

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 fuser design enhances the durability of the fusing belt by preventing edge damage and ensuring efficient heat transfer, thereby improving the overall performance and longevity of the fusing process.

Implementation Method 1

The heater includes a metal-made base plate and a resistive-heating element. The resistive-heating element is formed on at least one of the first face and the second face.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResistive heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

The belt is configured to rotate around the heater. The inner circumferential surface is in contact with the first face of the heater. The fusing belt may be heated by the ceramic heater and rotate around the ceramic heater so that a recording medium having an image thereon may be heated through the fusing belt.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11256203B2Fuser having a base plate with rounded edges in a heater

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A fuser having a heater, a belt, and a holder, is provided. The heater includes a metal-made base plate and a resistive-heating element and has a first face and a second face. The resistive-heating element is formed on at least one of the first face and the second face. The belt being an endless belt has an inner circumferential surface contacting the first face of the heater and rotates around the heater. The holder has a retainer face to contact the second face of the heater to retain the heater and a belt-guiding face to contact the inner circumferential surface of the belt and guide the belt there-along. The base plate has a pair of first edges located on one end and the other end of the first face in the widthwise direction extending in the lengthwise direction. The pair of first edges are rounded at ridges.