Fusing Belt Heating Segmentation for Rapid Warm-up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current roller and belt type fusing devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in achieving high-speed heating and effective fusing performance due to high heat capacity, limited nip area width, and potential damage from pressure and heat deformation.
Innovation Solution
A fusing device design with a heating member separated from the nip area, featuring a pressing member, a belt member, a nip forming member, and a tension application member to increase heating efficiency and nip area width, while minimizing heat loss and pressure on the heating element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the heating roller has high heat capacity to maintain temperature stability, then temperature control is improved, but warm-up time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into a heating belt (low heat capacity) and a separate heating portion (high heat capacity). The heating belt provides rapid heating with minimal warm-up time, while the heating portion maintains stable temperature during operation. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its thermal characteristics independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating function is extracted from the traditional heating roller and separated into two distinct components: a heating belt that contacts the fusing belt for rapid heating, and a heating portion that provides thermal stability. This extraction eliminates the need for a large-heat-capacity roller while maintaining temperature control.
2Productivity
If the nip area is widened to improve fusing performance, then heat transmission efficiency is improved, but the heating portion becomes susceptible to pressure and heat deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is extracted from the high-pressure nip area and relocated to a separate heating portion positioned away from the pressing roller. The heating belt delivers heat to the fusing belt in a low-pressure zone, preventing the heating portion from承受ing the mechanical stress and heat deformation that would occur if it were located in the nip area.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating belt acts as an intermediary that transfers heat from the heating portion to the fusing belt. This mediator enables heat transmission without requiring the heating portion to be in direct contact with the high-pressure nip area, thus protecting the heating portion from deformation while maintaining effective heating.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the heating part is placed at the nip area to enable local heating, then heating efficiency is improved, but pressing force on the nip area is limited due to heating part presence
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is extracted from the nip area and relocated to a separate heating portion. The heating belt, which has minimal thickness and heat capacity, is positioned at the nip area to transmit heat efficiently, while the main heating portion is located away from the pressing roller, allowing maximum pressing force to be applied to the nip area without interference from a bulky heating component.
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 enhances fusing quality and printing speed by reducing warm-up time, preventing heating element damage, and allowing for increased pressure on the nip area, resulting in improved fusing performance and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a heating member disposed away from the nip areas, to heat the belt member
Implementation Method 2
a tension application member to stiffen the belt member so that the heating member is tightly contacted with the belt member
Data Source
AI summary
A fusing device includes a pressing member, a belt member to rotate in contact with the pressing member, a nip forming member to support the belt member so that nip areas are formed on the pressing member and the belt member at contacting portions thereto, a heating member disposed away from the nip areas, to heat the belt member, and a tension application member to stiffen the belt member so that the heating member is tightly contacted with the belt member. The heating member includes a plate type heating element which is arranged at an upstream side of the nip areas, and to contact an inner circumference of the belt member, in an advancing direction of the fusing belt. The effective width of then nip areas increases, and the increased pressure is exerted to the nip areas, because the fusing belt enters a location where the nip areas are formed in a heated state. Furthermore, heating efficiency of the fusing belt is increased, because the fusing belt is heated while in a tight contact with the heating member. As a result, fusing performance is enhanced.