Fusing Device Heat Shield for Rapid Warm-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fusing devices in image forming apparatuses take an excessively long time to reach the desired fusing temperature, hindering high-speed operation due to inefficient heat transfer and potential deformation of the press member under direct heat exposure.
Innovation Solution
A fusing device comprising a heater, a fusing belt, a rotating member, and a heat shield unit with high heat conductivity, where the heat shield unit surrounds the press member to absorb direct heat and conduct heat to the fusing nip, while a spacer with lower heat conductivity separates the heat shield from the press member to prevent overheating, and the heat shield is designed with reflective layers and multiple materials to enhance heat management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the heating roller has a large thermal capacity to ensure stable heating, then the heating stability is improved, but the time to reach desired fusing temperature becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into two independent heating rollers: a first heating roller for the outer periphery and a second heating roller for the inner periphery. This segmentation allows each roller to have optimized thermal properties - the outer roller can be thinner for faster heating while the inner roller provides structural support and additional heating capacity, resolving the contradiction between heating speed and temperature stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The second heating roller is positioned inside the first heating roller, creating a nested configuration. The inner heating roller is surrounded by the outer heating roller, allowing heat to be applied from both the inside and outside of the fusing belt. This nested arrangement enables rapid temperature increase while maintaining stable heating through the combined thermal capacity of both rollers.
2Force
If the press member is directly exposed to heat from the heater to maintain pressing function, then the pressing capability is maintained, but the press member deforms under excessive heat exposure
Solution Approach 1:
A heat shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the heater and the press member. The heat shield blocks excessive direct heat from reaching the press member, preventing thermal deformation and maintaining structural stability. At the same time, the press member remains in contact with the fusing belt to provide necessary pressing force, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining pressing capability and preventing heat-induced deformation.
3Speed
If heat is rapidly transferred to the fusing belt to reduce warming time, then the temperature increase speed is improved, but heat distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is segmented between two heating rollers positioned at different locations (inner and outer peripheries of the fusing belt). This segmentation allows heat to be applied simultaneously from multiple zones, enabling rapid overall temperature increase while maintaining uniform heat distribution across the fusing belt surface, thus resolving the contradiction between heating speed and heat distribution uniformity.
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 enables rapid temperature increase of the fusing belt, reduces the time to reach operational temperature, maintains uniform pressure, and enhances durability by preventing heat-induced deformation of the press member, thus improving overall fusing performance and reducing the risk of component damage.
Implementation Method 1
a heat conducting portion configured to come into contact with an inner periphery of the fusing belt to thereby conduct heat to the fusing nip
Implementation Method 2
The heat shield unit may include a layer that may be configured to reflect heat generated by the heater
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a fusing device with improved temperature increase and fusing performance characteristics and an image forming apparatus having the same. The fusing device can include a heater to generate heat, a fusing belt arranged around the heater, a rotating member, a press member and a heat shield unit. The rotating member may be configured to come into contact with an outer periphery of the fusing belt. The press member may be configured to be press a portion of the fusing belt toward the rotating member to define a fusing nip between the fusing belt and the rotating member. The heat shield unit configured to surround the press member to reduce the amount of heat delivered to the press member.