Fusing Unit Reflecting Film for Heat Flux Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fusing units in image forming apparatuses face inefficiencies due to uneven heat flux distribution and pressure variations along the lengthwise direction, leading to poor fixation properties and increased material costs.
Innovation Solution
A fusing unit with a reflecting film on the tubular unit, where the reflectivity, thickness, and area of the film are inversely proportional to the pressure distribution, incorporating heat absorption and reflecting materials, to optimize heat flux distribution and fixation properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a uniformly formed reflecting film is applied on the tubular unit to increase heat flux, then the fixation property at the center part is improved, but the material cost increases and fixation property deviation is not corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The reflecting film is designed with non-uniform properties along the lengthwise direction of the tubular unit. Specifically, the reflectivity, thickness, or area of the reflecting film varies to compensate for the non-uniform pressure distribution in the fusing nip. This local variation in quality allows different regions of the tubular unit to have optimized heat flux characteristics matched to their specific pressure conditions, thereby improving fixation property uniformity without requiring excessive material throughout the entire structure.
2Temperature
If a uniformly formed reflecting film is applied on the tubular unit, then heat flux is increased, but fixation property deviation between center and end parts is not corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The reflecting film is designed with non-uniform properties along the lengthwise direction of the tubular unit. Specifically, the reflectivity, thickness, or area of the reflecting film varies to compensate for the non-uniform pressure distribution in the fusing nip. This local variation in quality allows different regions of the tubular unit to have optimized heat flux characteristics matched to their specific pressure conditions, thereby improving fixation property uniformity without requiring excessive material throughout the entire structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If the reflecting film is formed with inverse proportionality to pressure distribution, then fixation property deviation is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflecting film's parameters (reflectivity, thickness, or area) are systematically varied along the lengthwise direction of the tubular unit based on the pressure distribution characteristics. By changing these physical parameters of the reflecting film to be inversely proportional to the pressure distribution, the heat flux is optimized for each region's pressure condition, thereby reducing fixation property deviation while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
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 reduces fixation property deviations along the lengthwise direction, improving image quality and reducing material costs by ensuring uniform heat flux and pressure compensation.
Implementation Method 1
a reflecting film formed on at least one of an external surface and an internal surface of the tubular unit so as to reflect heat along a lengthwise direction of the heating unit
Implementation Method 2
a heating unit 11 that includes a tungsten filament. On an external circumference of the tubular unit 13 a reflecting film 15 is formed. The reflecting film 15 reflects heat (more precisely, infrared rays) generated by the heating unit 11. The heat is generated by an electric current applied through an electrode brush 17 onto the fusing nip E.
Implementation Method 3
The reflecting film 15 reflects heat (more precisely, infrared rays) generated by the heating unit 11
Data Source
AI summary
A fusing unit of an image forming apparatus, includes: a heating lamp having a heating unit, and a tubular unit accommodating the heating unit; a heating roller accommodating the heating lamp; and a pressing roller to be pressed toward the heating roller; the tubular unit includes a reflecting film formed on at least one of an external circumference surface and an internal surface thereof so as to have a different reflectivity along a lengthwise direction of the heating unit.