Heater Connector Positioning for Contact Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image heating apparatuses face issues with contact failure due to increased moment and friction between energizing terminals and electrodes when the number of electrodes at the heater's end increases, leading to poor contact stability and potential contact failures.
Innovation Solution
The image heating apparatus incorporates a connector with a second engage portion that locks the heating member, positioning its center between the centers of the energizing terminals at both ends, reducing the rotational moment and maintaining contact pressure effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the number of electrodes at the heater end is increased, then the heating performance is improved, but the connector size increases and contact stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the engage portion center in the array direction of electrodes between the centers of the first and second end energizing terminals, effectively utilizing the spatial dimension to balance and reduce the rotational moment acting on the connector, thereby maintaining contact stability despite increased number of electrodes
2Power
If the connector is enlarged to accommodate more energizing terminals, then the heating performance is improved, but the moment acting on the connector increases causing contact failure
Solution Approach 1:
By strategically positioning the engage portion center between the centers of the end energizing terminals in the array direction, the patent creates a balanced moment arm configuration that reduces the rotational moment, allowing the connector to accommodate more terminals without increasing rotational stress
3Device complexity
If the connector is locked by a hooked member, then the assembly is simplified, but friction on contact surface increases leading to contact failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the friction issue by optimizing the spatial position of the engage portion rather than changing the locking mechanism itself, using dimensional positioning to reduce rotational moment and thereby decrease friction on the contact surface while maintaining the simple hooked member locking 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
This configuration enhances the stability of the connector's locking mechanism, reducing the likelihood of contact failure and ensuring consistent heat transfer by minimizing positional shifts and maintaining contact pressure, even with multiple electrodes.
Implementation Method 1
a heating member including a plurality of electrodes arrayed at an longitudinal end thereof and configured to heat the belt member by being energized through the plurality of electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
An image heating apparatus includes a heater for heating an image surface of a recording medium, a plurality of electrodes arrayed at an end of the heater, and a connector including energizing terminals and attached to the end of the heater to energize the electrodes. The connector also includes an engage portion which is engaged with a support member to lock the connector. The connector is configured such that an engage position of the engage portion is located between the energizing terminals located at both ends.