Heater Holder Cable Restriction for Fixing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing film-heating fixing apparatuses in electrophotographic copiers or printers require expensive electric cables with high heat-resisting and insulating properties due to increased printing speeds and target temperatures, which elevate the wiring cost.
Innovation Solution
A fixing apparatus with a holder that includes a restriction portion and a recessed portion for positioning cables, using bare conductive portions of cables without insulating sheaths, and joining wires to these portions between the restriction and recessed areas, allowing for cost-effective cable usage while maintaining necessary insulation and heat resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expensive electric cables with high heat-resisting and insulating properties are used to meet increased printing speeds and target temperatures, then reliability is improved, but wiring cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing insulating structures only where needed - specifically at the cable entry point through the holder and at connection points. The holder includes an insulating structure that prevents heat transfer to the cable, and insulating sheets are placed at specific locations where electrical insulation is required. This localized approach allows using cheaper cables for the majority of their length while maintaining reliability at critical points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary insulating structure between the heater and the cable. The holder acts as a mediator that blocks heat transfer from the heater to the cable, and insulating sheets serve as intermediaries between conductive parts and cables. This intermediary approach protects the cable from heat exposure without requiring the entire cable to have high heat-resisting properties.
2Reliability
If expensive electric cables with high insulating property are used to meet increased target temperatures, then reliability is improved, but wiring cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides insulating structures only at critical locations where insulation is needed - specifically insulating sheets are placed between the heater and holder, and between conductive parts and cables. The holder includes localized insulating structures at cable entry points. This allows using cheaper cables with standard insulating properties for the majority of the cable length, while maintaining adequate insulation at critical points through the added insulating structures.
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 reduces wiring costs by utilizing low-cost cables with inferior heat-resisting properties while ensuring reliable insulation and heat management, maintaining the apparatus's operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heater provided in an inner space of the film... The heater is controlled in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature detection element... the unfixed image formed on a recording medium is fixed on the recording medium by the heat from the film
Implementation Method 2
a temperature detection element provided in a space between the heater holder and the reinforcing member detects the temperature of the heater through the through hole of the heater holder
Data Source
AI summary
A heater holder includes a restriction portion and a recessed portion. The restriction portion determines the position of a cable in the longitudinal direction of the heater. The recessed portion, against which a bare conductive portion of the cable is to be positioned, is provided at a position that is different from the position of the restriction portion as viewed in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction. A wire is joined to the bare conductive portion somewhere between the restriction portion and the recessed portion.