Heater Electroconductive Line Cross-Section Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing heat generating elements in image forming apparatuses suffer from high electric power consumption due to Joule heat generation in electroconductive lines that do not contribute to the fixing process, leading to inefficiency and energy waste.
Innovation Solution
A heater design with a substrate and alternating electrode portions connected by heat generating elements, where the electroconductive line cross-section is larger near the first electrical contact and the electrode cross-section is smaller, allowing for efficient electric power supply and reduced energy consumption by minimizing unnecessary heat generation outside the heat generating region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electroconductive line extends beyond the heat generating region to connect electrodes, then electrical connectivity is ensured, but unnecessary Joule heat is generated leading to high electric power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The electroconductive line is designed with varying cross-sectional areas along its length. The cross-sectional area is larger in regions where the line extends beyond the heat generating region (non-useful regions) and smaller in regions within the heat generating region. This local variation in geometric property optimizes the balance between ensuring electrical connectivity and minimizing unnecessary Joule heat generation, thereby reducing overall electric power consumption.
2Ease of manufacture
If the electroconductive line has uniform cross-section, then manufacturing is simplified, but temperature non-uniformity increases due to uneven heat distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The electroconductive line features a non-uniform cross-sectional area distribution along its length. Specifically, the cross-sectional area is larger in non-useful regions (extending beyond heat generating regions) and smaller in useful regions (within heat generating regions). This local geometric variation enables more uniform heat distribution across the heater surface, improving temperature uniformity while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through controlled deposition processes.
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 effectively suppresses electric power consumption and ensures uniform heat generation, improving energy efficiency and image quality by reducing temperature non-uniformity and waste.
Implementation Method 1
heat generating portions provided between adjacent ones of the electrode portions so as to electrically connect between adjacent electrode portions, the heat generating portions being capable of generating heat by electric power supply between adjacent electrode portions
Data Source
AI summary
A heater includes: a substrate; a first electrical contact; a plurality of second electrical contacts; an electroconductive line portion electrically connected with the first electrical contact; a plurality of electrode portions including first electrode portions electrically connected with the first electrical contact through the electroconductive line portion and second electrode portions electrically connected with the second electrical contacts; and a plurality of heat generating portions provided between adjacent ones of the electrode portions. The cross-section of the electroconductive line portion in a side closer to the first electrical contact than the plurality of heat generating portions with respect to the longitudinal direction is larger than the cross-section of a predetermined electrode portion, between adjacent heat generating portions, of the plurality of electrode portions.