Heater Safety Device with Intermediary Holder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating devices in image forming apparatuses, such as copiers and printers, face challenges in preventing overheating of heaters, which can lead to damage and reduced performance, as current safety devices may not effectively manage temperature variations across different sheet sizes and non-sheet passing regions.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a heating device with a safety device that includes a heat-sensitive surface facing the heater, which cuts off power supply when a predetermined temperature is reached, and a holder with a through hole and step portions to support the safety device, ensuring the central portion is not in contact with the heater, thereby preventing overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the safety device is placed in direct contact with the heater to improve temperature detection accuracy, then the temperature detection precision is improved, but the safety device may be damaged by excessive heat and fail to function properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a holder as an intermediary component between the heater and the safety device. The holder supports the safety device at a position where it can detect temperature variations caused by heater malfunction without being in direct contact with the heater surface, thus preventing damage while maintaining detection capability.
2Speed
If the safety device is positioned close to the heater to improve detection response time, then the response speed is improved, but the risk of overheating damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder serves as a protective intermediary that allows the safety device to be positioned close enough to the heater for rapid temperature detection, while simultaneously providing physical separation to prevent direct heat damage. The holder material and structure are designed to withstand the thermal environment while protecting the safety device.
3Area of stationary object
If the safety device covers a larger area to detect temperature variations across different regions, then the detection coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the safety device into multiple temperature detection elements positioned at different locations on the holder. Each element monitors a specific region, and the combined data provides comprehensive temperature coverage. This segmentation approach allows large-area monitoring while maintaining relatively simple individual component 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 effectively prevents overheating by ensuring the safety device is not in direct contact with the heater, allowing for precise temperature control and improved safety, while maintaining efficient heating performance across various sheet sizes.
Implementation Method 1
The safety device has a heat-sensitive surface facing the heater. The safety device cuts off power supply to the heater in response to reaching a temperature of the heat-sensitive surface to be equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.
Data Source
AI summary
A heating device includes a heater, a safety device, and a holder. The safety device has a heat-sensitive surface facing the heater. The safety device cuts off power supply to the heater in response to reaching a temperature of the heat-sensitive surface to be equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. The holder holds the heater. The holder has a through hole that opens toward the heater and includes a step portion disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the through hole. The step portion supports an end of the heat-sensitive surface such that a central portion of the heat-sensitive surface of the safety device is not in contact with the heater.