Heater Width Reduction via Substrate Surface Component Placement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatus heaters face challenges in temperature controllability and width dimension due to the placement of heating elements and temperature detecting sections on opposite surfaces of the substrate, leading to increased temperature differences and wider heater designs.
Innovation Solution
The heater design incorporates two heating elements and a temperature detecting section on the same surface of the substrate, with wiring connections optimized to reduce width dimension and improve thermal conductivity by allowing easier heat transfer between the heating elements and the detecting section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the heating element and detecting section are provided on opposite surfaces of the substrate, then the width dimension of the heater can be reduced, but the temperature controllability deteriorates due to increased temperature difference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third dimension (thickness direction of substrate) to separate the heating element and detecting section. By placing them on opposite surfaces of the substrate, the design utilizes the thickness dimension to accommodate both components without increasing the width dimension, thus resolving the spatial conflict while maintaining compact heater width.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate acts as an intermediary medium between the heating element and detecting section. It provides both mechanical support and thermal coupling, allowing heat to be transmitted from the heating element to the detecting section through the substrate thickness, enabling temperature detection while maintaining structural integrity and compact dimensions.
2Reliability
If the heating element and detecting section are provided on the same surface of the substrate, then the temperature controllability improves due to easier heat transmission, but the width dimension of the heater increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction by moving from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration. The heating element and detecting section are positioned on opposite surfaces of the substrate, utilizing the thickness dimension to separate components vertically rather than horizontally, thereby improving temperature controllability without increasing width dimension.
3Reliability
If the substrate is formed of insulating material such as aluminum oxide, then the electrical insulation is improved, but the thermal conductivity decreases leading to increased temperature difference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the substrate thickness parameter to balance electrical insulation and thermal conductivity. By controlling the thickness within a specific range (0.5-2.0 mm), the design ensures sufficient electrical insulation while maintaining adequate thermal coupling between the heating element and detecting section, thus resolving the contradiction between electrical insulation and thermal conductivity.
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 temperature controllability and reduces the width dimension of the heater, addressing the issues of temperature control complexity and increased width associated with traditional designs.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element provided on one surface of the substrate and extending in the longitudinal direction of the substrate
Implementation Method 2
the substrate is provided with a thermistor as a detecting section
Implementation Method 3
heat generated in the heating element is transmitted to the detecting section through the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A heater includes: a substrate; a first heating element being provided on one surface of the substrate and extending in a longitudinal direction of the substrate; a second heating element being provided on one surface of the substrate, extending in the longitudinal direction of the substrate, and being provided side by side with the first heating element in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction; a first detecting section being provided on one surface of the substrate and detecting a temperature; a wiring being electrically connected to one ends of the first heating element, the second heating element, and the first detecting section; a first terminal being electrically connected to the other end of the first heating element; a second terminal being electrically connected to the other end of the second heating element; and a third terminal being electrically connected to the other end of the first detecting section.