Heating Apparatus Connector Retention via Nested Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image heating apparatuses for electrophotographic devices face issues with connector disengagement due to elastic deformation during press-contact, leading to potential improper energization of the heating member.
Innovation Solution
An image heating apparatus with a rotatable endless belt, a plate-like heater, and a holding member, featuring a connector that can be mounted and dismounted in one direction, and a fixing member that engages with the connector and holding member to prevent disconnection, allowing the fixing member to be mounted and dismounted in a different direction, ensuring stable energization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the guiding member and heating member are allowed to elastically deform during press-contact, then the fixing device can accommodate pressure variations, but the connector displaces and may disengage from the supporting member
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is nested within the connector structure, with the locking protrusion fitting into the locking groove that is formed as part of the connector and supporting member assembly. This nested configuration ensures that the locking mechanism is integrated and cannot separate independently, preventing disengagement even when the connector displaces due to elastic deformation of the guiding and heating members.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism operates in a direction perpendicular to the press-contact direction. While the connector may displace in the press-contact direction due to elastic deformation, the locking protrusion engages with the locking groove in a different dimensional orientation, providing constraint in a direction that prevents disengagement without restricting the necessary elastic deformation.
2Ease of operation
If the connector is made easily mountable and dismountable, then maintenance and replacement are simplified, but the connector may accidentally disengage during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is configured to automatically engage the locking protrusion with the locking groove when the connector is assembled to the supporting member, without requiring additional manual locking steps. This preliminary locking action occurs during the normal assembly process, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring the connector is secured against accidental disengagement during subsequent operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-activating during the connector assembly process. As the connector is mounted to the supporting member, the relative movement automatically causes the locking protrusion to engage with the locking groove, and the elastic biasing member maintains this engaged state without requiring external intervention. This self-service locking preserves ease of operation while ensuring reliable retention.
3Reliability
If the locking mechanism is made more secure, then connector disengagement is prevented, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is extracted as a separate, dedicated locking member that is distinct from the connector and supporting member structures. This locking member includes the locking protrusion and works with the locking groove, separating the locking function from the main structural components. This extraction simplifies the overall design by making the locking mechanism a modular element that provides secure retention without adding significant complexity to the main connector assembly.
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
The solution effectively retains the connector, preventing disengagement and ensuring proper energization of the heating member, even under conditions of elastic deformation, thereby maintaining consistent heating performance.
Implementation Method 1
a heating member on which a resistance heating pattern is formed is contacted to an inner surface of the fixing belt and an image surface of the recording material passing through the nip is heated through the fixing belt
Implementation Method 2
when the fixing belt and the roller are press-contacted to each other, the guiding member and the heating member are elastically deformed by receiving a force in a press-contact direction
Data Source
AI summary
An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable endless belt; a rotatable member, a plate-like heater, a holding member, a connector, movable in a first direction and a fixing member. The fixing member is mountable to and dismountable from the connector and the holding member by being moved in a second direction different from the first direction. The fixing member is mountable after the connector is mounted to the heater and the holding member, and the connector is dismountable after the fixing member is dismounted from the holding member.