Heating Belt Contact Area Adjustment for Rapid Media Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face productivity issues when handling different types of recording media, as they require adjusting heat application based on the media's thickness, but changing the temperature of heating members takes time, affecting efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An image heating apparatus with an endless heating belt, inner and outer heating members, and a restricting mechanism that allows independent adjustment of the contact areas between the belt and these members, enabling swift changes in heat application based on the type of recording medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the temperature of heating members is changed to adapt to different recording media, then the heat application can be optimized for different media types, but it takes time to increase/decrease the temperature, thus decreasing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the contact area between the heating belt and heating members adjustable rather than fixed. The moving mechanism allows the contact area to be dynamically changed based on the recording media type, enabling rapid adaptation without waiting for temperature changes. This resolves the contradiction by providing a dynamic adjustment mechanism that responds immediately to different media requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by altering the contact area parameter between the heating belt and heating members to adapt to different recording media. Instead of changing temperature as the primary parameter, the invention changes the contact area parameter, which provides immediate effect without the time delay associated with temperature adjustment, thus maintaining productivity while achieving adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the contact area between heating belt and heating members is fixed, then the structure is simple, but it cannot rapidly adapt to different recording media types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a moving mechanism that allows the contact area to be dynamically adjusted, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one. This adds complexity to enable adaptability, but the mechanism is designed to be relatively simple while achieving the desired functionality of rapid switching between recording media types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the heating system into distinct components: the heating belt, inner heating members, and outer heating members, each with independent control of contact area. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each component's contact area, providing fine-grained control over heat application while maintaining manageable structural complexity.
3Reliability
If the quantity of heat is increased for thick sheets, then the fixing can be properly achieved, but it requires changing temperature settings which takes time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of contact area instead of temperature to control the quantity of heat. By increasing the contact area between the heating belt and heating members, the quantity of heat is increased for thick sheets without the time delay associated with temperature adjustment. This maintains fixing quality while eliminating the time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the contact area to be changed in real-time based on the recording media type. This dynamic capability enables immediate response to different heat requirements, eliminating the time delay inherent in temperature adjustment while ensuring proper fixing quality for different media thicknesses.
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 solution allows for rapid adjustment of heat application, reducing downtime and maintaining productivity when switching between different types of recording media by independently controlling the inner and outer contact areas of the heating belt, ensuring optimal heat distribution.
Implementation Method 1
an inner heating member that is disposed at an inner side of the endless heating belt and is in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the heating belt to heat the heating belt
Implementation Method 2
an outer heating member that is disposed at an outer side of the endless heating belt and is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the heating belt to heat the heating belt
Implementation Method 3
an endless heating belt configured to heat an image formed on a recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
An inner heating member is disposed in contact with an inner circumferential surface of a heating belt and an outer heating member is disposed in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the heating belt to heat the heating belt. A restricting member configured to restrict an orbit of the heating belt is disposed between the inner and outer heating members. Then, at least either one of an area of contact between the inner circumferential surface of the heating belt and the inner heating member and an area of contact between the outer circumferential surface of the heating belt and the outer heating member is changed to quickly change a quantity of heat applied to the outer circumferential surface or inner circumferential surface of the heating belt.