Heating Device High Thermal Conduction Member Fixing Belt Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices face challenges in achieving uniform temperature distribution along the fixing belt, leading to uneven heating of toner on recording media, which affects image quality and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a first high thermal conduction member with higher thermal conductivity than the base, positioned between the resistive heat generators, to enhance heat transfer and reduce temperature unevenness along the fixing belt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple resistive heat generators are arranged in series along the fixing belt, then the heating coverage is improved, but temperature unevenness increases in the longitudinal direction
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into multiple independent resistive heat generators arranged in series along the longitudinal direction of the fixing belt. Each heat generator can be independently controlled, allowing segmented heating zones that address different temperature requirements along the belt length, thereby improving overall heating coverage while maintaining temperature uniformity through localized control
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the fixing belt are equipped with different numbers or power levels of heat generators based on local heating requirements. The longitudinal direction experiences greater temperature variation and thus receives more intensive or distributed heating elements compared to the transverse direction, creating non-uniform heat generator distribution that matches the non-uniform temperature requirements of different belt regions
2Temperature
If heat generators are densely arranged to reduce temperature gaps, then temperature uniformity improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly distributing heat generators across the entire fixing belt, the invention applies heat generators selectively only in regions where temperature uniformity is problematic (primarily the longitudinal direction). This partial action approach achieves the necessary temperature uniformity without the excessive energy consumption that would result from dense universal arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the arrangement parameters of heat generators, specifically increasing the number of heat generators in the longitudinal direction while maintaining or reducing the total count compared to uniform distribution. This parameter optimization allows achieving temperature uniformity with lower overall energy consumption by concentrating heating capacity where it is most needed
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 ensures more uniform heating of the fixing belt, improving image quality by reducing fixing unevenness and gloss unevenness, while also reducing energy consumption by minimizing the need for additional heat generation in non-sheet passing regions.
Implementation Method 1
a planar heater including resistive heat generators on a base
Implementation Method 2
The first high thermal conduction member has a higher thermal conductivity than the base and faces the gap area
Data Source
AI summary
A heating device includes a rotator, a heater, a heater holder, and a first high thermal conduction member. The heater includes a base and a plurality of heat generators being arranged on the base and including neighboring heat generators. The heater has a gap area between the neighboring heat generators. The first high thermal conduction member has a higher thermal conductivity than the base and faces the gap area.