Heating Device with Non-Uniform Conductor Pattern for Photosensitive Body Dehumidification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image forming apparatuses face issues with dew condensation on photosensitive bodies under high humidity, leading to image blur and degraded printing quality, as existing dehumidification methods can delay the start of the image forming operation and result in uneven heat distribution.
Innovation Solution
A heating device with a substrate and a conductor pattern that serially connects heat generators, where the conductor pattern is wider in the forward path from the power source, ensuring even heat distribution and dehumidification of the photosensitive body surfaces, thereby maintaining image quality without the need for immediate pre-operation dehumidification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional dehumidification methods are used to prevent dew condensation on photosensitive bodies, then image quality is maintained, but the start of image forming operation is delayed and heat distribution becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device is activated during the image forming operation itself rather than requiring preliminary dehumidification before operation. The conductor pattern is pre-configured with wider forward paths to ensure even heat distribution from the start, eliminating the need for separate pre-operation dehumidification time.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductor pattern is designed with non-uniform width where the forward path from the power source is wider than the backward path. This creates localized heat generation zones that prioritize heating the photosensitive body surface most prone to dew condensation, achieving effective dehumidification without requiring extended operation delays.
2Reliability
If conventional heating methods are used to prevent dew condensation, then image quality is maintained, but heat distribution becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor pattern employs varying width along its length, with the forward path being wider than the backward path. This local variation in conductor dimensions creates controlled heat generation zones that target specific areas of the photosensitive body, ensuring uniform heat distribution across the surface most susceptible to dew condensation while avoiding overheating in other regions.
3Reliability
If pre-operation dehumidification is performed to remove moisture from photosensitive bodies, then dew condensation is prevented, but the image forming operation cannot start immediately
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device is integrated into the image forming operation workflow, allowing dehumidification action to begin simultaneously with or during the operation start-up rather than requiring separate preliminary processing. The conductor pattern's wider forward path ensures heat is delivered efficiently from the moment power is applied, eliminating idle waiting time.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating device operates continuously during the image forming process rather than intermittently or only during pre-operation. This continuous heating action maintains the photosensitive body temperature above dew point throughout the operation, preventing dew condensation without interrupting or delaying the image forming workflow.
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 provides uniform heating with low power consumption, preventing dew condensation and maintaining high image forming quality by uniformly heating the photosensitive bodies, even in high humidity conditions, and eliminating the need for pre-operation dehumidification.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of heat generators (23), a conductor pattern (24), and a substrate (22)... The plurality of heat generators (23) generate heat upon receiving power from a power source
Implementation Method 2
The conductor pattern (24) is arranged so as to serially connect the plurality of heat generators (23) to thereby supply the power from the power source to each of the heat generators
Data Source
AI summary
A heating device includes a plurality of chip resistors, a conductor pattern, and a substrate. The plurality of chip resistors generate heat upon receiving power from a power source. The conductor pattern is arranged so as to serially connect the plurality of chip resistors. The conductor pattern is formed on the substrate. The conductor pattern connecting the chip resistors is wider in a forward path from the power source than in a backward path. The majority of the heat generated by the chip resistor is transmitted from the chip resistor to the conductor pattern, and the transmitted heat is radiated from the conductor pattern. Thus, not only the heat from the surface of the chip resistor but also the heat from the conductor pattern serves as heat source.