Heating Device Nip Formation Member Reflectance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fixing devices with a nip formation member have low heating efficiency due to the increased number of parts in the heat transfer path, which hinders effective heat transmission to the sheet.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a rotatable member, an opposite member, a heater inside the rotatable member, and a nip formation member that reflects heat and light with a reflectance of 50% or more, sandwiching the rotatable member to form a nip and improve heat transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a nip formation member is introduced to form a nip between rollers or belts, then the structural stability and image fixing quality are improved, but the heating efficiency deteriorates due to increased number of parts in heat transfer path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating function and nip formation function into a single integrated structure. The heat generator is positioned to directly heat the fixing member (rotatable member) that also forms the nip, eliminating the separate nip formation member used in conventional structures. This merging reduces the number of components in the heat transfer path from three (heat generator → nip formation member (a) → nip formation member (b) → fixing member → sheet) to two (heat generator → fixing member (b) → sheet), thereby improving heating efficiency while maintaining image fixing quality through the integrated nip formation capability of the fixing member itself
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the unnecessary nip formation member (a) from the conventional structure. By removing this intermediate component that only adds thermal resistance without contributing to the core fixing function, the heat transfer path is shortened and heating efficiency is improved. The fixing member (b) is designed to perform both the nip formation and the heat reception functions, making the separate nip formation member redundant
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple components are used in the heat transfer path (heat generator, nip formation members, fixing member), then the structural stability is improved, but the heat transmission efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the nip formation function into the fixing member (b) itself, which is already part of the heat transfer path. This integration eliminates the need for separate nip formation members (a) and (b), reducing the number of thermal interfaces and contact resistances in the heat transfer path. The fixing member now serves dual purposes: forming the nip and transmitting heat, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining structural stability through the simplified design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the fixing member (b) as an intermediary that efficiently transfers heat from the heat generator to the sheet. By positioning the heat generator to directly heat the fixing member (b) that forms the nip, the patent creates an efficient thermal bridge. The fixing member acts as a mediator that simultaneously performs mechanical function (nip formation) and thermal function (heat transmission), reducing the number of thermal barriers and improving heat transmission efficiency
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 enhances heating efficiency by effectively reflecting heat and light energy to the fixing belt and nip formation member, reducing heat transfer difficulties and improving energy savings.
Implementation Method 1
The nip formation member is configured to be heated by the heater and includes an opposite surface disposed opposite the heater. At least a part of the opposite surface is configured to reflect at least one of heat and light from the heater with a reflectance of 50% or more.
Implementation Method 2
a heat generator heats a nip formation member to form the nip, and the nip formation member heats the sheet
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A heating device (5) includes a rotatable member (21), an opposite member (22) disposed opposite an outer peripheral surface of the rotatable member (21), a heater (23) disposed inside a loop of the rotatable member (21) to heat the rotatable member (21), and a nip formation member (24) disposed inside the loop of the rotatable member (21) to sandwich the rotatable member (21) between the nip formation member (24) and the opposite member (22) and form a nip between the nip formation member (24) and the opposite member (22). The nip formation member (24) is heated by the heater (23) and includes an opposite surface (24c) disposed opposite the heater (23). At least a part of the opposite surface (24c) reflects at least one of heat and light from the heater (23) with a reflectance of 50% or more.