Heating Device Displacement Restrictor for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining precise contact between the heater and the feeding member, leading to displacement issues and reduced conductivity, which affects the fixing process and longevity of the device.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a heating device design with a base, electrode, and a feeding member that includes a connector terminal and a restrictor, where the connector terminal contacts the electrode, and the restrictor engages the heater to prevent displacement bidirectionally in the longitudinal, width, and thickness directions, ensuring stable contact and conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the feeding member is made removable for easy maintenance, then ease of repair is improved, but displacement occurs between the feeding member and heater, reducing contact stability
Solution Approach 1:
The feeding member is divided into a body portion and a separate restrictor portion. The restrictor engages with the heater to prevent displacement, while the body portion can be removed for maintenance. This segmentation allows the feeding member to be easily replaced while maintaining stable contact through the restrictor mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The restrictor acts as an intermediary element between the feeding member and the heater. It engages with the heater to restrict displacement of the feeding member, ensuring stable contact without requiring the feeding member itself to be permanently fixed.
2Reliability
If the feeding member is securely fixed to prevent displacement, then contact stability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The restrictor is integrated with the feeding member as a unified component. By merging the feeding member body and the restrictor into a single assembly, the invention achieves stable contact prevention without adding separate complex fixing mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the connector terminal is made resilient for automatic contact, then ease of operation is improved, but displacement still occurs over time
Solution Approach 1:
The connector terminal is designed with resilient properties, allowing it to dynamically adjust and maintain contact with the electrode. This resilience enables automatic contact establishment while the restrictor prevents long-term displacement, combining operational ease with contact stability.
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 design effectively suppresses displacement of the feeding member relative to the heater, maintaining conductivity for an extended period and enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the fixing process in image forming apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
The connector terminal contacts the electrode
Implementation Method 2
a heater that generates heat
Implementation Method 3
the restrictor engages the heater and restricts displacement of the feeding member relative to the heater
Data Source
AI summary
A heating device includes a heater and a feeding member. The heater includes a base and an electrode mounted on an electrode mounting face of the base. The feeding member includes a connector terminal and a restrictor. The connector terminal contacts the electrode. The restrictor engages the heater and restricts displacement of the feeding member relative to the heater.