Heating Range Variable Member for Uniform Sheet Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating devices in inkjet image forming apparatuses face issues with uneven heating due to a constant heating range, leading to temperature differences and potential deterioration of heating elements, especially when handling sheets of varying widths, resulting in compromised image quality.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a heating device with a heating range variable member, comprising multiple halogen heaters and movable shields, allows for adjustable heating ranges based on the width of the sheet, ensuring uniform heating and preventing excessive temperature rise in non-passage areas, thereby enhancing durability and image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a constant heating range is used in the heating device, then the structure is simple, but uneven heating occurs and temperature differences arise leading to deteriorated image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The heating range is made dynamically adjustable through a movable partition wall that can shift positions along the conveyance direction. This allows the heating device to adapt to different sheet widths and heating requirements, transforming a static heating range into a dynamic one that optimizes heating uniformity across various processing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating range is segmented into multiple independent heating zones by introducing a partition wall that divides the heating chamber. This segmentation allows different regions to be heated independently with different temperatures or power levels, enabling precise control over heating distribution and eliminating uneven heating patterns.
2Reliability
If the heating range covers the entire width direction, then all areas are heated, but excessive temperature rise occurs in non-passage areas causing element deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the heating chamber are assigned different heating characteristics based on their functional requirements. The passage area receives intensive heating for processing, while the non-passage area receives reduced or no heating to prevent excessive temperature rise. This local differentiation protects heating elements from thermal damage while maintaining processing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-passage area is extracted from the main heating zone and isolated using a partition wall. This separation allows the heating system to focus thermal energy on the passage area where it is needed, while protecting the non-passage area and its heating elements from excessive heat exposure that would cause deterioration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the heating device handles sheets of varying widths, then versatility is improved, but temperature differences and image quality deterioration occur
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall is designed to be movable along the conveyance direction, allowing the heating range to be dynamically adjusted to match the width of the sheet being processed. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the heating device maintains optimal heating characteristics across different sheet widths, preventing temperature differences that would compromise image quality while enhancing versatility.
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 consistent and efficient heating across sheets of different widths, preventing overheating and maintaining image quality while reducing energy consumption by optimizing heat distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a heater that heats an object (S) to which a liquid is applied
Implementation Method 2
a heating range variable member that changes a heating range of the heater in a width direction of the object
Data Source
AI summary
A heating device includes a heater and a heating range variable member. The heater heats an object to which a liquid is applied. The object is conveyed in a conveyance direction. The heating range variable member changes a heating range of the heater in a width direction of the object. The width direction is orthogonal to the conveyance direction.