Heating Roller Coil Positioning in Induction Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image heating apparatuses face challenges in accurately positioning the heat roller and coil relative to each other, leading to potential contact and reduced energy efficiency due to independent positioning and deformation under heat and weight.
Innovation Solution
An image heating apparatus with a heating roller and a coil unit, where the roller is supported by a rotatable member and the coil is non-rotationally held by a separate member, ensuring accurate coaxial alignment and positioning through supporting members, allowing precise adjustment of the magnetic flux distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the fixation roller and coil are positioned independently, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of the positional relationship deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the positioning functions for the fixation roller and coil into a single integrated supporting member. This supporting member includes a fixation roller supporting portion and a coil supporting portion that are structurally unified, ensuring that both components are positioned relative to each other with high precision while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Loss of energy
If the gap between fixation roller and coil is reduced, then energy efficiency is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to risk of contact from deformation
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating both support functions into one supporting member, the patent eliminates the cumulative positioning errors that would occur with independent positioning. This unified structure maintains stable spacing between the fixation roller and coil even when the roller deforms under heat, allowing the gap to be reduced for better energy efficiency without compromising reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the positioning accuracy between heat roller and coil is improved, then energy efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member is segmented into distinct functional portions: a fixation roller supporting portion and a coil supporting portion. Each portion is optimized for its specific function while being integrated into a unified structure, achieving high positional accuracy without requiring an overly complex supporting system.
4Ease of operation
If the fixation roller is rotatably supported, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision of the positional relationship deteriorates due to rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated supporting member provides both rotational freedom for the fixation roller and precise coaxial positioning for the coil. The unified structure ensures that as the roller rotates, the coil remains accurately positioned along the same axis, maintaining both operational ease and manufacturing precision.
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 configuration enhances the accuracy and stability of the heat roller and coil positioning, improving energy efficiency and reducing the time required to reach the desired temperature for image fixation, while minimizing the risk of overheating.
Implementation Method 1
A typical fixing apparatus employing one of the heating methods based on electromagnetic induction... The fixation roller is heated by the eddy current which is induced in the wall of the fixation roller as the fixation roller is subjected to the magnetic flux generated by the coil.
Implementation Method 2
The fixation roller is heated by the eddy current which is induced in the wall of the fixation roller as the fixation roller is subjected to the magnetic flux generated by the coil.
Data Source
AI summary
An image heating apparatus includes a heating roller for heating an image on a recording material; a coil unit disposed in said heating roller and including a coil for induction heat generation in said heating roller; a supporting member for rotatably supporting said heating roller, wherein said supporting member including a holding portion for substantially non-rotatably holding said coil unit.