Heating Roller End-Holder Cross-Flow Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating apparatuses face challenges in efficiently heating and drying sheets while preventing damage to sealing portions and temperature sensors due to high temperatures, especially when handling thick sheets or increased conveyance speeds, leading to reduced heating efficiency and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

An air supply device is integrated into the heating apparatus to supply air orthogonally to the axial direction of heating rollers, cooling the sealing portions and temperature sensors effectively, while maintaining heating efficiency by using a single blower for both systems, thus preventing overheating and foreign matter accumulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If heating power is increased to improve drying efficiency for thick sheets or high conveyance speeds, then productivity increases, but sealing portions and temperature sensors are damaged due to overheating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoiddamage to sealing portions and temperature sensors

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heating apparatus is divided into distinct functional zones: a heating section with heating rollers for drying sheets, and a separate cooling section with cooling blowers for protecting temperature-sensitive components. This segmentation allows independent optimization of heating power and cooling protection, resolving the contradiction between high drying efficiency and component protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Cooling blowers are introduced as intermediary devices that supply cool air to the sealing portions and temperature sensors. These blowers act as a buffer between the high-temperature heating zone and the temperature-sensitive components, enabling high heating power operation without damaging the sealing portions or sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If high heating power is used to maintain heating efficiency, then drying performance improves, but foreign matter accumulates on temperature sensors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidforeign matter accumulation on temperature sensors

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Cooling blowers serve as intermediary devices that not only cool the temperature sensors but also blow away foreign matter (such as ink dust or paper particles) that would otherwise accumulate on the sensor surfaces. This dual function maintains heating efficiency while preventing sensor contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces passive sensor protection with active mechanical air flow from cooling blowers. Instead of relying on natural airflow or manual cleaning, the mechanical air flow continuously removes foreign matter from sensor surfaces, maintaining measurement accuracy during high-power operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 reduces sealing portion temperatures to below the heat resistance limit, prolongs halogen heater life, and maintains heating efficiency, while preventing foreign matter adhesion on temperature sensors, allowing for cost-effective and reliable operation.

Implementation Method 1

an air supply device configured to supply air into the end holder in a direction intersecting with an axial direction of the heating roller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

heating rollers having heat sources therein... the heat is given from the heating rollers to the object to be heated and the object to be heated is heated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12454139B2Heating apparatus, image forming apparatus, and liquid discharge apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A heating apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a liquid discharge apparatus. The heating apparatus includes a heating roller having a heat source inside, an end holder in which a portion of the heat source is disposed, the end holder holding an axial end of the heating roller rotatably, and an air supply device configured to supply air into the end holder in a direction intersecting with an axial direction of the heating roller. The heating apparatus includes a heating roller having a heat source inside, and an end holder in which a portion of the heat source is disposed, the end holder rotatably holding an axial end of the heating roller. In the heating apparatus, the end holder has an air inlet opening through which air is supplied into the end holder and an air outlet opening through which air is ejected outside from inside the end holder.