Heating Roller Support for Fixing Belt Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fixing devices face challenges in reducing the diameter of the heating roller due to the heater's inability to slide within the roller, leading to potential contact with the inner surface and inefficiencies in heat transfer.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device design that allows the heating roller to move relative to the fixing member, with a support system enabling the heating section to move together, reducing the diameter of the heating roller while maintaining efficient heat transfer and preventing heater contact with the roller's inner surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the diameter of the heating roller is reduced, then energy consumption is reduced, but the heater may hit the inner circumferential surface of the heating roller when the heating roller slides
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into two independent sections: a first support section that supports the heating roller and allows it to slide, and a second support section that supports the heating section and moves together with the heating roller. This segmentation prevents the heater from hitting the inner surface while maintaining the ability to reduce the heating roller diameter for energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The second support section acts as an intermediary between the heating roller and the heating section, ensuring that the heating section moves synchronously with the heating roller. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by coordinating the movement of both components, preventing contact between the heater and the inner surface.
2Volume of moving object
If the heating roller is made smaller, then the fixing device size is reduced, but heat transfer efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The heating roller is designed to be slidable with respect to the fixing roller, creating a dynamic contact relationship. This dynamic structure, combined with the second support section that moves the heating section together with the heating roller, maintains tight contact between the heating roller and fixing belt, ensuring efficient heat transfer despite the reduced roller size.
3Reliability
If the heating roller is made slidable with respect to the fixing roller, then the fixing belt is kept in tight contact, but the heater structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into two functional sections: the first support section providing sliding support for the heating roller, and the second support section providing coupled support for the heating section. This segmentation organizes the complexity into manageable, functionally distinct components while maintaining reliable fixing belt contact.
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
Enables a smaller heating roller diameter, reduces energy consumption, and ensures efficient heat transfer, while maintaining the stability and quality of toner images by preventing meandering of the fixing belt and maintaining a stable transportation path.
Implementation Method 1
heat from the heating roller is efficiently transferred to the fixing belt
Implementation Method 2
the heating roller receives a force from an elastic object, such as a spring
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device having: a fixing member extending in a first predetermined direction; a heating roller extending in the first predetermined direction; a fixing belt stretched between the fixing member and the heating roller and being annular when viewed in a plan view in the first predetermined direction; a heating section heating the heating roller and being provided in the heating roller; a first support section supporting the heating roller in such a manner that the heating roller is movable with respect to the fixing member along a predetermined plane perpendicular to the first predetermined direction; a pressure section exerting a force upon the heating roller in such a direction that the heating roller moves away from the fixing member; and a second support section supporting the heating section in such a manner that the heating section is movable together with the heating roller.