Heating Unit Axial Separation for Hollow Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heating devices, such as fixing devices in image forming apparatuses, face the challenge of suppressing heat generation in driving-force transmission units, like gears, which can deform due to excessive heat, affecting their functionality and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A heating device configuration featuring a hollow portion with a heat-generating unit inserted inside, where the heat-generating portion is positioned to not overlap the driving-force transmission unit in the rotation-axis direction, allowing for effective heat distribution within the hollow portion while maintaining the integrity of the transmission unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the heat-generating portion is disposed at a position that overlaps the driving-force transmission unit in the rotation-axis direction, then the heating efficiency is improved, but the driving-force transmission unit deforms due to excessive heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction by changing the spatial arrangement from radial overlap to axial separation. The heat-generating portion is positioned at the peripheral side in the radial direction, while the driving-force transmission unit is positioned at the central side, creating axial separation that prevents thermal deformation while maintaining heating effectiveness through the hollow portion structure.
2Reliability
If the heat-generating portion is disposed at the peripheral side in the radial direction, then the driving-force transmission unit is protected from heat, but the heating area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the heat-generating portion at the peripheral side in the radial direction where it can generate heat without directly overlapping the central driving-force transmission unit. The hollow portion structure ensures that heat is effectively distributed to the necessary areas while the axial separation protects critical components from excessive thermal exposure.
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 effectively reduces heat generation on the driving-force transmission unit, preventing deformation and ensuring smooth operation by maintaining optimal temperatures and preventing thermal expansion issues.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit 120 that includes a heat-generating portion 123 and that is inserted in the hollow portion 111, the heating unit being configured to heat the hollow portion 111 from a space enclosed by the hollow portion as a result of heat generation of the heat-generating portion
Implementation Method 2
heat the hollow portion 111 from a space enclosed by the hollow portion as a result of heat generation of the heat-generating portion
Data Source
AI summary
A heating device includes a hollow portion that has an endless loop shape in a rotation direction and that has open ends in a rotation-axis direction, at least one heating unit that includes a heat-generating portion and that is inserted in the hollow portion, the heating unit being configured to heat the hollow portion from a space enclosed by the hollow portion as a result of heat generation of the heat-generating portion, and a driving-force transmission unit that is fixed to an end portion of the hollow portion in the rotation-axis direction and that transmits a driving force, which is transmitted to the driving-force transmission unit by a driving source, to the hollow portion so as to rotate the hollow portion, the driving-force transmission unit having an opening that is in communication with an interior of the hollow portion. The heat-generating portion is disposed at a position that does not overlap the driving-force transmission unit in the rotation-axis direction.