Heating Unit Rocking Mechanism for Fixing Unit Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately positioning the heating unit relative to the fixing unit, particularly when moving from an evacuation position to a reference position, which affects the efficiency and precision of the heating process.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a movement mechanism that allows the heating unit to rock between a reference attitude and a tilted attitude, with an engagement guide portion guiding the to-be-engaged portion to the engagement portion, and a unit bias portion that biases the heating unit toward the fixing unit, ensuring precise positioning and engagement between the units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the heating unit is moved from evacuation position to reference position, then the heating process can be performed, but the positioning accuracy at the reference position cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement guide portion guides the to-be-engaged portion to the engagement portion in advance, ensuring that the heating unit accurately reaches the reference position before engagement occurs. This preliminary guiding action eliminates positioning uncertainty during the movement from evacuation position to reference position.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement guide portion acts as an intermediary element between the heating unit and the fixing unit. It facilitates the engagement process by guiding the to-be-engaged portion to the engagement portion, ensuring reliable connection without requiring complex positioning mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the heating unit is fixed in a single position, then the structure is simple, but the fixing unit cannot be drawn out from the main body
Solution Approach 1:
The heating unit is designed to be movable between multiple positions (evacuation position and reference position) along the second direction. This dynamic capability allows the fixing unit to be drawn out when needed while maintaining a compact structure during normal operation, achieving versatility without excessive complexity.
3Reliability
If the heating unit can rock between reference attitude and tilted attitude, then the engagement is reliable, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating unit automatically rocks between reference attitude and tilted attitude based on its position relative to the fixing unit. The unit bias portion provides biasing force that enables this automatic attitude adjustment without requiring external control systems, achieving reliable engagement through self-service mechanism.
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 that the heating unit is accurately positioned at the reference position, enhancing the heating process efficiency and maintaining the engagement state, thereby improving the overall performance of the image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a unit bias portion that biases the heating unit toward the fixing unit when the heating unit is at a reference position in the second direction
Implementation Method 2
The heater heats the fixing member
Implementation Method 3
The heater heats the fixing member
Data Source
AI summary
A heating unit includes a to-be-engaged portion. A fixing unit includes an engagement portion. The heating unit or the fixing unit includes an engagement guide portion. A movement mechanism retains the heating unit in a tilted attitude when causing the heating unit to move at a position set apart from the fixing unit. The engagement guide portion causes the heating unit to rock from the tilted attitude to a reference attitude while guiding the to-be-engaged portion to the engagement portion. The engagement portion engages with the to-be-engaged portion to restrict a movement of the heating unit in a longitudinal direction. A unit bias portion retains an engagement state between the engagement portion and the to-be-engaged portion.