Image Forming Apparatus Partition for Wax Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the gasified releasing wax from toner is attracted to conveyance rollers downstream of the fixing unit, degrading the performance of conveying the recording medium.
Innovation Solution
A partition is provided above the fixing unit with air vent holes to create an enclosed space that captures and directs gasified releasing wax away from the conveyance path, reducing its attraction to rollers, and an additional guide unit blocks the flow of gasified wax towards the output rollers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a closing member is used to close the space between the housing and the transfer rotary member, then the structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but gasified releasing wax can still move through the gap between the closing member and recording medium to attract to conveyance rollers
Solution Approach 1:
The space above the recording medium is divided into a first space (below the partition) and a second space (above the partition) using a partition structure. This segmentation prevents gasified releasing wax in the first space from reaching the conveyance rollers while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition structure creates a localized enclosed space with specific properties (sealed from wax particles) in the region above the recording medium, while other parts of the apparatus maintain their original design for ease of manufacture.
2Manufacturing precision
If the recording medium is conveyed through a heated space, then the toner image can be fixed, but gasified releasing wax is generated and attracted to conveyance rollers degrading performance
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful gasified releasing wax is extracted from the main conveyance path by directing it into a separate enclosed space. The wax particles are contained in the second space above the partition and prevented from reaching the conveyance rollers, while the recording medium continues through the heating zone for proper fixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition acts as an intermediary structure that separates the heated zone where wax is generated from the conveyance path where rollers operate. It allows heat to pass through for fixing while blocking the movement of gasified wax particles to the rollers.
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 significantly reduces the amount of gasified wax attracted to output and conveyance rollers, stabilizing the output performance and extending the apparatus' operational life by preventing conveyance defects.
Implementation Method 1
The fixing unit fixes the toner image on the recording medium by heating the toner image while conveying the recording medium bearing the toner image at a nip
Implementation Method 2
The releasing wax is liquefied when the recording medium is heated and subjected to the pressure by the fixing unit
Implementation Method 3
Although most of the liquefied releasing wax together with the fused toner is attached to the recording medium and solidified, part of the liquefied releasing wax is gasified
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a recording medium includes an image forming unit, a fixing unit, and an output unit. The fixing unit includes a heating member and a backup member. The backup member forms a nip with the heating member. The output unit, provided on a downstream side of the nip, outputs the recording medium to an outside of the apparatus. The recording medium is conveyed at the nip with a side of the recording medium facing the heating member set as an upper side of the recording medium.