Image Heating Apparatus Shutter Cooling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image heating apparatuses for electrophotographic systems face challenges in efficiently controlling the temperature of non-sheet-passing regions, leading to hot offset and thermal deterioration, particularly when handling small-size sheets, due to the lack of effective cooling mechanisms and the need for multiple sensors to adjust cooling ranges.
Innovation Solution
An image heating apparatus with a single sensor capable of detecting the home position and controlling the shutter position, utilizing a duct, shutter, and projections to adjust air blowing for effective cooling, ensuring optimal temperature regulation without the need for multiple sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling fans are used to cool the non-sheet-passing portion, then the end portion temperature rise is suppressed, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple sensors and shutters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential cooling function by using a single sensor to detect the home position of the shutter, eliminating the need for multiple sensors while maintaining effective temperature control in the non-sheet-passing region
Solution Approach 2:
The single sensor serves multiple purposes: detecting the home position of the shutter and controlling the shutter position for cooling range adjustment, making one component perform multiple functions that previously required separate components
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple sensors are used to control shutter position, then the cooling range can be adjusted accurately, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: home position detection and shutter position control for cooling range adjustment, eliminating the need for multiple sensors and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining control precision
3Measurement precision
If the shutter structure with two sensors is used, then the home position and shutter position can be detected, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single sensor is designed to detect both the home position of the shutter and control the shutter position for cooling range adjustment, making one component perform multiple functions that previously required separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the home position detection function and the shutter position control function into a single sensor system, reducing the number of components while maintaining the necessary measurement and control capabilities
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
The solution effectively suppresses end portion temperature rise, preventing hot offset and thermal deterioration, while reducing costs by eliminating the requirement for multiple sensors, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the cooling mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
an air blowing portion (33L, 33R) for blowing air to be applied to both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the fixing film (13), and a duct (32L, 32R) for guiding the air from the air blowing portion toward both end portions
Data Source
AI summary
An image heating apparatus including an image heating member, an air blowing portion, a duct, a shutter, a detecting sensor, and a controller. The image heating apparatus also includes a plurality of projections having a smallest projection or a plurality of recessed portions having a smallest recessed portion. The controller is configured to control an operation of the shutter so that the controller stops the shutter on the basis of detection of the smallest projection or smallest recessed portion by said detecting sensor during closing of said shutter.