Inclined Heater Array for Fixing Device Design Freedom
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fixing devices in printers and copiers have limited design freedom due to the parallel arrangement of heaters and terminal members, which restricts the layout of heaters and fixed portions, affecting heating performance and compactness.
Innovation Solution
The proposed fixing device features a configuration where the first and second heaters are arrayed in one direction, and their corresponding terminal members are arrayed in a second direction, inclined relative to the first, allowing for enhanced design freedom by decoupling the positional relationships between heaters and fixed portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the first heater and the second heater are arrayed in parallel with their terminal members, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the degree of freedom in design and layout is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a parallel array arrangement (2D planar layout) to an inclined array arrangement where heaters and terminal members are positioned at different angular orientations. This spatial reconfiguration in multiple dimensions decouples the positional dependencies, allowing independent optimization of heater layout and terminal member placement, thereby enhancing design freedom while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If the array direction of heaters and the array direction of fixed portions are parallel, then the layout is straightforward, but the positional relationship between heaters and fixed portions becomes dependent, limiting design flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry by deliberately designing the array direction of terminal members to be inclined relative to the array direction of heaters, rather than maintaining symmetric parallel alignment. This asymmetric angular arrangement breaks the positional dependency between heaters and fixed portions, enabling independent optimization of each component's layout while simplifying the overall assembly process through standardized inclined mounting patterns.
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 enhances the degree of freedom in designing the fixing device, allowing for more flexible layout of heaters and fixed portions, thereby improving heating performance and enabling a more compact design.
Implementation Method 1
a first heating body disposed inside the first glass tube; and a first lead portion protruding from the one end of the first glass tube and electrically connected to the first heating body
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes: a first heater including a first glass tube, a first heating body, and a first lead portion; a second heater including a second glass tube, a second heating body, and a second lead portion; a frame including first and second fixing surfaces; and a first terminal member including a first connection portion and a first fixed portion; and a second terminal member including a second connection portion and a second fixed portion. The first and second heaters are elongated in an elongated direction and arrayed in a first array direction. The first and second lead portions are fixed to the first and second connection portions, respectively. The first and second fixed portions are fixed to the first and second fixing surfaces, respectively, and arrayed in a second array direction. The first array direction is inclined relative to the second array direction when viewed in the elongated direction.