Induction Heating Power Supply Current Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional induced heating methods for image forming apparatuses face challenges in supplying large electric currents efficiently due to low power factor, which requires increasing electric current or voltage, leading to the need for expensive and oversized connectors.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system that divides the electric current supply into multiple wires, using widespread connectors for a relatively small electric current, with detection and monitoring mechanisms to prevent excessive current flow and disconnections, allowing for the use of smaller, less expensive connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If electric current or voltage is increased to obtain large heat amount in induced heating method, then heating efficiency is improved, but connector size and cost increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single large-current path into multiple parallel current paths by introducing a second wire. The coil is connected such that current can flow through both the first wire and second wire simultaneously, effectively segmenting the current load. This allows each wire to carry a smaller current while the total heating power remains high, thus using smaller, less expensive connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple current paths (first wire and second wire) to supply current to the same coil. By merging these parallel paths, the system achieves the effect of a large current supply while using multiple smaller-wire connectors. The combined current from both wires produces the required heating effect without requiring any single connector to handle the full current load.
2Power
If electric current is increased to obtain large heat amount, then heating efficiency is improved, but power factor remains small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters by introducing a resonant circuit connected in parallel with the coil. The resonant circuit is tuned to resonate at the operating frequency, which improves the overall power factor of the system. This allows the system to maintain high heating power while reducing reactive power losses and improving energy efficiency.
3Ease of manufacture
If wiring with widespread connectors for relatively small electric current is used, then cost is reduced, but ability to supply large electric current is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the current supply function across multiple wires with small-current connectors. Instead of using a single expensive large-current connector, the system uses multiple affordable small-current connectors in parallel. Each connector handles only a portion of the total current, making the overall system both cost-effective and capable of delivering high power.
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
Enables the efficient supply of large electric currents while preventing erroneous large current flows, reducing the risk of connector damage and power loss, and allowing the use of cost-effective connectors.
Implementation Method 1
a power supply which supplies an AC electric current to a coil of a heating unit employing an electromagnetic induced heating method
Implementation Method 2
first and second detection devices which respectively detect electric currents fed back via third and fourth wires through the coil
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a power supply which supplies an AC electric current to the coil of a heating unit employing the electromagnetic induced heating method via a connector connecting a plurality of wires, and a method for the power supply. The method includes the steps of supplying electric currents to the coil via 1st and 2nd wires from 1st and 2nd electric current supply units and detecting feedback electric currents via 3rd and 4th wires through the coil. Whether an electric current is abnormally supplied to the coil is monitored on the basis of these detected electric currents. It is controlled in accordance with the monitoring result to stop driving the 1st and 2nd electric current supply units and supply an electric current to the coil.