Induction Heating Unit Wire Routing for Cooling Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices with induction heating systems face challenges in efficiently cooling excitation coils without increasing production costs or noise, as conductive wires disrupt cooling air currents, leading to reduced cooling efficiency and potential safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device design where conductive wires, such as a thermostat wire, are drawn out through holes in the cover members of the induction heating unit, minimizing disruption to cooling air currents and enhancing cooling efficiency, while maintaining a simple configuration and low production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conductive wires are disposed in the space through which cooling air passes, then the conductive wires can be routed outside the induction heating unit, but the conductive wires disrupt the cooling air current and reduce cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive wires are extracted from the cooling air passage space and routed through a separate path along the outer surface of the induction heating unit, eliminating their disruptive effect on the cooling air current while maintaining electrical connectivity
Solution Approach 2:
The wire routing is moved from a two-dimensional plane within the housing to a three-dimensional path along the exterior surface, allowing wires to bypass the cooling air flow path entirely and exit through the rear surface of the unit
2Power
If high electric power is input to the excitation coil, then the heating performance is improved, but the temperature of the excitation coil increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fan operates continuously during induction heating to maintain constant cooling of the excitation coil, ensuring that high power heating can be sustained without dangerous temperature buildup by providing uninterrupted heat dissipation
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling air acts as an intermediary medium between the heat source (excitation coil) and the environment, transferring excess heat away from the coil through forced convection created by the cooling fan
3Temperature
If a cooling fan is used to cool down the excitation coil, then the temperature control is improved, but the power consumption and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fan is positioned to provide focused cooling only to the excitation coil area rather than cooling the entire unit, using partial action to achieve effective temperature control with reduced power consumption compared to full-unit cooling
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 design effectively increases the cooling efficiency of excitation coils, reduces power consumption, and operates within safety standards, minimizing noise and production costs by allowing cooling air to flow unobstructed and optimizing fan operation.
Implementation Method 1
an induction heating unit serving as a heating source to heat the fixing member, and a conductive wire drawn out of the induction heating unit
Implementation Method 2
the excitation coil is disposed facing, e.g., a fixing roller or a heating roller
Implementation Method 3
Cooling air flows or passes through the space to cool down the excitation coil 51 in use of a cooling fan
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a rotatable fixing member, a pressing member to contact the fixing member with pressure to form a nip between the pressing member and the fixing member, an induction heating unit serving as a heating source to heat the fixing member, and a conductive wire drawn out of the induction heating unit to be disposed outside the cover member through a hole provided substantially at a center of the cover member in a longitudinal direction of the induction heating unit. The induction heating unit includes an excitation coil, a coil holder to hold the excitation coil, and a cover member provided facing the coil holder with the coil holder interposed between the cover member and the fixing member.