Integrated Duct for Image Forming Apparatus UFP Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses release ultra-fine particles (UFP) due to the heating of toner releasing agents, which are difficult to control and comply with tightening environmental regulations, such as the 'Blue Angel' standards in the European Union.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus is designed with a heat exhausting duct and a collection duct integrated together, positioned between the image forming and fixing portions to capture particles resulting from the toner releasing agents, effectively reducing UFP release by suctioning air and filtering particles across the entire range of the fixing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a filter is added to the duct to capture UFP, then UFP release is reduced, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat exhausting duct and collection duct into a single integrated duct structure. The heat exhausting portion exhausts air heated by the fixing device, while the collection portion collects UFP particles, both functions are merged into one duct system, reducing device complexity while maintaining UFP capture effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated duct serves multiple functions simultaneously: it exhausts heat from the fixing device and collects UFP particles from the air. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate filter components while achieving both heat management and particle capture, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and device complexity
2Reliability
If separate ducts are used for heat exhaustion and particle collection, then functional effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the heat exhausting duct and collection duct into a single molded structure with distinct functional portions. The heat exhausting portion is positioned to exhaust air heated by the fixing device, while the collection portion is positioned to collect UFP particles. This merging reduces manufacturing cost by eliminating the need for separate duct components while maintaining the functional effectiveness of both heat exhaustion and particle collection
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 efficiently captures UFP and exhausts heat, reducing the apparatus's UFP emission while maintaining operational efficiency, resulting in a cost-effective and compact solution for compliance with environmental regulations.
Implementation Method 1
a collection duct having an inlet between the first position and the second position with respect to a recording material feeding direction to collect particles resulting from the parting material
Implementation Method 2
a fixing portion configured to fix, at a second position, an unfixed toner image formed on the recording material by the image forming portion
Implementation Method 3
toner which contains a releasing agent is heated. As toner is heated, the releasing agent in the toner is also heated. As the releasing agent is heated, it turns into ultra fine particles
Implementation Method 4
a heat exhausting duct having an inlet between the first position and the second position with respect to a recording material feeding direction to discharge air heated by the fixing portion
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion to form, at a first position, a toner image on a recording material using toner having a parting material, a fixing portion to fix, at a second position, an unfixed toner image formed on the recording material by the image forming portion, and a heat exhausting duct having an inlet between the first and second positions with respect to a recording material feeding direction to discharge air heated by the fixing portion, with the heat exhausting duct being free of a filter at the inlet thereof. In addition, a collection duct has an inlet between the first position and the second position to collect particles resulting from the parting material. The collection duct is provided with a filter at the inlet thereof, and the inlet of the collection duct is integrally molded with the inlet of the heat exhausting duct.