Metal Pipe Cooling Passage for Image Heating Apparatus Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-temperature compressed air used in image heating apparatuses generates excessive noise and poses a risk of damage to pneumatic components due to elevated temperatures, particularly in pressure adjusting valves, when high-pressure air flows through piping passages.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a metal pipe section in the air supply passage from the compressor to the pressure adjusting valve to cool the high-temperature compressed air efficiently, utilizing a serpentine metal pipe configuration for effective heat dissipation and noise reduction, while maintaining a compact apparatus design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compressed air is blown to the fixing device to separate recording material, then separation effectiveness is improved, but noise is generated and component damage risk increases due to high temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cooling passage as an intermediary element between the compressed air source and the fixing device. This cooling passage acts as a mediator that cools the high-temperature compressed air before it reaches the fixing device, thereby reducing noise and preventing component damage while maintaining separation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the compressed air by introducing a cooling mechanism. The cooling passage reduces the temperature of the compressed air from its initially high state to a lower state, thereby eliminating the harmful effects of high temperature while preserving the functional benefits of compressed air for sheet separation.
2Productivity
If high-pressure air flows through piping passage, then compressed air delivery is achieved, but temperature of pressure adjusting valve increases causing noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air delivery system into two distinct parts: a high-temperature compressed air passage for efficient air delivery, and a separate cooling passage for temperature reduction. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high productivity in air delivery while simultaneously controlling the temperature of the pressure adjusting valve to prevent noise.
3Temperature
If metal pipe is used for air supply passage, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air supply function and the cooling function into a single integrated metal pipe structure. The metal pipe serves dual purposes: it supplies compressed air to the fixing device while simultaneously cooling the air through its thermal conductivity. This merging reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate cooling components while maintaining effective 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 solution effectively cools the compressed air, reducing the temperature of air entering pneumatic components to below 60°C, thereby suppressing noise and minimizing the risk of component damage, while maintaining a compact and efficient image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a metal pipe configured to form at least a part of an air supply passage from the compressor to the pressure adjusting valve
Implementation Method 2
Incorporating a metal pipe section in the air supply passage from the compressor to the pressure adjusting valve to cool the high-temperature compressed air efficiently
Implementation Method 3
A temperature of gas which is taken into a compressor becomes high in a step of generating compressed air. For example, in the case where the air of a normal temperature (25° C.) and a normal pressure (0.1 MPa) is compressed to about 0.4 MPa, a temperature of a resultant gas is about 110° C. to about 120° C.
Data Source
AI summary
An image heating apparatus includes first and second rotatable members configured to form a nip for heating a toner on a sheet; a compressor; an air nozzle configured to blow air which is compressed by the compressor, to the first rotatable member; and a supplying mechanism configured to supply the air which is compressed by the compressor, to the air nozzle. The supplying mechanism includes a pressure adjusting valve configured to adjust an inside pressure and a metal pipe configured to form at least a part of an air supply passage from the compressor to the pressure adjusting valve.