Movable Reflecting Unit for Fixing Apparatus Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fixing apparatuses with concave/convex reflecting plates face challenges in controlling the temperature of the heating unit, leading to delayed cooling and reduced efficiency in temperature regulation.
Innovation Solution
A fixing apparatus with a rotating movable unit that switches between two positions to control air flow, allowing for easier heat dissipation and temperature regulation, including a controller to manage the movable unit's position based on temperature, sheet type, and jamming detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a concave/convex portion is provided in the reflecting plate to prevent natural convection, then heating efficiency is improved, but temperature control becomes delayed and cooling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflecting plate is designed with a movable portion that can dynamically change its position between a first position (close to the heating unit) and a second position (far from the heating unit). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize for either heating efficiency or cooling speed depending on the operational state, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high heating efficiency and enabling fast cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable portion of the reflecting plate acts as an intermediary element that can be positioned to either block or allow air flow between the heating unit and the external environment. By controlling the position of this intermediary component, the system can switch between convection suppression (for heating) and convection promotion (for cooling), thereby managing the trade-off between heating efficiency and cooling time.
2Temperature
If the reflecting plate blocks air flow to maintain temperature, then heating efficiency is improved, but temperature adjustment flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The movable portion of the reflecting plate can be dynamically repositioned based on operational requirements. When temperature stability is needed, the movable portion is positioned to block air flow. When temperature adjustment or cooling is needed, the movable portion is repositioned to allow air flow. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between temperature stability and temperature adjustment flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of air flow resistance by moving the reflecting plate's movable portion between different positions. This parameter change allows the system to transition between states of high temperature stability (blocked air flow) and high temperature adjustability (open air flow), thereby resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements.
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 enables faster cooling and temperature control of the heating unit, reducing the time required to adjust temperatures for different sheet types, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the fixing process.
Implementation Method 1
a reflecting unit which reflects heat emitted from the heating unit
Implementation Method 2
a movable unit which is provided in the covering unit and which can be switched between a first position and a second position in which air in the space can flow more easily than the first position
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing apparatus includes the following. A heating unit includes an outer surface driven to rotate and heats a sheet on which color material is transferred. A reflecting unit reflects heat emitted from the heating unit. The reflecting unit further includes, a covering unit which covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the heating unit so that there is a predetermined space; and a movable unit which is provided in the covering unit and which can be switched between a first position and a second position in which air in the space can flow more easily than the first position. The fixing apparatus also includes, a switching unit which switches the movable unit between the first position and the second position; and a controller which controls the switching unit.