Multi-Length Heater Elements for Paper-Width Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing apparatuses in image forming devices face issues with temperature gradients and deformation of the heating member substrate due to varying paper sizes, leading to potential distortion and reduced productivity, especially when unexpected power surges occur.
Innovation Solution
A heater design with multiple heat generation members of varying lengths arranged symmetrically on the substrate, including a first and second member of equal length, a third member shorter than the first two, and a fourth member shorter than the third, connected in specific configurations to distribute power evenly and reduce temperature gradients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a single heat generation member with maximum width is used to heat the entire heating area, then the heating member can maintain uniform temperature for wide papers (A4), but temperature rise occurs in non-sheet feeding areas when narrow papers (A5) are used, causing distortion and potential substrate deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The heating member is divided into multiple heat generation members (first, second, third, and fourth members) with different lengths arranged in the width direction. This segmentation allows each member to be independently controlled, preventing temperature rise in non-sheet feeding areas while maintaining uniform heating across the entire heating area, thus eliminating substrate deformation risks
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects and activates specific heat generation members based on the detected paper width. For narrow papers, only the necessary heating zones are activated, preventing temperature rise in unused areas. This dynamic control maintains temperature uniformity while avoiding substrate deformation
2Reliability
If the heat generation member width is reduced to match narrow paper width, then temperature rise in non-sheet feeding areas is prevented, but the heating area cannot cover wide papers (A4), reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple heat generation members with different lengths are arranged to cover the entire maximum heating area. The first and second members have maximum width for A4 papers, while the third and fourth members have reduced widths for narrow papers. This segmentation allows the system to maintain full heating area coverage for wide papers while using only the necessary heating zones for narrow papers, ensuring both productivity and temperature control stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically activates appropriate heat generation members based on paper width detection. For A4 papers, all members are activated to cover the entire heating area. For A5 papers, only the third and fourth members are activated. This dynamic selection maintains productivity by ensuring the heating area always matches the paper size, while preventing temperature rise in non-sheet feeding areas
3Speed
If power is excessively supplied to a single heat generation member to rapidly heat the substrate, then heating speed is improved, but the substrate experiences rapid temperature rise causing great deformation and distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is segmented across multiple heat generation members that can be activated simultaneously or selectively. This distribution of heating capacity allows rapid heating of the substrate through parallel heat generation, while preventing excessive power concentration in any single member, thus avoiding rapid temperature rise and substrate deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls power distribution to multiple heat generation members based on real-time temperature monitoring and paper width detection. Power is distributed across available members to achieve rapid heating, while preventing excessive power supply to any single member. This dynamic power management maintains high heating speed while preventing substrate deformation
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 allows for rapid heating to support various paper sizes while minimizing substrate deformation risks and maintaining high productivity by evenly distributing heat and reducing temperature gradients, even in the event of power surges.
Implementation Method 1
a heater including a substrate, a first heat generation member, a second heat generation member having a length substantially a same in a longitudinal direction as a length of the first heat generation member, a third heat generation member having a length shorter than lengths of the first heat generation member and the second heat generation member in the longitudinal direction, and a fourth heat generation member having a length shorter than length of the third heat generation member in the longitudinal direction
Data Source
AI summary
The heater including a substrate, a first heat generation member, a second heat generation member having a length substantially a same in a longitudinal direction as a length of the first heat generation member, a third heat generation member having a length shorter than lengths of the first heat generation member and the second heat generation member in the longitudinal direction, and a fourth heat generation member having a length shorter than length of the third heat generation member in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first heat generation member, the second heat generation member, the third heat generation member and the fourth heat generation member are arranged on the substrate.