Oblique Airflow Heating Unit to Reduce Fallen Material Overheating

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Solution Overview

Problem

In heating devices where the opposing surface is disposed in a horizontal direction, the transport material that has fallen onto it may become excessively hot and unstable, leading to potential image failure and contact with other structural components.

Innovation Solution

The opposing surface is obliquely disposed with respect to the horizontal direction, and the blowing unit blows air obliquely to facilitate the transport material's movement, incorporating an accommodation unit to catch fallen materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the opposing surface is disposed in a horizontal direction, then the transport material can be easily collected, but the transport material that has fallen onto it becomes excessively hot and unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of collecting transport materialVSAvoidtemperature of fallen transport material
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the orientation of the opposing surface from horizontal to oblique, introducing a dimensional change in the spatial arrangement. This oblique configuration allows fallen transport material to slide off the surface due to gravity, preventing excessive heat accumulation while maintaining ease of collection through the accommodation unit positioned at the lower end.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the opposing surface is disposed in a horizontal direction, then the structure is simple, but the transport material becomes unstable and may contact other structural components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidstability of transport material
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an oblique orientation for the opposing surface, changing from a horizontal configuration to an inclined one. This dimensional change provides a self-draining effect where gravity causes fallen material to slide toward the lower end, preventing instability and contact with other components while adding only minimal structural complexity through the accommodation unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If the blowing unit blows air horizontally, then the air flow is simple, but it does not effectively prevent the transport material from becoming hot when fallen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow configurationVSAvoidtemperature of fallen transport material
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the air flow direction from horizontal to oblique, matching the orientation of the opposing surface. This oblique air flow configuration effectively cools fallen transport material by directing coolant air along the inclined surface, preventing excessive heat accumulation while maintaining relatively simple device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 reduces the temperature increase and stabilizes the transport material's orientation, preventing image failure and contact with other components.

Implementation Method 1

a blowing unit that blows air against a lower surface of a transport material via blowing holes provided in an opposing surface opposing the lower surface of the transport material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

a heating unit that heats in a non-contact manner an upper surface other than a lower surface of a transport material that is transported

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadiation: Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3945370B1Heating device and image forming apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP
  • EP3945370B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3945370B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3945370B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A heating device includes a heating unit that heats in a non-contact manner an upper surface of a transport material that is transported, and a blowing unit that blows air against a lower surface of the transport material via a blowing hole that is provided in an opposing surface opposing the lower surface of the transport material, the opposing surface being obliquely disposed with respect to a horizontal direction.