Parallel Exhaust Ducts Maintain Airflow While Filtering UFP
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in reducing the discharge of ultrafine particles (UFP) generated at the fixing portion, as high-density filters required to collect these particles decrease air intake flow rates, potentially leading to incomplete capture and increased UFP discharge outside the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a quadrangle cylindrical air passage with a centrifugal fan and a dedicated UFP filter, along with a compression space and axial flow fans to maintain air intake flow rates while efficiently collecting UFP, using a sirocco or turbofan to pressure-feed air through the filter without reducing intake flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a high-density filter is provided in the exhaust air passage to collect UFP, then the collection efficiency of UFP is improved, but the air flow rate through the exhaust passage decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust air passage is divided into multiple parallel passages (first exhaust air passage and second exhaust air passage). Each passage has its own fan and filter, allowing the system to maintain high filtration efficiency while increasing total air flow capacity by distributing the load across multiple channels.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple exhaust air passages are combined in parallel to achieve both high filtration efficiency and high air flow rate. The plurality of fans work together to draw air through multiple filters simultaneously, merging their individual capacities to solve the contradiction between filtration quality and airflow quantity.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a high-density filter is used to collect UFP, then the discharge of UFP to the external is reduced, but the amount of air taken in from the periphery of the fixing portion decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust system is segmented into multiple independent air passages, each with dedicated fans and filters. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high air intake flow rates by distributing the total airflow requirement across multiple parallel channels, preventing the airflow reduction that would occur with a single high-density filter.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple exhaust air passages are merged in parallel configuration, combining their individual airflow capacities. This merging allows the system to achieve both high UFP collection efficiency (through dedicated filters in each passage) and high total air intake flow rate (through the combined capacity of all passages).
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 effectively collects UFP within the apparatus without decreasing air intake flow rates, preventing UFP discharge outside and ensuring efficient particle capture while maintaining airflow integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The first centrifugal fan is provided on a side of the first air inlet compared to the first air passage filter in the first air passage, and sucks the air through the first air inlet and pressure-feeds the air to the first air passage filter. The first centrifugal fan is, for example, a sirocco fan, a turbofan or the like.
Implementation Method 2
The first air passage filter includes a filter for ultrafine particle (UFP) for collecting at least the UFP.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an exhaust device. The exhaust device includes a duct main body and a duct mounting member. The duct main body and the duct mounting member are integrated with each other to form a first air passage and a second air passage that communicate a periphery of a fixing unit and an exhaust port of an apparatus main body. The first air passage is provided with a first fan and a first air passage filter. The second air passage is provided with a second fan and a second air passage filter. Each of the first fan and the second fan is a centrifugal fan. Each of the first air passage filter and the second air passage filter includes a filter for collecting at least ultrafine particle (UFP).