Planar Heating Element for Fixing Device Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface heating units for fixing devices in image forming apparatuses, such as printers, consume excessive power and have high first paper out time (FPOT) due to inefficient heat transmission from halogen lamps, which are not directly applied to the print medium.
Innovation Solution
A surface heating type heating unit with a planar heating element, supported by a flexible supporter and powered through an improved electrode and power feeding structure, directly transmits heat to the print medium, reducing power consumption and FPOT by using a belt-type configuration with a planar heating element and a power feeding terminal connected via a flexible connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a halogen lamp is used as the heating element, then the heating unit can generate heat, but power consumption and first paper out time (FPOT) are increased due to inefficient heat transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from the halogen lamp and implements it directly through a planar heating element that contacts the print medium. This removes the inefficient heat transmission path through multiple components and directly applies heat where needed, reducing power consumption while improving heating efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a planar heating element as an intermediary between the power source and the print medium. This heating element directly transmits heat to the print medium without requiring halogen lamps and complex heat transmission paths, thereby improving thermal efficiency and reducing energy consumption
2Use of energy by moving object
If a planar heating element is disposed directly below the external surface, then heat is directly transmitted to the print medium reducing power consumption and FPOT, but electrode structure and power feeding become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the planar heating element with the supporter structure, integrating the heating function into the existing mechanical support system. This combination simplifies the overall structure by eliminating separate electrode components and power feeding mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining direct heat transmission benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The supporter structure is designed to serve multiple functions: providing mechanical support and simultaneously housing the heating element. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate electrode structures and power feeding systems, reducing complexity while enabling direct heating
3Reliability
If heat is transmitted through various parts of the heating unit, then the heating unit can function, but first paper out time (FPOT) is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat transmission path from the complex multi-part structure and creates a direct contact between the planar heating element and the print medium. This eliminates intermediate transmission steps, significantly reducing the time required to heat the first paper while maintaining reliable heating function
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of transmitting heat from an internal source through multiple parts to the external surface, the patent inverts the approach by placing the heating element directly at the contact point with the print medium. This reversal of the heating approach eliminates transmission delays and achieves immediate heating, reducing FPOT
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 decreases power consumption and FPOT by ensuring that most of the heat generated by the planar heating element is directly applied to the print medium, enhancing energy efficiency and heating rate while maintaining mechanical durability and electrical contact stability.
Implementation Method 1
heat generated by the planar heating element
Implementation Method 2
heat generated by the planar heating element is directly transmitted to the print medium
Data Source
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AI summary
A surface heating type heating unit for a fixing device, and a fixing device and an image forming apparatus including the same. The surface heating type heating unit includes a planar heating element (210) on an outer circumferential surface of a supporter (220) having cylindrical shape, a power feeding terminal (230) at each end of the supporter, and a connector (240) disposed between the planar heating element and the power feeding terminal. The connector is formed on a first region on the power feeding terminal, and includes an adhesive material (241) for adhering the planar heating element and the power feeding terminal, and a conductive material (245) formed on a second region of the power feeding terminal excluding the first region.