Preheating Device for Uniform Back Surface Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing preheating devices for continuous recording media in image forming apparatuses are inefficient in uniformly heating the back surface of the media before the fixing operation, leading to suboptimal fixation of toner images.
Innovation Solution
A preheating device with two inverting members obliquely intersecting the media's feeding direction and a heating rotating body positioned outside the media's edge, inverting and heating the back surface to ensure thorough preheating before the fixing operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional preheating device is used to heat the back surface of continuous recording medium, then the fixing operation can be performed, but the heating is not uniform and preheating efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces inverting members that flip the continuous recording medium to pass the back surface through the heating rotating body. This inversion mechanism ensures that the back surface, which would otherwise not contact the heating surface, is properly positioned for uniform heating, thereby resolving the non-uniform preheating issue while maintaining efficient continuous processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a dimensional element by incorporating rotating bodies that contact the back surface of the recording medium. This rotational dimension allows the heating surface to engage with the back surface across a larger area and maintain continuous contact during movement, improving both uniformity and efficiency of preheating
2Reliability
If the back surface of the recording medium is not preheated effectively, then the fixing operation can proceed, but the toner image fixation is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preheating step before the main fixing operation by using heating rotating bodies to warm the back surface of the recording medium. This preliminary heating action ensures that when the recording medium enters the fixing device, both surfaces are at optimal temperatures for reliable toner image fixation, preventing fixation defects
Solution Approach 2:
By inverting the recording medium to expose the back surface to heating elements, the patent ensures uniform preheating across the entire back surface area. This inversion mechanism guarantees consistent temperature distribution, which directly improves the reliability of toner image fixation by eliminating cold spots that would cause fixation failures
3Productivity
If inverting members are introduced to pass the back surface through the heating body, then preheating effectiveness improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inverting members serve dual functions: they both invert the recording medium to expose the back surface and guide it through the heating rotating body. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate inversion and heating mechanisms, thereby improving preheating effectiveness while minimizing the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the inversion function and heating function into an integrated system where inverting members work in conjunction with heating rotating bodies. By merging these functions into a coordinated mechanism rather than separate systems, the patent achieves effective preheating of the back surface while controlling overall device complexity
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 ensures effective preheating of the back surface, enhancing the fixation process by ensuring the toner image is melted and fixed reliably, improving the overall image forming efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heating rotating body disposed at a position further on an outside than a side edge portion of the recording medium in the feeding direction to preheat the recording medium before the fixing operation by passing a portion of the back surface of the recording medium present between the two first inverting members so that the portion of the back surface is wound around the heating rotating body
Data Source
AI summary
A preheating device includes two first inverting members disposed at different positions while obliquely intersecting a feeding direction of a continuous recording medium on which an unfixed image is formed, the first inverting members inverting the recording medium by passing a back surface of the recording medium, on which the unfixed image is not formed, therealong before a fixing operation, and at least one heating rotating body disposed at a position further on an outside than a side edge portion of the recording medium in the feeding direction to preheat the recording medium before the fixing operation by passing a portion of the back surface of the recording medium present between the two first inverting members so that the portion of the back surface is wound around the heating rotating body.