Reflector Curvature in Fixing Device Heat Reflection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fixing devices in image forming apparatuses face a decrease in heat transfer efficiency from the heating unit to the belt due to high temperatures of the reflecting member, especially in high-speed printing applications requiring high electric power.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a cylindrical belt, a roller, a heater, and a reflector is designed, where the heater is disposed within the belt's inner circumference and the reflector is positioned to reflect heat generated by the heater towards the belt's inner surface, enhancing heat transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the electric power of the heating unit is increased for high-speed printing, then the printing speed is improved, but the heat transfer efficiency from the heating unit to the belt decreases due to excessive temperature of the reflecting member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reflecting member from the heat transfer path by providing a heat insulating member between the heating unit and the reflecting member. This prevents the reflecting member from becoming excessively hot and maintains efficient heat transfer from the heating unit to the belt, even when high electric power is used for high-speed printing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat insulating member as an intermediary between the heating unit and the reflecting member. This intermediary component isolates the reflecting member from direct heat exposure while allowing the heating unit to continue heating the belt efficiently, thus resolving the contradiction between high power operation and heat transfer efficiency.
2Reliability
If the temperature of the reflecting member is increased to reflect more heat, then the heat reflection efficiency is improved, but the heat transfer efficiency from the heating unit to the belt decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reflecting member from the direct heat path by placing a heat insulating member between the heating unit and the reflecting member. This allows the reflecting member to maintain its temperature for effective heat reflection while preventing it from becoming excessively hot, thus maintaining both heat reflection efficiency and heat transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat insulating member serves as an intermediary that decouples the thermal relationship between the heating unit and the reflecting member. This enables the reflecting member to perform its heat reflection function reliably without suffering from excessive temperature that would reduce heat transfer efficiency.
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 improves heat transfer efficiency from the heater to the belt, enabling efficient toner fixation even at high speeds and reducing energy consumption by optimizing heat distribution.
Implementation Method 1
the reflector is positioned to reflect heat generated by the heater towards the belt's inner surface
Implementation Method 2
heat generated from the heating unit and is reflected from the reflecting unit
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a belt, a roller, a heater, and a reflector. The belt is rotatable in a rotational direction. The roller is positioned to be in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the belt so as to form a nip between the roller and the belt. The heater is disposed within an inner circumference of the belt. The reflector is configured to reflect heat generated by the heater toward an inner surface of the belt. The reflector includes a first portion that is in contact with the belt at a first region downstream with respect to the nip in the rotational direction. The first portion causes a curvature of the belt at the first region to be greater than the curvature of the belt at regions of the belt adjacent to the first region.