Segmented Heater Layout for Image Fuser Edge Temperature Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image heating devices in electrophotographic recording systems experience temperature rise in non-paper-passing parts, leading to potential damage and hot offset issues, particularly when switching between small and large-sized papers, and existing solutions with multiple heating blocks and sensors increase the device size.
Innovation Solution
A heater configuration with independently controlled heating blocks and reduced sensor count, using symmetrical heating resistors and thermistors, along with a control circuit to manage temperature and power distribution, minimizing device size while maintaining effective temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple temperature sensors are provided for each heating block to monitor temperature, then temperature control reliability is improved, but the size of the heater increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is divided into multiple independent heating blocks (first heating block, second heating block, etc.), each capable of independent temperature control. This segmentation allows selective heating of different regions, enabling reliable temperature control without requiring sensors in all areas, thus reducing overall sensor count and heater size.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature control is applied locally to specific heating blocks rather than uniformly across the entire heater. The control unit independently adjusts power supply to each heating block based on its specific temperature conditions, achieving reliable local temperature control with fewer sensors needed in critical areas.
2Manufacturing precision
If a plurality of heating blocks are used to control heating distribution, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is segmented into multiple independent heating blocks with separate power control, allowing precise control of heating distribution across different regions. Each block can be independently adjusted to achieve optimal heating precision without requiring complex integrated control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater employs dynamic power control where the power supply to each heating block can be independently adjusted based on real-time temperature feedback and paper size detection. This dynamic adjustment capability enables precise heating distribution while maintaining relatively simple device structure through modular design.
3Productivity
If power is continuously supplied to all heating blocks, then heating efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases and temperature rise in non-paper-passing parts occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into multiple independently controllable heating blocks, allowing power to be supplied only to the blocks currently needed for heating (where paper is passing). This selective power supply maintains high heating efficiency for active regions while avoiding energy waste in inactive regions, preventing unnecessary temperature rise.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater implements periodic or selective power supply to different heating blocks based on paper detection and conveyance position. Power is activated only when and where needed, and deactivated when paper is not passing through, thereby maintaining heating efficiency during operation while reducing overall energy consumption and preventing heat accumulation in non-paper-passing areas.
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 effectively suppresses temperature rise in non-paper-passing parts, preventing damage and hot offset, while reducing the overall size of the heater and improving reliability through efficient power management and sensor optimization.
Implementation Method 1
a first heating block and a second heating block which are different from each other in the longitudinal direction of the substrate and are controlled independently from each other
Implementation Method 2
In consideration of occurrence of a failure in such an apparatus, it may be configured so as to monitor a temperature of each heating block
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
In an image heating device having a plurality of heating blocks which are controllable independently in a longitudinal direction of a heater, an increase of the size of the heater can be suppressed, and temperatures of a plurality of heating block can be detected. A heater has a first temperature sensor corresponding to a first heating block, a second temperature sensor corresponding to a second heating block, a first electric conductor electrically coupled to the first temperature sensor, a second electric conductor electrically coupled to the second temperature sensor, and a common electric conductor electrically coupled to the first and second temperature sensors.