Segmented Fusing Lamp for Small Paper Overheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses using dual halogen lamps face overheating issues when printing small-sized paper, leading to decreased performance and increased printing time due to idling for cooling, as the fusing device struggles to manage heat distribution effectively.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a fusing device with two or more heating sources, where one source includes a non-heater portion to block heat generation in specific sections, allowing for controlled heat distribution and reduced overheating by sealing parts of the heaters to prevent halogen gas from heating certain areas, thereby optimizing heat generation based on paper size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dual lamp with filaments disposed in both sides of the center lamp is used to print various sizes of paper, then large-sized paper can be printed with sufficient heat, but small-sized paper causes heat accumulation and overheating of the fusing device
Solution Approach 1:
The center lamp is segmented into a heating portion and a non-heating portion. The non-heating portion blocks heat generation in specific sections, allowing selective heating based on paper size. This segmentation enables the lamp to adapt to different paper sizes without causing heat accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the center lamp have different heating characteristics. The heating portion generates heat for adequate paper sizes, while the non-heating portion remains inactive for small paper sizes. This local differentiation allows the system to provide appropriate heat distribution for various paper sizes, preventing overheating.
2Temperature
If both center lamp and side lamp are used for small-sized paper printing, then sufficient heat coverage is achieved, but the fusing device must idle for cooling which decreases printing speed
Solution Approach 1:
The heating characteristics of the center lamp are made dynamic through the controller that selectively activates or deactivates the non-heating portion based on detected paper size. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize heat distribution for each printing task, avoiding unnecessary heat generation and subsequent cooling idle time.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller detects paper size and provides feedback to adjust the heating operation of the center lamp accordingly. For small paper sizes, the feedback triggers deactivation of the non-heating portion, preventing heat accumulation and maintaining continuous printing operation without cooling idle time.
3Temperature
If the non-heating portion blocks heat generation in specific sections, then heat management is improved, but the structure of the heating source becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The center lamp structure serves multiple functions: it provides heat generation through the heating portion and heat blocking through the non-heating portion. This multi-functionality is achieved within a single integrated lamp structure, reducing the need for additional separate components and minimizing overall system 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 solution maintains printing performance and reduces printing time by preventing overheating, ensuring efficient heat management and consistent printing speed across various paper sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a first heating source including a first heater and a first conductor connected to the first heater, a second heating source including a second heater and a second conductor connected to the second heater
Implementation Method 2
a first non-heater portion configured to block heat generated from a part of the first heating source in which a portion of the first heater or a portion of the first conductor are sealed
Implementation Method 3
a pressing member disposed to face the fusing member to press a printing medium toward the fusing member
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a fusing device. The fusing device includes a first heating source including a first heater and a first conductor connected to the first heater, a second heating source including a second heater and a second conductor connected to the second heater, a fusing member heated by at least one of the first heating source and the second heating source. The fusing device includes a pressing member disposed to face the fusing member to press a printing medium toward the fusing member, where the first heating source includes a first non-heater portion in which the first heater or the first conductor is sealed so that a part of the first heating source does not generate heat.