Thermal Conductor Heat Transfer to Ventilator in Developing Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the temperature of the developer in the developing device increases due to heat from the bearing units, particularly at the rear end, which is not effectively managed when space constraints limit the addition of heat dissipation fins and ventilators along the longitudinal direction.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a thermal conductor that contacts the rear bearing unit and transfers heat to a ventilator with a channel space, facilitating airflow and heat dissipation, thereby reducing the developer's temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat dissipation fins and ventilators are added along the longitudinal direction of the developing device, then heat dissipation performance is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat dissipation function with the existing ventilator structure by providing a thermal conductor that transfers heat from the bearing unit to the ventilator. This merging approach allows the ventilator to serve dual purposes: air circulation and heat dissipation, thereby improving developer temperature control without significantly increasing device complexity or requiring additional space for separate heat dissipation fins.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal conductor acts as an intermediary element that bridges the heat source (bearing unit) and the heat dissipation path (ventilator). This mediator transfers heat efficiently from the bearing unit to the ventilator, enabling effective heat dissipation without direct modification to the bearing unit or requiring complex integrated heat dissipation structures.
2Temperature
If traditional heat dissipation components are installed, then heat dissipation effectiveness is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to densely packed apparatus constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilator is designed to perform multiple functions: air circulation for developer supply and heat dissipation through the thermal conductor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate heat dissipation components, simplifying the manufacturing process and assembly in densely packed apparatus configurations while maintaining effective heat dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the heat dissipation function into the existing ventilator structure through the thermal conductor, the patent reduces the number of discrete components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This integration approach significantly improves ease of manufacture in space-constrained environments compared to installing separate heat dissipation fins or ventilators.
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 effectively suppresses the increase in developer temperature at the rear end of the developing device, even in densely packed apparatuses where traditional heat dissipation components are difficult to install, by using a thermal conductor to transfer heat to the ventilator, ensuring efficient airflow and cooling.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal conductor that is provided to the ventilator and transfers heat of the bearing unit at least at the rear end of the developing device to at least the ventilator by being in contact with a part of the bearing unit
Implementation Method 2
a ventilator disposed in the housing to pass by at least a rear end of the developing device in a longitudinal direction of the developing device and having a channel space through which air outside the housing flows in and is then discharged out of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a developing device disposed in the housing and including a container that contains a developer, a transport member that rotates to transport the developer in the container, and bearing units that bear a shaft of the transport member, a ventilator disposed in the housing to pass by at least a rear end of the developing device in a longitudinal direction of the developing device and having a channel space through which air outside the housing flows in and is then discharged out of the housing, and a thermal conductor that is provided to the ventilator and transfers heat of the bearing unit at least at the rear end of the developing device to at least the ventilator by being in contact with a part of the bearing unit.