Thermal Fuse with Elastic Support for Adjustable Fusing Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent fusing temperatures across the fixing belt, leading to uneven toner image fixation quality, especially at varying process speeds, which affects image quality and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a thermal fuse with a fuse element and an elastic support body, where the fuse element is stretched to reduce its fusing temperature below the rated temperature, allowing for adjustable tension to match different process speeds, thereby maintaining consistent heating and fixing performance across various speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a thermal fuse with a stretched fuse element is used to reduce fusing temperature below rated temperature, then the fusing temperature can be adjusted to match different process speeds, but the device complexity increases due to the elastic member and tension adjustment mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse element is transformed from a static component to a dynamic one by applying tension through the elastic member. This tension dynamically adjusts the fusing temperature to match varying process speeds, allowing the thermal fuse to adapt its characteristics based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the fuse element is changed by applying mechanical tension, which alters its fusing temperature parameter. This parameter change enables the thermal fuse to operate at temperatures below its rated temperature, providing adaptability to different process speeds.
2Manufacturing precision
If the fuse element is stretched by the elastic member, then the fusing temperature is reduced below rated temperature for better control, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase for proper tension application
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member automatically applies the necessary tension to the fuse element through its inherent elastic properties. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external tensioning devices, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining precise fusing temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member acts as an intermediary between the support body and the fuse element, transmitting and regulating the tension force. This intermediary component simplifies the manufacturing process by providing a straightforward mechanism for applying controlled tension to achieve the desired fusing temperature.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple thermal fuses are used for different process speeds, then adaptability to varying speeds is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single thermal fuse is designed to perform multiple functions by accommodating different tension levels through the elastic member. This universal design allows one thermal fuse to replace multiple fixed-temperature fuses, reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining adaptability to various process speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal fuse transitions from a static, fixed-temperature component to a dynamic, adjustable-temperature component. This dynamic capability allows a single fuse to adapt to different process speeds, eliminating the need for multiple specialized fuses and simplifying the overall device architecture.
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 enables the fixing device to detect and adjust fusing temperatures according to process speed, ensuring consistent image fixation quality across different speeds, reducing the need for multiple thermal fuses and lowering costs while maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member configured to support the fuse element on a support body by a tension
Implementation Method 2
an elastic member configured to support the fuse element on a support body by a tension at which a fusing temperature of the fuse element is lower than a rated fusing temperature
Implementation Method 3
a planar heating element configured to heat a fixing member that fixes a toner image to a recording medium
Implementation Method 4
a fuse element configured to be in contact with the heating element
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a planar heating element and a thermal fuse. The planar heating element is configured to heat a fixing member that fixes a toner image to a recording medium. The thermal fuse includes a fuse element configured to be in contact with the heating element, and an elastic member configured to support the fuse element on a support body by a tension at which a fusing temperature of the fuse element is lower than a rated fusing temperature.