Ventilated Fusing Member Stay Cooling in Image Forming Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal fixing devices for image forming devices often cause the temperature of surrounding components to increase due to heat from the heater, potentially affecting nearby parts.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a fixing device with a tubular flexible fusing member, a heater, a nip member, a stay, frame members, and a ventilator, where the ventilator allows air to flow through the space between the stay and the fusing member to dissipate heat, preventing temperature elevation of the stay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the heater heats the nip plate to fix images, then image fixation efficiency is improved, but the temperature of the stay increases causing harmful effects on surrounding components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful heat away from the stay by introducing a cooling air flow through the space between the stay and fusing film. The ventilator draws cool air from the front surface side of the stay and discharges it from the rear surface side, effectively removing excess heat from the stay without affecting the heating function for image fixation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary cooling medium between the heater/stay and the surrounding components. This air flow acts as a thermal buffer that absorbs excess heat from the stay and transports it away, preventing temperature increase of surrounding parts while maintaining the necessary heating function
2Stability of the object's composition
If the stay surrounds the heater to support the nip plate, then structural stability is improved, but heat from the heater causes temperature increase of the stay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts heat from the stay by creating a through-flow of cooling air that passes through the space between the stay and fusing film. The ventilator system removes heated air from the rear surface side, effectively extracting thermal energy from the stay structure while preserving its structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic cooling by introducing pressurized or forced air flow through the stay region. The ventilator creates a controlled air current that circulates through the space between the stay and fusing film, using fluid dynamics to remove heat from the stay without compromising its structural support function
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 effectively cools the stay, preventing temperature increases and ensuring the nip plate and guide members remain operational without melting, while maintaining efficient heat transfer for image fixation.
Implementation Method 1
The heater (120) is adapted to radiate radiant heat, and the nip plate (130) is adapted to receive the radiant heat from the heater (120)
Implementation Method 2
The ventilator (25) is adapted to allow air to flow in the space defined between the stay (160) and the fusing film (110)
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming device includes: a heater; a nip member; a stay; fusing member; a pair of frame members; a backup member; and a ventilator. The nip member receives radiant heat from the heater. The stay has an inner surface confronting the heater and an outer surface opposing the inner surface. The fusing member surrounds the heater, the nip member and the stay. The pair of frame members is disposed at end portions of the fusing member. One frame members is formed with an inlet opening. The remaining frame member is formed with an outlet opening. The inlet and outlet openings are in fluid communication with a space between an inner peripheral surface of the fusing member and the outer surface. The backup member provides a nip region upon nipping the fusing member between the backup and nip members. The ventilator allows air to flow in the space.