Bearing Segmentation for Heat Roller Friction Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatus components, such as bearings, are prone to deformation and damage due to frictional and heat-related issues, even when made of heat-resistant materials, as they support rotating members like gears and rollers in high-temperature environments.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates bearings made of materials with lower sliding resistance than the frame, positioned on the opposite side of the heat roller with a clearance to reduce frictional heat and prevent heat transfer, thereby enhancing resistance to heat deformation and abrasion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If bearings are made of heat-resistant materials to avoid heat deformation, then heat resistance is improved, but sliding resistance increases causing higher frictional heat and abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is divided into two distinct components: an inner ring that contacts the rotating shaft and an outer ring that contacts the frame. Each component is made of different materials optimized for its specific function - the inner ring uses low-sliding resistance material to reduce friction, while the outer ring uses heat-resistant material to withstand thermal environment.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the bearing system are assigned different material properties based on their local requirements. The inner ring requires low friction properties for smooth rotation, while the outer ring requires high heat resistance for thermal stability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between friction resistance and heat resistance.
2Device complexity
If bearings are positioned close to the heat roller for compact design, then device complexity is reduced, but heat exposure increases causing deformation and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The outer ring of the bearing acts as an intermediary component between the heat roller and the inner rotating components. It is made of heat-resistant material to withstand the thermal environment and protect the inner ring from direct heat exposure, while still allowing the bearing to be positioned in a compact arrangement near the heat roller.
3Reliability
If low-sliding resistance material is used for the bearing to reduce frictional heat, then friction resistance is improved, but heat resistance may be insufficient in high-temperature environments
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is segmented into inner and outer rings with different material properties. The inner ring is made of low-sliding resistance material (such as PTFE or polyacetal) to minimize friction during rotation, while the outer ring is made of heat-resistant material (such as heat-resistant resin or metal) to withstand the thermal environment near the heat roller.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing system effectively becomes a composite structure combining materials with different properties - low-friction materials for the rotating contact surface and heat-resistant materials for the stationary contact surface. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of low friction and high heat resistance.
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 decreases frictional heat in the bearings, preventing deformation and damage, while maintaining a lower material cost by using a less expensive material for the frame and bearing, thus improving the apparatus's overall heat and friction resistance.
Implementation Method 1
frictional heat which may occur in the bearing can be decreased
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus to form an image on a recording sheet by transferring electrophotographic developer onto the recording sheet is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a heat roller to thermally fix the transferred developer onto the recording sheet, a rotating member to convey rotation force to the heat roller, a bearing to support the rotating member rotatably, a frame in which the bearing is assembled so that the rotating member is supported by the frame through the bearing. The bearing is made of a material having sliding resistance lower than sliding resistance of a material of the frame. The bearing is arranged on an opposite side of the heat roller with respect to the frame and receives the rotating member on the opposite side. The bearing and the frame are assembled to have clearance therebetween.