Belt Bias Regulation via Rotating Driven Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image heating apparatuses using belts for fixing toner images on recording materials face issues with belt durability due to applied loads and surface damage from frictional contact, especially at higher speeds.
Innovation Solution
An image heating apparatus with a cylindrical metal belt and regulating means using flat, plate-shaped members that rotate by contact with the belt's end surface, preventing load application and surface damage by avoiding direct frictional contact with the belt's outer surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a protective cap made of resin is used to regulate belt bias, then the belt movement is controlled, but the belt durability is reduced due to applied loads and surface damage from frictional contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a driven ring as an intermediary component between the belt and the fixed flange. The driven ring rotates with the belt's end portion and transfers the regulating action to the fixed flange without direct frictional contact between the fixed flange and the belt's outer surface. This mediator approach allows belt bias regulation while preventing surface damage to the belt.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the fixed flange directly contact and restrain the belt (conventional approach), the patent inverts the mechanism by allowing the belt's end portion to actively drive the rotation of the driven ring, which then contacts the fixed flange. This reversal of the traditional restraint mechanism eliminates the harmful frictional contact while maintaining belt bias control.
2Productivity
If the outer peripheral surface of the belt and protective cap frictionally slide at higher speeds, then the belt bias is regulated, but the belt surface layer is damaged through shaving
Solution Approach 1:
The driven ring serves as a mediator that rotates with the belt's end portion at high speeds without directly contacting the belt's outer peripheral surface. The fixed flange contacts the driven ring instead, eliminating the frictional sliding between the fixed structure and the belt surface. This allows high-speed operation while preventing surface layer damage through the intermediary rotation mechanism.
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 design enhances belt durability and prevents surface damage, allowing for stable operation even at higher speeds without compromising the belt's integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a plate-shaped member rotated by the contact thereof with the end surface of the belt
Data Source
AI summary
In an image heating apparatus having an endless belt for heating an image T on a recording material P in a nip portion N, nip forming means for forming the nip portion N between itself and the belt, and regulating means for regulating the bias of the belt in the width direction thereof, even when in the rotation shape of the endless belt, there is a portion changing greatly in curvature, the damaging of the end portion of the endless belt resulting from the long-period use of the endless belt is prevented to thereby improve the durability of the belt. The regulating means is characterized by a flat plate-shaped rotary member provided at a predetermined distance from the belt and capable of being driven to rotate by contacting with the end surface of the belt with the bias of the belt.