Curved Support Member for Fixing Apparatus Reflecting Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing apparatuses in electro-photographic laser printers face issues with uneven heat distribution due to deflection of supporting components, leading to image defects such as uneven glossiness, as the stay and reflecting plate deform under pressure, causing inconsistent radiant heat reflection and nip pressure.
Innovation Solution
A fixing apparatus design featuring a support member that transitions between pressurized and non-pressurized states, with a contact surface curvature that maintains the reflecting plate's shape, reducing deflection and ensuring consistent heat distribution by maintaining the reflecting plate's position relative to the pressurizing roller, and an elastic member with a lower modulus than the support and nip members to facilitate smooth pressure transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the stay and reflecting plate are used to support the nip member, then the structure is simple, but the stay deflects under pressure causing uneven heat distribution and image defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the support member by providing a curved contact surface instead of a flat surface. This curvature modification allows the support member to maintain optimal contact with the reflecting plate under pressure, preventing deflection and ensuring uniform heat distribution across the nip portion while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Volume of moving object
If the reflecting plate is positioned by being sandwiched between the stay and the nip member, then the assembly is compact, but the reflecting plate deflects following the stay causing uneven radiant heat reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the contact surface geometry of the support member to be curved, which maintains the compact sandwiched configuration while preventing the reflecting plate from deflecting under pressure. This geometric parameter change ensures that the reflecting plate maintains its position and provides uniform radiant heat reflection to the nip member.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid support structure is used to maintain reflecting plate position, then position stability is improved, but pressure transmission to the nip member becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the contact surface from flat to curved, which allows the rigid support member to maintain stable contact with the reflecting plate while distributing pressure evenly across the nip member. The curved geometry enables both position stability and uniform pressure transmission simultaneously.
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
The solution effectively reduces waviness of the reflecting plate and suppresses uneven gloss, enhancing image quality by maintaining consistent heat and pressure distribution across the nip portion, thereby preventing image defects.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element disposed inside of the first rotary member... configured to heat the nip portion by receiving radiant heat from the heating element
Implementation Method 2
a reflection member reflecting the radiant heat from the heating element toward the nip member
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing apparatus includes a first rotary member, a heating element, a second rotary member, a nip member, a reflection member, and a support member. The support member configured to transit to a pressurized state and a non-pressurized state, the pressurized state being a state in which a first position and a second position of the support member are pressurized in a pressurization direction toward the second rotary member, the non-pressurized state being in which the pressurized state of the support member is released. The support member includes a contact surface in contact with the reflection member in the pressurized state. The contact surface takes such a posture that a center position between the first and second positions in the rotation axial direction is close to the second rotary member rather than the first and second positions in a case where the support member is in the non-pressurized state.