Elastic Plate Fixing Device with Dual Supports for Extended Nip Length
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fixing devices face limitations in increasing the length of the nipping region in the conveying direction, which hinders the improvement of toner image fixing performance.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a pressure unit comprising an elastic plate supported by a holder at two positions, allowing the elastic plate to be elastically deformed and maintain a curved nip-forming surface along the heating roller, thereby increasing the nipping region's length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the leaf spring is supported only at the base-end portion by the seat part, then the structure is simple, but the length of the nipping region in the conveying direction cannot be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is divided into multiple sections with upstream and downstream supporting surfaces, allowing the elastic plate to be supported at multiple discrete locations. This segmentation enables independent control of different regions of the elastic plate, facilitating increased nipping region length while maintaining structural manageability
Solution Approach 2:
The holder extends in the rotational axis direction (perpendicular to the conveying direction), adding a dimensional aspect to the support structure. By positioning supporting surfaces at different locations along the rotational axis, the patent achieves extended nipping region length without proportionally increasing overall structural complexity
2Length of moving object
If the elastic plate is supported at multiple positions by the holder, then the nipping region length is increased, but the holder structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The holder serves multiple functions: it supports the elastic plate at multiple positions, maintains the curved shape of the nip-forming surface, and enables extended nipping region length. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the patent reduces overall device complexity despite the increased support positions
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic plate functions as a flexible element that can be elastically deformed to form a curved nip-forming surface. This flexibility allows the plate to adapt to the holder's support structure while maintaining the necessary pressure distribution, reducing the need for additional rigid structural components
3Manufacturing precision
If the nip-forming surface is curved along the heating roller, then the surface pressure distribution is consistent, but the elastic plate requires precise support positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic plate's own elasticity enables it to naturally form a curved surface that conforms to the heating roller when supported at multiple positions. The material's inherent properties facilitate the curved shape formation, reducing the need for complex external positioning mechanisms or precise manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the support conditions (adding multiple supporting surfaces at different positions), the elastic plate transitions from a linear to a curved configuration. This parameter change in support structure directly achieves the desired curved nip-forming surface and uniform pressure distribution without requiring changes to the elastic plate material or additional positioning devices
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 device enhances the fixing performance by increasing the nipping region's length, improving toner image fixation, reducing component count, and lowering manufacturing costs while ensuring reliable nipping and consistent surface pressure distribution.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic plate is elastically deformed and maintain a curved nip-forming surface along the heating roller
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a heating roller and a pressure unit configured to nip a sheet therebetween to thermally fix a toner image onto the sheet. The pressure unit includes: an endless belt; an elastic plate; and a holder having an upstream supporting surface and a downstream supporting surface. The elastic plate has: a nip-forming surface having at least a portion for nipping the endless belt in cooperation with the heating roller to form a nipping region between the nip-forming surface and the heating roller; an upstream supported surface in contact with and supported by the upstream supporting surface; a downstream supported surface in contact with and supported by the downstream supporting surface; an upstream connecting surface connecting the nip-forming surface and the upstream supported surface to each other; and a downstream connecting surface connecting the nip-forming surface and the downstream supported surface to each other.