Elastic Roller with Needle-Shaped Filler for Fixing Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices with porous silicone rubber pressing members face issues with temperature rise in non-sheet-passing areas, leading to potential damage and image quality degradation, as well as slow start-up times due to incompatible porosity and filler orientation.
Innovation Solution
An elastic roller with a mandrel and an elastic layer containing needle-shaped fillers and shell-less voids, where the layer is divided into areas with varying filler orientation and porosity, allowing for efficient heat dissipation and maintaining shape stability, is used in the fixing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If porous silicone rubber with dispersed voids is used as the elastic layer to reduce temperature rise in non-sheet-passing areas, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but the start-up time increases and heating efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different void structures in different regions of the elastic layer. The first region (near the heating member) has a first void ratio optimized for thermal insulation to prevent temperature rise in non-sheet-passing areas, while the second region (outer side) has a second void ratio optimized for heat transmission to maintain quick start-up. This regional differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both thermal insulation and heating efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic layer is segmented into multiple regions with different porosity characteristics. By dividing the elastic layer into a first region adjacent to the heating member and a second region on the outer side, each region can be independently optimized for its specific functional requirement, resolving the contradiction between thermal insulation and heating efficiency.
2Temperature
If the elastic layer has high porosity to prevent temperature rise in non-sheet-passing areas, then thermal insulation is improved, but the mechanical strength and shape stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Different void ratios are assigned to different regions: the first region near the heating member has higher porosity for thermal insulation, while the second region on the outer side has lower porosity to provide mechanical strength and shape stability. This local differentiation allows the elastic layer to simultaneously achieve temperature control and maintain structural integrity.
3Loss of time
If needle-shaped filler is oriented in the axial direction to enhance thermal transmission, then heating efficiency is improved, but temperature rise in non-sheet-passing areas is not sufficiently controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the orientation degree of needle-shaped filler differently in different regions. In the first region adjacent to the heating member, the filler orientation is optimized for thermal insulation to prevent temperature rise in non-sheet-passing areas. In the second region on the outer side, the filler orientation is optimized for heat transmission to maintain quick start-up. This regional optimization resolves the contradiction between preventing temperature rise and maintaining heating efficiency.
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 prevents excessive temperature rise in non-sheet-passing areas, reduces warm-up time, and ensures the formation of high-quality images by optimizing heat conduction and maintaining the elastic layer's shape over time.
Implementation Method 1
orienting a needle-shaped filler in the axial direction... enhancing the thermal transmission of the pressing roller in a direction along the rotation axis of the pressing roller
Implementation Method 2
porous silicone rubber having some voids... impedes thermal conduction... prevents the heat from the heating member from transmitting through itself
Implementation Method 3
enhancing the thermal transmission of the pressing roller in a direction along the rotation axis... preventing temperature rise
Data Source
AI summary
An elastic layer includes a needle-shaped filler and a void and has a porosity of 20 vol % or more and 60 vol % or less. The elastic layer contains a first area and a second area. The first area extends from a surface of the elastic layer opposite to a surface facing the mandrel toward the mandrel and has a thickness of 30% of the thickness of the elastic layer. The second area is a central area in a thickness direction of the elastic layer and has a thickness of 40% of the thickness of the elastic layer. The needle-shaped filler in the second area has an orientation degree of 50% or lower. The needle-shaped filler in the first area has an orientation degree higher than that of the needle-shaped filler in the second area.