Endless Belt with Differential Surface Hardness for Heat Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endless belts used in heat-sealing, fixing, and article transfer devices face challenges in maintaining abrasion resistance and followability to irregularities, as existing belts either suffer from uneven heating due to rough outer surfaces or increased rotational load from abrasive inner surfaces.
Innovation Solution
An endless belt design featuring a cross-linked fluororesin layer on the outer surface and a higher Martens hardness inner surface, achieved through specific cross-linking and radiation treatment, balances abrasion resistance and followability by ensuring the outer surface is softer than the inner surface at operating temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the outer circumferential surface has high abrasion resistance, then the belt resists wear better, but the followability to article irregularities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different hardness characteristics to different surfaces of the belt. The outer circumferential surface is designed with lower Martens hardness (softer) to enhance followability to article irregularities, while the inner circumferential surface is designed with higher Martens hardness (harder) to provide abrasion resistance. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each surface for its specific functional requirement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the inner circumferential surface has low abrasion resistance, then the belt can conform to article shapes better, but the rotational load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner circumferential surface is designed with higher Martens hardness to provide abrasion resistance and reduce rotational load, while the outer circumferential surface maintains lower hardness for better conformability. This local quality differentiation allows the belt to achieve both followability and reduced mechanical stress.
3Force
If the outer surface is rough, then the belt has high friction grip, but uneven heating of the article occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The outer circumferential surface is designed with lower Martens hardness (softer) to ensure smoothness and uniform heat distribution, preventing uneven heating of the article. The softer surface maintains better thermal contact and conformability to the article shape, ensuring uniform heating while still providing adequate friction grip through the belt's overall design.
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 the belt's ability to resist abrasion and follow article irregularities, reducing uneven heating and rotational load, thereby improving the operational efficiency and longevity of the belt in devices.
Implementation Method 1
Martens hardness of the inner circumferential surface of the belt at 130° C. is higher than Martens hardness of the outer circumferential surface of the belt at 130° C.
Implementation Method 2
Such an endless belt has higher abrasion resistance of the inner and outer circumferential surfaces
Implementation Method 3
follow irregularities of the article to be heated... higher followability to irregularities than an endless belt in which the inner circumferential surface has a lower Martens hardness
Data Source
AI summary
An endless belt includes a substrate layer, and a first surface layer that is disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the substrate layer and that includes a cross-linked fluororesin layer. A layer containing a cross-linked fluororesin forms the inner circumferential surface of the belt. Martens hardness of the inner circumferential surface of the belt at 130° C. is higher than Martens hardness of the outer circumferential surface of the belt at 130° C.