Fixation Device Roller Contact Control for Wrinkle Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fixation devices often cause wrinkles in the medium during the image fixation process.
Innovation Solution
A fixation device comprising a first roller, a second roller, a stretch member, a press member, a heater member, and a movement mechanism, where the controller adjusts the contact state between the rollers based on the medium type to prevent wrinkles by varying the nip pressure and width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fixation devices use fixed contact between rollers, then the fixation process is simple, but wrinkles occur in the medium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the contact state between the first and second rollers adjustable rather than fixed. The movement mechanism allows the rollers to move relative to each other, changing the nip pressure and contact width dynamically. This enables the fixation device to adapt to different medium types, preventing wrinkles while maintaining effective fixation by optimizing the contact conditions during the fixation process.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the contact state between rollers is adjusted for different medium types, then wrinkles are suppressed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the parameter changes principle by adjusting the contact parameters (nip pressure and contact width) between the rollers based on the medium type. The controller receives medium type information and actuates the movement mechanism to change the contact state accordingly. This allows the system to optimize fixation conditions for different media while managing complexity through automated control rather than manual adjustment.
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
Effectively suppresses the occurrence of wrinkles in the medium during the fixation process, especially for special media types, by optimizing the nip pressure and width to reduce speed differences between the print and non-print surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a heater member configured to heat the stretch member
Implementation Method 2
a press member configured to press the stretch member against the first roller
Data Source
AI summary
A fixation device includes a first roller, a second roller facing the first roller, a stretch member configured to travel to pass between the first roller and the second roller, a press member configured to press the stretch member against the first roller, a heater member configured to heat the stretch member, a movement mechanism configured to move at least one of the first roller and the second roller in such directions that the first roller and the second roller come close to each other and are spaced away from each other, and a controller configured, depending on a type of a medium, to change a contact state between the first roller and the second roller by driving the movement mechanism.