Fixing Apparatus Air Blowing Mechanism for Shaving Diffusion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fixing apparatuses in image forming devices suffer from surface property deterioration at the edge portions of the fixing members, leading to uneven image glossiness due to the accumulation of shavings from the roughing process, which decreases image quality.
Innovation Solution
A fixing apparatus equipped with a rubbing rotatable member that rubs the outer surface of the first fixing rotatable member, a moving mechanism to position the rubbing member for contact and separation, and an air blowing mechanism to diffuse shavings, ensuring consistent surface properties and preventing line formations that affect image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a roughing roller is used to rub the fixing member surface, then surface roughness is reduced and image glossiness is improved, but shavings are produced and accumulate to form lines that decrease image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful shavings are extracted from the fixing member surface by the air blowing mechanism, which blows air to remove the shavings produced during roughing processing, preventing their accumulation and line formation
Solution Approach 2:
Air is introduced as an intermediary substance between the roughing roller and the fixing member surface. The air flow acts as a mediator that carries away shavings during the rubbing process, allowing the roughing function to be performed while preventing harmful accumulation
2Productivity
If the roughing roller is separated from the fixing member after processing, then processing is completed, but a line of shavings appears on the fixing member surface
Solution Approach 1:
Air blowing is performed preliminarily during the separation process or immediately after the roughing roller is separated from the fixing member. This preliminary action removes shavings before they can accumulate and form visible lines on the surface
Solution Approach 2:
The air blowing action continues or is applied continuously during the separation phase to ensure that shavings are constantly removed rather than allowing accumulation. This maintains the useful action of surface cleaning throughout the entire process
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 diffuses shavings and maintains consistent surface properties, thereby enhancing image quality by preventing the formation of lines caused by shavings and ensuring uniform glossiness across the image.
Implementation Method 1
an air blowing mechanism configured to blow air to between the rubbing rotatable member and the first fixing rotatable member at least when the rubbing rotatable member moves from the contact position to the separate position
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing apparatus includes first and second fixing rotatable members configured to fix a toner image on a sheet at a nip portion therebetween, a rubbing rotatable member configured to rub an outer surface of the first fixing rotatable member, a moving mechanism configured to move the rubbing rotatable member between a contact position, in which the rubbing rotatable member is in contact with the outer surface of the first fixing rotatable member, and a separate position, in which the rubbing rotatable member is away from the outer surface of the first fixing rotatable member, and an air blowing mechanism configured to blow air to between the rubbing rotatable member and the first fixing rotatable member at least when the rubbing rotatable member moves from the contact position to the separate position.