Fixing Apparatus Asymmetric Guide Ribs Film Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing external-heating-type fixing apparatuses in electrophotographic machines experience uneven rotation of heating and pressure films, leading to uneven heat supply and conveyance, resulting in uneven fixing and gloss issues due to high frictional resistance and overlapping guide ribs.
Innovation Solution
A fixing apparatus with tubular films and guide members featuring protruding portions that do not overlap in the generatrix direction, reducing sliding resistance and maintaining stable film rotation, thereby minimizing uneven gloss and ensuring consistent heat distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the film support member is provided with ribs or holes to decrease the sliding surface, then the frictional resistance is reduced, but uneven gloss occurs in the region where the heating film guide and pressure film guide overlap
Solution Approach 1:
The film support members (guides) are segmented with protruding portions (ribs) that are dotted in the generatrix direction, creating multiple small contact points rather than a continuous sliding surface. This segmentation reduces the overall sliding surface area while maintaining rotational guidance, thereby reducing frictional resistance while minimizing the impact on gloss uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The positions of the protruding portions on the heating film guide and pressure film guide are arranged asymmetrically so that they do not overlap in the generatrix direction of the roller. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that the high-friction regions of the two films do not coincide, preventing the amplification of gloss unevenness while still providing adequate rotational guidance
2Stability of the object's composition
If the sliding resistance is large at the contact portion between the film guide and the inner surface of the film, then the film rotation becomes uneven, but reducing the contact surface area may compromise the guiding function
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous contact surface between the film guide and film is segmented into multiple discrete protruding portions. These segmented contact points provide sufficient guidance to maintain uniform film rotation while reducing the total sliding surface area, thereby lowering frictional resistance without compromising the guiding function
Solution Approach 2:
The film guide structure incorporates protruding portions with specific local characteristics (dotted arrangement in the generatrix direction) that are optimized for their local function of guiding film rotation. This local quality enhancement ensures stable rotation in critical areas while minimizing overall friction
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 stabilizes film rotation and reduces uneven gloss in both one-sided and two-sided printing, enhancing the fixing process by preventing heat loss and maintaining consistent temperature phases between the heating and pressure films.
Implementation Method 1
a heater that contacts the inner surface of the heating film
Implementation Method 2
a pressure film unit that contacts the heating roller to form a nip portion
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing apparatus includes a roller, a first unit configured to heat the roller, the first unit including a first tubular film, a heating portion forming member to form a heating portion with the roller, and a first guide member dotted with first protruding portions contacting the inner surface of the first tubular film, and a second unit configured to form a nip portion with the roller, the second unit including a second tubular film, a nip portion forming member to form the nip portion with the roller, and a second guide member dotted with second protruding portions contacting the inner surface of the second tubular film, wherein there is a non-overlapping area between the first protruding portions and the second protruding portions in a generatrix direction of the roller.