Fixing Belt Cap Flange Step Lubricant Ingress Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing fixing devices, lubricant applied to the inner circumference of the fixing belt can seep to the outer circumference and cause slipping between the cap member and the elastic member, leading to instability in the fixing process.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a cap member with a flange part that has a step in its inner circumference face, preventing lubricant from entering between the cap member and the elastic member, and ensuring proper contact to prevent slipping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a lubricant is applied to the inner circumference face of the fixing belt, then the rotation smoothness of the fixing belt is improved, but the lubricant may go around the outer circumference face and get into between the cap member and the elastic member, causing a slip
Solution Approach 1:
The flange part acts as an intermediary barrier between the lubricant on the fixing belt and the interface between the cap member and elastic member. By positioning the flange part to extend into the space between the fixing belt outer circumference and the cap member inner circumference, it prevents the lubricant from reaching the cap member-elastic member interface, thus maintaining contact stability while allowing the lubricant to remain on the fixing belt for smooth rotation
Solution Approach 2:
The cap member is segmented into a main body part and a flange part with distinct functions. The flange part is separated and extended to specifically address the lubricant containment function, while the main body part maintains the structural connection. This segmentation allows the lubricant to be contained in one region without affecting the functional integrity of other regions
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device according to the present invention includes a fixing belt (21), a cap member (28) attached to an end part (21a) of the fixing belt (21) and an elastic member (29) arranged between the fixing belt (21) and the cap member (28). The cap member (28) includes a main body part (55) covering an outside of the end part (21a) of the fixing belt (21) and a flange part (56) extending from the main body part (55) to an inside and covering an outer diameter side of the end part (21a) of the fixing belt (21). A step (s) is formed in an inner circumference face of the flange part (56). An outer circumference face of the elastic member (29) comes into contact with an inside part from the step (s) in the inner circumference face of the flange part (56).