Fixing Belt Edge Design for Rotation Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing belts in image forming apparatuses face issues with durability and interference during rotation due to the design of their edge portions, which can lead to belt skew and affect the fixation of toner on recording media.
Innovation Solution
An improved endless belt design featuring a base layer with a metal film and a resin layer where at least one edge portion is made narrower than the base layer in the axial direction, allowing the outer side of the base layer to be exposed, enhancing durability and reducing interference with supporting members, and utilizing a laser or rotary cutting method to cut and shrink the resin layer for manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the resin layer covers the entire outer side of the base layer including edge portions, then the structural integrity and protection of the base layer is improved, but the belt width becomes inconsistent and interference with supporting members occurs during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The resin layer is designed with varying coverage: it covers the base layer in the central region for structural integrity, but deliberately exposes the outer sides of the base layer at the edge portions. This local differentiation in coverage resolves the contradiction by providing protection where needed while preventing interference during rotation at the edges.
2Ease of manufacture
If the resin layer edge portions are aligned with the base layer edge portions, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the belt width varies and causes belt skew during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The resin layer is designed with asymmetric edge portions that are narrower than the base layer in the axial direction. This asymmetric design intentionally creates a width difference that prevents belt skew during rotation, while the manufacturing process remains relatively simple by using standard cutting methods to create the narrower resin layer edges.
3Ease of operation
If the edge portions of the resin layer are cut to be narrower than the base layer, then interference during rotation is reduced, but an additional masking step is required in the manufacturing process
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process applies a masking pattern before forming the resin layer, which preliminarily defines the narrower edge portions. This preliminary action ensures that the resin layer is formed with the correct narrower dimensions from the start, eliminating the need for subsequent complex trimming or adjustment operations.
4Strength
If the resin layer is formed to cover the entire base layer, then complete coverage and protection is achieved, but tool degradation occurs during cutting due to resin accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts or removes the resin layer from the edge portions of the base layer, creating a narrower resin layer that does not extend to the outer sides. This extraction prevents resin accumulation at the edges that would otherwise cause tool degradation during cutting, while maintaining complete coverage and protection in the central region where it is most needed.
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 design enhances the durability of the fixing belt by preventing interference during rotation and improving the fixability of toner on recording media, while also simplifying the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for a masking step and reducing the risk of tool degradation.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a laser or rotary cutting method to cut and shrink the resin layer for manufacturing
Data Source
AI summary
An endless belt includes a base layer and a resin layer. The base layer includes a metal film. The resin layer is laminated on an outer side of the base layer. The resin layer includes edge portions in an axial direction with at least one edge portion of the edge portions made narrower than the base layer in the axial direction such that the outer side of the base layer is exposed.