Fixing Belt Elastic Layer Thermal Expansion Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fixing belts in image forming apparatuses face issues with releasability between the fixing belt and the recording medium, leading to defects such as peeling in the toner image due to insufficient compatibility between thermal conductivity and elasticity.
Innovation Solution
A fixing belt with a laminated structure of a heat-resistant resin base layer, an elastic layer with a controlled linear thermal expansion coefficient between −4.0×10−4 (1/K) and 1.0×10−4 (1/K), and a release layer, ensuring adequate space for wax components to enter and preventing excessive shrinkage, thereby enhancing releasability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an elastic layer containing thermally conductive filler is used to achieve high thermal conductivity, then thermal conductivity is improved, but releasability between the fixing belt and recording medium deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the elastic layer by controlling its linear thermal expansion coefficient to a specific range (−5.0×10−4 to 2.0×10−4 1/K). This parameter control allows the elastic layer to maintain appropriate spacing between the fixing belt and recording medium during thermal cycles, preventing toner image peeling while preserving releasability, even when thermally conductive fillers are present
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite elastic layer containing both thermally conductive filler particles and elastic matrix material. The composite structure allows the filler to provide thermal conductivity while the elastic matrix maintains the required mechanical properties and thermal expansion characteristics. The key is controlling the overall linear thermal expansion coefficient of this composite material within the specified range
2Temperature
If the elastic layer has high thermal conductivity to melt-fix toner image, then fixing performance is improved, but the elastic layer shrinks excessively leading to poor releasability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention directly applies thermal expansion principles by controlling the linear thermal expansion coefficient of the elastic layer. By adjusting this coefficient to a specific range, the elastic layer's dimensional changes during heating and cooling cycles are controlled, preventing excessive shrinkage that would cause poor releasability while maintaining the thermal conductivity needed for toner fixation
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 achieves excellent releasability and thermal conductivity, preventing peeling defects and maintaining the elastic layer's functionality, even with the addition of thermally conductive fillers, by controlling the linear thermal expansion coefficient within a specific range.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic layer has a linear thermal expansion coefficient of −4.0×10−4 (1/K) or more and 1.0×10−4 (1/K) or less
Implementation Method 2
a specific elastic layer including a thermally conductive filler (filler) and an additional reaction type silicone rubber cured product
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing belt contains a base layer made of a heat-resistant resin, an elastic layer made of an elastic material, and a release layer, laminated in this order. The elastic layer has a linear thermal expansion coefficient of −4.0×10−4 (1/K) or more and 1.0×10−4 (1/K) or less.