Fixing Belt Guide Material Selection Against Lubricant Infiltration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lubricant applied between the nip formation pad and the belt infiltrates into the belt guide, causing it to fall off due to adhesive failure, which affects the stability and longevity of the belt guide.
Innovation Solution
The belt device incorporates a belt guide with a solubility parameter difference of 0.5 MPa0.5 or more compared to the lubricant and adhesive, preventing lubricant infiltration and maintaining adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If lubricant is applied between the nip formation pad and the belt to reduce frictional force, then the frictional force is reduced, but the lubricant infiltrates into the belt guide and adhesive, causing the belt guide to fall off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting materials with specific solubility parameter differences. The belt guide material is chosen to have a solubility parameter difference of 0.5 MPa^0.5 or more from the lubricant, creating a chemical parameter barrier that prevents lubricant infiltration while maintaining the desired friction reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining the belt guide material and adhesive material with specific solubility parameters. This composite structure resists lubricant infiltration through the combined chemical properties of both materials, preventing adhesion failure while allowing necessary friction reduction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If belt guides are installed on both ends of the fixing belt to restrict skew, then the skew is restricted, but the belt guide falls off due to lubricant infiltration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by specifying solubility parameters for the belt guide and adhesive materials. This chemical parameter selection prevents lubricant infiltration that would otherwise cause adhesion failure, thereby extending the service life of the belt guide while maintaining its skew restriction function.
3Shape
If the belt guide is made of material that restricts belt movement, then the belt position is controlled, but the adhesive bonds fail due to lubricant infiltration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting materials with specific solubility parameters. The belt guide material and adhesive material are chosen to have solubility parameter differences of 0.5 MPa^0.5 or more from the lubricant, creating a chemical resistance that preserves adhesive bond strength while maintaining belt position control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials with coordinated solubility parameters. The combination of belt guide material and adhesive material creates a composite structure that resists lubricant infiltration, maintaining both the mechanical function of position control and the chemical resistance needed for bond strength.
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
Prevents belt guide detachment, ensuring long-term stability and extending the life of the fixing device.
Implementation Method 1
A difference between a solubility parameter of the lubricant and a solubility parameter of the belt guide is 0.5 MPa0.5 or more
Data Source
AI summary
A belt device includes a rotatable belt, a pressure rotator opposite to the belt, a nip formation pad, a belt guide, a member, and lubricant. The nip formation pad is disposed inside a loop of the belt to form a nip between the belt and the pressure rotator. The belt guide is disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the belt. The member comes into contact with an end of the belt guide in a width direction of the belt. The lubricant is applied between the inner circumferential surface of the belt and the nip formation pad. A difference between a solubility parameter of the lubricant and a solubility parameter of the belt guide is 0.5 MPa0.5 or more.