Fixing Belt Guide Portion Lubricant Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fixing devices with lubricant absorbing members to prevent leakage suffer from insufficient lubricant at the center of the fixing belt, leading to increased sliding resistance due to reduced lubricant amounts, which affects the slidability of the fixing belt.
Innovation Solution
A guide portion extending obliquely from the ends towards the center of the fixing member directs lubricant applied to the inner surface towards the center, preventing leakage and maintaining the total lubricant amount, thus reducing sliding resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If lubricant absorbing members are used to prevent lubricant leakage, then lubricant leakage is prevented, but the total amount of lubricant on the fixing belt is reduced, leading to increased sliding resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the lubricant retention function from the lubricant absorbing members and relocates it to the guide portions formed on the fixing belt. The guide portions channel lubricant toward the center, preventing leakage without requiring absorption, thus maintaining the total lubricant amount while preventing leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portions act as intermediary structures that redirect lubricant flow toward the center of the fixing belt. This intermediary mechanism prevents lubricant from reaching the ends and leaking, while allowing the lubricant to remain on the belt surface for continuous lubrication.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If lubricant absorbing members are used to prevent lubricant leakage, then lubricant leakage is prevented, but sliding resistance increases due to insufficient lubricant
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the need for lubricant absorbing members by implementing guide portions that redirect lubricant flow. This extraction of the absorption function maintains adequate lubricant levels on the belt surface, thereby keeping sliding resistance low while still preventing leakage.
3Force
If lubricant is applied to the fixing belt, then sliding resistance is reduced, but lubricant leaks from the ends of the fixing belt
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portions serve as intermediary structures that intercept lubricant before it can reach the ends of the fixing belt. These guide portions channel the lubricant toward the center, allowing the lubricant to perform its friction-reducing function while preventing it from leaking outward.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portions utilize the width dimension of the fixing belt to redirect lubricant flow. By forming grooves or ridges that extend from the ends toward the center, the guide portions create a dimensional pathway that directs lubricant inward, preventing it from escaping at the ends.
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
This configuration ensures consistent lubrication across the fixing belt, preventing lubricant leakage and maintaining low sliding resistance during rotation, enhancing the operational efficiency of the fixing device.
Implementation Method 1
a fixing device includes a guide portion extending obliquely from opposite ends in a width direction toward a center of the fixing member as a contact portion of a nip forming member moves from upstream to downstream in a rotational direction of the fixing member
Data Source
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AI summary
A disclosed fixing device includes a pressing member; an endless tubular fixing member disposed opposite to the pressing member; a heating source configured to heat the fixing member; a nip forming member disposed opposite to the pressing member via the fixing member to form a nip portion; and a supply unit configured to supply lubricant to a portion of an inner surface of the fixing member, the portion facing the nip forming member, wherein the nip forming member includes a contact portion that contacts the inner surface of the fixing member, the contact portion includes a guide portion for guiding lubricant, and the guide portion is formed by extending obliquely from opposite ends in a width direction toward a center of the fixing member as the contact portion moves from upstream to downstream in a rotational direction of the fixing member.