Fixing Belt Lubricant Recirculation for Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices in image forming apparatuses face issues with lubricant distribution and friction management, leading to increased frictional load and potential breakage of the fixing belt due to lubricant accumulation and uneven temperature distribution, which affects the reliability and efficiency of toner image fixation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a flexible, rotatable fixing belt with an inner circumferential surface coated with a lubricant and a pressure rotator, where a nip formation unit with a guide face is used to recirculate the lubricant by bringing it into contact with the belt when the belt's temperature is below the fixing temperature, ensuring consistent lubrication and reduced friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a lubricant is applied to the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt, then friction between the belt and nip formation unit is reduced, but lubricant accumulates on the guide face causing uneven distribution and potential belt breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing lubricant recirculation before the belt reaches operating temperature. The controller executes a lubricant recirculation mode during warm-up when the belt temperature is below a predetermined threshold, proactively distributing lubricant evenly before normal operation begins, preventing accumulation and ensuring reliable operation throughout the fixing belt's service life
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the lubricant distribution process adaptive and dynamic. The controller continuously monitors belt temperature and adjusts lubricant recirculation accordingly - activating recirculation when temperature is below the threshold and deactivating it when the threshold is exceeded. This dynamic control ensures optimal lubricant distribution at all operational stages
2Productivity
If the fixing belt rotates at high speed to increase productivity, then image fixation throughput is improved, but frictional load increases and lubricant distribution becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary lubricant recirculation during the warm-up period before high-speed operation begins. By establishing even lubricant distribution when the belt is stationary or rotating slowly, the system prepares the friction surfaces for subsequent high-speed operation, ensuring that productivity increases do not compromise lubrication quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic lubricant recirculation by executing the recirculation mode at regular intervals or at specific operational stages (such as during warm-up cycles). This periodic maintenance of lubricant distribution ensures that even during continuous high-speed operation, the lubricant remains evenly distributed, maintaining both productivity and reliability
3Productivity
If the belt temperature is maintained at fixing temperature throughout operation, then toner image fixation efficiency is maximized, but lubricant recirculation cannot occur and friction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the lubricant recirculation function from normal fixing operation by performing recirculation preliminarily during warm-up when temperature is below the fixing threshold. This preliminary lubricant distribution prepares the system for efficient high-temperature fixing operation without compromising lubrication, allowing the belt to maintain optimal temperature for maximum fixation efficiency during productive operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operational modes based on temperature conditions. During warm-up below the temperature threshold, the system operates in lubricant recirculation mode to reduce friction. Once the threshold is exceeded, it transitions to normal fixing operation mode where high temperature maximizes fixation efficiency. This dynamic mode switching resolves the contradiction by applying the appropriate function at the appropriate time
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 solution effectively manages lubricant distribution, reduces frictional load, and prevents belt breakage, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of toner image fixation on recording media by maintaining consistent lubrication and temperature stability.
Implementation Method 1
A heater heats the belt
Implementation Method 2
The inner circumferential surface of the belt is applied with a lubricant
Implementation Method 3
The guide face is adhered with the lubricant moved from the inner circumferential surface of the belt
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a belt, a pressure rotator disposed opposite the belt, and a nip formation unit that forms a fixing nip between the belt and the pressure rotator. The nip formation unit includes a guide face disposed upstream from the fixing nip in a rotation direction of the belt and contoured to separate from the pressure rotator in a direction opposite the rotation direction of the belt. The guide face is adhered with a lubricant moved from an inner circumferential surface of the belt. The belt rotates in the rotation direction when an outer circumferential surface of the belt has a temperature lower than a fixing temperature at which the belt fixes a toner image on a recording medium. The belt rotating in the rotation direction brings the lubricant adhered to the guide face into contact with the belt.