Fixing Belt Pressure Layout to Prevent Nip Member Inclination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent pressure and preventing inclination of the nip forming member, which affects the fixation of toner images on sheets.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with an endless fixing belt, a pressing roller, a housing, a planar heater, and a pressing mechanism that includes pressing springs and plates to adjust pressure, ensuring the pressing roller maintains consistent contact with the fixing belt and prevents inclination of the nip forming member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a pressing mechanism is used to apply pressure between the fixing belt and pressing roller, then the fixation quality of toner images is improved, but the pressure distribution becomes uneven causing inclination of the nip forming member
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing spring is designed with a specific diameter that is larger than the width of the heating section, creating a localized pressure distribution pattern. This ensures that the pressing force is applied uniformly across the heating section width, preventing inclination while maintaining fixation quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies a particular parameter relationship: the pressing spring diameter is made larger than the heating section width. This parameter change transforms the pressure distribution from uneven to uniform, resolving the inclination problem while preserving fixation quality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pressing spring diameter is made larger than the heating section width, then uniform pressure distribution is achieved, but the complexity of the pressing mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding complex mechanisms, the patent achieves uniform pressure distribution by changing a single critical parameter: the pressing spring diameter is set larger than the heating section width. This simple parameter change provides the desired pressure uniformity without increasing mechanical complexity.
3Device complexity
If the pressing spring diameter is smaller than or equal to the heating section width, then the pressing mechanism is simpler, but pressure distribution becomes uneven affecting fixation quality
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing spring is designed with a diameter larger than the heating section width, creating a localized pressure distribution that ensures uniform contact across the entire heating section. This resolves the fixation quality issue while maintaining relative simplicity in the pressing mechanism design.
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 ensures uniform pressure application and prevents the inclination of the nip forming member, enhancing the fixation of toner images on sheets and reducing component complexity and assembly time.
Implementation Method 1
The planar heater is arranged on the surface of the nip forming member facing the fixing belt, and heats the fixing belt
Implementation Method 2
The pressing mechanism has a pair of pressing springs that respectively urge the pair of belt holders in a direction toward the pressing roller
Implementation Method 3
The pressing springs are compression coil springs
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a nip forming member, a pressing roller, a housing, a planer heater, a pair of belt holders, and a pressing mechanism. The pressing mechanism has a pair of pressing springs that urge the pair of belt holders toward the pressing roller, and a pair of pressing plates that are arranged opposite the pair of belt holders and swing toward or away from the belt holder. The pressing mechanism swings the pressing plate to adjust the urging force of the pressing spring. The pressing springs are compression coil springs and their diameter is larger than the width-direction length of the planer heater, which is the same as the rotation direction of the fixing belt, and the central axis of the pressing spring coincides with a straight line passing through the rotation centers of the fixing belt and the pressing roller.