Fixing Belt Composite Structure for Uniform Nip Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses suffer from uneven gloss on the surface of printed images due to variations in the width of the fixing nip along the sheet conveyance direction.
Innovation Solution
The use of a fixing belt with a polyimide base and a low rigidity design, combined with a fluororesin release layer and controlled thermal conductivity, ensures consistent nip width and temperature distribution, preventing uneven gloss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a fixing belt with polyimide base and fluororesin release layer is used, then uniform temperature distribution and consistent nip width are achieved, but device complexity increases due to multi-layer structure
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing belt employs a composite structure with a polyimide base layer providing mechanical strength and thermal stability, and a fluororesin release layer providing low friction and uniform heat distribution. This composite material approach resolves the contradiction by achieving precise nip width control through the synergistic properties of different materials, while the layered structure itself manages the complexity through functional specialization.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing belt applies different material properties to different layers: the polyimide base provides structural uniformity and thermal conductivity, while the fluororesin surface layer provides low friction and uniform heat distribution. This local quality differentiation allows each layer to optimize its function, achieving consistent nip width without requiring the entire structure to be uniformly complex.
2Manufacturing precision
If the fixing belt rigidity is reduced for better conformability, then uniform nip width is maintained, but structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The polyimide base provides high structural strength and thermal stability, while the fluororesin release layer provides low friction and conformability. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by separating the strength function (polyimide base) from the conformability function (fluororesin layer), allowing the belt to be both strong and flexible enough to maintain uniform nip width.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluororesin release layer acts as a thin, flexible film that allows the fixing belt to conform to the press roller surface, ensuring uniform nip width. The underlying polyimide base provides the necessary structural strength, creating a flexible yet strong composite structure that resolves the contradiction between rigidity and 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
The solution effectively maintains a uniform fixing nip width and temperature across the sheet conveyance direction, resulting in a glossy and consistent image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a sliding layer which comprises a fluororesin and has a low friction
Implementation Method 2
a heater which heats the fixing belt to a predetermined temperature
Implementation Method 3
heats and presses an image formed on a recording medium
Implementation Method 4
presses an image formed on a recording medium
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
Provided is an image forming apparatus including a toner, and a fixing device configured to fix an image formed with the toner on a recording medium. The fixing device includes a fixing belt that is an endless belt, and a planar member configured to heat the fixing belt. An environmental fluctuation rate X is 45% or greater but 85% or less, and the environmental fluctuation rate X is represented by: Environmental fluctuation rate X = (Q1－Q2)/{(Q1＋Q2)/2} where Q1 is a quantity of electric charge of the toner in an environment having a temperature of 10 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 15%, Q2 is a quantity of electric charge of the toner in an environment having a temperature of 27 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 80%, and a unit for Q1 and Q2 is μC/g.