Fixing Belt Reflecting Member Surface Roughness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fixing devices in electrographic image forming apparatuses experience uneven temperature distribution along the fixing belt due to the non-passing region having a higher temperature than the passing region, leading to inefficiencies in fixing toner images onto recording media.
Innovation Solution
The fixing device incorporates a reflecting member with distinct surface roughness on its reflecting parts to efficiently distribute radiant heat from a heat source across both the passing and non-passing regions of the fixing belt, preventing temperature disparities and ensuring uniform heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heat source radiates heat to the fixing belt, then the passing region is heated effectively, but the non-passing region becomes overheated due to uneven temperature distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The reflecting member has different surface roughness for different regions: the first reflecting part (facing passing region) has smaller roughness for focused heat reflection, while the second reflecting part (facing non-passing region) has larger roughness for diffuse heat reflection. This local differentiation of surface properties enables precise control of heat distribution to different belt regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the surface roughness parameter of the reflecting member to control heat reflection characteristics. By adjusting the roughness value, the reflection pattern changes from specular (smooth) to diffuse (rough), enabling control over where the reflected radiant heat reaches the fixing belt.
2Loss of energy
If the reflecting member uses a smooth surface, then heat is reflected efficiently to the passing region, but the non-passing region receives insufficient heat control
Solution Approach 1:
The reflecting member is divided into two regions with different surface qualities: the first reflecting part maintains smoothness for efficient specular reflection to the passing region, while the second reflecting part has increased roughness to provide diffuse reflection that prevents overheating of the non-passing region.
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 that the non-passing regions of the fixing belt do not exceed the temperature of the passing regions, maintaining even temperature distribution and effectively fixing toner images onto recording media without overheating.
Implementation Method 1
The reflecting member is configured to reflect the radiant heat radiated from the heat source to an inner circumferential face of the fixing belt
Implementation Method 2
The heat source is arranged at an inner circumferential side of the fixing belt and configured to radiate a radiant heat
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A fixing device (18) includes a fixing belt (22), a pressuring member (23), a heat source (24) and a reflecting member (25). The fixing belt (22) is arranged rotatably around a rotation axis (A). The reflecting member (25) reflects the radiant heat radiated from the heat source (24). The fixing belt (22) has a passing region (51) and a non-passing region (52). Through the passing region (51), a recording medium passes. The non-passing region (52) is arranged outside the passing region (51) in a direction of the rotation axis (A). The reflecting member (25) has a first reflecting part (64) and a second reflecting part (65). The first reflecting part (64) is arranged at an inner circumferential side of the passing region (51). The second reflecting part (65) is arranged at an inner circumferential side of the non-passing region (52). Roughness of a face at the heat source (24) side of the second reflecting part (65) is larger than roughness of a face at the heat source (24) side of the first reflecting part (64) .