Fixing Belt Surface Roughness Uniformity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The surface roughness of the inner peripheral surface of the sliding layer in fixing belts becomes non-uniform in the longitudinal direction due to uneven drying conditions, leading to inconsistent friction and potential self-excited vibrations during the fixing process.
Innovation Solution
A fixing belt with a resin layer having a second surface with cell structures roughened by fillers, where the arithmetic mean roughness and coefficient of variation of cell areas are controlled to ensure uniformity along the belt's length, achieved by optimizing the drying conditions to prevent solvent concentration gradients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the sliding layer is formed by conventional drying methods, then the coating process is simple, but the surface roughness becomes non-uniform in the longitudinal direction due to solvent concentration gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating uniform drying conditions specifically in the longitudinal direction of the belt. By controlling the drying process to eliminate solvent concentration gradients along the length of the belt, the invention achieves uniform surface roughness (Ra difference ≤ 0.1 μm) across different regions (central region X and end regions Y and Z) while maintaining the simplicity of the coating process.
2Reliability
If the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt has non-uniform roughness, then the coating process is simpler, but friction and abrasion become inconsistent leading to self-excited vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the surface roughness parameter of the sliding layer. By setting specific requirements for arithmetic mean roughness uniformity (Ra difference ≤ 0.1 μm between central and end regions) and cell structure coefficient of variation (≤ 25%), the invention ensures consistent friction characteristics during operation, preventing self-excited vibrations and improving operational reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the arithmetic mean roughness difference between central and end regions exceeds 0.1 μm, then the coating process is easier, but inconsistent friction occurs during fixing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by establishing clear measurement and control criteria for surface roughness uniformity. By defining specific thresholds (Ra difference ≤ 0.1 μm, coefficient of variation ≤ 25%) and measuring roughness at different longitudinal positions, the invention provides a feedback mechanism to control the drying process and ensure consistent manufacturing quality without excessive complexity.
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 uniform surface roughness enhances the stability and quality of electrophotographic images by reducing frictional inconsistencies and preventing self-excited vibrations, ensuring consistent image fixing across the belt's length.
Implementation Method 1
The resin layer contains a resin and a filler, and has a second surface opposite to a first surface facing the base. The second surface has cell structures, and is roughened with the filler.
Implementation Method 2
friction and abrasion occur between the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt and the fixed and supported heating body
Implementation Method 3
self-excited vibration (film squeal) called stick-slip or a torque increase occur in some cases
Implementation Method 4
self-excited vibration (film squeal) called stick-slip
Implementation Method 5
a coefficient of variation of areas of the cell structures contained in each of the central region X and the end regions Y and Z is 25% or smaller
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing belt includes: a base having an endless shape; and a resin layer covering a surface on an inner peripheral side of the base, the resin layer comprising a resin and a filler, and having a second surface opposite to a first surface facing the base, the second surface having cell structures, and being roughened with the filler. When arithmetic mean roughnesses of the second surface in the central region X and the end regions Y and Z are defined as RaX, RaY and RaZ respectively, a difference between RaX and RaY, a difference between RaY and RaZ, and a difference between RaX and RaZ are all 0.1 μm or smaller, and a coefficient of variation of areas of the cell structures contained in each of the central region X, and end regions Y and Z is 25% or smaller.