Fixing Apparatus Belt Static Elimination via Grounded Conductor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrostatic offset occurs in fixing apparatuses, particularly when using acidic component-containing paper, leading to unintended toner image transfer due to charging issues, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

A fixing apparatus with a static eliminating unit that utilizes a metal layer in the belt's layered structure, where a static eliminating section, grounded through a supporting structure, contacts the belt's surface to dissipate static, and an additional static eliminating device is used for the pressure roller to manage electrostatic charges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a belt with a metal layer is used for electromagnetic induction heating, then heating efficiency is improved, but electrostatic offset occurs due to charging of the heating section

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidelectrostatic offset

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A grounded conductor is introduced as an intermediary between the heating section and ground to provide a discharge path for electrostatic charge. This mediator allows the beneficial electromagnetic induction heating to continue while safely dissipating the harmful electrostatic charge that causes toner offset.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The metal layer in the belt that causes electrostatic charging is converted into a benefit by using it as part of the electromagnetic induction heating system. The same conductive property that causes the harmful electrostatic offset is utilized for efficient heating, and the harm is mitigated by providing a controlled discharge path through the grounded conductor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Adaptability or versatility

If acidic component-containing paper is used, then paper availability is improved, but electrostatic offset occurrence increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaper availabilityVSAvoidelectrostatic offset

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The grounded conductor is positioned to preemptively discharge electrostatic charge from the heating section before the paper passes through. This preliminary anti-action prevents the electrostatic offset from occurring in the first place, allowing acidic component-containing paper to be used without suffering from the harmful effects of charge accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a static eliminating brush is disposed near the pressure roller, then electrostatic charge is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrostatic chargeVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The static eliminating function is merged with the existing grounded conductor structure already present in the fixing apparatus. Instead of adding a separate static eliminating brush as an independent component, the invention utilizes and integrates the discharge function into the existing grounded conductor, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining electrostatic control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Effectively suppresses electrostatic offset by eliminating static from the belt and pressure roller, ensuring accurate toner image fixation on paper, even with acidic component-containing paper, by grounding the static eliminating members and controlling electrostatic potential.

Implementation Method 1

a belt having a layered structure in which a metal layer is held between nonmetal layers, and the belt generates heat by electromagnetic induction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a first static eliminating section that eliminates static from the belt while being in contact with a surface of the belt

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic discharge: Electrostatic Discharge

Data Source

PatentUS10816921B1Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.10.27 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A fixing apparatus includes a heating section including a belt having a layered structure in which a metal layer is held between nonmetal layers. The belt has a front surface that comes into contact with a toner image and a back surface that does not come into contact with the toner image. The belt has a first thickness from the front surface to the metal layer inside the belt and a second thickness from the back surface to the metal layer inside the belt.The fixing apparatus also includes a pressure section that holds, between the pressure section and the belt, a transported sheet of paper holding the toner image and that applies pressure to the sheet of paper.The fixing apparatus further includes a first static eliminating section that eliminates static from the belt while being in contact with a surface of the belt. The surface is the front surface or the back surface that is on a side of the first thickness or the second thickness having a smaller thickness when the first thickness and the second thickness are compared.