Fixing Belt Outer Stretching Roller Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing apparatuses face challenges in increasing productivity while minimizing power consumption, as higher heat input is needed to maintain high-speed image formation, but increasing the number or power of heaters leads to increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates an outer stretching roller that presses the fixing belt against the heating roller, increasing the contact area and heat transfer without requiring additional heaters or increased power, thereby optimizing heat supply and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the number of heaters or power of heaters is increased to increase the amount of heat supplied to the fixing belt, then the heat supply to the fixing belt is improved, but the power consumption of the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the fixing belt from a relaxed state to a stretched state by introducing a stretching roller. This parameter change (tension/stretching) increases the contact area between the fixing belt and heating roller, thereby improving heat supply efficiency without increasing power consumption. The stretched belt maintains better thermal contact with the heating roller surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a stretching roller that applies radial force to the fixing belt, creating a curved contact zone between the belt and heating roller. This curvature enhancement increases the effective contact area, allowing more efficient heat transfer from the heating roller to the fixing belt without requiring additional heating elements or power.
2Productivity
If the number of recording materials passing through the nip portion per unit time is increased to increase productivity, then the productivity is improved, but the heat loss from the fixing belt increases
Solution Approach 1:
By stretching the fixing belt using the stretching roller, the belt maintains tighter contact with the heating roller throughout the heating zone. This parameter change ensures more consistent and efficient heat transfer, reducing heat loss to the environment even when processing multiple recording materials per unit time, thus maintaining productivity without proportional heat loss increase.
3Temperature
If a roller is disposed to increase the contact width between the heating roller and fixing belt, then the heat supply efficiency is improved, but the space utilization over the heating roller and stretching roller becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The stretching roller serves dual functions: it stretches the fixing belt to improve contact with the heating roller (enhancing heat supply efficiency) and simultaneously acts as a positioning element that guides the belt through the system. This multi-functionality improves space utilization by combining stretching and alignment functions in a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the function of the stretching roller with the function of a potential additional alignment roller. By positioning the stretching roller to also serve as an alignment element, the design eliminates the need for separate rollers, thereby improving space utilization while maintaining effective contact between the fixing belt and heating roller.
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 effectively increases the heat flux to the fixing belt, maintaining high-speed operation while keeping power consumption low, without the need for larger or additional heating rollers, thus enhancing productivity without significant space or operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a heating roller in which a heater is disposed and which is configured to be in contact with the inner surface of the belt and stretch and heat the belt
Implementation Method 2
an outer stretching roller disposed between the heating roller and the stretching roller and configured to press the heating roller from an outer surface of the belt and bring the belt into contact with the heating roller
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing apparatus includes a belt, a pad member, a pressure member, a heating roller, a stretching roller, and, an outer stretching roller. The outer stretching roller disposed between the heating roller and the stretching roller and configured to press the heating roller from an outer surface of the belt and bring the belt into contact with the heating roller. In a cross section orthogonal to a rotation axis of the pressure member, a surface between the heating roller and the stretching roller of the belt in a state where the belt is pushed toward the heating roller by the outer stretching roller is located inside that of the belt in a state where the outer stretching roller is removed.