Fixing Belt Supporting Member Deformation Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing apparatuses face challenges such as long warm-up times, durability issues, belt temperature instability, and increased energy consumption due to friction and overheating, particularly at high speeds, which affect image quality and apparatus reliability.
Innovation Solution
A fixing apparatus with a supporting member having a specific C-shaped cross-section and coating films to enhance heat conductivity and reduce friction, combined with a deform-preventing unit to maintain the nip concave portion's shape and prevent deformation, ensuring stable operation and efficient heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fixing belt is stretched by multiple roller members, then the fixing apparatus can achieve continuous image formation, but the warm-up time becomes long and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing belt is divided into multiple independent sections, each supported by separate roller members. This segmentation allows each section to be independently heated and tensioned, enabling faster localized warming up while maintaining continuous operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller members are pre-positioned and pre-tensioned to hold the fixing belt in place before operation begins. This preliminary action eliminates the need for extensive warm-up time to establish belt tension and position, allowing immediate or near-immediate image formation.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If a ceramic heater is used as a heating body, then power consumption at standby is reduced, but the belt temperature becomes unstable and friction increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the fixing belt are heated by separate ceramic heaters positioned at specific locations. This local heating approach allows precise temperature control for each section, maintaining overall temperature stability while reducing total power consumption compared to a single large heater.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors are positioned near the ceramic heaters to monitor belt temperature in real-time. This feedback mechanism allows the control system to adjust heater power dynamically, maintaining stable belt temperature while optimizing energy consumption and preventing overheating that would increase friction.
3Speed
If the fixing belt slides over the roller members, then the apparatus can operate at high speed, but frictional resistance increases causing overheating and durability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing belt is designed as a thin, flexible film that can conform closely to the surface of the roller members. This close conformity reduces the contact area and frictional resistance compared to rigid belts, enabling high-speed operation without excessive heat generation from friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller members are designed with precisely controlled curved surfaces that match the geometry of the fixing belt. This curvature optimization ensures smooth contact and reduces stress concentration points, minimizing friction and preventing localized overheating during high-speed operation.
4Volume of moving object
If a thin metal pipe is used as a supporting member, then the apparatus size is reduced, but the supporting member deforms due to sliding contact
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member is constructed as a composite structure combining thin metal pipe with reinforcing elements or coating layers. This composite design maintains the compact size of the thin pipe while adding structural integrity to prevent deformation from sliding contact forces.
Solution Approach 2:
A protective coating or cushioning layer is applied to the surface of the thin metal pipe supporting member before operation begins. This pre-applied protection layer absorbs and distributes the sliding contact forces, preventing deformation of the underlying metal pipe structure during high-speed operation.
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 significantly reduces warm-up time, improves energy conservation, and enhances durability by maintaining stable belt temperature and reducing frictional resistance, leading to improved image quality and apparatus reliability.
Implementation Method 1
coating films to enhance heat conductivity and reduce friction
Implementation Method 2
coating films to enhance heat conductivity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
ABSTRACT A fixing apparatus and an image forming apparatus are provided which prevent a supporting member from deforming due to sliding of a fixing member, improving energy conservation and durability of parts and obtaining a good image. The fixing apparatus includes a fixing belt; a pressurizing roller; a supporting member; a heating unit; a nip forming member; and a deform preventing unit.