Fixing Belt Surface Uniformity via Movable Roller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image heating apparatuses face issues with uneven gloss generation due to surface roughening of the fixing belt and improper rubbing of the endless belt, leading to variations in pressure distribution and potential misalignment of the fixing belt.
Innovation Solution
An image heating apparatus with a displacing mechanism to maintain the fixing belt within a predetermined zone, combined with a rubbing roller that avoids regions where the belt is separated from the supporting roller, ensuring consistent contact and surface smoothing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the steering roller is displaced to keep the fixing belt within the normal zone, then the fixing belt alignment is improved, but the rubbing roller cannot properly contact the fixing belt causing uneven pressure distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting roller is made movable in the width direction of the fixing belt, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. This enables the supporting roller to follow the displaced fixing belt path while maintaining proper contact with the rubbing roller, thus preserving both belt alignment and rubbing contact consistency simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The movable supporting roller is positioned within the system such that it can adapt to the displaced fixing belt trajectory. The supporting roller acts as an intermediate element that nestles between the fixed rubbing roller and the displaced fixing belt, ensuring continuous proper contact for rubbing while accommodating the belt's shifted position
2Productivity
If the fixing belt is used repeatedly for fixing images, then productivity is improved, but the outer surface becomes roughened causing uneven gloss
Solution Approach 1:
The rubbing roller is designed to automatically and continuously rub the outer surface of the fixing belt during its operation. This self-service mechanism continuously restores the surface uniformity of the fixing belt without requiring external intervention, allowing the belt to maintain consistent gloss quality throughout repeated use and extending its service life
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 effectively prevents uneven gloss generation and ensures proper rubbing of the fixing belt, maintaining consistent pressure distribution and improving the quality of the fixed image.
Implementation Method 1
a rubbing roller configured to rub an outer surface of the endless belt at a rubbing position where the rubbing roller causes the endless belt to be brought into press contact with the second supporting roller
Implementation Method 2
an endless belt configured to heat a toner image on a sheet at a nip portion
Data Source
AI summary
If the positional relationship between the rubbing roller and the contact angle of the belt-like fixing member is changed by inclination of the steering roller, it is always possible for the rubbing roller to abut on the range where the belt-like fixing member is wrapped. As a result, it is possible to maintain uniform surface roughness for the fixing member surface layer, allowing the recording material to maintain evenness in the gloss.