Fixing Belt Velocity Control for Gloss and Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses face issues with image noise due to the damage of the fixing rotation body's outer layer caused by velocity differences between the fixing rotation body and the sheet, leading to increased glossiness and shear forces, which deteriorate the fixing belt's outer layer.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a hardware processor that controls the velocity difference between the fixing rotation body and the sheet, ensuring the absolute value of the velocity difference is smaller when the sheet is not passing through the fixing nip, reducing the stress on the fixing belt and minimizing image noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a velocity difference is made between the fixing rotation body and the sheet to increase glossiness, then the gloss of the toner image is improved, but the outer layer of the fixing rotation body is damaged causing image noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the velocity difference conditional rather than constant. The fixing rotation body's velocity is adjusted dynamically based on whether a sheet is present: a velocity difference is created only when a sheet passes through to achieve glossiness, while the velocity is matched when no sheet is present to prevent damage. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between achieving glossiness and preventing outer layer damage.
2Illumination intensity
If the velocity difference between fixing rotation body and pressing rotation body is large when no sheet is present, then the glossiness control is maintained, but the stress on the fixing belt increases causing deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic velocity control where the relationship between fixing rotation body and pressing rotation body velocities changes based on sheet presence. When no sheet is present, the velocities are matched to minimize stress on the fixing belt. When a sheet is present, the velocity difference is adjusted to control glossiness. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction between glossiness control and stress resistance.
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 approach effectively reduces image noise by minimizing the deterioration of the fixing belt, thereby extending its lifespan and maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a fixer that includes a fixing rotation body and a pressing rotation body between which a fixing nip is formed, and heats and presses a fed sheet through the fixing nip so that a toner image formed on the sheet is fixed to the sheet
Implementation Method 2
making a velocity difference between a surface velocity of the fixing rotation body and a surface velocity of a sheet when the sheet passes through the fixing nip is supposed to cause shear (shearing force) on an image surface of the sheet, smoothly floating the image surface with an increased glossiness
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a fixer including fixing rotation body and pressing rotation body with a fixing nip therebetween, and heats and presses a fed sheet through the fixing nip to fix a toner image on the sheet to the sheet; and a hardware processor making a velocity difference between respective surface velocities of the fixing rotation body and the sheet passing through the fixing nip during a high-gloss mode operation to adjust a gloss of the toner image on the sheet. The hardware processor performs a control so that an absolute value of a velocity difference between respective surface velocities of the fixing rotation body and the pressing rotation body in press-contact when the sheet does not pass through the fixing nip is less than one between respective surface velocities of the fixing rotation body and the sheet when the sheet passes through the fixing nip during the high-gloss mode operation.