Fixing Belt Viscoelastic Optimization for High-Speed Toner Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in achieving both favorable fixation performance of toner images and separativeness of recording media, particularly at high speeds, due to the limitations of fixing belt materials and design.
Innovation Solution
A fixing belt with a base layer of heat-resistant resin, an elastic layer with a loss tangent tan δ of 0.1 or smaller, and a releasing layer, stacked in an endless form and supported by rollers including a heating roller, enhances both fixation performance and separativeness by optimizing the viscoelastic properties of the elastic layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the printing rate increases and roller diameter increases to hold heat value, then the tensile force of the fixing belt decreases, but the ease of separation of the recording medium from the fixing belt deteriorates, causing paper jams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the loss tangent tan δ of the elastic material to 0.1 or smaller at 20 Hz, and controlling the thickness of the elastic layer to 5-200 μm. These parameter adjustments modify the viscoelastic properties of the fixing belt, enabling it to maintain appropriate tensile force characteristics that facilitate recording medium separation even at high printing rates with larger roller diameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing belt employs a composite structure consisting of a base layer and an elastic layer made of elastic material. This composite material design allows the belt to combine the dimensional stability of the base layer with the viscoelastic properties of the elastic layer, achieving both heat retention capability for high-speed operation and controlled separation characteristics to prevent paper jams.
2Speed
If rollers with small roller diameter are used in low speed image forming apparatus, then the tensile force of the fixing belt increases to interlock with rotation driving, but the fixation performance and separativeness become difficult to balance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by precisely controlling the loss tangent tan δ (≤0.1 at 20 Hz) and the thickness (5-200 μm) of the elastic layer. These parameter optimizations enable the fixing belt to maintain consistent viscoelastic properties across different operating speeds, ensuring reliable fixation performance and separativeness balance whether small-diameter rollers are used at low speeds or large-diameter rollers are used at high speeds.
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 enables effective fixation of toner images and easy separation of recording media at high speeds, reducing paper jams and improving the overall performance and speed of image formation in electrophotographic processes.
Implementation Method 1
a heated fixing belt is brought into contact with a recording medium bearing an unfixed toner image to fix the toner image to the recording medium
Implementation Method 2
the elastic material has a loss tangent tan δ of 0.1 or smaller, the loss tangent tan δ being a ratio of a loss modulus relative to a storage modulus at 20 Hz
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing belt according to the present invention has an endless shape and includes a base layer made of a heat-resistant resin; an elastic layer made of an elastic material; and a releasing layer which are stacked on one another in this order in which: the loss tangent tan δ of the elastic material at 20 Hz is 0.1 or smaller; and the fixing belt is mounted in a fixing device in the state where the belt is rotatably supported by two or more rollers including a heating roller, whereby favorable fixation performance and favorable separativeness relative to a recording medium can be achieved even in high speed image formation of an electrophotographic process.