Fixing Device Cleaning Roller Reverse Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices face inefficiencies in cleaning the cleaning roller due to toner residue, which degrades the cleaning process and leads to prolonged cleaning times and potential damage from increased rubbing resistance.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a cleaning mode that separates the cleaning roller from the fixing belt and rotates it while using a web to clean, increasing the cleaning nip width and pressing force to enhance cleaning efficiency without damaging the fixing belt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pressing force of the web to the cleaning roller is increased to improve cleaning efficiency, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but the fixing belt may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning roller is configured to rotate in reverse direction during cleaning mode, creating dynamic motion that enhances cleaning effectiveness. The rotation drive unit enables the cleaning roller to rotate independently in the reverse direction, allowing the web to effectively remove toner and wax without requiring excessive pressing force that would damage the fixing belt.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by separating the cleaning roller from the fixing belt during cleaning mode. This parameter change allows the web to press against the rotating cleaning roller with sufficient force for effective cleaning, while the separation prevents transmission of damaging forces to the fixing belt.
2Productivity
If the pressing force of the web to the cleaning roller is increased to improve cleaning efficiency, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but cleaning time increases due to prolonged contact
Solution Approach 1:
The reverse rotation of the cleaning roller creates dynamic cleaning action that accelerates the removal of toner and wax. This dynamic motion allows the web to effectively clean the cleaning roller surface without requiring prolonged contact time, thus improving cleaning efficiency while maintaining short cleaning duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning operation uses periodic reverse rotation of the cleaning roller, creating repeated cleaning cycles that efficiently remove contaminants. This periodic action ensures thorough cleaning without requiring continuous prolonged contact, optimizing both cleaning efficiency and time management.
3Loss of time
If toner remains on the cleaning roller after cleaning, then cleaning time is reduced, but wax seeps out from the remaining toner and adheres to the fixing belt
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary reverse rotation cleaning of the cleaning roller before the web contacts it. This preliminary action removes most toner and wax contaminants, ensuring that when the web subsequently cleans the roller, no toner remains to seep out wax that would adhere to the fixing belt. This preliminary cleaning step prevents the harmful effect of wax adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational state by separating the cleaning roller from the fixing belt during cleaning mode, and rotates the cleaning roller in reverse direction. This parameter change ensures complete removal of toner and wax from the cleaning roller surface, preventing wax from seeping out and adhering to the fixing belt, thereby eliminating the harmful effect.
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 improves the cleaning efficiency of the cleaning roller using a web, reducing cleaning time and preventing gloss memory by effectively removing toner and wax without damaging the fixing belt.
Implementation Method 1
the web abuts on the cleaning member to clean the cleaning member
Implementation Method 2
a toner release agent (hereinafter, referred to as 'wax') seeps out and adheres to the fixing belt
Implementation Method 3
the cleaning member moves to separate from the fixing member and is rotatingly driven
Implementation Method 4
a fixing member that heats and presses a toner image formed on a recording material to fix the toner image on the recording material
Implementation Method 5
a fixing member that heats and presses a toner image formed on a recording material to fix the toner image on the recording material
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device has a fixing member, a cleaning roller, and a web, a first drive mechanism, a rotation drive unit, and a control unit. The first drive mechanism moves the cleaning roller to abut on or separate from the fixing member. The rotation drive unit can rotatingly drive the cleaning roller when the cleaning roller separates from the fixing member. The control unit performs control such that, in a case where a cleaning mode for cleaning the cleaning roller using the web is selected, the cleaning roller moves to separate from the fixing member and is rotatingly driven, and the web abuts on the cleaning roller, in order to clean the cleaning roller.