Fixing Device Dual Cleaning System for Heating Roll Contaminants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fixing devices in image forming apparatuses struggle to effectively remove wax from heating rolls, in addition to toner, which can lead to residual contamination and reduced device performance.

Innovation Solution

A fixing device is designed with a dual cleaning system, comprising a first cleaning section for removing toner and a second cleaning section located downstream, specifically aimed at removing wax adhering to the heating roll, utilizing web members and feed mechanisms tailored for each cleaning task.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single cleaning unit is used to remove toner from the heating roll, then the cleaning process is simple, but wax contained in toner cannot be effectively removed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning unit is divided into two distinct sections: a first cleaning section with a first web member to remove toner particles, and a second cleaning section with a second web member to remove wax. This segmentation allows each section to specialize in removing different types of contaminants, thereby improving overall cleaning effectiveness while maintaining a manageable structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If only toner removal is performed, then the cleaning process is quick, but residual wax remains on the heating roll

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning completenessVSAvoidcleaning cycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The first cleaning section performs preliminary cleaning by removing toner particles from the heating roll surface. This preliminary action prepares the surface for the second cleaning section, which then focuses on removing the more stubborn wax residue. This two-stage approach ensures complete cleaning without significantly extending the overall cleaning cycle time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a dual cleaning section is added to remove both toner and wax, then cleaning thoroughness improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant removal capabilityVSAvoidcleaning system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Both the first and second web members are part of the same cleaning unit structure, sharing common support mechanisms and integration with the heating roll. This multi-functional design allows the cleaning unit to handle both toner and wax removal while avoiding the need for completely separate cleaning systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250036049A1Fixing device and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A fixing device includes: a heating roll that heats a recording medium having a toner image formed on the recording medium while rotating in contact with the recording medium; a pressure roll that sandwiches the recording medium with the heating roll to pressurize the recording medium; a first cleaning section that removes toner adhering to the heating roll; and a second cleaning section that is located downstream of the first cleaning section in a rotation direction of the heating roll and removes wax adhering to the heating roll.