Fixing Device Facing Member Thermal Conductivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face inefficiencies in heat transmission from the heating member to the annular belt, leading to suboptimal fixing performance in printers.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a facing member with resin and a thermally conductive material, such as graphite, on the heating member's surface, with a weight compound ratio of thermally conductive material exceeding 11 wt% or a volume compound ratio exceeding 8 vol%, to enhance heat transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a heating member is provided on the inner peripheral surface of an annular belt to apply heat for fixing images, then the fixing function is achieved, but the heat transmission efficiency from the heating member to the annular belt is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The facing member is constructed as a composite material comprising resin and carbon particles, where the carbon provides high thermal conductivity to improve heat transmission from the heating member to the annular belt, while the resin provides structural integrity and flexibility. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by enabling efficient heat transfer without excessive energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies optimal parameter ranges for the facing member composition (carbon content by weight ratio) and thickness to maximize heat transmission efficiency. By controlling these parameters, the system achieves effective heat transfer from the heating member to the annular belt while minimizing power consumption, thus resolving the energy efficiency contradiction.
2Temperature
If heat transmission efficiency is increased to improve fixing performance, then the fixation limit temperature can be lowered, but the structural integrity and durability of the facing member may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure of resin and carbon particles allows the facing member to achieve high thermal conductivity for lowering the fixation limit temperature while the resin matrix maintains structural integrity and durability. The carbon particles are dispersed within the resin to create a material that simultaneously provides thermal performance and mechanical reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The facing member exhibits local quality differentiation where carbon particles are distributed throughout the resin matrix, creating regions of high thermal conductivity at the particle level while the overall structure maintains mechanical strength through the resin network. This local quality approach enables the facing member to satisfy both thermal and mechanical requirements.
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 configuration significantly improves heat transmission efficiency, lowers the fixation limit temperature, and reduces power consumption, ensuring consistent printing speed for various paper thicknesses while maintaining high print quality and extending the lifespan of the fixation belt.
Implementation Method 1
the facing member includes resin and carbon... the facing member includes resin and a thermally conductive material having higher thermal conductivity than the resin
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a fixing device 30 including a fixation belt 53, a heating member 70 provided on an inner peripheral surface 56S's side of the fixation belt 53, a slide member 52 provided on a facing surface 51B of the heating member 70 facing the inner peripheral surface 56S, and a pressure roller 60 that is provided on an outer peripheral surface's side of the fixation belt 53 and forms a nip part N between the pressure roller 60 and the slide member 52 via the fixation belt 53. The slide member 52 is configured to include binder resin 52B and thermally conductive filler particles 52F.