Fixing Device Heat Leveling Roller Cleaning Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fixing devices face issues with dirt transfer from the heat leveling roller to the pressure roller, leading to creases on paper and poor paper feeding, and the use of web cleaning devices increases device size and cost.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a heat leveling rotating body and a brush rotating body that switch between contact and separation states, using a brush to clean the heat leveling rotating body and prevent dirt transfer, while maintaining a controlled contact pressure to prevent retransfer of dirt to the pressure roller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a web cleaning device is used to clean the heat leveling roller, then the cleaning effect is improved, but the device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cleaning function from a complex web cleaning device and implements it using a simple brush member that contacts the heat leveling roller. This brush member is integrated into the existing fixing device structure, removing the need for separate web cleaning device components while maintaining effective cleaning of the heat leveling roller surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush member is positioned to automatically clean the heat leveling roller during the fixing operation. The relative rotation between the heat leveling roller and the brush member enables self-cleaning functionality without requiring additional actuators or complex control mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity.
2Temperature
If the heat leveling roller contacts the pressure roller continuously, then temperature distribution is equalized, but dirt transfers from the heat leveling roller to the pressure roller
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic contact and separation between the heat leveling roller and the pressure roller. During the contact phase, temperature equalization occurs; during the separation phase, the brush member cleans the heat leveling roller surface to prevent dirt transfer. This periodic action resolves the contradiction by alternating between the beneficial contact state and the cleaning state.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush member acts as an intermediary between the heat leveling roller and the cleaning function. It removes dirt and paper powder from the heat leveling roller surface before the roller contacts the pressure roller, preventing harmful dirt transfer while maintaining temperature equalization during contact phases.
3Reliability
If the brush roller contacts the heat leveling roller, then the heat leveling roller is cleaned, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cleaning function with the existing fixing device structure. The brush member is integrated into the fixing device housing and positioned to contact the heat leveling roller during normal operation, combining multiple functions (fixing and cleaning) into a single integrated system rather than adding separate cleaning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing device is designed to perform multiple functions: the primary fixing function through the heating and pressure rollers, and the secondary cleaning function through the brush member that cleans the heat leveling roller. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated cleaning devices, simplifying the overall system structure.
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
Prevents dirt retransfer to the pressure roller, maintains a clean fixing device without increasing size, and ensures uniform temperature distribution, thereby improving paper feeding and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a heat rotating body (21) being heated by a heat part (25)
Implementation Method 2
a brush rotating body (24) which includes a plurality of fibers (242) for cleaning a surface of the heat leveling rotating body (23)
Implementation Method 3
a heat leveling rotating body (23) for equalizing temperature distribution in the direction of a rotation shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a heat rotating body, a pressure applying rotating body, a heat leveling rotating body for equalizing temperature distribution of a rotating body which is one of the heat rotating body and the pressure applying rotating body, and a brush rotating body which includes a plurality of fibers for cleaning a surface of the heat leveling rotating body. A switching unit switches a contact state between the heat leveling rotating body and the rotating body which is the one of the heat rotating body and the pressure applying rotating body, between a state in which the heat leveling rotating body makes contact with the rotating body and a state in which the heat leveling rotating body is separated from the rotating body, by moving integrally the heat leveling rotating body and the brush rotating body making contact with each other.