Fixing Device Guide Member Inclined Surface Lubricant Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fixing devices for thermally fixing developer images on recording sheets face an issue where lubricant is not efficiently distributed between the endless belt and the nip member, leading to increased sliding resistance due to insufficient lubrication.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an inclined surface on the guide member that extends from the guide portion towards the upstream direction, allowing lubricant collected between the endless belt and the inclined surface to be moved to the inner circumferential surface of the belt, ensuring a sufficient lubricant supply between the belt and the nip member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a depressed portion is formed in the guide member to reduce heat loss and sliding resistance, then heat loss is reduced and sliding resistance is reduced, but lubricant accumulates in the depressed portion and is not effectively distributed to the contact area between the endless belt and nip member
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is divided into functionally distinct regions: a gap forming portion that separates from the endless belt to reduce heat loss, and an inclined surface portion that directs lubricant flow. This segmentation allows each region to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined surface is configured to extend in the rotational direction of the endless belt, creating a dimensional pathway that directs lubricant from the gap forming portion toward the contact area between the endless belt and nip member, ensuring effective lubricant distribution while maintaining the gap's heat reduction function.
2Loss of energy
If the gap forming portion is separated from the endless belt to reduce sliding resistance, then sliding resistance is reduced, but lubricant accumulates in the gap forming portion and is not effectively supplied to the contact area
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is divided into functionally distinct regions: a gap forming portion that separates from the endless belt to reduce sliding resistance, and an inclined surface portion that directs lubricant flow. This segmentation allows each region to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined surface acts as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the separated gap forming portion and the contact area. It provides a directional pathway for lubricant to travel from the gap forming portion to the nip member contact area, ensuring lubricant supply while maintaining the separation's sliding resistance reduction benefit.
3Quantity of substance
If the inclined surface angle is large to effectively move lubricant, then lubricant flow is improved, but the structural complexity increases and manufacturing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surface is configured with a specific angle range (5 degrees to 45 degrees) that optimizes lubricant flow while maintaining structural simplicity. This parameter optimization ensures effective lubricant direction without requiring complex geometries or multiple components.
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 effectively suppresses the increment of sliding resistance by ensuring a consistent lubricant supply, maintaining optimal operational conditions for the fixing device.
Implementation Method 1
an inclined surface that extends from the guide portion toward upstream in the rotational direction and has a predetermined area, on which a lubricant is provided
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a guide member including a guide portion, which is disposed downstream from a nip in a rotational direction of an endless belt and is in contact with the endless belt, and a gap forming portion, which is disposed between the nip and the guide portion in the rotational direction of the endless belt and which forms a gap from the endless belt. The gap forming portion includes an inclined surface that extends from the guide portion upstream in the rotational direction and has a predetermined area, on which a lubricant is provided. A maximum inclination angle between the predetermined area and a plane that is defined to contact a downstream end, in the rotational direction, of the contact portion of the nip member and the guide portion is less than 90 degrees.