Fixing Device Linkage Mechanism for Heating Belt Abrasion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fixing devices in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses require complex reciprocation mechanisms and motors to reduce abrasion of the heating belt, increasing manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a pressure adjustment part and a linkage part that adjusts the pressure of the pressing area between the fixing member and the pressing roller, allowing the fixing member to move axially and reducing abrasion by shifting the contact position with the sheet edges, simplifying the mechanism and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a reciprocation mechanism with motor and control part is used to move the heating unit, then abrasion of the heating belt surface is reduced, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the reciprocation function from a complex motor-driven mechanism and implements it through a simple linkage mechanism connected to the existing pressure adjustment mechanism. The linkage part includes a link member that converts pressure adjustment motion into axial reciprocation of the fixing member, eliminating the need for separate motors and control systems while maintaining the abrasion reduction effect
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the reciprocation function with the pressure adjustment function by connecting them through a linkage mechanism. The same motor that adjusts pressure also drives the axial reciprocation of the fixing member through the linkage part, combining two functions into one integrated system and reducing overall device complexity
2Reliability
If a reciprocation mechanism with motor and control part is used to move the heating unit, then abrasion of the heating belt surface is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the reciprocation function from a complex motor-driven mechanism and implements it through a simple linkage mechanism connected to the existing pressure adjustment mechanism. The linkage part includes a link member that converts pressure adjustment motion into axial reciprocation of the fixing member, eliminating the need for separate motors and control systems while maintaining the abrasion reduction effect
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the pressure adjustment motor serve dual purposes: adjusting pressing pressure and driving axial reciprocation of the fixing member through the linkage mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of motors and components, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining heating belt durability
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressing member, a pressure adjustment part and a linkage part. The pressing member forms a pressing area with the fixing member. The pressure adjustment part moves one of the fixing member and the pressing member in a direction close to the other of the fixing member and the pressing member to increase a pressure of the pressing area and moves one of the fixing member and the pressing member in a direction away from the other of the fixing member and the pressing member to decrease the pressure of the pressing area. The linkage part transmits an operation to decrease the pressure of the pressing area to the fixing member and then moves the fixing member along an axial direction.