Fixing Device Nip Member Adjustment Mechanism for Sheet Curl
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal fixing devices for electro-photographic image forming devices face challenges in adjusting the sheet discharging direction due to varying amounts of curl in different types of recording sheets, such as plain paper and thick paper, which affects the efficient discharge of sheets from the fixing device.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a tubular flexible fusing member, a heater, a nip member, a resiliently deformable backup member, and an adjustment mechanism that allows the nip member to move between different positions to adjust the sheet feeding direction, enabling precise control over the sheet discharging direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional thermal fixing device is used with a fixed nip member position, then the structure is simple, but the sheet discharging direction cannot be adjusted for different sheet types
Solution Approach 1:
The nip member is made movable along the sheet feeding direction through an adjustment mechanism, transforming the fixed structure into a dynamic one. This allows the nip member position to be changed according to different sheet types, enabling adjustment of sheet discharging direction while maintaining operational simplicity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the nip member position is fixed, then the device operation is simple, but it cannot accommodate different curl amounts of various sheet types
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism enables the nip member to be repositioned along the sheet feeding direction to accommodate different sheet types with varying curl amounts. The mechanism design maintains ease of operation through straightforward adjustment procedures
3Manufacturing precision
If the nip member is fixed in position, then the manufacturing is simple, but the sheet feeding direction cannot be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism provides precise control over the nip member position along the sheet feeding direction, enabling accurate control of sheet feeding direction. The mechanism is designed to be manufacturable with standard precision 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
The adjustment mechanism effectively changes the sheet discharging direction and nip region configuration, ensuring proper discharge of sheets regardless of sheet type, improving the fixing process and image-fixing performance.
Implementation Method 1
a heater disposed in the internal space and configured to radiate radiant heat
Implementation Method 2
a resiliently deformable backup member configured to provide a nip region in cooperation with the fusing member upon nipping the fusing member between the backup member and the nip member
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device for thermally fixing a developer image to a sheet fed in a sheet feeding direction includes: a tubular flexible fusing member; a heater; a nip member; a resiliently deformable backup member; and an adjustment mechanism. The fusing member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space. The heater is disposed in the internal space and radiates radiant heat. The nip member is disposed in the internal space and receives the radiant heat from the heater. The inner peripheral surface is in sliding contact with the nip member. The resiliently deformable backup member provides a nip region in cooperation with the nip member upon nipping the fusing member between the backup member and the nip member. The adjustment mechanism moves the nip member between a first position and a second position different from the first position in the sheet feeding direction to adjust the sheet feeding direction.