Fixing Device Nip Load Control for Belt Slipping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices face issues with slipping between the fixing belt and pressing roller due to differences in rotation speed caused by bending or denting of the fixing belt, leading to surface damage and increased size and cost when additional rollers are used to mitigate slipping.
Innovation Solution
A load adjustment mechanism that adjusts the load at the nip part based on the temperature of the fixing belt, using a pressing roller and a pad, to stabilize the belt and reduce heating time without additional rollers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fixing belt temperature is increased to reduce dents and bends, then the belt becomes flatter and slipping is reduced, but the heating time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing roller dynamically adjusts its load based on real-time belt temperature feedback. During warm-up, the load is reduced when the belt is cold and prone to dents, then increased when the belt reaches optimal temperature and becomes flatter. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both belt flatness and heating efficiency without requiring additional heating time.
Solution Approach 2:
A temperature detection device continuously monitors the belt temperature and provides feedback to the load adjustment mechanism. This closed-loop feedback system enables the pressing roller to automatically adjust its load according to the belt's thermal state, ensuring optimal pressing force at each heating stage and preventing both excessive dents and unnecessary heating time.
2Reliability
If the pressing roller load is increased to suppress slipping, then the belt stability improves, but the wear and damage to the belt and roller surfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing roller implements dynamic load adjustment based on belt temperature. During the warm-up phase, the load is kept low to prevent surface damage to the cold, vulnerable belt. Once the belt reaches operational temperature and achieves optimal flatness, the load is increased to provide sufficient pressing force for preventing slipping during actual printing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressing load parameter according to belt temperature conditions. By adjusting this critical parameter dynamically, the system achieves adequate belt stability during printing while minimizing surface damage during the vulnerable warm-up period when the belt is cold and more susceptible to damage.
3Reliability
If another driving roller is added to suppress slipping, then the belt transport stability improves, but the device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing roller is designed to perform multiple functions: it not only applies pressing force for image fixation but also dynamically adjusts its load to suppress belt slipping during transport. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate driving roller, maintaining belt transport stability while avoiding increased device size and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the functions of the pressing roller and a potential driving roller into a single component. By combining the pressing function with the belt transport stabilization function, the patent achieves reliable belt transport without adding additional rollers, thereby maintaining compact device size and lower cost.
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
Suppresses slipping between the fixing belt and pressing roller, enhances heat conduction efficiency, reduces heating time, and stabilizes load application, all while maintaining device size and cost efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a fixing belt that is heated by a heat source and rotates
Implementation Method 2
a pressing roller that forms a nip part at a spot where the pressing roller is in contact with the fixing belt
Implementation Method 3
enhances heat conduction efficiency
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A fixing device includes: a fixing belt that is heated by a heat source and rotates; a pressing roller that forms a nip part at a spot where the pressing roller is in contact with the fixing belt, the pressing roller rotating; and a load adjustment mechanism that obtains a belt temperature of the fixing belt and adjusts a load at the nip part according to a state of the belt temperature relative to a predetermined temperature.