Fixing Device Nip Region Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fixing devices face sheet slippage issues due to insufficient contact pressure between the pressure belt and the heater at the entry position of the nip region, leading to increased complexity in structure when trying to prevent slippage by applying larger pressing forces across the entire nip region.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a first and second roller, where the first roller supports the inner peripheral surface of an endless belt that forms a nip region with the heater, and the second roller is positioned downstream to support the belt out of contact with the heater, allowing increased contact pressure at the entry position without increasing the overall pressing force across the nip region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If large pressing force is applied to the pressure belt across the broad pressing area by the pressure pad, then the contact pressure between the pressure belt and the heater at the entry position of the nip region increases, but the entire fixing device is subjected to larger load, rendering the structure more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing force is concentrated at the entry position of the nip region through the pressure pad, while other regions experience reduced pressing force. This localized application of pressure increases contact pressure where needed (at the entry position) without requiring the entire fixing device to withstand uniformly large loads, thereby maintaining structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If the contact pressure between the pressure belt and the heater is insufficient, then sheet slippage relative to the pressure belt occurs at the entry position of the nip region, but increasing the pressing force across the entire nip region increases the load on the fixing device
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure pad is positioned to apply pressing force specifically at the entry position of the nip region, creating a localized high-pressure zone that prevents sheet slippage at the critical entry point. This localized approach achieves reliable sheet conveyance without requiring the entire fixing device structure to support uniformly distributed large loads.
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 prevents sheet slippage at the entry position while maintaining a simpler structure by concentrating the pressing force, enhancing heating efficiency and durability through the use of a resin pressure belt with low thermal conductivity.
Implementation Method 1
a heater, a pressure belt providing a nip region in cooperation with the heater... thermally fixes a transferred developing agent image to a sheet
Implementation Method 2
enhancing heating efficiency and durability through the use of a resin pressure belt with low thermal conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device that includes a heater, a first endless belt, a first roller, and a second roller is provided. The first endless belt confronts the heater at a confronting part and providing a nip region upon contacting the heater. The first endless belt is movable in a first direction at the confronting part, and has an inner peripheral surface. The first roller supports the inner peripheral surface, and nips the first endless belt in cooperation with the heater. The nip region has a part facing the first roller. The second roller is disposed downstream of the nip region in the first direction and supports the inner peripheral surface. The second roller is positioned such that a part of the endless belt mounted over the second roller is out of contact from the heater.