Fixing Device Rotatable Member Nipping Load Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fixing devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges where the rotational driving force transmitted to a rotatable member causes it to move in a toward-and-away direction relative to the fixing member, influencing the image fixing process on a recording medium, leading to changes in nipping load that can adversely affect image fixation.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device configuration where a rotatable member is pressed against a fixing member to form a pressurization part, with a transmission unit that transmits a rotational driving force, allowing the rotatable member to move in a toward-and-away direction different from the driving force's action direction, using a moving mechanism and transmission unit to maintain consistent nipping load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a rotational driving force is transmitted to the rotatable member, then the rotatable member rotates to form the pressurization part, but the rotatable member moves in the toward-and-away direction relative to the fixing member, causing unstable nipping load
Solution Approach 1:
A transmission unit is introduced as an intermediary between the driving force source and the rotatable member. This transmission unit is configured to transmit only rotational driving force while blocking transmission of axial forces in the toward-and-away direction, thereby isolating the rotatable member from axial movements that would affect nipping load stability
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission unit separates the rotational motion function from the axial position function. By segmenting the force transmission paths, the system allows independent control of rotation (for pressurization part formation) and axial position (for stable nipping load), preventing coupling between these two degrees of freedom
2Ease of operation
If the rotatable member is pressed against the fixing member to form a pressurization part, then image fixing function is achieved, but the rotatable member becomes movable in the toward-and-away direction under rotational driving force
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission unit acts as a mediator that selectively transmits rotational driving force while blocking axial force transmission. This allows the rotatable member to be pressed against the fixing member for image fixing while preventing axial movements that would compromise position stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically separates the rotational degree of freedom (allowed for operation) from the axial degree of freedom (constrained for stability). The transmission unit enables rotational motion necessary for image fixing while constraining axial motion to maintain stable nipping load
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes: a fixing member to be used in fixing an image on a recording medium; a rotatable member pressed against the fixing member while being allowed to rotate, the rotatable member cooperating with the fixing member in such a manner as to form a pressurization part where the recording medium is to be pressurized; and a transmission unit configured to transmit a rotational driving force to the rotatable member. The rotatable member is movable in a toward-and-away direction relative to the fixing member. The toward-and-away direction of the rotatable member is different from a direction in which the driving force transmitted by the transmission unit acts.