Fixing Device Partition Sheet Length for Lubricant Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing fixing devices, lubricant between the heater and the belt can flow to the backside of the heat insulation sheet, potentially adhering to temperature detectors and causing them to malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device configuration where the partition sheet is longer than the heater in the direction of conveyance, positioned between the heater's backside and the holder, with extensions that guide the lubricant away from the temperature detector, preventing it from adhering and ensuring proper function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heat insulation sheet length is the same as the heater length, then the device structure is simple, but lubricant flows to the backside and adheres to the temperature detector causing malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The partition sheet is divided into a heater-contacting portion and an extended portion that protrudes beyond the heater length. This segmentation allows the partition sheet to serve dual functions: insulating heat at the heater interface and blocking lubricant flow at the extended portion, thereby protecting the temperature detector without requiring a complete redesign of the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition sheet extends in the conveyance direction (one dimension) beyond the heater length, creating a protruding structure. This dimensional extension allows the partition sheet to intercept lubricant before it reaches the temperature detector, solving the lubricant adhesion problem while maintaining structural efficiency.
2Reliability
If the partition sheet is longer than the heater, then lubricant flow is restrained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition sheet serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a heat insulation barrier between the heater and holder, functions as a lubricant flow barrier through its extended portion, and provides structural support in the conveying mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition sheet is implemented as a thin film or sheet structure that can be easily extended in length without significantly increasing structural complexity. This thin-film approach allows the partition sheet to be made longer than the heater to restrain lubricant flow while maintaining manufacturing simplicity and structural efficiency.
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 partition sheet effectively restrains lubricant from reaching the temperature detector, maintaining its functionality and ensuring uniform temperature distribution during the printing process.
Implementation Method 1
a heater including a substrate and a resistance heating element formed on the substrate
Implementation Method 2
The inner peripheral surface of the belt is coated with grease (lubricant) to thereby ensure sliding properties between each of the heater and the holder, and the inner peripheral surface of the belt
Implementation Method 3
a heat insulation sheet is located between the second surface and the holder
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a heater, an endless belt, a holder, a temperature detector, and a partition sheet. The heater includes a substrate, and a resistance heating element provided on the substrate, and has a frontside surface and a backside surface opposite to the frontside surface. The endless belt is configured to rotate around the heater and has an inner peripheral surface in contact with the frontside surface of the heater. The holder holds the heater. The temperature detector is configured to detect a temperature of the heater and has a detection surface that detects a temperature. The partition sheet is located between the backside surface of the heater and the holder, and is in contact with the detection surface. A length of the partition sheet in a direction of conveyance of a recording material is longer than a length of the heater in the direction of conveyance.