Fixing Device Peeling Unit Upstream Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fixing devices face challenges in reliably removing a recording medium wound around the outer peripheral surface of a heating rotary body, especially when the peeling unit is positioned downstream of the fixation region, leading to difficulties in visual recognition and effective peeling, and the medium may enter the apparatus body, rendering the device unusable.

Innovation Solution

A fixing device configuration with a peeling unit positioned upstream of the fixation region, which peels off the recording medium during backward rotation of the heating rotary body, utilizing a peeling film to effectively remove the medium without it entering the apparatus body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the peeling unit is positioned downstream of the fixation region, then the recording medium can be peeled after fixation, but the peeling process becomes difficult to visually recognize and the medium may enter the apparatus body

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of recording medium removalVSAvoidvisual recognition of peeling process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the peeling unit upstream of the fixation region instead of downstream. This inversion allows the peeling process to occur before the recording medium enters the fixation region, making the peeling process visible and preventing the medium from entering the apparatus body while maintaining reliable removal capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the peeling unit is positioned downstream of the fixation region, then the recording medium can be peeled after fixation, but the recording medium may enter the apparatus body rendering the device unusable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepeeling operation effectivenessVSAvoiddevice usability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing the peeling operation before the recording medium enters the fixation region. The peeling unit is positioned upstream to remove the medium in advance, preventing it from entering the apparatus body and compromising device usability, while still ensuring effective peeling operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the heating rotary body rotates backward to remove the recording medium, then the medium can be removed from the outer peripheral surface, but the medium may still enter the apparatus body

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording medium removalVSAvoidrecording medium entering apparatus body

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the peeling unit as an intermediary component between the heating rotary body and the apparatus body interior. This peeling unit acts as a mediator that intercepts and removes the recording medium during backward rotation, preventing it from entering the apparatus body while maintaining reliable removal from the outer peripheral surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250102976A1Fixing device and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A fixing device includes a heating rotary body, a pressing unit that presses a recording medium against the heating rotary body at a fixation region, a backward rotation unit that rotates the heating rotary body in a direction opposite to a direction of rotation at a time of fixation in a case where the recording medium is wound around the heating rotary body, and a peeling unit that is brought relatively close to an outer peripheral surface of the heating rotary body at a position upstream of the fixation region in a transport direction of the recording medium and that peels off the recording medium wound around the heating rotary body at a time of backward rotation of the heating rotary body.