Fixing Device Separator Assembly with Resistor-Based Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fixing devices face issues with insulation breakdown between the separator and the housing, leading to current flow from the heater to the housing, affecting heat generation and damaging peripheral components.
Innovation Solution
The fixing device incorporates a resistor to assemble the separator into the housing, ensuring insulation between the separator and the housing, and using a collar with high volume resistance to limit current flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the separator is made of conductive metal to improve separation performance, then the separation function is enhanced, but current flows from the heater to the housing via the separator and biasing member, affecting heat generation and damaging peripheral components
Solution Approach 1:
A resin layer is introduced as an intermediary between the conductive metal separator and the housing. This resin layer has sufficient insulation performance to block current flow while allowing the metal separator to maintain its separation function. The biasing member is also insulated from the housing through this resin layer, preventing current flow through the biasing member while maintaining the necessary biasing force.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the insulation layer on the heater is made thin to reduce heat loss, then energy efficiency is improved, but the insulation layer breaks easily allowing current to flow to the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The resin layer is positioned beforehand between the separator/biasing member and the housing to provide preemptive insulation. This prevents current flow even if the heater's insulation layer breaks, as the resin layer serves as a backup insulation barrier that protects against current flow through the separator and biasing member pathways.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the separator is insulated from the housing to prevent current flow, then electrical safety is improved, but the separator cannot effectively separate the sheet from the fixing belt
Solution Approach 1:
The separator is designed with local quality differentiation: the portion that contacts the sheet and fixing belt maintains conductive properties for effective separation, while the portion near the housing is insulated through the resin layer to prevent current flow. This allows the separator to fulfill both its mechanical separation function and electrical insulation requirement simultaneously.
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 maintains consistent heat generation and prevents damage to peripheral components by securing insulation and reducing charge accumulation, thereby enhancing device reliability.
Implementation Method 1
Applying an alternating current (AC) voltage to the resistive heat generator generates heat
Implementation Method 2
The heat heats the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt via an insulation layer
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a rotator (20, 120), an opposed rotator (21, 93), a heater (22), a housing (40), a resistor (42), a separator (41), and a biasing member (44). The opposed rotator is opposite the rotator. The heater includes a resistive heat generator (31). The heater is in direct contact with the inner circumferential surface of the rotator or in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the rotator via a conductive member (28, 36) to heat the rotator. The housing is conductive and grounded. The resistor is in the housing. The separator is conductive and is in contact with the rotator. The separator is assembled into the housing via the resistor. The biasing member biases the separator against the rotator. The biasing member is assembled into the housing via the resistor.