Fixing Device Roller Flare Shape Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices face challenges in maintaining the shape of the second roller, particularly when the rotation speed of the fan sending air to the pressurizing roller is constant, leading to wrinkles in the recording medium due to changes in the flare shape of the second roller.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a first roller for heating and a second roller for pressurizing, where the second roller has a flare shape with a larger diameter at the ends than the center, and a processor controls the rotation speed of the fan to maintain the flare shape and prevent wrinkles by adjusting air volume distribution across the roller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rotation speed of the fan is maintained constant, then the operation is simple, but the shape of the second roller changes causing wrinkles in the recording medium
Solution Approach 1:
The fan rotation speed is changed dynamically between a first rotation speed during image fixation and a second rotation speed during idle periods. This dynamic adjustment prevents the second roller from returning to its original shape too quickly, maintaining the flare shape needed to prevent wrinkles while keeping the system simple to operate through automatic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation speed parameter of the fan is changed between two specific values to control the air flow to the second roller. By adjusting this parameter, the patent maintains the flare shape of the second roller and prevents wrinkles in the recording medium while keeping the control system relatively simple.
2Shape
If the fan rotation speed is changed between central portion and end portion of the second roller, then the flare shape is maintained, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second roller is divided into two regions: a central portion and an end portion. The fan rotation speed is controlled differently for each region, with the end portion receiving higher air flow to maintain its larger diameter. This segmentation allows precise shape control without overly complex systems by focusing control on specific regions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different air flow conditions are applied to different parts of the second roller. The end portion receives higher air flow to maintain its flare shape, while the central portion receives lower air flow. This local differentiation maintains the overall flare shape with relatively simple control by targeting specific regions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the second roller has a flare shape, then wrinkles are prevented, but the roller shape changes over time affecting transport function
Solution Approach 1:
Air is blown to the second roller in advance during idle periods to prevent it from returning to its original shape. This preliminary action maintains the flare shape needed for wrinkle prevention before the next image fixation operation, ensuring stable transport function throughout the device's operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The air blowing to the second roller continues during idle periods between image fixations, maintaining the flare shape continuously. This continuous useful action ensures the roller consistently prevents wrinkles and maintains stable transport function without shape degradation over time.
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 solution effectively maintains the flare shape of the second roller, preventing wrinkles in the recording medium by controlling the temperature and air flow, ensuring consistent image fixation without distortion.
Implementation Method 1
a fan that sends air to the second roller
Implementation Method 2
The first roller heats the recording medium
Implementation Method 3
The second roller pressurizes the recording medium toward the first roller
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a first roller that is arranged in a region where an image formed on a recording medium is fixed to the recording medium and that heats the recording medium, a second roller that is arranged to face the first roller in the region and pressurizes the recording medium toward the first roller, a fan that sends air to the second roller, and a processor configured to control the fan, in which the second roller has a shape in which a diameter of an end portion in a longitudinal axis direction is larger than a diameter of a central portion in the longitudinal axis direction, the first roller and the second roller fix the image to the recording medium in the region, and the processor is configured to change a rotation speed of the fan between the central portion and the end portion of the second roller.