Fixing Device Rotation Load Applicator for Toner Adhesion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices in image forming apparatuses face issues with toner adhesion to the fixing rollers and belts, leading to faulty toner images and increased maintenance costs due to inadequate control over rotation load and friction between the fixing and pressure rollers.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a rotation load applicator that applies a controlled rotation load of 0.1 Nm to 0.6 Nm to the fixing and pressure rollers, ensuring a slight linear velocity differential to prevent toner adhesion, using a slide bearing, oil damper, or torque limiter to manage the load and maintain effective image transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fixing roller and pressure roller are pressed against each other to form a fixing nip, then heat and pressure are applied to fix the toner image, but toner adhesion occurs on the fixing rollers leading to faulty images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a rotation load to the pressure roller to create a controlled velocity differential between the fixing roller and pressure roller. This dynamic adjustment prevents toner adhesion by ensuring the rollers do not rotate at exactly the same speed, eliminating the sticking condition while maintaining effective fixing pressure and heat application.
2Manufacturing precision
If the fixing roller and pressure roller are pressed together to apply heat and pressure, then toner images are fixed effectively, but friction between the rollers causes toner adhesion and image defects
Solution Approach 1:
By applying a rotation load to create velocity differential, the patent dynamically controls the friction conditions between rollers. This prevents toner adhesion and the resulting white or black spots while maintaining the necessary heat and pressure for high-quality image fixing.
3Productivity
If high pressure is applied between fixing roller and pressure roller to ensure proper fixing, then toner transfer is effective, but toner adhesion to rollers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation load applicator creates a dynamic velocity differential that decouples the relationship between pressure and adhesion. High fixing pressure can be maintained for efficient toner transfer while the velocity differential prevents toner from adhering to the roller surfaces, solving the contradiction between fixing efficiency and toner adhesion.
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 controlled rotation load effectively reduces toner adhesion to the fixing rollers, improving image quality and reducing maintenance costs by maintaining optimal friction levels and preventing white or black spots on the printed images.
Implementation Method 1
inadequate control over rotation load and friction between the fixing and pressure rollers
Implementation Method 2
A rotation load applicator is coupled to one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator to apply a rotation load to the one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a fixing rotator rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a pressure rotator to press against the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween, through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A rotation load applicator is coupled to one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator to apply a rotation load to the one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. The rotation load is in a range of from 0.1 Nm to 0.6 Nm.