Fixing Device Rotator Elastic Sleeve Lubricant Film Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges with slidability and wear resistance due to inadequate surface roughness and lubrication, leading to abnormal noise and uneven heating, which affect the quality of the images produced.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a rotator having an elastic sleeve and a secured member with a slide surface of lower surface roughness, where a lubricant is provided between the rotator and the secured member, enhancing slidability and wear resistance by maintaining a stable lubricant film and reducing frictional forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a thin fixing belt with low thermal capacity is used, then heating efficiency is improved, but slidability and wear resistance deteriorate due to inadequate surface roughness and lubrication
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different surface roughness characteristics to different components: the fixing belt is given a specific surface roughness (Ra: 0.03μm to 0.10μm) to maintain lubrication, while the slide portion is given a smoother surface (Ra: 0.01μm to 0.05μm) to reduce friction. This local differentiation of surface properties resolves the contradiction between heating efficiency and slidability/wear resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces lubricant as an intermediary substance between the fixing belt and the secured member. The lubricant film, maintained by appropriate surface roughness of both components, mediates the interaction between these parts, reducing direct friction and wear while allowing the thin fixing belt to maintain its heating efficiency.
2Reliability
If surface roughness is increased to improve lubrication retention, then wear resistance improves, but abnormal noise increases due to uneven heating
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the surface roughness parameters within specific ranges: the fixing belt surface roughness Ra is controlled at 0.03μm to 0.10μm, and the slide portion surface roughness Ra is controlled at 0.01μm to 0.05μm. These parameter changes ensure sufficient lubrication retention for wear resistance while preventing the surface irregularities that cause abnormal noise and uneven heating.
3Reliability
If frictional forces are reduced to improve slidability, then wear resistance improves, but lubricant film stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a complementary relationship between the surface roughness of the fixing belt and the slide portion. The fixing belt has higher surface roughness (Ra: 0.03μm to 0.10μm) to retain lubricant, while the slide portion has lower surface roughness (Ra: 0.01μm to 0.05μm) to reduce friction. This local quality differentiation ensures both slidability and lubricant film stability 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
The solution improves the slidability and wear resistance of the fixing device, reducing abnormal noise and ensuring consistent image quality by maintaining a sufficient lubricant film and minimizing frictional forces, thus enhancing the durability and performance of the image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a lubricant is provided between the rotator and the secured member
Implementation Method 2
The rotator includes an inner portion having a sliding surface. The inner portion has an elastic power of 55% or more
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a rotator, a secured member, a pressure rotator, and lubricant. The rotator has flexibility and a sleeve form. The rotator includes an inner portion having a sliding surface. The inner portion has an elastic power of 55% or more. The secured member is disposed inside a loop of the rotator and has a slide surface on which the sliding surface of the rotator is to slide. The slide surface has a smaller surface roughness in a sliding direction of the rotator than a surface roughness of the sliding surface in the sliding direction of the rotator. The pressure rotator presses the rotator against the secured member and forms a nip between the rotator and the pressure rotator. The lubricant is provided between the rotator and the secured member.