Fixing Device Sliding Sheet Tension Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Belt-fixing type fixing devices experience increased frictional forces over time, leading to slipping or wrinkling of the sliding sheet due to elastic force distribution, which affects the fixing nip area's performance.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device configuration with an endless belt, a roller, a nip plate, a supporting member, and a spring member that urges the plate portion away from the nip plate, with the sliding sheet fastened to the spring member, ensuring consistent tension and reduced friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sliding sheet is fastened to the fastening member using plate springs, then the sliding sheet can be held in place during belt rotation, but the upstream end portion may slip off from between the plate springs and the fastening member due to elastic force distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening member is divided into multiple plate springs arranged in series along the belt rotation direction. Each plate spring independently presses against the sliding sheet, distributing the clamping force along the length of the sliding sheet. This segmentation prevents the upstream end portion from slipping off by ensuring continuous contact and retention force throughout the entire sliding sheet length.
2Reliability
If the sliding sheet is pressed by elastic force of plate springs, then the sliding sheet can be secured between the plate springs and fastening member, but the sliding sheet may be stretched and become larger than original size
Solution Approach 1:
The plate springs are designed with specific local properties: they are elastic elements that provide localized pressing force at discrete positions along the sliding sheet. This localized action secures the sliding sheet without requiring uniform compression throughout, thereby preventing excessive stretching and dimensional changes while maintaining retention reliability.
3Productivity
If the contact surface of the sliding sheet contacts the inner circumferential surface of the belt, then sliding resistance is reduced, but the frictional force increases due to long-term usage
Solution Approach 1:
The plate springs provide dynamic adjustment of the sliding sheet position and tension along the belt rotation. This dynamic mechanism compensates for frictional force changes over time by maintaining optimal contact pressure between the sliding sheet and belt surface, ensuring stable frictional characteristics throughout the device lifespan while minimizing sliding resistance.
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 tension on the sliding sheet, preventing slipping and wrinkling, and reduces frictional forces, enhancing the fixing device's performance and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member disposed in the endless belt between the nip plate and the supporting member, the spring member urged in a first direction away from the nip plate toward the supporting member
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device comprising: an endless belt; a roller being in contact with an outer surface of the endless belt; a nip plate disposed in the endless belt; a supporting member disposed in the endless belt; a spring member disposed in the endless belt between the nip plate and the supporting member, the spring member urged in a first direction away from the nip plate toward the supporting member; and a sliding sheet having a first surface and a second surface. The sliding sheet is nipped with the endless belt between the nip plate and the roller, the first surface is in contact with an inner surface of the endless belt and the second surface is in contact with the nip plate. The sliding sheet is fastened to a facing surface of the spring member that is facing toward the supporting member, and the second surface contacts the spring member.