Fixing Device Resin Sliding Member Torque Gloss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fixing devices experience increased rotational torque and unevenness in image gloss due to the wear and low affinity of fluorocarbon resin sliding members and lubricants, leading to poor performance in image forming applications.

Innovation Solution

A fixing device with a second rotatable member having a resin with amido, imido, ketone, or sulfide groups, a sliding member with heat-resistant thermoplastic resin and siloxane groups, and a lubricant with a siloxane group in its main chain, reducing torque and improving gloss uniformity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a fluorocarbon resin sliding member is used, then the sliding member has low friction properties, but the rotational torque increases and image gloss becomes uneven

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesliding propertyVSAvoidrotational torque stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the sliding member from conventional fluorocarbon resin to a specific copolymer containing fluorine and silicon atoms with defined structural formulas. This parameter change maintains low friction while reducing rotational torque increase and improving image gloss uniformity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The sliding member is constructed as a composite material combining fluorine-containing polymer and silicon-containing polymer in specific ratios (fluorine: 1-50 mass%, silicon: 50-99 mass%). This composite structure integrates the low friction properties of fluorocarbon with the torque-stability properties of silicon-based materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If fluorocarbon resin is used for the sliding member, then the material has good heat resistance, but the affinity with lubricant is low causing performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat resistanceVSAvoidlubricant affinity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters by introducing silicon atoms and specific functional groups into the polymer chain structure. The copolymer contains repeating units with both fluorine atoms (for heat resistance) and silicon atoms with oxygen-containing groups (for lubricant affinity), achieving both requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The sliding member material exhibits local quality differentiation where different segments of the polymer chain provide different functions: fluorine-containing segments provide heat resistance while silicon-containing segments with oxygen groups provide lubricant affinity. This local functional differentiation resolves the contradiction between heat resistance and lubricant compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 reduces the rotational torque of the fixing device and achieves images with reduced unevenness in gloss, enhancing the performance and longevity of the image forming apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

a lubricant interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the second rotatable member and the sliding member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

the inner circumferential surface of the second rotatable member contains a resin having at least one group selected from the group consisting of an amido group, an imido group, a ketone group, and a sulfide group

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAffinity interaction: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS12111590B2Fixing device having reduced increase in rotational torque of second rotatable member providing an image with reduced unevenness in gloss to be formed and image forming apparatus using the same

Publication Date: 2024.10.08 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A fixing device includes: a first rotatable member; a second rotatable member disposed in contact with the first rotatable member; a pressing member that is disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the second rotatable member and presses the inner circumferential surface of the second rotatable member such that the second rotatable member is pressed against the first rotatable member; a sliding member interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the second rotatable member and the pressing member; and a lubricant interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the second rotatable member and the sliding member. The inner circumferential surface of the second rotatable member contains a resin having at least one group selected from the group consisting of an amido group, an imido group, a ketone group, and a sulfide group. A sliding surface of the sliding member contains a heat resistant thermoplastic resin other than a fluorocarbon resin and a resin having a siloxane group that is other than the heat resistant thermoplastic resin. The lubricant contains an oil having a siloxane group in a main chain.