Fixing Device Sliding Member Protrusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fixing devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in reducing uneven glossiness due to pressure differences caused by protrusions on the sliding member, which can lead to increased sliding resistance and defects in the fixed toner image.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device is designed with a sliding member that includes a plurality of protrusions on its surface in contact with the fixing belt, where the distance between the protrusions and the contact area are optimized to satisfy specific pressure and geometric conditions, thereby minimizing pressure differences and uneven glossiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If protrusions are provided on the sliding member surface to reduce sliding resistance, then sliding resistance is reduced, but pressure difference increases causing uneven glossiness
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding member is designed with protrusions that have specific geometric characteristics (height, width, spacing) to locally modify the pressure distribution. The protrusions are configured so that their contact area with the fixing belt is optimized to reduce sliding resistance while controlling the pressure difference to prevent uneven glossiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes specific parameters of the protrusions including height (h), width (w), and distance between adjacent protrusions (d). By carefully selecting these parameters, the design achieves reduced sliding resistance while maintaining uniform pressure distribution across the fixing nip portion.
2Stress or pressure
If distance between protrusions is reduced to minimize pressure difference, then uneven glossiness is reduced, but fixing belt does not fit protrusions appropriately increasing pressure difference
Solution Approach 1:
The invention establishes specific parameter ranges for the protrusions: height h is 0.01 to 0.1 mm, width w is 0.05 to 0.5 mm, and distance d is 0.1 to 2.0 mm. These parameter optimizations ensure that the fixing belt fits the protrusions appropriately while maintaining uniform pressure distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions are designed with moderate dimensions that provide sufficient contact area for the fixing belt to fit properly, while the spacing and distribution are optimized to minimize pressure differences. This balanced approach prevents both excessive pressure concentration and insufficient contact.
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 optimized design effectively reduces pressure differences across the fixing nip portion, preventing uneven glossiness and ensuring high-quality image fixation with reduced sliding resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a heating rotary member that applies heat onto a fixing belt
Implementation Method 2
a pressure rotary member that presses the fixing belt to form a fixing nip portion with the fixing belt
Implementation Method 3
a sliding member provided with a plurality of protrusions formed on a surface of the sliding member that is in contact with the fixing belt
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a fixing belt configured to heat a recording material, a pressure member configured to press the fixing belt, and a sliding member configured to be in sliding contact with an inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt and being opposed to the pressure member. The pressure member and the fixing belt form a fixing nip portion, and heat and pressure are applied to the recording material at the fixing nip portion to fix a toner image onto the recording material. The sliding member includes a plurality of protrusions on a surface of the sliding member that is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt. The fixing belt satisfies the prescribed formulas.