Fixing Device Thermal Diffusion Roll Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fixing devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent fixing temperatures, leading to temperature variations on the fixing belt, which result in gloss variations in the fixed toner images, especially during high-speed operations or when handling thick sheets.
Innovation Solution
The proposed fixing device incorporates a thermal diffusion roll that contacts the fixing belt to diffuse heat and maintain a consistent surface temperature, supplemented by inside and outside heating rolls, ensuring efficient heat distribution and minimizing temperature gradients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixing belt is used to fix toner images, then the fixing process can be performed, but temperature variations occur on the fixing belt surface leading to gloss variations in fixed images
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal diffusion member is introduced as an intermediary component between the fixing belt and the heating system. This member contacts the fixing belt surface and actively diffuses heat to eliminate temperature variations, thereby preventing gloss variations in the fixed toner images while maintaining reliable fixing functionality
2Temperature
If heating is applied to the fixing belt, then fixing temperature is maintained, but temperature gradients form especially during high-speed operations or thick sheet handling
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal diffusion member serves as a heat distribution intermediary that contacts the fixing belt and actively diffuses heat across its surface. This eliminates temperature gradients that would otherwise form during high-speed operations or when handling thick sheets, while maintaining consistent fixing temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal diffusion member changes the heat distribution parameters by actively diffusing heat across the fixing belt surface. This transforms the temperature distribution from a gradient-based pattern to a uniform distribution, even under varying operational conditions such as high-speed printing or thick sheet processing
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 effectively suppresses temperature variations on the fixing belt, maintaining consistent fixing temperatures and improving image quality by reducing gloss variations, even during high-speed operations and with thick sheets.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal diffusion member that diffuses heat on a surface of the fixing member by contact with the fixing member
Implementation Method 2
a heat supplier that supplies heat to the fixing member
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes: a fixing member that fixes a toner image on a recording medium; a pressure member that forms a fixing pressure portion between the pressure member and the fixing member by making pressure contact with an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member, the fixing pressure portion being passed through by the recording medium holding an unfixed toner image; a heat supplier that supplies heat to the fixing member; and a thermal diffusion member that diffuses heat on a surface of the fixing member by contact with the fixing member.