Voltage-Dependent Resistance Fixing Film for Offset Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing apparatuses face challenges in balancing the countermeasures for overall offset and separating offset, as increasing the resistance value of the film to prevent overall offset worsens the separating offset, and reducing it to prevent separating offset worsens the overall offset.
Innovation Solution
A fixing apparatus with a tubular film that has a resistance value per unit area of 5×10^11 Ω·cm^2 or more when a voltage of 500 V or less is applied and 5×10^9 Ω·cm^2 or less when a voltage of 1000 V or more is applied, featuring a base layer of metal, a rubber layer with a filler like metal silicon or silicon carbide, and a release layer of fluorine resin with an electric conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the resistance value per unit area of the film is increased to prevent overall offset, then the overall offset is prevented, but the separating offset becomes worse
Solution Approach 1:
The film's resistance value is made dynamic rather than static. By incorporating a specific layer structure (base layer, intermediate layer, release layer) with particular material compositions and thicknesses, the film automatically adjusts its resistance value based on the applied voltage: maintaining high resistance (≥5×10^11 Ω·cm²) at low voltages (≤500 V) to prevent overall offset, and transitioning to low resistance (≤5×10^9 Ω·cm²) at high voltages (≥1000 V) to prevent separating offset. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the same film structure to provide different resistance characteristics under different operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the resistance parameter of the film as a function of applied voltage. The specific layer configuration (base layer 251, intermediate layer 252 with filler, release layer 253) enables the resistance value to transition between high and low states depending on the voltage magnitude. This parameter change allows the film to optimize its performance for different offset prevention needs without requiring separate films or manual adjustment mechanisms.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the resistance value per unit area of the film is reduced to prevent separating offset, then the separating offset is prevented, but the overall offset becomes worse
Solution Approach 1:
The film structure dynamically adjusts resistance based on voltage conditions. When high voltage (≥1000 V) is applied to prevent separating offset, the film's resistance drops to ≤5×10^9 Ω·cm², allowing charge dissipation. When low voltage (≤500 V) is applied, the resistance rises to ≥5×10^11 Ω·cm² to maintain surface potential and prevent overall offset. This dynamic behavior eliminates the need to choose between preventing one type of offset at the expense of the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistance parameter is changed as a function of operating conditions (applied voltage). The multi-layer film structure with specific materials and thicknesses enables automatic parameter adjustment: high resistance state for overall offset prevention, low resistance state for separating offset prevention. This resolves the contradiction by making the resistance parameter adaptive rather than fixed.
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 prevents both overall and separating offsets by controlling the electric field and charge attenuation, ensuring reliable toner fixation and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
the film has a property that a resistance value per unit area between an outer surface of the film and an inner surface of the film becomes 5×10^11 (Ω·cm2) or more when a voltage of 500 V or less is applied between the outer surface and the inner surface, and a resistance value per unit area between the outer surface and the inner surface becomes 5×10^9 (Ω·cm2) or less when a voltage of 1000 V or more is applied between the outer surface and the inner surface
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image on a recording material, while conveying the recording material bearing the toner image, at a nip portion includes a tubular film, a heater configured to heat the film, and a pressure member configured to form the nip portion with the film, wherein the film has a property that a resistance value per unit area between an outer surface of the film and an inner surface of the film becomes 5×1011 (Ω·cm2) or more when a voltage of 500 V or less is applied between the outer surface and the inner surface, and a resistance value per unit area between the outer surface and the inner surface becomes 5×109 (Ω·cm2) or less when a voltage of 1000 V or more is applied between the outer surface and the inner surface.