Fixing Device Guide Plate with Segmented Non-Stick Zones
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in effectively guiding and fixing toner images onto sheets, particularly due to toner overflow and adhesion issues on the sheet transport belt and heat roller, leading to potential staining and image defects.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device comprising a pair of rotating/circulating fixing members and a guide member with sheet receiving members, where the guide member includes a guide plate with holes and protruding insertion portions to securely guide sheets into the fixing area, ensuring toner is fused onto the sheet rather than adhering to the guide member or other components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple guide plate is used to guide sheets, then device complexity is reduced, but toner overflow and adhesion occur on the guide plate surface causing image defects
Solution Approach 1:
The guide plate surface is segmented into multiple regions with different properties: a non-stick region with low surface energy for toner release, and a regular guide region for sheet guidance. This segmentation allows the guide plate to simultaneously prevent toner adhesion in critical areas while maintaining guiding function in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the guide plate are given different local qualities: the non-stick region has modified surface properties (lower surface energy) specifically where toner contact occurs, while other regions maintain standard guiding properties. This local differentiation solves the toner adhesion problem without compromising overall guide functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the guide member surface is made non-stick to prevent toner adhesion, then image quality improves, but sheet guidance precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The guide plate is divided into functionally distinct zones: a non-stick region for toner contact areas and regular guide regions for precise sheet positioning. This segmentation ensures that anti-adhesion properties are applied only where necessary, preserving guidance precision in dedicated guide zones.
Solution Approach 2:
Surface properties are locally optimized: non-stick characteristics are applied specifically to regions where toner contact occurs, while maintaining standard surface properties in regions responsible for precise sheet guidance, thus balancing both requirements.
3Reliability
If sheet receiving members are added to improve sheet guidance and prevent misalignment, then fixing reliability improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet receiving members are integrated directly into the guide plate structure, combining the functions of sheet support, guidance, and positioning in a single component. This merging approach improves fixing reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity compared to separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides sheets, supports sheet receiving members for precise positioning, and provides non-stick surfaces for toner release. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, balancing reliability improvement with controlled complexity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the guide plate has a large contact area with sheets, then sheet guidance is more stable, but toner overflow and staining of internal components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide plate features localized non-stick regions with modified surface properties specifically positioned in areas where toner contact and potential overflow occur. This allows the majority of the guide plate to maintain larger contact areas for stable sheet guidance, while critical areas prevent toner adhesion and overflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide plate surface is segmented into stable guidance zones with larger contact areas and non-stick zones with reduced adhesion properties. This segmentation enables the system to simultaneously achieve stable sheet guidance and prevent toner overflow to internal components.
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 fixes toner images onto sheets, preventing toner overflow from staining the printer and ensuring high-quality image formation by securely guiding sheets through the fixing process, reducing the risk of toner adhesion on internal components.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of fixing members that contact each other and that rotate or circulate, and that heat and press a sheet that is transported with a toner image being carried thereby
Implementation Method 2
the insertion portions being inserted into the corresponding holes and being moved along the guide surface, so that the sheet receiving members are mounted to the guide plate
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a pair of fixing members and a guide member. The guide member includes a guide plate having a guide surface, a back surface when the guide surface is defined as a front surface, and holes that are spaced apart from each other in a widthwise direction of the sheet and that extend through the guide surface and the back surface; and sheet receiving members that are disposed in correspondence with the holes, each sheet receiving member including a body and an insertion portion that protrudes from the body and that is inserted into the corresponding hole, the insertion portions being inserted into the corresponding holes and being moved along the guide surface, so that the sheet receiving members are mounted to the guide plate while the bodies protrude from the guide surface.