Fixing Member Slide Layer with Benard Cells for Wear Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Belt fixing devices in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses experience issues with torque-up and abrasion due to non-uniform surface roughness and frictional wear, which are exacerbated by the use of additives that create unstable surface roughness depending on film thickness during manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A fixing member with a slide layer having a Benard convection cell structure, an average diameter of 50 μm to 200 μm, and an additive with a median particle diameter of 4.5 μm or less and an aspect ratio of 30 to 50, ensuring uniform surface roughness and improved slidability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If filler additive is added to slide layer to generate surface roughness, then slidability is improved, but surface roughness becomes non-uniform causing torque-up and abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter of the filler additive, specifically using ultrafine particles with D50 of 4.5 μm or less and aspect ratio of 30 or more and less than 50. This parameter change enables the formation of Benard convection cells during coating that create uniform surface roughness (Ra: 0.2 μm to 2.0 μm) while maintaining good slidability, resolving the contradiction between improved slidability and uniform surface roughness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates localized Benard convection cell structures on the inner surface of the slide layer through controlled additive distribution. These local cellular structures provide consistent micro-roughness across the entire surface, ensuring uniform sliding characteristics and preventing localized torque-up and abrasion issues
2Ease of operation
If aspect ratio of additive is increased to enhance surface roughness, then slidability improves, but roughness stability decreases due to film thickness variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the aspect ratio parameter to a specific range (30 or more and less than 50) rather than using arbitrarily large values. This controlled parameter change ensures that the additive particles can form stable Benard convection cells during coating that are less sensitive to film thickness variations, thereby maintaining roughness stability while achieving good slidability
3Use of energy by moving object
If frictional wear occurs between fixing belt and heating member, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but stick-slip vibration and torque-up occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces localized Benard convection cell structures on the sliding surface that create controlled micro-roughness. This local structural modification maintains sufficient friction for heat transfer efficiency while preventing excessive friction that causes stick-slip vibrations and torque-up, thereby improving operational stability
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the surface roughness parameters through controlled additive particle size and aspect ratio, the patent optimizes the friction characteristics between the fixing belt and heating member. The resulting surface roughness (Ra: 0.2 μm to 2.0 μm) provides adequate heat transfer while minimizing harmful vibrations and torque variations
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
Prevents torque-up and abrasion by maintaining consistent surface roughness, enhancing the durability and performance of the fixing belt.
Implementation Method 1
In the process of forming resin of the slide layer by adding filler to generate inner surface roughness, Benard Marangoni convection is generated to create cells on an inner surface, and thereby surface roughness is generated.
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing member includes a slide layer having a cylindrical shape and a thickness of 8 micrometers (μm) or more and 20 μm or less, a base layer formed on an outer side of the slide layer, and a surface layer formed on an outer side of the base layer. The slide layer has Benard convection cell structure having an average diameter of 50 μm or more and 200 μm or less on a surface that is not in contact with the base layer, and the slide layer includes an additive having a median particle diameter D50 of 4.5 μm or less and an aspect ratio of 30 or more and less than 50.