Fixing Member Elastic Layer Thermal Conductivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in producing uniform glossy images due to temperature differences in the fixing member between cycles, leading to gloss unevenness, and struggle to efficiently utilize heat while minimizing energy consumption and downsizing.
Innovation Solution
A fixing member with an elastic layer containing silicone rubber and thermally conductive fillers, such as hexagonal boron nitride, is designed to maintain high thermal conductivity in the circumferential direction while minimizing filler content, ensuring λtd > λmd > λnd, where λtd is 2.0 W/(m·K) or more and λnd is 1.3 W/(m·K) or more, to reduce temperature differences and enhance heat usage efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a large amount of thermally conductive filler is added to achieve high thermal conductivity, then the thermal conductivity is improved, but the elastic layer hardens and loses its elastic function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the elastic layer by controlling the filler content to 30 vol% or less and establishing specific thermal conductivity relationships (λtd>λmd>λnd) with minimum thresholds (λtd≥2.0 W/(m·K), λnd≥1.3 W/(m·K)). This parameter optimization allows the elastic layer to maintain both high thermal conductivity and sufficient elasticity, resolving the contradiction between thermal performance and mechanical flexibility.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If the size of the fixing member is reduced to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the circulation time is shortened causing larger temperature differences and gloss step
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials consisting of silicone rubber as the base elastomer with thermally conductive fillers dispersed throughout. This composite structure enhances the thermal conductivity of the elastic layer while maintaining its elastic properties, enabling the fixing member to rapidly equalize temperature differences even with reduced circulation time in compact configurations, thus resolving the contradiction between energy savings and temperature uniformity.
3Strength
If the filler content is reduced to maintain elasticity, then the elastic function is preserved, but the thermal conductivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the filler content parameter to 30 vol% or less while establishing minimum thermal conductivity thresholds (λtd≥2.0 W/(m·K), λnd≥1.3 W/(m·K)) and specific directional relationships (λtd>λmd>λnd). This parameter optimization demonstrates that high thermal conductivity can be achieved without excessive filler addition, preserving the elastic layer's flexibility and elastic function while meeting thermal performance requirements.
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 prevents gloss step in electrophotographic images by maintaining high thermal conductivity and elasticity, ensuring efficient heat transfer and reducing energy consumption, thereby forming high-quality images with reduced gloss unevenness.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic layer satisfies a relation of λtd>λmd>λnd, where λtd is a thermal conductivity of the elastic layer in the circumferential direction
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing member for electrophotography having an endless shape has a base layer having an endless shape, and an elastic layer on the outer circumferential surface of the base layer. The elastic layer includes a silicone rubber and a filler dispersed in the silicone rubber. The total amount of the filler compounded in the elastic layer is 30 vol % or less based on the total volume of the elastic layer. The elastic layer satisfies the relation of λtd>λmd>λnd. λtd is a thermal conductivity of the elastic layer in the circumferential direction, λnd is a thermal conductivity of the elastic layer in the thickness direction, and λmd, is a thermal conductivity of the elastic layer in the longitudinal direction. λtd is 2.0 W/(m·K) or more, and λnd is 1.3 W/(m·K) or more.