Fixing Member Filter for Ultra-Fine Particle Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses generate ultra-fine particles, particularly siloxanes, from their rubber layers during the fixing process, which contaminate the environment and pose a challenge due to their unknown generation source and lack of effective mitigation measures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a filter member on the base material of the fixing member, positioned to trap ultra-fine particles emitted from the rubber layer, and using a duct with an air flow generation section to capture and contain these particles, preventing their release into the environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the rubber layer is covered and sealed with the outer layer to prevent ultra fine particle emission, then environmental contamination is reduced, but the rubber layer and outer layer may separate due to gas pressure from generated particles
Solution Approach 1:
A filter member is introduced as an intermediary component between the rubber layer and outer layer. This filter member allows ultra fine particles to pass through while maintaining the sealing function, preventing both environmental contamination and layer separation by mediating the gas pressure from generated particles
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a filter member is added to trap ultra fine particles, then environmental contamination is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter member is integrated into the existing fixing member structure by positioning it between the rubber layer and outer layer on the base material. This merging approach combines the filtration function with the existing multi-layer structure, preventing environmental contamination while minimizing the increase in device complexity
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
Effectively prevents environmental contamination by capturing ultra-fine particles at their source, ensuring the performance and longevity of the fixing member and the image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a heating source for heating the fixing member to a specified target temperature
Implementation Method 2
a filter member capable of trapping the ultra fine particles generated from the rubber layer
Implementation Method 3
an air flow generation section for generating an air current flowing from the inlet to an outlet of the duct
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a cylindrical or annular fixing member (80) and a heating source (85) for heating the fixing member to a specified target temperature, to fix an image onto a conveyed sheet. The fixing member includes a cylindrical base material (81), an elastic rubber layer (82) that covers an outer surface (81a) of the base material (81) and an outer release layer (83) that covers the outer surface (82a) of the rubber layer (82). A sealing section (88) on the base material (81) covers the end portion (82e) of the rubber layer (82). The base material (81) has a plurality of through holes (81T, 81T') provided widthwise in a region corresponding to the rubber layer (82), the through holes (81T, 81T') passing through both the outer surface (81a) and inner surface (81b) of the base material (81). Ultra fine particles (G) generated from the rubber layer (82) through the through holes (81T, 81T') are trapped in a filter member (84).