Fixing Member Elastic Layer Thermal Conductivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing members in heat fixing apparatuses face challenges in achieving high thermal conductivity in the thickness direction without increasing filler content, leading to issues with hardness and durability, especially when subjected to repeated high-temperature compression.
Innovation Solution
A fixing member with an elastic layer containing inorganic oxide fillers, where the fillers are oriented to have a specific aspect ratio and orientation angle, enhancing thermal conductivity while maintaining low hardness and resisting deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the amount of thermally-conductive filler is increased to improve thermal conductivity, then thermal conductivity is improved, but the elastic layer becomes hard and elasticity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the filler from granular to plate-like shape, and controls the orientation angle of the plates. This parameter change allows achieving high thermal conductivity (λ≥1.5 W/(m·K)) with lower filler content (50-65 vol%), thereby maintaining elasticity while improving thermal conductivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining plate-like filler particles with silicone rubber matrix. The specific configuration of plate-like fillers with controlled orientation creates a composite material that simultaneously achieves high thermal conductivity and maintains elastic properties
2Temperature
If the amount of filler is increased to achieve high thermal conductivity, then thermal conductivity is improved, but the elastic layer becomes susceptible to fracture or plastic deformation under repeated high-temperature compression
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the filler shape to plate-like and controlling orientation angle to 30°-60°, the patent achieves high thermal conductivity with optimized filler distribution. This reduces stress concentration points and prevents fracture under repeated compression, improving durability
Solution Approach 2:
The plate-like filler structure with specific orientation creates isotropic thermal conduction properties in the thickness direction while maintaining uniform mechanical properties. This local quality optimization prevents weak points that would lead to fracture under repeated high-temperature compression
3Strength
If the filler content is controlled to achieve low hardness, then elasticity is maintained, but thermal conductivity in the thickness direction is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the filler geometry from granular to plate-like shape and controls the orientation angle to 30°-60° relative to the thickness direction. This parameter change enables efficient thermal conduction path formation with lower filler content, achieving high thermal conductivity while maintaining low hardness and elasticity
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 achieves high thermal conductivity in the thickness direction while preventing fracture or plastic deformation, even under repeated high-temperature compression, and ensures low hardness, thereby improving the quality of electrophotographic images and durability.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic layer containing fillers each of which contains an inorganic oxide... high thermal conductivity in the thickness direction
Implementation Method 2
the fillers are oriented to have a specific aspect ratio and orientation angle, enhancing thermal conductivity while maintaining low hardness and resisting deformation
Data Source
AI summary
An electrophotographic fixing member having an elastic layer that is high in thermal conductivity in the thickness direction, resists causing fracture or plastic deformation even by repeated compression in a high temperature state, and is low in hardness. The electrophotographic fixing member has a substrate, and an elastic layer provided on the substrate, wherein the elastic layer contains a filler containing an inorganic oxide and is provided on an outer circumference of the substrate, wherein (1) in a binarized image on a first cross-section in a thickness-circumferential direction of the elastic layer and a binarized image on a second cross-section in a thickness-axial direction of the elastic layer, 1.0≤(A/B)≤2.0 and 0.40≤(A+B)≤0.50 are satisfied; and (2) 50°≤θAve≤90° is satisfied.