Fixing Roller Surface Renewal for Gloss Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image heating devices for electrophotographic processes face challenges in achieving uniform glossiness due to surface unsmoothness on the fixing roller, which leads to reduced image quality and increased roller lifetime, particularly when using oil-less fixing devices with fluorinated resin layers.
Innovation Solution
An image heating apparatus with a refreshing roller that rubs the fixing roller to uniformly distribute fine scratches, maintaining the surface roughness within specific parameters, thereby preventing gloss non-uniformity and extending the roller's lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a fixing roller with a fluorinated resin parting layer is used in an oil-less fixing device, then image glossiness is improved and parting properties are enhanced, but the surface of the fixing roller develops deep scratches and unsmoothness that cause glossiness non-uniformity and reduce roller lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by performing surface renewal of the fixing roller at predetermined intervals before deep scratches and unsmoothness can develop to a level that causes glossiness non-uniformity. The surface renewal process removes accumulated contamination and restores the surface to its initial smooth state, preventing the progression to damaging unsmoothness that would reduce roller lifetime and cause image quality degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements feedback control by monitoring the number of sheets processed and comparing it against predetermined thresholds. When the sheet count reaches the renewal reference value, the system automatically initiates surface renewal. This feedback mechanism ensures the fixing roller is renewed at the optimal moment to maintain surface smoothness and prevent glossiness non-uniformity while maximizing roller utilization
2Manufacturing precision
If the fixing roller surface is renewed too frequently, then glossiness uniformity is maintained, but device complexity and operation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses parameter changes by establishing specific numerical thresholds for sheet counts that trigger surface renewal. The renewal reference value is set based on empirical data about when unsmoothness begins to affect glossiness uniformity. This quantitative parameter-based approach simplifies the control system compared to complex real-time surface quality monitoring, while still maintaining optimal glossiness uniformity through timely renewal
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 suppresses gloss non-uniformity and extends the lifetime of the heating rotatable member by maintaining the desired surface roughness and preventing damage from edge scratches, ensuring high-quality image formation.
Implementation Method 1
a rubbing rotatable member having a rubbing material for rubbing the heating rotatable member
Implementation Method 2
a heating rotatable member for heating an image on a recording material
Data Source
AI summary
An image heating apparatus includes a heating rotatable member for heating an image on a recording material in a nip; a nip forming member for cooperating with said heating rotatable member to form the nip; a rubbing rotatable member having a rubbing material for rubbing said heating rotatable member; the following is satisfied:7×10−3≦(P/πH tan θ) (|V−v|/V)≦68×10−3 whereP: load [N] by said rubbing member to said heating rotatable member,V: peripheral speed of said heating rotatable member [mm/sec],v: peripheral speed [mm/sec] the of said rubbing member,h: microhardness [GPa] of said heating rotatable member, andθ: a half-apex-angle [°] of said rubbing material.