Fixing Rotator Holder Positioner Assembly Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently assembling and securing a thin, endless fixing rotator, which can lead to damage during incorporation and affect the quality of the fixing process, resulting in variations in gloss and imaging quality due to surface asperities transferred onto the toner image.
Innovation Solution
A novel fixing device design incorporating a fixing rotator unit with a holder, pressure rotator, pressure pad, stay, and positioner, where the positioner has a limited moving distance to secure the holder and stay, preventing separation of the fixing rotator from the holder during assembly and ensuring accurate positioning, thus enhancing assembly efficiency and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a thin, endless fixing rotator is used, then the fixing quality is improved, but it is prone to separation from the holder during assembly causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a holder as an intermediary component between the fixing rotator and the fixing device housing. The holder securely holds the thin, endless fixing rotator during assembly and operation, preventing separation and damage while maintaining the fixing rotator's thin profile for quality fixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder is designed to preliminarily secure the fixing rotator in place before the fixing device is fully assembled. This preliminary securing action prevents the fixing rotator from separating or getting damaged during the assembly process, ensuring reliability before operation begins.
2Reliability
If the holder is securely fixed to prevent separation, then assembly reliability is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the holder and fixing rotator into an integrated assembly unit. The holder is designed to hold the fixing rotator in a predetermined configuration, merging these two components into a single assembly unit that simplifies the overall assembly process while ensuring the fixing rotator remains securely positioned.
3Manufacturing precision
If the fixing rotator is held taut to prevent surface asperities, then imaging quality is improved, but the risk of damage during assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a fixing nip region where the fixing rotator is gently pressed against a pressure pad only in the specific area needed for fixing. This localized pressure maintains the rotator's tautness for preventing surface asperities and ensuring imaging quality, while the rest of the rotator remains loosely supported to avoid mechanical damage during assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a fixing rotator unit. The fixing rotator unit includes a fixing rotator formed into a loop; a holder to hold an end in a longitudinal direction of the fixing rotator; a pressure rotator disposed opposite the fixing rotator to press against the fixing rotator; a pressure pad disposed inside the loop to receive pressure from the pressure rotator via the fixing rotator to form an area of contact between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator; a stay to support the pressure pad against the pressure from the pressure rotator; and a positioner to secure the holder and to position the stay with one end of the stay projecting outwards from the positioner. The positioner has a limited moving distance in a thrust direction. The limited moving distance is shorter than a length of a part of the holder entering the loop.