Fixing Device Separator Plate Slot Configuration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in reducing warm-up time and ensuring consistent heat supply, leading to potential condensation issues that can damage toner images due to uneven heating and increased moisture vaporization.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a separator having a specific upstream portion volume and slot configuration to prevent condensation, combined with a heater that directly heats the fixing belt, ensures efficient heat distribution and separation of the recording medium, reducing droplet adhesion and maintaining image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a ceramic heater is used to heat the fixing rotary body at the fixing nip, then the fixing temperature is achieved, but the entry to the fixing nip has decreased temperature resulting in faulty fixing
Solution Approach 1:
A heat guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the ceramic heater and the fixing rotary body. This heat guide member conducts heat from the heater to the fixing rotary body, ensuring uniform temperature distribution across the entire fixing surface including the entry region, thereby preventing faulty fixing while maintaining the required fixing temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating approach is changed from direct localized heating at the fixing nip to indirect heating through a heat guide member that distributes heat along the rotational dimension of the fixing rotary body. This dimensional extension of heat distribution ensures that even regions upstream like the entry to the fixing nip receive adequate heat.
2Productivity
If the number of recording media conveyed through the fixing device is increased to print quickly, then productivity is improved, but heat shortage occurs in the fixing device
Solution Approach 1:
The heat guide member pre-distributes heat across the fixing rotary body before recording media enter the fixing nip. This preliminary heat distribution ensures that when multiple recording media are conveyed continuously, the fixing rotary body maintains sufficient heat capacity and uniform temperature, preventing heat shortage even at high productivity levels.
3Ease of operation
If a separator is used to separate the recording medium from the fixing rotary body, then separation is achieved, but condensation occurs on the separator causing droplet adhesion to the recording medium
Solution Approach 1:
The surface properties of the separator are modified by changing its material composition or surface treatment to alter thermal and surface energy parameters. This prevents condensation formation on the separator surface by ensuring it maintains a temperature above the dew point and reduces surface energy that would otherwise cause droplet adhesion, thereby eliminating the harmful condensation effect while preserving the separation function.
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 reduces condensation on the separator, prevents droplet adhesion to the recording medium, and ensures quick warm-up and consistent heat supply, enhancing the fixing process and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a heater disposed opposite the fixing rotary body to heat the fixing rotary body
Implementation Method 2
the fixing rotary body heated by a heater and the pressing rotary body apply heat and pressure to the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body rotatable in a given direction of rotation and a heater disposed opposite the fixing rotary body to heat the fixing rotary body. A pressing rotary body contacts the fixing rotary body to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium is conveyed. A separator is disposed downstream from the fixing nip in a recording medium conveyance direction to separate the recording medium from one of the fixing rotary body and the pressing rotary body. The separator includes a separation plate including an upstream portion disposed opposite the fixing nip and at least one slot disposed downstream from the upstream portion in the recording medium conveyance direction.