Fixing Device Slits and Belt Hardness for Image Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices with a fixing belt and pressing roller experience uneven lubricant application and deformation, leading to increased friction, uneven pressure, and poor image quality due to wavy deformation of the fixing belt, resulting in streaks on the fixed image.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a fixing belt and pressing roller, featuring slits on the heater holder's sliding surfaces to guide lubricant movement and a hard fixing belt material with a Young's modulus of 7 GPa or higher to prevent deformation, ensuring uniform lubricant application and consistent pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If inclined grooves are formed on the sliding surface to transfer lubricant, then lubricant transfer is improved, but the fixing belt deforms in a wavy manner and falls into the grooves causing increased friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the fixing belt by specifying a minimum hardness value (shore durometer 70A or higher). This parameter change prevents the belt from deforming into the inclined grooves while still allowing sufficient lubricant transfer to occur, resolving the contradiction between lubricant transfer and belt deformation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the fixing belt is made of soft material for flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but the belt deforms along the concave and convex shape causing uneven pressure and poor image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a minimum hardness parameter (shore durometer 70A or higher) to prevent the fixing belt from deforming along the concave and convex shapes. This ensures uniform pressure distribution across the image surface while maintaining sufficient flexibility for the belt to function properly in the fixing device.
3Quantity of substance
If inclined grooves are formed on the sliding surface, then lubricant transfer to the center is improved, but friction increases due to belt deformation and uneven lubricant application
Solution Approach 1:
By increasing the hardness parameter of the fixing belt to shore durometer 70A or higher, the patent prevents the belt from deforming into the inclined grooves. This maintains smooth contact with the sliding surface, ensuring uniform lubricant application and preventing the increase in friction that would otherwise occur due to deformation.
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 ensures uniform lubricant distribution, reduces friction, maintains consistent pressure, and prevents image streaks, while also preventing belt deformation and potential damage.
Implementation Method 1
a sliding surface coming into contact with an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt via lubricant
Implementation Method 2
The fixing belt is formed in a cylindrical shape and rotates around an axis to heat a toner on a medium
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A fixing device (7) included a fixing belt (20), a pressing roller (21), and a holder (22). The fixing belt (20) heats a toner on a medium. The pressing member (21) forms a pressure region with the fixing belt (20) and pressurizes the toner on the medium passing through the pressure region while rotating around an axis. The holder (23) is provided inside the fixing belt (20), has a sliding surface coming into contact with an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt (20) via lubricant, and holds a heater (23) for heating the fixing belt (20). A plurality of slits (31, 32) formed into a recess is formed on the sliding surface corresponding to a range excluding the pressure region, side by side in an axial direction. The slits (31, 32) guide a movement of the lubricant from an upstream to a downstream in a rotational direction of the fixing belt (20). The fixing belt (20) has a hardness capable of restricting deformation such as falling into the slits (31, 32).