Fixing Unit Belt Nip Pressure Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing belt-type fixing devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent nip pressure and stabilizing the position of nip forming members due to manufacturing deviations and repeated switching between nip states, leading to fluctuations in pressure distribution and potential deformation.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution includes a fixing device with a rotator, a belt, a nip forming member, a holder, and an urging member, where the holder engages with the stay to stabilize the nip forming members through springs that contact the fixing plates, preventing deformation and maintaining consistent nip pressure by urging the nip forming members against the holder, thus reducing manufacturing deviations and pressure fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flat and long holder surface is used to contact the stay, then the holder can support the nip forming member, but manufacturing deviations cause position instability and pressure fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable stay that can adjust its position dynamically. The stay includes a movable portion that shifts in the width direction of the belt based on pressure distribution, allowing the system to adapt to manufacturing deviations and maintain stable nip pressure despite variations in holder surface flatness or stay positioning.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the holder and stay are rigidly connected, then the structure is stable, but pressure distribution becomes uneven due to manufacturing deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The stay is designed with a movable portion that can shift independently within the holder. This dynamic connection allows the stay to self-adjust its position to achieve uniform pressure distribution across the nip, while the overall structure remains stable through the holder's support and the urging member's constant force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable stay automatically adjusts its own position based on the pressure distribution between the belt and rotator. The stay shifts toward regions with higher pressure to balance the load, enabling the system to self-correct pressure unevenness without external intervention or complex control mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple adjusting mechanisms are added to compensate for manufacturing deviations, then position accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a single movable stay that automatically adjusts its position based on pressure feedback from the nip region. This self-adjusting mechanism compensates for manufacturing deviations without requiring multiple separate adjusting mechanisms, sensors, or control systems, thereby maintaining simplicity while achieving high position accuracy.
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
This configuration stabilizes the positions of the nips and maintains consistent nip pressure, reducing the risk of deformation and fluctuations, even with manufacturing deviations, and facilitates easy installation and assembly by attaching springs directly to the holder.
Implementation Method 1
an urging member that urges the first stay toward the rotator
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a rotator having a rotation axis, a belt, a nip forming member surrounded by the belt, a first stay surrounded by the belt and extending in a width direction parallel to the rotation axis, a holder holding the nip forming member, and an urging member urging the first stay toward the rotator. The nip forming member is configured to, with the rotator, pinch the belt to form a nip. The first stay includes a first end and a second end. The holder includes a first engaging portion positioned at a first end of the holder, and a second engaging portion positioned at a second end of the holder. The first engaging portion engages the first end of the first stay. The second engaging portion engages the second end of the first stay.