Fuser Belt Sliding Interface for Friction and Charge Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fixing devices suffer from reduced slidability and increased electrostatic offset due to high friction and triboelectrification between rotatable members and sliding surfaces lacking siloxane groups, leading to paper wrinkling and electrostatic disturbances.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a resin with siloxane groups and electrically conducting materials treated with siloxane into the inner circumferential surface of a rotatable member and the sliding surface of a sliding member, along with a lubricant containing a siloxane group in the main chain, to enhance compatibility and prevent material discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the inner circumferential surface of the second rotatable member is formed only of a resin having no siloxane group (e.g., polyimide resin), then the structural stability is maintained, but the slidability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidslidability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing belt is constructed as a composite material containing both a polyimide resin base and siloxane-modified polyimide resin particles dispersed within it. This composite structure combines the structural stability of polyimide with the slidability-enhancing properties of siloxane groups, resolving the contradiction between maintaining structural integrity and improving sliding performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If the sliding surface of the sliding member is formed only of a resin having no siloxane group (e.g., fluorocarbon resin), then the chemical inertness is maintained, but the charge suppression ability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical inertnessVSAvoidcharge suppression ability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding member is constructed as a composite material comprising a fluorocarbon resin base with siloxane-modified polyimide resin particles dispersed therein. This composite structure maintains the chemical inertness of fluorocarbon resin while introducing siloxane groups that enhance charge suppression ability, thereby resolving the contradiction between chemical stability and electrostatic control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional resins without siloxane groups are used in both the second rotatable member and sliding member, then the material compatibility is maintained, but the electrostatic offset increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial compatibilityVSAvoidelectrostatic offset

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameter of the resin materials by incorporating siloxane-modified polyimide resin particles, which introduce polar siloxane groups. This parameter change increases the surface polarity and charge suppression ability of both the pressing belt and sliding member, effectively reducing electrostatic offset while maintaining material compatibility through the shared polyimide base structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 improves slidability and charge suppression ability, reducing paper wrinkling and electrostatic offset, while maintaining effective toner fixation in image forming apparatuses.

Implementation Method 1

a lubricant interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the second rotatable member and the sliding member, wherein the lubricant contains an oil having a siloxane group in a main chain

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

the inner circumferential surface of the second rotatable member contains a resin having a siloxane group and a conducting material treated with siloxane, wherein a sliding surface of the sliding member contains a resin having a siloxane group and a conducting material treated with siloxane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic suppression: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentEP4530753B1Fixing device and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.05.06 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

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AI summary

A fixing device includes: a first rotatable member; a second rotatable member disposed in contact with the first rotatable member; a pressing member that is disposed along an inner circumferential surface of the second rotatable member and presses the inner circumferential surface of the second rotatable member such that the second rotatable member is pressed against the first rotatable member; a sliding member interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the second rotatable member and the pressing member; and a lubricant interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the second rotatable member and the sliding member. The inner circumferential surface of the second rotatable member contains a resin having a siloxane group and a conducting material treated with siloxane. A sliding surface of the sliding member contains a resin having a siloxane group and a conducting material treated with siloxane. The lubricant contains an oil having a siloxane group in a main chain.