Fuser Pad Segmentation for Belt Fixing Device Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fixing devices without a heat pipe in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face issues with the fuser pad displacement due to lack of retaining structures, leading to dimensional variations and defective fixing performance.
Innovation Solution
The fixing device incorporates an endless flexible belt with a stationary pad and a rotary pressure member, featuring two or more spaced contact portions on the fuser pad to contact the reinforcing member, which stabilizes the pad and maintains even contact, preventing displacement under pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a heat pipe is removed from the fuser assembly to simplify the structure and reduce cost, then device complexity is reduced, but the fuser pad becomes susceptible to displacement due to lack of retaining structure
Solution Approach 1:
The fuser pad is segmented into multiple contact portions (first and second contact portions) that contact the reinforcing member at different positions. This segmentation allows the pad to be retained stably without requiring a complex heat pipe structure, resolving the contradiction between simplifying device complexity and maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A reinforcing member is introduced as an intermediary component between the pressure roller and the fuser pad. This reinforcing member provides the necessary retaining function that was previously provided by the heat pipe, allowing the heat pipe to be removed while maintaining fuser pad position stability.
2Device complexity
If the fuser pad has a single contact portion to contact the reinforcing member, then the structure is simplified, but the fuser pad tilts or pivots under pressure causing dimensional variations in the fixing nip
Solution Approach 1:
The contact structure is segmented into multiple contact portions positioned at different locations on the fuser pad. This prevents the pad from tilting or pivoting under pressure, maintaining consistent fixing nip dimensions without overly complicating the structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple contact portions are positioned in advance to prevent tilting or pivoting before it can occur under pressure. This preemptive design ensures dimensional consistency of the fixing nip during operation.
3Device complexity
If the contact portion is dimensioned narrower than the pad width or offset from center, then the pad can be retained with minimal structure, but the pad tilts or pivots under nip pressure causing defective fixing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining structure uses multiple contact portions distributed at different positions rather than a single narrow or offset contact portion. This provides balanced support that prevents tilting while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple contact portions act as counterbalancing support points that offset each other, preventing the fuser pad from tilting or pivoting under asymmetric pressure loads during operation.
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 ensures stable positioning and high thermal efficiency, reducing heat loss and maintaining consistent fixing performance without the need for a heat pipe, enabling fast and reliable fixing processes at high speeds.
Implementation Method 1
a heater disposed inside the loop of the belt to heat the belt
Implementation Method 2
an endless flexible belt having an inner circumferential surface facing the pad along an inner circumference of the belt, wherein the belt is looped into a generally cylindrical configuration... a heater disposed inside the loop of the belt to heat the belt
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes an endless flexible belt, a stationary pad, a rotary pressure member, and a reinforcing member. The endless flexible belt is looped into a generally cylindrical configuration extending in an axial direction thereof for rotation in a rotational, circumferential direction thereof. The stationary pad is stationarily disposed inside the loop of the belt. The rotary pressure member is disposed parallel to the belt. The rotary pressure member presses against the stationary pad via the belt to form a nip therebetween. The reinforcing member is stationarily disposed in contact with the stationary pad inside the loop of the belt for reinforcing the stationary pad. The stationary pad includes two or more contact portions spaced apart from each other in the conveyance direction, each generally extending in the axial direction of the looped belt and protruding toward the reinforcing member to contact the reinforcing member.