Refurbishing Fuser Members Using Heat and Pressure

Solution Overview

Problem

In electrophotographic printers, paper edges can leave wear marks and foreign materials accumulate on the topcoat of fuser and pressure members, leading to undesirable image artifacts, necessitating frequent replacement which is costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus for refurbishing cylindrical members with a high-temperature, low-surface-energy semicrystalline thermoplastic topcoat by rotating the member at 1 rpm and applying heat and pressure between 10°C below and the melting temperature of the thermoplastic, using a quick-release assembly to easily swap and refurbish fuser and pressure members within the printer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fuser and pressure members are replaced to remove wear marks and foreign materials, then image quality is maintained, but cost and downtime increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoiddowntime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary cleaning action during normal operation by directing a stream of air or gas through the nip between the fuser and pressure member, removing foreign materials before they accumulate to problematic levels. This preventive maintenance approach avoids the need for member replacement and associated downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fuser and pressure member system performs self-cleaning by utilizing the existing thermal field and mechanical contact during normal printing operations. The heat from the fuser and the pressure applied during printing naturally facilitate the removal of foreign materials without requiring external intervention or member replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If fuser and pressure members are replaced to remove wear marks and foreign materials, then image quality is maintained, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary cleaning action during normal operation by directing a stream of air or gas through the nip between the fuser and pressure member, removing foreign materials before they accumulate to problematic levels. This preventive maintenance approach avoids the need for member replacement and associated downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fuser and pressure member system performs self-cleaning by utilizing the existing thermal field and mechanical contact during normal printing operations. The heat from the fuser and the pressure applied during printing naturally facilitate the removal of foreign materials without requiring external intervention or member replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If members are replaced instead of refurbished, then surface defects are eliminated, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface finishVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables the fuser and pressure member to self-refurbish by utilizing the existing thermal field and mechanical contact during normal printing operations. The heat from the fuser and pressure applied during printing facilitate the removal of foreign materials and restoration of surface quality, eliminating the need for member replacement and maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the thermal and mechanical parameters during printing operations to facilitate surface refurbishment. By controlling the temperature and pressure parameters within specific ranges, the system achieves surface restoration without requiring member replacement, thus maintaining productivity while improving surface finish.

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

Extends the usable life of pressure members by removing surface irregularities and restoring a uniform gloss finish, reducing the need for frequent replacements and associated costs.

Implementation Method 1

engaging the outer surface of the fuser member with at least one heating roller at a pressure of at least 5 psi at a temperature of between 10° C. below the thermoplastic melting temperature and the melting temperature of the thermoplastic

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

at a temperature of between 10° C. below the thermoplastic melting temperature and the melting temperature of the thermoplastic

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentUS8469685B2Apparatus for refurbishing cylindrical members

Publication Date: 2013.06.25 EASTMAN KODAK CO

AI summary

The present invention provides an apparatus for allowing the resurfacing of a cylindrical member in a printer having a fuser member that is externally heated by a heater roller. The apparatus includes providing a cylindrical member having an outer surface of a high temperature fluorothermoplastic. When it is determined that the outer surface is in need of resurfacing, the fuser member is removed from the printer, and the cylindrical member is mounted in the place of the fuser member. The cylindrical member is rotated at a speed of at least 1 rpm while engaging the outer surface of the fuser member with the heater roller normally used to heat the fuser member at a pressure of at least 5 psi at a temperature of at least 10° C. below the fluorothermoplastic melting temperature for a time sufficient to resurface the outer surface of the cylindrical member.