Fuser Sliding Sheet Dimple Zones for Lubricant Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fusers face challenges in efficiently reducing sliding resistance and managing lubricant distribution between the sliding sheet and the endless belt, leading to accumulation of foreign matter and potential image quality issues during the toner fusion process.
Innovation Solution
The fuser employs a sliding member with a surface featuring a combination of first and second dimples, arranged in specific zones to apply varying pressures, where the first dimples are designed to release lubricant easily and the second dimples have a higher lubricant-holding capability, thereby managing foreign matter accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a sliding sheet with dimples is used to reduce sliding resistance, then sliding resistance between the sliding sheet and endless belt is reduced, but lubricant distribution becomes uneven leading to foreign matter accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding sheet is divided into multiple zones with different dimple configurations. The first zone (upstream side) has dimples with larger depth and/or different spacing to facilitate lubricant release and reduce sliding resistance. The second zone (downstream side) has dimples with smaller depth and/or different spacing to prevent foreign matter accumulation. This local differentiation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally, resolving the contradiction between reducing sliding resistance and maintaining image quality.
2Device complexity
If uniform pressure is applied across the nip portion, then simple pressure application is achieved, but sliding resistance cannot be optimized in different zones
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure member is designed with differentiated pressure application zones corresponding to the dimple zones on the sliding sheet. The upstream zone applies higher pressure to ensure adequate toner fusion, while the downstream zone applies lower pressure to facilitate lubricant release and prevent foreign matter accumulation. This localized pressure differentiation optimizes sliding resistance reduction in each zone without requiring complex overall pressure control mechanisms.
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 effectively reduces sliding resistance and prevents foreign matter accumulation, ensuring consistent image quality by optimizing lubricant distribution and pressure application across the nip portion.
Implementation Method 1
The sliding sheet has a surface that contacts a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the endless belt. The surface of the sliding sheet has a plurality of dimples for reducing sliding resistance occurring between the surface of the sliding sheet and the endless belt during rotation of the endless belt.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuser includes a rotatable member, a belt, a pressure member, and a sliding member. The pressure member sandwiches the belt together with the rotatable member to form a nip portion. The sliding member is sandwiched between an inner peripheral surface of the belt and the pressure member. The sliding member includes a front surface, which faces the inner peripheral surface of the belt. The front surface includes a plurality of first dimples and a plurality of second dimples. The first dimples are arranged in a zone corresponding to a first part of the nip portion. The second dimples are arranged in a zone corresponding to a second part of the nip portion, to which a pressure smaller than a pressure appled in the first part is applied. Each of the first dimples is of a shape that can release lubricant more easily than each of the second dimples.