Inclined Groove Pressure Roller for Uniform Heat Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming devices face challenges in preventing creases and crinkles in printing media during the heat fixation process due to uneven pressure distribution and heat application, leading to suboptimal print quality and potential damage to the fuser components.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a pressure roller with symmetrically inclined grooves on its outer surface and a supporting structure with a U-shaped cross-section, along with an elastic layer and a release layer, to maintain consistent pressure and prevent media deformation, while a heat source and rotating member apply heat uniformly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional heat fixation process is used, then printing medium passes through fuser, but creases and crinkles occur due to uneven pressure distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint qualityVSAvoidpressure distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure roller is equipped with grooves at specific locations (both ends) to locally enhance pressure application. These grooves create localized high-pressure zones that prevent creases and crinkles at the edges of the printing medium, addressing the uneven pressure distribution problem while maintaining overall print quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure roller's surface is segmented into different regions: smooth portions for general pressure distribution and grooved portions for enhanced edge pressure. This segmentation allows different areas of the roller to perform specialized functions, ensuring uniform pressure across the entire printing medium surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Duration of action of stationary object

If conventional heat fixation process is used, then image is fixed, but fuser components suffer wear and reduced lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuser lifespanVSAvoidcomponent wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The grooves in the pressure roller convert the potential harm of uneven pressure into a beneficial localized pressure enhancement. This design prevents media deformation that would otherwise cause friction and wear on fuser components, thereby extending fuser lifespan while maintaining effective heat fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The grooved structure prepares the pressure distribution in advance by creating controlled high-pressure zones at critical areas. This pre-established pressure pattern prevents media creases before they can occur, reducing subsequent friction and wear on the fuser components during the fixation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Stability of the object's composition

If pressure roller applies force to prevent deformation, then media stability improves, but pressure uniformity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia stabilityVSAvoidpressure uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure roller features smooth portions for general uniform pressure and grooved portions for localized enhanced pressure at both ends. This local quality differentiation ensures media stability through targeted pressure application while maintaining overall pressure uniformity across the printing medium surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The grooves are positioned asymmetrically at both ends of the pressure roller to address edge-related deformation issues. This asymmetric design provides targeted stability where needed most (at the edges) while preserving uniform pressure distribution in the central regions of the printing medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 improved print quality by minimizing creases and crinkles, extending the fuser's lifespan, and maintaining consistent pressure distribution, thereby enhancing the overall output quality and reducing wear on components.

Implementation Method 1

a heat source and rotating member apply heat uniformly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

an elastic layer and a release layer, to maintain consistent pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11480901B2Fixing device and image forming device have the same

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

Provided is a fixing device to press a printing medium. The fixing device includes a rotating member and a pressure roller disposed to face the rotating member. The pressure roller includes a first groove and a second groove that extend along an outer circumferential surface respectively from a first end portion and a second end portion of the pressure roller. The first and second grooves are inclined with respect to a rotational axis of the pressure roller.