Open-Sided Heat Roll Shape Retention for Fuser Belt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fixing devices with open-sided heat pipes tend to deform due to elastic recovery of the roll material, leading to mis-coordination between the fuser belt and the heat roll, causing defects such as belt damage or noise, especially when the heat pipe is formed from extremely thin material.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device incorporating a hollow, generally cylindrical open-sided stationary heat roll with a flexible fuser belt and a rotatable pressure member, where a roll shape retainer is used to maintain the cylindrical shape of the heat roll, and a reinforcing member is positioned within the roll to prevent deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If an open-sided heat pipe is formed from extremely thin material to achieve high thermal efficiency, then thermal efficiency is improved, but the heat pipe deforms due to elastic recovery causing mis-coordination between fuser belt and heat roll
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe structure is segmented into two functional parts: a thin-walled heat-conducting tube for thermal efficiency and a separate reinforcing member for structural stability. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining the thin-walled heat pipe (for thermal conduction) with a reinforcing member made of rigid material (for structural support). This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with different properties to achieve both high thermal efficiency and structural stability.
2Ease of manufacture
If the heat pipe is made thin-walled to reduce material usage and improve thermal efficiency, then manufacturing cost and thermal efficiency are improved, but the heat pipe bends or bows away from the fixing nip under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe system is divided into the thin-walled heat-conducting tube and a separate reinforcing member. This segmentation enables the tube to remain thin for cost efficiency and thermal performance while the reinforcing member independently maintains the cylindrical shape under pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing member acts as a structural counterweight that opposes the bending forces applied to the thin-walled heat pipe during operation. It provides the necessary rigidity to prevent the heat pipe from bowing away from the fixing nip while allowing the thin-walled construction to maintain its cost and thermal advantages.
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 effectively prevents deformation of the heat roll, ensuring consistent contact and uniform pressure distribution, thereby reducing defects and maintaining high thermal efficiency even with thin-walled heat rolls, allowing for swift and efficient toner image fixation.
Implementation Method 1
the metal pipe conducts heat from inside to its outer circumference, which then transfers heat to the length of the rotating belt
Implementation Method 2
the heat pipe tends to lose its generally cylindrical shape, with the gap between the opening edges widened to deform the C-shaped cross-section. Such deformation is attributed to elastic recovery of the roll material after bending
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device includes a hollow, generally cylindrical open-sided stationary heat roll, a flexible fuser belt, a fuser pad, a rotatable pressure member, and a roll shape retainer. The heat roll is configured to heat an outer circumference thereof, and defines an elongated longitudinal side opening in one side thereof. The fuser belt is looped for rotation around the heat roll to transfer heat radially outward from the roll circumference. The fuser pad is held substantially stationary along the roll opening outward from the roll hollow and inward from the loop of the fuser belt. The pressure member is pressed against the fuser pad through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The roll shape retainer is disposed on the roll opening to retain the generally cylindrical shape of the heat roll.