Image Fixing Apparatus Cleaning Nip Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image fixing apparatuses suffer from degradation of cleaning ability due to toner components held by the cleaning web, as the toner components in the web near the cleaning nip portion remain in a high-fluidity state after heating is stopped, leading to permeation and reduced effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The image fixing apparatus incorporates a separation mechanism that separates the pressure roller and cleaning web during non-cleaning operations, preventing heat transfer and maintaining the cleaning nip portion at a controlled temperature to prevent toner component permeation between web layers, thereby maintaining the cleaning web's effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the winding roller is pressed by the fixing rotation member with the web to form a cleaning nip portion during cleaning, then the cleaning ability is improved, but the toner component permeates into the web layers and degrades the cleaning ability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary cooling of the fixing rotation member before the cleaning operation. By reducing the temperature of the fixing rotation member beforehand, the toner component fluidity is decreased in advance, preventing permeation into the web layers during the subsequent cleaning process while maintaining effective cleaning ability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies preliminary anti-action by cooling the fixing rotation member before cleaning to counteract the harmful effect of toner component permeation. The cooling creates a temperature condition that prevents toner from becoming too fluid and permeating into the web, thus preemptively blocking the degradation mechanism.
2Reliability
If the fixing rotation member is heated to fix the toner image, then the fixing performance is improved, but the toner component remains in high-fluidity state after heating stops and permeates the web
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a preliminary cooling phase between the fixing operation and the cleaning operation. After the fixing rotation member completes its heating function, it is actively cooled before the cleaning web contacts it. This preliminary cooling action ensures that when cleaning occurs, the toner component fluidity has decreased sufficiently to prevent permeation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements periodic action by alternating between heating mode (for fixing) and cooling mode (for preparing cleaning conditions). The fixing rotation member undergoes periodic temperature cycles, being heated when fixing is needed and cooled when cleaning is to be performed, thus managing toner component fluidity at different operational phases.
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 solution effectively prevents toner component permeation and maintains the cleaning web's integrity, ensuring continued effective cleaning performance even after extended use, reducing contamination and web degradation.
Implementation Method 1
heating of the fixing rotation member performed by a heating member (heater 11)
Implementation Method 2
a time for heat remaining in the fixing rotation member to transfer to the web of the lower layer
Data Source
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AI summary
The image fixing apparatus forms a cleaning nip portion (N2) by pressing a web roll-up portion (6e) on a fixing rotation member (3) with a feeding roller (6b), a used portion for cleaning of the web is fed from a cleaning nip portion formation area, and during non-cleaning, a roller is at a waiting position at which the roller is further from the fixing rotation member than a position during cleaning so as to separate the web roll-up portion from the fixing rotation member. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce degradation of a cleaning ability due to a toner component held by the used portion of the cleaning web (6a).