Movable Fuser Pressure Member for Heat Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuser devices in image forming apparatuses often apply heat to the print medium for an extended period when the medium is stopped, leading to inefficient and potentially damaging heat application.
Innovation Solution
A fuser device configuration featuring a first unit with an endless belt and a fuser member, and a second unit with a pressure application member, where the pressure application member is movably positioned to form and detach a nip point with the fuser member, preventing prolonged heat application by allowing the nip point to be formed only when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fuser device maintains continuous contact between the fuser member and pressure application member, then the fusing function is always available, but heat is applied to the recording medium for an extended period causing energy waste and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure application member is designed to be movable relative to the fuser member, transitioning between a first position (contacting to form nip part) and a second position (detached). This dynamic configuration allows the system to maintain fusing capability when needed while eliminating continuous heat application, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy loss.
2Reliability
If the fuser device maintains continuous contact between the fuser member and pressure application member, then the fusing function is always available, but the recording medium may be damaged by prolonged heat exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The movable pressure application member enables dynamic control of the nip part formation. By transitioning to the detached position when fusing is not required, the system eliminates prolonged heat exposure that could damage the recording medium, while maintaining the capability to form the nip part when needed for fusing operations.
3Loss of energy
If the pressure application member is made movable to prevent prolonged heat application, then energy efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuser device is divided into a stationary first unit (fuser member) and a movable second unit (pressure application member). This segmentation allows the pressure application member to be independently moved between positions, enabling energy efficiency improvements while keeping the overall device structure manageable through functional division.
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 prevents prolonged heat application to the recording medium, enhancing operational efficiency and preventing damage by ensuring the nip point is only engaged during the fusing process.
Implementation Method 1
a first bias member that biases the pressure application member toward the fuser member
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the first unit and the second unit providing heat on the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
A fuser device fusing a developer image on a medium includes a stable first unit, a movable second unit, and a movement mechanism moving the second unit between first and second positions. The first unit includes an endless first belt and a rotatably fuser member about a rotation shaft inside the first belt, the second unit includes an endless second belt, a pressure application member rotatably held about another rotation shaft displaceable inside the second belt, and a first bias member that biases the pressure application member toward the fuser member, and the pressure application member at the first position presses the fuser member such that a nip part is formed between the pressure application member and the fuser member, and at the second position, is detached from the fuser member so that the nip part is eliminated.