Nip Plate Segmentation for Fixing Device Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices for electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face issues with the nip plate slipping off the stay due to small contact areas, leading to unreliable support and reduced thermal efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a tubular flexible fusing member, a heating element, and a nip plate that is supported by a stay with flat, extended portions and a central portion offset from the flat surfaces, allowing for improved sliding and heat transfer, and featuring recessed areas for lubricant to reduce contact resistance and enhance thermal efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the nip plate is supported with very small areas of end faces abutted on the stay, then the structure is simple, but the nip plate would possibly become slipped off the stepped portions of the stay, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The nip plate is divided into multiple functional portions: first and second portions that are flat plates extending along the conveyance direction for stable support on the stay, and a central portion that is offset in position to create contact with the fusing member. This segmentation allows different portions to serve different functions, improving reliability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The central portion of the nip plate is positioned at a different location in the direction perpendicular to the flat surfaces of the first and second portions, creating a three-dimensional configuration. This dimensional offset ensures proper contact with the fusing member while the flat first and second portions provide stable support on the stay
2Loss of energy
If the fusing member is nipped between the backup member and the nip plate to form a nip portion, then thermal fixing function is achieved, but contact resistance affects thermal efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the nip plate have different properties: the first and second portions are flat plates designed for support and stability, while the central portion is offset to create the necessary contact geometry for heat transfer. This local differentiation optimizes both thermal efficiency and structural stability
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 provides reliable support for the nip plate, increases thermal efficiency by maximizing heat transfer, and ensures consistent operation even under low-temperature conditions by quickly heating the lubricant and reducing friction, thus improving the fusing process.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element disposed inside the fusing member... configured to be heated by the heating element
Implementation Method 2
featuring recessed areas for lubricant to reduce contact resistance and enhance thermal efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
In a fixing device, a nip plate is disposed on an inner surface of a tubular flexible fusing member which is flexibly deformable, and configured to be heated by a heating element disposed inside the fusing member. The fusing member is nipped between the nip plate and a backup member to form a nip portion. First and second portions of the nip plate which are located in positions upstream and downstream, respectively, with respect to a recording sheet conveyance direction and to be supported by a stay are each configured to be a flat plate extending along the recording sheet conveyance direction. A central portion between the first and second portions of the nip plate is in a position shifted from those of the first and second portions in a direction perpendicular to flat surfaces of the first and second portions.