Paper Feeding Roller Deformation Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Paper feeding rollers experience deformation and recess formation due to prolonged contact with other rollers, leading to issues like noise and impaired sheet conveyance during image forming processes.
Innovation Solution
A paper feeding roller is designed with a specific rubber composition and crosslinking method, ensuring a recess amount of no more than 0.1 mm after a controlled pressure and temperature test, using a combination of EPDM with varying ethylene content and a peroxide crosslinking agent to maintain wear resistance and hardness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the paper feeding roller is made of rubber material to ensure friction-based paper conveyance, then the friction coefficient is maintained, but deformation and recess formation occur during prolonged contact with other rollers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite rubber composition combining EPDM rubber with specific fillers (carbon black, silica) and crosslinking agents. This composite structure maintains the friction coefficient necessary for paper conveyance while the crosslinked network and filler reinforcement prevent deformation and recess formation during prolonged contact with other rollers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the rubber composition parameters by controlling the ethylene content of EPDM (50-70 mass%), the amount of filler (20-80 parts by mass per 100 parts rubber), and the crosslinking degree. These parameter changes optimize the balance between maintaining friction coefficient and preventing shape instability during extended operational periods.
2Ease of operation
If the rubber composition is softened to improve paper feeding performance, then friction and paper conveyance are enhanced, but the roller becomes more susceptible to deformation under contact pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the hardness parameter of the rubber composition by adjusting the EPDM ethylene content (50-70 mass%) and filler amount (20-80 parts by mass). This parameter optimization ensures the roller is soft enough for effective paper feeding while maintaining sufficient resistance to deformation under operational contact pressures.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite rubber formulation combines softer EPDM rubber with reinforcing fillers and crosslinking agents. This composite structure provides the dual benefit of maintaining paper feeding performance through adequate softness while preventing excessive deformation through filler reinforcement and crosslinked network strength.
3Ease of operation
If the roller is left in contact with another roller for extended periods during storage or idle operation, then convenience is improved, but permanent deformation and recesses form at the contact point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the rubber composition parameters, particularly the crosslinking degree and filler content, to provide sufficient dimensional stability that prevents permanent deformation during extended storage periods. This ensures the roller maintains its performance reliability even after prolonged contact during storage or idle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates anticipatory design by formulating the rubber composition with preventive measures against deformation before it occurs. The crosslinked network and filler reinforcement act as a preemptive structural framework that resists deformation during storage, preventing the formation of recesses that would compromise future performance reliability.
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-induced recesses, ensuring reliable and quiet operation of paper feeding rollers even during extended periods of contact with other rollers, maintaining satisfactory wear resistance and friction coefficients.
Implementation Method 1
A peroxide crosslinking agent may be used to crosslink EPDM
Implementation Method 2
deformation occurs due to contact pressure and this remains as a recess (distortion)
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a paper feeding roller in which recesses due to deformation are unlikely to be formed even when contact with another roller in one location continues for a comparatively long period of time, particularly as a conveying roller or the like. A paper feeding roller that has a shaft measuring 6 mm in exterior diameter pressure-welded to the outer circumferential surface under a load of 600 g in a high-temperature environment of 60° C. for 24 hours is left at room temperature for eight hours while being pressure-welded, after which the recess amount obtained using the difference (T)0−T1, between the thickness T1 (mm) of the position where the shaft was pressure-welded and the thickness T0 (mm) of a position where the shaft was not pressure-welded, is 0.1 mm or less.