Pressure Roller Fixing Member for Image Formation Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses face instability in the pressure state between the pressure roller and the fusing belt due to relative movement, leading to inconsistent image formation.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a fixing member that engages with the pressure roller's shaft and frame, along with a gear system to stabilize the pressure roller's position relative to the heating unit, ensuring a consistent pressure state by restricting upward movement and maintaining proper alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a spring is used to urge the pressure roller away from the fusing belt, then the pressure roller can be positioned, but the pressure state becomes unstable due to relative movement
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure roller is designed with a spring mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of the pressure state. The spring enables the pressure roller to move within a controlled range, accommodating variations in belt tension and roller wear while maintaining stable pressure contact with the fusing belt throughout operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism provides continuous feedback through its elastic deformation, automatically adjusting the pressure roller position in response to changes in the system. When the belt tensions or the roller wears, the spring compensates by adjusting the pressure, ensuring consistent image formation without manual intervention.
2Ease of operation
If the pressure roller is urged by a spring away from the fusing belt, then the roller can be positioned, but relative movement causes pressure state change
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism transforms the static positioning problem into a dynamic adjustment system. The pressure roller can be easily positioned initially, and then the spring automatically maintains stable pressure through continuous small adjustments, combining ease of operation with pressure stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring allows the pressure parameter to change dynamically within an optimal range. By permitting controlled movement of the pressure roller through spring deformation, the system maintains stable pressure contact despite variations in belt tension, roller wear, or thermal expansion during operation.
3Reliability
If a fixing member is added to engage with the shaft and frame, then the pressure state is stabilized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing member integrates multiple functions into a single component: it secures the pressure roller shaft to the frame, provides a mounting point for the spring mechanism, and guides the roller's movement. This merging of functions stabilizes the pressure state without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing member serves multiple purposes: structural support, shaft positioning, spring mounting, and movement guidance. By making this component multi-functional, the patent achieves reliable pressure state stabilization while minimizing the number of separate parts needed, thus controlling overall device complexity.
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 stabilizes the pressure state between the pressure roller and the heating unit, preventing rattling and ensuring reliable image formation by maintaining the pressure roller's position, thus enhancing the overall performance of the image forming process.
Implementation Method 1
there is known an image forming apparatus including a spring that applies an urging force to a shaft of a pressure roller
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a heating unit; a pressure roller; a first frame supporting the heating unit; a second frame engaging the first frame; a first gear; a second gear; and a fixing member. The second frame supports a shaft portion of the pressure roller. The first gear is provided at one end of the shaft portion and rotatable with the pressure roller. The second gear engages the first gear and transmits a drive force to the first gear. The fixing member has a first portion engaging the shaft portion and a second portion engaging the second frame. At least a part of the first portion engages the shaft portion at a position on a downstream side of the shaft portion in a second direction in which the shaft portion receives a force upon transmission of the drive force.