Pressurizing Member Glossiness Control via Embedded Heater

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrophotographic image formation techniques face challenges in controlling toner image glossiness without increasing device size or energy consumption, as previously proposed methods require energy-intensive temperature adjustments on both sides of the fixing nip portion.

Innovation Solution

A fixing device with a pressurizing member heated by a heater, where a hardware processor controls the heating temperature of the pressurizing member based on the desired glossiness setting, ensuring higher temperatures for lower glossiness settings to manage gloss while minimizing device size and energy use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If temperature adjustment means are provided on both upstream and downstream sides of the fixing nip portion to control glossiness, then glossiness control is improved, but device size increases and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglossiness controlVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the temperature adjustment function from a separate downstream temperature adjustment means and integrates it into the pressurizing member. By incorporating the heater directly into the pressurizing member, the patent eliminates the need for a separate downstream temperature control device, thereby reducing device size while maintaining glossiness control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the pressurizing function and temperature adjustment function into a single integrated pressurizing member with an embedded heater. This combination allows both pressure application and temperature control to be achieved through one component, reducing the overall number of components and device complexity while maintaining effective glossiness control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If temperature adjustment means are provided on both upstream and downstream sides of the fixing nip portion to control glossiness, then glossiness control is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglossiness controlVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressurizing member is designed to perform multiple functions: applying pressure to the toner image and simultaneously controlling its temperature through the embedded heater. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing device size while maintaining effective glossiness control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If fixing temperature is increased to achieve lower glossiness, then glossiness control is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglossiness controlVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies temperature adjustment only where and when needed - specifically on the downstream side of the fixing nip portion where the toner image exits. By focusing heating only in this specific region rather than heating the entire fixing device, the patent achieves effective glossiness control with minimized energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The heater is positioned to provide localized temperature adjustment only in the specific region where it is needed - downstream of the fixing nip portion. This localized heating approach allows precise glossiness control without the energy waste associated with heating larger or unnecessary areas of the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 approach effectively controls toner image glossiness without enlarging the device or increasing energy consumption, optimizing the heating process for efficient image fixation.

Implementation Method 1

a heater that heats the pressurizing member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a fixing member that heats a toner image formed on a recording sheet in order to fix the toner image on the recording sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10761466B2Fixing device for setting the glossiness of the toner image

Publication Date: 2020.09.01 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

A fixing device includes: a fixing member that heats a toner image formed on a recording sheet in order to fix the toner image on the recording sheet; a pressurizing member that nips the recording sheet together with the fixing member to pressurize the toner image on the recording sheet; a heater that heats the pressurizing member; and a hardware processor that controls a heating temperature of the pressurizing member by the heater, wherein the hardware processor acquires setting of glossiness of the toner image and controls the heating temperature to be higher as the glossiness in the setting is lower.