Image Heating Roller Retaining Ring Anti-Disengagement Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image heating apparatuses face issues with retaining rings disengaging from the image heating roller, particularly due to rubbing against thermal insulation bushings, which can lead to unintended disengagement and reduced stability during operation.
Innovation Solution
An image heating apparatus is designed with a hollow image heating roller, a bearing, a heat insulating bush, and a retaining ring, along with an annular spacer that has an inwardly protruded key portion to engage with the roller's through hole, preventing relative movement and disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the retaining ring rotates with the image heating roller, then it can prevent the thermal insulation bushing from sliding off, but the retaining ring rubs against the thermal insulation bushing causing unintended disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spacer as an intermediary component positioned between the retaining ring and the thermal insulation bushing. This spacer prevents direct contact and rubbing between the retaining ring and the bushing, eliminating the harmful friction while maintaining the retaining function. The spacer acts as a mediator that allows the retaining ring to fulfill its purpose without generating harmful effects.
2Ease of manufacture
If the inwardly protruding portions of the retaining ring cannot enter the image heating roller through the through hole by a substantial length, then assembly is easier, but the retaining ring may disengage from the through holes during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer serves as an intermediary that enables the retaining ring to have sufficient protrusion length for reliable engagement without requiring excessive insertion depth. The spacer provides a stable mounting surface for the retaining ring, allowing it to engage reliably with the through holes while maintaining ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer is pre-installed on the image heating roller before the retaining ring is assembled. This preliminary action creates a prepared structure that guides the retaining ring into proper position, ensuring both easy assembly and reliable engagement without requiring the retaining ring protrusions to extend excessively into the roller.
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 the retaining ring from disengaging from the image heating roller, ensuring stable operation and reliable heat transfer during the image fixation process.
Implementation Method 1
a heat insulating bush fitted around said image heating roller between said image heating roller and said bearing
Implementation Method 2
an image heating roller which heats an image formed on recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
An image heating apparatus includes a hollow image heating roller having a through hole at one axial end portion side thereof; a bearing fitted around the roller; a heat insulating bush fitted around the roller between the roller and the bearing; a retaining ring for preventing the heat insulating bush from moving relative to the roller; an annular spacer provided between the heat insulating bush and the retaining ring, the annular spacer being provided with an inwardly protruded key portion engageable with the through hole.