Segmented Wrapping Prevention Members for Fixing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fixing apparatuses face issues with paper jams causing recording media to wrap around heating or pressing units, leading to damage or failure due to inaccurate wrapping prevention members that can either apply excessive pressure or fail to contact the units properly, especially when these members are prone to warping or misalignment.
Innovation Solution
A fixing apparatus with multiple wrapping prevention members arranged perpendicular to the recording material's feeding direction, connected to move and narrow the space between them when jammed, ensuring precise positioning and preventing the recording medium from entering the heating or pressing units by interlocking tabs that adjust their position in response to jammed material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single long wrapping prevention member is used to prevent recording medium from wrapping around the heating unit, then the prevention coverage is improved, but the member is liable to warp and becomes difficult to position accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single long wrapping prevention member into multiple shorter members (first wrapping prevention member and second wrapping prevention member) arranged in the widthwise direction. This segmentation prevents warping by reducing the length of each individual member while maintaining comprehensive coverage through their collective arrangement.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate wrapping prevention members are used to prevent warping, then positioning accuracy is improved, but a gap may form between members when one is pushed by jammed paper, allowing recording medium to enter the heating unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent connects the first wrapping prevention member and second wrapping prevention member through a connecting portion that allows them to move together as a unified structure. When jammed paper pushes one member, the connection transmits the force to move both members simultaneously, ensuring they maintain proper positioning and prevent gaps that would allow recording medium to enter the heating unit.
3Area of stationary object
If the wrapping prevention member is made as long as the heating unit to ensure comprehensive coverage, then the prevention scope is improved, but the member becomes prone to warping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the long wrapping prevention function into multiple shorter members arranged in the widthwise direction. Each shorter member is more stable and less prone to warping, while their collective arrangement provides comprehensive coverage across the heating unit's width.
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing apparatus for fixing an image formed on the recording material, includes: a fixing rotatable member for forming a fixing nip; and wrapping preventing members, each provided downstream of the nip with respect to a feeding direction of the recording material, for preventing the recording material from wrapping around the rotatable member. When the recording material is jammed downstream of the fixing nip, the wrapping preventing members move to narrow the space from the rotatable member to the wrapping preventing members by being pushed by the jammed recording material. The wrapping preventing members are arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the recording-material feeding direction. Also provided is a connector for connecting adjacent wrapping preventing members to move, when one is pushed by the jammed recording material, to narrow the space.