Self-Positioning Strip Bar for Belt Roll Fuser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Related art belt-roll fuser systems face difficulties in controlling the strip shoe configuration, leading to image quality defects such as 'retacking' and gloss defects like 'icicles' due to the sticking of paper sheets to the fusing belt, especially in the low-pressure nip zones.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a self-positioning stripping apparatus with an internal pressure roll having a soft surface and an external pressure roll with a hard surface, where a strip bar is mounted on a pivoting plate system to automatically position the strip bar close to the hard external pressure roll, allowing for adjustable force application on the fuser belt by moving the mounting plate about the internal pressure roll bearing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional strip shoe with less than 5 mm stripping radius is used, then the sheet can be stripped from the fusing belt, but image quality defects such as retacking and gloss defects like icicles occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the stripping radius parameter from less than 5 mm in traditional strip shoes to a larger radius (at least 5 mm, preferably at least 10 mm). This parameter change modifies the belt bending characteristics, reducing excessive bending that causes image quality defects while maintaining effective stripping through the increased contact area and optimized geometry
2Reliability
If the strip shoe is positioned closer to the external pressure roll, then stripping effectiveness improves, but control difficulty increases and positioning precision becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a self-positioning mechanism where the mounting plate with the strip bar automatically locates itself relative to the external pressure roll through mechanical guidance features. The mounting plate includes positioning elements that engage with corresponding features on the fuser assembly, enabling the strip bar to maintain optimal positioning without requiring complex external control systems or manual adjustment
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mounting plate is allowed to rotate freely about the internal pressure roll bearing, then adaptability to position changes is improved, but positioning precision deteriorates due to excessive movement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a dynamically balanced positioning system where the mounting plate can rotate about the internal pressure roll bearing to accommodate position changes, but the rotation is naturally limited by the geometry of the positioning elements and the contact with the external pressure roll. This dynamic configuration allows necessary adaptability while maintaining positioning precision through mechanical constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces positioning elements as intermediaries between the mounting plate and the fuser assembly. These intermediaries (such as positioning pins or guide surfaces) mediate the relationship between the rotating mounting plate and the fixed fuser components, allowing controlled movement while maintaining precise relative positioning of the strip bar
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 reduces the potential for image quality defects by minimizing the low-pressure nip zone, ensuring effective stripping of the sheet from the fuser belt without damaging the external pressure roll, thereby improving the printing process.
Implementation Method 1
the internal pressure roll bearing being configured to permit rotation of a mounting plate about a rotational axis of the internal pressure roll
Implementation Method 2
the mounting plate being spring biased, the mounting plate being biased toward an external pressure roll when the internal pressure roll is engaged with the internal pressure roll to define a fusing nip
Implementation Method 3
The internal pressure roll may include a soft surface comprising rubber
Data Source
AI summary
A self-positioning belt roll fuser stripping apparatus and system includes an internal pressure roll entraining a fuser belt. The internal pressure engages an external pressure roll to form a fusing nip. The internal pressure roll includes an internal pressure roll bearing to which a mounting plate is attached, allowing the mounting plate to move about a rotational axis of the internal pressure roll. A strip bar is attached to the mounting plate, and configured to force the fuser belt toward the external pressure roll. A mounting plate ski is configured to contact an external pressure roll bearing to limit movement of the mounting plate, positioning the strip shoe as desired when the mounting plate is moved to guide the strip show toward the fusing nip.