Cantilever Temperature Sensor Resin Layer for Roller Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fixing devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately measuring the temperature of heating and pressing rollers due to the stick-slip phenomenon, which can lead to vibrations and inaccuracies in temperature detection.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a measuring member with a cantilever structure supported by guiding plates and a supporting member, where the contact portions are made of resin materials with lower heat transfer coefficients, to mitigate the stick-slip effect and stabilize temperature measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a measuring member with contact structure is used to measure the temperature of the heating member, then temperature measurement capability is achieved, but vibrations and measurement inaccuracies occur due to the stick-slip phenomenon

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A resin layer is introduced as an intermediary between the measuring member's contact portion and the heating member's surface. This resin layer acts as a mediator that reduces the stick-slip phenomenon by providing a smoother, lower-friction interface, thereby stabilizing the measuring member and improving temperature measurement reliability without sacrificing measurement capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the measuring member directly contacts the heating member, then temperature measurement is enabled, but the stick-slip phenomenon causes vibrations that reduce measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature detection accuracyVSAvoidvibrations from stick-slip effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The resin layer serves as a mediator that directly addresses the stick-slip phenomenon by providing a low-friction contact interface between the measuring member and heating member. This intermediary layer reduces vibrations and stabilizes the measurement process, thereby improving temperature detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If conventional contact-based temperature measurement is used, then temperature data can be obtained, but the measuring member experiences vibrations that lead to detection errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature data accuracyVSAvoidtemperature detection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The resin layer acts as a mediator that eliminates the source of vibrations causing detection errors. By providing a stable, low-friction contact interface, it ensures that the measuring member remains steady during measurement, thereby preventing information loss and improving detection precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 reduces vibrations and enhances the accuracy of temperature measurement for both heating and pressing rollers, ensuring consistent and reliable image fixation in the image forming process.

Implementation Method 1

the contact portions are made of resin materials with lower heat transfer coefficients

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10042296B2Fixing device and image forming apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.08.07 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A fixing device includes a heating member that heats a recording medium having an image while transporting the recording medium by rotating; a measuring member that measures a temperature of the heating member and includes a body member, and a cantilever member whose base end is fixed to the body member and whose free end is in contact with the heating member; and a supporting member that supports the measuring member and includes a contact portion, the contact portion being in contact with a base portion of the cantilever member.