Dual-Adhesive Optical Head Fixation for Thermal Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing exposing devices with adhesive fixation of optical heads to supporting members face challenges in predicting and regulating the position shift due to thermal expansion and impacts, making it difficult to maintain the optical head's position within design limits.

Innovation Solution

The use of a dual-adhesive system where a first adhesive with high modulus of elasticity is applied in a central area to fix the optical head's position, and a second adhesive with lower modulus of elasticity is applied over a wider area to absorb changes and impacts, ensuring the optical head remains stable relative to the supporting member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an adhesive with high elasticity is used to fix the optical head to the supporting member, then the adhesive can absorb shock and dimensional changes, but the position shift of the optical head becomes unpredictable and cannot be regulated within design limits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock absorption capabilityVSAvoidposition shift regulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive application area is divided into two distinct segments: a first adhesive area with high elasticity for shock absorption and a second adhesive area with low elasticity for precise positioning. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between shock absorption and position regulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different adhesive properties are applied to different locations on the optical head. The first adhesive (high elasticity) is applied at positions optimized for absorbing dimensional changes and shock, while the second adhesive (low elasticity) is applied at positions critical for maintaining precise alignment. This local differentiation of adhesive quality enables simultaneous achievement of both shock absorption and position regulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the optical head is adhered using a single adhesive with elasticity, then dimensional changes due to temperature and impact can be absorbed, but the position shift cannot be predicted or controlled within given design limits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedimensional change absorptionVSAvoidposition shift prediction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive system is segmented into two functional zones with distinct material properties. The first adhesive area uses high-elasticity adhesive to handle dimensional changes from temperature and impact, while the second adhesive area uses low-elasticity adhesive to maintain precise position prediction and control within design limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive system functions as a composite structure combining two different adhesive materials with complementary properties. The first adhesive provides elasticity for adaptability to dimensional changes, while the second adhesive provides rigidity for position prediction and control, creating a composite adhesive system that achieves both adaptability and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution effectively regulates the positional shift of the optical head within design limits, absorbs changes due to temperature and impact, and improves image quality by maintaining precise positioning.

Implementation Method 1

the optical head and the supporting member are adhered by a first adhesive, and a second adhesive of which a modulus of elasticity after curing is lower than that of the first adhesive

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

a second adhesive of which a modulus of elasticity after curing is lower than that of the first adhesive, and the second adhesive is applied in a second adhesive area which is located at a boundary between the optical head and the supporting member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

when the supporting member or the optical head undergoes a linear expansion due to heat, it is difficult to predict a degree of a position shift of the optical head with respect to the photoconductive body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS8687030B2Exposing device, method of manufacturing the same, and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2014.04.01 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

There is provided an exposing device which includes an elongated optical head in which a plurality of light emitting portions are arranged, and a supporting member to which the optical head is adhered. The optical head and the supporting member are adhered by a first adhesive, and a second adhesive of which a modulus of elasticity after curing is lower than that of the first adhesive. The second adhesive is applied in a second adhesive area which is located at a boundary between the optical head and the supporting member and which is longer, in a longitudinal direction of the optical head, than a first adhesive area which is located at the boundary and to which the first adhesive is applied.