Fixing Device Reflection Plate Temperature Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing thermal fixing devices face challenges in positioning a temperature sensor to detect the temperature of the nip plate due to spatial limitations, leading to potential damage and frictional wear from sliding contact with the fixing belt.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device is designed with a reflection plate to reflect radiant heat onto the nip plate, allowing the temperature sensor to be positioned outside the nip region, avoiding direct contact with the sliding fixing belt and enabling accurate temperature detection of the reflection plate, which correlates with the nip plate's temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is positioned inside the fixing belt to detect the nip plate temperature, then the temperature detection accuracy is improved, but the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt and the temperature sensor are damaged or frictionally worn due to sliding contact
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a reflection plate as an intermediary element between the heater and the nip plate. The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the reflection plate instead of directly contacting the nip plate. This reflection plate serves as a mediator that transfers thermal information from the heating zone to the sensor without requiring direct contact between the sensor and the moving fixing belt, thereby eliminating wear and damage while maintaining temperature monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical contact-based temperature detection system with a thermal radiation-based system. Instead of using a contact-type thermistor that physically touches the moving nip plate, the temperature sensor detects temperature through thermal radiation from the reflection plate. This substitution eliminates the mechanical sliding contact that caused wear and damage, improving reliability while maintaining measurement precision
2Reliability
If the temperature sensor is positioned outside the nip region to avoid sliding contact, then the component durability is improved, but the temperature detection accuracy of the nip plate is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The reflection plate acts as a thermal mediator positioned in the heating zone where it directly receives radiant heat from the heater. The temperature sensor, positioned outside the nip region, detects the temperature of this reflection plate. The reflection plate effectively transfers the thermal state of the heating zone to the sensor location, allowing accurate indirect temperature measurement without compromising component durability
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a thermal feedback loop where the reflection plate continuously absorbs radiant heat from the heater and transfers this thermal information to the temperature sensor. This creates a real-time feedback mechanism that allows the control system to monitor and adjust the heating process based on the reflected thermal radiation, maintaining temperature control accuracy despite the sensor's remote position
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 enhances the layout flexibility of the temperature sensor, prevents damage and wear, ensures efficient heating, and improves temperature control accuracy, reducing production costs and maintaining the device's compactness.
Implementation Method 1
a reflection plate configured to reflect a radiant heat from the heater toward the nip member
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor disposed in the internal space to detect a temperature of the reflection plate
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet. The fixing device includes: a tubular flexible member having an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space; a nip member disposed in the internal space and having one surface, the inner peripheral surface being in sliding contact with the one surface; a heater disposed in the internal space: a reflection plate configured to reflect a radiant heat from the heater toward the nip member; a backup member providing a nip region in cooperation with the nip member for nipping the flexible member between the backup member and the nip member; and a temperature sensor disposed in the internal space to detect a temperature of the reflection plate.