Fuser Temperature Sensor Assembly Check Through Receiver Hole
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in ensuring proper assembly of the biasing member for the temperature sensor, making it difficult to verify if the coil spring is correctly assembled, which can lead to improper temperature detection and potential excessive temperature rises.
Innovation Solution
The fixing device incorporates a stay with strategically placed holes that allow visual inspection of the coil spring's end, ensuring correct assembly and alignment, thereby facilitating easy verification of the coil spring's position and preventing assembly failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the receiver covers the biasing member to conceal it from outside, then the appearance is improved and protection is enhanced, but it becomes difficult to visually confirm the correct assembly position of the biasing member
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver is divided into multiple parts: a main body that covers the biasing member for protection and appearance, and a through-hole that segments the receiver structure to allow visual confirmation of the biasing member's assembly position without compromising the covering function
Solution Approach 2:
A through-hole is introduced as an intermediary element in the receiver structure, enabling optical transmission between the interior (where the biasing member is located) and the exterior, thus allowing verification of assembly without removing or opening the receiver
2Reliability
If the biasing member is exposed to the outside, then it is easy to visually confirm its position, but the appearance is degraded and the components are more vulnerable
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver structure is segmented with a through-hole that allows partial visibility of the biasing member while maintaining overall coverage, balancing protection requirements with verification needs
Solution Approach 2:
The through-hole provides a visual window that allows operators to confirm the biasing member's position and state without exposing it, using optical contrast rather than physical exposure
3Ease of operation
If the temperature sensor is not properly positioned, then assembly is simpler, but temperature detection reliability decreases leading to excessive temperature rises
Solution Approach 1:
The through-hole in the receiver provides visual feedback during assembly, allowing operators to confirm that the biasing member (and consequently the temperature sensor) is correctly positioned before final assembly is complete, ensuring detection reliability without complicating the assembly process
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 design enhances the reliability of temperature sensor assembly by allowing easy confirmation of the coil spring's position, reducing the risk of assembly errors and ensuring accurate temperature detection, thus preventing excessive temperature rises.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic body extending from one end to another end, pressing the temperature sensor against the heater at the one end in a pressing direction
Implementation Method 2
a heater heating at least one of the rotators. After the heater heats one of or both rotators to a predetermined temperature
Implementation Method 3
The temperature sensor detects a temperature of the heater
Data Source
AI summary
A heating device includes a heater, a temperature sensor, an elastic body, and a receiver. The temperature sensor detects a temperature of the heater. The elastic body extends from one end to another end to press the temperature sensor against the heater at the one end in a pressing direction. The receiver has a contact face contacting and receiving said another end of the elastic body. The receiver covers the elastic body to conceal the elastic body from outside of the receiver. The receiver has a hole penetrating through the receiver on the contact face. Said another end of the elastic body is disposed adjacent to the hole, and a part of the elastic body is visible from the hole.