Heat Conductive Holder for Image Sensor Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image sensors in image forming apparatuses face temperature-related issues due to heat from the fixing device, leading to potential degradation in image detection accuracy and quality, as they are susceptible to heat-induced clouding and thermal expansion.
Innovation Solution
A heat conductive holder is used to dissipate heat from a protection glass that protects the image sensor, preventing excessive heat transfer and maintaining the sensor's temperature below 50°C, thereby preventing thermal deformation and ensuring accurate image detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protector is disposed between the recording medium and the image detector to protect the image detector, then the image detector is protected from damage, but the protector absorbs heat from the heated recording medium causing the image detector temperature to rise and potentially degrade detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
A heat dissipating holder is introduced as an intermediary component between the protector and the image detector. This holder has high heat conductivity and acts as a thermal bridge to conduct heat away from the protector, preventing heat accumulation at the image detector while maintaining the protector's protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat dissipation function is extracted from the protector itself and assigned to a separate heat dissipating holder. This separation allows the protector to focus on protection while the holder handles thermal management, resolving the conflict between protection and temperature control.
2Productivity
If the image detector is disposed close to the heating device to detect images on heated recording medium, then detection efficiency is improved, but heat from the recording medium causes thermal expansion and clouding of the image detector reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The heat dissipating holder serves as a thermal intermediary that allows the image detector to remain in close proximity to the heating device for efficient detection, while simultaneously conducting heat away to prevent thermal degradation of measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat that would normally harm the image detector is converted into a beneficial thermal conduction path through the heat dissipating holder, which actively manages the thermal environment to maintain detection accuracy while preserving close positioning for efficiency.
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 suppresses the temperature rise of the image sensor, preventing thermal deformation and maintaining image detection accuracy, even during consecutive printing of large numbers of images.
Implementation Method 1
A heat conductive holder holds the protector.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a conveyance path to convey a recording medium; an image forming device to form an image on the recording medium; a heating device to heat the recording medium; an image detector disposed downstream from the heating device in a direction of conveyance of the recording medium, to detect the image on the recording medium; and a protector projecting beyond the image detector toward the conveyance path. The protector is to protect the image detector; and a heat conductive holder holds the protector.