Optical Sensor Actuator Integration in Fixing Device Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, as the fixing device grows in size, it becomes challenging to dispose an optical sensor without increasing the apparatus main body size, as the sensor interferes with components like gears at the edge of the chute, making it difficult to secure space for its placement.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a fixing device with a heater and frame, a chute that pivots, an optical sensor with a light-emitting and light-receiving element, and an actuator with levers that move to different positions to shield or allow light emission, ensuring the sensor and actuator are supported by the fixing device frame, preventing the need for increased apparatus size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the fixing device grows in size, then the heater and related components can be better accommodated, but it becomes difficult to dispose the optical sensor without increasing the apparatus main body size
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor and actuator are integrated into the fixing device frame rather than being separate components. The sensor is disposed within the fixing device frame at a position that does not interfere with the chute or other components, merging the sensing function into the existing fixing device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensor is positioned in the width direction (perpendicular to sheet conveying direction) within the fixing device frame, utilizing the three-dimensional space available in the fixing device rather than expanding the apparatus main body in the conventional sensor placement directions.
2Reliability
If the sensor is disposed at the edge of the chute to detect sheet presence, then sheet detection is achieved, but the sensor interferes with components such as gears disposed at the edge in the width direction of the chute
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor is extracted from the chute structure and repositioned within the fixing device frame. This separates the sensor from the chute and its associated components (gears, etc.), eliminating interference while preserving the sheet detection function through the actuator's lever-based light shielding mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator serves as an intermediary between the sheet presence condition and the optical sensor. The actuator's lever contacts the chute or anti-pivot rib to determine sheet presence, then this mechanical signal is converted into an optical signal by the light-shielding lever that blocks or allows light to reach the sensor, indirectly achieving detection without direct sensor-chute contact.
3Ease of operation
If the actuator is provided to the chute to detect sheet presence through pivoting, then sheet detection is enabled, but the actuator and sensor cannot be properly disposed when the fixing device grows in size
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is repositioned from the chute to the fixing device frame, merging the actuation and sensing functions into a single integrated unit. The actuator's shaft, levers, and the optical sensor all become components of the fixing device frame assembly, eliminating the need for separate chute-mounted actuators and reducing overall space requirements.
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 allows for the disposal of the actuator and optical sensor without increasing the apparatus main body size, even when the fixing device grows, by utilizing the actuator's movement to shield or allow light emission, thus preventing interference with other components and maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor including a light-emitting element configured to emit light and a light-receiving element configured to receive light emitted from the light-emitting element
Implementation Method 2
a second lever projecting from the shaft and configured to shield light emitted from the light-emitting element of the optical sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device including a fixing device frame, a chute rotatable between a path forming position and a path opening position, an optical sensor including a light-emitting element, and an actuator. The actuator has a shaft, a first lever configured to contact an anti-pivot rib, and a second lever configured to shield light emitted from the light-emitting element. The actuator is movable to a position where the first lever contacts the anti-pivot rib when the chute is at the path forming position, a position where the first lever and the anti-pivot rib are separated from each other when the chute is at the path forming position, and a position where the first lever and the anti-pivot rib are separated from each other when the chute is at the path opening position. The actuator and the optical sensor are supported by the fixing device frame.