Ink-jet Recording Apparatus Pressing Member with Thermal Detection Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink-jet recording apparatuses face challenges in accurately controlling temperature for effective ink fixation, particularly due to the slow heat response of thick metal pressing members which can obstruct precise temperature detection and lead to inefficient power management in heating systems.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a heating unit within a first belt that heats in a non-contact manner, a second belt for forming a nip portion with the first belt, and a pressing member with openings for temperature detection members to monitor the temperature of the second belt, allowing for high responsiveness and precise temperature control by cutting off power supply when abnormal heating is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a thick metal pressing member is used to press the belts during ink fixation, then the structural strength and pressure application are improved, but the heat response becomes slow and temperature detection precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member is divided into a thick metal main body for structural strength and a separate thin-plate portion for temperature detection. The thin-plate portion is formed by removing part of the metal main body, creating a segmented structure where each part serves its optimal function - the thick body provides pressing force while the thin portion responds quickly to temperature changes for accurate detection.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the pressing member have different thicknesses and properties. The main body is thick for strength, while the local detection area is thin for thermal responsiveness. This local quality variation allows the single pressing member to simultaneously provide both structural support and accurate temperature detection without requiring separate components.
2Device complexity
If the pressing member directly contacts the second belt without openings, then the pressure application is simple and structurally sound, but temperature detection responsiveness and precision deteriorate due to heat barrier
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member is segmented into a solid main body and a thin-plate portion with opening formed by removing metal. This segmentation allows the thin portion to directly contact or closely approach the second belt, eliminating the heat barrier effect of thick metal while the main body continues to provide pressing force through the thin portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The thin-plate portion acts as an intermediary between the thick metal pressing member and the second belt. It transmits the pressing force from the main body while simultaneously serving as a temperature sensor that can quickly detect belt temperature due to its thin structure, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of strength and thermal responsiveness.
3Device complexity
If conventional thermistor-based temperature control is used, then the system is simple to implement, but temperature control accuracy and ink fixation quality deteriorate due to slow heat response
Solution Approach 1:
The thin-plate portion of the pressing member serves dual functions: it maintains the pressing function while simultaneously acting as its own temperature sensor. By forming the temperature detection element directly from the pressing member material itself, the system achieves accurate temperature control without requiring separate complex sensing systems, thus maintaining simplicity while improving precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing function and temperature detection function are merged into a single integrated pressing member structure. The thin-plate portion combines the mechanical pressing role with the thermal sensing role, allowing the system to achieve both functions through one component rather than separate systems, thereby improving temperature control accuracy without significantly increasing complexity.
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 enables high-responsivity temperature detection and effective power management, ensuring consistent ink fixation and maintaining print quality by preventing overheating and ensuring the first and second belts are heated accurately, thus improving the overall efficiency of the ink-jet recording process.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit disposed inside the first belt and configured to heat the first belt in a non-contact manner
Implementation Method 2
a temperature detection member disposed in the opening and configured to detect a temperature of the inner circumferential surface of the second belt
Implementation Method 3
a fixing device that fixes an image formed with ink to a sheet... applies heat and pressure to the sheet on which the image is formed with ink to permeate ink in the sheet
Data Source
AI summary
An ink-jet recording apparatus includes a first belt, a heating unit, a second belt, a pressing member, and a temperature detection member. The first belt heats a sheet. The heating unit is disposed inside the first belt and heats the first belt in a non-contact manner. The second belt comes into contact with the first belt to form a nip portion together with the first belt, and fixes an ink image on the sheet to the sheet in the nip portion. The pressing member comes into contact with an inner circumferential surface of the second belt in the nip portion, presses the first belt via the second belt, and includes an opening formed in a heated region to be heated by the heating unit. The temperature detection member is disposed in the opening and detects a temperature of the inner circumferential surface of the second belt.