Rod Lens Array Fixing Member Elongation for Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming devices, such as printers, face issues with print quality due to warping of the rod lens array and peeling of adhesives between the lens holder and the lens array when exposed to high temperatures, leading to changes in image forming conditions and poor electrostatic latent image formation.
Innovation Solution
The exposure device incorporates an optical system member, an optical system support part, and a fixing member with specific elongation and hardness properties to maintain straightness of the optical system member, even in high temperature environments, by applying the fixing member between the optical system member and the optical system support part at approximately equal intervals, including both end and center parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional adhesive is used to fix the rod lens array on the lens holder, then the assembly process is simple and quick, but the rod lens array warps toward the photosensitive drum and the adhesive peels when left in a high temperature environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the adhesive by specifying elongation of 40-80% and hardness (Shore D) of 40-90. These parameter adjustments allow the adhesive to maintain both ease of assembly and reliability in high temperature environments, preventing warping and peeling while keeping the fixation process simple and quick.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive is designed with dynamic properties that allow it to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction. The specified elongation range (40-80%) enables the adhesive to dynamically adjust to temperature changes without peeling, while the hardness range (40-90 Shore D) provides sufficient rigidity to prevent warping during operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the rod lens array is fixed with high precision straightness, then the image forming quality is good, but the adhesive structure cannot accommodate thermal expansion and causes warping in high temperature environments
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the adhesive parameters to elongation of 40-80% and hardness of 40-90 Shore D, the adhesive can maintain high precision straightness during assembly while also accommodating thermal expansion in high temperature environments, preventing warping and maintaining image forming quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive is specifically designed to accommodate thermal expansion differences between the rod lens array and lens holder. The elongation range (40-80%) provides sufficient flexibility to handle thermal expansion without compromising the straightness or causing peeling, even when the device operates in high temperature environments.
3Shape
If a rigid adhesive is used to maintain straightness, then the rod lens array remains straight during assembly, but the adhesive peels when thermal stress occurs in high temperature environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the adhesive parameters to hardness (Shore D) of 40-90 and elongation of 40-80%. This combination provides sufficient rigidity to maintain straightness during assembly while retaining enough flexibility to withstand thermal stress without peeling, effectively balancing shape maintenance and bonding strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive is designed with thermal expansion characteristics that match the coefficient of thermal expansion between the rod lens array and lens holder. This allows the adhesive to expand and contract with the components during temperature changes, maintaining bonding strength and preventing peeling while preserving straightness.
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 ensures excellent image forming conditions with respect to the photosensitive drum, maintaining print quality by controlling warping within acceptable limits, even under changing environmental temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
there are cases where the rod lens array warps toward the photosensitive drum and where the adhesive between the lens holder and the lens array peels, when the exposure device is left in a high temperature environment
Implementation Method 2
An elongation of the fixing member is in a range of 40% to 80% inclusive, and hardness (Shore D) of the fixing member is in a range of 40 to 90 inclusive
Data Source
AI summary
An exposure device includes: an optical system member that causes light irradiated from a light emitting element to converge; an optical system support part that supports the optical system member; and a fixing member for fixing the optical system member to the optical system holding part. An elongation of the fixing member is in a range of 40% to 80% inclusive.