METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING WEAR IN IMAGING DEVICES

• US 20120157275A1
• Filed: 12/17/2010
• Published: 06/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: ABBOTT, STEVE, O'BRIEN, LEE, GEARING, MARK, PETERS, ANTHONY, MONAHAN, LEE
• Application Number:
  US12/972,239
• Publication Number:
  US 20120157275A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 492/9
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2220/01 indicating an entity as a function of which control, adjustment or change is performed, i.e. input
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2220/08 for distinguishing changing an entity in function of another entity purely by mechanical means, i.e. no electronics involved
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2220/11 indicating that the input or output entities exclusively relate to machine elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2404/18 composed of several layers
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2515/84 Quality; Condition, e.g. degree of wear
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2551/20 Display means; Information output means
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2601/32 entities relating to handling machine
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 27/00 Special constructions, e.g. surface features, of feed or guide rollers for webs rollers in general F16C13/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2801/06 Office-type machines, e.g. photocopiers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249976 Voids specified as closed
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249997 Encapsulated liquid

Abstract

Methods and system for detecting wear in imaging devices. The system includes an outer wearable layer. An inner layer fused to the outer layer. The inner layer is made of multiple microcapsules including odiferous oils. Wearing off of the outer layer, over time, exposes the inner layer. Subsequently, with added pressure on the inner layer, the microcapsules crack, giving off a particular scent. By detecting the smell, customers can identify worn components of the imaging devices.

Claims

1. A component of an image forming device subjectable to surface wear, the component comprising:

an outer layer made of wearable material; and

an inner layer composed of multiple microcapsules filled with odiferous oils;

wherein wear of the outer layer exposes the inner layer, breaking the microcapsules, and releasing the odiferous oils.

2. The component of claim 1, wherein the outer layer is made of at least one of closed cell foam, elastomer, plastic, or rubber.

3. The component of claim 1, wherein the microcapsules are added to a polypropylene mass and injection molded to form the inner layer.

4. The component of claim 3, wherein the inner layer further comprises a layer of melamine formaldehyde resin for mechanically sealing the microcapsules.

5. The component of claim 1, wherein the microcapsules crack under pressure.

6. The component of claim 1, wherein the image forming device is at least one of a printer, scanner, or copier.

7. The component of claim 1, wherein the component is at least one of a roller, flexible belt, or baffle.

9. The feed roller of claim 7, wherein the outer layer is made from at least one of elastomer, closed cell foam, plastic or rubber.

10. The feed roller of claim 7, wherein the microcapsules are added to a polypropylene mass and injection molded to form the inner layer.

11. The feed roller of claim 9, wherein the inner layer further comprises a layer of melamine formaldehyde resin for mechanically sealing the microcapsules.

12. The feed roller of claim 7, wherein the microcapsules crack under pressure.

13. The feed roller of claim 7, wherein the image forming device is at least one of a printer, scanner, or copier.

8. A wearable feed roller of an image forming device, the feed roller comprising:

a shaft;

an outer layer made of wearable material; and

an inner layer between the shaft and the outer layer, the inner layer made of multiple microcapsules filled with odiferous oils;

wherein wear of the outer layer exposes the inner layer, breaking the microcapsules, and releasing the odiferous oils.