Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of a curved-surface body, said temperature sensor comprising: a flexible support member having ends and a first flexible bow-shaped surface having ends, the ends of the support member also being substantially the ends of the first bow-shaped surface; a thin film strung and laid between the ends of said support member, said thin film forming a second bow-shaped surface being in substantial contact with the curved-surface body, regardless of a pressure applied to said support member, said second surface substantially conforming to the curved-surface body; and a heat sensitive element disposed at a portion of said thin film, said portion being opposed to said first bow-shaped surface, said heat sensitive element being spaced apart from said first bow-shaped surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of a curved-surface body, said temperature sensor comprising: a flexible support member having ends and a first flexible bow-shaped surface having ends, the ends of the support member also being substantially the ends of the first bow-shaped surface; a thin film strung and laid between the ends of said support member, said thin film forming a second bow-shaped surface being in substantial contact with the curved-surface body, regardless of a pressure applied to said support member, said second surface substantially conforming to the curved-surface body; and a heat sensitive element disposed at a portion of said thin film, said portion being opposed to said first bow-shaped surface, said heat sensitive element being spaced apart from said first bow-shaped surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A temperature sensor according to claim 1, wherein said thin film is elastic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A temperature sensor according to claim 1, wherein first said bow-shaped surface is heat-reflective.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A temperature sensor according to claim 1, wherein said support member has a plate shape, and said first bow-shaped surface is formed by bending said plate-shaped support member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A temperature sensor according to claim 1, wherein said heat sensitive element is disposed substantially at a center of said thin film.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A temperature sensor according to claim 1, wherein said bow-shaped surface of said support member is formed in a smoothly varying curved surface shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A temperature sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a thermal conductive sheet coating between said heat sensitive element and said thin film.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A temperature sensor according to claim 1, wherein first said heat sensitive element is provided on said thin film via a thermal conductive sheet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A temperature sensor according to claim 1, wherein said heat sensitive element is provided on said thin film via a bonding sheet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A temperature sensor according to claim 1, wherein a distance of a space portion between said heat sensitive element and said first bow-shaped surface opposed to said heat sensitive element is in the range of 1 to 5 mm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A temperature sensor according to claim 1, wherein said thin film is heat resistant.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A temperature sensor according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of said thin film is in the range of 25 μm to 50 μm.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of using a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of a curved-shaped body, said temperature sensor comprising: a flexible support member having ends and a first flexible bow-shaped surface having ends, the ends of the support member also being substantially the ends of the first bow-shaped surface; a thin film strung and laid between the ends of said support member, said thin film forming a second bow-shaped surface being in substantial contact with the curved surface body, wherein said second bow-shaped surface substantially conforms to the curved-surface body; and a heat sensitive element disposed at a portion of said thin film, said portion being opposed to said first bow-shaped surface, said heat sensitive element being spaced apart from said first bow-shaped surface; said method comprising: contacting a part of said thin film, said part including an area of said heat sensitive element, with said curved-surface body to be measured, regardless of a pressure applied to said support member; and sensing the temperature of said curved-surface body while said area contacts said curved-surface body.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of using a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of a curved-shaped body, said temperature sensor comprising: a flexible support member having ends and a first flexible bow-shaped surface having ends, the ends of the support member also being substantially the ends of the first bow-shaped surface; a thin film strung and laid between the ends of said support member, said thin film forming a second bow-shaped surface being in substantial contact with the curved surface body, wherein said second bow-shaped surface substantially conforms to the curved-surface body; and a heat sensitive element disposed at a portion of said thin film, said portion being opposed to said first bow-shaped surface, said heat sensitive element being spaced apart from said first bow-shaped surface; said method comprising: contacting a part of said thin film, said part including an area of said heat sensitive element, with said curved-surface body to be measured, regardless of a pressure applied to said support member; and sensing the temperature of said curved-surface body while said area contacts said curved-surface body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
146 words
In combination, a toner fixing apparatus and a toner temperature sensor, the toner fixing apparatus comprising: a heating roller having a curved-surface; the temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the curved-surface, said temperature sensor comprising: a flexible support member having ends and a first flexible bow-shaped surface having ends, the ends of the support member also being substantially the ends of the first bow-shaped surface; a thin film strung and laid between both ends of said support member and forming a second bow-shaped surface being in substantial contact with the curved-surface, regardless of a pressure applied to said support member, said second bow-shaped surface substantially conforming to the curved surface body; and a heat sensitive element disposed at a portion of said thin film, said portion being opposed to said first bow-shaped surface, said heat sensitive element being spaced apart from said first bow-shaped surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
146 words
In combination, a toner fixing apparatus and a toner temperature sensor, the toner fixing apparatus comprising: a heating roller having a curved-surface; the temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the curved-surface, said temperature sensor comprising: a flexible support member having ends and a first flexible bow-shaped surface having ends, the ends of the support member also being substantially the ends of the first bow-shaped surface; a thin film strung and laid between both ends of said support member and forming a second bow-shaped surface being in substantial contact with the curved-surface, regardless of a pressure applied to said support member, said second bow-shaped surface substantially conforming to the curved surface body; and a heat sensitive element disposed at a portion of said thin film, said portion being opposed to said first bow-shaped surface, said heat sensitive element being spaced apart from said first bow-shaped surface.