Acoustic Cleaning Failure Detection for Transport Belts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing recording devices lack effective detection mechanisms for abnormalities in the belt cleaning system, leading to potential cleaning failures and reduced image quality.

Innovation Solution

A liquid ejecting device equipped with a sound collecting unit that detects abnormal sounds generated by the cleaning unit, allowing for timely detection of cleaning failures and adjustments to maintain optimal cleaning performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a belt cleaning device is added to the recording device, then the cleaning performance of the transporting belt is improved, but the ability to detect abnormalities in the cleaning device is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidabnormality detection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism by using a sound collecting unit to continuously monitor the cleaning device's operation sounds. The control unit analyzes these sounds to detect abnormalities, creating a closed-loop feedback system that allows the device to self-diagnose and maintain optimal cleaning performance while enabling timely detection of issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If the cleaning unit operates continuously to maintain cleaning performance, then the image quality is improved, but the risk of undetected malfunctions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidmalfunction detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical monitoring methods with acoustic sensing. The sound collecting unit captures operational sounds of the cleaning device, and the control unit analyzes these acoustic signals to detect malfunctions, substituting mechanical feedback systems with acoustic-based monitoring that enables continuous operation with enhanced reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If no sound collecting unit is installed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect cleaning failures is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidcleaning failure detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary element - the sound collecting unit - that mediates between the cleaning device's mechanical operation and the control unit's analysis. This intermediary captures acoustic information from the cleaning process, enabling failure detection without requiring complex direct mechanical sensing or intervention in the cleaning mechanism itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The sound collecting unit effectively identifies deteriorations or malfunctions in the cleaning system, reducing downtime and maintaining image quality by enabling prompt adjustments and repairs.

Implementation Method 1

a sound collecting unit configured to collect a sound generated by operation of the cleaning unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound: Sound

Data Source

PatentEP4183493B1Transport device, liquid ejecting device
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP4183493B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4183493B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4183493B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A transport device 110 includes a transporting belt 23 capable of transporting a medium M, a cleaning unit 50 capable of cleaning the transporting belt with liquid, and a sound collecting unit 85 configured to collect a sound generated by operation of the cleaning unit.