Air Blowing Mechanism for Direction Change Roller Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

In image forming devices with a direction change roller, foreign matter adhering to the roller surface can damage the intermediate belt during rotation, leading to adverse effects on image forming, and existing solutions like blades can damage the roller surface.

Innovation Solution

An air blowing mechanism is integrated to gently remove foreign matter from the direction change roller surface, preventing damage to both the roller and the intermediate belt by blowing air in specific directions and configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a blade is provided to remove foreign matter from the direction change roller surface, then foreign matter can be removed, but the roller surface may be damaged due to sliding contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforeign matter adhesionVSAvoidroller surface integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical blade contact system with a pneumatic air blowing system. Air is blown onto the direction change roller surface to remove foreign matter without physical contact, thereby eliminating the sliding friction that causes surface damage while still achieving effective foreign matter removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a blowing mechanism that uses compressed air to blow onto the direction change roller surface. This pneumatic approach allows foreign matter to be removed through air flow rather than mechanical contact, preserving the roller surface integrity while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Ease of operation

If the intermediate transfer unit is made detachable for belt replacement, then maintenance is easier, but foreign matter can adhere to the direction change roller during exposure to external air

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebelt replacement convenienceVSAvoidforeign matter adhesion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the blowing mechanism to blow air onto the direction change roller surface before the intermediate transfer unit is detached for maintenance. This preliminary action removes foreign matter in advance, preventing adhesion during the exposure period when the unit is detached, while still allowing easy belt replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 air blowing mechanism effectively prevents foreign matter from adhering to the direction change roller, ensuring the surface integrity of both components and maintaining image quality by avoiding damage during belt rotation.

Implementation Method 1

an blowing mechanism to blow out air to the pressing rotational part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow:

Data Source

PatentUS10409219B2Image forming device with blowing mechanism

Publication Date: 2019.09.10 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

An image forming device includes: an endless belt that transfers an image onto a sheet; a driving mechanism that drives the endless belt; a nip that transfers an image onto the sheet; a pressing rotational part that presses a front side of the endless belt that is a face onto which an image is transferred, and is rotated together with movement of the endless belt; and an blowing mechanism to blow out air to the pressing rotational part.